Amazon has been granted a patent for a vehicle equipped with time-of-flight sensors to detect objects in its surroundings. The sensors use different modulation frequencies to estimate and determine the actual depth of objects, allowing the vehicle to navigate safely. GlobalData’s report on Amazon gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Amazon, Dynamic premium pricing was a key innovation area identified from patents. Amazon's grant share as of April 2024 was 82%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Time-of-flight sensor for object detection in vehicles
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11994591B2) discloses a vehicle equipped with a time-of-flight sensor, processors, and memory storing instructions for configuring the sensor in different modes to receive depth information based on modulation frequencies. The vehicle can estimate the depth of an object and determine a measured distance using candidate depth measurements. The patent emphasizes the use of different modulation frequencies to optimize sensor depth capabilities, with the second frequency selected to provide a lower maximum sensor depth than the first frequency.
Furthermore, the patent details a method and system for configuring a time-of-flight sensor to emit light at specific frequencies, receive return light, and determine depth information about a surface. By utilizing different modulation frequencies and candidate depth measurements, the system can accurately measure the depth of the surface. The method and system also involve determining object positions in the vehicle's environment, establishing travel paths, and controlling the vehicle's movement based on the depth information obtained. The patent highlights the importance of selecting appropriate modulation frequencies to enhance sensor performance, with specific frequency ranges specified for optimal results.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
