公开(公告)号：US09121703B1

公开(公告)日：2015-09-01

申请号：US13916933

申请日：2013-06-13

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Pierre-yves Droz ,  Chris Urmson

IPC: G01C3/08

CPC classification number: G01C3/08 ,  G01S7/484 ,  G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/026 ,  G01S17/42 ,  G01S17/87 ,  G01S17/936

Abstract: Example methods and systems for controlling operation of a laser device are provided. A method may include receiving an output of a proximity sensor that is positioned adjacent to a laser device, and determining based on the output of the proximity sensor that an object is within a threshold distance to the laser device. The method may also include based on the laser device emitting laser pulses, providing, by a computing device, instructions to discontinue the emission of laser pulses by the laser device based on the object being within the threshold distance. The method may further include based on the laser device being inactive, providing, by the computing device, instructions to prevent the emission of laser pulses by the laser device based on the object being within the threshold distance.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于控制激光装置的操作的示例性方法和系统。 方法可以包括接收邻近激光装置定位的接近传感器的输出，以及基于接近传感器的输出确定物体在与激光装置的阈值距离之内。 该方法还可以包括基于激光装置发射激光脉冲，由计算装置提供基于目标在阈值距离内的由激光装置中止激光脉冲的发射的指令。 所述方法可以进一步包括基于激光装置处于非活动状态，由计算装置提供用于防止激光装置基于物体在阈值距离内发射激光脉冲的指令。

公开(公告)号：US09048370B1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-02

申请号：US13804455

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Chris Urmson ,  Pierre-yves Droz ,  Luke Wachter

IPC: G01J1/44 ,  H01L31/107

CPC classification number: H01L31/107 ,  G01R31/2635 ,  G01S7/497 ,  H01L31/02027

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for determining an operating bias voltage of a photodiode. One example method includes (i) varying a bias voltage of a photodiode; (ii) detecting spurious signals generated by the photodiode while varying the bias voltage of the photodiode; (iii) determining a threshold bias voltage at which a frequency of occurrence of the spurious signals reaches a threshold frequency; (iv) determining an operating bias voltage for the photodiode based on at least the threshold bias voltage; and (v) operating the photodiode with the operating bias voltage in a light-detection and ranging (LIDAR) system.

Abstract translation: 提供了用于确定光电二极管的工作偏置电压的方法和装置。 一个示例性方法包括（i）改变光电二极管的偏置电压; （ii）检测由光电二极管产生的寄生信号，同时改变光电二极管的偏置电压; （iii）确定杂散信号的出现频率达到阈值频率的阈值偏置电压; （iv）至少基于所述阈值偏置电压确定所述光电二极管的工作偏置电压; 和（v）在光检测和测距（LIDAR）系统中操作具有工作偏置电压的光电二极管。