Patents by Inventor Scott W. Miller
Scott W. Miller 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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Publication number: 20200026095Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lens carrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of light transiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assembly and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assembly generates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
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Patent number: 10516826Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20190364217Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit may include a first actuator. The second camera unit may include a second actuator. In some embodiments, the first actuator may move one or more components of the first camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the first camera unit. In some embodiments, the second actuator may move one or more components of the second camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the second camera unit. In some examples, the first camera unit may be configured to capture a first image of a first visual field. The second camera unit may be configured to capture, simultaneously with the first camera unit capturing the first image, a second image of a second visual field.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert
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Patent number: 10429666Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lens carrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of light transiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assembly and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assembly generates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
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Patent number: 10382698Abstract: A camera system may include a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit may include a first actuator. The second camera unit may include a second actuator. The first actuator may move one or more components of the first camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the first camera unit. The second actuator may move one or more components of the second camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the second camera unit. In some examples, the first camera unit may be configured to capture a first image of a first visual field. The second camera unit may be configured to capture, simultaneously with the first camera unit capturing the first image, a second image of a second visual field.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert
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Publication number: 20190235202Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Publication number: 20190212632Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
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Patent number: 10317649Abstract: A camera module includes an optical package, a camera actuator for moving the optical package, a camera subassembly, and one or more resilient members arranged within the camera subassembly to prevent, reduce, or cushion contact between the optical package and other components of the camera. The resilient members may be mounted on the lens carrier of the optical package and configured to come into resistive contact with components of the camera subassembly and/or mounted on components of the camera subassembly and configured to come into resistive contact with the optical package. In either case, the resistive cushioning provided by the resilient members may reduce or prevent contact (and an associated rattling noise associated with the contact) between the optical package and the hard components of the camera subassembly. The resilient members may be configured to cushion, but also allow hard stop contact. In embodiments bumpers (e.g., elastomeric pads) may be used.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault
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Patent number: 10302961Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert, Ryan J. Dunn, Douglas S. Brodie
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Publication number: 20190141248Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera actuator includes an actuator base, an autofocus voice coil motor, and an optical image stabilization voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the autofocus voice coil motor includes a lens carrier mounting attachment moveably mounted to the actuator base, a plurality of shared magnets mounted to the base, and an autofocus coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier mounting attachment for producing forces for moving a lens carrier in a direction of an optical axis of one or more lenses of the lens carrier. In some embodiments, the optical image stabilization voice coil motor includes an image sensor carrier moveably mounted to the actuator base, and optical image stabilization coils moveably mounted to the image sensor carrier within the magnetic fields of the shared magnets, for producing forces for moving the image sensor carrier in a plurality of directions orthogonal to the optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Qiang Yang, Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
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Patent number: 10264188Abstract: In some embodiments, a first camera unit includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. A second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length, and the camera system includes a shared magnet positioned between the first camera unit and the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
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Patent number: 10250810Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor mechanically coupled to a base of a camera module. A coil assembly is mechanically coupled to the base of the camera module. The coil assembly includes terminals for connections to respective ones of coils through leads routed through thin areas leading to coil housings. The coils include optical image stabilization coils mounted perpendicular to the image sensor on each of a plurality of faces of the camera actuator module.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Douglas S. Brodie, Yoshiyuki Takase
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Publication number: 20190020822Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to shift an image sensor along multiple axes. Some embodiments include a magnet and coil arrangement. Some embodiments include a position sensing arrangement. Some embodiments include a flexure arrangement. Some embodiments include a coil structure and coil carrier assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller
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Publication number: 20180246342Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert, Ryan J. Dunn, Douglas S. Brodie
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Patent number: 10063783Abstract: A first camera unit of a multifunction device captures a first image of a first visual field. The first camera unit includes a first optical image stabilization actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. A second camera unit of the multifunction device simultaneously captures a second image of a second visual field. The second camera unit includes a second optical image stabilization actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length. The first focal length is different from the second focal length.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20180059381Abstract: A camera module includes an optical package, a camera actuator for moving the optical package, a camera subassembly, and one or more resilient members arranged within the camera subassembly to prevent, reduce, or cushion contact between the optical package and other components of the camera. The resilient members may be mounted on the lens carrier of the optical package and configured to come into resistive contact with components of the camera subassembly and/or mounted on components of the camera subassembly and configured to come into resistive contact with the optical package. In either case, the resistive cushioning provided by the resilient members may reduce or prevent contact (and an associated rattling noise associated with the contact) between the optical package and the hard components of the camera subassembly. The resilient members may be configured to cushion, but also allow hard stop contact. In embodiments bumpers (e.g., elastomeric pads) may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault
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Patent number: 9891445Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an optics assembly housing an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more passive dampers disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the passive dampers are configured to passively dampen motions of the optics assembly within the apparatus, and each of the one or more passive dampers radially surrounds a portion of a length of a respective one of the plurality of wires over a portion of the length of the respective one of the plurality of wires.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert, Ryan J. Dunn, Douglas S. Brodie
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Publication number: 20180027185Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
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Publication number: 20170347033Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor mechanically coupled to a base of a camera module. A coil assembly is mechanically coupled to the base of the camera module. The coil assembly includes terminals for connections to respective ones of coils through leads routed through thin areas leading to coil housings. The coils include optical image stabilization coils mounted perpendicular to the image sensor on each of a plurality of faces of the camera actuator module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Douglas S. Brodie, Yoshiyuki Takase
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Patent number: 9781345Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee