# How a Spinning Lidar Sensor Creates 3D Maps > This patent describes a 3D Lidar sensor that uses a laser bar for one-dimensional sensing and a spinning part to scan in two dimensions, all inside a static outer case with a special window. - **Patent:** US 10613201 - **Original title:** Three-dimensional lidar sensor based on two-dimensional scanning of one-dimensional optical emitter and method of using same - **Owner:** Quanergy Systems - **Granted:** 2020 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 7 - **Field:** automotive, aerospace, robotics, consumer_electronics, semiconductors ## What it does This patent details a 3D Lidar system designed to map environments. It uses a laser bar that emits light in a line (one-dimensional sensing) and at least one light sensor. The key is a spinning turret inside a stationary outer box. This turret rotates both the laser and the sensor, allowing them to scan across a two-dimensional area. The outer case has a window that looks opaque to us but lets the infrared laser light pass through. This setup allows for 3D mapping by measuring the time it takes for the laser light to bounce off objects and return to the sensor. ## What it does NOT cover - Lidar systems where the entire external case moves to scan. - Lidar systems that use a single point laser source instead of a laser bar. - Lidar systems that scan in only one or three dimensions. - Lidar systems without a spinning component for scanning. - Lidar systems where the window is transparent to visible light. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in using a single, elongated laser bar for one dimension of sensing and a simple spinning mechanism for the second dimension, all housed within a static external case. This simplifies the mechanical design compared to systems requiring more complex scanning mirrors or multiple emitters. ## Real-world examples 1. Autonomous vehicle sensor suites 2. Robotic navigation systems 3. 3D mapping drones ## Why it matters This patent is part of the foundational technology for autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics. Lidar is crucial for creating detailed 3D maps of surroundings, enabling self-driving cars to perceive obstacles and navigate. The specific design of a compact, mechanically scanned sensor with a static exterior was an important step in making Lidar more practical and cost-effective for widespread adoption. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How a Spinning Lidar Sensor Creates 3D Maps cover? This patent describes a 3D Lidar sensor that uses a laser bar for one-dimensional sensing and a spinning part to scan in two dimensions, all inside a static outer case with a special window. ### Who owns patent US 10613201? Quanergy Systems owns this patent, granted in 2020. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on June 26, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 10613201 cited by? This patent has been cited by 7 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is part of the foundational technology for autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics. Lidar is crucial for creating detailed 3D maps of surroundings, enabling self-driving cars to perceive obstacles and navigate. The specific design of a compact, mechanically scanned sensor with a static exterior was an important step in making Lidar more practical and cost-effective for widespread adoption. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Lidar systems where the entire external case moves to scan. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10613201/three-dimensional-lidar-sensor-based-on-two-dimensional-scanning-of-one-dimensio **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10613201 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Smart LIDAR System Adapts to Noise for Better Distance Sensing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240045038/noise-adaptive-solid-state-lidar-system) — This patent describes a LIDAR system that uses multiple lasers and detectors, and intelligently adjusts the electrical settings of specific detectors to reduce noise and improve distance measurements in different lighting conditions. - [LiDAR System for Seeing Through Shiny Objects](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11041957/systems-and-methods-for-mitigating-effects-of-high-reflectivity-objects-in-lidar) — Toyota's patent on a LiDAR system that can ignore blinding reflections from shiny surfaces to better see what's around a vehicle. - [How to Combine Wide-Angle LiDAR Depth with Standard Camera Images](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11543533/systems-and-methods-for-wide-angle-lidar-using-non-uniform-magnification-optics) — This patent describes a method for combining a wide-angle depth map from a LiDAR sensor, which has unevenly spaced pixels, with a standard camera image by first correcting the depth map's pixel distribution and then merging the two for a complete view. - [Lidar System for Spotting Retro-Reflective Objects](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12736637/hyper-temporal-lidar-using-multiple-matched-filters-to-determine-target) — This patent describes a lidar system that uses a special signal processing technique to identify objects that reflect light directly back to its source, like road signs or safety vests. - [How Self-Driving Cars Detect Dirty Lidar Sensors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12130389/methods-and-systems-for-detecting-sensor-occlusions) — Waymo's 2024 patent on a self-driving car system that uses two scans from a rotating Lidar sensor to spot dirt or obstructions on its lens.