Patents by Inventor Richard H. Tsai

Richard H. Tsai 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: 20240284019
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 11962877
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 11714284
    Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 11695913
    Abstract: A mixed reality direct retinal projector system that may include a headset that uses a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into an eye box corresponding to a user's eye. The light engine may include light sources coupled to projectors that independently project light to the holographic combiner from different projection points. The light sources may be in a unit separate from the headset that may be carried on a user's hip, or otherwise carried or worn separately from the headset. Each projector may include a collimating and focusing element, an active focusing element, and a two-axis scanning mirror to project light from a respective light source to the holographic combiner. The holographic combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; each projector interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple locations in the eye box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220368814
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 11405532
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Publication number: 20220128819
    Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 11215829
    Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
  • Patent number: 11122256
    Abstract: A mixed reality direct retinal projector system that may include a headset that uses a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into an eye box corresponding to a user's eye. The light engine may include light sources coupled to projectors that independently project light to the holographic combiner from different projection points. The light sources may be in a unit separate from the headset that may be carried on a user's hip, or otherwise carried or worn separately from the headset. Each projector may include a collimating and focusing element, an active focusing element, and a two-axis scanning mirror to project light from a respective light source to the holographic combiner. The holographic combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; each projector interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple locations in the eye box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20200236251
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 10694169
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor structure includes a super-pixel sensor comprising a plurality of micro-pixel sensors. The image sensor structure includes a plurality of micro-lenses affixed to focus light on the plurality of micro-pixel sensors. In some embodiments, each micro-lens of the plurality of micro-lenses directs light to locations on a respective one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors. In some embodiments, the image sensor structure includes one or more color filters affixed at locations for filtering light directed by the micro-lenses to a first set of color image micro-pixel sensors comprising one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors for capturing color image data and one or more polarization filters affixed at locations for filtering light directed by the micro-lenses to a second set of polarization micro-pixel sensors comprising one or more of the plurality of micro-pixel sensors for capturing depth map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Albert A. Ho, Thomas M. Gregory, Ning Y. Chan, Richard H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 10616452
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 10484583
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera of a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the camera includes an autofocus coil for moving a lens module, a plurality of optical image stabilization coils, a driver circuit element, connected to the autofocus coil, for passing an alternating current waveform through the autofocus coil, and one or more measurement circuit elements, connected to respective ones of the plurality of the optical image stabilization coils, for measuring changes induced in currents in the respective ones of the plurality of the optical image stabilization coils by the waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Gregory, Albert A. Ho, Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai
  • Publication number: 20190285897
    Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
  • Publication number: 20180367711
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Patent number: 10136040
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis supporting an actuator using one or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connected with an electrically conductive coil of the actuator. Some embodiments include the electrically conductive coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductive coil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductive coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 10063752
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: RIchard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
  • Publication number: 20170346999
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an electrically conductive capacitor plate mounted to a chassis supporting an actuator using one or more suspension wires. In some embodiments, the first electrically conductive capacitor plate is electrically connected with an electrically conductive coil of the actuator. Some embodiments include the electrically conductive coil. In some embodiments, a capacitance between the first electrically conductive capacitor plate and the electrically conductive coil varies as function of the position of the electrically conductive coil relative to the first electrically conductive capacitor plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 9791674
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a fixed chassis structure and a moveable carriage body carrying one or more lenses. The fixed chassis structure includes a magnetic friction track. The moveable carriage body carries one or more lenses. An electrically-controllable magnet is mounted to the moveable carriage body for generating a magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the magnetic friction track. The moveable carriage body is movably mounted to the chassis to allow movement along an optical axis through the one or more lenses. An inertial actuator is mounted to the moveable carriage body in an alignment such that the axis of motion of the actuator is parallel to the optical axis through the one or more lenses. The moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to the at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces resulting from the magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai, Albert A. Ho, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Patent number: 9733730
    Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for scrolling the display of information based on the displacement of the electronic device. An electronic device can include a motion sensing component operative to detect movement of the electronic device (e.g., an accelerometer). The electronic device can display any suitable information, including information that is too large to display at a single instance on the display (e.g., a multi-page text document, or a large image). To view portions of the information that are not initially displayed (e.g., to scroll displayed information), the user can move the electronic device along the plane of the device. As the motion sensing component detects movement, the electronic device can scroll the displayed information to match the detected movement. In some embodiments, the electronic device can detect tilt movements and adjust the displayed information to reflect the tilted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Tsai, Andrew B. Just, Brandon B. Harris