US5504480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical device as a driving aid
Assignee: Valeo Electronique SA
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Filing: 1994-11-15
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Granted: 1996-04-02
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Expires: 2014-11-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an optical device used as a driving aid. According to the invention, a lidar is formed by a sample of glass doped with erbium and pumped by a fraction of the light flux generated by a xenon discharge lamp with a concentrator. The unit is disposed in a headlamp or other light, optionally making use of their lighting means, and enables a receiver and circuitry generating navigational aid parameters to be activated.
Inventors
- 👤 Yannic Bourbin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/483; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An optical device intended as a driving aid for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one generator disposed in a vehicle headlamp and operable to generate a laser beam in a pre-determined direction having a wavelength and an energy or power compatible with ocular safety; said laser beam output through a first optical system; at least one discharge lamp of the kind comprising a rare gas, said discharge lamp capable of pumping said generator and acting as a non-laser illumination source for said vehicle headlamp; at least a portion of light flux generated by the discharge lamp output through a second optical system; a sample of an optical material doped with erbium or with at least one dopant intended to provide the sample of optical material with qualities of stimulated light emission; a third optical system for concentrating at least part of the light flux generated by the discharge lamp on the sample of optical material to pump said generator; and a laser beam receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optical device intended as a driving aid for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one generator disposed in a vehicle headlamp and operable to generate a laser beam in a pre-determined direction having a wavelength and an energy or power compatible with ocular safety; said laser beam output through a first optical system; at least one discharge lamp of the kind comprising a rare gas, said discharge lamp capable of pumping said generator and acting as a non-laser illumination source for said vehicle headlamp; at least a portion of light flux generated by the discharge lamp output through a second optical system; a sample of an optical material doped with erbium or with at least one dopant intended to provide the sample of optical material with qualities of stimulated light emission; a third optical system for concentrating at least part of the light flux generated by the discharge lamp on the sample of optical material to pump said generator; and a laser beam receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said generator is disposed in a first headlamp, and said receiver is disposed in a second headlamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 2, wherein said receiver makes use of a heterodyne arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the doped optical material is a glass doped with erbium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said laser beam receiver is formed by a photo-component comprising GaAs or InP.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver of the laser beam is formed by a laser generator, having material doped with erbium, operating as an amplifier and receiving the light emission induced by its laser illumination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a control device adapted to determine the characteristics and the mode of operation of the generator and of the receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection device producing navigational aid parameters, including those based on the detection of energy retro-diffused or retro-reflected by a medium or a target disposed opposite at least the receiver, it being possible to perform the operation of the detection device in Doppler mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1, further comprising an optic for producing an illumination light flux.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 9, wherein said laser beam also passes through the optic for producing the illumination light flux.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiver is disposed in a vehicle headlamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said sample of optical material comprises an output face for outputting said laser beam and an opposing face, and said generator further comprises a semi-reflective mirror disposed on said output face and a reflective mirror disposed on said opposing face.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-02 | 1999-10-02 | 2000-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-02 | 2003-10-02 | 2004-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-02 | 2007-10-02 | 2008-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |