Patents by Inventor Lucas J. Koerner

Lucas J. Koerner 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: 10670943
    Abstract: A camera module includes an optics assembly, an actuator module, and detection circuitry for preventing the optics assembly from colliding with a mechanical stop due to physical impacts and disturbances. The actuator module includes a magnet and a coil. The detection circuitry detects an induced current caused by movement of the coil with respect to the magnet. The direction of the detected induced current indicates movement of the optics assembly in a particular direction along an optical axis. The detection circuitry provides a current to the coil to cause the optics assembly to move toward a particular position or direction. In some cases, the provided current may cause the optics assembly to move in a direction opposite of the movement that caused the induced current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Lucas J. Koerner
  • Publication number: 20180017845
    Abstract: A camera module includes an optics assembly, an actuator module, and detection circuitry for preventing the optics assembly from colliding with a mechanical stop due to physical impacts and disturbances. The actuator module includes a magnet and a coil. The detection circuitry detects an induced current caused by movement of the coil with respect to the magnet. The direction of the detected induced current indicates movement of the optics assembly in a particular direction along an optical axis. The detection circuitry provides a current to the coil to cause the optics assembly to move toward a particular position or direction. In some cases, the provided current may cause the optics assembly to move in a direction opposite of the movement that caused the induced current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Lucas J. Koerner
  • Patent number: 9621096
    Abstract: A method for driving first and second voice coil motors (VCMs) by generating a first coil current through the first VCM and routing a portion (not all) of the first coil current through the second VCM when a first VCM movement command is commanding greater movement than a second VCM movement command. A second coil current is generated through the second VCM and a portion (not all) of the second coil current is routed through the first VCM, when the first VCM movement command is commanding smaller movement than the second VCM movement command. This may reduce power consumption. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Lucas J. Koerner
  • Publication number: 20170093317
    Abstract: A method for driving first and second voice coil motors (VCMs) by generating a first coil current through the first VCM and routing a portion (not all) of the first coil current through the second VCM when a first VCM movement command is commanding greater movement than a second VCM movement command. A second coil current is generated through the second VCM and a portion (not all) of the second coil current is routed through the first VCM, when the first VCM movement command is commanding smaller movement than the second VCM movement command. This may reduce power consumption. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Lucas J. Koerner