Patents by Inventor Christopher P. Child

Christopher P. Child 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: 12234962
    Abstract: A system may have lights for providing illumination. The lights may be electrically adjustable so that the color and pattern of the illumination may be varied. Sensor data and/or other data may be used in determining how to adjust the lights. A light may have a light source such as a white light source or multicolored light source, a light collimator that receives light from the light source, and an adjustable lens array that receives collimated light from the light collimator and outputs corresponding adjustable vehicle illumination. The adjustable lens array may have fixed and/or adjustable lens elements and corresponding electrically adjustable light modulator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P Child, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Patent number: 12202413
    Abstract: A vehicle may have a vehicle body and one or more movable sensors mounted to the body. A movable sensor may be rotated, linearly translated, or otherwise moved between multiple positions in response to location information, driving mode information, vehicle speed, and/or other information. The movable sensor may be moved to track objects, to provide pedestrians and others with visual feedback, to allow the sensor to gather desired sensor information to support driver assistance and autonomous driving operations, to place the sensor in a stowed position, and to perform other functions. The movable sensor may be protected with a movable cover. A cleaner may clean the sensor. The sensor may be a radar sensor, lidar sensor, camera, or other sensor. Information from the sensor may be used to detect roadway obstructions, to detect objects near the vehicle, to monitor pedestrians, and to monitor other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R Stiehl, Christopher P Child, Michael C Wharton, Romain A Teil, Stephen B Lynch
  • Patent number: 12136691
    Abstract: A system may have an exterior display. The exterior display may display symbols that correspond to intended actions for the system or instructions for nearby viewers. The exterior display may include an array of light-emitting diodes, a collimator, a one-way filter to prevent sunlight from washing out the display, and a cover layer. The one-way filter may include a microlens array and a masking layer. The collimator is configured to collimate light from the array of light-emitting diodes and provide the collimated light to the one-way filter. The microlens array receives the collimated light and focuses the collimated light through a plurality of holes in the masking layer. In this way, the majority of display light is passed through the one-way filter towards a viewer. However, the majority of ambient sunlight is blocked by the masking layer, thus preserving a high contrast for the exterior display even in bright sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Bryce E Wallis, Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Rong Liu, Yong Seok Choi, Yu P Sun
  • Publication number: 20240317132
    Abstract: A system may have lights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the system. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the system and the location of the surface relative to the system. The sensor circuitry may also measure light illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the system and the distance of the surface from the system, the control circuitry can predict where a light should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of light illumination on the surface to measurements of light illumination on the surface, the system can determine how to move the light with the positioner to align the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher P. Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R. Stiehl, Mark A. Zurcher, Mikael B. Mannberg, Ryan J. Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20240318801
    Abstract: A system may have lights produce illumination. A light may be provided with a collimated light source that produces collimated light. The collimated light source may use lenses or reflective optical elements to produce the collimated light. The light may have an array of light elements each of which emits a respective beam of the illumination. Each light element may have a preshaping lens that receives the collimated light and produces corresponding preshaped output light and an output lens that receives the output light from the preshaping lens and produces a corresponding beam of the illumination. An electrically adjustable shutter may be located between each preshaping lens and output lens to adjust the illumination between a low-beam pattern and high-beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Kurt R. Stiehl, Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P. Child
  • Patent number: 12044373
    Abstract: A system may have lights produce illumination. A light may be provided with a collimated light source that produces collimated light. The collimated light source may use lenses or reflective optical elements to produce the collimated light. The light may have an array of light elements each of which emits a respective beam of the illumination. Each light element may have a preshaping lens that receives the collimated light and produces corresponding preshaped output light and an output lens that receives the output light from the preshaping lens and produces a corresponding beam of the illumination. An electrically adjustable shutter may be located between each preshaping lens and output lens to adjust the illumination between a low-beam pattern and high-beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Kurt R Stiehl, Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P Child
  • Patent number: 12017577
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry in the vehicle may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the vehicle. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors such as a lidar sensor, radar sensor, image sensor, and/or other sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the vehicle and the location of the surface relative to the vehicle. These sensors and/or other sensors in the sensor circuitry also measure headlight illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the vehicle and the distance of the surface from the vehicle, the control circuitry can predict where a headlight should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of headlight illumination on the surface to measurements of headlight illumination on the surface, the vehicle can determine how to move the headlight with the positioner to align the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Mark A Zurcher, Mikael B Mannberg, Ryan J Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20240110684
    Abstract: A system may have lights. A light may include a first light source and a first reflector configured to provide lighting for a high-beam mode and for a low-beam mode. The light may include a second light source and a second reflector configured to provide lighting for a cornering light mode. The lighting provided by the first light source and the lighting provided by the second light source may pass through the same headlight lens aperture. A light blocking structure may provide a cutoff pattern that define the illumination pattern of the low-beam lighting and the cornering lighting. One or more additional light sources may be provided to boost the intensity of a hot spot for high-beam lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher P. Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R. Stiehl, Bryce E. Wallis
  • Publication number: 20240093845
    Abstract: A system may have a support structure that separates an exterior region from an interior region. The system may include a lighting system with interior and/or exterior lights with adjustable diffusers. An interior light may be used as a task light, a cabin light, a sensor indicator light, or a trim light. Adjustments to the adjustable diffusers can be used to adjust the angular spread of emitted light for operation in different lighting modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Paul J Costa, Stephen B Lynch, Kurt R Stiehl, Christopher P Child, Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher L Porritt, Michael C Wharton, Peter F Masschelein, Mark A Zurcher, Xin Li, Ryan J Garrone
  • Patent number: 11906124
    Abstract: A system may have lights. The lights may emit visible and infrared light. Infrared light may be used to illuminate objects that are monitored using infrared image sensors or other infrared sensors. Visible light may be used to illuminate objects that are viewed by users and which may be monitored using sensors. The lights may be adjustable. An adjustable light may have a light source that contains an infrared light-emitting device such as an infrared light-emitting diode and a visible light-emitting device such as a visible light-emitting diode. A reflector may reflect light from the light source towards a lens. An adjustable light-blocking device may be located between the reflector and the lens. The light-blocking device may allow infrared light to pass unimpeded while adjusting visible light passing to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir
  • Patent number: 11879610
    Abstract: A system may have lights. A light may include a first light source and a first reflector configured to provide lighting for a high-beam mode and for a low-beam mode. The light may include a second light source and a second reflector configured to provide lighting for a cornering light mode. The lighting provided by the first light source and the lighting provided by the second light source may pass through the same headlight lens aperture. A light blocking structure may provide a cutoff pattern that define the illumination pattern of the low-beam lighting and the cornering lighting. One or more additional light sources may be provided to boost the intensity of a hot spot for high-beam lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Bryce E Wallis
  • Patent number: 11858413
    Abstract: A system may have system controls that are used in controlling the system. The system may have sensors that gather information on speed, orientation, and position. The sensors may also gather information on relative speed, information on risks of a collision, and other status information and operating environment information. Control circuitry may use light-based devices to display, information on speed, relative speed, status information, custom light information or other user-selected information, or other information on status and the operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Arthur Y. Zhang, Albert J. Golko, Bivin J. Varghese, Christopher P. Child, Collin J. Palmer, Daniel E. Potter, Thaddeus Stefanov-Wagner
  • Publication number: 20230349528
    Abstract: A system may have lights produce illumination. A light may be provided with a collimated light source that produces collimated light. The collimated light source may use lenses or reflective optical elements to produce the collimated light. The light may have an array of light elements each of which emits a respective beam of the illumination. Each light element may have a preshaping lens that receives the collimated light and produces corresponding preshaped output light and an output lens that receives the output light from the preshaping lens and produces a corresponding beam of the illumination. An electrically adjustable shutter may be located between each preshaping lens and output lens to adjust the illumination between a low-beam pattern and high-beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Kurt R. Stiehl, Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P. Child
  • Publication number: 20230288040
    Abstract: A system may have lights for providing illumination. The lights may be electrically adjustable so that the color and pattern of the illumination may be varied. Sensor data and/or other data may be used in determining how to adjust the lights. A light may have a light source such as a white light source or multicolored light source, a light collimator that receives light from the light source, and an adjustable lens array that receives collimated light from the light collimator and outputs corresponding adjustable vehicle illumination. The adjustable lens array may have fixed and/or adjustable lens elements and corresponding electrically adjustable light modulator elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P Child, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Patent number: 11713859
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights and other vehicle lights for providing vehicle illumination. The lights may be electrically adjustable so that the color and pattern of the illumination may be varied. Sensor data and/or other data may be used in determining how to adjust the lights. A light such as headlight may have a light source such as a white light source or multicolored light source, a light collimator that receives light from the light source, and an adjustable lens array that receives collimated light from the light collimator and outputs corresponding adjustable vehicle illumination. The adjustable lens array may have fixed and/or adjustable lens elements and corresponding electrically adjustable light modulator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P Child, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20230231090
    Abstract: A system may have an exterior display. The exterior display may display symbols that correspond to intended actions for the system or instructions for nearby viewers. The exterior display may include an array of light-emitting diodes, a collimator, a one-way filter to prevent sunlight from washing out the display, and a cover layer. The one-way filter may include a microlens array and a masking layer. The collimator is configured to collimate light from the array of light-emitting diodes and provide the collimated light to the one-way filter. The microlens array receives the collimated light and focuses the collimated light through a plurality of holes in the masking layer. In this way, the majority of display light is passed through the one-way filter towards a viewer. However, the majority of ambient sunlight is blocked by the masking layer, thus preserving a high contrast for the exterior display even in bright sunlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Bryce E Wallis, Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Rong Liu, Yong Seok Choi, Yu P Sun
  • Publication number: 20230093629
    Abstract: A system may have lights. A light may include a first light source and a first reflector configured to provide lighting for a high-beam mode and for a low-beam mode. The light may include a second light source and a second reflector configured to provide lighting for a cornering light mode. The lighting provided by the first light source and the lighting provided by the second light source may pass through the same headlight lens aperture. A light blocking structure may provide a cutoff pattern that define the illumination pattern of the low-beam lighting and the cornering lighting. One or more additional light sources may be provided to boost the intensity of a hot spot for high-beam lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Tang, Christopher P Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R Stiehl, Bryce E Wallis
  • Publication number: 20230020516
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights and other vehicle lights for providing vehicle illumination. The lights may be electrically adjustable so that the color and pattern of the illumination may be varied. Sensor data and/or other data may be used in determining how to adjust the lights. A light such as headlight may have a light source such as a white light source or multicolored light source, a light collimator that receives light from the light source, and an adjustable lens array that receives collimated light from the light collimator and outputs corresponding adjustable vehicle illumination. The adjustable lens array may have fixed and/or adjustable lens elements and corresponding electrically adjustable light modulator elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Clarisse Mazuir, Christopher P. Child, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20230001847
    Abstract: A vehicle may have lights such as headlights. The lights may be moved using a positioner. Control circuitry in the vehicle may use sensor circuitry to monitor the environment surrounding the vehicle. The sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors such as a lidar sensor, radar sensor, image sensor, and/or other sensors to measure the shape of a surface in front of the vehicle and the location of the surface relative to the vehicle. These sensors and/or other sensors in the sensor circuitry also measure headlight illumination on the surface. Based on the known shape of the surface in front of the vehicle and the distance of the surface from the vehicle, the control circuitry can predict where a headlight should be aimed on the surface. By comparing predictions of headlight illumination on the surface to measurements of headlight illumination on the surface, the vehicle can determine how to move the headlight with the positioner to align the headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher P. Child, Clarisse Mazuir, Kurt R. Stiehl, Mark A. Zurcher, Mikael B. Mannberg, Ryan J. Garrone, Xiaofeng Tang
  • Publication number: 20220396216
    Abstract: A vehicle may have a vehicle body and one or more movable sensors mounted to the body. A movable sensor may be rotated, linearly translated, or otherwise moved between multiple positions in response to location information, driving mode information, vehicle speed, and/or other information. The movable sensor may be moved to track objects, to provide pedestrians and others with visual feedback, to allow the sensor to gather desired sensor information to support driver assistance and autonomous driving operations, to place the sensor in a stowed position, and to perform other functions. The movable sensor may be protected with a movable cover. A cleaner may clean the sensor. The sensor may be a radar sensor, lidar sensor, camera, or other sensor. Information from the sensor may be used to detect roadway obstructions, to detect objects near the vehicle, to monitor pedestrians, and to monitor other conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt R. Stiehl, Christopher P. Child, Michael C. Wharton, Romain A. Teil, Stephen B. Lynch