Having Specific If Mixing Of Returns Patents (Class 356/5.15)
  • Patent number: 11867842
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a pulse generator that is used in a ToF camera system especially adopting the indirect system and can be ready for various settings of a frequency or a phase with a simple configuration. [Solving means] There is provided a pulse generator that includes a first counter that determines a phase of a pulse to be outputted and used for distance measurement to a distance measurement target using an input signal, and a second counter that determines a frequency of the pulse using the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohtaro Yasu, Yuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11828882
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a distance measuring device and a distance measuring method that can improve the accuracy of distance measurement. A control unit controls a light emitting operation by supplying a light emitting unit with a light emission timing signal for controlling the light emitting operation for emitting irradiation light and controls the light receiving operation by supplying a light receiving unit with a light reception timing signal for controlling the light receiving operation for receiving reflected light. A measuring unit measures a deviation time between the light emission timing at which the light emitting unit emits the irradiation light and the light reception timing at which the light receiving unit receives the reflected light, using the light emission timing signal and the light reception timing signal. The present technology can be applied, for example, to a case where distance measurement is performed by using the ToF method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keitarou Amagawa, Yusuke Moriyama
  • Patent number: 11733387
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of ladar systems and methods where data about a plurality of ladar returns from prior ladar pulse shots gets stored in a spatial index that associates ladar return data with corresponding locations in a coordinate space to which the ladar return data pertain. This spatial index can then be accessed by a processor to retrieve ladar return data for locations in the coordinate space that are near a range point to be targeted by the ladar system with a new ladar pulse shot. This nearby prior ladar return data can then be analyzed by the ladar system to help define a control parameter for use by the ladar receiver with respect to the new ladar pulse shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: AEYE, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Dussan, Allan Steinhardt, Federico Presutti, Joel David Benscoter
  • Patent number: 11649660
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for integration into a vehicle door including a support element coupled to the vehicle door, a handle element arranged on the support element, and a radar apparatus arranged on the support element or on or in the handle element and configured to emit radar radiation and to receive reflected radar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Bernd Herthan, Bertram Bopp, Christoph Brueckner, Carsten Topf, Michael Richter, Sebastian Schoedel
  • Patent number: 11598849
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating illumination modulation signals, image intensifier gain modulation signals, and image sensor shutter control signals in a three-dimensional image-capturing system with one or more frequency synthesizers is disclosed. The illumination modulation signals, image intensifier gain modulation signals, and image sensor shutter signal are all coherent with one another, being derived from a common clock source. The use of frequency synthesizer concepts allow for the use of rapid modulation phase changes for homodyne operation, and further allow the use of rapid modulation frequency changes to mitigate the effects of inter-camera interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MUNRO DESIGN & TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: James F. Munro
  • Patent number: 11513226
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) apparatus capable of extracting speed information and distance information of objects in front thereof is provided. The LiDAR apparatus includes: a continuous wave light source configured to generate continuous wave light; a beam steering device configured to emit the continuous wave light to an object for a first time and stop emitting the continuous wave light to the object for a second time; a receiver configured to receive the continuous wave light that is reflected from the object to form a reception signal; and a signal processor configured to obtain distance information and speed information about the object based on the reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dongjae Shin, Hyunil Byun, Changgyun Shin, Bongyong Jang
  • Patent number: 11506768
    Abstract: A TOF camera apparatus for transmitting light signals and recording the light that is scattered back at an object and also for determining the distance of the TOF camera apparatus from the object is proposed, wherein the TOF camera apparatus comprises: a transmitter for transmitting light signals, a receiver for detecting the light scattered back at the object, embodied in the form of a pixel matrix having at least one pixel, a modulation device for producing a modulation signal in order to modulate light signals that are to be transmitted by the transmitter, an evaluation device for evaluating the light detected by the receiver, which evaluation device is connected to the modulation device to obtain the modulation signal for evaluating and determining the distance. In order to make possible particularly reliable error detection, a check apparatus for error detection in at least one of the pixels is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: ESPROS Photonics AG
    Inventor: Beat De Coi
  • Patent number: 11500091
    Abstract: An improved non-line-of-sight camera provides for real-time evaluation of a relay wall with respect to illuminated points and sensing areas for higher accuracy and practical field use. Gated sensing allows improved recovery of faint photon signals and higher resolution. The system allows an operator to a find virtual camera from looking around multiple corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Andreas Udo Velten, Marco La Manna
  • Patent number: 11493603
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensor for detecting an object in the surroundings and a method of the LIDAR sensor includes a light source emitting electromagnetic radiation, a micromechanical deflection mirror deflecting the emitted electromagnetic radiation by at least one angle into the surroundings, and a mirror, which includes an aperture situated on a main beam axis of the light source, deflecting onto an optical receiver received electromagnetic radiation that has been reflected from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Schnitzer, Siegwart Bogatscher, Jan Sparbert
  • Patent number: 11366200
    Abstract: A set of signals are sampled at the LiDAR system and the set of signals are converted to a frequency domain to generate a set of sampled signals in the frequency domain. The set of signals are received consecutively over time. A set of first functions are created based on the set of sampled signals. The set of first functions are averaged to generate a second function. The second function represents a power spectrum density estimate of the set of signals. A peak value of the second function is detected to determine range and velocity information related to a target based on a corresponding frequency of the peak value of the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Aeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Krause Perin, Mina Rezk, Kumar Bhargav Viswanatha, Rajendra Tushar Moorti
  • Patent number: 11307019
    Abstract: A system and method for generating, enhancing, and detecting the amplitude and phase modulation of a laser under a condition of self-mixing is provided. The system may comprise a laser and a detector to extract the characteristic self-mix signal, which is then interpreted using algorithms implemented in hardware or software. In the case of the laser being a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting laser (VCSEL), the output signal can be detected by monitoring the surface light emission by means of a beam splitter, or in some embodiments as emission from the bottom surface of the laser. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a wavelength filter such as an etalon in the signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Vixar, Inc.
    Inventors: Klein Johnson, Tal Fishman, Tal Bakish
  • Patent number: 11187807
    Abstract: Frequency modulated lasers, LIDAR systems, and methods of controlling laser are disclosed. A laser source emits an optical beam having an optical frequency that changes in response to a signal applied to an input of the laser source. A laser driver that generates the signal applied to the input to cause the optical frequency to vary in accordance with a periodic frequency versus time function. The laser driver generates the signal for a current period of the periodic frequency versus time function based, at least in part, on optical frequency versus time measurements of one or more prior periods of the periodic frequency versus time function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Naresh Satyan, George Rakuljic
  • Patent number: 11169246
    Abstract: A method to compensate for phase impairments in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes transmitting a first optical beam towards a target, receiving a second optical beam from the target to produce a received optical beam; and generating a digitally-sampled target signal using a local oscillator (LO) beam, a first photo-detector and the received optical beam. The method also includes generating a digitally-sampled reference signal using a reference beam transmitted through a fiber delay device and a second photo-detector, and estimating one or more phase impairments in the LiDAR system using the digitally-sampled reference signal to produce one or more estimated phase impairments. The method also includes performing a first correction on a first phase impairment introduced into the digitally-sampled target signal by the LO beam; performing a second correction on a second phase impairment introduced into the digitally-sampled target signal by the received optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Kumar Bhargav Viswanatha, Jose Krause Perin, Rajendra Tushar Moorti, Mina Rezk
  • Patent number: 11125879
    Abstract: A method for processing a signal arising from coherent lidar includes a coherent source that is periodically frequency-modulated; a beat signal being generated by photodetector on the basis of the interference between an optical signal that is referred to as the local oscillator having a local oscillator frequency (fOL(t)) and an optical signal that is backscattered by a target illuminated by the lidar, said beat signal being digitized; the local oscillator frequency (fOL(t)) being made up of the sum of a mean value (f0) and of a modulation frequency (fmod(t)) arising from the modulation of the source, the modulation frequency being periodic according to a modulation period (TFO), each period comprising n linear portions having n frequency slopes (?i), respectively, where n is greater than or equal to 2, the method comprising the steps consisting in: complexly modulating the beat signal; complexly demodulating the modulated signal (Smod) by n demodulation frequencies (fdemod(i)) each having a single slope tha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Patrick Feneyrou, Grégoire Pillet
  • Patent number: 10564268
    Abstract: A method is for phase-error correction in a synthetic aperture (SA) imaging system. A transmission signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal are generated with a relative time delay, which can be adjusted in real-time to match a range to a target region to be imaged. A portion of the transmission signal is transmitted onto the target region and a return signal is collected and mixed with a portion of the LO signal to provide a raw SA signal. Transmission and LO phase errors associated respectively with the transmission and LO signals are determined, as well as a frequency jitter between the transmission and LO signals. A phase-corrected SA signal is obtained by applying a phase correction to the raw SA signal based on the transmission phase error, the LO phase error and the frequency jitter. An SA imaging system is capable of implementing the method for phase-error correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Simon Turbide, Alain Bergeron
  • Patent number: 10024647
    Abstract: A method of air refractive index correction for an absolute long distance measurement adopting a two-color method based on a single wavelength and a synthetic wavelength is provided. Two lasers emit two laser beams with a constant single wavelength and a variable wavelength, respectively, to form a synthetic wavelength chain from large to small through a laser interferometric system. Each order of the synthetic wavelength chain is used to obtain a series of the estimate values of optical distance with gradually increasing accuracy. After optical distances corresponding to a minimum synthetic wavelength and a single wavelength are obtained simultaneously, the corrected absolute distance is achieved according to the principle of the two-color method for air refractive index correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SCI-TECH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Benyong Chen, Shihua Zhang, Liping Yan
  • Patent number: 9897538
    Abstract: Methods for optical imaging, particularly with optical coherence tomography, using a low coherence light beam reflected from a sample surface and compared to a reference light beam, wherein real time dynamic optical feedback is used to detect the surface position of a tissue sample with respect to a reference point and the necessary delay scan range. The delay is provided by a tilting/rotating mirror actuated by a voltage adjustable galvanometer. An imaging probe apparatus for implementing the method is provided. The probe initially scans along one line until it finds the tissue surface, identifiable as a sharp transition from no signal to a stronger signal. The next time the probe scans the next line it adjusts the waveform depending on the previous scan. An algorithm is disclosed for determining the optimal scan range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett Eugene Bouma
  • Patent number: 9831630
    Abstract: A LiDAR sensor having particular application for use on a vehicle. The LiDAR sensor includes a plurality of spaced apart VCSEL arrays each including a single lens, where the lens for each VCSEL array directs the beam of the particular laser in the array that is illuminated in a desired direction so that turning on and off of the lasers in each array creates a scanning effect. The number and the size of the VCSEL arrays are selected to provide the desired FOV for the sensor, where the VCSEL arrays can be positioned on a curved platform to provide that FOV. The sensor also includes one or more detectors for detecting reflections of the laser beams emitted by the lasers. Control electronics are provided to scan the laser beams and generate a three-dimensional point cloud of return image points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ariel Lipson
  • Patent number: 9804263
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring distance from an instrument origin to each of a plurality of points in an environment. Laser pulses are emitted along a measurement axis at successive displacements about the origin. The emission time of each pulse is time-shifted relative to a fixed rate. The time shift corresponds to an index of a repetitive sequential pattern. Received pulses are detected at respective arrival times. For each received pulse: a current apparent distance is determined, a measured delta distance is calculated, a range interval is assigned by comparing measured delta distance with an expected delta distance synchronized with the index of the latest emitted pulse, the current apparent distance is defined to be a true measured distance for any received pulse assigned to a first time interval, otherwise the current apparent distance is defined to be a false measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRIMBLE AB
    Inventors: Gregory Lepere, Guillaume David
  • Patent number: 9175947
    Abstract: A device for determining a position of an object (25) in a spatial region (28) comprises a light source (3), a light directing device (4-9), at least one reference signal detector (11, 12) and a detector arrangement (13, 14). The light source (3) generates a sequence of light pulses with a repetition rate. The light directing device (4-9) directs the sequence of light pulses into the spatial region (28) and, as a reference signal (20), to the at least one reference signal detector (11, 12). The detector arrangement (13, 14) detects a plurality of light signals (23, 24) which are reflected and/or scattered by the object (25) in the spatial region (28) into a plurality of different directions by reflection and/or scattering of the sequence of light pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Cristina Alvarez Diez, Frank Hoeller, Bernd Spruck, Marc Tremont
  • Patent number: 8797512
    Abstract: A three dimensional imaging camera comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, receiving optics, an infrared focal plane array light detector, and an image processor. The described invention is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. The 3-D imaging camera utilizes a pulsed laser transmitter capable of illuminating an entire scene with a single high power flash of light. The 3-D imaging camera employs a system controller to trigger a pulse of high intensity light from the pulsed laser transmitter, and counts the time from the start of the transmitter light pulse. The light reflected from the illuminated scene impinges on a receiving optics and is detected by a focal plane array optical detector. An image processor applies image enhancing algorithms to improve the image quality and develop object data for subjects in the field of view of the flash ladar imaging camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey, Brad Short, Laurent Heughebaert, Patrick Gilliland
  • Patent number: 8773646
    Abstract: Fiber optic scanner and method for transmitting and receiving optical signals and range imaging camera including fiber optic scanner. The fiber optic scanner includes a light guide array including individual light guides arranged such that a first end has first ends of the individual light guides arranged in an image plane of collimating optics and a second end has second ends of the individual light guides arranged in a circular manner. A central light guide includes a first end arranged at a center of the circularly arranged second ends of the individual light guides and a motor driven reflector arranged to guide light emerging from the circularly arranged ends of the individual light guides into the central light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eads Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Schwanke
  • Patent number: 8773643
    Abstract: The apparatus for sensing a distance from an object includes an emitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The emitter emits a light along an emitting direction toward the object. The first receiver is disposed on a side of the emitter and has a first light incident surface, wherein the first receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a first signal. The second receiver is disposed between the emitter and the first receiver and has a second light incident surface, wherein the second receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a second signal. The first receiver has a first signal-to-distance curve with a first peak, the second receiver has a second signal-to-distance curve with a second peak, and a distance corresponding to the first peak is larger than a distance corresponding to the second peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Pegatron Corporation
    Inventor: Kuo-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 8687174
    Abstract: A unit pixel included in a photo-detection device, the unit pixel including a floating diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate, a ring-shaped collection gate over the semiconductor substrate, a ring-shaped drain gate over the semiconductor substrate, and a drain region in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the collection gate and the drain gate are respectively arranged between the floating diffusion region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Yoon-Dong Park
  • Patent number: 8687173
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a measured distance between a measuring device (20A) and an object (21), the system including a first laser source (13) for producing a first light beam (13A) having a first waveform (32) and a first frequency; a second laser source (11) for producing a second light beam (1 IA) having a second frequency, said second light beam (HA) having a second waveform (36), wherein said first frequency is chirped up at the first rate as said second frequency is chirped down at the first rate, and said second frequency is chirped up at the second rate as said first frequency is chirped down at the first rate; an optical element (15) for combining said first light beam (13A) with said second light beam (HA) into a combined light beam path (17), said optical element (15) splitting a returning portion of said combined light beam path (17) into a third light beam (24); and a single detector (23) for receiving said third light beam (24) including two different beat frequencies that are propo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Metrology N.V.
