G02B26/10

Laser scanner, for example for a LIDAR system of a driver assistance system

A laser scanner that includes a transmission path and a reception path that is spatially separate from the transmission path, at least in areas. In the laser scanner, the transmission path and the reception path meet on opposite sides of an angularly movable deflection mirror of the laser scanner. An angular position of the deflection mirror in the transmission path defines a scan angle of a laser light of the laser scanner, and the angular position in the reception path compensates for an incidence angle of a reflection of the laser light.

Optical assembly, method for producing data in the same, and method for manufacturing structure
11578969 · 2023-02-14 · ·

An integrated optical assembly is provided, with enhancements that are particularly useful when the integrated optical assembly forms part of a laser radar system. The integrated optical assembly produces a reference beam that is related to the optical characteristics of a scanning reflector, or to changes in position or orientation of the scanning reflector relative to a source. Thus, if the scanning reflector orientation were to shift from its intended orientation (due e.g. to thermal expansion) or if characteristics of the scanning reflector (e.g. the index of refraction of the scanning reflector) were to change on account of temperature changes, the reference beam can be used to provide data that can be used to account for such changes. In addition, if the scanning reflector were to be positioned in an orientation other than the orientation desired, the reference beam can be used in identifying and correcting that positioning.

Optical assembly, method for producing data in the same, and method for manufacturing structure
11578969 · 2023-02-14 · ·

An integrated optical assembly is provided, with enhancements that are particularly useful when the integrated optical assembly forms part of a laser radar system. The integrated optical assembly produces a reference beam that is related to the optical characteristics of a scanning reflector, or to changes in position or orientation of the scanning reflector relative to a source. Thus, if the scanning reflector orientation were to shift from its intended orientation (due e.g. to thermal expansion) or if characteristics of the scanning reflector (e.g. the index of refraction of the scanning reflector) were to change on account of temperature changes, the reference beam can be used to provide data that can be used to account for such changes. In addition, if the scanning reflector were to be positioned in an orientation other than the orientation desired, the reference beam can be used in identifying and correcting that positioning.

Pixel intensity modulation using modifying gain values

A visual perception device has a look-up table stored in a laser driver chip. The look-up table includes relational gain data to compensate for brighter areas of a laser pattern wherein pixels are located more closely than areas where the pixels are further apart and to compensate for differences in intensity of individual pixels when the intensities of pixels are altered due to design characteristics of an eye piece.

Scanning LiDAR system and method with unitary optical element

A LiDAR apparatus includes a first substrate, a laser diode on a surface of the substrate for outputting light, a fast axis collimator (FAC) lens receiving the light and generating an at least partially collimated light beam, a polarizing beam splitter optically coupled to the FAC lens, at least a portion of the light beam passing through the polarizing beam splitter to a region being observed by the LiDAR apparatus. An opaque coating on the back side of an aperture element coupled to the polarizing beam splitter is patterned to provide a transparent aperture. At least a portion of light returning to the LiDAR apparatus from the region being observed is directed by the polarizing beam splitter, through the transparent aperture in the opaque coating on the aperture element, through the at least partially reflective optical element to an optical detector mounted on the substrate.

Light projection method for a moving body scanning light from a light source and controlling a mirror portion

A light projection method for a moving body which is performed by a processor of the moving body is provided. The method comprises: irradiating light from a light source of the moving body; scanning the light irradiated from the light source with an angle range that is formed by swing a mirror portion of an optical scanner of the moving body; acquiring change information of the angle range at which the mirror portion swings; changing the angle range at which the mirror portion swings based on the acquired change information; and changing an irradiation range of the light irradiated from the light source.

Focus assessment in dynamically focused laser system
11579440 · 2023-02-14 · ·

Some embodiments may include a method assessing whether a dynamic focus module in a three axis galvanometric scanning system (three-axis GSS) is associated with a focus calibration error. The method may include identifying a reference layer associated with a surface of the work piece and positive and negative offset distances each a difference distance above or below the reference layer, respectively, and selecting a target pattern based on the offset distances, wherein the pattern includes an individual line for each offset distance. The method may include commanding the three-axis GSS to draw the target pattern on the work piece, and then assessing whether the dynamic focus module is associated with the focus calibration error by correlating laser marking artifacts on the work piece to ones of the individual lines of the selected pattern. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

OPTICAL UNIT, OPTICAL DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL UNIT

A base, which has a main surface and a back surface on an opposite side from the main surface and is made of metal, an optical surface provided on the main surface, and a vibrating element provided on the main surface or the back surface are included, in which the base has a support portion, a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending from the support portion, a movable portion disposed between the first extending portion and the second extending portion, and a first connecting portion connecting the first extending portion and the movable portion to each other, and a second connecting portion connecting the second extending portion and the movable portion to each other.

3D MAPPING IN 2D SCANNING DISPLAY
20230043439 · 2023-02-09 ·

A wearable display device includes a light source, a beam scanner, a pupil-replicating lightguide, and a detector. The light source is configured to emit an image beam and a ranging beam. The beam scanner co-scans both beams. The image beam is used to form an image in angular domain for displaying to a user of the wearable display device, and a ranging beam is used to scan outside environment at the same time. Light reflected from objects in the outside environment is detected by the detector, and a 3D map of the outside environment is built using time-of-flight measurements of the reflected signal and/or triangulation. For triangulation measurements, the detector may include a digital camera.

SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH PRECISION LIGHT BEAM STEERING USING ROTATING LENS ELEMENTS
20230039081 · 2023-02-09 ·

A system includes an initiating optics layer interposed between an electromagnetic (EM) source and a lenslet steering layer, where the lenslet steering layer includes a first positive lens element and a second negative lens element. The lenslet steering layer is interposed between the initiating optics layer and a concluding optics layer. The system includes a steering controller configured to steer an EM beam from the EM source by controlling a first relative rotation between the first positive lens element and the second negative lens element, and further by controlling a second absolute rotation of the lenslet steering layer. The system includes a rotating actuator responsive to rotation commands from the steering controller, where the rotating actuator selectively rotates the first positive lens element and/or the second negative lens element.