Patents by Inventor Katherine Marie Smyth

Katherine Marie 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).

  • Publication number: 20230061866
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to optical systems. The optical systems may include a proximal lens that may transmit light toward an eye of a user. The optical systems may also include a distal lens that may, in combination with the proximal lens, correct for at least a portion of a refractive error of the eye of the user. The optical systems may further include a selective transmission interface. The selective transmission interface may couple the proximal lens to the distal lens, transmits light having a selected property, and does not transmit light that does not have the selected property. The optical system can also include an accommodative lens, such as a liquid lens. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Karol Constantine Hatzilias, Katherine Marie Smyth, Robin Sharma
  • Patent number: 11594672
    Abstract: Examples include a device including a nanovoided polymer element having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface, a second plurality of electrodes disposed on the second surface, and a control circuit configured to apply an electrical potential between one or more of the first plurality of electrodes and one or more of the second plurality of electrodes to induce a physical deformation of the nanovoided polymer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Tanya Malhotra, Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Robin Sharma, Barry Silverstein, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Erik Shipton, Greg Olegovic Andreev, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11515463
    Abstract: An optical element includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electrostrictive ceramic layer disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electrostrictive ceramic may be characterized by a relative density of at least approximately 99%, an average grain size of at least approximately 300 nm, a transmissivity within the visible spectrum of at least approximately 70%, and bulk haze of less than approximately 10%. Optical properties of the electrostrictive ceramic may be substantially unchanged during the application of a voltage to the electrostrictive ceramic layer and the attendant actuation of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Allan Wells, Katherine Marie Smyth, Andrew John Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 11515469
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to optical systems. The optical systems may include a proximal lens that may transmit light toward an eye of a user. The optical systems may also include a distal lens that may, in combination with the proximal lens, correct for at least a portion of a refractive error of the eye of the user. The optical systems may further include a selective transmission interface. The selective transmission interface may couple the proximal lens to the distal lens, transmits light having a selected property, and does not transmit light that does not have the selected property. The optical system can also include an accommodative lens, such as a liquid lens. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Karol Constantine Hatzilias, Katherine Marie Smyth, Robin Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220373803
    Abstract: An actuator aligned multi-channel projector assembly generates image light using a plurality of projectors. A projector includes a plurality of optical components in optical series and one or more actuators. The plurality of optical components include a light source and a plurality of optical elements. The light source generates first light. The plurality of optical elements project the first light. The first light is output from the projector and combined with a second to form an image presented via a display element of a headset to a user. The one or more actuators adjust a position of at least one optical component of the plurality of optical components relative to another optical component in order to compensate for misalignment of a portion of the image formed from the first light relative to a portion of the image formed from the second light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Yuri Toride, Doruk Senkal, Tamer Elazhary, Byron Taylor, Yijing Fu, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11506825
    Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a fluid lens having a substrate and a membrane connected to the substrate using a flexure. The fluid lens may include a fluid located within a cavity at least partially defined by the substrate and the membrane. The flexure may include a membrane attachment and an elastic element. The device may be configured so that a displacement of the membrane attachment adjusts a profile of the membrane, and may induce a compression of at least a portion of the elastic member. In some examples, a flexure may include a plurality of elastic elements, which may be attached to the substrate (e.g., through a flexure support), and a rigid element, that may include or be connected to the membrane attachment. Example devices include head-mounted devices, such as augmented reality or virtual reality devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth, John Cooke, James Ransley, Nagi Elabbasi
  • Publication number: 20220365247
    Abstract: A method may include stretching a deformable bounding element into a stretched state. The method may further include coating the deformable bounding element with at least one layer of an anti-reflective material while the deformable bounding element is in the stretched state and assembling an optical lens assembly including the deformable bounding element, such that the optical lens assembly adjusts at least one optical property by controlling a shape of the deformable bounding element. The deformable bounding element may have less tension when in a neutral state than the deformable bounding element has when in the stretched state. The method may additionally include coating the deformable bounding element with at least one layer of an anti-reflective material while the deformable bounding element is not in a stretched state. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11502240
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electroactive polymer layer includes a non-vertical (e.g., sloped) sidewall with respect to a major surface of at least one of the electrodes. The electroactive polymer layer may be characterized by a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to an axis that is oriented orthogonal to an electrode major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Katherine Marie Smyth, Spencer Allan Wells, Tingling Rao, Sheng Ye, Eric Schmitt, Nagi Elabbasi, Bachir Ahmed Abeid
  • Publication number: 20220299754
    Abstract: Unwanted reflections in a polarization diversity based optical beam scanner of a projector display may be reduced by mounting a quarter-wave plate optically in contact with the scanning mirror. This lowers the amplitude of the reflection from a rear surface of the quarter-wave plate. A residual reflection from the quarter-wave plate to mirror interface will be scanned with the main scanned light beam, reducing brightness and noticeability of image artifacts caused by undesired or spurious reflections in the optical beam scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jacques Gollier, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11435501
    Abstract: A method may include stretching a deformable bounding element into a stretched state. The method may further include coating the deformable bounding element with at least one layer of an anti-reflective material while the deformable bounding element is in the stretched state and assembling an optical lens assembly including the deformable bounding element, such that the optical lens assembly adjusts at least one optical property by controlling a shape of the deformable bounding element. The deformable bounding element may have less tension when in a neutral state than the deformable bounding element has when in the stretched state. The method may additionally include coating the deformable bounding element with at least one layer of an anti-reflective material while the deformable bounding element is not in a stretched state. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11428964