    Inventors: Mina Rezk, Anthony Slotwinski
  • Patent number: 8654315
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ascertaining a gap between a stationary member and a rotating member are disclosed. At least a reference beam and a signal beam, which have different focal lengths or which diverge/converge at different rates, are fixed to the stationary member and proximate to each other. The beams are projected across a gap between the stationary member and the rotating member toward the rotating member. The reference and signal beams are reflected by the translating member when it intersects the reference and signal beam, and the reflected reference and signal pulses are obtained. One or more features of the reflected reference pulse and the reflected signal pulse, such as a rise time of the pulses, a fall time of the pulses, a width of the pulses and a delay between the reflected reference pulse and the reflected signal pulse, among other factors, are obtained. The width of the gap is obtained using at least one of these factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Prime Photonics, LC
    Inventor: Daniel Kominsky
  • Patent number: 8319951
    Abstract: A local positioning system including a sighting device for indicating an aim point on a target object, the target object having a local coordinate system, an articulation mechanism connected to the sighting device to effect movement of the sighting device about at least two independent axes, and a controller in communication with the articulation mechanism, the controller being configured to control a velocity of the sighting device about each of the independent axes to obtain desired movement of the aim point on the target object in the local coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James J. Troy
  • Patent number: 8279415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a distance are disclosed. A measuring device includes a timer, a counter, an optical emitter, an optical receiver, and a distance computing element. In one embodiment, the timer provides a sequence of signals and the counter counts pulses in a loop. The loop includes an electrical path and an optical path. While an optical emitter such as a laser can emit outgoing beams, an optical receiver such as a photodiode receives return beams from the reflective surface. The reflective surface reflects the return beam in accordance with the outgoing beam. The distance computing element measures a distance in response to the outgoing and return beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Welland, Bryan M. Willman
  • Patent number: 8279416
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) having a light transmitter (12) for the transmitting of laser pulses (18) into a monitored region (24) by means of a laser light source (14) and having a driver circuit (16, 30) for the laser light source (14) is described which is designed to set the light transmitter (12) into a working state in which the laser light source (14) transmits a laser pulse (18) or into a preparatory state. The driver circuit (16, 30) is further designed to set the light transmitter (12) into the preparatory state in each case prior to the transmission of a laser pulse (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Gernot Reiner, Gottfried Hug
  • Patent number: 8194233
    Abstract: Haze-type phase shift error due to stray light reflections in a phase-type TOF system is reduced by providing a windowed opaque coating on the sensor array surface, the windows permitting optical energy to reach light sensitive regions of the pixels, and by reducing optical path stray reflection. Further haze-type error reduction is obtained by acquiring values for a plurality (but not necessarily all) of pixel sensors in the TOF system pixel sensor array. Next, a correction term for the value (differential or other) acquired for each pixel in the plurality of pixel sensors is computed and stored. Modeling response may be made dependent upon pixel (row, column) location within the sensor array. During actual TOF system runtime operation, detection data for each pixel, or pixel groups (super pixels) is corrected using the stored data. Good optical system design accounts for correction, enabling a simple correction model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Cyrus Bamji
  • Patent number: 8184269
    Abstract: A method for inputting information by an input device with photosensitive elements uses laser light to illuminate a target and two photosensitive elements to sense the time at which beams reflected by the target and then reflected respectively by rotatable first and second mirrors, and determines an included angle between a virtual connecting line of the target and the first mirror and a virtual connecting line of the first mirror and the second mirror and an included angle between a virtual connecting line of the target and the second mirror and the virtual connecting line of the first and second mirrors depending on the time, thereby calculating a coordinate of the target and taking it as relative input information, capable of saving the time for obtaining the target's coordinate and the production cost of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Chih-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 8179522
    Abstract: A distance measuring device measures a distance from a phase difference of beaten down processing signals even when fluctuations occur in a frequency of an oscillator. The distance measuring device includes a laser unit, a dividing device, a reference light receiving unit, and a measuring light receiving unit. The distance measuring device further includes an oscillator, a first mixer, a second mixer, a fourth filter, a fifth filter, a third mixer, a sixth filter, a second filter, a phase difference measuring unit, and a distance measuring unit. The phase difference measuring unit measures a phase difference of the two beat signals extracted by the sixth filter and the second filter. The distance measuring unit measures a distance based on the phase difference measured by the phase difference measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Isao Minegishi, Masahiro Ohishi, Naoto Miki, Yuichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8139203
