US 11,867,813 B2
Distance detecting systems for use in mobile machines including gallium and nitrogen containing laser diodes
James W. Raring, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Melvin McLaurin, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Paul Rudy, Manhattan Beach, CA (US); and Vlad Novotny, Los Gatos, CA (US)
Assigned to KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc., Goleta, CA (US)
Filed by KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc., Goleta, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/690,200.
Application 17/690,200 is a continuation of application No. 17/165,827, filed on Feb. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,287,527.
Application 17/165,827 is a continuation of application No. 16/784,008, filed on Feb. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,249,189, issued on Feb. 15, 2022.
Application 16/784,008 is a continuation of application No. 16/672,266, filed on Nov. 1, 2019, granted, now 11,199,628, issued on Dec. 14, 2021.
Application 16/672,266 is a continuation of application No. 16/270,448, filed on Feb. 7, 2019, granted, now 10,649,086, issued on May 12, 2020.
Application 16/270,448 is a continuation of application No. 15/841,053, filed on Dec. 13, 2017, granted, now 10,222,474, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0252726 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/10 (2020.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G01S 7/481 (2006.01); F21K 9/64 (2016.01); H01S 5/00 (2006.01); H01S 5/024 (2006.01); F21V 29/70 (2015.01); G01S 7/487 (2006.01); H01S 5/02212 (2021.01); H01S 5/343 (2006.01); H01S 5/40 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); H01S 5/02251 (2021.01); H01S 5/02325 (2021.01); H01S 5/02375 (2021.01); H01S 5/028 (2006.01); H01S 5/22 (2006.01); H01S 5/02 (2006.01); H01S 5/02255 (2021.01); H01S 5/02345 (2021.01)
CPC G01S 17/10 (2013.01) [F21K 9/64 (2016.08); F21V 29/70 (2015.01); G01S 7/487 (2013.01); G01S 7/4817 (2013.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); H01S 5/0085 (2013.01); H01S 5/02212 (2013.01); H01S 5/02251 (2021.01); H01S 5/02325 (2021.01); H01S 5/02375 (2021.01); H01S 5/02469 (2013.01); H01S 5/34333 (2013.01); H01S 5/4012 (2013.01); H01S 5/0215 (2013.01); H01S 5/0217 (2013.01); H01S 5/0287 (2013.01); H01S 5/02255 (2021.01); H01S 5/02345 (2021.01); H01S 5/22 (2013.01); H01S 5/4031 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for use in mobile machine applications, comprising:
at least one processor coupled to a power source and configured to supply power to a driver to generate a first driving current and a second driving current;
a gallium and nitrogen containing laser diode configured to be driven by the first driving current to emit a first light with a first peak wavelength in a violet or blue wavelength range;
a sensing laser diode configured to be driven by the second driving current to emit a second light with a second peak wavelength in an infrared (IR) wavelength range;
the at least one processor configured to provide a modulated driving current to the sensing laser diode, the modulated driving current configured to generate a pulse or a sequence of pulses of IR sensing light emitted from the sensing laser diode;
a wavelength conversion member configured to receive at least partially the first light traveling along a first path; the first light incident on a surface of the wavelength conversion member and forming an excitation spot;
the wavelength conversion member configured to at least partially absorb the first light and reemit a third light with a third peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength, the third light being combined with at least partially the first light to yield a white light emission, wherein the system is configured to at least one of collimate, steer, or project a first beam of the white light emission for illuminating one or more remote objects, and to project a second beam of the IR sensing light with the second peak wavelength for mapping an area including the one or more remote objects and surroundings of the one or more remote objects; and
a detector configured to detect reflected signals of the IR sensing light for mapping the one or more remote objects.