Search Patents
  • Automotive auxiliary ladar sensor
    Patent number: 9069080
    Abstract: A vehicle and ladar sensor assembly system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to identify potential collisions with the vehicle. A low cost assembly is developed which can be easily mounted within a body panel cutout of a vehicle, and which connects to the vehicle electrical and computer systems through the vehicle wiring harness. The vehicle has a digital processor which interprets 3D data received from the ladar sensor assembly, and which is in control of the vehicle subsystems for steering, braking, acceleration, and suspension. The digital processor onboard the vehicle makes use of the 3D data and the vehicle control subsystems to avoid collisions and steer a best path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Patrick Gilliland, Andrew Duerner
  • Ladar sensor for landing, docking and approach
    Patent number: 8976340
    Abstract: A system for landing or docking a mobile platform is enabled by a flash LADAR sensor having an adaptive controller with Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Range gating in the LADAR sensor penetrates through diffuse reflectors. The LADAR sensor adapted for landing/approach comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, transmit optics, receive optics, a focal plane array of detectors, a readout integrated circuit, camera support electronics and image processor, an image analysis and bias calculation processor, and a detector array bias control circuit. The system is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Bob Koseluk, Steve Penniman, Brad Short, Joe Spagnolia, Roger Stettner
  • LADAR enabled impact mitigation system
    Patent number: 9110169
    Abstract: A collision mitigation system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of headlight mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to characterize the road surface, identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Patrick Gilliland, Barton Goldstein, Andrew Duerner
  • FLASH LADAR COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140160460
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system comprising a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, a number of independent ladar sensor units, a cabling infrastructure, internal memory, a scene processor, and a data communications port is presented herein. The described invention is capable of developing a 3-D scene, and object data for targets within the scene, from multiple ladar sensor units coupled to centralized LADAR-based Collision Avoidance System (CAS). Key LADAR elements are embedded within standard headlamp and taillight assemblies. Articulating LADAR sensors cover terrain coming into view around a curve, at the crest of a hill, or at the bottom of a dip. A central laser transmitter may be split into multiple optical outputs and guided through fibers to illuminate portions of the 360° field of view surrounding the vehicle. These fibers may also serve as amplifiers to increase the optical intensity provided by a single master laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Roger Stettner, Laurent Heughebaert, Barton M. Goldstein
  • Flash LADAR collision avoidance system
    Patent number: 8692980
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system comprising a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, a number of independent ladar sensor units, a cabling infrastructure, internal memory, a scene processor, and a data communications port is presented herein. The described invention is capable of developing a 3-D scene, and object data for targets within the scene, from multiple ladar sensor units coupled to centralized LADAR-based Collision Avoidance System (CAS). Key LADAR elements are embedded within standard headlamp and taillight assemblies. Articulating LADAR sensors cover terrain coming into view around a curve, at the crest of a hill, or at the bottom of a dip. A central laser transmitter may be split into multiple optical outputs and guided through fibers to illuminate portions of the 360° field of view surrounding the vehicle. These fibers may also serve as amplifiers to increase the optical intensity provided by a single master laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Roger Stettner, Laurent Heughebaert, Bart Goldstein
  • AUTOMATIC RANGE CORRECTED FLASH LADAR CAMERA
    Publication number: 20130128257
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS INC.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey, Brad Short, Laurent Hueghebaert, Patrick Gilliland
  • AUTOMATIC RANGE CORRECTED FLASH LADAR CAMERA
    Publication number: 20140293265
    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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey, Brad Short, Laurent Heughebaert, Patrick Gilliland
  • AUTOMATIC RANGE CORRECTED FLASH LADAR CAMERA
    Publication number: 20160103224
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey, Brad Short, Laurent Heughebaert, Patrick Gilliland
  • Flash ladar collision avoidance system
    Patent number: 9086486
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system comprising a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, a number of independent ladar sensor units, a cabling infrastructure, internal memory, a scene processor, and a data communications port is presented herein. The described invention is capable of developing a 3-D scene, and object data for targets within the scene, from multiple ladar sensor units coupled to centralized LADAR-based Collision Avoidance System (CAS). Key LADAR elements are embedded within standard headlamp and taillight assemblies. Articulating LADAR sensors cover terrain coming into view around a curve, at the crest of a hill, or at the bottom of a dip. A central laser transmitter may be split into multiple optical outputs and guided through fibers to illuminate portions of the 360° field of view surrounding the vehicle. These fibers may also serve as amplifiers to increase the optical intensity provided by a single master laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Roger Stettner, Laurent Heughebaert, Barton M. Goldstein
  • Automatic range corrected flash ladar camera
    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
  • Automatic range corrected flash ladar camera
    Patent number: 9229109
    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: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey, Brad Short, Laurent Heughebaert, Patrick Gilliland
  • High speed crystallography detector
    Patent number: 6057552
    Abstract: A device for the collection, digitization and analysis of synchrotron x-ray crystallographic data using an area detector which detects x-ray photons directly on arrays of solid state detectors and stores the information on capacitors located on readout unit cell array chips. The device consists of a two dimensional area detector, for amplification, collection and conversion of the diffracted x-rays to electrical signals, drive electronics for providing the timing pulses and biases to the area sensor, output electronics for converting the x-ray signals to digital signals and storing the signals, and a data processor to analyze the digital signal form the output electronics. The solid-state detector array is made up of a variable-area three-dimensional array of detector array chips where each chip is in turn made up of an array of solid-state detectors. Each detector on the detector array chip is electrically connected to a readout unit cell on a readout array chip directly beneath the detector array chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey
  • 3D imaging underwater laser radar
    Patent number: 5446529
    Abstract: A three dimensional imaging device and method is presented which uses a pulsed light source for detecting objects enveloped by a light-transmitting and light-reflecting and scattering medium such as water or biological tissues. By means of high-speed switching between many storage capacitors the third dimension is recorded by the device with a single pulse from the light-source. The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected and scattered light, one or more sensors for detecting the light, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and processing electronics and software for converting the sensor data to a three dimensional image. The sensors use known technologies for light amplification but collect and process the light-amplified data in a unique manner, using an analog-processing readout chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
  • 3D imaging underwater laser radar
    Patent number: 5696577
    Abstract: A three dimensional imaging device and method is presented which uses a pulsed light source for detecting objects enveloped by a light-transmitting and light-reflecting and scattering medium such as water or biological tissues. By means of high-speed switching between many storage capacitors the third dimension is recorded by the device with a single pulse from the light-source. The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected and scattered light, one or more sensors for detecting the light, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and processing electronics and software for converting the sensor data to a three dimensional image. The sensors use known technologies for light amplification but collect and process the light-amplified data in a unique manner, using an analog-processing readout chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
  • High speed crystallography detector
    Patent number: 5629524
    Abstract: A device for the collection, digitization and analysis of synchrotron x-ray crystallographic data using an area detector which detects x-ray photons directly on arrays of solid state detectors and stores the information on capacitors located on readout unit cell array chips. The device consists of a two dimensional area detector, for amplification, collection and conversion of the diffracted x-rays to electrical signals, drive electronics for providing the timing pulses and biases to the area sensor, output electronics for converting the x-ray signals to digital signals and storing the signals, and a data processor to analyze the digital signal form the output electronics. The solid-state detector array is made up of a variable-area three-dimensional array of detector array chips where each chip is in turn made up of an array of solid-state detectors. Each detector on the detector array chip is electrically connected to a readout unit cell on a readout array chip directly beneath the detector array chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard Bailey
  • Autoradiographic digital imager
    Patent number: 5475225
    Abstract: A real-time autoradiographic digital imager for accurately quantifying the spatial distribution of radio pharmaceuticals in tissue samples having a sensor for converting the energy of radionuclide particles to an electrical signal, external off-chip electronics for sensor timing and signal conditioning, a computer for data processing and image display and a high voltage supply to support the sensor operations. The sensor has a scintillator or phosphor for converting particle energy to lower energy photons, a microchannel plate high-resolution-amplifier for amplifying the photon signal, and a readout chip structure for converting the photon signal to an electrical signal. The readout chip structure consists of a detector array for converting the photons to an electrical charge, and a readout array for storing the data and providing the data, with low noise, to the output portion of the external electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stettner
  • 3D imaging laser radar
    Patent number: 6133989
    Abstract: A three dimensional imaging device is presented which uses single pulse from a pulsed light source for detecting objects enveloped by a light-transmitting medium such as the earth's atmosphere or free space. By means of switching off a ramping voltage, individually for each object pixel, the time of arrival of the reflected pulse is recorded. This time is related to the third object dimension. The device consists of the pulsed light source, optics for collecting the reflected light, a sensor for detecting the light, drive and output electronics for timing and signal conditioning of data generated by the sensors and a computer for processing the sensor data and converting it to a three dimensional image. The sensor collects and processes the light data in a unique manner, using a hybrid. The hybrid is actually a two dimensional array of collectors or detectors combined in very close proximity with their own processing electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
  • High data rate smart sensor technology
    Patent number: 6362482
    Abstract: A device for the high-speed analysis of photon- or particle-generated image data or for the high-speed energy-discrimination analysis of photon- or particle-counting data. The device uses a sensor that collects the photons or particles on an array of solid state detectors, as electrical analog signals, and stores the analog-signal information on capacitors of readout arrays associated with the detector arrays. Integration of the photon or particle flux signals on the readout arrays proceeds for a given time frame and then image-related signals are transferred to an analog correction processor. The analog correction processor is comprised of one or more integrated circuit chips where each chip contains an array of correction processor unit cells. In these unit cells signals are corrected, in parallel, for gain and offset nonuniformities in the detection and processing chain. Corrections to all the signals are made in a time frame or less and the information is then transferred to an analog image processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
  • 3-D imaging multiple target laser radar
    Patent number: 6414746
    Abstract: A three dimensional imaging device is presented which uses a single pulse from a pulsed light source to detect objects which are obscured by camouflage, fog or smoke but otherwise enveloped by a light-transmitting medium. The device simultaneously operates in two modes, light reflected from the nearest object is processed to form a three-dimensional image by an array of pixels. This first image is based upon the light-pulse transit time recorded in each pixel. Each pixel also contains a high-speed analog memory that sequentially stores reflected signals at a repeated time interval. The first reflection acts as a time base that controls when the analog memory begins or ends the storage sequence. The first return could be from a camouflage net and the amplitudes of the return signals, after the first return, would then be from objects behind the net. Computer processing these amplitudes reveals the three-dimensional nature of the obscured objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Howard W. Bailey
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