Patents by Inventor Scott T. Smith

Scott T. Smith 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: 20250085400
    Abstract: An optoelectronic assembly includes: (i) a substrate having a cavity, (ii) an optoelectronic device, which is disposed over the cavity and includes an array of multiple emitters configured to emit a predefined number of light beams in response to receiving one or more electrical signals, and (iii) an integrated circuit (IC), which is mounted within the cavity, between the substrate and the optoelectronic device, and is configured to drive the one or more electrical signals to the optoelectronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Xiaoyin Zhu, Ali M. Khan, Andrea Manavella, Andrej Halabica, April D. Schriker, Austin Y. Seol, Bhavin J. Bijlani, Caihua Chen, Chin Han Lin, Cristiano L. Niclass, David Sicard, Eric D. Aspnes, Hazel A. McInnes, Henry M. Daghighian, Igor Raginski, Jiayang Cao, Jibum Cha, Jili Liu, Jose M. Infante Herrero, Julien Sarry, Karen A. Cabrera, Lorenzo Ferrari, Niv Gilboa, Noriaki Saika, Pietro R. Binetti, Pushkar Pandit, Reema Shalan, Scott T. Smith, Shifa Xu, Shingo Mandai, Shujun Tang, Sibi Sutty, Susan A. Thompson, Teimour T. Maleki, Thierry Oggier, Vikrant Dhamdhere, Yohai Zmora, Yuanlin Xie, Wee Keat Chong
  • Patent number: 11994694
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first array of emitters disposed on a substrate and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A second array of microlenses is positioned on the substrate in alignment with the respective beams of the emitters, having respective sag profiles that vary over an area of the substrate. The second array includes at least first microlenses in a central region of the substrate and second microlenses in a peripheral region of the substrate, such that the first microlenses have respective first focal powers, while the second microlenses have respective second focal powers, which are less than the first focal powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Roei Remez, Keith Lyon, Niv Gilboa, Ronen Akerman, Scott T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11762066
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which is configured to direct a pattern of one or more stripes, extending along a longitudinal dimension across a target. A receiver includes an array of optical sensors, and objective optics, which are configured to image the target onto the array, and which have a non-circular aperture, which is elongated in a direction dependent upon the longitudinal dimension of the stripes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Patent number: 11681027
    Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a light source, which is configured to emit one or more beams of light pulses at respective angles toward a target scene. An array of sensing elements is configured to output signals in response to incidence of photons on the sensing elements. Light collection optics are configured to image the target scene onto the array. Control circuitry is coupled to actuate the sensing elements only in one or more selected regions of the array, each selected region containing a respective set of the sensing elements in a part of the array onto which the light collection optics image a corresponding area of the target scene that is illuminated by the one of the beams, and to adjust a membership of the respective set responsively to a distance of the corresponding area from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Cristiano L. Niclass, Scott T. Smith, Thierry Oggier
  • Publication number: 20230020619
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which is configured to direct a pattern of one or more stripes, extending along a longitudinal dimension across a target. A receiver includes an array of optical sensors, and objective optics, which are configured to image the target onto the array, and which have a non-circular aperture, which is elongated in a direction dependent upon the longitudinal dimension of the stripes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Patent number: 11493606
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a plurality of emitters arranged in a row and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation. Projection optics, which are configured to project the beams toward a target, include first cylindrical lenses, which have respective, mutually-parallel first cylinder axes and are aligned respectively with the emitters in the row so as to receive and focus the respective beams in a first dimension, and a second cylindrical lens, which has a second cylinder axis perpendicular to the first cylinder axes and is positioned to receive and focus all of the beams in a second dimension, perpendicular to the first dimension. A scan driver is configured to shift the second cylindrical lens in a direction perpendicular to the second cylinder axis so as to scan the beams across the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David S. Gere, Brad V. Johnson, Neil MacKinnon, Scott T. Smith, Seyedeh Nasim Habibi
  • Publication number: 20220229210
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first array of emitters disposed on a substrate and configured to emit respective beams of optical radiation in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A second array of microlenses is positioned on the substrate in alignment with the respective beams of the emitters, having respective sag profiles that vary over an area of the substrate. The second array includes at least first microlenses in a central region of the substrate and second microlenses in a peripheral region of the substrate, such that the first microlenses have respective first focal powers, while the second microlenses have respective second focal powers, which are less than the first focal powers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Roei Remez, Keith Lyon, Niv Gilboa, Ronen Akerman, Scott T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10955555
