Patents by Inventor Tony K. Tang
Tony K. Tang 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: 9001257Abstract: A device can have an optical component having at least one alignment/attachment feature and a MEMS structure having a complimentary alignment/attachment feature for each alignment/attachment feature of the optical component. Each alignment/attachment feature of the optical component can mate with a corresponding alignment/attachment of the MEMS structure to align and/or attach the optical component to the MEMS structure. Thus, improved combinations of optical components and MEMS devices can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMSInventors: Tony K. Tang, Roman C. Gutierrez, Shawn Maloney
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Patent number: 8184967Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMSInventors: Tony K. Tang, Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Publication number: 20120063761Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMSInventors: Tony K. Tang, Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 8090252Abstract: A lens barrel assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMSInventors: Tony K. Tang, Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 7769284Abstract: A lens barren assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Silmpel CorporationInventors: Tony K. Tang, Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 7729603Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the resolution of a camera are disclosed. For example, a single lens can be placed at a predetermined position and the position of a lens assembly can be adjusted so as to enhance the resolution of the camera. The single lens can then be moved so as to effect focusing of the camera while the position of the lens assembly tends to maintain enhanced resolution thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 7660056Abstract: An improved lens barrel and related methods are provided. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a lens barrel includes a housing comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter. A first lens element having a diameter approximately equal to the first diameter of the first section is enclosed by the first section of the housing. A second lens element is provided having a diameter approximately equal to the second diameter of the second section.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Tony K. Tang, Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet, Jing Xu, Eric R. Fossum
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Patent number: 7640803Abstract: A micro-machined MEMS resonator gyroscope and accelerometer is fabricated from an epilayer semiconductor wafer to incorporate a substantially planar, H-shaped resonator mass suspended from a support plate by two opposed elongated springs that couple to the relatively short crossbar member of the H. The masses are harmonically oscillated relative to the support plate and a baseplate portion, and two orthogonal modes of the structure corresponding to the two nearly degenerate fundamental torsional modes thereof are used for sensing angular rate about one axis, and linear acceleration along two axes, of the sensor. The H-shaped mass advantageously incorporates a relatively high length-to-width aspect ratio, and in one embodiment, the springs may advantageously incorporate either a square cross-section, such that the structure can be tuned to substantially match the fundamental frequencies of the two resonance modes of the structure by removing, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 7583006Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electrostatic actuator has a base having a plurality of base pillars formed thereon and has a stage having a plurality of stage pillars formed thereon. The controlled application of voltage signals to the base pillars and/or the stage pillars results in electrostatic force that effects movement of the stage with respect to the base.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Robert J. Calvet, Roman C. Gutierrez, Darrell Harrington, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 7477400Abstract: A range/speed finder can be incorporated into a personal electronic device. In one example, a personal electronic device includes an automatic focus system adapted to focus an image of an object and a processor in communication with the automatic focus system adapted to detect a distance of the object using the automatic focus system. The processor can be adapted to detect a speed of the object and/or a dimension of the object using the automatic focus system. Methods and systems for determining a distance, a dimension, and/or a speed of the object relative to the personal electronic device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 7345827Abstract: An improved lens barrel and related methods are provided. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a lens barrel includes a housing comprising a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter. A first lens element having a diameter approximately equal to the first diameter of the first section is enclosed by the first section of the housing. A second lens element is provided having a diameter approximately equal to the second diameter of the second section.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Tony K. Tang, Roman C. Gutierrez, Robert J. Calvet, Jing Xu, Eric R. Fossum
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Publication number: 20080044172Abstract: A lens barren assembly for a camera is disclosed. The lens barrel assembly comprises a lens barrel, at least one optical element disposed within the lens barrel, and an actuator configured to move the optical element. The actuator can be disposed entirely or partially within the lens barrel. The actuator can be a MEMS actuator, such as a MEMS actuator that is formed at least partially of silicon. The optical element can be a lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Tony K. Tang, Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 7159441Abstract: A micro-gyroscope (10) having closed loop output operation by a control voltage (Vty), that is demodulated by a drive axis (x-axis) signal Vthx of the sense electrodes (S1, S2), providing Coriolis torque rebalance to prevent displacement of the micro-gyroscope (10) on the output axis (y-axis) Vthy˜0. Closed loop drive axis torque, Vtx maintains a constant drive axis amplitude signal, Vthx. The present invention provides independent alignment and tuning of the micro-gyroscope by using separate electrodes and electrostatic bias voltages to adjust alignment and tuning. A quadrature amplitude signal, or cross-axis transfer function peak amplitude is used to detect misalignment that is corrected to zero by an electrostatic bias voltage adjustment. The cross-axis transfer function is either Vthy/Vty or Vtnx/Vtx.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: A. Dorian Challoner, Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Publication number: 20040237626Abstract: A micro-gyroscope (10) having closed loop output operation by a control voltage (Vty), that is demodulated by a drive axis (x-axis) signal Vthx of the sense electrodes (S1, S2), providing Coriolis torque rebalance to prevent displacement of the micro-gyroscope (10) on the output axis (y-axis) Vthy˜0. Closed loop drive axis torque, Vtx maintains a constant drive axis amplitude signal, Vthx. The present invention provides independent alignment and tuning of the micro-gyroscope by using separate electrodes and electrostatic bias voltages to adjust alignment and tuning. A quadrature amplitude signal, or cross-axis transfer function peak amplitude is used to detect misalignment that is corrected to zero by an electrostatic bias voltage adjustment. The cross-axis transfer function is either Vthy/Vty or Vtnx/Vtx.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: A. Dorian Challoner, Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 6785031Abstract: A pivotable optical element that may be fully deflected in a plurality of positions is disclosed. The fully deflected positions of the optical element may be defined against linear segments on a platform or against linear segments on the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: SiWave, Inc.Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 6758093Abstract: A microgyroscope having a suspended vertical post uses the Coriolis force to detect the rotation rate. The microgyroscope consists of a single vertical post which is the rotation rate sensing element. The vertical post is formed from the same silicon wafers as the rest of the microgyroscope. A first portion of the vertical post and the clover-leaf structure are made from a first silicon wafer. A second portion of the vertical post and the baseplate are made from a second silicon wafer. The two portions are then bonded together to from the clover-leaf gyroscope with an integrated post structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Tony K. Tang, Damien C. Rodger, Roman C. Gutierrez
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Patent number: 6738177Abstract: The snapped-down position of an optical element is defined by its contact with a plurality of kinematic supports on an associated platform, or on electrodes placed on that platform. Compliant flexures may be provided in association with one or more kinematic supports, such that fine adjustments of the optical element can be made by deflecting the optical element to cause compression of one or more flexures.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Siwave, Inc.Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang, Cathleen Jones, Robert J. Calvet
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Patent number: 6621611Abstract: A pivotable optical element that may be fully deflected in a plurality of positions is disclosed. The fully deflected positions of the optical element may be defined against linear segments on a platform or against linear segments on the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: SiWave, Inc.Inventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 6598455Abstract: The electrostatic elements already present in a vibratory gyroscope are used to simulate the Coriolis forces. An artificial electrostatic rotation signal is added to the closed-loop force rebalance system. Because the Coriolis force is at the same frequency as the artificial electrostatic force, the simulated force may be introduced into the system to perform an inertial test on MEMS vibratory gyroscopes without the use of a rotation table.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 6584845Abstract: The inertial sensor of the present invention utilizes a proof mass suspended from spring structures forming a nearly degenerate resonant structure into which a perturbation is introduced, causing a split in frequency of the two modes so that the mode shape become uniquely defined, and to the first order, remains orthogonal. The resonator is provided with a mass or inertia tensor with off-diagonal elements. These off-diagonal elements are large enough to change the mode shape of the two nearly degenerate modes from the original coordinate frame. The spring tensor is then provided with a compensating off-diagonal element, such that the mode shape is again defined in the original coordinate frame. The compensating off-diagonal element in the spring tensor is provided by a biasing voltage that softens certain elements in the spring tensor. Acceleration disturbs the compensation and the mode shape again changes from the original coordinate frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang