Including Alignment Patents (Class 398/131)
  • Patent number: 12218704
    Abstract: A method and optical system for preemptively correcting a potential future misalignment of an optical communication beam between a plurality of free space optical (FSO) units or Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) units by intentionally generating predetermined and repetitive motions of the beam path between the units using an adjustment mechanism. In some examples the predetermined motion is a circular motion or a reciprocating and/or translating motion. The predetermined motions can be implemented by an adjustment mechanism which can include a plurality of piezoelectric actuators or one or more MEMS controlled mirrors or micro-lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Maurice Herman Johan Draaijer, Jan Ekkel, Harry Broers
  • Patent number: 12136946
    Abstract: The techniques described within this disclosure are directed to an in-line adaptor or coupling device of a PON that detects incoming optical signals (e.g., of different services) being delivered over the PON on different bands of wavelengths supported by an incoming optical fiber of the PON, converts (if necessary) any optical signals to suitable wavelength signals, and transmits the converted optical signals to a last mile termination unit via suitable output interfaces. At least a portion of the incoming optical signals are not converted by the in-line adaptor, and instead are passed-through the in-line adaptor to the last mile termination unit via an optical output interface. The in-line adaptor further includes one or more wireless interfaces via which information pertaining to the received optical signals and/or other information related to the in-line adaptor is transmitted to one or more recipient devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: John Valdez
  • Patent number: 12132517
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining an optimized point ahead angle (?a) between an uplink beam (U0) from a first terminal (10) to a second terminal (20), and a downlink beam (D0) from the second terminal (20) to the first terminal (10). While transmitting data via a transmission channel (Tx) from the first terminal (10) to the second terminal (20), a directional variation (??) is applied to an initial point ahead angle (?0) for emitting the uplink beam (U1,U2) along different point ahead angles (?1,?2). A respective intensity (I1,I2) is determined of a part of the uplink beam (U1,U2), received by the second terminal (20), emitted by the first terminal (10) along a respective point ahead angle (?1, ?2). The initial point ahead angle (?0) is adjusted towards an optimized point ahead angle (?a) based on the respective intensity (I1,I2) as function of the different point ahead angles (?1,?2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Willem Arjan Klop, Remco Den Breeje, Rudolf Saathof, Nicolaas Jan Doelman
  • Patent number: 12043918
    Abstract: A control device has a learning model that outputs an estimated value of a second physical quantity that is unobservable under a condition of manufacturing a SiC crystal, from a first physical quantity that is observable under the condition of manufacturing the SiC crystal. The control device generates a basic learning model by mechanical learning using, as teacher data, a simulation result of a simulation model based on structural data of a SiC crystal manufacturing apparatus. The control device acquires measured values of the first physical quantity and the second physical quantity measured under a condition that the SiC crystal is unable to be manufactured while the second physical quantity is observable, and generates the learning model that corrects an output of the basic learning model based on the measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MIRISE Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Uematsu
  • Patent number: 12034478
    Abstract: The technology relates to free-space optical communication systems that correct for errors in tracking and pointing accuracy to maintain connection integrity. Such systems can both proactively and reactively correct for errors in tracking performance and pointing accuracy of terminals within the system. An aspect includes receiving information indicative of at least one external disturbance associated with a communication device. A determination is made for a proactive estimation indicative of a first error associated with an effect of the at least one external disturbance at a current timestep. A determination is made for a reactive estimation indicative of a second error associated with the effect of the at least one external disturbance at a previous timestep. A final control signal is determined based on the proactive estimation and the reactive estimation. A controller is able to actuate an optical assembly of the communication device based on the determined final control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Baris Ibrahim Erkmen, Devin Brinkley
  • Patent number: 11999480
    Abstract: A flight control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle on which a reflector is mounted and a total station for tracking the reflector and for acquiring measurement data including three-dimensional coordinates of the reflector, wherein the total station comprises a tracking module for tracking the reflector, a TS-data transmitting module having an optical axis parallel or approximately parallel to a tracking optical axis of the tracking module and for emitting a TS-data transmitting light, and a TS-arithmetic control module, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle has a photodetector for receiving the TS-data transmitting light and for emitting a photodetecting signal and a UAV-arithmetic control module for controlling a flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and wherein the TS-arithmetic control module is configured to superimpose the measurement data on the TS-data transmitting light, and the UAV-arithmetic control module is configured to separate the measurement data from th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: TOPCON Corporation, Tierra S.p.A
