Patents by Inventor Richard J. Topliss
Richard J. Topliss 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).
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Patent number: 11962877Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
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Publication number: 20240027776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Michael D. Simmonds
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Patent number: 11841510Abstract: Point to point transmission holograms are used to provide a scene camera for an augmented reality glasses display system. A glass or plastic substrate acts as spectacle style lens. A holographic medium is applied to a surface of the substrate, within which is recorded a series of point to point transmission holograms. The construction points of the holograms are arranged at the eye and at the pupil of a camera placed, ideally, to the temple side of the user's eye. The recorded transmission holograms act by diffracting a portion of the light from the scene surrounding the user that is heading for the user's eye towards the scene camera. The hologram efficiency is balanced so that the user is still able to see the surrounding scene. The perspective of the view seen by the scene camera is substantially identical to that seen by the user through the lens.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Michael David Simmonds
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Publication number: 20230379637Abstract: An in-ear electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that defines an interior chamber surrounding a transducer and an opening from the interior chamber to an ambient environment surrounding the enclosure; and an acoustic valve comprising a driven member coupled to a driving member having a lever and a shape memory alloy operable to cause the driven member to open and close the opening upon application of a current.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Scott C. Grinker, Christopher J. Walton, Julia C. Canning, Michael B. Nussbaum
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Publication number: 20230350209Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20230324676Abstract: A lens module may include a transparent lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the transparent lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the transparent lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of extensions that are each coupled to a respective actuator. To ensure the lens shaping structure has desired curvature between the extensions, the lens shaping structure may have a portion in one or more segments between adjacent extensions that has a property with a different magnitude than an additional portion of the lens shaping structure. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have an increased or decreased rigidity relative to the additional portions. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have a different width, thickness, or Young's modulus compared to the additional portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Ran He, Peng Lv, Yuan Li, James E. Pedder, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 11740460Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 11719927Abstract: Some embodiments of a mirror tilt actuator include a chassis, one or more magnetic yoke structures affixed to the chassis, and a carriage moveably mounted to the chassis. In some embodiments, the chassis includes an indentation for affixing one or more magnetic yoke structures, and the chassis further includes one or more bearing receivers for mounting a mirror carriage. In some embodiments, the carriage includes one or more bearing members. In some embodiments, the one or more bearing members rest in one or more respective bearing receivers of the chassis. In some embodiments, the one or more edge members terminate in one or more curved leading edge faces. Some embodiments further include a magnet fixedly mounted to the carriage, a magnetic coil wrapped around a coil shaft mounted to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Yuval Gerson
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Patent number: 11714284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
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Patent number: 11695913Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Richard H. Tsai
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Patent number: 11567204Abstract: In some embodiments, a depth map acquisition system, includes a housing, a light source for emitting light to illuminate objects in a scene subject to depth mapping, fixedly mounted to the housing, a mirror tilt actuator, fixedly mounted to the housing, for tilting a mirror fixedly mounted to the mirror tilt actuator, a mirror fixedly mounted to the mirror tilt actuator, for reflecting light from the light source to the objects, and a partially transparent photosensitive detector in the direct path of the light from the mirror to the objects.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 11536969Abstract: Point to point transmission holograms are used to provide a scene camera for an augmented reality glasses display system. A glass or plastic substrate acts as spectacle style lens. A holographic medium is applied to a surface of the substrate, within which is recorded a series of point to point transmission holograms. The construction points of the holograms are arranged at the eye and at the pupil of a camera placed, ideally, to the temple side of the user's eye. The recorded transmission holograms act by diffracting a portion of the light from the scene surrounding the user that is heading for the user's eye towards the scene camera. The hologram efficiency is balanced so that the user is still able to see the surrounding scene. The perspective of the view seen by the scene camera is substantially identical to that seen by the user through the lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Michael David Simmonds
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Publication number: 20220368814Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
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Patent number: 11435583Abstract: An electronic device may have back-to-back displays. A user-facing display may have microlenses, tunable lens structures, holograms, lasers, and other structures for displaying images in multiple eye boxes while the electronic device is being worn on the head of a user. In some configurations, a switchable diffuser may be incorporated into the user-facing display. In one mode, the switchable diffuser allows microlenses of the pixels of the user-facing display to provide images to eye boxes in which images from the display are viewable. In another mode, the switchable diffuser diffuses light from the pixels so that the user-facing display may be used while the device is being held in the hand of the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James E. Pedder, James H. Foster, Paul G. Puskarich, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard J. Topliss, Patrick R. Gill
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Patent number: 11405532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
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Patent number: 11347076Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
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Publication number: 20220155588Abstract: Methods and systems for a virtual and/or augmented reality device may include a light emitting device that includes one or more light emitting elements configured to generate collimated light beams. A scanning mirror may include one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. Each MEMS mirror of the scanning mirror may be configured to dynamically tilt in at least one of two orthogonal degrees of freedom to raster scan the light beams over multiple angles corresponding to a field of view of an image. A curved mirror may include curves in two orthogonal directions configured to reflect the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror into a subject's eye in proximity to the curved mirror to form a virtual image. The curved mirror may allow external light to pass through, thus allowing the virtual image to be combined with a real image to provide an augmented reality.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Alexander Shpunt
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Publication number: 20220128819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt
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Patent number: 11262580Abstract: Methods and systems for a virtual and/or augmented reality device may include a light emitting device that includes one or more light emitting elements configured to generate collimated light beams. A scanning mirror may include one or more microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. Each MEMS mirror of the scanning mirror may be configured to dynamically tilt in at least one of two orthogonal degrees of freedom to raster scan the light beams over multiple angles corresponding to a field of view of an image. A curved mirror may include curves in two orthogonal directions configured to reflect the collimated light beams from the scanning mirror into a subject's eye in proximity to the curved mirror to form a virtual image. The curved mirror may allow external light to pass through, thus allowing the virtual image to be combined with a real image to provide an augmented reality.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Alexander Shpunt
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Patent number: 11215829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt