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Небесная энциклопедия

Космические корабли и станции, автоматические КА и методы их проектирования, бортовые комплексы управления, системы и средства жизнеобеспечения, особенности технологии производства ракетно-космических систем

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Мониторинг СМИ

Мониторинг СМИ и социальных сетей. Сканирование интернета, новостных сайтов, специализированных контентных площадок на базе мессенджеров. Гибкие настройки фильтров и первоначальных источников.

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Поддерживает ввод нескольких поисковых фраз (по одной на строку). При поиске обеспечивает поддержку морфологии русского и английского языка
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Применить Всего найдено 6922. Отображено 100.
12-01-2012 дата публикации

Position encoder apparatus

Номер: US20120007980A1
Автор: Andrew P. Gribble, Iain R. Gordon-Ingram
Принадлежит: RENISHAW PLC

A position encoder apparatus, including a scale having a series of position features; and a readhead configured to read the series of position features via a snapshot capture process. The snapshot capture process is adaptable so as to compensate for the relative speed between the scale and readhead.

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Номер записи: 1
12-01-2012 дата публикации

Method and system to reduce stray light reflection error in time-of-flight sensor arrays

Номер: US20120008128A1
Автор: Cyrus Bamji
Принадлежит: Microsoft Corp

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.

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Номер записи: 2
09-02-2012 дата публикации

Multi-Path Compensation Using Multiple Modulation Frequencies in Time of Flight Sensor

Номер: US20120033045A1
Автор: Bernhard Buettgen, Matthias Schweizer, Thierry Oggier
Принадлежит: MESA IMAGING AG

A method to compensate for multi-path in time-of-flight (TOF) three dimensional (3D) cameras applies different modulation frequencies in order to calculate/estimate the error vector. Multi-path in 3D TOF cameras might be caused by one of the two following sources: stray light artifacts in the TOF camera systems and multiple reflections in the scene. The proposed method compensates for the errors caused by both sources by implementing multiple modulation frequencies.

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Номер записи: 3
15-03-2012 дата публикации

Overlapping charge accumulation depth sensors and methods of operating the same

Номер: US20120062705A1
Автор: Dong Ki Min, Ilia Ovsiannikov, Seung Hoon Lee
Принадлежит: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

One embodiment includes sequentially resetting rows and applying a gating signal to the rows sequentially in order in which the rows are reset; accumulating at each of the rows photocharge generated in response to an optical signal reflected from an object and the gating signal for an integration time; and reading a result of photocharge accumulation from each of the rows. A phase of the gating signal applied to a row with respect to which the reading has been completed, may be changed. A period of photocharge accumulation based on the gating signal having a changed phase in at least one row, which has been subjected to the reading and then reset, may overlap a period of photocharge accumulation in at least one row in which photocharge accumulation based on the gating signal having a phase before being changed is being carried out.

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Номер записи: 4
22-03-2012 дата публикации

Device for optically scanning and measuring an environment

Номер: US20120069325A1
Автор: Jürgen Gittinger, Martin Ossig, Philipp Schumann, Reinhard Becker
Принадлежит: Faro Technologies Inc

With a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected by an object in the surroundings of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, with a control and evaluation unit which determines the distance to the object for a multitude of measuring points, wherein the emission light beam is a superposition of three laser beams having different wave lengths, which define the three-dimensional color space.

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Номер записи: 5
31-05-2012 дата публикации

Application using a single photon avalanche diode (spad)

Номер: US20120133921A1
Автор: John Kevin Moore
Принадлежит: STMicroelectronics Research and Development Ltd

A sporting device may include a proximity detector, and a housing for carrying the proximity detector. The proximity detector may comprise a single photon avalanche diode for measuring the speed of an object struck by the housing. For example, the housing may define a tennis racket.

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Номер записи: 6
12-07-2012 дата публикации

Phase Measurement Calibrating Method And Calibrating Device Based on Liquid Crystal Light Valve Principle

Номер: US20120176594A1
Автор: Baiwen Qiao
Принадлежит: Baiwen Qiao

Phase measurement calibrating method, calibrating device and ranging device based on the liquid crystal shutter principle are disclosed. A light wave is emitted by a light wave emitter ( 1 ) to a tested target through a first liquid crystal shutter ( 3 ). The light wave is reflected and returned from the tested target to be focused by an optical device, and is received by a receiver ( 7 ). The received light wave is used as the external light path beam of the measurement system. While the light wave is passing through the first liquid crystal shutter ( 3 ), a part of the light wave is reflected by the first liquid, crystal shutter ( 3 ) to pass through a second liquid crystal shutter ( 4 ). The light wave passing through the second liquid crystal shutter ( 4 ) is received directly by the receiver ( 7 ) and used as the internal light path beam for fundamental reference of the system phase measurement. The first liquid crystal shutter ( 3 ) and the second liquid crystal shutter ( 4 ) are switched respectively while the system operates so that the receiver ( 7 ) is utilized for comparing phases of the internal light path beam and the external light path beam received respectively to output phase shift for eliminating a fundamental reference. The calibrating method achieves phase compensation and calibration, increases measurement accuracy of a laser ranging operation, and enhances ranging stability of the system.

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Номер записи: 7
23-08-2012 дата публикации

Velocity measuring device and method

Номер: US20120215484A1
Автор: Tatsuya Ueno
Принадлежит: Azbil Corp

A velocity measuring device emitting a laser beam at a web; a photodiode converting an optical output of the laser into an electric signal; a laser driver operating the laser to alternate a first emitting interval wherein the oscillating wavelength increases and a second emitting interval wherein the oscillating wavelength decreases; a current-voltage converting/amplifying portion converting the electric current from the photodiode into a voltage; a filter portion removing a carrier wave from the output of the current-voltage converting/amplifying portion; a signal extracting portion calculating a number of interference waveforms in the output of the filter portion; and a calculator calculating the velocity of the web based on the result of the extracting portion. The laser driver operates so the absolute values for the rates of change, in respect to time, of the oscillating wavelengths during the first emitting interval and during the second emitting interval are different.

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Номер записи: 8
25-04-2013 дата публикации

3d image acquisition apparatus and method of calculating depth information in the 3d image acquisition apparatus

Номер: US20130101176A1
Автор: Hee-sun Yoon, Jang-woo YOU, Yong-hwa Park
Принадлежит: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

A 3-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus and a method of calculating depth information in the 3D image acquisition apparatus, the 3D image acquisition apparatus including: an optical modulator for modulating light reflected from a subject by sequentially projected N (N is 3 or a larger natural number) light beams; an image sensor for generating N sub-images by capturing the light modulated by the optical modulator; and a signal processor for calculating depth information regarding a distance to the subject by using the N sub-images.

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Номер записи: 9
09-05-2013 дата публикации

System architecture design for time-of-flight system having reduced differential pixel size, and time-of-flight systems so designed

Номер: US20130114064A1
Автор: Cyrus Bamji, Swati Mehta
Принадлежит: Microsoft Corp

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods to produce a high performance, feature rich TOF system, phase-based or otherwise using small TOF pixels, single-ended or preferably differential, as well as TOF systems so designed. IC chip area required for pixels is reduced by intelligently off-loading or removing from within the pixel certain components and/or functionality. In some embodiments during a single TOF system capture period, analog values from each pixel are repeatedly sampled and converted to digital values, which are combined and manipulated on the sensor chip. Combining this plurality of values enables appropriately compact data from the sensor chip. Embodiments of the present invention implement a TOF system with high ambient light resilience, high dynamic range, low motion blur and dealiasing support, while advantageously reducing pixel area size relative to prior art TOF pixels.

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Номер записи: 10
16-05-2013 дата публикации

Apparatus for measuring a distance

Номер: US20130120759A1
Автор: Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Mark Carpaij
Принадлежит: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV

The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a distance. A self-mixing interference (SMI) unit ( 2 ) generates an SMI signal, wherein the SMI unit comprises a laser ( 3 ) emitting a first laser beam ( 4 ) for being directed to an object ( 5 ) and wherein the SMI signal depends on an interference of the first laser beam and a second laser beam ( 6 ) reflected by the object. A peak width determination unit ( 8 ) determines a peak width of the SMI signal, and a distance determination unit ( 9 ) determines a distance between the object and the SMI unit depending on the determined peak width of the SMI signal. Since the distance is determined depending on the peak width of the SMI signal, without requiring a laser driving current modulation, advanced electronics for modulating the driving current of the laser are not needed. This reduces the technical efforts needed for determining the distance.

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Номер записи: 11
30-05-2013 дата публикации

Distance estimation system and method for a railway vehicle

Номер: US20130138276A1
Автор: Harri VIITTALA, Jani SALORANTA, Simone Soderi
Принадлежит: General Electric Co

There is provided a ranging system for a railway vehicle. The system includes a reflector disposed along a railway relative to a stopping point and a ranging unit disposed on the railway vehicle. The ranging unit includes a transceiver configured to transmit an outbound signal and receive a corresponding reflected signal from the reflector. The ranging unit also includes a data storage unit configured to store a reference distance between the reflector and the stopping point. The ranging unit also includes a processor configured to determine a measured distance between the railway vehicle and the reflector based on an elapsed time between the transmitting the outbound signal and receiving the reflected signal. The processor determines a distance between the railway vehicle and the stopping point based on the measured distance and the reference distance.

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Номер записи: 12
13-06-2013 дата публикации

Method to Compensate for Errors in Time-of-Flight Range Cameras Caused by Multiple Reflections

Номер: US20130148102A1
Автор: Thierry Oggier
Принадлежит: MESA IMAGING AG

Due to their parallel illumination and acquisition for all the pixels, today's state-of-the-art time-of-flight (TOF) range cameras suffer from erroneous measurements caused by multiple reflections in the scene. The invention proposes to compensate for the multi-path fusing the results obtained by applying two spatially different illumination schemes, typically one to achieve highest possible lateral resolution and for the second one structuring the emitted light and by doing so lowering the lateral resolution but limiting the impact of multiple reflections.

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Номер записи: 13
19-12-2013 дата публикации

COLOR SENSOR INSENSITIVE TO DISTANCE VARIATIONS

Номер: US20130335725A1
Автор: Berner Reto, Black Robert M., Brockman Craig Martin, Fooks Elik I., Galera Richard, Hardegger Martin, Meinherz Carl, Nair Suresh, Stein Manfred Norbert
Принадлежит:

A system for calibrating a color sensing pixel based upon the distance between the color sensing pixel and an object. The distance is determined by measuring the phase shift of electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the surface of the object compared with the wave profile of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the object surface. The color sensing pixel is associated with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) pixel which is employed to determine the distance of the color sensing pixel. The electromagnetic radiation can be from any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, in particular the infrared and visible light portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The color sensing pixel and the ToF pixel can reside on the same semiconductor or on disparate semiconductors. 1. A system , comprising:a color sensing pixel that receive a first electromagnetic radiation from an object and generates a color indicating output based on the first electromagnetic radiation;a distance sensing pixel, associated with the color sensing pixel, that receives second electromagnetic radiation from the object and generates a distance indicating output based on the second electromagnetic radiation; and determines a distance from the color sensing pixel to the object based upon the distance indicating output; and', 'adjusts the color indicating output based upon the distance., 'a controller that2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color sensing pixel is a different size from the distance sensing pixel.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color sensing pixel is a different resolution from the distance sensing pixel.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color sensing pixel and the distance sensing pixel are on single integrated circuit.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the color sensing pixel and the distance sensing pixel employ a common radiation source.6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller employs a lookup table that correlates the distance to a degree of color adjustment7. The ...

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Номер записи: 14
13-02-2014 дата публикации

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE DESIGN FOR TIME-OF-FLIGHT SYSTEM HAVING REDUCED DIFFERENTIAL PIXEL SIZE, AND TIME-OF-FLIGHT SYSTEMS SO DESIGNED

Номер: US20140043598A1
Автор: Bamji Cyrus, Mehta Swati
Принадлежит: MICROSOFT CORPORATION

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods to produce a high performance, feature rich TOF system, phase-based or otherwise using small TOF pixels, single-ended or preferably differential, as well as TOF systems so designed. IC chip area required for pixels is reduced by intelligently off-loading or removing from within the pixel certain components and/or functionality. In some embodiments during a single TOF system capture period, analog values from each pixel are repeatedly sampled and converted to digital values, which are combined and manipulated on the sensor chip. Combining this plurality of values enables appropriately compact data from the sensor chip. Embodiments of the present invention implement a TOF system with high ambient light resilience, high dynamic range, low motion blur and dealiasing support, while advantageously reducing pixel area size relative to prior art TOF pixels. 1. A method for determining depth information associated with an object , comprising:detecting light reflected from the object during a first operating regime using a pixel array, the pixel array includes one or more photodetectors in electrical communication with an integration capacitor, the integration capacitor is associated with a first direction of integration during the first operation regime;sampling a first set of intermediate values associated with the integration capacitor and transferring the first set of intermediate values to digital circuitry located outside the pixel array during the first operating regime;detecting light reflected from the object during a second operating regime subsequent to the first operating regime using the pixel array, the integration capacitor is associated with a second direction of integration different from the first direction of integration during the second operation regime;sampling a second set of intermediate values associated with the integration capacitor and transferring the second set of intermediate values to the ...

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Номер записи: 15
05-01-2017 дата публикации

Photonics device

Номер: US20170003379A1
Автор: Adam Caley, James Peter Drummond DOWNING
Принадлежит: STMicroelectronics Research and Development Ltd

A method may include generating, within a device, separate and discrete wavelengths, and generating light intensity profiles based on an interaction between the separate and discrete wavelengths and a multi-wavelength diffractive optic element. The method may include detecting an object from light reflected from the object using the light intensity profiles. The light intensity profiles may include a shorter range light intensity profile and a longer range light intensity profile, each light intensity profile having different energy per solid angle patterns.

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Номер записи: 16
02-01-2020 дата публикации

DEPTH INFORMATION CAMERA MODULE AND BASE ASSEMBLY, PROJECTION ASSEMBLY, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

Номер: US20200003870A1
Автор: Chen Feifan, DAI Beibei, PAN Minjie, RONG Qi, WANG Zhongwei, WEI Hangang, ZENG Junjie
Принадлежит:

Provided are a depth information camera module and a base assembly, a projection assembly, an electronic device and a manufacturing method thereof. The depth information camera module includes: a projection assembly to project a laser to a to-be-detected object; a receiving assembly, including a photosensitive element for receiving the laser reflected from the to-be-detected object; and a base assembly, the base assembly including a circuit board and a base body, the base body being supported by the circuit board, where the photosensitive element is electrically connected to the circuit board, the projection assembly circuit board is supported on a top side of the base body such that the circuit board and the projection assembly circuit board are respectively at different heights of the base assembly. Here, the projection assembly has an integral structure to facilitate assembly of the projection assembly. 1. A depth information camera module , comprising:a projection assembly, the projection assembly comprising a projection assembly circuit board and a projection unit, the projection unit being electrically connected to the projection assembly circuit board to project a laser to a to-be-detected object after being conducted;a receiving assembly, the receiving assembly comprising a photosensitive element for receiving the laser reflected from the to-be-detected object; anda base assembly, the base assembly comprising a circuit board and a base body, the base body being supported by the circuit board, the photosensitive element of the receiving assembly being electrically connected to the circuit board, the projection assembly circuit board being supported on a top side of the base body, the base assembly further comprising a conductive element, and the conductive element being disposed between the projection assembly circuit board and the circuit board for conducting the projection assembly to the circuit board.2. The depth information camera module according to ...

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Номер записи: 17
07-01-2021 дата публикации

NAVIGATION SYSTEM, NAVIGATION METHOD AND RECEIVERS

Номер: US20210003707A1
Автор: KHODKIN ANDREY, MARGARITOVA OXANA
Принадлежит:

TADF receivers for a navigation system, TADF navigation system and method using TADF material based navigation. 12. Directional receiver () for a navigation system , comprising:{'b': '26', 'a computing device (),'}a receiving section for receiving focused and unfocused signals in a sector of interest, wherein focused signals are comprised of particle radiation and/or gravitational waves,{'b': '12', 'a detection layer () comprising thermally activated delayed fluorescence TADF material, the thermally activated delayed fluorescence TADF material having a plurality of excitation frequencies,'}{'b': 14', '18, 'an excitation radiation source device () adapted to emit excitation radiation () having at least one of the plurality of excitation frequencies to excite the TADF material, wherein'} [{'b': '18', 'the TADF material exhibiting upon excitation with excitation radiation (), a thermally activated delayed fluorescence TADF emission,'}, 'the TADF material having a TADF emission pattern excited by the excitation radiation from the excitation radiation source device without exposure to focused signals and exhibiting a different TADF emission pattern excited by the excitation radiation from the excitation radiation source device with exposure to focused signals, the focused signals differing from excitation radiation, the TADF emission pattern with exposure to focused signals differing from the excitation radiation without exposure to focused signals,, 'the excitation radiation being electromagnetic radiation;'}{'b': 16', '26', '16', '12', '26, 'a radiation detector device () communicatively coupled with the computing device (), the radiation detector device () being adapted to detect TADF emission from the detection layer () and provide respective detection data to the computing device (),'}{'b': 30', '12', '16, 'an optical system () being arranged between the detection layer () and the radiation detector device (),'}{'b': 26', '16, 'the computing device () being adapted ...

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Номер записи: 18
03-01-2019 дата публикации

OPTICAL SCANNER AND DETECTOR

Номер: US20190004151A1
Автор: Abediasl Hooman, Rickman Andrew George
Принадлежит:

A light ranging and detection system achieving reconfigurable very wide field of view, high sampling of spatial points per second with high optical power handling by using architecture to efficiently combine different wavelengths, time and frequency coding, and spatial selectivity. The transmitter is capable of generating multiple narrow beams, encoding different beams and transmitting in different spatial directions. The receiver can differentiate and extract range and reflectivity information of reflected beams. Three dimensional imaging of the environment is achieved by scanning the field of view of the transmitter. Control and signal processing electronic circuitries fabricated in a chip are packaged together with a chip containing the photonic components of the ranging system. 1. A device comprising an optical scanner , the optical scanner comprising an optical phased array , the optical scanner comprising:a power splitter configured to split light from a waveguide connecting at least one laser to a plurality of waveguides;a plurality of amplitude modulators or phase modulators, each connected to the power splitter through a corresponding waveguide of the plurality of waveguides; anda plurality of emitters, each emitter connected to a corresponding amplitude or phase modulator through a corresponding waveguide,wherein:the plurality of amplitude modulators or phase modulators is configured to receive control signals to control an amplitude or phase of the light, andthe optical phased array is configured to emit a light beam in a spatial direction based on the amplitude or phase of the light.2. The device of , further comprising a plurality of optical scanners , each optical scanner as recited in , wherein each optical scanner of the plurality of optical scanners is configured to transmit light in a spatial direction different from other optical scanners of the plurality of optical scanners.3. The device of claim 2 , wherein each spatial direction is parametrized ...

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Номер записи: 19
13-01-2022 дата публикации

SURVEYING APPARATUS

Номер: US20220011107A1
Автор: KIKUCHI Takeshi
Принадлежит:

Provided is a surveying apparatus including a distance-measuring unit for measuring a distance to a measurement point; an angle-measuring unit for measuring an angle to the measurement point; a control arithmetic unit configured to acquire three-dimensional coordinates of the measurement point as measurement data by performing distance and angle measurements by controlling the distance-measuring unit and the angle-measuring unit, to generate a projection image for displaying the measurement data on a surface of the measuring object by acquiring a three-dimensional shape of the measuring object based on the measurement data, and to control projection of the projection image onto the measuring object; and an image projecting unit including a display element for forming an image as the projection image, a light irradiating device for causing projection light to enter the display element, and a projector lens for projecting the projection image emitted from the display element onto a measuring object. 1. A surveying apparatus comprising:a distance-measuring unit configured to transmit distance-measuring light and measure a distance to a measurement point by receiving reflected distance-measuring light reflected by a measuring object;an angle-measuring unit configured to measure an angle to the measurement point by detecting an angle of the distance-measuring light;a control arithmetic unit includinga survey unit configured to acquire three-dimensional coordinates of the measurement point as measurement data by performing distance and angle measurements by controlling the distance-measuring unit and the angle-measuring unit,a projection image generating unit configured to generate a projection image for displaying the measurement data on a surface of the measuring object by acquiring a three-dimensional shape of the measuring object based on the measurement data, anda projection control unit configured to control projection of the projection image onto the measuring ...

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Номер записи: 20
13-01-2022 дата публикации

Switchable coherent pixel array for frequency modulated continuous wave light detection and ranging

Номер: US20220011409A1
Автор: Amir Hosseini, Andrew Steil MICHAELS, Sen Lin
Принадлежит: Ours Technology LLC

A LIDAR transceiver includes an input port, optical antennas, an optical switch, splitters, and mixers. The optical switch switchably couples an input port to the optical antennas. For at least one optical path from the input port to one of the optical antennas, a splitter is coupled along the optical path. The splitter splits a received portion of a laser signal into a local oscillator signal and a transmit signal and outputs a return signal that is a portion of the reflected signal. The transmit signal is emitted through the optical antenna and a reflection of the transmit signal is received through the optical antenna as a reflected signal.

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Номер записи: 21
20-01-2022 дата публикации

OBJECT DETECTION DEVICE

Номер: US20220018966A1
Автор: AOKI Takeshi, KASAHARA Takahiro, Yamamoto Akihito
Принадлежит: HOKUYO AUTOMATIC CO., LTD.

An object detection device can dynamically set an appropriate object detection region according to a state of an inherently unobstructive moving object. The device includes: an optical scanning unit configured to scan measurement light in a measurement space and to guide reflected light from a reflector; a reflector detection unit configured to detect reflector information including a distance from the device to the reflector, a reflected light intensity, and a scanning direction of the measurement light; a reference body identification unit configured to identify whether the reflector is a predetermined reference body, based on the reflector information; a region defining unit configured to define an object detection region along the reference body, based on the reflector information about the reference body; and an object determination unit configured to determine, as a target object, a reflector that is present in the region and that is not identified as the reference body. 1. An object detection device for detecting an object in a measurement space , the device comprising:an optical scanning unit configured to scan the measurement space by measurement light emitted from a light emission unit and to guide reflected light from a reflector for the measurement light to a light receiving unit;a reflector detection unit configured to detect reflector information, the reflector information including a distance from the object detection device to the reflector calculated based on physical characteristics of the measurement light and the reflected light, a reflected light intensity detected by the light receiving unit, and a scanning direction of the measurement light;a reference body identification unit configured to identify whether the reflector is a predetermined reference body, based on the reflector information detected by the reflector detection unit;a region defining unit configured to define an object detection region along the reference body, based on the ...

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Номер записи: 22
08-01-2015 дата публикации

Thickness measuring apparatus and thickness measuring method

Номер: US20150012246A1
Автор: Chu-Shik Kang, Jae-Wan Kim, Jong-ahn Kim, Jong-Han Jin
Принадлежит: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science KRISS

Provided are a thickness measuring apparatus and a thickness measuring method. The thickness measuring method includes irradiating first laser beam of a first wavelength λ 1 to a transparent substrate and measuring intensity of first laser beam transmitting the transparent substrate; irradiating second laser beam of a second wavelength λ 2 to the transparent substrate and measuring intensity of second laser beam transmitting the transparent substrate; and extracting a rotation angle on a Lissajous graph using the first and second laser beams transmitting the transparent substrate. A phase difference between adjacent rays by multiple internal reflection of the first laser beam and a phase difference between adjacent ray by multiple internal reflection of the second laser beam is maintained at π/ 2.

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Номер записи: 23
11-01-2018 дата публикации

Electro-Optical Distance Meter

Номер: US20180011177A1
Автор: Ohishi Masahiro, Sugiura Akinobu
Принадлежит:

An electro-optical distance meter comprises a light source for emitting a distance measuring light, a distance measuring optical system for leading a distance measuring light to a photodetector, an internal reference optical system for leading a part of the distance measuring light as an internal reference light to the photodetector, and an arithmetic processing unit for performing a distance measurement based on light receiving results of the distance measuring light and the internal reference light, wherein the internal reference optical system comprises a condenser lens, a scattering plate for scattering the internal reference light and for forming a secondary light source, and an optical fiber for leading the internal reference light to the photodetector and the internal reference optical system is constituted in such a manner that a light component of the internal reference light emitted from an arbitrary point within a whole surface of the secondary light source enters the optical fiber. 1. An electro-optical distance meter comprising: a light source for emitting a distance measuring light , a distance measuring optical system for projecting said distance measuring light to an object to be measured , for receiving a distance measuring light from said object to be measured and for leading to a photodetector , an internal reference optical system for leading a part of said distance measuring light as an internal reference light to said photodetector , and an arithmetic processing unit for performing a distance measurement based on a light receiving result of said distance measuring light and a light receiving result of said internal reference light , wherein said internal reference optical system comprises a condenser lens for condensing said internal reference light , a scattering plate for scattering said internal reference light condensed by said condenser lens and for forming a secondary light source , and an optical fiber for receiving said internal ...

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Номер записи: 24
11-01-2018 дата публикации

DISTANCE IMAGE ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND DISTANCE IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD

Номер: US20180011194A1
Автор: Kawai Tomoyuki, Masuda Tomonori
Принадлежит: FUJIFILM Corporation

Disclosed are a distance image acquisition apparatus and a distance image acquisition method capable of achieving high distance measurement accuracy and omitting wasteful imaging or calculation. The distance image acquisition apparatus () includes a distance image sensor (), a drive mode setting unit (A), a distance image generation unit (B), a pulse light emission unit (), and an exposure control unit (). The exposure control unit () controls emission and non-emission of pulse light emitted from the pulse light emission unit () according to a drive mode set by the drive mode setting unit (A), and controls exposure in the distance image sensor (). The distance image generation unit (B) performs calculation processing of a sensor output acquired from the distance image sensor () according to the drive mode set by the drive mode setting unit (A) to generate a distance image corresponding to a distance of a subject. 1. A distance image acquisition apparatus comprising:a distance image sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a two-dimensional manner;a pulse light emission unit which irradiates a subject within a distance measurement region with pulse light;an imaging lens which images reflected light of the pulse light irradiated from at least the pulse light emission unit and reflected from the subject on the distance image sensor;a drive mode setting unit which provides two or more drive modes among a first drive mode, in which first exposure control, second exposure control, and third exposure control are performed, in the first exposure control, pulse light being emitted from the pulse light emission unit and a difference in exposure between the corresponding light receiving elements of the distance image sensor being generated according to at least a distance of the subject, in the second exposure control, pulse light being emitted from the pulse light emission unit and a phase of exposure start with respect to the pulse light being ...

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Номер записи: 25
11-01-2018 дата публикации

MULTI-FREQUENCY UNWRAPPING

Номер: US20180011195A1
Автор: FENTON MICHAEL, Godbaz John, Perry Travis, SCHMIDT Mirko
Принадлежит:

The time-of-flight system disclosed herein includes a frequency unwrapping module configured to generate an input phase vector with M phases corresponding to M sampled signals from an object, determine an M−1 dimensional vector of transformed phase values by applying a transformation matrix (T) to the input phase vector, determine an M−1 dimensional vector of rounded transformed phase values by rounding the transformed phase values to a nearest integer, and determine a one dimensional lookup table (LUT) index value by transforming the M−1 dimensional rounded transformed phase values. The index value is input into the one dimensional LUT to determine a range of the object. 1. A physical hardware system to provide multi-frequency unwrapping , comprising:memory;one or more processor units;one or more sensors, each of the sensors to receive reflection of each of M signals from an object, wherein each of the M signals to be modulated at one of M modulation frequencies, wherein M is greater than or equal to two;a signal sampling module configured to generate M sampled signals, each of the M sampled signals corresponding to reflection of one of the M signals; and generate an input phase vector with M phases corresponding to the M sampled signals,', 'determine an M−1 dimensional vector of transformed phase values by applying a transformation matrix (T) to the input phase vector,', 'determine an M−1 dimensional vector of rounded transformed phase values by rounding the transformed phase values to a nearest integer,', 'determine a one dimensional lookup table (LUT) index value by transforming the M−1 dimensional rounded transformed phase values, and', 'input the index value into the one dimensional LUT to determine a range of the object., 'a frequency unwrapping module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processor units, the frequency unwrapping module configured to2. The physical hardware system of claim 1 , wherein the frequency unwrapping module is ...

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Номер записи: 26
14-01-2021 дата публикации

LASER RADAR DEVICE

Номер: US20210011141A1
Автор: KAJIYAMA Yutaka, KOTAKE Nobuki
Принадлежит: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

In a conventional laser radar device, there has been a problem that since a distance resolution is changed in advance depending on a measurement distance, it is necessary to perform measurement again after changing the distance resolution. A laser radar device of the present invention includes: an optical oscillator oscillating laser light; an optical modulator modulating the laser light oscillated by the optical oscillator; an optical antenna radiating the laser light modulated by the optical modulator to an atmosphere, and receiving scattered light from a radiation target as received light; an optical receiver performing heterodyne detection on the received light received by the optical antenna; and a signal processor calculating for a range bin a spectrum of a received signal obtained by the heterodyne detection by the optical receiver, calculating a signal to noise ratio of the range bin, and integrating the spectrum of the range bin and spectra of one or more range bins adjacent to the range bin when the signal to noise ratio is less than or equal to a threshold value. 1an optical oscillator oscillating laser light;an optical modulator modulating the laser light oscillated by the optical oscillator;an optical antenna radiating the laser light modulated by the optical modulator to an atmosphere, and receiving scattered light from a radiation target as received light;an optical receiver performing heterodyne detection on the received light received by the optical antenna; anda signal processor calculating for a range bin a spectrum of a received signal obtained by the heterodyne detection by the optical receiver, calculating a signal to noise ratio of the range bin, and integrating the spectrum of the range bin and spectra of one or more range bins adjacent to the range bin when the signal to noise ratio is less than or equal to a threshold value, wherein the signal processor includes:a range bin divider dividing the received signal into range bins each having a ...

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Номер записи: 27
14-01-2021 дата публикации

OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND MACHINING DEVICE

Номер: US20210011157A1
Автор: Goto Hiroki, ONOHARA Kiyoshi
Принадлежит: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

The optical distance measurement device is configured to include an optical interference unit for separating the reflected light into a reflected light of a first polarized wave and a reflected light of a second polarized wave, extracting first and second components orthogonal to each other from an interference light of the reflected light of the first polarized wave and the reference light, and extracting third and fourth components orthogonal to each other from an interference light of the reflected light of the second polarized wave and the reference light, and a polarization rotation unit for acquiring one or more components of horizontal and vertical components of a polarized wave by rotating a polarization angle of a first complex signal having the first and second components and a polarization angle of a second complex signal having the third and fourth components, so that a distance calculation unit calculates, on the basis of the components acquired by the polarization rotation unit, a difference between a frequency of the reflected light and a frequency of the reference light, and calculates a distance to a measurement target from the difference. 1. An optical distance measurement device , comprising:an optical output generator to output frequency-swept light whose frequency changes with lapse of time as reference light, to multiplex polarized waves of the frequency-swept light, and to output frequency-swept light of first and second polarized waves orthogonal to each other;an optical receiver-transmitter to irradiate the frequency-swept light of first and second polarized waves toward a measurement target, and to receive frequency-swept light reflected by the measurement target as reflected light;an optical interferometer to separate the reflected light into a reflected light of a first polarized wave and a reflected light of a second polarized wave, to extract first and second components orthogonal to each other from an interference light of the ...

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Номер записи: 28
10-01-2019 дата публикации

PHOTONIC INTEGRATED DISTANCE MEASURING PIXEL AND METHOD OF DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

Номер: US20190011559A1
Автор: Adams Scott G., Desai Shahyaan, Lardin Clifford A.
Принадлежит: Mezmeriz Inc.

A distance-measuring pixel apparatus includes a photonic integrated circuit disposed on a common substrate that further includes a photonic integrated circuit substrate having disposed thereon two 3 dB directional couplers, a GRIN lens, and a partially reflecting Faraday mirror having a first side that is optomechanically coupled to a second side of the GRIN lens; and a source laser, a first photodetector, and a second photodetector. A related distance measuring method includes, using the distance-measuring pixel apparatus, generating a local oscillator (LO) beam, generating an echo, combining the LO beam and the echo beam, splitting the combined LO beam and the echo beam, and producing a modulation of the photodetector assembly photocurrent at a frequency that encodes the distance of a remote object. 1. A distance-measuring pixel apparatus , comprising: a photonic integrated circuit substrate having disposed thereon,', 'a first 3 dB directional coupler having first and second output ports and first and second input ports;', 'a second 3 dB directional coupler having first and second output ports and first and second input ports,, 'a photonic integrated circuit disposed on a common substrate, comprising a GRIN lens having a first side that is optomechanically coupled to the first output port of the first 3 dB directional coupler;', 'a partially reflecting Faraday mirror having a first side that is optomechanically coupled to a second side of the GRIN lens;, 'wherein the second input port of the first 3 dB directional coupler is directly optically coupled to the first input port of the second 3 dB directional coupler;'}a source laser having an output that is optically coupled to the first input port of the first 3 dB directional coupler;a first photodetector optomechanically coupled to the first output port of the second 3 dB directional coupler; anda second photodetector optomechanically coupled to the second output port of the second 3 dB directional coupler.2. The ...

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Номер записи: 29
09-01-2020 дата публикации

INJECTING AN RF LOCAL OSCILLATOR SIGNAL INTO AN AVALANCHE PHOTO DIODE USING PHOTONS EMITTED FROM A LIGHT EMITTING DIODE

Номер: US20200011978A1
Автор: CHU Charles
Принадлежит:

The present disclosure generally relates to laser range finders. In one embodiment, a shallow-trench isolation diode operates in a reverse-biased mode. In another embodiment, a poly-defined diode operates in a forward-biased mode. In both embodiments, the diode emits photons in response to a radio frequency current, and the photons are received by an avalanche photo diode during a calibration process. 1. A laser range finder comprising an integrated circuit , the integrated circuit comprising:a laser;a shallow trench isolation diode operating in a reverse-biased mode for outputting a first set of photons in response to an RF local oscillator signal; andan avalanche photo detector for generating an electrical output in response to the first set of photons and a second set of photons generated by the laser and reflected off of a target.2. The laser range finder of claim 1 , wherein a first terminal of the avalanche photo detector is coupled to a high voltage DC bias signal through a first resistor.3. The laser range finder of claim 2 , wherein a second terminal of the avalanche photo detector is coupled to an amplifier through a second resistor.4. A laser range finder comprising an integrated circuit claim 2 , the integrated circuit comprising:a poly-defined diode operating in a forward-biased mode for outputting a first set of photons in response to an RF local oscillator signal; andan avalanche photo detector for generating an electrical output in response to the first set of photons and a second set of photons received from a target.5. The laser range finder of claim 4 , wherein a first terminal of the avalanche photo detector is coupled to a high voltage DC bias signal through a first resistor.6. The laser range finder of claim 5 , wherein a second terminal of the avalanche photo detector is coupled to an amplifier through a second resistor. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/458,969, filed on Mar. 14, 2017, and ...

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Номер записи: 30
09-01-2020 дата публикации

System and Method for Increasing Coherence Length in Lidar Systems

Номер: US20200011980A1
Автор: Belsley Kendall L., Schulz Stephan, Sebastian Richard L.
Принадлежит:

Various implementations of the invention compensate for “phase wandering” in tunable laser sources. Phase wandering may negatively impact a performance of a lidar system that employ such laser sources, typically by reducing a coherence length/range of the lidar system, an effective bandwidth of the lidar system, a sensitivity of the lidar system, etc. Some implementations of the invention compensate for phase wandering near the laser source and before the output of the laser is directed toward a target. Some implementations of the invention compensate for phase wandering in the target signal (i.e., the output of the laser that is incident on and reflected back from the target). Some implementations of the invention compensate for phase wandering at the laser source and in the target signal. 1. A system for compensating for phase variance in a laser source comprising:a phase difference detector configured to receive a reference arm signal and to detect a phase difference of the reference arm signal, the phase difference corresponding to a difference in the phase of the reference arm signal at two points in time;a phase correction estimator configured to receive the phase difference from the phase detector and to estimate a phase correction to be applied to a target arm signal, wherein the phase correction compensates for the phase variance of the laser source;a phase modulator configured to receive the phase correction from the phase correction estimator, to modulate the target arm signal with the phase correction, and to output a phase corrected target arm signal; anda delay coupled either to either the reference arm signal and configured to introduce a delay time into the reference arm signal prior to being received by the phase difference detector or to the target arm signal prior to being received by the phase modulator, wherein the delay time comprises at least a round trip path delay.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the delay is coupled to the target arm ...

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Номер записи: 31
09-01-2020 дата публикации

FMCW LIDAR METHODS AND APPARATUSES INCLUDING EXAMPLES HAVING FEEDBACK LOOPS

Номер: US20200011994A1
Автор: Brasseur Jason Kenneth, Greenfield Nathan Joseph, Kreitinger Aaron Thomas, Roos Peter Aaron, Thorpe Michael James
Принадлежит: Bridger Photonics, Inc.

Methods and apparatuses are described for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Examples are provided where high-closed-loop bandwidth, active feedback applied to laser frequency chirps may provide increases in the free-running laser coherence length for long-range FMCW distance measurements. Examples are provided that use an asymmetric sideband generator within an active feedback loop for higher closed-loop bandwidth. Examples of using a single shared reference interferometer within multiple active feedback loops that may be used for increasing the coherence length of multiple chirped lasers are described. Example calibrators are also described. 1. A method comprising:applying an actuator signal to a laser source to provide a laser beam having a frequency and a free-running coherence length; andcontrolling the actuator signal using a feedback loop to control a chirp of the frequency of the laser beam; andwherein the feedback loop has a closed-loop bandwidth selected to cause the laser beam to be having an actual coherence length, wherein the actual coherence length is longer than the free running coherence length.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the actuator signal comprises controlling the actuator signal to chirp the frequency of the laser beam linearly.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedback loop comprises splitting the laser beam into at least two optical paths and generating an interference signal based on the at least two optical paths.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actual coherence length is greater than a coherence length determined by a Schawlow Townes linewidth limit of the laser source.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the closed-loop bandwidth is greater than a free-running laser linewidth of the laser beam divided by 10.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the feedback loop comprises splitting the laser beam into at least two optical paths and generating an interference signal based ...

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Номер записи: 32
03-02-2022 дата публикации

TIME OF FLIGHT IMAGING USING LONG AND SHORT-EXPOSURE STORAGE NODES

Номер: US20220035038A1
Автор: OH Minseok
Принадлежит: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Examples are disclosed that relate to time of flight imaging using long-exposure and short-exposure storage nodes for each pixel tap of a pixel in an image sensor. One example provides a time-of-flight camera, comprising an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprising one or more taps, each tap comprising a photogate, a short-exposure storage node configured to receive charge during a short-exposure interval of an integration period, a long-exposure storage node configured to receive charge during a long-exposure interval of the integration period, a short-exposure switch gate configured to direct charge generated during the short-exposure interval to the short-exposure storage node, a long-exposure switch gate configured to direct charge generated during the long-exposure period to the long-exposure storage node, and a readout mechanism comprising one or more floating diffusion capacitors. 1. A time-of-flight camera , comprising: a photogate,', 'a short-exposure storage node configured to receive charge during a short-exposure interval of an integration period,', 'a long-exposure storage node configured to receive charge during a long-exposure interval of the integration period,', 'a short-exposure switch gate configured to direct charge generated during the short-exposure interval to the short-exposure storage node,', 'a long-exposure switch gate configured to direct charge generated during the long-exposure period to the long-exposure storage node, and', 'a readout mechanism comprising one or more floating diffusion (FD) capacitors., 'a global shutter image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprising one or more taps, each tap comprising'}2. The time-of-flight camera of claim 1 , wherein the one or more taps comprises a first tap and a second tap claim 1 , and wherein the readout mechanism comprisesa short-exposure FD capacitor configured to receive charge from a ...

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Номер записи: 33
16-01-2020 дата публикации

Surgical visualization with proximity tracking features

Номер: US20200015899A1
Автор: Charles J. Scheib, Jeffrey S. Swayze
Принадлежит: Ethicon LLC

A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

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Номер записи: 34
19-01-2017 дата публикации

OPTICAL PHASED ARRAYS

Номер: US20170016990A1
Автор: Watts Michael R., Yaacobi Ami
Принадлежит:

An optical phased array formed of a large number of nanophotonic antenna elements can be used to project complex images into the far field. These nanophotonic phased arrays, including the nanophotonic antenna elements and waveguides, can be formed on a single chip of silicon using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Directional couplers evanescently couple light from the waveguides to the nanophotonic antenna elements, which emit the light as beams with phases and amplitudes selected so that the emitted beams interfere in the far field to produce the desired pattern. In some cases, each antenna in the phased array may be optically coupled to a corresponding variable delay line, such as a thermo-optically tuned waveguide or a liquid-filled cell, which can be used to vary the phase of the antenna's output (and the resulting far-field interference pattern). 1. An apparatus comprising:an antenna array to emit a plurality of optical beams; andan array of liquid crystal cells, in optical communication with the antenna array, to modulate at least one of a phase or a polarization state of at least one optical beam in the plurality of optical beams.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna array is integrated on a semiconductor substrate.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:a phase shifter, operably coupled, to an antenna in the antenna array to vary a phase of the at least one optical beam in the plurality of optical beams.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the array of liquid crystal cells comprises one liquid crystal cell per antenna in the antenna array.5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas per liquid crystal cell in the array of liquid crystal cells.6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the array of liquid crystal cells comprises:an array of fluid reservoirs disposed in optical communication with the antenna array; andliquid crystal material disposed in the array of fluid ...

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Номер записи: 35
18-01-2018 дата публикации

POWER EFFICIENT LIDAR

Номер: US20180017678A1
Автор: Haroun Baher S., Magee David P., Warke Nirmal C.
Принадлежит:

Described examples include an integrated circuit having an analog-to-digital converter operable to receive an input signal derived from a light signal and convert the input signal to a digital received signal, the analog-to-digital converter operable to receive the input signal during at least one window. The integrated circuit further has a receiver operable to receive the digital received signal, the receiver operable to determine a distance estimate of an object from which the light signal is reflected based on the digital received signal. In an example, the window locations are chosen to correspond to the locations of maximum slope in the signal. 1. An integrated circuit comprising:an analog-to-digital converter operable to receive an input signal derived from a light signal and convert the input signal to a digital received signal, the analog-to-digital converter operable to receive the input signal during at least one window; anda receiver operable to receive the digital received signal, the receiver operable to determine a distance estimate of an object from which the light signal is reflected based on the digital received signal.2. The integrated circuit as in further comprising an amplifier operable to receive the light signal from a transducer and provide the input signal to the analog-to-digital converter.3. The integrated circuit of in which location of the at least one window is derived from a previous distance estimate.4. The integrated circuit of in which the at least one window is during a selected portion of the input signal corresponding to locations of maximum slope in the input signal.5. The integrated circuit of in which the input signal is a continuous wave signal.6. The integrated circuit of in which the input signal is a series of pulses and a first pulse of the series of pulses is an initialization pulse.7. The integrated circuit of further comprising a sample and hold circuit operable to receive the input signal and provide a sampled input ...

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Номер записи: 36
17-01-2019 дата публикации

Dual-laser chip-scale lidar for simultaneous range-doppler sensing

Номер: US20190018110A1
Автор: Keyvan Sayyah, Richard Kremer
Принадлежит: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

A chip-scale lidar system includes a first light source to output a first signal, and a second light source to output a second signal. A transmit beam coupler provides an output signal for transmission that includes a portion of the first signal and a portion of the second signal, and receive beam coupler obtains a received signal resulting from reflection of the output signal by a target. The system includes a first and second set of photodetectors to obtain a first and second set of electrical currents from a first and second set of combined signals including a first and second portion of the received signal. A processor obtains Doppler information about the target from the second set of electrical currents and obtains range information about the target from the first set of electrical currents and the second set of electrical currents.

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Номер записи: 37
17-01-2019 дата публикации

CHIP-SCALE COHERENT LIDAR WITH INTEGRATED HIGH POWER LASER DIODE

Номер: US20190018139A1
Автор: Efimov Oleg, Patterson Pamela R., Sarkissian Raymond, Sayyah Keyvan
Принадлежит:

A chip-scale coherent lidar system includes a master oscillator integrated on a chip to simultaneously provide a signal for transmission and a local oscillator (LO) signal. The system also includes a beam steering device to direct an output signal obtained from the signal for transmission out of the system, and a combiner on the chip to combine the LO signal and a return signal resulting from a reflection of the output signal by a target. One or more photodetectors obtain a result of interference between the LO signal and the return signal to determine information about the target. 1. A chip-scale coherent lidar system , comprising:a master oscillator integrated on a chip and configured to simultaneously provide a signal for transmission and a local oscillator (LO) signal;a beam steering device configured to direct an output signal obtained from the signal for transmission out of the system;a combiner on the chip configured to combine the LO signal and a return signal resulting from a reflection of the output signal by a target; andone or more photodetectors configured to obtain a result of interference between the LO signal and the return signal to determine information about the target.2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the master oscillator includes a gain medium that is modulated by a current source to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal.3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the current source is off the chip.4. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the master oscillator also includes a first mirror to output the signal for transmission and a second mirror to output the LO signal claim 2 , and the system also includes an amplifier to amplify the signal for transmission to produce the output signal.5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the first mirror is a low-reflectivity mirror and the second mirror is a high-reflectivity mirror.6. The system according to claim 5 , wherein a reflectivity of the first mirror ...

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Номер записи: 38
17-01-2019 дата публикации

LASER DIODE OPTICAL FREQUENCY MODULATION LINEARIZATION ALGORITHM

Номер: US20190018140A1
Автор: Sarkissian Raymond, Sayyah Keyvan
Принадлежит:

A lidar system includes a laser diode to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal, and a current source to provide a drive signal that modulates the laser diode. The current source is controlled to pre-distort the drive signal to provide a linear FMCW signal. The lidar system also includes a splitter to split the FMCW signal into an output signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal, a transmit coupler to transmit the output signal, a receive coupler to obtain a received signal based on reflection of the output signal by a target, and a combiner to combine the received signal with the LO signal into first and second combined signals. A first and second photodetector respectively receive the first and second combined signals and output first and second electrical signals from which a beat signal that indicates the pre-distortion needed for the drive signal is obtained. 1. A lidar system , comprising:a laser diode configured to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal;a current source configured to provide a drive signal that modulates the laser diode to provide the FMCW signal, wherein the current source is controlled to perform pre-distortion of the drive signal to provide the FMCW signal as linear;a splitter configured to split the FMCW signal into an output signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal;a transmit coupler configured to transmit the output signal;a receive coupler configured to obtain a received signal based on reflection of the output signal by a target;a combiner configured to combine the received signal with the LO signal and split a result into a first combined signal and a second combined signal;a first photodetector configured to receive the first combined signal and output a first electrical signal based on interference of the received signal and the LO signal in the first combined signal; anda second photodetector configured to receive the second combined signal and output a second electrical signal based on ...

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Номер записи: 39
17-01-2019 дата публикации

Determining positional information of an object in space

Номер: US20190018141A1
Автор: David Holz
Принадлежит: Leap Motion Inc

The technology disclosed relates to determining positional information of an object in a field of view. In particular, it relates to calculating a distance of the object from a reference such as a sensor including scanning the field of view by selectively illuminating directionally oriented light sources and measuring one or more differences in property of returning light emitted from the light sources and reflected from the object. The property can be intensity or phase difference of the light. It also relates to finding an object in a region of space. In particular, it relates to scanning the region of space with directionally controllable illumination, determining a difference in a property of the illumination received for two or more points in the scanning, and determining positional information of the object based in part upon the points in the scanning corresponding to the difference in the property.

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Номер записи: 40
21-01-2021 дата публикации

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIDELOBE SUPPRESSION IN PHASE ENCODED DOPPLER LIDAR

Номер: US20210018604A1
Автор: Barber Zeb William, Crouch Stephen C., Kadlec Emil A.
Принадлежит: Blackmore Sensors & Analytics, LLC

A system and method for sidelobe suppression in phase-encoded Doppler LIDAR to support the operation of a vehicle includes determining a sequence code that is indicative of a sequence of phases for an optical signal; modulating an optical signal based on the sequence code to produce a phase-encoded optical signal; transmitting the phase-encoded optical signal to an environment; receiving, from the environment, a returned optical signal in response to transmitting the phase-encoded optical signal; generating, based on the returned optical signal, an electrical signal; and determine a Doppler frequency shift in the returned optical signal. 1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system , the LIDAR system comprising: determine an m-sequence code that is indicative of a sequence of phases for an optical signal;', 'modulate an optical signal based on the m-sequence code to produce a phase-encoded optical signal;', 'transmit the phase-encoded optical signal to an environment;', 'receive, from the environment, a returned optical signal in response to transmitting the phase-encoded optical signal;', 'generate, based on the returned optical signal, an electrical signal; and', 'determine a Doppler frequency shift in the returned optical signal based on the electrical signal., 'one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable storage mediums storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to2. The LIDAR system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:step up or stepping down a clock signal relative to a clock signal for generating the electrical signal.3. The LIDAR system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the m-sequence code has symbols of a first length and the electrical signal has samples of a second length claim 1 , and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:sample the m-sequence code to generate a sampled signal; andinterpolate the sampled ...

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Номер записи: 41
21-01-2021 дата публикации

DISTANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD

Номер: US20210018626A1
Автор: Noguchi Hidemi
Принадлежит: NEC Corporation

A distance measurement device () generates transmission light by modulating an optical carrier wave. The distance measurement device () transmits the generated transmission light, and receives reflected light acquired by the transmission light being reflected by a measured object (). The distance measurement device () generates a first beat signal by causing the transmission light to interfere with reference light. The distance measurement device () generates a second beat signal by causing the reflected light to interfere with the reference light. The distance measurement device () calculates a distance to the measured object (), based on a difference between the first beat signal and the second beat signal. 1. A distance measurement device , comprising:modulation means for generating transmission light by modulating an optical carrier wave;transmission means for transmitting the generated transmission light;reception means for receiving reflected light being light acquired by the transmission light being reflected by a measured object;first beat signal generation means for generating a first beat signal by causing the transmission light to interfere with reference light;second beat signal generation means for generating a second beat signal by causing the reflected light to interfere with the reference light; andcalculation means for calculating a distance to the measured object, based on a difference between the first beat signal and the second beat signal.2. The distance measurement device according to claim 1 , whereinthe modulation means generates transmission light by shifting a frequency of the optical carrier wave, andthe calculation means specifies a phase difference between the transmission light and the reflected light from a difference between the first beat signal and the second beat signal, and calculates a distance to the measured object, based on the specified phase difference.3. The distance measurement device according to claim 1 , whereinthe ...

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Номер записи: 42
17-01-2019 дата публикации

ACTIVE ILLUMINATION 3D ZONAL IMAGING SYSTEM

Номер: US20190019302A1
Автор: Akkaya Onur Can, Bamji Cyrus Soli
Принадлежит:

An active illumination range camera comprising illumination and imaging systems that is operable to provide a range image of a scene in the imaging system's field of view (FOV) by partitioning the range camera FOV into sub-FOVs, and controlling the illumination and imaging systems to sequentially illuminate and image portions of the scene located in the respective sub-FOVs. 1. An active illumination range camera operable to determine distances to features in a scene , the range camera comprising:an imaging system characterized by a field of view (FOV) and comprising a photosensor having light sensitive pixels, and an optical system configured to collect light from a scene in the FOV and image the collected light onto pixels of the photosensor;an illumination system controllable to generate and direct a field of illumination (FOI) to illuminate at least a portion of the FOV; and partition the at least a portion of the FOV into a plurality of zones;', 'control the illumination system to generate and direct a FOI to sequentially illuminate the zones in turn and thereby features of the scene within the zones;', 'based at least in part on a given zone being illuminated by light transmitted in the FOI, activate pixels in a corresponding region of the photosensor on which the imaging system images light from the features in the zone to accumulate photocharge responsive to light reflected by the features from the transmitted light, and inactivate pixels on which light from the features is not imaged; and', 'determine and use data based on the photocharge accumulated by the pixels to determine distances to features in the scene and provide a range image for the scene., 'a controller operable to2. The active illumination range camera according to wherein sequentially illuminating the zones in turn comprises illuminating each zone a plurality of times to acquire data sufficient to determine distances to features of the scene in the zone before illuminating a next zone.3. The ...

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Номер записи: 43
16-01-2020 дата публикации

METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL THE OPTICAL FREQUENCY OF A LASER

Номер: US20200021082A1
Автор: Rakuljic George
Принадлежит:

Methods and apparatus to control the optical frequency of a laser are disclosed. An apparatus includes: a first laser to emit a first beam of light, the first beam of light to have an adjustable frequency based on an input current; a second laser to emit a second beam of light, the second beam of light to have a substantially fixed frequency; a photodetector to generate a feedback signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first and second beams of light; and logic circuitry to control the input current based on the feedback signal. 1. An apparatus comprising:a first laser to emit a first beam of light, the first beam of light to have an adjustable frequency based on an input current;a second laser to emit a second beam of light, the second beam of light to have a substantially fixed frequency;a photodetector to generate a feedback signal indicative of a frequency difference between the first and second beams of light; andlogic circuitry to control the input current based on the feedback signal.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including an optical combiner to combine at least a portion of the first beam of light with the second beam of light claim 1 , the photodetector to generate the feedback signal based on an output of the combiner claim 1 , the feedback signal corresponding to a beat frequency of the combined first and second beams of light.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the optical combiner is an optical coupler in a monolithic integrated circuit claim 2 , the monolithic integrated circuit including the first laser claim 2 , the second laser claim 2 , the optical coupler claim 2 , and the photodetector.4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the beat frequency is within the radio frequency spectrum.5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the feedback signal generated by the photodetector is to have a feedback frequency corresponding to the beat frequency.6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further including a frequency divider to reduce the ...

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Номер записи: 44
25-01-2018 дата публикации

POLARIZATION BASED CODED APERTURE LASER DETECTION AND RANGING

Номер: US20180024243A1
Автор: Boyd Micah
Принадлежит:

Systems and method herein provide for laser detection and ranging (LADAR). In one embodiment, a LADAR system includes a transmitter operable to switch continuous wave (CW) laser light between the two or more polarizations based on a code, and to transmit the two or more polarizations of the CW laser light at a target. The LADAR system also includes a receiver operable to detect the two or more polarizations of the CW laser light reflected from the target. The LADAR system also includes a processor operable to determine a range of the target based on a time of flight of the switched polarizations of the CW laser light from the transmitter to the receiver according to the code. 1. A laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system , comprising:a transmitter operable to switch continuous wave (CW) laser light between two or more polarizations based on a code, and to transmit the two or more polarizations of the CW laser light at a target;a receiver operable to detect the two or more polarizations of the CW laser light reflected from the target; anda processor operable to determine a range of the target based on a time of flight of the switched polarizations of the CW laser light from the transmitter to the receiver according to the code.2. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:the transmitter comprises a phase plate operable to operable to switch between the two or more polarizations.3. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:the processor is further operable to determine the range of the target by correlating a return of the code with a transmission of the code.4. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:a sum of intensities of first and second of the two or more polarizations of the CW laser light is substantially uniform.5. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:the code comprises a pseudorandom sequence.6. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:the code comprises a uniformly redundant sequence.7. The LADAR system of claim 1 , wherein:the code comprises a cyclic Coded Aperture ...

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Номер записи: 45
25-01-2018 дата публикации

System and Method for Increasing Resolution of Images Obtained from a Three-Dimensional Measurement System

Номер: US20180024244A1
Автор: Sebastian Richard L., ZHELEZNYAK ANATOLEY T.
Принадлежит: Digital Signal Corporation

A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images. 1. A system for increasing resolution of a three-dimensional image of a target , the system comprising:a lidar subsystem configured to direct at least two beams toward the target and generate a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) measurements for a plurality of points on the target for each of the at least two beams;a video subsystem configured to provide a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of the target; and receive, from the lidar subsystem, the 3D measurements for the plurality of points on the target,', 'receive, from the video subsystem, the plurality of 2D images of the target,', 'generate a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) images of the target based on the 3D measurements for the plurality of points on the target and the 2D images of the target, wherein each of the 3D images is generated at a frame time associated with each of the 2D images of the target,', 'remove motion blur in each of the plurality of 3D images;', 'transform each of the plurality of 3D images to a frame time of an original 3D image based on a plurality of transformation parameters, and', 'determine enhanced information for the original 3D image based on each of the transformed plurality of 3D images., 'a processor configured to2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target is a moving target.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target is a stationary target claim 1 , and wherein the lidar subsystem and the video subsystem move relative to the stationary target.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ...

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Номер записи: 46
10-02-2022 дата публикации

PRECISELY CONTROLLED CHIRPED DIODE LASER AND COHERENT LIDAR SYSTEM

Номер: US20220043155A1
Автор: Rakuljic George, Satyan Naresh
Принадлежит:

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system may include a laser source configured to emit one or more optical beams; a scanning optical system configured to scan the one or more optical beams over a scene and capture reflections of the one or more optical beams from the scene; a measurement system configured to divide the scene into a plurality of pixels, the measurement system comprising a detector configured to detect a return signal from multiple pixels of the plurality of pixels as the one or more optical beams are scanned across the scene, and a data processor configured to perform data processing from the return signal from the multiple pixels to determine a range and/or range rate for each pixel of the scene. 1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system , comprising:a laser source configured to emit one or more optical beams;a scanning optical system configured to scan the one or more optical beams over a scene and capture reflections of the one or more optical beams from the scene,a measurement system configured to divide the scene into a plurality of pixels, the measurement system comprising a detector configured to detect a return signal from multiple pixels of the plurality of pixels as the one or more optical beams are scanned across the scene, anda data processor configured to perform data processing from the return signal from the multiple pixels to determine a range and/or range rate for each pixel of the scene.2. The LIDAR system of claim 1 ,the laser source configured to vary the optical frequency of the one or more optical beams in accordance with a periodic frequency versus time function.3. The LIDAR system of claim 1 ,wherein the data processing comprises a sliding-window data processing from the return signal from the multiple pixels to determine the range and/or range rate for each pixel of the scene.4. The LIDAR system of claim 3 ,wherein the sliding-window data processing comprises a sliding-window Fourier transformation.5. A light ...

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Номер записи: 47
10-02-2022 дата публикации

CONFIGURABLE MEMORY BLOCKS FOR LIDAR MEASUREMENTS

Номер: US20220043156A1
Автор: MA Boyi, PACALA Angus, SHU Marvin, Zhao Yan
Принадлежит: Ouster, Inc.

An optical measurement system may include a plurality of light sources and a plurality of photosensors, where the photosensors are configured to receive photons from the light sources that are reflected off objects in the surrounding environment. Photons may be stored in memory blocks corresponding to the photosensors to form histograms of the receive photons. A select circuit may be used to share memory blocks between photosensors, such that a plurality of photosensors may write to a single memory block, or a single photosensor may write to a plurality of memory blocks. Sampling clock cycles for the photosensors may be adjusted relative to the clock cycles for the memory blocks based on the select circuit output. 1. An optical measurement system comprising:a light source configured to transmit one or more pulse trains over one or more time intervals as part of an optical measurement, wherein each of the one or more time intervals includes one of the one or more pulse trains, and wherein each of the one or more time intervals is subdivided into a plurality of time bins;a photosensor configured to detect photons from the light source;one or more memory blocks, wherein each of the one or more memory blocks comprises a plurality of registers configured to store accumulated photon counts from the photosensor, and wherein each of the plurality of registers is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of time bins to represent a histogram; and receive accumulated photon counts from the photosensor during the one or more time intervals; and', 'select the one or more memory blocks from a plurality of memory blocks into which the accumulated photon counts for the photosensor are stored., 'a select circuit configured to2. The optical measurement system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more buffers coupled to the select circuit and the one or more memory blocks and configured to receive the accumulated photon counts from the photosensor.3. The optical ...

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Номер записи: 48
10-02-2022 дата публикации

Semiconductor optical amplifier with bragg grating

Номер: US20220043202A1
Автор: Jason M. Eichenholz, Joseph G. LaChapelle, Lawrence Shah
Принадлежит: Luminar LLC

In one embodiment, a light source is configured to emit an optical signal. The light source includes a seed laser diode configured to produce a seed optical signal and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) configured to amplify the seed optical signal to produce the emitted optical signal. The SOA includes an optical waveguide extending along a longitudinal direction from an input end of the SOA to an output end of the SOA. The optical waveguide is configured to guide and provide optical gain to the seed optical signal while the seed optical signal propagates in the longitudinal direction along the optical waveguide from the input end to the output end. The SOA also includes a Bragg grating disposed parallel to the optical waveguide, where the Bragg grating includes a region of the SOA having a refractive index that varies along the longitudinal direction.

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Номер записи: 49
24-01-2019 дата публикации

LOW DRIFT REFERENCE FOR LASER RADAR

Номер: US20190025053A1
Автор: Rezk Mina A., Slotwinski Anthony R.
Принадлежит: NIKON METROLOGY NV

Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube. 1. A laser measurement apparatus , comprising:a probe beam source configured to direct a probe beam to a target;an optical fiber defining a reference length and situated to receive a reference beam;a hermetically sealed container configured to retain the optical fiber;a temperature controller coupled to the hermetically sealed container so as to select a temperature associated with the reference length;at least one photodetector configured to receive at least a portion of the probe beam from the target and to receive the reference beam from the optical fiber defining the reference length; anda signal processor coupled to the at least one photodetector so as to establish an estimate of a target distance based on a received portion of the probe beam from the target and a received portion of the reference beam from the optical fiber defining the reference length.2. The laser measurement apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one photodetector includes a measurement detector and a reference detector configured to receive the portion of the probe beam from the target and the reference beam from the optical fiber defining the reference length claim 1 , respectively claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is coupled to the measurement detector and the reference detector.3. The laser measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further ...

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Номер записи: 50
24-01-2019 дата публикации

Signal Detection Apparatus, Method, and Applications

Номер: US20190025356A1
Автор: Clifford A. Lardin, Shahyaan Desai
Принадлежит: Mezmeriz Inc

Apparatus and associated method for unambiguously evaluating high-bandwidth, rapidly changing analog range data in real time using low-cost components that allow detection of the signal of interest using a sampling rate that is lower than the Nyquist rate required to directly evaluate the full range data bandwidth.

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Номер записи: 51
24-01-2019 дата публикации

A DETECTOR DEVICE WITH MAJORITY CURRENT AND A CIRCUITRY FOR CONTROLLING THE CURRENT

Номер: US20190025414A1
Автор: Van Der Tempel Ward, Van Nieuwenhove Daniel
Принадлежит: Sony Depthsensing Solutions SA/NV

The invention relates to a detector device assisted by majority current, comprising a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a plurality of control regions of the first conductivity type, at least one detection region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type and a first source for generating a majority carrier current associated with an electrical field, characterized in that it further comprises control circuitry arranged for controlling the first source and controlling individually at least one of said first majority carrier currents. 1. A detector device assisted by majority current for detecting an electromagnetic radiation comprising:a semiconductor layer on which an electromagnetic radiation can impinge for generating therein pairs of majority and minority carriers and which is doped with a dopant of a first conductivity type; and at least one control region formed in the semiconductor layer, being doped with a dopant of the first conductivity type;', 'at least one detection region formed in the semiconductor layer and being doped with a dopant of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, for forming a junction and collecting generated minority carriers; and', 'a first source for generating a plurality of first majority carrier currents in the semiconductor layer between control regions, the first majority carrier currents being associated with a respective first electrical field;, 'at least two pixels, each comprisingthe minority carriers being distributed between the detection regions of the at least two pixels under the influence of the first electrical field respectively associated with the at least one first majority carrier current,wherein one or more portions of the associated volume of a pixel are shared with one or more neighbouring pixels creating overlapping virtual pixel zones.2. The detector device according to claim 1 , wherein the associated volume of a pixel changes over time.3. ...

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Номер записи: 52
24-01-2019 дата публикации

BEAM STEERING DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

Номер: US20190025509A1
Автор: CHOI Byounglyong, KIM Sunil, PARK Junghyun
Принадлежит: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

A beam steering device and a system using the same are provided. The beam steering device includes a plurality of transmission type optical modulation devices provided to steer an incident beam in different directions, wherein each of the plurality of transmission type optical modulation devices includes: a phase modulator including a nanoantenna in which a plurality of nanostructure rows are arranged. Each of the nanostructure rows includes a plurality of nanostructures connected to each other. A meta surface includes the plurality of nanostructure rows. Each of the transmission type optical modulation devices also includes a plurality of drivers provided which independently apply an electric signal to each of the nanostructure rows to control a phase change thereof. 1. A beam steering device comprising:a plurality of transmission type optical modulation devices, a phase modulator comprising a nanoantenna, the nanoantenna comprising a plurality of nanostructure rows, each of the plurality of nanostructure rows comprising a plurality of nanostructures connected to each other; and', 'a plurality of drivers, wherein each of the drivers is configured to independently apply an electric signal to one of the plurality of nanostructure rows, thereby controlling a phase change thereof., 'wherein each of the plurality of transmission type optical modulation devices comprises2. The beam steering device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of nanostructure rows is a line type phase modulator comprisingan array of line type phase modulators.3. The beam steering device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanostructure rows are arranged in a one-dimensional array.4. The beam steering device of claim 1 , wherein:the plurality of transmission type optical modulation devices comprises a first transmission type optical modulation device and a second transmission type optical modulation device, andthe first transmission type optical modulation device comprises a first phase ...

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Номер записи: 53
23-01-2020 дата публикации

DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM WITH LAYOUT GENERATION FUNCTIONALITY

Номер: US20200025921A1
Автор: MAUNZ Johannes, RENNHARD Patrick
Принадлежит: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG

A Distance Measuring (DM)-system comprising a DM-device comprising a measuring beam unit configured for determining a distance between an object and the DM-device by transmitting a measuring beam, and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) configured for determining an absolute first rotational position of the DM-device with respect to a first axis being parallel to the measuring beam, and an absolute second rotational position of the DM-device with respect to a second axis parallel to the gravity field. The DM-system also includes a computer unit configured for receiving from the DM-device a plurality of measured distance values, an absolute first rotational position of the DM-device at the time of a respective distance measurement, and an absolute second rotational position of the DM-device at the time of a respective distance measurement, and generating a layout by consecutively linking the measured distances based on the plurality of measured distance values. 1. A Distance Measuring (DM)-system comprising: a measuring beam unit configured for determining a value of a distance between an object and the DM-device by transmitting a measuring beam and receiving a reflection of the measuring beam from the object, and', an absolute first rotational position of the DM-device with respect to a first axis, said first axis being parallel to the measuring beam, and', 'an absolute second rotational position of the DM-device with respect to a second axis, said second axis being parallel to the gravity field,, 'an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) configured for determining], 'a DM-device including [ for at least one of the plurality of measured distance values, an absolute first rotational position of the DM-device at the time of a respective distance measurement, and', 'for each of the plurality of measured distance values, an absolute second rotational position of the DM-device at the time of a respective distance measurement, and, 'a plurality of measured distance values,'}, ' ...

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Номер записи: 54
23-01-2020 дата публикации

Ranging processing device, ranging module, ranging processing method, and program

Номер: US20200025924A1
Автор: Shuntaro AOTAKE, Takuro Kamiya, Tomonori Masuno
Принадлежит: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp

A ranging processing device includes: a four-phase ranging operation unit that performs an operation to calculate depth indicating a distance to an object by using all eight detection signals two of which are detected for each of irradiated light of first to fourth phases; a two-phase ranging operation unit that performs the operation to calculate the depth indicating the distance to the object by alternately using four detection signals based on the irradiated light of the first phase and the irradiated light of the second phase and four detection signals based on the irradiated light of the third phase and the irradiated light of the fourth phase among the eight detection signals; and a condition determination unit that makes condition determination based on the detection signals and switch between the four-phase ranging operation unit and the two-phase ranging operation unit to be used.

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Номер записи: 55
29-01-2015 дата публикации

LASER SCANNING DEVICE

Номер: US20150029490A1
Автор: Horibe Ryusuke, MURAYAMA Manabu
Принадлежит:

A laser scanning device includes a light source and a light scanner that scans a laser light emitted from the laser light source. The light source emits the laser light so that the laser light is incident to the light scanner from a plurality of directions. 1. A laser scanning device , comprising:a light source; anda light scanner that scans a laser light emitted from the laser light source, whereinthe light source emits the laser light so that the laser light is incident to the light scanner from a plurality of directions.2. The laser scanning device according to claim 1 , wherein the laser light source emits the laser light so that the laser light is incident to the light scanner from a plurality of directions via a plurality of different optical paths.3. The laser scanning device according to claim 2 , whereinthe light scanner comprises a reflecting mirror having a reflective surface on a front surface and a back surface, andthe laser light source emits the laser light so that a portion of the laser light is incident to the front surface of the reflecting mirror and another portion of the laser light is incident to the back surface of the reflecting mirror.4. The laser scanning device according to claim 2 , further comprising a light guide portion that branches the laser light emitted from the laser light source and guides it to the light scanner.5. The laser scanning device according to claim 2 , wherein a scanning range by the light scanner of laser light passing through at least one optical path of a plurality of different optical paths overlaps with a portion of a scanning range by the light scanner of a laser light passing through another optical path of the plurality of different optical paths.6. The laser scanning device according to claim 2 , wherein the reflecting mirror is a cantilever-type MEMS mirror.7. The laser scanning device according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of laser light sources as the laser light source claim 2 , wherein a ...

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Номер записи: 56
28-01-2021 дата публикации

LASER RADAR DEVICE

Номер: US20210025979A1
Автор: Imaki Masaharu, Yanagisawa Takayuki
Принадлежит: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

A laser radar device includes a first signal sequence converting unit that converts a transmission signal generated by a transmission signal generating unit into a first pulse signal sequence; a second signal sequence converting unit that converts a reception signal outputted from a reflected light receiving unit into a second pulse signal sequence; and a range calculating unit that calculates a range to a ranging target from a time difference between a time at which transmission light is irradiated by a light irradiating unit and a time at which reflected light is received by the reflected light receiving unit, and an acceptance or refusal selecting unit calculates a degree of match between the first pulse signal sequence and the second pulse signal sequence, and selects or discards the range calculated by the range calculating unit on the basis of the degree of match. 1. A laser radar device comprising:a transmission signal generator to generate a transmission signal;a light irradiator to convert the transmission signal generated by the transmission signal generator into transmission light, and irradiate a ranging target with the transmission light;a reflected light receiver to receive, as reflected light, the transmission light reflected by the ranging target, and output a reception signal of the reflected light;a first signal sequence converter to convert the transmission signal generated by the transmission signal generator into a first pulse signal sequence;a second signal sequence converter to convert the reception signal outputted from the reflected light receiver into a second pulse signal sequence;a range calculator to calculate a range to the ranging target from a time difference between a time at which the transmission light is irradiated by the light irradiator and a time at which the reflected light is received by the reflected light receiver; andacceptance or refusal selecting circuitry to calculate a degree of match between the first pulse signal ...

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Номер записи: 57
28-01-2021 дата публикации

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING A DISTANCE TO AN OBJECT

Номер: US20210026014A1
Автор: Horn Jan
Принадлежит:

An apparatus for ascertaining a distance to an object has a light source unit for emitting an optical signal with a time-varying frequency, an evaluation device for ascertaining a distance to the object based on (a) a measurement signal that arose from the signal and was reflected at the object and (b) a reference signal that was not reflected at the object. The apparatus has also a dispersive element disposed in the signal path of the optical signal and an optical position sensor disposed downstream of this dispersive element in the signal path. 1. An apparatus for ascertaining a distance to an object , wherein the apparatus comprises:a light source unit configured to emit an optical signal having a time-varying frequency, a measurement signal that originated from the signal and was reflected at the object and', 'a reference signal that was not reflected at the object,, 'an evaluation device configured to ascertain a distance to the object based onat least one dispersive element disposed in a signal path of the optical signal,at least one optical position sensor disposed downstream of the dispersive element in the signal path, anda monitoring unit configured to monitor a luminous power emitted by the light source unit based on sensor signals supplied by the optical position sensor.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dispersive element forms a scanning device configured to deflect claim 1 , in a frequency-dependent manner claim 1 , measurement beams claim 1 , which originated from the optical signal claim 1 , into different beam directions towards the object.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is configured to ascertain beam directions of the measurement beams based on sensor signals supplied by the optical position sensor.4. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the scanning device is configured to deflect the measurement beams in a frequency-dependent manner into two mutually perpendicular directions.5. The apparatus of claim 1 , ...

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Номер записи: 58
28-01-2021 дата публикации

APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING A DISTANCE TO AN OBJECT

Номер: US20210026015A1
Автор: Davydenko Vladimir
Принадлежит:

An apparatus for ascertaining a distance to an object has a light source that emits an optical signal having a time-varying frequency. An evaluation device ascertains a distance to the object based on a measurement signal that originated from the optical signal and was reflected at the object and, and on a reference signal that was not reflected at the object. A deflection device changes an angle, at which the measurement signal is steered to the object, during a period of the optical signal in which the frequency of the optical signal has a monotonic time dependence. 1. An apparatus for ascertainment of a distance to an object , wherein the apparatus comprisesa light source configured to emit an optical signal having a time-varying frequency, a measurement signal that originated from the optical signal and was reflected at the object and', 'a reference signal that was not reflected at the object, and, 'an evaluation device configured to ascertain a distance to the object based on'}a deflection device configured to change an angle, at which the measurement signal is steered to the object, during a period of the optical signal in which the frequency of the optical signal has a monotonic time dependence.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising an element configured to produce a frequency-selective spatial division of the measurement signal reflected at the object.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the element comprises an array waveguide grating (AWS).4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the element comprises a prism claim 2 , a diffraction grating or a spatial light modulator.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the spatial light modulator is an acoustic modulator or an electro-optic modulator.6. The apparatus of claim 2 , comprising a coupler array that has a plurality of mutually independently operable coupling elements for separate merging of partial signals claim 2 , which were generated by the frequency-selective spatial division of the measurement signal ...

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Номер записи: 59
28-01-2021 дата публикации

Apparatus for ascertaining a distance to an object

Номер: US20210026017A1
Автор: Andy ZOTT, Frank Höller, Vladimir Davydenko
Принадлежит: CARL ZEISS AG

An apparatus for ascertaining a distance to an object has a light source that emits an optical signal having a time-varying frequency. An evaluation device ascertains a distance to the object based on a measurement signal that originated from the optical signal and was reflected at the object and, and on a reference signal that was not reflected at the object. A dispersive element produces a frequency-selective angle distribution of the measurement signal that has a plurality of partial signals which are steered to the object at mutually different angles.

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Номер записи: 60
28-01-2021 дата публикации

Device and method for door area monitoring

Номер: US20210026036A1
Автор: Andreas Thun-Hohenstein, Harald Leder, Stefan Haun, Wilfried Wagner
Принадлежит: Iris GmbH IG Infrared and Intelligent Sensors

The invention relates to a device for monitoring the door area of an at least partially glazed door. The device comprises a transmitter, an image recorder, a control unit, and an evaluation unit. The transmitter is used to emit at least one transmission pulse of electromagnetic radiation. The image recorder comprises a receiver matrix having at least one first receiver block, which has a plurality of first receivers. The first receivers of the first receiver block are designed and arranged in such a way that they receive reflected signal components of the transmission pulse in a second predetermined distance range of an outer region of the door area, the distance range being determined in relation to the door. Each first receiver has a memory unit which is designed to integrate and store the reflected signal components received. The control unit is configured to trigger a transmission pulse of the transmitter and to activate the first receivers of the first receiver block for a predetermined first receiving period after a predetermined first idle period which is longer than a period in which a signal of the transmission pulse reflected by the glazed door reaches the first receivers of the first receiver block. The evaluation unit is configured to read the stored signal components of the respective receiver and to process them into topography image data and to compare the topography image data with stored reference image data for a free door area, or is configured to read the stored signal components of the respective receiver and to determine a distance value on that basis and to compare the respective distance value with a stored reference value for a free door area.

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Номер записи: 61
24-01-2019 дата публикации

Method and apparatus for coherence enhancement of sweep velocity locked lasers via all-electronic upconversion

Номер: US20190027897A1
Автор: Gerald Hefferman, Tao Wei, Zhen Chen
Принадлежит: Rhode Island Board of Education

The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus to improve the dynamic coherent length of a sweep velocity-locked laser pulse generator (SV-LLPG) in an all-electronic fashion. A digital SV-LLPG is disclosed with two operation modes, i.e., unidirectional and bidirectional sweep modes; self-adaptive and time-dependent loop parameters (gain and location of poles/zeros); and, self-adaptive initial input curve. High frequency locking architectures, both single-side band (SSB) modulation method and direct phase measurement method, are provided to suppress the linewidth, or improve the coherent length, of the swept laser. A combination of high and low frequency locking, or a combination of multiple architectures disclosed in this invention, is utilized to achieve a higher level of linewidth reduction. The enhanced laser coherence extends the measurement range by at least one order of magnitude for applications including frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and optical fiber distributed sensing applications.

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Номер записи: 62
28-01-2021 дата публикации

CHARGE COLLECTION GATE WITH CENTRAL COLLECTION PHOTODIODE IN TIME OF FLIGHT PIXEL

Номер: US20210028209A1
Автор: Choi Woon Il
Принадлежит:

A pixel circuit includes a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor material layer to accumulate image charge in response to light incident upon the photodiode. A charge collection gate is coupled to the photodiode. The charge collection gate is disposed over the photodiode to generate an inversion layer in the semiconductor material layer under the charge collection gate to collect the image charge from the photodiode. A first transfer gate is disposed proximate to the charge collection gate, wherein the first transfer gate is coupled to transfer the image charge from in the inversion layer in response to a first transfer signal. 1. A pixel circuit , comprising:a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor material layer to accumulate image charge in response to light incident upon the photodiode;a charge collection gate coupled to the photodiode, wherein the charge collection gate is disposed over the photodiode to generate an inversion layer in the semiconductor material layer under the charge collection gate to collect the image charge from the photodiode; anda first transfer gate disposed proximate to the charge collection gate, wherein the first transfer gate is coupled to transfer the image charge from in the inversion layer in response to a first transfer signal.2. The pixel circuit of claim 1 , wherein the charge collection gate is coupled to be biased with a constant bias voltage to collect the image charge from the photodiode into the inversion layer.3. The pixel circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a second transfer gate disposed proximate to the charge collection gate claim 1 , wherein the second transfer gate is coupled to transfer the image charge from the inversion layer in response to a second transfer signal claim 1 , wherein the first transfer signal and the second transfer signal comprise oscillating pulse trains that are out of phase with one another during an integration period of the pixel circuit to alternatingly transfer the image charge from ...

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Номер записи: 63
23-01-2020 дата публикации

ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS CONTROLLING METHOD

Номер: US20200029032A1
Автор: MAHARA KUMIKO, Moriyama Yusuke
Принадлежит:

Noise is suppressed in an electronic apparatus including a light emission section and a solid state imaging element. The electronic apparatus includes an imaging section, a prohibition period setting section, and a light emission section. In the electronic apparatus, the imaging section captures image data. The light emission section emits irradiation light. The prohibition period setting section sets, as a prohibition period, a period during which noise is generated in the imaging section due to start or stoppage of light emission of the irradiation light. A light emission control section controls the light emission section so as to prohibit start and stoppage of the light emission during the prohibition period. 1. An electronic apparatus comprising:an imaging section that captures image data;a light emission section that emits irradiation light;a prohibition period setting section that sets, as a prohibition period, a period during which noise is generated in the imaging section due to start or stoppage of light emission of the irradiation light; anda light emission control section that controls the light emission section so as to prohibit start and stoppage of the light emission during the prohibition period.2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe light emission control section performs control such that a time during which the light emission is carried out by the light emission section is clocked, and the light emission is stopped when a predetermined time has been clocked.3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinin a case where a start time of the prohibition period comes during clocking, the light emission control section halts the clocking and causes the light emission section to halt the light emission, over the prohibition period.4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinin a case where a start time of the prohibition period comes during clocking, the light emission section causes the light emission ...

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Номер записи: 64
02-02-2017 дата публикации

RANGE IMAGE SENSOR

Номер: US20170031025A1
Автор: Hiramitsu Jun, Mase Mitsuhito, SHIMADA Akihiro
Принадлежит:

In a range image sensor, a plurality of range sensors are disposed in a one-dimensional direction. The plurality of range sensors include a photogate electrode, first and second signal charge accumulating regions disposed on one side of the photogate electrode, third and fourth signal charge accumulating regions disposed on the other side, first transfer electrodes for making charge flow into the first and fourth signal charge accumulating regions in response to a first transfer signal, and second transfer electrodes for making charge flow into the second and third signal charge accumulating regions in response to a second transfer signal. 1. A range image sensor in which a plurality of range sensors are disposed in a one-dimensional direction ,wherein each of the plurality of range sensors comprises:a charge generating region where charge is generated according to incident light;a first and second signal charge accumulating regions disposed away from the charge generating region on one side in the one-dimensional direction of the charge generating region and away from each other along a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional direction, and configured to accumulate the charge generated in the charge generating region, as signal charges;a third signal charge accumulating region disposed away from the charge generating region on the other side in the one-dimensional direction of the charge generating region and opposite to the first signal charge accumulating region with the charge generating region in between in the one-dimensional direction, and configured to accumulate the charge generated in the charge generating region, as a signal charge;a fourth signal charge accumulating region disposed away from the charge generating region on the other side in the one-dimensional direction of the charge generating region and opposite to the second signal charge accumulating region with the charge generating region in between in the one-dimensional direction, and ...

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Номер записи: 65
01-02-2018 дата публикации

Phase Compensation in a Time of Flight System

Номер: US20180031682A1
Автор: Anjana Sharma, Bharath Patil, Ravishankar AYYAGARI, Subhash Chandra Venkata Sadhu
Принадлежит: Texas Instruments Inc

Systems and methods are provided for imaging a surface via time of flight measurement. An illumination system includes an illumination driver and an illumination source and is configured to project modulated electromagnetic radiation to a point on a surface of interest. A sensor system includes a sensor driver and is configured to receive and demodulate electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surface of interest. A temperature sensor is configured to provide a measured temperature representing a temperature at one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver and located at a position remote from the one of the illumination driver and the sensor driver. A compensation component is configured to calculate a phase offset between the illumination system and the sensor system from at least the measured temperature and a model representing transient heat flow within the system.

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Номер записи: 66
17-02-2022 дата публикации

FMCW IMAGING LIDAR BASED ON COHERENT PIXEL ARRAY

Номер: US20220050201A1
Автор: Feng Ningning, Sun Xiaochen, Zhang Lingxuan
Принадлежит: Litexel Inc.

A frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) imaging light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system includes an integrated photonic circuit based coherent pixel array sensor having a large number of coherent pixels. Each pixel receives both the frequency-modulated signal light from a local light source (LO) and the returned signal light reflected from a section of the target scene through an imaging optical system. At each pixel, the LO light and the returned light are mixed locally by an optical mixer and then detected locally by an integrated photodetector. The electrical signal from each pixel is used to calculate scene distance using FMCW LiDAR principles. The LO signal is distributed into each pixel by an on-chip optical switch and routing circuit. An optical phased array may be used to split the source beam into the LO light and the target illumination light and to steer the illumination light. 1. A frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) imaging light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system , comprising:a laser source configured to emit a frequency-modulated, continuous wave optical beam;a beam splitting device configured to split the optical beam emitted by the laser source, to form an illumination optical beam using a first portion of the optical beam and to direct the illumination optical beam into free space to illuminate a target scene;a coherent pixel array sensor, including a spatial array of coherent pixels and an optical distribution circuit;an imaging optical system, configured to image the target scene onto the array of coherent pixels;wherein the beam splitting device is further configured to guide a second portion of the optical beam emitted by the laser source into the optical distribution circuit of the coherent pixel array sensor as a local oscillator signal;wherein the optical distribution circuit is configured to feed a portion of the local oscillator signal to each of the coherent pixels;wherein each coherent pixel is configured to receive a ...

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Номер записи: 67
17-02-2022 дата публикации

FLIGHT TIME SENSOR AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A SENSOR

Номер: US20220050202A1
Автор: Autran Frédéric, Beaudoin Sylvain, Trapani Sebastien
Принадлежит: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE

The invention relates to a flight time sensor () comprising:—a lighting device () comprising a light source () which emits a source beam () in the direction of a scene () comprising an object () which is capable of reflecting the source beam;—a detector () comprising a matrix () of photo-sensitive pixels (A) which receive a portion () of the source beam reflected by the object; and—an electronic unit () which is configured:—to generate a modulation signal and to control the device by means of this signal so that the source beans has a source light power which is modulated temporally;—to process electric signals which are supplied as a function of time by the detector, each electric signal representing a fraction of the source light power reflected in the direction of a pixel; and—to deduce from the electric signals a characteristic distance (D) between the object and the device. According to the invention, the unit is configured, when the object is detected as being at a characteristic distance smaller than a predetermined threshold distance, to control the device in order to reduce the average source light power. 1. A time-of-flight sensor comprising:an illumination device comprising a light source and configured to emit a source beam in the direction of a scene containing an object capable of reflecting said source beam;a detector comprising a matrix array of photosensitive pixels and designed to receive a portion of the source beam reflected by said object in the scene; andan electronic unit configured so as to:generate a modulation signal and control said illumination device by way of this modulation signal, such that the emitted source beam has a temporally modulated source light power;process electrical signals delivered as a function of time by said detector, each electrical signal being representative of a fraction of the source light power reflected by the object in the direction of an associated photosensitive pixel; anddeduce, from said processed ...

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Номер записи: 68
17-02-2022 дата публикации

System and Method for Improving 3D Sensor Measurement Accuracy

Номер: US20220050206A1
Автор: Der-Song Lin, Hung-Chih Chang, Yu-Shiuan Li, YUN-CHUNG Na
Принадлежит: Artilux Inc

Systems and methods improving three-dimensional sensor measurement accuracy are provided. For instance, an example apparatus can include a distance-estimation system, a distance-refinement system, and a processing system. The distance-estimation system can be configured to receive a first optical signal and determine a first distance between two points in an environment. The distance-refinement system can be configured to receive a second optical signal and determine a second distance between the two points in the environment. The processing system can be configured to receive information representing the first distance and the second distance and determine, based on the first distance and the second distance, a third distance between the two points in the environment. The difference between a true distance of the two points in the environment and the first distance can be larger than a difference between the true distance of the two points in the environment and the third distance.

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Номер записи: 69
17-02-2022 дата публикации

Light projecting device, tof sensor provided with same and distance image generator

Номер: US20220050207A1
Автор: Akihiro Ishii, Hideki Chujo, Masahiro Kinoshita
Принадлежит: Omron Corp

A light projecting device may include an LED, an LED power supply, and a drive circuit. The LED emits light in a specific direction. The LED power supply supplies power to the LED. The drive circuit subjects the waveform of the drive current modulated at a specific frequency to DC offset and inputs the result to the LED.

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Номер записи: 70
01-05-2014 дата публикации

Modulated Laser Range Finder and Method

Номер: US20140118718A1
Автор: Douglas R. Jungwirth
Принадлежит: Boeing Co

A laser range finder including a laser configured to project a laser beam onto a target object thereby causing a target beam to be reflected from the target object, wherein the laser beam has a frequency, and wherein the frequency is modulated at a known rate, a first beam splitter positioned to split a reference beam from the laser beam, a second beam splitter positioned to receive the target beam and the reference beam, wherein the target beam and the reference beam are coherently combined, the coherently combined beams establishing a difference frequency, and a detector configured to measure the difference frequency.

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Номер записи: 71
31-01-2019 дата публикации

Optoelectronic Modules and Methods for Operating the Same

Номер: US20190033071A1
Автор: Miguel Sánchez Javier, Vaello Paños Miguel Bruno
Принадлежит:

An optoelectronic module includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising machine-readable instructions stored thereon, that when executed on a processor, perform operations for calibrating the optoelectronic module and collecting distance data with the optoelectronic module. Methods for calibrating and collecting distance data include using an optoelectronic module with the non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes the aforementioned instructions. In some instances, a first target is highly reflective, and a second target is highly absorbing. 1. A method for operating an optoelectronic module having a transmission channel , a collection channel , and being operable to transmit light from the transmission channel and to receive light in the collection channel , the method comprising:transmitting light from the transmission channel to a first target at a first distance;receiving light in the collection channel reflected from the first target at the first distance;converting the received light into a first signal A;saving the first signal A to a non-transitory computer-readable medium as a first vector A; receiving light in the collection channel reflected from the second target at the second distance;', 'converting the received light into a second signal B; and', 'saving the second signal B to the non-transitory computer-readable medium as a second vector B., 'transmitting light from the transmission channel to a second target at a second distance;'}2. The method of further including:positioning a transmissive element between the transmission and collection channels and the first and second targets;transmitting light from the transmission channel to the transmissive element and the first target at the first distance;receiving in the collection channel light reflected from the first target and light reflected from the transmissive element;converting the received light into a third signal C;saving the third signal C to the non-transitory ...

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Номер записи: 72
31-01-2019 дата публикации

System and Method for Increasing Resolution of Images Obtained from a Three-Dimensional Measurement System

Номер: US20190033456A1
Автор: Anatoley T. Zheleznyak, Richard L. Sebastian
Принадлежит: Digital Signal Corp, Stereovision Imaging Inc

A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory (6DOF) of a target. The 6DOF transformation parameters are used to transform multiple images to the frame time of a selected image, thus obtaining multiple images at the same frame time. These multiple images may be used to increase a resolution of the image at each frame time, obtaining the collection of the superresolution images.

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Номер записи: 73
30-01-2020 дата публикации

Lidar system and autonomous driving system using the same

Номер: US20200033124A1
Автор: Jejong LEE
Принадлежит: LG ELECTRONICS INC

Provided are a lidar system and an autonomous driving system using the same. The lidar system includes: a light emitter configured to include a light source generating a laser beam and a scanner moving the laser beam from the light source to scan an object with the laser beam; a receiving sensor configured to convert light reflected and received by the object into an electrical signal; and a signal processor configured to include a trans impedance amplifier amplifying an output signal of the receiving sensor, an analog to digital converter converting an output signal of the trans impedance amplifier into a digital signal, and a gain controller varying a gain of the trans impedance amplifier. According to the lidar system, an autonomous vehicle, an AI device, and an external device may be linked with an artificial intelligence module, a drone, a robot, an Augmented or Virtual Reality device, etc.

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Номер записи: 74
30-01-2020 дата публикации

DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS WHICH DETECTS OPTICAL SYSTEM ABNORMALITY

Номер: US20200033475A1
Автор: Nakamura Minoru, Takahashi Yuuki, Watanabe Atsushi
Принадлежит:

A distance measuring apparatus includes an optical system abnormality detection section for detecting abnormalities of an optical system of the distance measuring apparatus by comparing a relationship between a measured distance value d and a light intensity Ls with a reference value K, K, K, or K. 1. A distance measuring apparatus , comprising an irradiation section which irradiates an object with distance measurement light , and a light receiving section which receives reflected light from the object , wherein the distance measuring apparatus outputs a distance measurement value to the object calculated based on a phase difference between the distance measurement light and the reflected light , and a light intensity of the reflected light , the distance measurement apparatus further comprising:an optical system abnormality detection section which detects an abnormality of an optical system of the distance measuring apparatus by comparing the relationship between the distance measurement value and the light intensity with a reference value.2. The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reference value is determined using a reflectivity of the object.3. The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reference value is determined using a relationship between the distance measurement value and the light intensity acquired when the distance measuring apparatus is normal.4. The distance measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a two-dimensional image generation section which generates a two-dimensional image of a space observed by the distance measuring apparatus based on a light reception amount of the light receiving section, whereinan abnormality of the optical system is determined using, in place of the distance measurement value, a distance to the object calculated based on the two-dimensional image in which the object, which has a plurality of feature points having obvious three-dimensional ...

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Номер записи: 75
04-02-2021 дата публикации

UNWRAPPED PHASES FOR TIME-OF-FLIGHT MODULATION LIGHT

Номер: US20210033731A1
Автор: Xu Zhanping
Принадлежит: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Adaptive phase unwrapping for a time-of-flight camera. A scene is illuminated with modulation light having two or more frequencies that do not have a common integer denominator. The modulation light that is reflected off objects within the scene is received at a sensor array. The received modulation light is then processed and weighted in the complex domain to determine unwrapped phases for each of the two or more frequencies of modulation light. 1. A method for a time-of-flight camera , comprising:illuminating a scene with modulation light having two or more frequencies that do not have a common integer denominator;at a sensor array, receiving the modulation light reflected off objects within the scene; anddetermining unwrapped phases for each of the two or more frequencies of modulation light.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the phase scalars are expressed with a single unknown integer M claim 2 , wherein M is a wrapped period number of a 2π module for a given frequency of modulation light.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein unwrapped phases for a frequency of modulation light are determined based on at least M.6. The method of claim 2 , wherein Gaussian noise is filtered from the phase vectors using a numeric filter in the complex domain.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a system robustness is weighted based on an active brightness of the received modulation light.8. A time-of-flight camera claim 1 , comprising:a modulated light emitter configured to illuminate a scene with modulation light having two or more frequencies that do not have a common integer denominator;a sensor array configured to receive the modulation light reflected off objects within the scene; process the received modulation light to determine wrapped phase vectors for each frequency of modulation light; and', 'determine unwrapped phases for each of the two or more frequencies of modulation light., 'a controller configured to9. The time-of-flight camera of claim 8 , wherein the controller is ...

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Номер записи: 76
04-02-2021 дата публикации

USE OF FREQUENCY OFFSETS IN GENERATION OF LIDAR DATA

Номер: US20210033732A1
Автор: Asghari Mehdi, Boloorian Majid, Feng Dazeng, Luff Bradley Jonathan
Принадлежит:

A LIDAR system that generates an outgoing LIDAR signal and multiple composite light signals that each carries a different channel and that each includes a contribution from a reference signal and a contribution from a comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. Electronics induce a frequency offset in the reference signals between a LIDAR data period and a channel period. The electronics use the composite signals generated during the LIDAR data period to generate LIDAR data and the composite signals generated during the channel period to associate the composite signals with the channel carried by the composite signal. 1. A system , comprising: the comparative signals each including light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system, and', 'the reference signals each including light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but excluding light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system; and, 'a LIDAR system configured to generate an outgoing LIDAR signal and multiple composite light signals that each carries a different channel and that each includes a contribution from a reference signal and a contribution from a comparative signal,'} the electronics configured to use the composite signals generated during the LIDAR data period to generate LIDAR data, and', 'the electronics configured to use the composite signals generated during the channel period to associate each one of at least a portion of the composite signals with the channel carried by the composite signal., 'electronics configured to induce a frequency offset in the reference signals between a LIDAR data period and a channel ...

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Номер записи: 77
30-01-2020 дата публикации

SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE TO AN OBJECT

Номер: US20200034644A1
Автор: PAESEN Rik, VAN DYCK Dirk
Принадлежит: XenomatiX NV

The invention pertains to a system for determining a distance, comprising: a light source for projecting a pattern of discrete spots of laser light towards the object in a sequence of pulses; a detector comprising picture elements, for detecting light representing the pattern as reflected by the object in synchronization with the sequence of pulses; and processing means to calculate the distance to the object as a function of exposure values generated by said picture elements. The picture elements generate exposure values by accumulating a first amount of electrical charge representing a first amount of light reflected during a first time window and a second electrical charge representing a second amount of light reflected during a second time window. The solid-state radiation source emits substantially monochromatic light having a wavelength spread of less than ±20 nm and the detector is equipped with a corresponding narrow bandpass filter. 2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said solid-state light source is adapted to emit said pattern of discrete spots such that different spots have different respective wavelengths (λ claim 1 , λ) claim 1 , said different respective wavelengths (λ claim 1 , λ) corresponding to the maximum of the passband of the narrow bandpass filter under different angles of incidence.3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein said solid-state light source comprises a plurality of tiles emitting light at said different respective wavelengths (λ claim 2 , λ).4. The system according to claim 2 , wherein said solid-state light source comprises a VCSEL array equipped with micro-electro-mechanical systems arranged to adapt an emission wavelength of individual VCSELs among said VCSEL array so as to obtain said different respective wavelengths (λ claim 2 , λ) .5. The system according to claim 2 , wherein said solid-state light source comprises a VCSEL array equipped with piezo-electrical transducers arranged to adapt an emission wavelength ...

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Номер записи: 78
09-02-2017 дата публикации

OPTOELECTRONIC MODULES OPERABLE TO RECOGNIZE SPURIOUS REFLECTIONS AND TO COMPENSATE FOR ERRORS CAUSED BY SPURIOUS REFLECTIONS

Номер: US20170038459A1
Автор: Beer Stephan, Buettgen Bernhard, Hallal Bassam, Kubacki Jens, Lehmann Michael, Lewis Jim, PEREZ CALERO Daniel, Vaello Paños Miguel Bruno
Принадлежит: Heptogaon Micro Optics Pte Ltd.

Optoelectronic modules () are operable to distinguish between signals indicative of reflections from an object of interest and signals indicative of a spurious reflection. Various modules are operable to recognize spurious reflections by means of dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels () and, in some cases, also to compensate for errors caused by spurious reflections. 1. An optoelectronic module comprising:a light emitter to generate light to be emitted from the module;a plurality of spatially distributed light sensitive elements arranged to detect light from the emitter that is reflected by an object outside the module; andone or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels.2. The optoelectronic module of wherein the light emitter is disposed in a first chamber of the module and the spatially distributed light sensitive elements and one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels are disposed on a second chamber of the module.3. The optoelectronic module of including circuitry operable to use a signal from the one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels to correct for a spurious reflection.4. The optoelectronic module of including circuitry operable to use a signal from the one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels to factor out a component of light reflected by a smudge present on a transmissive cover from a component of light detected by the spatially distributed light sensitive elements.5. The optoelectronic module of including circuitry operable to use output signals from the one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels to determine whether a smudge is present on a glass cover of a host device in which the module is disposed.6. The optoelectronic module of wherein the spatially distributed light sensitive elements are demodulation pixels claim 1 , the module further including processing circuitry operable to determine a distance to an object outside the module based at least in part on ...

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Номер записи: 79
09-02-2017 дата публикации

Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) on Orthogonal Carriers for Multi-Channel IM-CW CO2 Absorption or Lidar/Radar/Sonar Mapping Applications

Номер: US20170038464A1
Автор: Campbell Joel F., Lin Bing, Nehrir Amin R.
Принадлежит:

Systems, methods, and devices of the present invention use a single Pseudo Noise (PN) code to modulate multiple orthogonal carriers by Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation. The various embodiments enable closely spaced carriers to be modulated with the same periodic PN sequence using BPSK modulation. In this manner, even though the carriers may almost entirely share bandwidth, orthogonality of the carriers may not be lost, enabling the various embodiments to be used with limited bandwidth Intensity Modulated Continuous Wave (IM-CW) Light detection and ranging (Lidar), Radio detection and ranging (Radar), or Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) systems. Additionally, by using orthogonal carriers the various embodiments enable measurements to be made simultaneously, thereby reducing the error compared to systems that require sequential measurements, such as pulsed Lidar systems. 1. A method for generating a modulation waveform in a ranging system , comprising:generating two or more orthogonal carrier waveforms;modulating the two or more orthogonal carrier waveforms with a Pseudo Noise (PN) code;transmitting the modulated two or more orthogonal carrier waveforms toward a target;receiving a reflected signal from the target;selecting a reference signal form;demodulating the reflected signal using the selected reference signal form; anddetermining at least one of a range and differential absorption of the target based on the demodulation.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein PN code is the Maximum Length (ML)-sequence.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the ML-sequence is oversampled.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the modulated two or more orthogonal carrier waveforms take on the form for the first channel σ(n) and second channel σ(n) of:{'br': None, 'sub': first', 'first', 's, 'i': n', 'Z', 'n', 'πn f', '/f, 'σ()=(2()−1)cos(2),'}{'br': None, 'sub': second', 'second', 's, 'i': n', 'Z', 'n', 'πn f', '/f, 'σ()=(2()−1)cos(2),'}{'sub': first', 'second', 's, 'wherein Z( ...

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Номер записи: 80
09-02-2017 дата публикации

Detection of an object by use of a 3d camera and a radar

Номер: US20170038466A1
Автор: Carl Fredrik Ullberg, Fredrich Claezon, Mikael Lindberg, Mikael Salmén
Принадлежит: SCANIA CV AB

A method ( 400 ) and a 3D camera (110) for a vehicle for detecting an object ( 130 ) in an area ( 140 ) for collecting ( 401 ) measurement data related to the area ( 140 ) by a sensor ( 310 ) in the 3D camera ( 110 ) using a first sensor setting, in addition, reception ( 402 ) of measurement data related to the area ( 140 ) from a radar ( 120 ), and detection ( 405 ) of the object ( 130 ) based on interpretation of collected ( 401 ) measurement data by the camera together with measurement data received ( 402 ) from the radar ( 120 ).

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Номер записи: 81
09-02-2017 дата публикации

METHOD AND DEVICE OF MEASURING THE DISTANCE TO AN OBJECT

Номер: US20170038472A1
Автор: KIM Kyung-Il, KIM TAE-CHAN, KONG Hae-Kyung, Lee Han-Soo, LIM Moo-Sup, OH Min-Seok
Принадлежит:

To measure the distance to points on an object by radiating a periodic amplitude-modulated optical signal to the object and detecting the phase difference between the radiated optical signal and a reflected optical signal from the object, a first photo-detection control signal is generated to control the radiation of the optical signal. A mask signal is generated such that the mask signal is activated at least during a shuttering duration for resetting the voltage level at a sensing node (associated with an operation of a previous frame). A second photo-detection control signal is generated based on the first photo-detection signal and the mask signal such that the second photo-detection signal is deactivated or masked at least during the shuttering duration. 1. A method of measuring the distance to an object by radiating a periodic amplitude-modulated optical signal to the object and detecting the phase difference between the radiated optical signal and a reflected optical signal from the object , the method comprising:generating a first photo-detection control signal to control the periodic amplitude-modulation of the radiated optical signal;generating a mask signal activated at least during a shuttering duration for resetting the voltage level at a sensing node; andgenerating a second photo-detection control signal based on Boolean combination of the first photo-detection signal and the mask signal such that the second photo-detection signal is deactivated or masked at least during the shuttering duration.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance to the object is resolved using correlated double sampling (CDS) to compensate the detected phase difference for a reset voltage level.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the mask signal is further activated at least during an activated duration of a reset control signal while detecting the reset voltage level.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the CDS includes a first duration for detecting a signal voltage level ...

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Номер записи: 82
08-02-2018 дата публикации

3D DEPTH SENSOR AND METHOD OF MEASURING DISTANCE USING THE 3D DEPTH SENSOR

Номер: US20180038946A1
Автор: JEON Myungjae, PARK Yonghwa, YOU Jangwoo
Принадлежит: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

A 3D depth sensor and a method of measuring a distance to an object, using the 3D depth sensor, are provided. The 3D depth sensor includes a light source configured to emit light toward an object, and an optical shutter configured to modulate a waveform of light that is reflected from the object by changing a transmittance of the reflected light, the optical shutter comprising sections. The 3D depth sensor further includes an optical shutter driver configured to operate the sections of the optical shutter independently from one another, and a controller configured to control the light source and the optical shutter driver. 1. A three-dimensional (3D) depth sensor comprising:a light source configured to emit light toward an object;an optical shutter configured to modulate a waveform of light that is reflected from the object by changing a transmittance of the reflected light, the optical shutter comprising sections;an optical shutter driver configured to operate the sections of the optical shutter independently from one another; anda controller configured to control the light source and the optical shutter driver.2. The 3D depth sensor of claim 1 , wherein the optical shutter driver comprises optical shutter drivers individually connected to electrodes respectively included in the sections of the optical shutter.3. The 3D depth sensor of claim 2 , further comprising a switch configured to select an electrode from the electrodes claim 2 ,wherein the optical shutter driver is further configured to operate the electrodes via the switch.4. The 3D depth sensor of claim 3 , wherein the optical shutter driver comprises a multi-frequency optical shutter driver configured to select claim 3 , from frequencies claim 3 , a frequency for operating the optical shutter.5. The 3D depth sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sections of the optical shutter are configured to respectively modulate the reflected light reflected claim 1 , based on locations of the object from the 3D depth ...

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Номер записи: 83
12-02-2015 дата публикации

LASER SCANNER HAVING A MULTI-COLOR LIGHT SOURCE AND REAL-TIME COLOR RECEIVER

Номер: US20150043009A1
Автор: Becker Reinhard, Bridges Robert E.
Принадлежит:

A laser scanner includes a light emitter that generates a modulated light beam for measuring distance and red, blue, and green lights for capturing colors. The beam is collimated and directed to an object point with a steering mirror. Reflected light from the object point is directed by the steering mirror onto scanner optics. The reflected light is directed to an optical receiver that sends the first light in a first path and the second, third and fourth lights in a second path to a color receiver. The first light is demodulated to determine distance to the target. The second, third, and fourth lights are separated and measured to determine three color values. The color values are combined with the measured distance value to determine a color 3D coordinate for the object point. 1. A laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment , comprising:a light emitter configured to emit an emission light beam, the emission light beam being a superposition of a first light, a second light, a third light, and a fourth light, the first light being modulated, the second, third, and fourth lights each having a different wavelength in the visible spectrum;a collimator configured to collimate the emission light beam;a steering mirror having a reflective surface and configured to rotate about a first axis, the steering mirror further configured to deflect the emission light beam onto an object point in the environment and to receive a reception light beam reflected from the object point;scanner optics configured to receive the reception light beam from the steering mirror;an optical receiver configured to receive the reception light beam from the steering mirror, the optical receiver further configured to send the first light in a first path and to send the second, third, and fourth lights in a second path;a control and evaluation unit configured to receive the first light in the first path, to convert the first light into a first electrical signal, and to ...

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Номер записи: 84
24-02-2022 дата публикации

MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND MEASUREMENT METHOD

Номер: US20220057512A1
Автор: KOMATSUZAKI Shinji, Suzuki Yoshimasa, TAKAHASHI TOMOTAKA
Принадлежит: MITUTOYO CORPORATION

A measurement apparatus including: a laser that outputs a frequency-modulated laser beam; a branch that splits the frequency-modulated laser beam into a reference light and a measurement light; a beat signal generator that generates a beat signal by mixing the reference light and a reflected light that is reflected by radiating the measurement light onto an object to be measured; a frequency analyzer that frequency-analyzes the beat signal; a storage that stores a reference frequency signal which is a frequency signal obtained by converting a reference signal output by the beat signal generator in a state without the object to be measured; and calculation circuitry that calculates a difference between propagation distances of the reference light and the measurement light. 2. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the beat signal generation part outputs claim 1 , as the reference signal claim 1 , a signal including a reference beat signal generated by mixing the reference light and an end-face reflected light reflected from an exit end face that emits the measurement light.3. The measurement apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the beat signal generation part generates two beat signals claim 2 , which are (i) a first beat signal due to the reflected light of the measurement light and the reference light and (ii) a second beat signal due to the end-face reflected light and the reference light claim 2 ,the frequency analyzing part outputs, as a distance measurement signal, a signal which is obtained by converting a signal in which the two beat signals generated by the beat signal generation part are superposed into a frequency domain signal, andthe frequency analyzing part subtracts a frequency spectrum of the reference beat signal based on the end-face reflected light from a frequency spectrum of the distance measurement signal by subtracting a signal level of the reference frequency signal from a signal level of the distance measurement signal ...

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Номер записи: 85
24-02-2022 дата публикации

TECHNIQUES FOR LIDAR SYSTEM NOISE CALIBRATION AND COMPENSATION FOR IMPROVED TARGET DETECTION

Номер: US20220057515A1
Автор: Krause Perin Jose, Moorti Rajendra Tushar, Rezk Mina, Viswanatha Kumar Bhargav
Принадлежит:

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system to generate a baseband signal in the time domain from the return signal, where the baseband signal includes frequencies corresponding to LIDAR target ranges; and a signal processing system coupled with the optical processing system to measure energy of the baseband signal in the frequency domain, to compare the energy to an estimate of LIDAR system noise, and to determine a likelihood that an signal peak in the frequency domain indicates a detected target. 1. A method , comprising:generating, in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system, a baseband signal from a target return signal when the LIDAR system is in a target detection mode;generating an estimate of system noise in the LIDAR system by measuring the baseband signal when the system is in an anechoic calibration state, the baseband signal comprising frequencies corresponding to LIDAR target ranges;comparing signal peaks of the baseband signal generated to the estimate of system noise in a frequency domain; anddetermining a likelihood that a signal peak, from the signal peaks, indicates a detected target.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anechoic calibration state comprises one of an anechoic factory calibration state claim 1 , a low-power boot-up calibration state claim 1 , the anechoic calibration state in an occluded field of view (FOV) claim 1 , or a target-absent calibration state claim 1 , and wherein the signal peaks are based on one or more of signal energy across frequency bins of the baseband signal claim 1 , autocorrelation of the baseband signal across the frequency bins claim 1 , and cross-correlation between the baseband signal and the system noise estimate across the frequency bins.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the estimate of LIDAR system noise further comprises a measurement of one or more of a noise energy claim 2 , a mean of the noise energy claim 2 , a variance of the noise energy claim 2 , an asymmetry of the noise energy claim 2 , ...

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Номер записи: 86
24-02-2022 дата публикации

Lidar system target detection

Номер: US20220057516A1
Автор: Jose Krause PERIN, Kumar Bhargav Viswanatha, Mina Rezk, Rajendra Tushar Moorti
Принадлежит: Aeva Inc

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system including a processor to receive a return signal from a target based on an optical beam transmitted towards the target and receive a baseband signal in a time domain based on the return signal. The processor of the LIDAR system further to produce a comparison of signal peaks of the baseband signal with an estimate of LIDAR system noise in the frequency domain, and identify targets based on the comparison.

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Номер записи: 87
07-02-2019 дата публикации

Device and method of optical range imaging

Номер: US20190041519A1
Автор: Ralph Spickermann, Srinath Kalluri
Принадлежит: Oyla Inc

An optical device creates a 3D image of a volume of interest comprising horizontal, vertical, and distance information for each voxel. An illumination beam director and an imaging beam director are synchronized to each point to a selected, arbitrary, dynamically selectable reduced field of view, within a total field of view. Each reduced field of view is illuminated at once by a modulated continuous wave light source; and is imaged at once, using a pixel-array image sensor comprising time-of-flight for each of at least 8,000 pixels. The device sequences through 4 to 600 reduced fields of view until the total field of view is imaged. The device is free of rotating mechanical components. The pixel-array image sensor demodulates synchronously with the light source. Modulation frequency and sensor integration time are dynamically adjusted responsive to a desired volume of interest or field of view.

