Patents by Inventor Angelo M. Alaimo

Angelo M. Alaimo 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).

  • Patent number: 11974047
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a light source module with one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors that share an aperture via which light passes. One of the light sensors may measure illuminance received through the aperture (not illuminance from the light emitters) and send a signal indicating a measurement of the illuminance. The light source module may be integrated into a portable computing device having a controller. The controller may include logic to perform one or more device operations based on the measurement of illuminance, such as, but not limited to, controlling a device display brightness and/or controlling an auto exposure feature of the device camera. Calibration parameters for interpreting the signal may be determined via a calibration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo M Alaimo, Shahrooz Shahparnia, Paul V. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240107148
    Abstract: Camera modules and associated electronic devices and systems are described. A camera module may include a set of housing elements that at least partially defines an interior cavity, a set of lens elements, an image sensor positioned within the interior cavity to receive light through the set of lens elements, and a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may include a set of rigid substrates, a first set of electrical contacts positioned on a first surface of the set of rigid substrates, and a second set of electrical contacts positioned on a second surface of the set of rigid substrates. The substrate assembly may be positioned such that a first portion of the substrate assembly is positioned inside the interior cavity and a second portion of the substrate assembly extends outside of the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Angelo M. Alaimo, Wassim Ferose Habeeb Rakuman, Bohan Hao, Ya-Wen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20240048847
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for adjusting the lateral position of a default field of view of a camera. The camera may change the lateral position of its field of view by creating relative movement between an image sensor and a lens of the camera, and may maintain the camera's field of view to the default field of view when the camera is stationary. In some embodiments, the lateral position may be set using orientation information associated with the camera. In other embodiments, the lateral position may be set using position information associated with a target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Kartthik Kumarasamy, Bohan Hao, Angelo M. Alaimo
  • Publication number: 20240007613
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are disclosed herein to correct for unwanted rotation in an embedded camera module of an electronic device during field use. Various rotation calibration techniques are disclosed herein, including: a reference pixel pattern-based rotation calibration process; a magnetic field sensor-based rotation calibration process; and a gimbal lock-based rotation calibration process. In some embodiments, an initial rotation calibration angle for the camera module may be obtained during factory calibration and used by the electronic device's image signal processing (ISP) pipeline, so that all captured images are automatically rotation-corrected to compensate for any such rotation measured during factory calibration. In some embodiments, a rotation correction operation may be triggered in response to the electronic device detecting a reliability event (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kartthik Kumarasamy, Angelo M. Alaimo
  • Publication number: 20230299564
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a camera and a light source module embedded in the mobile device. The light source module includes at least a laser-pumped phosphor light source that includes a photoluminescent phosphor and a laser diode to generate laser light within a first wavelength range to pump the photoluminescent phosphor. Exposure of the photoluminescent phosphor to the laser light results in emission of visible light within a second wavelength range according to a laser-pumped emission spectrum associated with the photoluminescent phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo M. Alaimo, Richard L. Baer, Garam Young, Florian R. Fournier, Blake M. Coughenour, Bryan Dang
  • Publication number: 20230239558
    Abstract: A portable electronic device may include an enclosure including a front cover defining a front exterior surface of the portable electronic device and a rear cover defining a rear exterior surface of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may further include a rear-facing camera and a rear-facing flash including a light emitting component defining a plurality of illuminable regions. The light emitting component may be configured to illuminate a first subset of the plurality of illuminable regions to illuminate a first field of view and illuminate a second subset of the plurality of illuminable regions, the second subset different from the first subset, to illuminate a second field of view different from the first field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hill, Michael W. Firka, Nicholas D. Rath, Douglas G. Fournier, Matthew P. Rao, Benjamin J. Pope, James A. Bertin, David A. Hurrell, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, Blake M. Coughenour, Angelo M. Alaimo, Jeremy D. Bataillou
  • Patent number: 11658465
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a camera and a light source module embedded in the mobile device. The light source module includes at least a laser-pumped phosphor light source that includes a photoluminescent phosphor and a laser diode to generate laser light within a first wavelength range to pump the photoluminescent phosphor. Exposure of the photoluminescent phosphor to the laser light results in emission of visible light within a second wavelength range according to a laser-pumped emission spectrum associated with the photoluminescent phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo M. Alaimo, Richard L. Baer, Garam Young, Florian R. Fournier, Blake M. Coughenour, Bryan Dang
  • Publication number: 20230101548
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and an optional projecting lens. The light source module is configured to receive or generate a control signal for adjusting different ones of the illumination elements to control a light field emitted from the light source module. In some embodiments, the light source module is also configured to adjust the projecting lens responsive to objects in an illuminated scene and a field of view of an imaging device. A controller for a light source module may determine a light field pattern based on various parameters including a field of view of an imaging device, an illumination sensitivity model of the imaging device, depth, ambient illumination and reflectivity of objects, configured illumination priorities including ambient preservation, background illumination and direct/indirect lighting balance, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bosheng Zhang, Angelo M. Alaimo, Noah D. Bedard, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Tongbo Chen, Paul M. Hubel, Farhan A. Baqai, Nicolas Pierre Bonnier, Bryan Dang
