Patents by Inventor Steven Webster

Steven Webster 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: 20250112383
    Abstract: Examples can provide extended-range high-speed interconnect by providing microcoax cables in a hybrid flexible circuit board, which can be referred to as a hybrid flex or microcoax flex. This hybrid flex can be used to convey signals an extended distance within an electronic device. Multiple signals can be conveyed using corresponding microcoax cables. The microcoax cables can include a center conductor, an insulating layer, and an outside shield layer. The cables can be held in position in the hybrid flex relative to each other by a polyimide or other insulative layer. Copper layers can be provided on either or both the top and bottom of the polyimide or other insulative layer. Additional conductors can be embedded in the polyimide other insulative layer to convey power and ground. The microcoax and other conductors can be soldered to a flexible circuit board or other substrate using jet soldering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Webster, Henry M. Daghighian, Jee Tung Tan, Peter Chin Ting Soon
  • Publication number: 20250105228
    Abstract: Packages and methods of assembly are described in which barriers are utilized during overmolding to improve volumetric efficiency. In one embodiment, a barrier includes multiple variable height components located on an interior of the barrier, where the barrier prevents the variable height components from being overmolded during the encapsulation process. In one embodiment, a barrier includes a camera module mounted on an image sensor located on an interior of the barrier, where the barrier prevents the camera module and image sensor from being overmolded during the encapsulation process. In an embodiment, a barrier is mounted on a secondary tier with the secondary tier mounted on a primary tier, where the barrier prevents multiple connector components located on an interior of the barrier from being overmolded during the encapsulation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Kyusang Kim, David M Kindlon, Kishore N Renjan, Manoj Vadeentavida, Bilal Mohamed Ibrahim Kani, Benjamin J Grena, Ali N Ergun, Jerzy S Guterman, Jee Tung Tan, Steven Webster, Parin R Dedhia, Howell John Chua Toc, Mandar S Painaik, Abhay Maheshwari, Wyeman Chen, Yanfeng Chen, Andrew N Leopold, Jun Zhang, Dhruv Gaba
  • Patent number: 12204115
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 12050360
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes a stack of thermoplastic lenses that are aligned along a common optical axis and that are interleaved with metallic disks having an open central portion. Peripheral portions of each of the thermoplastic lenses adhere to the interleaved metallic disks to form a fused stack of lenses. A method of making the fused stack of lenses is disclosed and includes subjecting a set of interleaved lenses and metallic disks to an alternating current electromagnetic field that induces eddy currents in the metallic disks, causing heating that melts the adjacent lenses. The melted thermoplastic lens material adheres to adjacent metallic disks. The metallic disks reduce stray light from entering the lens stack, while permitting light to enter central portions of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Norimichi Shigemitsu, Misha Scepanovic, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20240176209
    Abstract: 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. The suspension arrangements may include leaf springs attached to a carrier structure for the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 11978355
    Abstract: Raw motion data generated by sensors affixed to a user performing exercises or poses in response to perceiving content annotated with a motion track and presented to the user, the motion track generated using a posture dictionary is collected. The exercises or poses are determined from the raw motion data using the posture dictionary. Motion data indicating the exercises or poses within the raw motion data is generated using the raw motion data. The user is graded in performing the exercises or poses by comparing the motion data with the motion track. The content is presented to the user based on the grading of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Asensei, Inc
    Inventors: Steven Webster, Ross Arnott, William Burgar
  • Patent number: 11934090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20230285806
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provided for recognizing movements of a moving body and presenting multimedia content according to the movements to provide instructional learning. As an example of the systems and methods, movement recognition is provided that generates a body object stream from raw data of movements, recognizes techniques for the movements based on the body object stream, and assesses a performance of the techniques. A coaching intelligence is provided that fetches and communicates multimedia content descriptive of the techniques according to the performance and based on one or more configuration files defining coaching strategies and a mapping of multimedia content. The systems and methods provided herein can be leveraged for recognition of human movements in a fitness environment for provisioning of multimedia content consumable for instructional learning of techniques performed as part of a fitness or exercise routine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Webster, William Jeffrey Burgar, Ross Andrew Arnott
  • Patent number: 11581351
    Abstract: A hybrid sensor shift platform for an optical image stabilization (OIS) actuator mechanism in compact camera modules includes two or more substrates. A top substrate is composed of an organic material (e.g., a resin) to reduce mass, reduce magnetic interaction with permanent magnets, and improve reliability. One or more lower substrates of the hybrid sensor shift platform are ceramic substrates that provide the benefits of ceramics for connection to the image sensor. The organic substrate is connected via a solder bond process to the lower ceramic substrate(s). The connection between the substrates is reinforced with an under-fill of epoxy that surrounds the solder bonds, thus creating a full interface between the substrates within the overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Jee Tung Tan, Steven Webster, Douglas S. Brodie, Qiang Yang, Masahito Morita
  • Publication number: 20230005384
    Abstract: Raw motion data generated by sensors affixed to a user performing exercises or poses in response to perceiving content annotated with a motion track and presented to the user, the motion track generated using a posture dictionary is collected. The exercises or poses are determined from the raw motion data using the posture dictionary. Motion data indicating the exercises or poses within the raw motion data is generated using the raw motion data. The user is graded in performing the exercises or poses by comparing the motion data with the motion track. The content is presented to the user based on the grading of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Webster, Ross Arnott, William Burgar
  • Publication number: 20220291518
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11378813
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11347076
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 11302214
    Abstract: Raw motion data generated by sensors affixed to a user performing exercises or poses in response to perceiving content annotated with a motion track and presented to the user, the motion track generated using a posture dictionary is collected. The exercises or poses are determined from the raw motion data using the posture dictionary. Motion data indicating the exercises or poses within the raw motion data is generated using the raw motion data. The user is graded in performing the exercises or poses by comparing the motion data with the motion track. The content is presented to the user based on the grading of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Asensei, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Webster, Ross Arnott, William Burgar
  • Patent number: 11150438
    Abstract: A camera module includes a solid state lens that flexes, in response to electrical signals. A lens barrel holds the lens on the optical axis. A lens barrel holder holds the lens barrel above an image sensor. The lens barrel holder includes electrically conductive interconnects between a bottom and a top end of the lens barrel holder. The conductive interconnects are not exposed to an exterior of the lens barrel holder. The camera module includes two or more respective lower electrically conductive connections in proximity to the interconnects and connecting the electrically conductive interconnects to respective conductors for the one or more electrical signals. The camera module includes two or more upper conductive connections configured to electrically connect the solid state lens to respective ones of the two or more conductive interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ya Wen Hsu, Pierre-Jean Y. Parodi-Keravec, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20210223662
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 10969652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
  • Publication number: 20210028216
    Abstract: A hybrid sensor shift platform for an optical image stabilization (OIS) actuator mechanism in compact camera modules includes two or more substrates. A top substrate is composed of an organic material (e.g., a resin) to reduce mass, reduce magnetic interaction with permanent magnets, and improve reliability. One or more lower substrates of the hybrid sensor shift platform are ceramic substrates that provide the benefits of ceramics for connection to the image sensor. The organic substrate is connected via a solder bond process to the lower ceramic substrate(s). The connection between the substrates is reinforced with an under-fill of epoxy that surrounds the solder bonds, thus creating a full interface between the substrates within the overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Jee Tung Tan, Steven Webster, Douglas S. Brodie, Qiang Yang, Masahito Morita
  • Publication number: 20200341290
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Y. Chan, Richard J. Topliss, Steven Webster
  • Patent number: 10783347
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Pope, Shawn Arnold, Barry J. Corlett, Terry L. Gilton, Syed Husaini, Steven Webster, Scott A. Myers, Matthew D. Hill, Benjamin B. Lyon