Patents by Inventor Matthew Christopher Appleby

Matthew Christopher Appleby 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: 10551500
    Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element. The optical element includes a first surface configured to receive light in a first direction and a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface. The second surface is configured to transmit a first portion of the light in a second direction that is different from the first direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light that is distinct from the first portion of the light. The optical element further includes a third surface configured to receive the second portion of the light from the second surface and reduce internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface. Also disclosed is a method of steering light by the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Christopher Appleby, Dong Yang, Fei Liu
  • Publication number: 20190310369
    Abstract: An optical device includes an optical element. The optical element includes a first surface configured to receive light in a first direction and a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface. The second surface is configured to transmit a first portion of the light in a second direction that is different from the first direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light that is distinct from the first portion of the light. The optical element further includes a third surface configured to receive the second portion of the light from the second surface and reduce internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface. Also disclosed is a method of steering light by the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Christopher Appleby, Dong Yang, Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10330789
    Abstract: A proximity sensor system for detecting the presence of an object includes a light emitter configured to project light in a first direction, an optical element configured to steer the light, and a sensor. The optical element has a first surface configured to receive the light from the light emitter and a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface. The second surface is configured to transmit a first portion of the light in a second direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light from the light emitter. The optical element includes a third surface configured to prevent internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface. The sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of the first portion of the light returned from the object and transmitted through the second surface and the first surface of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Christopher Appleby, Dong Yang, Fei Liu