Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Gregory
Thomas M. Gregory 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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Patent number: 12613417Abstract: A lens module may include a first lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the first lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the first lens element. The lens module may also include a second lens element and a fluid-filled chamber between the first and second lens elements. To allow dynamic adjustments of the second lens element without requiring additional actuators, the second lens element may be a semi-rigid lens element. When the actuators adjust the curvature of the first lens element, the gauge pressure applied to the second lens element is changed. This causes a change in curvature of the second lens element. The actuators may therefore adjust the curvature of both the first and second lens elements even though none of the actuators are attached to the second lens element.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2023Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Michael D. Simmonds
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Publication number: 20260029650Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a lens module with a least one adjustable lens. The head-mounted device may be wirelessly paired to an electronic device such as a cellular telephone, watch, laptop computer, etc. To correct for presbyopia, the optical power of adjustable lenses in a head-mounted device may be adjusted when the user is viewing a close object. To allow for intelligent adjustments of the adjustable lenses while minimizing power consumption in the head-mounted device, the head-mounted device may receive sensor data and/or focal point change instructions from a paired electronic device. The paired electronic device may detect a trigger, analyze the user’s attention to the paired electronic device, and send focal point change instructions to the head-mounted device based on the obtained information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2025Publication date: January 29, 2026Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Matthew D. Hollands, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20260023258Abstract: A lens module may include a transparent lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the transparent lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the transparent lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of extensions that are each coupled to a respective actuator. To ensure the lens shaping structure has desired curvature between the extensions, the lens shaping structure may have a portion in one or more segments between adjacent extensions that has a property with a different magnitude than an additional portion of the lens shaping structure. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have an increased or decreased rigidity relative to the additional portions. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have a different width, thickness, or Young's modulus compared to the additional portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2025Publication date: January 22, 2026Inventors: Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Ran He, Peng Lv, Yuan Li, James E. Pedder, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 12468146Abstract: A lens module may include a transparent lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the transparent lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the transparent lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of extensions that are each coupled to a respective actuator. To ensure the lens shaping structure has desired curvature between the extensions, the lens shaping structure may have a portion in one or more segments between adjacent extensions that has a property with a different magnitude than an additional portion of the lens shaping structure. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have an increased or decreased rigidity relative to the additional portions. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have a different width, thickness, or Young's modulus compared to the additional portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Inventors: Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Ran He, Peng Lv, Yuan Li, James E. Pedder, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 12389168Abstract: An in-ear electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that defines an interior chamber surrounding a transducer and an opening from the interior chamber to an ambient environment surrounding the enclosure; and an acoustic valve comprising a driven member coupled to a driving member having a lever and a shape memory alloy operable to cause the driven member to open and close the opening upon application of a current.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2023Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Scott C. Grinker, Christopher J. Walton, Julia C. Canning, Michael B. Nussbaum
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Publication number: 20250044057Abstract: A holster defining an at least partial holster cavity; and a release lever pivotably attached or coupled to the holster body and repeatably pivotable between a retention position and a release position, and wherein the release lever is capable of being pivoted to the release position when a pivoting force is applied to the release lever, wherein if the release lever is in the retention position, at least a portion of a handgun locking portion of the release lever is positioned so as to protrude into a portion of the holster cavity a sufficient distance to engage at least a portion of an ejection port of an inserted handgun, and wherein if the release lever in the release position, the handgun locking portion is withdrawn from the holster cavity to disengage from the ejection port of the handgun.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Inventors: Eric M. Yeates, Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Marcus Byrd
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Publication number: 20250028093Abstract: An electronic device may include a lens module with a tunable lens. The tunable lens may include multiple adjustable fluid-filled bladders distributed around the periphery of the tunable lens. Fluid may be selectively added to and removed from each adjustable fluid-filled bladder to control a displacement of a lens element at a given position along the periphery. The fluid may be added to and removed from the adjustable fluid-filled bladders by fluid-controlling components. The fluid-controlling components may be positioned locally within a ring-shaped chassis portion and adjacent to a respective bladder or may be consolidated in an additional chassis portion and connected to the bladders using fluid channels through the ring-shaped chassis portion. The fluid-controlling components may include stepper motors with two subassemblies that each have a ring-shaped magnet between two coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2024Publication date: January 23, 2025Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Matthew D. Hollands, James E. Pedder, Daniel J. Burbridge, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20250014292Abstract: A light system that may project virtual content onto surfaces of a room. The system may include one or more low-resolution light-emitting diode (LED) projectors for emitting light representing low-resolution virtual content, and a high-resolution LED projector for emitting light representing high-resolution virtual content. The high-resolution projector may be used to project a 2D image of augmented or virtual reality content being viewed by a person in a room using a device such as a headset or glasses onto a surface of the room so that other persons in the room can view a representation of what the person using the device is seeing. The low-resolution projector(s) may project low-resolution images onto other surfaces in the room, for example the walls and ceiling. The system may also be configured to emit diffuse light to illuminate a room when not emitting light representing virtual content.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Simmonds, James H. Foster, James E. Pedder, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20240401910Abstract: A holster for a handgun, having at least some of an at least partial cavity; a lever having a thumb button portion and an engagement portion, wherein the lever includes a locking projection extending from at least a portion of the engagement portion, wherein the lever is pivotally attached or coupled to at least a portion of the holster, approximately between the thumb button portion and the engagement portion; and a lockout element, wherein at least a portion of the lockout element is positionable to block movement of the lever to keep the lever from being pivoted to a disengaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2024Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Clifton L. Cook, Eric M. Yeates, Thomas A. Marx
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Patent number: 12118675Abstract: A light system that may project virtual content onto surfaces of a room. The system may include one or more low-resolution light-emitting diode (LED) projectors for emitting light representing low-resolution virtual content, and a high-resolution LED projector for emitting light representing high-resolution virtual content. The high-resolution projector may be used to project a 2D image of augmented or virtual reality content being viewed by a person in a room using a device such as a headset or glasses onto a surface of the room so that other persons in the room can view a representation of what the person using the device is seeing. The low-resolution projector(s) may project low-resolution images onto other surfaces in the room, for example the walls and ceiling. The system may also be configured to emit diffuse light to illuminate a room when not emitting light representing virtual content.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Simmonds, James H. Foster, James E. Pedder, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20240288612Abstract: A head-mounted device may have a display that displays content for a user. Head-mounted support structures in the device support the display on the head of the user. A lens module in the head-mounted device may include a transparent lens element, a positioner that extends around the periphery of the transparent lens element, and an actuator that selectively shifts the positioner in a first direction. Shifting the positioner in the first direction causes the transparent lens element to be biased in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction at multiple points around the periphery of the transparent lens elements. The positioner may be attached to guide structures that each have a respective angled slot. Each angled slot may receive a respective tab of the transparent lens element or a respective tab of a lens shaping element that is attached to the transparent lens element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Gregory L. Tice, Patrick R. Gill, James E. Pedder
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Publication number: 20240280817Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a lens module with a least one adjustable lens. The head-mounted device may be wirelessly paired to an electronic device such as a cellular telephone, watch, laptop computer, etc. To correct for presbyopia, the optical power of adjustable lenses in a head-mounted device may be adjusted when the user is viewing a close object. To allow for intelligent adjustments of the adjustable lenses while minimizing power consumption in the head-mounted device, the head-mounted device may receive sensor data and/or focal point change instructions from a paired electronic device. The paired electronic device may detect a trigger, analyze the user's attention to the paired electronic device, and send focal point change instructions to the head-mounted device based on the obtained information.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: August 22, 2024Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Matthew D. Hollands, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 12044503Abstract: A holster for a handgun, having at least some of an at least partial cavity; a lever having a thumb button portion and an engagement portion, wherein the lever includes a locking projection extending from at least a portion of the engagement portion, wherein the lever is pivotally attached or coupled to at least a portion of the holster, approximately between the thumb button portion and the engagement portion; and a lockout element, wherein at least a portion of the lockout element is positionable to block movement of the lever to keep the lever from being pivoted to a disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Vista Outdoor Operations LLCInventors: Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Clifton L. Cook, Eric M. Yeates, Thomas A. Marx
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Publication number: 20240027776Abstract: A lens module may include a first lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the first lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the first lens element. The lens module may also include a second lens element and a fluid-filled chamber between the first and second lens elements. To allow dynamic adjustments of the second lens element without requiring additional actuators, the second lens element may be a semi-rigid lens element. When the actuators adjust the curvature of the first lens element, the gauge pressure applied to the second lens element is changed. This causes a change in curvature of the second lens element. The actuators may therefore adjust the curvature of both the first and second lens elements even though none of the actuators are attached to the second lens element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: James E. Pedder, Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Michael D. Simmonds
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Publication number: 20230379637Abstract: An in-ear electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that defines an interior chamber surrounding a transducer and an opening from the interior chamber to an ambient environment surrounding the enclosure; and an acoustic valve comprising a driven member coupled to a driving member having a lever and a shape memory alloy operable to cause the driven member to open and close the opening upon application of a current.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory, Scott C. Grinker, Christopher J. Walton, Julia C. Canning, Michael B. Nussbaum
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Patent number: 11815329Abstract: A holster defining a holster cavity; a locking element extending from a rotation portion to a locking engagement portion, the rotation portion including a helical portion formed in or around at least a portion of the rotation portion, the locking engagement portion including a handgun locking portion, the locking element being rotatable between a locking element retention position and a locking element release position, in the locking element retention position at least a portion of handgun locking portion extends into at least a portion of the holster cavity; and a pushrod extending from a release lever, the pushrod being slidable between a release lever retention position and a release lever release position such that if the pushrod is urged to the release lever release position, interaction between the pushrod and the helical portion causes the locking element to rotate toward the locking element release position.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Sentry Solutions Products Group LLCInventors: Eric M. Yeates, Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Marcus Byrd
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Publication number: 20230350209Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Publication number: 20230324676Abstract: A lens module may include a transparent lens element, a lens shaping structure that is coupled to the transparent lens element, and a plurality of actuators that are configured to adjust a position of the lens shaping structure to adjust the transparent lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of extensions that are each coupled to a respective actuator. To ensure the lens shaping structure has desired curvature between the extensions, the lens shaping structure may have a portion in one or more segments between adjacent extensions that has a property with a different magnitude than an additional portion of the lens shaping structure. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have an increased or decreased rigidity relative to the additional portions. The portion between the adjacent extensions may have a different width, thickness, or Young's modulus compared to the additional portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Igor Stamenov, Richard J. Topliss, Ran He, Peng Lv, Yuan Li, James E. Pedder, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 11740460Abstract: An electronic device may include a display module that generates image light and an optical system that redirects the light towards an eye box. The optical system may have first hologram structures that replicate the light over multiple output angles onto second hologram structures. The second hologram structures may focus the replicated light onto the eye box. If desired, the device may include an image sensor. The first and second hologram structures may include transmission and/or reflection holograms. The optical system may redirect a first portion of the light to the eye box and a second portion of the light to the sensor. The sensor may generate image data based on the second portion of the light. Control circuitry may compensate for distortions in the first portion of the light by performing feedback adjustments to the display module based on distortions in the image data.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew D. Hollands, Michael D. Simmonds, Richard J. Topliss, Thomas M. Gregory
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Patent number: 11714284Abstract: An augmented reality headset may include a reflective holographic combiner to direct light from a light engine into a user's eye while also transmitting light from the environment. The combiner and engine may be arranged to project light fields with different fields of view and resolution to match the visual acuity of the eye. The combiner may be recorded with a series of point to point holograms; one projection point interacts with multiple holograms to project light onto multiple eye box points. The engine may include a laser diode array, a distribution waveguide, scanning mirrors, and layered waveguides that perform pupil expansion and that emit wide beams of light through foveal projection points and narrower beams of light through peripheral projection points. The light engine may include focusing elements to focus the beams such that, once reflected by the holographic combiner, the light is substantially collimated.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Paul J. Gelsinger-Austin, Thomas M. Gregory, Richard H. Tsai, Alexander Shpunt