    Inventors: Riccardo Loti, Kaoru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 11990935
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support structure and one or more first optical components on the support structure that communicatively couple with a first endpoint. The one or more first optical components are configured to output and receive optical signals that travel over a free space medium to establish a secure link between the first endpoint and a second endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Paraskevas Bakopoulos, Elad Mentovich, Tali Septon, Dimitrios Syrivelis, Ioannis (Giannis) Patronas, Dimitrios Kalavrouziotis, Moshe Oron
  • Patent number: 11984935
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for adjusting an optical link alignment of a first communication device with a remote device. The method includes transmitting or receiving an optical signal; receiving one or more measurements of at least one environmental factor at the first communication device or the remote device; and receiving or detecting an apparent amount of alignment of the optical signal. Then, by one or more processors of the first communication device, determining an estimated error attributable to optical cross coupling and an actual amount of alignment of the optical signal based on the apparent amount of alignment and the estimated error. Next, adjusting the first communication device based on the actual amount of alignment to correct for optical cross coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Paul Csonka
  • Patent number: 11929783
    Abstract: A method includes providing outgoing optical signals for transmission by a monostatic optical terminal using multiple transmit channels and providing incoming optical signals obtained by the monostatic optical terminal to multiple receive channels. The method also includes using a polarization beam splitter/combiner to combine the outgoing optical signals into a combined outgoing optical signal and to split a combined incoming optical signal into the incoming optical signals. The method further includes using at least one feedback loop to adjust an aim or path of at least one of the outgoing optical signals or at least one of the incoming optical signals. The method may optionally include using an optical element to convert polarizations of the combined outgoing optical signal in order to generate an output signal and to convert polarizations of an input signal in order to generate the combined incoming optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Kowalevicz, Jae H. Kyung
  • Patent number: 11902722
    Abstract: Delivering information according to a recipient's location by modulating an optical carrier according to a data set, transmitting the optical carrier in a first direction, altering the path of the carrier wave according to an optical carrier wavelength, receiving recipient location information, and altering the optical carrier wavelength or optical carrier path according to the recipient location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11842117
    Abstract: An information display system according to the present disclosure includes: display device provided in a mask, the display device being configured to display a screen viewed by a person wearing the mask; and display control unit for switching a displaying mode of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masatoshi Fukukawa
  • Patent number: 11773788
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns the communication between electronic systems in an aircraft subassembly such as a propulsion unit. This communication is at least partially carried out by light signals transmitted through at least one interior volume of the sub-assembly, this interior volume defining an optical channel. To this end, at least one of these systems includes an emitter arranged to emit a light signal and modulate it depending on data to be transmitted generated by this system, and at least one other of these systems includes at least one receiver capable of receiving this light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Safran Nacelles
    Inventors: Patrick Gonidec, Jean-Paul Rami
  • Patent number: 11683090
    Abstract: A system uses pulsed lasers to enhance a signal propagation path in a telecommunications network. The system can estimate a signal propagation path, which varies based on a current location of a mobile device relative to a base station. The system can detect a propagation loss due to a condition of a propagation medium including the signal propagation path and determine whether the mobile device is in Line-of-Sight (LOS) of a laser emitter. In response to detection of the propagation loss, the laser emitter can emit a pulsed laser that can enhance signal propagation by mitigating the propagation loss on the signal propagation path. The pulsed laser has a propagation path overlapping the signal propagation path when the mobile device is in LOS of the laser emitter, which is mounted on the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: George Cummings, Brett Christian, Scott Probasco
  • Patent number: 11652550
    Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments relate to line-of-sight (LOS), e.g., optical, based networks. Systems and methods for determining where to place and how to configure nodes in an optically connected network across a geographic region are provided. Various factors concerning the region may be collected, including, e.g., building locations and height, building types, population densities, backbone connection locations, recurring weather factors, geographic elevation, etc. The algorithm may iteratively place nodes based upon the accessible range of a preceding contemplated node position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Gros, Yael Maguire, Karthik Yogeeswaran
  • Patent number: 11624924
    Abstract: An image capturing system including an image capturing apparatus and a head-mount type display device. A smartphone which is the image capturing apparatus generates a live view image and transmits the live view image and operation information associated with an operation performed on the smartphone to a smart glass which is the display device. The smart glass includes a display section and receives the live view image and the operation information from the smartphone. An image generation unit of the smart glass generates a display image to be displayed on the display section, based on the received live view image, and the generated display image is displayed on the display section. The image generation unit changes the display image to be displayed on the display section, according to the received operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Mima
  • Patent number: 11614306
    Abstract: An electronic device determines target information about a target and recommends a target based on the target information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Philip Lyren
  • Patent number: 11522610
    Abstract: A free space optical receiver including a multi-mode transmission medium configured to receive a light beam comprising a plurality of modes, the light beam having been propagated through a free space path. The free space optical receiver also includes a mode separating means configured to separate the plurality of modes for transmission through a corresponding first plurality of transmission media as a corresponding plurality of single-mode light beams, and a combining means configured to combine two or more of the plurality of single-mode beams into a combined beam for transmission through a further transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS SAS
    Inventors: Crisanto Quintana Sanchez, Gavin Erry, Yoann Thueux
  • Patent number: 11418265
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Free Space Optics (FSO), more specifically it is directed to: a method of obtaining a connection between at least two optical signal nodes, of a FSO, communication system each node comprising a transmitting device and receiving device; and transmitting via the transmitting device of a first node, a first diverged optical signal into an optical medium; receiving at the receiving device of the second node the first diverged optical signal and transmitting via the transmitting device of the second node a second diverged signal to the receiving device of the first node to establish a location of said first node establishing a connection, after which; the first node switches from the diverged optical signal to a narrower optical signal for the transmission of data via the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Michael Stewart Griffith, Andrew James Williams
  • Patent number: 11361794
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a cavity having interior surfaces or reflecting elements, one or more transmitters configured to receive an electrical signal, transform the electrical signal into an electromagnetic wave signal, and introduce the electromagnetic wave signal into an inside of the cavity, and one or more receivers configured to retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal, transform the electromagnetic wave signal to a corresponding electrical signal, and transmit the corresponding electrical signal to the outside of the cavity is disclosed. The electromagnetic wave signal is contained within the inside of the cavity until retrieved by undergoing a series of reflections or traversals between the interior surfaces of the cavity or the reflecting elements within the cavity. The apparatus may further comprise one or more regenerators configured to re-amplify, re-shape, and/or re-time the electromagnetic wave signal traveling within the inside of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LYTELOOP TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Damaghi, Ohad Harlev, Armand Vedadi-Comte, Paul Francis McManamon, Alan Eli Willner
  • Patent number: 11320242
    Abstract: An electronic device determines target information about a target and recommends a target based on the target information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Philip Lyren
  • Patent number: 11204443
    Abstract: Computerized method and system for estimating a rain attribute on microwave communications, the estimation being carried out by: obtaining quantized minimum and maximum levels of received signals and transmitted signals over a microwave link during a period; subtracting the quantized maximum level of received signals from the quantized minimum level of transmitted signals to provide a minimal attenuation value; subtracting the quantized minimal level of received signals from the quantized maximal level of transmitted signals to provide a maximal attenuation value; calculating an attenuation difference related to the period by subtracting the minimal attenuation value from the maximal attenuation value; calculating a bias compensated attenuation difference based on the attenuation difference, and bias value related to the microwave link; and calculating the rain attribute, including the average rain during the period, based on the bias compensated attenuation difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: RAMOT AT TEL-AVIV UNIVERSITY LTD.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ostrometzky, Hagit Messer-Yaron
  • Patent number: 11177879
    Abstract: A system and method for performing free space optical communication with a plurality of streetlamp assemblies. The method includes transmitting a light beam from a first free space optical (FSO) unit of a first streetlamp assembly to a second FSO unit of a second streetlamp assembly along a transmission path. A transmission error is detected while transmitting the light beam along the transmission path. A location of one or more smart minors is obtained. An alternate transmission path is determined from the first FSO unit to the second FSO unit or a third FSO unit. The alternate transmission path includes a reflection of the light beam from the one or more smart minors. The first FSO unit is oriented with respect to the alternate transmission path. The light beam is transmitted from the first FSO unit along the alternate transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Maurice Herman Johan Draaijer, Jan Ekkel, Ruben Rajagopalan, Harry Broers
