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).

  • Publication number: 20180186001
    Abstract: 1. The invention concerns a method for the redundancy-optimized planning of the operation of a redundant mobile robot (1) comprising a mobile carrier vehicle (2), a robot arm (6) having several members (11-16) connected via joints, mounted pivotably with respect to axes of rotation (21-25), drives for moving the members (11-16) relative to each other and having an electronic control device (5) which is arranged to control the drives for the members (11-16) and the carrier vehicle (2) for the movement of the mobile robot (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Christian Scheurer, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20180059381
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Publication number: 20180046063
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera unit of a multifunction device may include an optical package and an actuator for moving the optical package. In some embodiments, the actuator may include an asymmetric magnet arrangement. The asymmetric magnet arrangement may include a lateral position control magnet situated at a first side of the optical package, and a pair of transverse position control magnets situated at respective second and third sides of the optical package opposite one another with respect to an axis between the optical package and the lateral magnet. In some embodiments, the actuator may include one or more position sensor magnets attached to the optical package, and one or more magnetic field sensors for determining a position of the position sensor magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20170365512
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a sequential hydrogenation and nitridization process for reducing interfacial and bulk O atoms in a conductive structure in a semiconductor device. A hydrogenation and plasma nitridization process is performed on a metal nitride layer in a conductive structure prior to deposition of a second metal layer, thereby reducing interfacial oxygen atoms formed on a surface of the metal nitride and oxygen atoms present in the bulk metal layers of the conductive structure. As a result, adhesion of the second metal layer to the metal nitride layer is improved and the electrical resistance of the contact structure is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Johanes S. SWENBERG, Wei LIU, Houda GRAOUI, Shashank SHARMA, Shankar MUTHUKRISHNAN, Rene GEORGE
  • Publication number: 20170365480
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to enable the formation of a metal gate structure with a reduced effective oxide thickness over a similar structure formed via conventional methods. A plasma hydrogenation process followed by a plasma nitridization process is performed on a metal nitride layer in a film stack, thereby removing oxygen atoms disposed within layers of the film stack and, in some embodiments eliminating an oxygen-containing interfacial layer disposed within the film stack. As a result, an effective oxide thickness of the metal gate structure is reduced with little or no accompanying flatband voltage shift. Further, the metal gate structure operates with an increased leakage current that is as little as one quarter the increase in leakage current associated with a similar metal gate structure formed via conventional techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Johanes S. SWENBERG, Wei LIU, Houda GRAOUI, Shashank SHARMA
  • Patent number: 9774787
    Abstract: A first camera unit includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. In some embodiments, a camera system of a multifunction device includes a second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length. In some embodiments, the second actuator includes a second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, the first optical package and the second optical package are situated between the first actuator later magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet along an axis between the first actuator lateral magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, no actuator lateral magnets are situated between the first optical package and the second optical package along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 9769389
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first camera unit of a multifunction device for capturing a first image of a first visual field includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package. A second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package. The second camera unit includes a second central magnet array situated along the axis between the first optics package of the first camera unit and the second optics package of the second camera unit. In some embodiments, the second central magnet array includes a second central upper magnet having a first polarity and a second central lower magnet having a polarity antiparallel to the first polarity. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second distal magnet array situated opposite the second central magnet array with respect to the second optics package of the second camera unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170148726
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing method and semiconductor device are described. The processing method includes forming a p-doped germanium structure on a substrate, annealing the p-doped germanium structure using pulses of laser radiation, and forming a titanium structure in direct contact with the p-doped germanium structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen MOFFATT, Abhilash J. MAYUR, Theodore P. MOFFITT, Aaron Muir HUNTER, Shashank SHARMA, Bruce E. ADAMS, Samuel C. HOWELLS, Douglas E. HOLMGREN, Wolfgang R. ADERHOLD
  • Publication number: 20170094183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170094182
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first camera unit of a multifunction device for capturing a first image of a first visual field includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package. A second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package. The second camera unit includes a second central magnet array situated along the axis between the first optics package of the first camera unit and the second optics package of the second camera unit. In some embodiments, the second central magnet array includes a second central upper magnet having a first polarity and a second central lower magnet having a polarity antiparallel to the first polarity. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second distal magnet array situated opposite the second central magnet array with respect to the second optics package of the second camera unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170094187
    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 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert
  • Publication number: 20170094180
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170094181
    Abstract: A first camera unit includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. In some embodiments, a camera system of a multifunction device includes a second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field. In some embodiments, the second camera unit includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length. In some embodiments, the second actuator includes a second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, the first optical package and the second optical package are situated between the first actuator later magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet along an axis between the first actuator lateral magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet. In some embodiments, no actuator lateral magnets are situated between the first optical package and the second optical package along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert, Shashank Sharma, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170054883
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens carrier that houses a lens, electrical components of optical path modifiers positioned on the lens carrier, an image sensor, and a controller that is to generate commands for operating the optical path modifiers. A printed circuit assembly positioned on the lens carrier is electrically coupled to suspension wires. The printed circuit assembly includes a printed circuit that has installed thereon a serial bus communications interface circuit that is to receive the commands from the controller through one of the suspension wires, and a translation circuit that is to translate the commands into control signals that are to operate or drive the optical path modifiers via the electrical components and according to the commands, respectively. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Douglas S. Brodie
  • Publication number: 20170032865
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to thermal processing of substrates. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to flash on spike annealing processes and apparatus suitable for performing such processes. In one embodiment, a thermal processing apparatus may include a lamp radiation source, a laser source, and a reflector plate disposed between the lamp radiation source and the laser source. One or more apertures may be formed in the reflector plate and the laser source may be positioned adjacent to the reflector plate such that a laser beam emitted from the laser source propagates through the one or more apertures. In one embodiment, the reflector plate may be substantially circular and the one or more apertures may approximate a sector of the reflector plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph M. RANISH, Shashank SHARMA, Diwakar N. KEDLAYA, Aaron Muir HUNTER
  • Patent number: 9263265
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for crystallizing semiconductor material so that it has large grains of uniform size comprising delivering a first energy exposure of high intensity and short duration, and then delivering at least one second energy exposures of low intensity and long duration. The first energy exposure heats the substrate to a high temperature for a duration less than about 0.1 sec. The second energy exposure heats the substrate to a lower temperature for a duration greater than about 0.1 sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Shankar Muthukrishnan, Abhilash J. Mayur
  • Publication number: 20150311067
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for processing a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a dielectric layer over a substrate, wherein the dielectric layer has a dielectric value of about 3.9 or greater, heating the substrate to a first temperature of about 600 degrees Celsius or less by a heater of a substrate support disposed within a process chamber, and incorporating nitrogen into the dielectric layer in the process chamber by annealing the dielectric layer at a second temperature between about 650 and about 1450 degrees Celsius in an ambient nitrogen environment, wherein the annealing is performed on the order of millisecond scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Shashank SHARMA, Jau-Jiun CHEN, Wolfgang R. ADERHOLD, Kai NG, Houda GRAOUI, Shankar MUTHUKRISHNAN, Abhilash J. MAYUR, Gia PHAM
  • Patent number: 9144902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining possible positions of a robot arm of a robot. The robot arm comprises a frame, numerous links, disposed successively, which can move in relation to one another, with respect to axes. First, a target position and target orientation in space for a robot arm or a tool center point assigned to an end effector attached to the robot arm, are defined, to which a reference coordinate system having polar coordinates is assigned. Subsequently, potential possible positions of the frame of the robot arm in space and in the polar coordinates of the reference coordinate system are determined on the basis of the geometry of the robot arm, such that the tool center point can assume the defined target position and target orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Scheurer, Uwe E. Zimmermann, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20150064933
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for crystallizing semiconductor material so that it has large grains of uniform size comprising delivering a first energy exposure of high intensity and short duration, and then delivering at least one second energy exposures of low intensity and long duration. The first energy exposure heats the substrate to a high temperature for a duration less than about 0.1 sec. The second energy exposure heats the substrate to a lower temperature for a duration greater than about 0.1 sec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Shashank SHARMA, Shankar MUTHUKRISHNAN, Abhilash J. MAYUR
  • Publication number: 20130310982
    Abstract: The The invention relates to a method for determining possible positions of a robot arm of a robot. The robot arm comprises a frame, numerous links, disposed successively, which can move in relation to one another, with respect to axes. First, a target position and target orientation in space for a robot arm or a tool center point assigned to an end effector attached to the robot arm, are defined, to which a reference coordinate system having polar coordinates is assigned. Subsequently, potential possible positions of the frame of the robot arm in space and in the polar coordinates of the reference coordinate system are determined on the basis of the geometry of the robot arm, such that the tool center point can assume the defined target position and target orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KUKA Laboratories GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Scheurer, Uwe E. Zimmermann, Shashank Sharma