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for multi-dimensional scanning of a scene. In particular, this invention provides scanning devices and methods employing controllable light beam scanning devices capable of sending a light beam onto a scene, and of receiving corresponding light returned from the scene, and controllers capable of operating the scanning device at selected beam orientations, and of gaining distance information from the scanning device at the beam orientations. The controller can dynamically define beam orientations using the distance information gained from preceding beam orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Trimble AB
    Inventors: Grégory Lepere, Pascal Souffez
  • Patent number: 8134692
    Abstract: A light emitting element and a light receiving element is placed in such a manner that the light axis of a light emitting element constructing a light emitting circuit and the light axis of a light receiving element constructing a light receiving circuit cross each other. The light pathway length R1, R2 of both the light waves are determined in such a manner that the object light, the light waves via the object pathway, are delayed by ?/2 in phase from the reflected light, i.e. relative to light waves via the reflected light pathway. A synchronous detector selects signals having the same phase as the object light from receive signals provided from the light receiving circuit. Accordingly, the fog detector can detect the object light without being influenced of the reflected light, which allows a determination processing device to accurately determine the density of fog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8130367
    Abstract: By using 3-D focal plane arrays, the present invention tracks or locates small moving objects, or generates a 3-D frame of data with minimum laser energy and a minimum of mechanically moving parts. In another embodiment the invention is used to determine the direction of a laser designating a target with a minimum of moving parts. In another embodiment the invention is used as a 3-D movie/video camera. In yet another embodiment the device is used to provide data for autonomous navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8130368
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to a target point in a target area comprises a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam having a first wavelength, a nonlinear crystal into which the laser beam having the first wavelength generated by the laser oscillator enters, the nonlinear crystal generating a laser beam having a second wavelength, a collimator lens at which the laser beam having the first wavelength generated by the laser oscillator and the laser beam having the second wavelength generated by the nonlinear crystal are concentrated and are transformed into parallel light flux, a laser device provided with the laser oscillator, the nonlinear crystal, and the collimator lens, an output unit for outputting the laser beam having the first wavelength and the laser beam having the second wavelength at the same time, which are emitted by the laser device, while scanning the target area, a selective reflective mirror for selectively reflecting the laser beam having the first wavelength
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Taizo Eno, Masayuki Momiuchi
  • Patent number: 8120754
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus is provided that employs one or more additional reflectors to reflect and redirect the light beam transmission pulses from a scanning fan assembly to a given area of interest. The one or more additional reflectors provide additional resolution for detecting a detectable object. The one or more additional reflectors can be external or internal to the scanning fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Kaehler
  • Patent number: 8107057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a range finding method for a target by means of a pulsed laser (4) and a device for detecting pulses backscattered by the target, which comprises a step for emitting pulses with a repetition frequency f. The detection device comprises an array of photodiodes (21) associated with integrators (22?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Marcel-Francis Audier, Eric Belhaire
  • Patent number: 8094292
    Abstract: An interferometric method and system enabling light echoes-to-spectrum mapping, applicable for laser rangefinder, biomedical imaging including surface 3D mapping and tomography, vehicle position identification, and spectrum analysis. The direct mapping into spectrum allows a time-of-flight detection without using any timing pulse modulation. The sensitivity of the detection can be as high as that of the conventional low coherence interferometry, thereby an eye-safe and low-cost solution not compromising performance. In a practical implementation, high accurate range detection can be easily achievable with the level of accuracy equivalent to the laser rangefinder using a 20 ps Full-Width-at-Half-Maximum (FWHM) timing pulse. The system and method comprise applying dispersion-unbalanced interference (referred to as ‘cross-chirp interference’) and gating a phase matched spectral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Yongwoo Park, Marco Peccianti, José Azana
  • Patent number: 8085388
    Abstract: A 3D pulsed laser projection system scans an object to produce a dense 3D point cloud and projects a laser light beam onto an object as a glowing template. A high-sensitivity optical feedback system receives and detects a feedback beam of the output beam light diffusely reflected from the object. The feedback light and projected beam share the same beam path between steering mirrors and the object. A light suppression component controls stray scattered light, including ambient light, from being detected. A time-of-flight measurement subsystem provides a distance-to-object measurement for projected pulses. An acousto-optical modulator, variable gain detected signal amplification and variable photo-detector power together produce a dynamic range for detected reflected feedback signals of at least 100,000, and up to 500,000. Optical fiber cables spatially filter scattered light and isolate the photo-detectors thermally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Laser Projection Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Kaufman, Arkady Savikovsky, Christopher C. Chagaris, Joel Stave
  • Patent number: 8085987
    Abstract: Texture of a surface, for example concrete, is evaluated by capturing images of the surface facing the surface in a direction of an orthogonal axis extending perpendicularly from the surface while sequentially projecting light onto the surface from each of four light source positions spaced circumferentially about the orthogonal axis. A specularity condition is determined to exist in one of the four images by comparing intensities of the images directly with one another. If a specularity condition exists, three images of the four images which are least affected by specularity are used to determining a surface gradient of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ahmed Shalaby, Amin El Gendy
  • Patent number: 8081300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for laser ranging with high precision and high efficient, a method for identifying distance mode automatically during laser ranging process, and a laser ranger with high precision, high efficient and low power waste. The accuracy of ranging is increased through multi classes of receiving process; the accuracy of ranging is further increased through the selection of distance mode and the adjustment of receiving sensitivity before the measuring steps are executed; the accuracy of ranging is further increased through executing jitter judgment on obtained distance measured values to discard the distance measured values that do not satisfy the setting conditions and judge whether the number of remaining distance measured values satisfies the setting quantity requirement; and the present invention is also of simple structure, high measurement efficiency, and low power waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Jinhua Lanhai Photoelectricity Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tian Jin, Guojun Zheng, Chongqiu Liu, Yi Qun Fan
  • Patent number: 8072613
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the inner space of a container provides for the measurement of the wear of the lining of a container such as a torpedo ladle optionally while the ladle is still hot. The interior lining of the container is scanned by a scanner head from a first position in the container which is at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the container. The scanner head is placed in a second position in the container at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the container and from the second position the scanner head scans the portions of the interior lining of the container which were not scanned during the first position scan. By comparing the scanning measurements of the lining from the first position scan and the second position scan after the container has been loaded and unloaded with an initial reference measurement of the lining the wear of the lining can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Specialty Minerals (Michigan) Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Schmitz, Rolf Lamm, Christoph Carlhoff
  • Patent number: 8054451
    Abstract: A system that includes a laser designator configured to continuously designate a target with a pulsed laser spot. The system includes a sensor and associated processing system configured to receive a reflection of the laser spot, convert the received energy to plurality of signals, processing the signals for detecting true reflected signals and process the true reflected signals for generating target related action. The sensor and associated processor are configured to detect the true signals notwithstanding an inherent low Signal/Noise ratio of below 4 of the received signals from due to low pulse power of the laser designator and distance to target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Uri Karazi, Benjamin Levy, Raphael E. Levy, Valery Heymann
  • Patent number: 8049869
    Abstract: The present invention includes a multifaceted imaging semi-active laser system (“I-SALS”). In one aspect, the I-SALS closes on a laser designation of a target until it starts imaging the target, whereupon the I-SALS then homes on the target from the image. Some embodiments employ a slightly defocused designation. Other embodiments use existential jitter in the designation and other embodiments intentionally induce a jitter in the designation called dither. One particular embodiments provides a dual field-of-view optics package that has no moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Max Flowers, Lionel D. Liebman, Gregory N. Whitfield, Arthur S. Bornowski
  • Patent number: 8031333
    Abstract: A method of determining a distance to an object is presented. A first photon and a second photon are simultaneously generated. The first photon is reflected off an object. The second photon is directed to an optical cavity. An arrival of the first photon is correlated with an arrival of the second photon, and the distance to the object is at least partially determined using the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Zaugg
  • Patent number: RE48490
    Abstract: A LiDAR-based 3-D point cloud measuring system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. In several versions of the invention, the system includes a vertically oriented motherboard, thin circuit boards such as ceramic hybrids for selectively mounting emitters and detectors, a conjoined D-shaped lens array, and preferred firing sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Velodyne LIDAR USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Hall
  • Patent number: RE48491
    Abstract: A LiDAR-based 3-D point cloud measuring system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. In several versions of the invention, the system includes a vertically oriented motherboard, thin circuit boards such as ceramic hybrids for selectively mounting emitters and detectors, a conjoined D-shaped lens array, and preferred firing sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Velodyne LIDAR USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Hall
  • Patent number: RE48503
    Abstract: A LiDAR-based 3-D point cloud measuring system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. In several versions of the invention, the system includes a vertically oriented motherboard, thin circuit boards such as ceramic hybrids for selectively mounting emitters and detectors, a conjoined D-shaped lens array, and preferred firing sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Velodyne LIDAR USA, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Hall
  • Patent number: RE48504
    Abstract: A LiDAR-based 3-D point cloud measuring system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. In several versions of the invention, the system includes a vertically oriented motherboard, thin circuit boards such as ceramic hybrids for selectively mounting emitters and detectors, a conjoined D-shaped lens array, and preferred firing sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.
    Inventor: David S. Hall