    Abstract: A transparent optical element may include a layer of an electroactive ceramic disposed between transparent electrodes, such that the electrodes are each oriented perpendicular to a non-polar direction of the ceramic layer. Optical properties of the optical element, including transmissivity, haze, and clarity may be improved by the application of a voltage to the electroactive ceramic, and an associated phase transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Allan Wells, Katherine Marie Smyth, Andrew John Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 11396586
    Abstract: A nanovoided polymer-based material may include a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and an interfacial film disposed at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. The interfacial film may include one or more layers of material. A method of forming a nanovoided polymer-based material may include (1) forming a bulk polymer material defining a plurality of nanovoids and (2) forming an interfacial film at an interface between each of the plurality of nanovoids and the bulk polymer material. Various other methods, systems, and materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Spencer Allan Wells, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11398594
    Abstract: A bender beam actuator includes a first layer of piezoelectric material and a second layer of piezoelectric material overlying a portion of the first layer of piezoelectric material, where a length of the first layer of piezoelectric material is at least 2% greater than a length of the second layer of piezoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth, Spencer Allan Wells, James Ransley, Nagi Elabbasi
  • Patent number: 11378806
    Abstract: Techniques for adjusting an optical element using an actuator assembly. The optical element is adjusted by translating the optical element along a linear axis of motion or by applying force upon a surface of the optical element. The optical element can be a liquid lens that is shaped by the application of force upon a surface of the lens. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of lead screws and a mechanical linkage that intercouples the lead screws and that is configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of lead screws. The actuator assembly further includes a displacement element configured to act upon the optical element, through translational motion of the displacement element in response to rotation of the lead screws. Multiple optical elements can be adjusted simultaneously using respective displacement elements coupled to the lead screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Cooke, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Robin Sharma, Katherine Marie Smyth
  • Patent number: 11340386
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to index-gradient antireflective coatings that include a differential concentration of nanovoids versus thickness of the coating. In one embodiment, an index-gradient antireflective coating may have an index of refraction that varies from a first value to that of a second material. In another embodiment, the substrate may be optically transparent, and made of, for example, polymer, glass, or ceramics. The index-gradient antireflective coating can be fabricated using a non-uniform spin-coating process, by successive thermal evaporation, or by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. In another embodiment, the spin-coating process can include multiple steps that include different concentrations of monomers to solvent, different spin-speeds, or different annealing times/temperatures. Similarly, the thermal evaporation can include multiple steps that include different concentrations of monomers, initiators, solvents, and associated processing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth, Qi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11306193
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanovoided composite polymer includes forming a resin-containing layer over a substrate, the resin-containing layer including a polymer-forming phase and a sacrificial phase, curing the polymer-forming phase to form a polymer matrix containing the sacrificial phase, and removing the sacrificial phase selectively with respect to the polymer matrix to form a nanovoided composite polymer including the polymer matrix and nanovoids dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. The nanovoids may be randomly or regularly dispersed throughout the matrix. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Lane, Jack Lindsay, Katherine Marie Smyth, Thomas John Farrell Wallin, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Tanya Malhotra, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Yigit Mengue
  • Patent number: 11307415
    Abstract: An optical system for a head mounted display (HMD) includes a display layer, an illumination layer, an optical combiner, and an active optics block. The display layer is configured to emit display light and the illumination layer includes an array of point light sources configured to emit calibration light. The optical combiner is configured to pass the display light to a front side of the optical system and to direct the calibration light to a camera. The active optics block includes an adjustable lens disposed between the illumination layer and the optical combiner, where the adjustable lens is configured to pass the calibration light to the optical combiner and to focus the display light for a user of the HMD. The active optics block is further configured to adjust an optical power of the adjustable lens based on a calibration image captured by the camera responsive to the calibration light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Sharma, Katherine Marie Smyth, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Karol Constantine Hatzilias, Christopher Yuan-Ting Liao
  • Patent number: 11296274
    Abstract: An example device includes a nanovoided polymer element, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The nanovoided polymer element may be located at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode. In some examples, the nanovoided polymer element may include anisotropic voids. In some examples, anisotropic voids may be elongated along one or more directions. In some examples, the anisotropic voids are configured so that a polymer wall thickness between neighboring voids is generally uniform. Example devices may include a spatially addressable electroactive device, such as an actuator or a sensor, and/or may include an optical element. A nanovoided polymer layer may include one or more polymer components, such as an electroactive polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Spann, Eric Schmitt, Nagi Elabbasi, Kenneth Diest, Katherine Marie Smyth, Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Andrew John Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 11256331
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that utilize electroactive devices in connection with haptic devices (e.g., haptic touch sensors or haptic feedback elements). In some examples, a haptic feedback system may include an array of electroactive devices, each electroactive device including 1) a first electrode, 2) a second electrode, and 3) an electroactive polymer element disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electroactive polymer element may include a nanovoided polymer material that is mechanically deformable in response to an electric field generated by a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. The system may also include control circuitry electronically coupled to the array and configured to apply a voltage to at least one of the first electrode or the second electrode. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Diest, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Renate Eva Klementine Landig, Katherine Marie Smyth, Christopher Yuan Ting Liao, Jack Lindsay
  • Patent number: 11245065
    Abstract: An electroactive device may include (1) an electroactive polymer element having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, (2) a primary electrode abutting the first surface, and (3) a secondary electrode abutting the second surface. The electroactive polymer element may be transformed from an initial state to a deformed state and may achieve substantially uniform strain by the application of an electrostatic field produced by a potential difference between the electrodes. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Katherine Marie Smyth