Patents by Inventor NICHOLAS D. SMYTH

NICHOLAS D. SMYTH 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: 11140321
    Abstract: Increases to the sensitivity of a probe magnet sensor are implemented for a camera lens. Probe magnet sensors may be located on carrier of a surface of an actuator coil to reduce the distance between the probe magnet sensor and a probe magnet mounted on an optics component that includes the camera lens. A probe magnet may be located within the camera so that the flux region of the probe magnet does not overlap with a flux region of a drive magnet for an actuator of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott Wallace Miller
  • Patent number: 11119333
    Abstract: A damper arrangement may be used in a camera module that includes a first (e.g., stationary) and a second (e.g., dynamic) component. The second component may hold a lens such that the lens moves together with the second component. The damper arrangement may include an interface member that extends from the first or the second component to at least partially into a viscoelastic material within a volumetric space configured in the first component, the second component, or both. The interface member may include a mounting portion having a thickness and a viscoelastic material section, having a different thickness, that interacts with viscoelastic material to dampen motion of the second component, for example, during operation of a lens actuator to move the second component along an optical axis of the lens. The interface member may be a two-piece interface member, such as a pin soldered into a hole in a plate, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Nicholas D. Smyth, Hao Zheng, Shujun Tang, Zachary W. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 11092773
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20210218896
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a dynamic flex circuit that may be used in a camera with a moveable image sensor. The dynamic flex circuit may include one or more fixed end portions, a moveable end portion, and an intermediate portion. In some embodiments, the fixed end portion may be connected to another flex circuit of the camera. The moveable end portion may be coupled with the moveable image sensor. The intermediate portion may be configured to allow the moveable end portion to move with the moveable image sensor. Some embodiments include a reinforcement arrangement that reinforces one or more portions of the dynamic flex circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Jian Ouyang, Scott W. Miller, Samuel M. Hyatt, Martin Auclair, Phillip R. Sommer
  • 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: 20210092261
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a chassis for a multi-camera system and techniques for forming such a chassis. The chassis may comprise multiple chassis portions that define cavities for mounting cameras. Some embodiments include a chassis portion comprising an integrated shield can-chassis that may be formed as a single component. According to some embodiments, subtractive manufacturing may be used to form one or more features of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Brian A. Argyres, Lindsay M. Alanen, Matthew D. Hill, Nicholas D. Smyth, Shujun Tang
  • Publication number: 20210092297
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a dynamic flex circuit that may be used in a camera with a moveable image sensor. The dynamic flex circuit may include one or more fixed end portions, a moveable end portion, and an intermediate portion. In some embodiments, the fixed end portion may be connected to another flex circuit of the camera. The moveable end portion may be coupled with the moveable image sensor. The intermediate portion may be configured to allow the moveable end portion to move with the moveable image sensor. Some embodiments include a reinforcement arrangement that reinforces one or more portions of the dynamic flex circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Jian Ouyang, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20210044727
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
  • Publication number: 20200106962
    Abstract: Increases to the sensitivity of a probe magnet sensor are implemented for a camera lens. Probe magnet sensors may be located on carrier of a surface of an actuator coil to reduce the distance between the probe magnet sensor and a probe magnet mounted on an optics component that includes the camera lens. A probe magnet may be located within the camera so that the flux region of the probe magnet does not overlap with a flux region of a drive magnet for an actuator of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott Wallace Miller
  • Publication number: 20200096782
    Abstract: A damper arrangement may be used in a camera module that includes a first (e.g., stationary) and a second (e.g., dynamic) component. The second component may hold a lens such that the lens moves together with the second component. The damper arrangement may include an interface member that extends from the first or the second component to at least partially into a viscoelastic material within a volumetric space configured in the first component, the second component, or both. The interface member may include a mounting portion having a thickness and a viscoelastic material section, having a different thickness, that interacts with viscoelastic material to dampen motion of the second component, for example, during operation of a lens actuator to move the second component along an optical axis of the lens. The interface member may be a two-piece interface member, such as a pin soldered into a hole in a plate, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Nicholas D. Smyth, Hao Zheng, Shujun Tang, Zachary W. Birnhaum
  • Publication number: 20190235202
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • 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: 9305599
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base; a voice coil motor assembly (VCM) comprising a VCM cover; a post extending from the base toward the VCM cover; and a latch movable mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the VCM cover, and prevent the VCM cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch to contact both the VCM cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the VCM cover above the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Daniel T. Nguyen, David K. Myers
  • Patent number: 9183889
    Abstract: A disk drive has a disk drive base with a central cavity surrounded by a peripheral wall. The disk drive also includes a top cover attached to the disk drive base and disposed over the central cavity to define a disk drive enclosure. A disk is rotatably attached to the disk drive base within the central cavity, and is disposed within the disk drive enclosure. The top cover has a central top face that defines a central top face plane. A foil seal is adhered to the central top face. The central top face of the top cover includes a first channel that has a bottom land that is depressed towards the disk relative to the central top face plane, and the foil seal covers the first channel. The first channel is vented to the central cavity by a hole through the bottom land of the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, David K. Myers
  • Publication number: 20150318016
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base; a voice coil motor assembly (VCM) comprising a VCM cover; a post extending from the base toward the VCM cover; and a latch movable mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the VCM cover, and prevent the VCM cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch to contact both the VCM cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the VCM cover above the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: NICHOLAS D. SMYTH, DANIEL T. NGUYEN, DAVID K. MYERS
  • Patent number: 9171583
    Abstract: A disk drive has a disk drive base with a central cavity surrounded by a peripheral wall that has a peripheral top face. The disk drive has a top cover with an outer periphery spaced from the peripheral wall by a peripheral clearance gap. A foil seal is adhered to a central top face of the top cover and the peripheral top face of the peripheral wall, and spans the peripheral clearance gap. The top cover includes a first channel that is depressed relative to the central top face. The foil seal covers the first channel, and the first channel is vented to the central cavity by a venting channel that connects the first channel to the peripheral clearance gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, David K. Myers
  • Patent number: 9099153
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base, a cover, a post extending from the base toward the cover, and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch from contacting both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Daniel T. Nguyen, David K. Myers
  • Publication number: 20140300989
    Abstract: A disk drive assembly having a base, a cover, a post extending from the base toward the cover, and a latch movably mounted on the post such that the post extends there through, wherein the post comprises a cover supporting portion configured to support the cover, and prevent the cover from compressing the latch and causing the latch from contacting both the cover and the base simultaneously when a load is applied to a portion of the cover above the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: NICHOLAS D. SMYTH, DANIEL T. NGUYEN, DAVID K. MYERS