Patents by Inventor Alfred N. Mireault
Alfred N. Mireault has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11381747Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 11375091Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott W. Miller
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Patent number: 11350018Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
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Publication number: 20220155655Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and one or more light path folding elements (e.g., a prism). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller
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Patent number: 11314147Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics. Some embodiments include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements. Some embodiments include flexure arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault
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Publication number: 20220091482Abstract: Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. For example, the folded optics camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving a lens group, relative to an image sensor, in multiple directions. The folded optics camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends a lens barrel arrangement from a base structure of the camera, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). In some embodiments, the folded optics camera may include an actuator for moving a light folding element relative to the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Jason T. Weaver, Scott W. Miller
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Publication number: 20220066287Abstract: Various embodiments include a tilt actuator and a spring suspension arrangement for use in a camera having a folded optics arrangement. In some embodiments, the folded optics arrangement may include a light path-folding element that is coupled with a carrier and that is tilted using the tilt actuator. The spring suspension arrangement may suspend the carrier and the light path-folding element from a base structure, and may allow motion of the light path-folding element enabled by the tilt actuator. The spring suspension arrangement may include one or more springs attached to the carrier and to the base structure. In some embodiments, the spring suspension arrangement may further include one or more suspension wires attached to the spring(s) and to a stationary structure of the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Junwei Liu, Hao Zheng
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Patent number: 11243455Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and one or more light path folding elements (e.g., a prism). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller
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Publication number: 20210373279Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Patent number: 11092773Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Publication number: 20210223662Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Publication number: 20210176400Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 10969652Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Publication number: 20210088877Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and one or more light path folding elements (e.g., a prism). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller
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Patent number: 10931877Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20210044727Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
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Publication number: 20200128184Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 10516826Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20190212632Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Patent number: 10317649Abstract: A camera module includes an optical package, a camera actuator for moving the optical package, a camera subassembly, and one or more resilient members arranged within the camera subassembly to prevent, reduce, or cushion contact between the optical package and other components of the camera. The resilient members may be mounted on the lens carrier of the optical package and configured to come into resistive contact with components of the camera subassembly and/or mounted on components of the camera subassembly and configured to come into resistive contact with the optical package. In either case, the resistive cushioning provided by the resilient members may reduce or prevent contact (and an associated rattling noise associated with the contact) between the optical package and the hard components of the camera subassembly. The resilient members may be configured to cushion, but also allow hard stop contact. In embodiments bumpers (e.g., elastomeric pads) may be used.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault