Patents by Inventor Shashank Sharma

Shashank Sharma 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: 11323599
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera focus adjustment device, a lens, and an image sensor coupled to the camera focus adjustment device. The camera focus adjustment device includes a flexure structure. The flexure structure includes an outer framework of structural members continuously interconnected by flexure notch hinges. The flexure structure also includes two inner structural members oriented in parallel and extending from the outer framework of structural members. A gap is between the two inner structural members. The camera focus adjustment device also includes a piezoelectric material within the gap and a pair of wedges within the gap. The pair of wedges is affixed to the piezoelectric material and to one inner structural member of the two inner structural members. Based on temperature-based piezoelectric activity associated with the piezoelectric material, the camera focus adjustment device is operable to move the image sensor relative to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11314147
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics. Some embodiments include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements. Some embodiments include flexure arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Publication number: 20220124249
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220113419
    Abstract: One example system comprises an active sensor that includes a transmitter and a receiver, a first camera that detects external light originating from one or more external light sources to generate first image data, a second camera that detects external light originating from one or more external light sources to generate second image data, and a controller. The controller is configured to perform operations comprising determining a first distance estimate to a first object based on a comparison of the first image data and the second image data, determining a second distance estimate to the first object based on active sensor data, comparing the first distance estimate and the second distance estimate, and determining a third distance estimate to a second object based on the first image data, the second image data, and the comparison of the first and second distance estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Matthew Last
  • Publication number: 20220116522
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis, a lens holder coupled to the lens assembly, a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled between the lens holder and the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to reposition the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus also includes a position sensor that includes a magnet and a magnetic field sensor. The position sensor is coupled to the substrate and the lens holder. The magnetic field sensor is configured to generate magnetic field data indicating a position of the substrate relative to the lens holder. The apparatus additionally includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on the magnetic field data to place the image sensor within a depth of focus of the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220108914
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to methods of forming titanium nitride films suitable for use as a bulk fill material for conductive features in a semiconductor device, such as for capacitor electrodes and/or buried word lines in a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) device. In one embodiment, a method of forming conductive features in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes thermally treating a substrate surface comprising at least portions of a titanium nitride layer in the presence of hydrogen radicals. Thermally treating the substrate includes positioning the substrate in a processing volume of a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a treatment temperature of more than about 250° C., generating the hydrogen radicals using a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the processing volume, and maintaining the substrate at the treatment temperature while concurrently exposing the at least portions of the titanium nitride layer to the generated hydrogen radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Xinming ZHANG, Shashank SHARMA, Abhilash J. MAYUR, Norman L. TAM, Matthew SPULLER
  • Patent number: 11230234
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for attenuating vibrations. An example system includes a camera device with an optical lens. The optical lens defines an optical axis. The example system further includes mechanical fasteners, each mechanical fastener having a first end, a second end coupled to a mounting surface of the vehicle, and a shaft. The shaft has a primary axis parallel to the optical axis and extends through the camera device such that the camera device is able to move through a primary range of motion in a direction along the primary axis and a restricted range of motion in directions perpendicular to the primary axis. The example system additionally includes compliant structures coupled to the camera device, each compliant structure associated with a respective mechanical fastener and configured to change shape in response to motion of the camera device along the primary axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220020583
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region, and the substrate may be maintained at a temperature below or about 450° C. The methods may include striking a plasma of the silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include forming a layer of amorphous silicon on a semiconductor substrate. The layer of amorphous silicon may be characterized by less than or about 3% hydrogen incorporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya, Karthik Janakiraman, Gautam K. Hemani, Krishna Nittala, Alicia J. Lustgraaf, Zubin Huang, Brett Spaulding, Shashank Sharma, Kelvin Chan
  • Patent number: 11223766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller
  • Patent number: 11223756
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis, a lens holder coupled to the lens assembly, a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled between the lens holder and the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to reposition the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus also includes a position sensor that includes a magnet and a magnetic field sensor. The position sensor is coupled to the substrate and the lens holder. The magnetic field sensor is configured to generate magnetic field data indicating a position of the substrate relative to the lens holder. The apparatus additionally includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on the magnetic field data to place the image sensor within a depth of focus of the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220005704
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing substrates, such as during metal silicide applications, are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing an epitaxial layer on the substrate, depositing a metal silicide seed layer on the epitaxial layer, and exposing the metal silicide seed layer to a nitridation process to produce a metal silicide nitride layer from at least a portion of the metal silicide seed layer. The method also includes depositing a metal silicide bulk layer on the metal silicide nitride layer and forming or depositing a nitride capping layer on the metal silicide bulk layer, where the nitride capping layer contains a metal nitride, a silicon nitride, a metal silicide nitride, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Xuebin LI, Wei LIU, Gaurav THAREJA, Shashank SHARMA, Patricia M. LIU, Schubert CHU
  • Publication number: 20220005705
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing substrates, such as during metal silicide applications, are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing an epitaxial layer on the substrate, depositing a metal silicide seed layer on the epitaxial layer, and exposing the metal silicide seed layer to a nitridation process to produce a metal silicide nitride layer from at least a portion of the metal silicide seed layer. The method also includes depositing a metal silicide bulk layer on the metal silicide nitride layer and forming or depositing a nitride capping layer on the metal silicide bulk layer, where the nitride capping layer contains a metal nitride, a silicon nitride, a metal silicide nitride, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Xuebin LI, Wei LIU, Gaurav THAREJA, Shashank SHARMA, Patricia M. LIU, Schubert CHU
  • Publication number: 20210409604
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with image sensor shifting capabilities and a flexure arrangement. In various embodiments, the flexure arrangement may include an upper flexure and a lower flexure. The upper flexure may include a suspension wire that extends between two sheets. The lower flexure may include one or more flexure arms that connect a moveable platform to a stationary platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210385387
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert
  • Publication number: 20210373279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210360147
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11152221
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing substrates, such as during metal silicide applications, are provided. In one or more embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes depositing an epitaxial layer on the substrate, depositing a metal silicide seed layer on the epitaxial layer, and exposing the metal silicide seed layer to a nitridation process to produce a metal silicide nitride layer from at least a portion of the metal silicide seed layer. The method also includes depositing a metal silicide bulk layer on the metal silicide nitride layer and forming or depositing a nitride capping layer on the metal silicide bulk layer, where the nitride capping layer contains a metal nitride, a silicon nitride, a metal silicide nitride, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xuebin Li, Wei Liu, Gaurav Thareja, Shashank Sharma, Patricia M. Liu, Schubert Chu
  • Publication number: 20210318593
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The VCM actuator assembly is configured to move an image sensor of the camera in three dimensions (e.g. X, Y, and Z) to provide the AF and/or OIS movements. The VCM actuator assembly is asymmetrical and includes an at least partially open side that allows an optical assembly of the camera to pass through the open side of the VCM actuator. In some embodiments, the optical assembly is part of a folded optics arrangement of the camera that includes one or more prisms/and or lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11122205
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with image sensor shifting capabilities and a flexure arrangement. In various embodiments, the flexure arrangement may include an upper flexure and a lower flexure. The upper flexure may include a suspension wire that extends between two sheets. The lower flexure may include one or more flexure arms that connect a moveable platform to a stationary platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210280418
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for processing channel structures of substrates that include positioning the substrate in a first processing chamber having a first processing volume being in fluid communication with a plasma source. The substrate can include a channel structure with high aspect ratio features having aspect ratios greater than about 20:1. The method can also include forming an oxide cap layer over a silicon-containing layer of the channel structure and exposing the oxide cap layer to a hydrogen-or-deuterium radical to nucleate the silicon-containing layer of the channel structures of the substrate. Forming the oxide cap layer and exposing the channel structure with the hydrogen radical occurs in the first processing chamber to form a nucleated substrate. The method can also include positioning the nucleated substrate in a second processing chamber with a second processing volume and heating the nucleated substrate in the second processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Xinming ZHANG, Abhilash J. MAYUR, Shashank SHARMA, Norman L. TAM, Matthew SPULLER, Zeqiong ZHAO