Patents Examined by Chris Mahoney
  • Embedded diffuser structure
    Patent number: 9448340
    Abstract: An optical device comprises an optical diffuser structure embedded between media of substantially the same optical refractive index. The structure comprises a partially reflective optical coating at the interface between the two media. The partially reflective optical coating comprises a relief profile such that, in use, the optical diffuser structure diffuses light in reflection from the partially reflective optical coating and delivers substantially no optical deflection in transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The Technology Partnership Plc
    Inventors: Neil Griffin, Roger Clarke
  • Hybrid auto-focus mechanism
    Patent number: 9420163
    Abstract: An autofocus method determines that a ranging device of a digital camera has failed in an attempt to provide a distance estimation. The ranging device provides one or more parameters indicating conditions related to the failure of the ranging device to provide the distance estimation. An autofocus sequence based on the one or more parameters is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Laurent Plaza, Olivier Lemarchand, Paul Varillon, Francesco Cascio, Duncan Hall, Sam Lee