  • Publication number: 20230098699
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and an optional projecting lens. The light source module is configured to receive or generate a control signal for adjusting different ones of the illumination elements to control a light field emitted from the light source module. In some embodiments, the light source module is also configured to adjust the projecting lens responsive to objects in an illuminated scene and a field of view of an imaging device. A controller for a light source module may determine a light field pattern based on various parameters including a field of view of an imaging device, an illumination sensitivity model of the imaging device, depth, ambient illumination and reflectivity of objects, configured illumination priorities including ambient preservation, background illumination and direct/indirect lighting balance, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bosheng Zhang, Angelo M Alaimo, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Paul M Hubel, Frederic Cao, Bryan Dang
  • Publication number: 20230095000
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and an optional projecting lens. The light source module is configured to receive or generate a control signal for adjusting different ones of the illumination elements to control a light field emitted from the light source module. In some embodiments, the light source module is also configured to adjust the projecting lens responsive to objects in an illuminated scene and a field of view of an imaging device. A controller for a light source module may determine a light field pattern based on various parameters including a field of view of an imaging device, an illumination sensitivity model of the imaging device, depth, ambient illumination and reflectivity of objects, configured illumination priorities including ambient preservation, background illumination and direct/indirect lighting balance, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bosheng Zhang, Angelo M Alaimo, Bryan Dang
  • Publication number: 20230086557
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include adaptive light source modules that can provide adaptive illumination to a scene. The adaptive light source modules may comprise a housing, an emitter array, and a lens. The emitter array comprises a plurality of emitters. The lens may redirect light emitted from the emitter array through a transparent window of the housing. The housing may further include a prismatic surface that distorts light emitted from the emitter array and/or one or more non-transparent portions that limits light travelling therethrough. The adaptive light source module may optionally comprise a light sensor, and a portion of the lens may be configured to direct light toward the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Angelo M. Alaimo, Blake M. Coughenour, Bryan Dang, Florian R. Fournier, Katherine J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11588961
    Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20210409582
    Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 11122193
    Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 10855895
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and a light diffusing material. The light source module is configured to receive a control signal for adjusting diffusion of light emitted from the light source module and in response adjust the amount of diffusion of light emitted from the light source module. A light source module may include a segmented light diffusing material where each segment is associated with an illumination element. And individual segments may have light diffusing properties that are different than other segments of the light diffusing material. Some illumination elements may emit light of a different color spectrum than other illumination elements, and a light diffusing material may scatter the different colored light to illuminate a scene with combinations of light of different colors. A light source module may be embedded in a mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Florian R. Fournier, Angelo M. Alaimo, Simon S. Lee, Miodrag Scepanovic, Andreas G. Weber
  • Patent number: 10475361
    Abstract: A device which includes a display can provide adjustable light output, based in part on the color of the display screen output, to control the light output of the display screen. An illumination processor can adjustably control light output based on the colors of portions of the display screen. The light output can be adjusted to maintain the light output of the display screen across a range of colors of display screen light output. Controlling the light output of the display screen results in controlling the illuminance of a subject. The device can include a camera which captures an image of the subject and displays the image on a portion of the display screen, where the light output of a portion of the display screen can illuminate the subject such that the captured image has at least a certain level of image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20180288295
    Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20180167539
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and a light diffusing material. The light source module is configured to receive a control signal for adjusting diffusion of light emitted from the light source module and in response adjust the amount of diffusion of light emitted from the light source module. A light source module may include a segmented light diffusing material where each segment is associated with an illumination element. And individual segments may have light diffusing properties that are different than other segments of the light diffusing material. Some illumination elements may emit light of a different color spectrum than other illumination elements, and a light diffusing material may scatter the different colored light to illuminate a scene with combinations of light of different colors. A light source module may be embedded in a mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Florian R. Fournier, Angelo M. Alaimo, Simon S. Lee, Miodrag Scepanovic, Andreas G. Weber
  • Patent number: 9992396
    Abstract: A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Miodrag Scepanovic, Angelo M. Alaimo, Florian R. Fournier, Andreas G. Weber, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 9894257
    Abstract: A light source module includes an array of illumination elements and a light diffusing material. The light source module is configured to receive a control signal for adjusting diffusion of light emitted from the light source module and in response adjust the amount of diffusion of light emitted from the light source module. A light source module may include a segmented light diffusing material where each segment is associated with an illumination element. And individual segments may have light diffusing properties that are different than other segments of the light diffusing material. Some illumination elements may emit light of a different color spectrum than other illumination elements, and a light diffusing material may scatter the different colored light to illuminate a scene with combinations of light of different colors. A light source module may be embedded in a mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Florian R. Fournier, Angelo M. Alaimo, Simon S. Lee, Miodrag Scepanovic, Andreas G. Weber