公开(公告)号：US11770598B1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-26

申请号：US16706464

申请日：2019-12-06

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Rui Zhang ,  Markus Stefan Duelli ,  Umer Shahid ,  Baomin Wang ,  Prafulla Masalkar

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  F21V14/06 ,  G03B15/06 ,  G02B27/28 ,  G02B5/30 ,  G03B15/05 ,  H04N23/56 ,  G06V40/10

CPC classification number: H04N23/56 ,  F21V14/06 ,  G02B5/3033 ,  G02B27/281 ,  G03B15/05 ,  G03B15/06 ,  G06V40/107

Abstract: A device for providing even illumination to a user’s hand or other object to acquire images of the object for biometric identification of a user, includes a camera, a first light module positioned on a first side of the camera, and a second light module positioned on a second side of the camera. The camera is positioned closer to the second light module. The second light module emits light with a lesser intensity than the first light module. Light bending films positioned adjacent to the light modules redirect emitted light toward opposite edges of the field of view of the camera. Diffusers in the path of the emitted light diffuse portions of the emitted light along the edges of the field of view. Polarizers positioned in the path of the emitted light polarize the emitted light to facilitate visualization of particular features of the hand or other object.

公开(公告)号：US11424827B1

公开(公告)日：2022-08-23

申请号：US17204229

申请日：2021-03-17

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Jeff Clark Adams ,  Donald Mitchell Cornwell ,  Rui Zhang ,  Markus Stefan Duelli

IPC: H04B10/118 ,  H04B10/60

Abstract: An optical detector system provides output to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications by tracking a beam of incoming light using a fast-steering mirror (FSM). The optical detector system comprises an array of optical photodetectors, such array comprising one or more quad cells. The incoming light passes through one or more optical elements to generate a specified beam shape, such as a bar or cross, on the array. The resulting output from the array is highly responsive to changes in position of the reshaped beam on the array. As a result, noise equivalent angle (NEA) of the optical detector system representing pointing error is substantially reduced. A reduction in NEA facilitates more precise alignment, allowing incoming light to be aligned to a smaller area. For example, the incoming light may be aligned to a single mode optical fiber connected to a receiver system.

公开(公告)号：US12032079B1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US17114923

申请日：2020-12-08

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Rui Zhang ,  Jeff Clark Adams ,  Markus Stefan Duelli ,  Donald Mitchell Cornwell ,  Prafulla Masalkar

IPC: G01S3/78 ,  G01S3/785 ,  G01S3/789 ,  H04B10/40

CPC classification number: G01S3/785 ,  G01S3/789 ,  H04B10/40

Abstract: An optical detector system provides positioning data to facilitate tracking in optical communications. The system provides first and second path lengths to direct light onto an array of photodetectors. Incoming first light with a first polarization is reflected by a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) to the array, resulting in a first path length and a relatively wide field of view (FOV). Incoming second light with a second polarization passes through the PBS, interacts with a first quarter wave retarder (QWR) and a convex mirror, is reflected by the PBS, passes through a second QWR and is reflected by a flat mirror to pass through the PBS again and onto the array. The second light experiences a second path length greater than the first path length, exhibiting a relatively narrow FOV. The resulting spots of light on the array provide information about a position of the incoming beam.

公开(公告)号：US11579014B1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-14

申请号：US16998849

申请日：2020-08-20

Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Rui Zhang ,  Jeff Clark Adams ,  Markus Stefan Duelli ,  Donald Mitchell Cornwell ,  Prafulla Masalkar

IPC: G01J1/42 ,  H04B10/66 ,  G01B11/00 ,  H04B17/27 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G01S3/781 ,  G01J1/02 ,  G01B11/26 ,  G02B27/10

Abstract: An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.