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which directs a sequence of pulses of radiation toward a scene so as to form one or more lines of the radiation on the scene. A receiver includes an array of single-photon detectors, which output, in response to the radiation that is incident thereon, signals indicative of a time-of-flight of the pulses from the projector to the receiver via the points in the scene, and collection optics, which form an image the scene on the array, including the one or more lines of the radiation, such that each single-photon detector receives the radiation reflected from a corresponding point in the scene. A processor receives the signals output by the sensing elements, and derives depth coordinates of the points in the scene from both the time-of-flight of the pulses and triangulation of the one or more lines in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thierry Oggier, Scott T. Smith, Andrew Herrington
  • Publication number: 20210003680
    Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a light source, which is configured to emit one or more beams of light pulses at respective angles toward a target scene. An array of sensing elements is configured to output signals in response to incidence of photons on the sensing elements. Light collection optics are configured to image the target scene onto the array. Control circuitry is coupled to actuate the sensing elements only in one or more selected regions of the array, each selected region containing a respective set of the sensing elements in a part of the array onto which the light collection optics image a corresponding area of the target scene that is illuminated by the one of the beams, and to adjust a membership of the respective set responsively to a distance of the corresponding area from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Cristiano L. Niclass, Scott T. Smith, Thierry Oggier
  • Patent number: 10830879
    Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a light source, which is configured to emit one or more beams of light pulses at respective angles toward a target scene. An array of sensing elements is configured to output signals in response to incidence of photons on the sensing elements. Light collection optics are configured to image the target scene onto the array. Control circuitry is coupled to actuate the sensing elements only in one or more selected regions of the array, each selected region containing a respective set of the sensing elements in a part of the array onto which the light collection optics image a corresponding area of the target scene that is illuminated by the one of the beams, and to adjust a membership of the respective set responsively to a distance of the corresponding area from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Cristiano L Niclass, Scott T Smith, Thierry Oggier
  • Publication number: 20190361127
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a projector, which directs a sequence of pulses of radiation toward a scene so as to form one or more lines of the radiation on the scene. A receiver includes an array of single-photon detectors, which output, in response to the radiation that is incident thereon, signals indicative of a time-of-flight of the pulses from the projector to the receiver via the points in the scene, and collection optics, which form an image the scene on the array, including the one or more lines of the radiation, such that each single-photon detector receives the radiation reflected from a corresponding point in the scene. A processor receives the signals output by the sensing elements, and derivesh depth coordinates of the points in the scene from both the time-of-flight of the pulses and triangulation of the one or more lines in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Thierry Oggier, Scott T. Smith, Andrew Herrington
  • Patent number: 10436910
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a scanning line projector, which is configured to scan a line of radiation across a scene. A receiver includes an array of sensing elements, which are configured to output signals in response to the radiation that is incident thereon, and collection optics configured to image the scene onto the array, such that each sensing element receives the radiation reflected from a corresponding point in the scene. A processor is coupled to receive the signals output by the sensing elements, to identify respective times of passage of the scanned line across the points in the scene by comparing a time-dependent waveform of the signals from the corresponding sensing elements to an expected waveform, and to derive depth coordinates of the points in the scene from the respective times of passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thierry Oggier, Scott T. Smith, Andrew Herrington
  • Patent number: 10215553
    Abstract: Embodiments described include a system comprising a position sensing device (PSD) and a light source. The light source is configured to, by passing one or more light beams through the PSD, cause one or more electrical currents to flow through the PSD. The system further comprises a processor, configured to (i) in response to the electrical currents, ascertain an amount of power that is delivered by the light source, and (ii) in response to the amount of power exceeding a threshold amount of power, inhibit the light source from further operation. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jawad Nawasra, Matthew C. Waldon, Scott T. Smith, Thomas M. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20190004156
    Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a light source, which is configured to emit one or more beams of light pulses at respective angles toward a target scene. An array of sensing elements is configured to output signals in response to incidence of photons on the sensing elements. Light collection optics are configured to image the target scene onto the array. Control circuitry is coupled to actuate the sensing elements only in one or more selected regions of the array, each selected region containing a respective set of the sensing elements in a part of the array onto which the light collection optics image a corresponding area of the target scene that is illuminated by the one of the beams, and to adjust a membership of the respective set responsively to a distance of the corresponding area from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Cristiano L. Niclass, Scott T. Smith, Thierry Oggier
  • Patent number: 9971948
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an image capture device, which includes an optical transmitter, which is configured to emit one or more pulses of infrared radiation toward an area containing a body surface of a living subject, and an optical receiver, which is configured to receive the pulses reflected from the body surface and to generate an output indicative of a modulation of the pulses by tissue below the body surface. A processor is configured to generate, based on the modulation of the pulses, an image of blood vessels located beneath the body surface within the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Herrington, Jawad Nawasra, Scott T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180081062
    Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a scanning line projector, which is configured to scan a line of radiation across a scene. A receiver includes an array of sensing elements, which are configured to output signals in response to the radiation that is incident thereon, and collection optics configured to image the scene onto the array, such that each sensing element receives the radiation reflected from a corresponding point in the scene. A processor is coupled to receive the signals output by the sensing elements, to identify respective times of passage of the scanned line across the points in the scene by comparing a time-dependent waveform of the signals from the corresponding sensing elements to an expected waveform, and to derive depth coordinates of the points in the scene from the respective times of passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Thierry Oggier, Scott T. Smith, Andrew Herrington
  • Patent number: 9568604
    Abstract: A camera includes a pulse transmitter for transmitting at a transmit time through an aperture and along an optical path to a target a coherent electromagnetic ranging pulse at a first wavelength range outside the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the camera includes a reflected pulse detector for receiving a reflected electromagnetic pulse reflected by the target back along the optical path and through the aperture at a detect time subsequent to the transmit time. In some embodiments, the camera includes a shutter positioned for shielding the pulse detector from at least transmit time to an intermediate time between the transmit time and the detect time. In some embodiments, the shutter includes a layer of semiconductor material placed in the optical path at a point between the target and the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T Smith, Iain A. McAllister, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 9525863
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, which acquires an image of a scene, and a scanner, which includes an optical transmitter, which emits a sequence of optical pulses toward the scene, and an optical receiver, which receives the optical pulses reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of respective times of flight of the pulses. Scanning optics are configured to scan the optical pulses over the scene in a scan pattern that covers and is contained within a non-rectangular area within the scene. A processor identifies an object in the image of the scene, defines the non-rectangular area so as to contain the identified object, and processes the output of the optical receiver so as to extract a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jawad Nawasra, Scott T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160323562
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, which acquires an image of a scene, and a scanner, which includes an optical transmitter, which emits a sequence of optical pulses toward the scene, and an optical receiver, which receives the optical pulses reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of respective times of flight of the pulses. Scanning optics are configured to scan the optical pulses over the scene in a scan pattern that covers and is contained within a non-rectangular area within the scene. A processor identifies an object in the image of the scene, defines the non-rectangular area so as to contain the identified object, and processes the output of the optical receiver so as to extract a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jawad Nawasra, Scott T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160265902
    Abstract: Embodiments described include a system comprising a position sensing device (PSD) and a light source. The light source is configured to, by passing one or more light beams through the PSD, cause one or more electrical currents to flow through the PSD. The system further comprises a processor, configured to (i) in response to the electrical currents, ascertain an amount of power that is delivered by the light source, and (ii) in response to the amount of power exceeding a threshold amount of power, inhibit the light source from further operation. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jawad Nawasra, Matthew C. Waldon, Scott T. Smith, Thomas M. Gregory