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).
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Patent number: 11140321Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott Wallace Miller
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Patent number: 11119333Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Nicholas D. Smyth, Hao Zheng, Shujun Tang, Zachary W. Birnbaum
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Patent number: 11092773Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Publication number: 20210223662Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Publication number: 20210218896Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Jian Ouyang, Scott W. Miller, Samuel M. Hyatt, Martin Auclair, Phillip R. Sommer
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Patent number: 10969652Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Publication number: 20210092261Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Brian A. Argyres, Lindsay M. Alanen, Matthew D. Hill, Nicholas D. Smyth, Shujun Tang
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Publication number: 20210092297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Jian Ouyang, Scott W. Miller
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Publication number: 20210044727Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
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Publication number: 20200106962Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Scott Wallace Miller
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Publication number: 20200096782Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Nicholas D. Smyth, Hao Zheng, Shujun Tang, Zachary W. Birnhaum
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Publication number: 20190235202Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Publication number: 20190212632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Patent number: 9305599Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Daniel T. Nguyen, David K. Myers
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Patent number: 9183889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, David K. Myers
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Publication number: 20150318016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: NICHOLAS D. SMYTH, DANIEL T. NGUYEN, DAVID K. MYERS
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Patent number: 9171583Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, David K. Myers
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Patent number: 9099153Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Daniel T. Nguyen, David K. Myers
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Publication number: 20140300989Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: NICHOLAS D. SMYTH, DANIEL T. NGUYEN, DAVID K. MYERS