Patents by Inventor Brad V. Johnson

Brad V. Johnson 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: 11934090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 11762066
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which is configured to direct a pattern of one or more stripes, extending along a longitudinal dimension across a target. A receiver includes an array of optical sensors, and objective optics, which are configured to image the target onto the array, and which have a non-circular aperture, which is elongated in a direction dependent upon the longitudinal dimension of the stripes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Publication number: 20230100382
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a folded optics arrangement and include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The camera with folded optics and the associated VCM actuator assembly have a first rotational normal mode of free vibration such that lenses of the camera rotate about an optical axis of the camera such that the rotational motion in the first rotational mode of free vibration is invisible from a perspective of an image sensor of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Brad V. Johnson, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Publication number: 20230020619
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which is configured to direct a pattern of one or more stripes, extending along a longitudinal dimension across a target. A receiver includes an array of optical sensors, and objective optics, which are configured to image the target onto the array, and which have a non-circular aperture, which is elongated in a direction dependent upon the longitudinal dimension of the stripes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Patent number: 11539864
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a folded optics arrangement and include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The camera with folded optics and the associated VCM actuator assembly have a first rotational normal mode of free vibration such that lenses of the camera rotate about an optical axis of the camera such that the rotational motion in the first rotational mode of free vibration is invisible from a perspective of an image sensor of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Brad V. Johnson, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Patent number: 11516394
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a multi-layer flexure that may be used in an optical image stabilization voice coil motor (OIS VCM) actuator of a camera. The multi-layer flexure module may include a dynamic platform and a static platform along with multiple layers of flexure arms that mechanically connect the dynamic platform to the static platform. In some examples, the multi-layer flexure may include electrical traces configured to convey signals from the dynamic platform to the static platform. The electrical traces may be routed from the dynamic platform to the static platform via the flexure arms. In some embodiments, a multi-layer flexure may have a greater stiffness in a Z-direction aligning with an optical axis of a camera and may have a lower stiffness in X and Y directions corresponding to optical image stabilization directions of an OIS VCM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brad V. Johnson, Hao Zheng, Scott W. Miller
  • Patent number: 11493606
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a plurality of emitters arranged in a row and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation. Projection optics, which are configured to project the beams toward a target, include first cylindrical lenses, which have respective, mutually-parallel first cylinder axes and are aligned respectively with the emitters in the row so as to receive and focus the respective beams in a first dimension, and a second cylindrical lens, which has a second cylinder axis perpendicular to the first cylinder axes and is positioned to receive and focus all of the beams in a second dimension, perpendicular to the first dimension. A scan driver is configured to shift the second cylindrical lens in a direction perpendicular to the second cylinder axis so as to scan the beams across the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Publication number: 20210337121
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a multi-layer flexure that may be used in an optical image stabilization voice coil motor (OIS VCM) actuator of a camera. The multi-layer flexure module may include a dynamic platform and a static platform along with multiple layers of flexure arms that mechanically connect the dynamic platform to the static platform. In some examples, the multi-layer flexure may include electrical traces configured to convey signals from the dynamic platform to the static platform. The electrical traces may be routed from the dynamic platform to the static platform via the flexure arms. In some embodiments, a multi-layer flexure may have a greater stiffness in a Z-direction aligning with an optical axis of a camera and may have a lower stiffness in X and Y directions corresponding to optical image stabilization directions of an OIS VCM actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brad V. Johnson, Hao Zheng, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20210223662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 11057564
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a multi-layer flexure that may be used in an optical image stabilization voice coil motor (OIS VCM) actuator of a camera. The multi-layer flexure module may include a dynamic platform and a static platform along with multiple layers of flexure arms that mechanically connect the dynamic platform to the static platform. In some examples, the multi-layer flexure may include electrical traces configured to convey signals from the dynamic platform to the static platform. The electrical traces may be routed from the dynamic platform to the static platform via the flexure arms. In some embodiments, a multi-layer flexure may have a greater stiffness in a Z-direction aligning with an optical axis of a camera and may have a lower stiffness in X and Y directions corresponding to optical image stabilization directions of an OIS VCM actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brad V. Johnson, Hao Zheng, Scott W. Miller
  • Patent number: 10969652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20200314338
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a multi-layer flexure that may be used in an optical image stabilization voice coil motor (OIS VCM) actuator of a camera. The multi-layer flexure module may include a dynamic platform and a static platform along with multiple layers of flexure arms that mechanically connect the dynamic platform to the static platform. In some examples, the multi-layer flexure may include electrical traces configured to convey signals from the dynamic platform to the static platform. The electrical traces may be routed from the dynamic platform to the static platform via the flexure arms. In some embodiments, a multi-layer flexure may have a greater stiffness in a Z-direction aligning with an optical axis of a camera and may have a lower stiffness in X and Y directions corresponding to optical image stabilization directions of an OIS VCM actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brad V. Johnson, Hao Zheng, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190212632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 9424866
    Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus coupled with a laser is described. The HAMR write apparatus includes a pole, coil(s), a near-field transducer (NFT), and a dielectric gap. The pole writes to the media. The coil(s) energize the pole. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and directs energy toward the ABS. The NFT is optically coupled with the waveguide and includes a metal nose and a metal cap. Part of the metal cap adjoins part of the main pole. The dielectric gap is between a first portion of the NFT and the main pole. The dielectric gap has a media-facing surface and back, top, bottom and side surfaces. The top surface adjoins the main pole. The bottom surface adjoins the first portion of the NFT. The side surfaces adjoin a second portion of the NFT. The back surface adjoins a portion of the metal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jiangrong Cao, Brad V. Johnson, Michael V. Morelli, Peng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9311952
    Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source and direct the incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) formed at an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. The NFT is configured to focus the light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements configured as plasmonic metal ridges. Each of the PSPP elements has a width approximately equivalent to the width of the heating spot and is disposed above a surface of a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jiangrong Cao, Michael V. Morelli, Brad V. Johnson, Matthew R. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 9263071
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an EAMR head having a plasmonic bulk metal plate adjacent thereto. The waveguide core has a trapezoidal shaped cross-section, when viewed from the ABS, and the plasmonic bulk metal plate is disposed adjacent the short side of the trapezoid. The plasmonic bulk metal plate reduces the temperature of the NFT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jiangrong Cao, Michael V. Morelli, Brad V. Johnson, Peng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150356990
    Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source and direct the incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) formed at an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. The NFT is configured to focus the light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements configured as plasmonic metal ridges. Each of the PSPP elements has a width approximately equivalent to the width of the heating spot and is disposed above a surface of a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: JIANGRONG CAO, MICHAEL V. MORELLI, BRAD V. JOHNSON, MATTHEW R. GIBBONS
  • Patent number: 9159346
    Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores disposed near an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. Each waveguide core has a fine ridge feature on a first surface of the waveguide core and configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source. A near field transducer (NFT) is formed at the air bearing surface for focusing light energy received from the waveguide core and transmitting the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes at least one plasmonic metal element disposed above the fine ridge features of the waveguide cores to form an interface for delivering propagating surface plasmon polaritons (PSPPs) to the air bearing surface. Each fine ridge feature is configured with a width approximately equivalent to a width of the heating spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jiangrong Cao, Michael V. Morelli, Hongxing Yuan, Peng Zhang, Brad V. Johnson, Matthew R. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 9142233
    Abstract: A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use and is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR transducer includes a main pole, at least one additional pole adjacent to the main pole in a down track direction, a waveguide and at least one coil for energizing the main pole. The main pole is configured to write to a region of the media and is recessed from the ABS by a first distance. The additional pole(s) are recessed from the ABS by a second distance greater than the first distance. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and directs a portion of the energy toward the ABS at an acute angle from the ABS. A portion of the waveguide resides between the additional pole(s) and the ABS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Gibbons, Hongxing Yuan, Brad V. Johnson, Michael V. Morelli, Lisha Wang, Zhigang Bai, Ge Yi, Yunfei Li, Samuel W. Yuan
  • Patent number: 9007879
    Abstract: An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk include a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores configured to direct received incident light energy to a target, and a near field transducer (NFT) configured to focus light energy received from the plurality of waveguide cores and to transmit the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot on the storage disk. The NFT includes a plurality of propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP) elements that are energized by the light energy from the waveguide cores. Each of the PSPP elements has a plasmonic metal bar disposed above a single waveguide core in a longitudinal alignment. Each metal bar has a width at least twice the width of the heating spot generated on the storage disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jiangrong Cao, Michael V. Morelli, Matthew R. Gibbons, Peng Zhang, Brad V. Johnson, Hongxing Yuan