  • Patent number: 11161630
    Abstract: A free-floating spherical gimbal (“gimbal”) that includes a moving portion substantially spherical in shape and partially enclosed within a larger spherical and stationary cavity. The moving portion of the spherical gimbal is maintained in a location without direct mechanical contact with the stationary cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard P. Welle
  • Patent number: 11144746
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing apparatus with in-sensor fingerprint enrollment and verification. The sensing apparatus includes a fingerprint sensor configured to generate sensor data in response to user contact with a sensing region and a processing system operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. When operating in the first mode, the processing system is configured to detect a fingerprint of the user based on the sensor data. When operating in the second mode, the processing system is configured to process gesture inputs based on the sensor data. In some implementations, while operating in the second mode, the processing system may selectively authenticate the user based on the gesture inputs and enable the user to enroll or manage fingerprints on the sensing apparatus when the user is authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kio Kim, Ramakrishna Kakarala, Marcia Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 11115127
    Abstract: A solid obstacle is removed with a high-power laser beam to establish a transmission path for a spatial laser communication. When a space in which the laser beam is transmitted is blocked off by the solid obstacle, the spatial laser communication cannot be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Nishikata, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yoshikatsu Kuroda, Hiroshi Ikebuchi, Yukito Hata, Yuichi Araki, Koichi Hamamoto, Tomoya Morioka, Atsushi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 11002956
    Abstract: A co-boresight refractive beam director for a full duplex laser communication terminal includes a chromatic beam steering element, such as a two or three prism Risley prism assembly, and a dispersion compensation mechanism (DCM) inserted in either the transmit or receive path. The DCM adjusts a beam direction of either the transmit or receive laser beam to compensate for a pointing difference introduced by the beam steering element due to a difference between the transmit and receive wavelengths. The DCM can include a tip/tilt mirror and actuator, which can be a commercially available FSM assembly. The beam steering element can be temperature stabilized. Position feedback sensors can increase DCM speed and accuracy. The pointing difference can be calculated and/or interpolated from a pre-established look-up table or fitted curve relating pointing differences to transmit and receive frequencies and the pointing direction of the beam steering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Carlson
  • Patent number: 10958350
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for high performance wireless data transfers. In an example embodiment, laser chips are used to support the data transfers using laser signals that encode the data to be transferred. The laser chip can be configured to (1) receive a digital signal and (2) responsive to the received digital signal, generate and emit a variable laser signal, wherein the laser chip comprises a laser-emitting epitaxial structure, wherein the laser-emitting epitaxial structure comprises a plurality of laser-emitting regions within a single mesa structure that generate the variable laser signal. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments for a photonics receiver that can receive and digitize the laser signals produced by the laser chips. Such technology can be used to wireless transfer large data sets such as lidar point clouds at high data rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: OPTIPULSE INC.
    Inventors: John Richard Joseph, Feng Hou, William K. Szaroletta
  • Patent number: 10873395
    Abstract: A smart light source configured for visible light communication. The light source includes a controller comprising a modem configured to receive a data signal and generate a driving current and a modulation signal based on the data signal. Additionally, the light source includes a light emitter configured as a pump-light device to receive the driving current for producing a directional electromagnetic radiation with a first peak wavelength in the ultra-violet or blue wavelength regime modulated to carry the data signal using the modulation signal. Further, the light source includes a pathway configured to direct the directional electromagnetic radiation and a wavelength converter optically coupled to the pathway to receive the directional electromagnetic radiation and to output a white-color spectrum. Furthermore, the light source includes a beam shaper configured to direct the white-color spectrum for illuminating a target of interest and transmitting the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin McLaurin, James W. Raring, Paul Rudy, Vlad Novotny
  • Patent number: 10868615
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of forming a communication link between two communication devices using a primary search pattern and a secondary search pattern. A misalignment between a first optical system of a first communication device and a second optical system of a second communication device is detected. The first optical system is rotated according to the primary search pattern, and the second optical system according to the secondary search pattern. At the second communication device, a set of frames is captured. Then, it is determined whether a beacon beam transmitted from the first communication device is detected in the one or more of the captured frames. When it is determined that the beacon beam is detected, the communication link is formed between the first communication device and the second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Edward Allen Keyes
  • Patent number: 10847041
    Abstract: Described is an airborne monitoring station (“AMS”) for use in monitoring a coverage area and/or unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) positioned within a coverage area of the AMS. For example, the AMS may be an airship that remains at a high altitude (e.g., 45,000 feet) that monitors a coverage area that is within a line-of-sight of the AMS. As UAVs enter, navigate within and exit the coverage area, the AMS may wirelessly communicate with the UAVs, facilitate communication between the UAVs and one or more remote computing resources, and/or monitor a position of the UAVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Navot, Gur Kimchi, Brandon William Porter, Avi Bar-Zeev, Daniel Buchmueller
  • Patent number: 10833763
    Abstract: A wireless optical communication apparatus for performing bi-directional optical transmission in a free space includes a first optical system configured to transmit data through a downlink scheme and a second optical system configured to receive the data from the first optical system and transmit a control signal to the first optical system through an uplink scheme, wherein each of the first optical system and the second optical system transmits and receives the data and the control signal through a single port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyun Seo Kang, Chan Il Yeo, Young Soon Heo, Kye Eun Kim, Sung Chang Kim, Ji Hyoung Ryu, Si Woong Park, Keo Sik Kim, Gi Hyeon Min, Hyoung Jun Park, Dong Hoon Son, Mun Seob Lee
  • Patent number: 10833405
    Abstract: Steerable antenna on platforms, fixed or mobile, are tracked to form an RF communication link by setting the width of the main lobe of the antenna beam pattern to be greater than the initial pointing uncertainty region and then concurrently scanning and progressively reducing the widths of the main lobes as the pointing uncertainty region is reduced to first acquire and then track the opposing antenna. The width of the main lobe is reduced such that the width of the main lobe is approximately fixed for each block. The antennas at opposite ends of the communication link may be scanned with scan patterns that are orthogonal to each other such that the demodulation of the received signal levels to signal direction of arrival at each platform is solely a function of the scan pattern of the receive antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Brown, Alan Rattray, Travis B. Feenstra, Samuel De La Torre, Johan A. Kullstam, Arlin L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 10700780
    Abstract: A directional free-space optical communication system includes a source device including a laser diode and an endpoint device including a photodiode. The endpoint device and the source device also include an adjustable optics subsystem that increases both angular and positional offset tolerance between the source device and the endpoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Omid Momtahan, Tong Chen
  • Patent number: 10686522
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method of forming a communication link between two communication devices using a primary search pattern and a secondary search pattern. A misalignment between a first optical system of a first communication device and a second optical system of a second communication device is detected. The first optical system is rotated according to the primary search pattern, and the second optical system according to the secondary search pattern. At the second communication device, a set of frames is captured. Then, it is determined whether a beacon beam transmitted from the first communication device is detected in the one or more of the captured frames. When it is determined that the beacon beam is detected, the communication link is formed between the first communication device and the second communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Paul Csonka, Edward Allen Keyes
  • Patent number: 10361846
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and system implementing same for identifying and/or measuring an orientation mismatch and/or relative angular velocity between at least two spaced apart stations, the first and second stations having first and second reference frames, respectively, as well as a method and system implementing same for aligning reference frames. The method comprises receiving, at the second station, a reference signal from the first station, the reference signal having a predetermined coding associated with the first reference frame, and splitting the signal into first and second components with respect to the second reference frame by way of an optical device. The method then comprises measuring first and second intensities of the first and second components, and using the measured first and second intensities to determine an approximate angle of deviation, if any, between first and second reference frames. The determined angle may be used to correct the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: University of KwaZulu-Natal
    Inventors: Marco Mariola, Abdul Rahim Mirza, Francesco Petruccione
  • Patent number: 10320485
    Abstract: Provided are an optical relay system and a method for setting identification information of a remote device in an optical relay system. In particular, provided are an optical relay system and a method for setting identification information of a remote device in an optical relay system in which a donor device generates unique identification information of a remote device based on temporary identification information and characteristic information received from the remote device to automatically set identification information of the remote device, and as a result, the optical relay system can be normally implemented rapidly in initial installation of the optical relay system or a change of an optical relay system environment and convenience of a manager and reliability of a mobile communication service can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SOLiD, INC.
    Inventor: Youngwoo Kwon
  • Patent number: 10236980
    Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method detect light source “hotspots” and recognize laser communication signals within a scene, while minimizing repeat consideration of previously detected light sources. Local maxima are identified in pixel frames from a focal plane array (FPA), and compared with a table of previous detections. FPA frames can be used directly for hotspot detection, or successive FPA frames can be subtracted for edge detection. Most recent detection frame numbers, coordinates, signal values, and/or other information can be updated in the table upon repeat detection of a hotspot. Source identifying information can be included in the table for entries that are identified as laser communication signals. Source identifying features can be evaluated so that only signals of interest are saved in the table. Hotspots that remain undetected after a designated number of frames can be deleted from the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T Carlson, Dennis P Bowler, David C Donarski, David A Haessig, Jr., Stuart M Lopata, Dale A Rickard
  • Patent number: 9705606
    Abstract: A system for supplying power wirelessly to a remote mobile device including (i) a transmitting unit for directing radiation into the region of the mobile device, the transmitting unit having a gain medium with a front surface directed towards the space, and a retroreflector on its back surface, and (ii) a receiver unit connected with or attached to the mobile device for receiving radiation transmitted from the transmitting unit. The receiver unit includes (i) a retroreflector for reflecting part of the radiation received from the transmitting unit back in the direction of the transmitting unit, where it is amplified and retransmitted back in the direction of the receiver unit, and (ii) a power detection element for absorbing that part of the radiation not reflected by the retroreflector, and converting it to electrical power for use by the mobile device. Modulation of the transmitted beam enables it to transmit data also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: WI-Charge, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ortal Alpert
  • Patent number: 9450670
    Abstract: A free-space optical transceiver includes a repositionable mirror for receiving and sending light beams with another transceiver. To properly align the light beams, the position of the mirror is determined in using a position sensor. The position sensor is mounted within a base substructure that is coupled to a steerable mirror substructure containing the mirror. The position sensor reflects sensor light off of the mirror to determine the position of the mirror along two different axes. The position sensor includes an optical element for shaping the sensor light. The components of the position sensor are mounted to the base substructure such that alignment of the position sensor is not required. Further, by coupling the position sensor to the base substructure and not the steerable mirror substructure, the moment of inertia and center of gravity of the steerable mirror substructure is improved, thereby improving the steering responsiveness of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Aoptix Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Siegfried Fleischer, Glenn Scott Gibb, Jr., Yu Chun Chang, Howard Dando
  • Patent number: 9197321
    Abstract: An optical communication apparatus includes an emitting device and a receiving device. The emitting device includes optical signal emitters, a first driver chip, a first lens member, a first control chip, and a first wireless transmitting and receiving unit. The receiving device includes optical signal receivers, a second driver chip, a second lens member, a second control chip, and a second wireless transmitting and receiving unit. The optical signal emitter emits light carrying optical signals. The first wireless transmitting and receiving unit wirelessly transmits intensity information of the light to the receiving device. The second wireless transmitting and receiving unit receives the intensity information. The second driver chip drives the optical signal receivers to receive the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuo-Fong Tseng
  • Patent number: 9124373
    Abstract: An integrated optical phased array includes an input channel receiving an optical input signal, and a multitude of signal processing channels each adapted to supply an associated optical output signal along a first axis in response to the input signal. Each signal processing channel includes, in part, a phase modulator adapted to modulate the phase of the signal travelling through the channel, thereby to control or steer the output signal of the phased array. Each channel optionally includes first and second photo detection circuits respectively generating first and second detection signals. The first and second detection signals in each channel may be used to modulate the amplitude and/or phase of the output signal of that channel thereby to control and steer the output signal of the phased array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Firooz Aflatouni, Behrooz Abiri, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Patent number: 9042734
    Abstract: A laser relay module for free space optical communications including an optical telescope for receiving and transmitting optical beams; an optical diplexer for separating transmitting and received optical beams; an optical amplifier; a modulated beacon laser for line of sight control of a plurality of communicating remote network nodes; a beacon beam detector for detecting an incoming beacon optical beam for line of sight control of the optical telescope and receiving data from other network nodes; and means for inserting an output of the modulated beacon laser into the optical telescope for transmission to another network node, and for transporting the incoming beacon optical beam to the beacon detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Maciej D. Makowski, Gary D. Coleman, William J. Miniscalco, Stephen D. Nordel
  • Patent number: 9014553
    Abstract: A satellite test signal reflection apparatus for testing transmitters sending out optical signals, the apparatus includes a plate that is at least partially permeable to optical signals. The plate has a base with a first surface with a residual reflective coating and a second surface. The residual reflective coating is configured to split an optical beam, which penetrates the plate in a first direction from the first surface to the second surface, into a reflective optical beam and a transmitted optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Weichert
  • Publication number: 20150104185
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing proper raster line alignment of a camera or other light-sensing device of a receiver device relative to a transmitting light-based communication (LCom)-enabled luminaire to establish reliable LCom there between. In accordance with some embodiments, proper alignment can be provided automatically (e.g., by the receiver device and/or other suitable controller). In accordance with some embodiments, proper alignment can be provided by the user. In some instances in which a user is to be involved in the alignment process, the receiver device may be configured, for example, to instruct or otherwise guide the user in the process of properly aligning the receiver device relative to a given transmitting LCom-enabled luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Christian Breuer, Anant Aggarwal, Barry Stout
  • Patent number: 8995842
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed wherein optical signals are coded in a transmitter by tuning or modulating the interbeam delay time (which modulates the fourth-order coherence) between pairs of entangled photons. The photon pairs are either absorbed or not absorbed (transparent) by an atomic or molecular fluorescer in a receiver, depending on the inter-beam delay that is introduced in the entangled photon pairs. Upon the absorption, corresponding fluorescent optical emissions follow at a certain wavelength, which are then detected by a photon detector. The advantage of the disclosed system is that it eliminates a need of a coincidence counter to realize the entanglement-based secure optical communications because the absorber acts as a coincidence counter for entangled photon pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administrator
    Inventors: Jun Kojima, Quang-Viet Nguyen, John Lekki
  • Patent number: 8995841
    Abstract: A system and method in the field of free space optical communications (FSOC) for overcoming atmospheric-induced spatial optical signal variations operates within each of two FSOC terminals that make up a bi-directional FSOC link, with each terminal providing the rapid adaptive beam path method over a much wider field of view than typically used for adaptive optical techniques. Each terminal uses a real-time adaptive beam-steering technique that continuously measures optical power and optical power gradients by the receiver optical detectors; this data is sent to a control system that automatically responds by re-aligning the optical system accordingly by maximizing the optical signal power measured by the optical power receiving detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Charles H. Chalfant, III, Terry L. Tidwell, Michael Leary
  • Patent number: 8989586
    Abstract: Optical communications system (10) and method for transmission of payload data (PD) from a low earth orbit satellite (20) to an optical ground terminal (30), the low earth orbit satellite (20) being connectable with the optical ground terminal (30) via an optical downlink channel (DL), and the optical ground terminal (30) being connectable with the low earth orbit satellite (20) via an uplink channel (UC); wherein said uplink channel (UC) is an acquisition and tracking beacon channel by means of a ground beacon (GB) controlled by a point-acquisition-track subsystem (PAT), the ground beacon (GB) comprising a wide angle beam (W) for acquisition and a guidance beam (G) for tracking; and wherein the ground beacon (GB) for the uplink channel (UC) is a pulse position modulated PPM channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: RUAG Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Felix Andreas Arnold, Thomas Dreischer
  • Patent number: 8989579
    Abstract: Optical downlink system (10) and method of optical data transmission between a remote terminal (20) having a number of n optical communication terminals (OT1-OTn), and a ground terminal (30) comprising a cluster of n optical ground stations (OGS1-OGSn) connected by n optical downlink channels (DL1-DLn) respectively n optical uplink channels (UC1-UCn) characterised by a spatial separation of the optical downlink channels (DL1-DLn) and a temporal separation of the optical uplink channels (UC1-UCn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: RUAG Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Felix Andreas Arnold, Thomas Dreischer
  • Publication number: 20150071648
    Abstract: A display device may include a display, an optical touch system proximate the display and a control system. The control system may be capable of receiving input for initiating a peer-to-peer data transfer and of performing an authentication process for the peer-to-peer data transfer. The authentication process may involve obtaining fingerprint images via the optical touch system. The display device may provide a prompt to position the display device proximate a second device, e.g., with the display adjacent to a display of the second device. The display may display data transfer parameters for the peer-to-peer data transfer. The optical touch system may receive a confirmation that the second device received the data transfer parameters. The peer-to-peer data transfer may be performed, at least in part, by an array of optical transceivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Paul Eric Jacobs, Matthew Stuart Grob
  • Patent number: 8977135
    Abstract: A system comprises a transmitter including a laser configured to generate a laser beam directed at a spot on a surface, and a laser driver connected to the laser and configured to modulate input data onto the laser beam. The system may further comprise a receiver including an optical detector configured to decode received light into raw data, a signal processor configured to decode the raw data into the original input data, and telescope optics configured to receive light reflected from the spot on the surface, collimate the light and converge the light onto the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun J. Xia, Glenn A. Wellbrock