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公开(公告)号：US11892572B1
公开(公告)日：2024-02-06
申请号：US17138079
申请日：2020-12-30
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： James Dunphy , David Schleuning , Ralph Shepard
CPC classification number: G01S7/497 , G02B26/0833
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-channel optical transmitter modules, lidar systems, and methods that involve micromirror devices. An example optical transmitter module includes at least one light-emitter device and a plurality of micromirror devices optically-coupled to the at least one light-emitter device. The at least one light-emitter device is configured to emit respective light beams toward an environment via the micromirror devices. The micromirror devices are configured to deflect the light beams. The optical transmitter module also includes a controller having at least one processor and a memory. The controller is configured to carry out operations. The operations include receiving information indicative of a retroreflector object in the environment. The operations include, based on the received information, causing at least one micromirror device of the plurality of micromirror devices to deflect at least one light beam so that the at least one light beam does not interact with the retroreflector object.
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公开(公告)号：US20230273305A1
公开(公告)日：2023-08-31
申请号：US18313741
申请日：2023-05-08
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Ralph Shepard , Pierre-Yves Droz , Matthew Last , Bryce Remesch
CPC classification number: G01S7/497 , G01S17/89 , G01S2007/4975
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods of their operation. An example optical system includes an optical component and one or more light sources configured to emit a light signal. The light signal interacts with the optical component so as to provide an interaction light signal. The optical system also includes a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the interaction light signal as a detected light signal. The optical system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations including causing the one or more light sources to emit the light signal and receiving the detected light signal from the detector. The operations also include determining, based on the detected light signal, that one or more defects are associated with the optical component.
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公开(公告)号：US11137485B2
公开(公告)日：2021-10-05
申请号：US16532688
申请日：2019-08-06
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Ralph Shepard , Pierre-Yves Droz , Matthew Last , Bryce Remesch
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods of their operation. An example optical system includes an optical component and one or more light sources configured to emit a light signal. The light signal interacts with the optical component so as to provide an interaction light signal. The optical system also includes a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the interaction light signal as a detected light signal. The optical system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations including causing the one or more light sources to emit the light signal and receiving the detected light signal from the detector. The operations also include determining, based on the detected light signal, that one or more defects are associated with the optical component.
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公开(公告)号：US20210096319A1
公开(公告)日：2021-04-01
申请号：US16586144
申请日：2019-09-27
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Matthew Last , John Henrie , Chandra Kakani , Ralph Shepard , Drew Ulrich
IPC: G02B7/02
Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.
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公开(公告)号：US12210207B2
公开(公告)日：2025-01-28
申请号：US17841010
申请日：2022-06-15
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Matthew Last , John Henrie , Chandra Kakani , Ralph Shepard , Drew Ulrich
IPC: G02B7/02
Abstract: The technology relates to lens assemblies for sensor units that provide a low but consistent preload force over the entire operational temperature range of the device. Consistent preloading helps to avoid cracking and plastic deformation. In particular, a compliant structure of a polymeric material is able to expand and contract across temperature extremes. In addition, the polymeric material is arranged in conjunction with a retainer ring to form a discontinuous seal with the lens. This provides in a leak path that is able to reduce condensation or contaminants. As a result, moisture within the sensor unit is permitted to escape, reducing or eliminating impairments on the lens or other parts of the sensor unit that could otherwise impair device operation.
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Patent Agency Ranking
公开(公告)号：US20240175728A1
公开(公告)日：2024-05-30
申请号：US18431467
申请日：2024-02-02
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Nirav Dharia , Giulia Guidi , Ralph Shepard , Vlad Cardei , Lucian Ion
CPC classification number: G01D5/35383 , G01S13/89 , H04N5/33 , G01S7/4004
Abstract: A system may include a first sensor of a first type and a second sensor of a second different type and having a detector. A field of view of the second sensor may be formed by a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs) defined by the detector. Control circuitry of the system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining, from the first sensor, first sensor data representing an environment, and determining, based on the first sensor data, information associated with a feature of interest within the environment. The operations may also include determining, based on the information, a particular ROI that corresponds to an expected position of the feature at a later time, obtaining a plurality of ROI sensor data from the particular ROI instead of obtaining full-resolution sensor data, and analyzing the plurality of ROI sensor data to determine one or more attributes of the feature.
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公开(公告)号：US20240159885A1
公开(公告)日：2024-05-16
申请号：US18417904
申请日：2024-01-19
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： James Dunphy , David Schleuning , Ralph Shepard
CPC classification number: G01S7/497 , G02B26/0833
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-channel optical transmitter modules, lidar systems, and methods that involve micromirror devices. An example optical transmitter module includes at least one light-emitter device and a plurality of micromirror devices optically-coupled to the at least one light-emitter device. The at least one light-emitter device is configured to emit respective light beams toward an environment via the micromirror devices. The micromirror devices are configured to deflect the light beams. The optical transmitter module also includes a controller having at least one processor and a memory. The controller is configured to carry out operations. The operations include receiving information indicative of a retroreflector object in the environment. The operations include, based on the received information, causing at least one micromirror device of the plurality of micromirror devices to deflect at least one light beam so the at least one light beam does not interact with the retroreflector object.
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公开(公告)号：US11933647B2
公开(公告)日：2024-03-19
申请号：US17872244
申请日：2022-07-25
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Nirav Dharia , Giulia Guidi , Ralph Shepard , Vlad Cardei , Lucian Ion
CPC classification number: G01D5/35383 , G01S13/89 , H04N5/33 , G01S7/4004
Abstract: A system may include a first sensor of a first type and a second sensor of a second different type and having a detector. A field of view of the second sensor may be formed by a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs) defined by the detector. Control circuitry of the system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining, from the first sensor, first sensor data representing an environment, and determining, based on the first sensor data, information associated with a feature of interest within the environment. The operations may also include determining, based on the information, a particular ROI that corresponds to an expected position of the feature at a later time, obtaining a plurality of ROI sensor data from the particular ROI instead of obtaining full-resolution sensor data, and analyzing the plurality of ROI sensor data to determine one or more attributes of the feature.
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公开(公告)号：US11428550B2
公开(公告)日：2022-08-30
申请号：US16808314
申请日：2020-03-03
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Nirav Dharia , Giulia Guidi , Ralph Shepard , Vlad Cardei , Lucian Ion
Abstract: A system may include a first sensor of a first type and a second sensor of a second different type and having a detector. A field of view of the second sensor may be formed by a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs) defined by the detector. Control circuitry of the system may be configured to perform operations including obtaining, from the first sensor, first sensor data representing an environment, and determining, based on the first sensor data, information associated with a feature of interest within the environment. The operations may also include determining, based on the information, a particular ROI that corresponds to an expected position of the feature at a later time, obtaining a plurality of ROI sensor data from the particular ROI instead of obtaining full-resolution sensor data, and analyzing the plurality of ROI sensor data to determine one or more attributes of the feature.
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公开(公告)号：US20210382154A1
公开(公告)日：2021-12-09
申请号：US17405683
申请日：2021-08-18
Applicant: Waymo LLC
Inventor： Ralph Shepard , Pierre-Yves Droz , Matthew Last , Bryce Remesch
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and methods of their operation. An example optical system includes an optical component and one or more light sources configured to emit a light signal. The light signal interacts with the optical component so as to provide an interaction light signal. The optical system also includes a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the interaction light signal as a detected light signal. The optical system additionally includes a controller configured to carry out operations including causing the one or more light sources to emit the light signal and receiving the detected light signal from the detector. The operations also include determining, based on the detected light signal, that one or more defects are associated with the optical component.
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