Patents by Inventor Michael D Simmonds

Michael D Simmonds 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: 12118675
    Abstract: A light system that may project virtual content onto surfaces of a room. The system may include one or more low-resolution light-emitting diode (LED) projectors for emitting light representing low-resolution virtual content, and a high-resolution LED projector for emitting light representing high-resolution virtual content. The high-resolution projector may be used to project a 2D image of augmented or virtual reality content being viewed by a person in a room using a device such as a headset or glasses onto a surface of the room so that other persons in the room can view a representation of what the person using the device is seeing. The low-resolution projector(s) may project low-resolution images onto other surfaces in the room, for example the walls and ceiling. The system may also be configured to emit diffuse light to illuminate a room when not emitting light representing virtual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Simmonds, James H. Foster, James E. Pedder, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20240027776
    Abstract: A lens module may include a first lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the first lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the first lens element. The lens module may also include a second lens element and a fluid-filled chamber between the first and second lens elements. To allow dynamic adjustments of the second lens element without requiring additional actuators, the second lens element may be a semi-rigid lens element. When the actuators adjust the curvature of the first lens element, the gauge pressure applied to the second lens element is changed. This causes a change in curvature of the second lens element. The actuators may therefore adjust the curvature of both the first and second lens elements even though none of the actuators are attached to the second lens element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Michael D. Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20230350209
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Patent number: 11740460
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20200174255
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Patent number: 8107023
    Abstract: A projection display which includes first and second waveguide elements, wherein the first waveguide element has a two input regions for injecting image bearing light into the first waveguide element. In this manner, the total field of view of the image to be displayed at the second waveguide element is divided into two sub-images prior to injection of one sub-image into one input region and the other sub-image into the other input region of the first waveguide element. This results in a smaller first waveguide element, thereby reducing obscuration of an observers view of a forward scene over which to the image to be displayed is overlaid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Michael D Simmonds, Louahab Noui