Patents by Inventor Santiago Alban

Santiago Alban 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: 11953755
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11871098
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting a lens control mode for a camera in external magnetic fields or other types of non-magnetic interference. In embodiments, when the camera is activated, a test of a position sensor for the camera lens is performed by moving the camera lens through a range of positions and collecting values from the sensor. In embodiments, the sensor readings are analyzed to determine conditions such as (a) whether the sensor is saturated by an external magnetic field or non-magnetic interference, (b) whether the sensor's readings are within an error margin, and (c) whether a computed position offset for the sensor is valid. Based on the analysis, the camera is placed into a first control mode where movement of the lens is controlled using the position sensor, or a second control mode where lens movement is controlled without the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Andrew D. Fernandez, Arathi S. Bale, David C. Beard, Santiago Alban
  • Publication number: 20230288664
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11693209
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11616899
    Abstract: A camera system may include one or more controllers to perform in-field monitoring of autofocus performance and instability mitigation. The controllers may monitor one or more parameters associated with adjustment of a relative position between a lens group and an image sensor and/or one or more images. The controllers may analyze the parameters and/or images to calculate various metrics. The controllers may evaluate the metrics with respect to corresponding thresholds. The controllers may detect, based at least in part of the evaluation the metrics, one or more instability events associated with controller performance degradation. In response to detecting the instability events, the controllers may perform one or more remedial actions to mitigate the controller performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Yunfeng Li, Santiago Alban, Andrew D. Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20220260806
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11327273
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11202007
    Abstract: Various embodiments include camera movement control for reduced power consumption. Some embodiments, for example, may include operating a camera module in a power saving mode, in which focus movement control may be synchronized with frame capture. According to some examples, such synchronization may include holding a position (e.g., a focus position) of a lens group and/or an image sensor of the camera module during some integration time periods. Furthermore, such synchronization may include enabling power saving movement (e.g., between a focus position and a neutral position) of the lens group and/or the image sensor during some other time periods, such as during intervals (e.g., blanking intervals) between integration time periods, and/or during integration time periods for image frames that are expendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Santiago Alban
  • Publication number: 20210281726
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting a lens control mode for a camera in external magnetic fields or other types of non-magnetic interference. In embodiments, when the camera is activated, a test of a position sensor for the camera lens is performed by moving the camera lens through a range of positions and collecting values from the sensor. In embodiments, the sensor readings are analyzed to determine conditions such as (a) whether the sensor is saturated by an external magnetic field or non-magnetic interference, (b) whether the sensor's readings are within an error margin, and (c) whether a computed position offset for the sensor is valid. Based on the analysis, the camera is placed into a first control mode where movement of the lens is controlled using the position sensor, or a second control mode where lens movement is controlled without the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Andrew D. Fernandez, Arathi S. Bale, David C. Beard, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11019241
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting a lens control mode for a camera in external magnetic fields or other types of non-magnetic interference. In embodiments, when the camera is activated, a test of a position sensor for the camera lens is performed by moving the camera lens through a range of positions and collecting values from the sensor. In embodiments, the sensor readings are analyzed to determine conditions such as (a) whether the sensor is saturated by an external magnetic field or non-magnetic interference, (b) whether the sensor's readings are within an error margin, and (c) whether a computed position offset for the sensor is valid. Based on the analysis, the camera is placed into a first control mode where movement of the lens is controlled using the position sensor, or a second control mode where lens movement is controlled without the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Andrew D. Fernandez, Arathi S. Bale, David C. Beard, Santiago Alban
  • Publication number: 20210055506
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 10830990
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Publication number: 20200026030
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 10429608
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 10382687
    Abstract: At a processor of a camera-equipped electronic device, a first data set generated at a sensor incorporated within a camera module is obtained, and a second data set generated at one or more sensors external to the camera module is obtained. Based on the first set and second data sets, a first set of control signals is transmitted to the camera module. At a disturbance rejection controller integrated within the camera module, a second set of control signals is generated, based on the first set of control signals and on a third set of data obtained from the sensor incorporated within the camera module. The second set of control signals is transmitted to an actuator, which causes a displacement of a camera lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Parin Patel, Santiago Alban, Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
  • Patent number: 7656352
    Abstract: Troposphere corrections are provided in a land based transmitter-positioning system. Troposphere delays correct ranges based on X- or ISM-band carrier ranging signals with a modulation rate of the code of at least about 30 MHz. Ground based transmitters transmit non-GPS type ranging signals, and the receivers correct for troposphere delays. Troposphere delay corrections are applied to range estimates on each iteration of an iterative position-fix algorithm. Different models of troposphere corrections in a ground based ranging system may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Novariant, Inc.
    Inventors: Santiago Alban, David G. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7454290
    Abstract: Systems are provided to increase the robustness of a low-cost GPS system by coupling it with an INS system, and by using one-satellite attitude determination in conjunction with the traditional multiple-satellite method. The system has demonstrated accuracy and robustness approaching needed standards for automobile control systems. The applications of this system are abundant, including real-time vehicle system ID, slip angle estimation, position estimation by GPS and dead reckoning, as well as sophisticated control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Santiago Alban, Stephen M. Rock, J. David Powell
  • Publication number: 20070063896
    Abstract: Troposphere corrections are provided in a land based transmitter-positioning system. Troposphere delays correct ranges based on X- or ISM-band carrier ranging signals with a modulation rate of the code of at least about 30 MHz. Ground based transmitters transmit non-GPS type ranging signals, and the receivers correct for troposphere delays. Troposphere delay corrections are applied to range estimates on each iteration of an iterative position-fix algorithm. Different models of troposphere corrections in a ground based ranging system may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Santiago Alban, David Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20050137799
    Abstract: Systems are provided to increase the robustness of a low-cost GPS system by coupling it with an INS system, and by using one-satellite attitude determination in conjunction with the traditional multiple-satellite method. The system has demonstrated accuracy and robustness approaching needed standards for automobile control systems. The applications of this system are abundant, including real-time vehicle system ID, slip angle estimation, position estimation by GPS and dead reckoning, as well as sophisticated control systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Santiago Alban, Stephen Rock, J. David Powell