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Номер записи: 88
07-02-2019 дата публикации

Method and Apparatus for Parallel Acquisition in Lidar Array

Номер: US20190041865A1
Автор: Afek Itai, Lipson Ariel, Slutsky Michael
Принадлежит:

The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simultaneously transmitting multiple lasers at different wavelengths. The multiple lasers are detected and separated by wavelength in order to decrease acquisition time and/or increase point density. 1. A method comprising:transmitting a first light wave amplitude modulated at a first frequency and a second light wave amplitude modulated at a second frequency;receiving a reflected representation of the first light wave.filtering the reflected representation of the first light wave at the first frequency;receiving a reflected representation of the second light wave;filtering the reflection representation of the second light wave at the second frequency; anddetermining the range of an object in response to the reflected representation of the first light wave and the reflected representation of the second light wave.2. The method of wherein the first light wave and the second light wave are transmitted concurrently.3. The method of wherein the method is performed by a LIDAR system.4. The method of wherein the filtering of the reflected representation of the first light wave is performed by a lock-in amplifier.5. The method of wherein the reflected representation of the first light wave and the reflected representation of the second light wave are received by a common detector.6. The method of wherein the first light wave and the second light wave are continuous wave transmissions.7. The method of wherein the range of the object is determined in response to a phase difference between the first light wave and the reflected representation of the first light wave.8. A LiDAR system comprising:a first transmitter for transmitting a first light pulse at a first frequency;a second transmitter for ...

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Номер записи: 89
06-02-2020 дата публикации

METHOD FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT USING A 3D MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION

Номер: US20200041627A1
Автор: Becker Reinhard, Ditte Andreas, Ossig Martin
Принадлежит:

A method for scanning and measuring using a 3D measurement device is provided. The method includes providing the 3D measurement device having a light emitter, a light receiver and a command and evaluation device. The 3D measurement device is further includes a first near-field communication (NFC) device having a first antenna. A second NFC device having a second antenna is positioned adjacent the 3D measurement device. An NFC link is established between the first NFC device and the 3D measurement device. An identifier is transmitted from the second NFC device to the 3D measurement device. It is determined that the second NFC device is authorized to communicate with the 3D measurement device. Commands are transferred to the 3D measurement device from the second NFC device based at least in part on the determination that the second NFC device is authorized to communicate with the 3D measurement device. 1. A system for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an environment , the system comprising:a 3D measurement device having a light emitter operable to emit at least one emission light beam, the 3D measurement device further having a light receiver operable to receive at least one reception light beam, the 3D measurement device further having a control and evaluation device that is operable to determine at least the distance to an object for each of a plurality of measuring points based at least in part on the at least one emission light beam and the at least one reception light beam;a first near field communications device operably coupled to the control and evaluation device;a second near field communications device operable to transmit an identifier to the first near field communications device;wherein the control and evaluation device is operable to determine the second near field communications device is authorized to communicate with the 3D measurement device based at least in part on the identifier;wherein the second near field communications device is ...

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Номер записи: 90
06-02-2020 дата публикации

TIME OF FLIGHT SENSORS AND SENSING METHODS

Номер: US20200041628A1
Автор: Emadi Arvin, Hanks John P., Razzell Charles J.
Принадлежит:

A time of flight sensor includes a time of flight (TOF) processor having a digital TOF port, a digital input port, and a digital output port, the TOF processor comprising a phase detector including cyclically rotating demultiplexer (DEMUX), a first summer coupled to a first DEMUX output, a second summer coupled to a second DEMUX output, a third summer coupled to a third DEMUX output, a fourth summer coupled to a fourth DEMUX output, and a phase estimator coupled to outputs of the first summer, the second summer, the third summer and the fourth summer and having a phase estimate output; a driver having a digital driver port coupled to the digital TOF port and a driver output port; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an output port coupled to the digital input port of the digital TOF processor. 1. A time of flight sensor comprising:a time of flight (TOF) processor having a digital TOF port, a digital input port, and a digital output port, the TOF processor comprising a phase detector including a cyclically rotating demultiplexer (DEMUX), a first summer coupled to a first DEMUX output, a second summer coupled to a second DEMUX output, a third summer coupled to a third DEMUX output, a fourth summer coupled to a fourth DEMUX output, and a phase estimator coupled to outputs of the first summer, the second summer, the third summer and the fourth summer and having a phase estimate output;a driver having a digital driver port coupled to the digital TOF port and a driver output port; andan analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an output port coupled to the digital input port of the digital TOF processor.2. A time of flight sensor as recited in further comprising a waveform transmitter coupled to the driver output port and a waveform receiver having an output port that is coupled to an input port of the ADC.3. A time of flight sensor as recited in further comprising a signal conditioner coupling the waveform receiver to the input port of the ADC.4. A time of ...

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Номер записи: 91
18-02-2016 дата публикации

Vehicle positioning

Номер: US20160047888A1
Автор: Richard D. Roberts
Принадлежит: Richard D. Roberts

Aspects of the disclosure include vehicle positioning. In at least certain aspects, light sources can be disposed around a vehicle providing 360-degree coverage. Each of the light sources can be referred to as a beacon and can be configured to emit modulated light conveying information that can permit vehicle positioning. In addition, 360-degree camera coverage about the car can be provided by functionally coupling a respective camera with each of such beacons. In other aspects, the embedded beacons can be operated in various modes, including a mode in which at least one of the embedded beacons can emit light in order to augment existing ambient light in order to assist with driving under certain environment conditions; and a second mode in which several of the embedded beacons can emit modulated light that can be accessed by other vehicles in order to determine cooperatively the relative position of the vehicles.

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Номер записи: 92
18-02-2016 дата публикации

DISTANCE DETERMINATION METHOD

Номер: US20160047913A1
Автор: Lamesch Laurent, MIRBACH Bruno
Принадлежит:

A method for determining a distance comprises: providing at least two phase measurements made with modulated light of different modulation wavelengths, each phase measurement being indicative of the distance up to an integer multiple of a respective modulation wavelength; providing a set of possible wraparound count combinations; for each one of the possible wraparound count combinations, calculating a combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses corresponding to the at least two phase measurements; and selecting a most plausible combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses among the combinations of unwrapped phase hypotheses and calculating the distance based upon the selected most plausible combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses. 1. Method for determining a distance , comprising:providing at least two phase measurements made with modulated light of different modulation wavelengths, each phase measurement being indicative of said distance up to an integer multiple of a respective modulation wavelength;providing a set of possible wraparound count combinations;for each one of said possible wraparound count combinations, determining a combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses corresponding to said at least two phase measurements; andselecting a most plausible combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses among said combinations of unwrapped phase hypotheses and determining said distance based upon said selected most plausible combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses, [{'sub': 1', 'n', '1', 'i, 'for each combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses, determining a gap between a point having the respective unwrapped phase hypotheses as coordinates and an origin-crossing straight line having a direction vector with coordinate representation [c/λ, . . . , c/λ], where λ, . . . , λ, designate the different modulation wavelengths and c designates the speed of light, and'}, 'selecting as said most plausible combination of unwrapped phase hypotheses the one for which said gap is ...

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Номер записи: 93
03-03-2022 дата публикации

MIRROR MOVEMENT AND LASER SHOOT PATTERN COMPENSATION FOR FREQUENCY-MODULATED CONTINOUS-WAVE (FMCW) LIDAR

Номер: US20220065995A1
Автор: Druml Norbert
Принадлежит: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

A scanning system includes a transmitter, a scanning structure, and a controller. The transmitter is configured to transmit a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) light beam that includes a plurality of frequency ramps including up-chirps and down-chirps that are matched into up-down chirp pairs. The scanning structure is configured to oscillate about a scanning axis such that a deflection angle of the scanning structure continuously varies over time in an angular range between two maximum deflection angles. The controller is configured to segment the angular range into a plurality of sub-angular ranges and assign each up-down chirp pair to a different sub-angular range of the plurality of sub-angular ranges. Each up-down chirp pair includes an up-chirp transmitted in an assigned sub-angular range during a first scanning movement of the scanning structure and a down-chirp transmitted in the assigned sub-angular range during a second scanning movement of the scanning structure.

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Номер записи: 94
03-03-2022 дата публикации

Lidar device using time delayed local oscillator light and operating method thereof

Номер: US20220066005A1
Автор: Changgyun Shin, Dongjae SHIN, Hyunil Byun, Jinmyoung Kim
Принадлежит: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a continuous wave light to an object and provide a local oscillator (LO) light corresponding to the transmitted continuous wave light; a delay circuit configured to time delay the LO light; a receiver configured to receive the continuous wave light reflected from an object; and a detection circuit configured to determine a distance from the LiDAR device to the object based on the time delayed LO light and the received continuous wave light.

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Номер записи: 95
03-03-2022 дата публикации

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINEARIZING NON-LINEAR CHIRP SIGNALS

Номер: US20220066034A1
Автор: Abari Cyrus F.
Принадлежит:

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is described herein. The LiDAR sensor can comprise a fiber optic ending, a laser assembly, and one or more processors. The fiber optic ending can comprise a fiber optic cable terminated by a reflector. The laser assembly can emit a chirp signal to detect an object in an environment. A portion of the chirp signal can be diverted to the fiber optic ending. The one or more processors construct a profile of the chirp signal based on the diverted portion of the chirp signal. The one or more processors determine a best fit curve based on the profile of the chirp signal and one or more parameters associated with the best fit curve. A frequency offset between an emitted chirp signal and a returned chirp signal can be computed based on the best fit curve and the one or more parameters. Based on the frequency offset, the one or more processors can determine a range of the object. 1. A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system comprising:a fiber optic ending comprising a fiber optic cable terminated by a reflector;a laser assembly that emits a chirp signal to detect an object in an environment, wherein a portion of the chirp signal is diverted to the fiber optic ending; and construct a profile of the chirp signal based on the diverted portion of the chirp signal;', 'determine a best fit curve based on the profile of the chirp signal and one or more parameters associated with the best fit curve;', 'compute a frequency offset between an emitted chirp signal and a returned chirp signal based on the best fit curve and the one or more parameters; and', 'determine a range of the object based on the frequency offset., 'one or more processors configured to2. The LiDAR sensor of claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic cable has a length of at least a detection range of the LiDAR sensor.3. The LiDAR sensor of claim 1 , wherein the reflector reflects the diverted portion of the chirp signal back to the laser assembly through the fiber optic cable.4 ...

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Номер записи: 96
03-03-2022 дата публикации

DISTANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE USING TWO LIGHT MODULATION FREQUENCIES AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

Номер: US20220066035A1
Автор: CHUNG Yueh-Lin, Tsai Tso-Sheng
Принадлежит:

There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector. 1. A distance measurement device , configured to measure a distance of an object , the distance measurement device comprising:a light source, configured to illuminate the object sequentially using a first modulation frequency and a second modulation frequency, higher than the first modulation frequency, according to a light driving signal;a light detector, configured to detect reflected light from the object to generate a first detection signal corresponding to the light source being illuminating at the first modulation frequency and detect reflected light from the object to generate a second detection signal corresponding to the light source being illuminating at the second modulation frequency according to a detecting control signal; calculate an operating phase zone of a first phase according to the first detection signal to accordingly determine a delay time,', 'cause the light driving signal and the detecting control signal to have a difference equal to the delay time when the light source is illuminating at the second modulation frequency, and', 'calculate a second phase according to the second detection signal to accordingly calculate an object distance., 'a processor, configured to'} ...

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Номер записи: 97
14-02-2019 дата публикации

LARGE RANGE, HIGH RESOLUTION INTERFEROMETER FOR WIDE RANGE OF SENSING APPLICATIONS

Номер: US20190049312A1
Автор: Novack Mitchell, Sanders Glen A., Strandjord Lee K.
Принадлежит: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.

An interferometer including a master laser, a slave laser and optical elements is provided. The optical elements direct and combine a master laser beam and a slave laser beam into a sensing phase measurement loop to provide a sensing beat signal and a reference phase lock loop to provide a reference beat signal. An electronic circuit portion is coupled to receive the sensing and reference beat signals. The electronic circuit portion includes a clock, at least one numerically controlled oscillator, at least one mixer and an interferometer output. The at least one numerically controlled oscillator has a clock input coupled to the clock. The at least one mixer has a first input to receive the sensing beat signal and a second input to receive an output of the at least one numerically controlled oscillator. The interferometer output is coupled to receive an output of the at least one mixer. 1. An interferometer comprising: a master laser to generate a master laser beam,', 'a slave laser to generate a slave laser beam, and', 'optical elements configured and arranged to direct and combine the master laser beam and slave laser beam to provide a sensing beat signal to a beat signal phase measurement loop and a reference beat signal to a reference phase lock loop, the reference beat signal used at least in part to control the phase of the slave laser; and, 'a laser and optics portion including,'} a clock,', 'at least one numerically controlled oscillator having a clock input coupled to the clock,', 'at least one mixer having a first input to receive the sensing beat signal and a second input to receive an output of the at least one numerically controlled oscillator, and', 'an interferometer output coupled to receive an output of the at least one mixer., 'an electronic circuit portion coupled to receive the sensing beat signal and the reference beat signal, the electronic circuit including,'}2. The interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one numerically controlled ...

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Номер записи: 98
14-02-2019 дата публикации

System and Method for Depth Sensing

Номер: US20190049565A1
Автор: BEN-BASSAT David
Принадлежит:

A system for time of flight measurements and a method of using same are provided. The system includes an electromagnetic power source for outputting a coherent focused beam having frequency modulation. The system further includes an optical assembly including an optical transmitting element adapted to split the coherent focused beam into a signal beam and a reference beam and an optical receiver adapted to combine the reference beam with a beam reflected from an object irradiated by the signal beam, into a combined optical beam. The system further includes an antenna for converting the combined beam into an electrical current and a processor for deriving time of flight information from the electrical current. 1. A system for time of flight measurements comprising:(a) an electromagnetic power source operative to output a coherent focused beam having frequency modulation; (b.1) an optical transmitting element operative to split said coherent focused beam into a signal beam and a reference beam, and to forward the signal beam towards an object; and', '(b.2) an optical receiver operative to combine said reference beam with a reflected beam, where said reflected beam is a beam returned from the object as a result of the signal beam hitting said object, into a combined optical beam;, '(b) an optical assembly including(c) an antenna operative to convert said combined beam into an electrical signal; and(d) a processor operative to derive time of flight information from said electrical signal.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said coherent focused beam source includes a gas discharge chamber with a movable optical reflector.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said movable optical reflector is movable via a piezo element.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said movable optical reflector is capable of a linear displacement.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said linear frequency modulation of said coherent focused beam is within a range of 1-10 claim 1 ,000 parts per million ( ...

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Номер записи: 99
14-02-2019 дата публикации

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING TARGET

Номер: US20190049573A1
Автор: CHO Byung-Lae, KIM Jong-Pill, LEE Jong-Min, Lee Jung-Soo, Sun Sun-gu
Принадлежит:

Provided is a target detecting apparatus including: a frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar that obtains a first beat signal; a linear frequency intensity modulation (LFIM) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) that transmits a second transmission signal obtained by modulating intensity of a continuous wave laser based on an FMCW signal and obtains a second beat signal based on a microwave signal into which a second reception signal reflected from a target is converted and the FMCW signal; and a controller that receives the first beat signal and the second beat signal and obtains information regarding the target based on the first beat signal and the second beat signal. 1. An apparatus for detecting a target , the apparatus comprising:a microwave signal generator;a frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar configured to obtain a first transmission signal by amplifying an FMCW signal generated by the microwave signal generator in a radio frequency (RF) band, transmit the first transmission signal toward the target, receive a first reception signal reflected from the target, and obtain a first beat signal based on the first transmission signal and the first reception signal;a linear frequency intensity modulation (LFIM) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) configured to obtain a second transmission signal by modulating intensity of a continuous wave laser based on the generated FMCW signal, transmit the second transmission signal toward the target, receive a second reception signal reflected from the target, convert the second reception signal into a microwave signal, and obtain a second beat signal based on the FMCW signal and the microwave signal; anda controller configured to receive the first beat signal and the second beat signal and obtain information regarding the target based on the first beat signal and the second beat signal.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the microwave signal generator comprises a local oscillator configured to ...

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Номер записи: 100