Michael D Karasoff

US Patent:

20180088235, Mar 29, 2018

Filed:

Nov 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/809666

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Michael D. KARASOFF - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas M. ITURRARAN - Lodi CA, US
Brent S. SCHWARZ - Redwood City CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 17/06
G01S 7/481
G02B 6/26
G01S 17/42

Abstract:

A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor includes a single-mode fiber positioned to receive the outputted light from a laser. The LiDAR also includes an optical circulator, a multi-clad fiber, a first optical detector positioned to receive reflected light from an inner cladding of the multi-clad fiber, and a second optical detector positioned to receive the reflected light from a core of the multi-clad fiber.

US Patent:

20170307738, Oct 26, 2017

Filed:

Jun 20, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/627700

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
James A. Haslim - Dublin CA, US
Nicholas M. Iturraran - Orinda CA, US
Michael D. Karasoff - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/497
G01S 7/481
G01S 7/486
G01S 17/10

Abstract:

A LiDAR sensor can include a laser configured to output electromagnetic pulses and an optical splitter positioned to split each of the electromagnetic pulses into (i) at least one calibration pulse, and (ii) at least one external pulse directed toward an object external from the LiDAR sensor. The LiDAR sensor can further include a photodetector configured to detect the at least one calibration pulse and a reflected pulse based on the at least one external pulse reflecting from the object. The LiDAR sensor can further include a processor configured to adjust a bias voltage of the photodetector based on the at least one calibration pulse.

US Patent:

20170067985, Mar 9, 2017

Filed:

Sep 14, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/265533

Inventors:

- Hamilton HM, BM
James A. Haslim - Dublin CA, US
Nicholas M. Iturraran - Orinda CA, US
Michael D. Karasoff - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/48
G01S 17/10

Abstract:

A LiDAR sensor can include a laser, a directional sensor, a window, an electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. Further, the directional sensor can be configured to measure the direction of the narrow electromagnetic pulse emitted by the laser. The narrow emitted electromagnetic pulse can pass through the window. The pulse can then be reflected by at least the window and an object external from the LiDAR sensor, creating at least two reflected pulses. The electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor can be configured to measure the two reflected pulses resulting from the narrow pulse emitted by the laser. The processor can be configured to receive information from the sensors, indicating a position of the object relative to the LiDAR sensor. Further, the processor can be configured to measure the intensity of the pulse being reflected by the window.

US Patent:

20160306032, Oct 20, 2016

Filed:

Nov 21, 2014

Appl. No.:

15/036768

Inventors:

Brent S. Schwarz - Redwood City CA, US
James A. Haslim - Dublin CA, US
Nicholas M. Iturraran - Orinda CA, US
Michael D. Karasoff - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

G01S 7/497
G01S 17/10

Abstract:

A LiDAR can include a laser, an avalanche photodiode, a splitter, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. The avalanche photodiode can be configured to receive one or more electromagnetic pulses and output a response signal in response to said pulses. The photodiode can also be positioned to receive at least one reflected pulse, reflected by an object external from the LiDAR sensor and caused by the laser. The avalanche photodiode can also have a bias voltage applied to it affecting the response signal. The splitter can be positioned to receive the narrow electromagnetic pulse and split it into at least one external pulse directed toward the object external from the LiDAR sensor and at least one calibration pulse directed toward the photodiode. The calibration pulse directed toward the photodiode can be received by the photodiode before the pulse reflected by the object. The processor can be configured to receive response signals from the photodiode. Further, the processor can be configured to adjust the bias voltage according to a response signal caused by the calibration pulse to compensate for temperature changes of the photodiode.

US Patent:

20140268098, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/826155

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
James A. Haslim - Dublin CA, US
Nicholas M. Iturraran - Orinda CA, US
Michael D. Karasoff - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

POUCH HOLDINGS LLC - SAN FRANCISCO CA

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 407, 356 501

Abstract:

A LiDAR sensor can include a laser, a directional sensor, a window, an electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor, and a processor. The laser can be configured to emit a narrow electromagnetic pulse. Further, the directional sensor can be configured to measure the direction of the narrow electromagnetic pulse emitted by the laser. The narrow emitted electromagnetic pulse can pass through the window. The pulse can then be reflected by at least the window and an object external from the LiDAR sensor, creating at least two reflected pulses. The electromagnetic pulse receiving sensor can be configured to measure the two reflected pulses resulting from the narrow pulse emitted by the laser. The processor can be configured to receive information from the sensors, indicating a position of the object relative to the LiDAR sensor. Further, the processor can be configured to measure the intensity of the pulse being reflected by the window.

US Patent:

20140176933, Jun 26, 2014

Filed:

Dec 16, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/107739

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Michael D. Karasoff - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas M. Iturraran - Lodi CA, US
Brent S. Schwarz - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

POUCH HOLDINGS LLC - SAN FRANCISCO CA

International Classification:

G01S 17/06

US Classification:

356 401

Abstract:

According to one aspect, an optical apparatus for a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensing system is provided. The optical apparatus can comprise an optical directing device; and a multi clad optical fiber, wherein said multi clad optical fiber comprises a core, at least one inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The core is arranged to receive optical rays transmitted from a light source of said sensing system and route said transmitted optical rays on an optical path leading to optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct said routed transmitted optical rays on an optical path leading to a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from said target on an optical path leading to said inner cladding of said multi clad optical fiber. The inner cladding is configured to receive said reflected optical rays and route said reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to a detector for receiving reflected optical rays of said sensing system.

US Patent:

20140168631, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Oct 9, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/050036

Inventors:

James A. HASLIM - Dublin CA, US
Michael D. KARASOFF - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas M. ITURRARAN - Lodi CA, US
Brent S. SCHWARZ - Redwood City CA, US

Assignee:

Pouch Holdings LLC - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G01S 7/481
G02B 6/26

US Classification:

356 401, 385 31

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for light detecting and range sensing. In one approach, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor uses an optical directing device; a multi-clad optical fiber, a light source, and a detector. The light source is optically coupled to the multi-clad optical fiber which is configured to receive optical rays transmitted from the light source and route the rays on an optical path leading to the optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct the transmitted optical rays routed through the multi-clad fiber towards a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from the target on an optical path leading to the multi-clad optical fiber. The multi-clad optical fiber is configured to receive the reflected optical rays and route the reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to the detector. The detector is configured to detect the reflected optical rays.