Patents by Inventor Neil MacKinnon

Neil MacKinnon 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: 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
  • Patent number: 11683455
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an image sensor separated from a processing component by an open space. The image sensor includes one or more light source modules and the processing component includes one or more light sensors aligned with the one or more light source modules. Image data from the image sensor may be transmitted to the processing component via light signals exchanged between the one or more light source modules and the one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, light signals transmitted between one or more light source modules of an image sensor and one or more light sensors of the processing component are used to determine positional and angular data about the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • 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: 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: 20210152789
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an image sensor separated from a processing component by an open space. The image sensor includes one or more light source modules and the processing component includes one or more light sensors aligned with the one or more light source modules. Image data from the image sensor may be transmitted to the processing component via light signals exchanged between the one or more light source modules and the one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, light signals transmitted between one or more light source modules of an image sensor and one or more light sensors of the processing component are used to determine positional and angular data about the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10911727
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an image sensor separated from a processing component by an open space. The image sensor includes one or more light source modules and the processing component includes one or more light sensors aligned with the one or more light source modules. Image data from the image sensor may be transmitted to the processing component via light signals exchanged between the one or more light source modules and the one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, light signals transmitted between one or more light source modules of an image sensor and one or more light sensors of the processing component are used to determine positional and angular data about the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10908383
    Abstract: Optoelectronic apparatus includes a projector, which includes an array of first emitters, which emit respective first beams of optical radiation at a first wavelength, and a second emitter, which emits a second beam of optical radiation at a second wavelength. Projection optics receive the first and second beams of the optical radiation through an entrance face and project the beams through the exit face. An optical window transmits the radiation at the first wavelength and reflects the radiation at the second wavelength, and is positioned adjacent to the exit face of the projection optics so as to reflect the second beam back through the projection optics toward an optical sensor positioned in proximity to the first and second emitters. A controller drives an actuator to adjust a focal setting of the projection optics responsively to a distribution of the optical radiation received and sensed by the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10877285
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure including a front face and a rear face. An array of emitters is contained in the enclosure and configured to generate first beams of optical radiation at a first wavelength and second beams of radiation at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A wavelength-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept the projected beams and configured to direct the first beams through the front face and the second beams through the rear face. A controller is coupled to selectively drive the array so as to control relative proportions of the optical radiation that are emitted through the front and rear faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10686548
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an array of emitters configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation. Projection optics include first cylindrical lenses, which have respective, mutually-parallel first cylinder axes, and are aligned respectively with the emitters in the array so as to receive and project the respective beams, and a second cylindrical lens, which has a second cylinder axis perpendicular to the first cylinder axes and is positioned adjacent to the first cylindrical lenses so as to receive and project all of the beams from the first cylindrical lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20190372700
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an array of emitters configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation. Projection optics include first cylindrical lenses, which have respective, mutually-parallel first cylinder axes, and are aligned respectively with the emitters in the array so as to receive and project the respective beams, and a second cylindrical lens, which has a second cylinder axis perpendicular to the first cylinder axes and is positioned adjacent to the first cylindrical lenses so as to receive and project all of the beams from the first cylindrical lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10447424
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure having mutually-opposing first and second faces. An array of emitters contained in the enclosure is configured to emit beams of optical radiation. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarization-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face. A controller is coupled to control a polarization of the optical radiation and thereby control a direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20190302467
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure including a front face and a rear face. An array of emitters is contained in the enclosure and configured to generate first beams of optical radiation at a first wavelength and second beams of radiation at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A wavelength-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept the projected beams and configured to direct the first beams through the front face and the second beams through the rear face. A controller is coupled to selectively drive the array so as to control relative proportions of the optical radiation that are emitted through the front and rear faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20190222346
    Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure having mutually-opposing first and second faces. An array of emitters contained in the enclosure is configured to emit beams of optical radiation. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarization-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face. A controller is coupled to control a polarization of the optical radiation and thereby control a direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10334184
    Abstract: An electronic device may have an optical system that includes one or more light-based components. The light-based components may include light-emitting components such as light-emitting diodes or lasers and may include light-detecting components such as photodiodes or digital image sensors. The optical system may include a light diffuser. The light diffuser may diffuse light that is being detected by a light-detecting component or may diffuse light that is being emitted by a light-emitting component. Light diffusers in optical systems may be formed from patterned light diffuser layers on transparent substrates. Layers of sealant, thin glass layers, antireflection coatings, and other layers may be incorporated into the light diffusers. The light diffuser layers may operate at visible wavelengths and infrared wavelengths. An infrared light diffuser layer may be formed from a patterned silicon layer such as a patterned layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ligang Wang, Miodrag Scepanovic, Neil MacKinnon, Zhenbin Ge
  • Patent number: 10295145
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed on the substrate, which are configured to emit optical radiation, and a transparent crystalline layer formed over the array of VCSELs. The transparent crystalline layer has an outer surface configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the VCSELs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 10229028
    Abstract: A system for managing application performance performs a learning phase and a monitoring phase. One embodiment of the learning phase comprises monitoring performance of multiple components of a software system to create first monitored component data for the multiple components and automatically identifying correlation between the components and a performance metric based on the first monitored data. The monitoring phase comprises monitoring performance of the multiple components of the software system to create second monitored component data for the multiple components, using the identified correlation to predict the performance metric, calculating the actual performance metric based on the second monitored component data, and reporting a performance problem if the actual performance metric differs from the predicted performance metric by more than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jacob Addleman, Jay Martin Cohen, Thomas Michael Repede, Gregory Neil MacKinnon
  • Publication number: 20190017678
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed on the substrate, which are configured to emit optical radiation, and a transparent crystalline layer formed over the array of VCSELs. The transparent crystalline layer has an outer surface configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the VCSELs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20180367767
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an image sensor separated from a processing component by an open space. The image sensor includes one or more light source modules and the processing component includes one or more light sensors aligned with the one or more light source modules. Image data from the image sensor may be transmitted to the processing component via light signals exchanged between the one or more light source modules and the one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, light signals transmitted between one or more light source modules of an image sensor and one or more light sensors of the processing component are used to determine positional and angular data about the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 10072815
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed on the substrate, which are configured to emit optical radiation, and a transparent crystalline layer formed over the array of VCSELs. The transparent crystalline layer has an outer surface configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the VCSELs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20180081093
    Abstract: An electronic device may have an optical system that includes one or more light-based components. The light-based components may include light-emitting components such as light-emitting diodes or lasers and may include light-detecting components such as photodiodes or digital image sensors. The optical system may include a light diffuser. The light diffuser may diffuse light that is being detected by a light-detecting component or may diffuse light that is being emitted by a light-emitting component. Light diffusers in optical systems may be formed from patterned light diffuser layers on transparent substrates. Layers of sealant, thin glass layers, antireflection coatings, and other layers may be incorporated into the light diffusers. The light diffuser layers may operate at visible wavelengths and infrared wavelengths. An infrared light diffuser layer may be formed from a patterned silicon layer such as a patterned layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ligang Wang, Miodrag Scepanovic, Neil MacKinnon, Zhenbin Ge