Patents by Inventor Alexander Shpunt

Alexander Shpunt 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).

  • Zoom-based gesture user interface
    Patent number: 9836201
    Abstract: A user interface method, including presenting by a computer executing a user interface, multiple interactive items on a display. A first sequence of images is captured indicating a position in space of a hand of a user in proximity to the display, and responsively to the position, one of the interactive items is associated with the hand. After associating the item, a second sequence of images is captured indicating a movement of the hand, and responsively to the movement, a size of the one of the items is changed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin Frey, Marcus Hauer, Dario Buzzini, Philipp Schaefer, Adi Berenson, Micha Galor, Nili Metuki, Alexander Shpunt
  • MEMS scanner with mirrors of different sizes
    Patent number: 9835853
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A first mirror, which has a first area, is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis. A second mirror, which has a second area that is at least twice the first area, is also mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a third axis, which is parallel to the second axis, in synchronization with the first mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
  • Integrated photonics module for optical projection
    Publication number: 20170314763
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate and one or more radiation sources, mounted on a surface of the substrate and configured to emit optical radiation. A scanning mirror is mounted on the substrate and is configured to scan the reflected optical radiation over a predetermined angular range in a direction that is angled away from the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Israel Petronius, Zafrir Mor, Mordehai Margalit, Benny Pesach, Alexander Shpunt
  • Hybrid MEMS scanning module
    Patent number: 9798135
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Compact scanner with gimbaled optics
    Patent number: 9784838
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A receive mirror is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. A detector is mounted on the gimbal so as to rotate with the gimbal about the first axis and receive light reflected from the receive mirror while the receive mirror rotates about the second axis. A collection lens is mounted on the gimbal so as to rotate with the gimbal about the first axis while collecting the light so as to focus the light onto the detector by reflection from the receive mirror while the receive mirror rotates about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Noel Axelrod, Raviv Erlich, Yuval Gerson
  • Hybrid MEMS scanning module
    Publication number: 20170285325
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Raviv Erlich, Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Method and system for object reconstruction
    Publication number: 20170287923
    Abstract: pattern. A processor reconstructs a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object responsively to a shift of the pattern in the image data relative to a reference image of the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Zeev Zalevsky, Alexander Shpunt, Aviad Maizels, Javier Garcia
  • Coupling schemes for gimbaled scanning mirror arrays
    Publication number: 20170276931
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yuval Gerson, Naftali Chayat, Noel Axelrod, Alexander Shpunt
  • Flexible room controls
    Patent number: 9772720
    Abstract: Control apparatus includes an optical subsystem, which is configured to direct first light toward a scene that includes a hand of a user in proximity to a wall of a room and to receive the first light that is reflected from the scene, and to direct second light toward the wall so as to project an image of a control device onto the wall. A processor is configured to control the optical subsystem so as to generate, responsively to the received first light, a depth map of the scene, to process the depth map so as to detect a proximity of the hand to the wall in a location of the projected image, and to control electrical equipment in the room responsively to the proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich, Ronen Akerman, Ran Halutz
  • Integrated optoelectronic modules based on arrays of emitters and microlenses
    Patent number: 9746369
    Abstract: A beam generating device includes a semiconductor substrate, having an optical passband. A first array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is formed on a first face of the semiconductor substrate and are configured to emit respective laser beams through the substrate at a wavelength within the passband. A second array of microlenses is formed on a second face of the semiconductor substrate, with the microlenses in respective alignment with the VCSELs so as to transmit the laser beams generated by the VCSELs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Zafrir Mor, Raviv Erlich
  • Scanning projectors and image capture modules for 3D mapping
    Publication number: 20170244955
    Abstract: Apparatus for mapping includes a radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of radiation, and a detector and optics, which define a sensing area of the detector. A scanning mirror assembly is configured to receive and scan the emitted beam over a selected angular range within a region of interest while scanning the sensing area over the selected angular range in synchronization with the scanned beam from the radiation source. A processor is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Benny Pesach, Ronen Akerman
  • Adaptive projector for projecting content into a three-dimensional virtual space
    Patent number: 9740298
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods for interactive reality augmentation, including a 2-dimensional camera and a 3-dimensional camera, associated depth projector and content projector, and a processor linked to the 3-dimensional camera and the 2-dimensional camera. A depth map of the scene is produced using an output of the 3-dimensional camera, and coordinated with a 2-dimensional image captured by the 2-dimensional camera to identify a 3-dimensional object in the scene that meets predetermined criteria for projection of images thereon. The content projector projects a content image onto the 3-dimensional object responsively to instructions of the processor, which can be mediated by automatic recognition of user gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Aviad Maizels, Alexander Shpunt, Tamir Berliner
  • Generation of patterned radiation
    Patent number: 9736459
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an illumination assembly, including a plurality of radiation sources and projection optics, which are configured to project radiation from the radiation sources onto different, respective regions of a scene. An imaging assembly includes an image sensor and objective optics configured to form an optical image of the scene on the image sensor, which includes an array of sensor elements arranged in multiple groups, which are triggered by a rolling shutter to capture the radiation from the scene in successive, respective exposure periods from different, respective areas of the scene so as to form an electronic image of the scene. A controller is coupled to actuate the radiation sources sequentially in a pulsed mode so that the illumination assembly illuminates the different, respective areas of the scene in synchronization with the rolling shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zafrir Mor, Alexander Shpunt
  • Coupling schemes for gimbaled scanning mirror arrays
    Patent number: 9715107
    Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yuval Gerson, Naftali Chayat, Noel Axelrod, Alexander Shpunt
  • Scanning depth engine
    Publication number: 20170205873
    Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which emits a beam comprising pulses of light, and a scanner, which is configured to scan the beam, within a predefined scan range, over a scene. A receiver receives the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene. A processor is coupled to control the scanner so as to cause the beam to scan over a selected window within the scan range and to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of a part of the scene that is within the selected window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich
  • Asymmetric MEMS mirror assembly
    Patent number: 9703096
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a frame having a central opening and a mirror plate, which is contained within the central opening of the frame and is shaped to define separate first and second mirrors connected by a bridge extending between the first and second mirrors. A pair of hinges are connected between the frame and the mirror plate at locations on the central axis on opposing sides of the frame so as to enable rotation of the mirror plate about the central axis relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Method and system for object reconstruction
    Patent number: 9704249
    Abstract: A system for object reconstruction includes an illuminating unit, comprising a coherent light source and a generator of a non-periodic pattern. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is disposed in an optical path of illuminating light propagating from the illuminating unit toward an object, thereby projecting the non-periodic pattern onto an object. An imaging unit detects a light response of an illuminated region and generating image data indicative of the object within the projected pattern. A processor reconstructs a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object responsively to a shift of the pattern in the image data relative to a reference image of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zeev Zalevsky, Alexander Shpunt, Aviad Maizels, Javier Garcia
  • Light detection and ranging sensor
    Publication number: 20170176579
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a laser light source, which emits at least one beam of light pulses, a beam steering device, which transmits and scans the at least one beam across a target scene, and an array of sensing elements. Each sensing element outputs a signal indicative of a time of incidence of a single photon on the sensing element. Light collection optics image the target scene scanned by the transmitted beam onto the array. Circuitry is coupled to actuate the sensing elements only in a selected region of the array and to sweep the selected region over the array in synchronization with scanning of the at least one beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Cristiano L. Niclass, Alexander Shpunt, Gennadiy A. Agranov, Matthew C. Waldon, Mina A. Rezk, Thierry Oggier
  • Time-of-flight detector with single-axis scan
    Publication number: 20170176596
    Abstract: Apparatus for mapping includes an illumination assembly, which projects a line of radiation extending in a first direction across a scene. A detection assembly receives the radiation reflected from the scene within a sensing area that contains at least a part of the line of the radiation, and includes a linear array of detector elements and objective optics, which focus the reflected radiation from the sensing area onto the linear array. A scanning mirror scans the line of radiation and the sensing area together over the scene in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Processing circuitry processes signals output by the detector elements in response to the received radiation in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Yuval Gerson
  • Scanning projectors and image capture modules for 3D mapping
    Patent number: 9677878
    Abstract: Apparatus for mapping includes a radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of radiation. A first scanning mirror is configured to receive and scan the emitted beam in a first direction over a selected angular range within a region of interest. A detector and optics define a sensing area of the detector. A second scanning mirror is configured to scan the sensing area over the selected angular range in the first direction in synchronization with the scanned beam from the radiation source. A scanner is configured to scan both the emitted beam and the sensing area over the region of interest in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. A processor is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Benny Pesach, Ronen Akerman