Patents by Inventor Michael Brickner

Michael Brickner 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: 20240118391
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, lidar systems, and vehicles that include optical redirectors. An example lidar system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes at least one light-emitter device configured to transmit emission light into an environment. The receiver is configured to detect return light from the environment and includes a plurality of apertures, a plurality of photodetectors, and a plurality of optical redirectors. Each optical redirector is configured to optically couple a respective portion of return light from a respective aperture to at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. Each optical redirector also has a rotational orientation relative to other optical redirectors such that the redirection paths of optical redirectors that correspond to adjacent apertures are not coplanar with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Blaise Gassend, David Duff, Pierre-Yves Droz, Paul Karplus, Jason Watson, Michael Brickner, Alex Rivas
  • Patent number: 11689784
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Adina Roth, Michael Brickner, Mi Zhou, Amber Luttmann Volmering
  • Publication number: 20230194669
    Abstract: An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Watson, David Duff, Justin Andrade, Blaise Gassend, Alex Bogatko, Alex Rivas, Michael Brickner, Yeh-Jiun Tung, Hui Son
  • Publication number: 20230194854
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that involve a rotatable mirror assembly. An example system includes a shaft configured to rotate about a rotational axis. A portion of the shaft can be tapered, either in a stepped profile or a ramped profile. In the surface of the shaft can be one or more circumferentially-indented grooves. The system also includes a mirror body coupled to the tapered shaft via the at least one circumferentially-indented groove. The mirror body is configured to have a polygonal cross-section, and reflective surfaces can be disposed along at least one external surface of the mirror body. Example methods of manufacturing the rotatable mirror assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: David Duff, Michael Brickner, Hugh Ross
  • Patent number: 11503885
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Publication number: 20220196891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Hui Son, Chandra Kakani, Erin Eppard
  • Publication number: 20220120877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, lidar systems, and vehicles that include optical redirectors. An example lidar system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes at least one light-emitter device configured to transmit emission light into an environment of the lidar system. The receiver is configured to detect return light from the environment and includes a plurality of apertures, a plurality of photodetectors, and a plurality of optical redirectors. Each optical redirector is configured to optically couple a respective portion of return light from a respective aperture to at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors. At least one of the optical redirectors includes an optically isolating coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Blaise Gassend, David Duff, Pierre-Yves Droz, Paul Karplus, Jason Watson, Michael Brickner, Alex Rivas
  • Publication number: 20210199770
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, lidar systems, and vehicles that include optical redirectors. An example lidar system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes at least one light-emitter device configured to transmit emission light into an environment of the lidar system. The receiver is configured to detect return light from the environment and includes a plurality of apertures, a plurality of photodetectors, and a plurality of optical redirector elements. Each optical redirector element is configured to optically couple a respective portion of return light from a respective aperture to at least one photodetector of the plurality of photodetectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Blaise Gassend, David Duff, Pierre-Yves Droz, Paul Karplus, Jason Watson, Michael Brickner, Alex Rivas
  • Publication number: 20210137226
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Publication number: 20210029308
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene, an infrared (IR) illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene, and a single-piece cover element positioned in front of the image sensor and the IR illuminator such that light from the IR illuminator is directed through the cover element along a first light path and light from the scene passes through the cover element along a second light path prior to entering the image sensor, the cover element including a first portion between the first light path and the second light path, the first portion being substantially opaque to IR and/or visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Adina Roth, Michael Brickner, Mi Zhou, Amber Luttmann Volmering
  • Patent number: 10893726
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 10819921
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene; (2) infrared illuminators to selectively illuminate the scene; and (3) a single-piece cover positioned in front of the image sensor and the illuminators such that light from the illuminators is directed through the cover and light from the scene passes through the cover prior to entering the image sensor, including: (a) a first portion corresponding to the image sensor and substantially transparent to visible light and IR light; (b) a second portion corresponding to the one or more IR illuminators and coated to be substantially transparent to IR light; and (c) a third portion between the first portion and the second portion and coated to be substantially opaque to IR and visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Adina Roth, Michael Brickner, Mi Zhou, Amber Luttmann Volmering
  • Patent number: 10612587
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and related devices, specifically those related to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems. An example optical system includes a housing, a shaft defining a rotational axis, and a rotatable optical component coupled to the shaft. The optical system also includes a first rotary bearing having an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements configured to roll between the inner race and the outer race. The inner race is coupled to the shaft and the outer race is coupled to the housing. The optical system also includes a preload mechanism having a spring coupled to the housing and a preload distributor coupled to the spring and the outer race. The spring is configured to apply an axial preload force to the outer race through the preload distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: David Duff, Michael Brickner, Paul Karplus
  • Publication number: 20180343402
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for illuminating and capturing scenes. In one aspect, a video camera assembly includes: (1) an image sensor having a field of view corresponding to a scene; (2) infrared illuminators to selectively illuminate the scene; and (3) a single-piece cover positioned in front of the image sensor and the illuminators such that light from the illuminators is directed through the cover and light from the scene passes through the cover prior to entering the image sensor, including: (a) a first portion corresponding to the image sensor and substantially transparent to visible light and IR light; (b) a second portion corresponding to the one or more IR illuminators and coated to be substantially transparent to IR light; and (c) a third portion between the first portion and the second portion and coated to be substantially opaque to IR and visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Adina Roth, Michael Brickner, Mi Zhou, Amber Luttmann Volmering
  • Publication number: 20180271232
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Osamu YABE, Derek C. KRASS, Scott W. SLABAUGH, Michael BRICKNER, Julian HOENIG, Wayne COWAN, Rico ZÖRKENDÖRFER, Christopher J. STRINGER, Ian DAVISON
  • Patent number: 10016029
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. A bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Publication number: 20160037878
    Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. A bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig
  • Patent number: 9054477
    Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140294656
    Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt