Patents by Inventor Wayne Chapman
Wayne Chapman 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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Publication number: 20230154959Abstract: An imaging device may include a plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels. The SPAD pixels may be overlapped by microlenses to direct light incident on the pixels onto photosensitive regions of the pixels and a containment grid with openings that surround each of the microlenses. During formation of the microlenses, the containment grid may prevent microlens material for adjacent SPAD pixels from merging. To ensure separation between the microlenses, the containment grid may be formed from material phobic to microlens material, or phobic material may be added over the containment grid material. Additionally, the containment grid may be formed from material that can absorb stray or off-angle light so that it does not reach the associated SPAD pixel, thereby reducing crosstalk during operation of the SPAD pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Marc Allen SULFRIDGE, Swarnal BORTHAKUR, Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN
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Patent number: 11646337Abstract: An image sensor with uniform, well-controlled air gaps is provided. A structure that is at least partially filled with organic material may be formed on the image sensor. A hybrid organic/inorganic film layer may be formed over the organic material. The image sensor may then be exposed to energy, which causes the organic material to sublimate through the hybrid film layer, which itself may become a gas permeable layer when exposed to energy. After sublimation, the regions where the organic material was previously filled become air gaps with a low index of refraction. Air gaps formed in this way can be configured over photodiodes as light guides or focusing structures, as concave/convex microlenses, in between photodiodes as isolation structures, in between color filter elements to reduce crosstalk, and/or over microlenses to enhancing focusing power.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Nathan Wayne Chapman, Brian Anthony Vaartstra, Amanda Thuy Trang Vu
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Patent number: 11626440Abstract: An imaging device may include a plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels. The SPAD pixels may be overlapped by microlenses to direct light incident on the pixels onto photosensitive regions of the pixels and a containment grid with openings that surround each of the microlenses. During formation of the microlenses, the containment grid may prevent microlens material for adjacent SPAD pixels from merging. To ensure separation between the microlenses, the containment grid may be formed from material phobic to microlens material, or phobic material may be added over the containment grid material. Additionally, the containment grid may be formed from material that can absorb stray or off-angle light so that it does not reach the associated SPAD pixel, thereby reducing crosstalk during operation of the SPAD pixels.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Marc Allen Sulfridge, Swarnal Borthakur, Nathan Wayne Chapman
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Publication number: 20220013563Abstract: An image sensor with uniform, well-controlled air gaps is provided. A structure that is at least partially filled with organic material may be formed on the image sensor. A hybrid organic/inorganic film layer may be formed over the organic material. The image sensor may then be exposed to energy, which causes the organic material to sublimate through the hybrid film layer, which itself may become a gas permeable layer when exposed to energy. After sublimation, the regions where the organic material was previously filled become air gaps with a low index of refraction. Air gaps formed in this way can be configured over photodiodes as light guides or focusing structures, as concave/convex microlenses, in between photodiodes as isolation structures, in between color filter elements to reduce crosstalk, and/or over microlenses to enhancing focusing power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN, Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA, Amanda Thuy Trang VU
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Publication number: 20210151490Abstract: An imaging device may include a plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels. The SPAD pixels may be overlapped by microlenses to direct light incident on the pixels onto photosensitive regions of the pixels and a containment grid with openings that surround each of the microlenses. During formation of the microlenses, the containment grid may prevent microlens material for adjacent SPAD pixels from merging. To ensure separation between the microlenses, the containment grid may be formed from material phobic to microlens material, or phobic material may be added over the containment grid material. Additionally, the containment grid may be formed from material that can absorb stray or off-angle light so that it does not reach the associated SPAD pixel, thereby reducing crosstalk during operation of the SPAD pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Marc Allen SULFRIDGE, Swarnal BORTHAKUR, Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN
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Patent number: 10573678Abstract: An image sensor may include high dynamic range imaging pixels having an inner sub-pixel surrounded by an outer sub-pixel. To steer light away from the inner sub-pixel and towards the outer sub-pixel, the high dynamic range imaging pixels may be covered by a toroidal microlens. To mitigate cross-talk caused by high-angled incident light, various microlens arrangements may be used. A toroidal microlens may have planar portions on its outer perimeter. A toroidal microlens may be covered by four additional microlenses, each additional microlens positioned in a respective corner of the pixel. Each pixel may be covered by four microlenses in a 2×2 arrangement, with an opening formed by the space between the four microlenses overlapping the inner sub-pixel.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Nathan Wayne Chapman, Marc Allen Sulfridge, Ulrich Boettiger, Swarnal Borthakur, Brian Anthony Vaartstra
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Patent number: 10510787Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of pixels having a color filter layer. The color filter layer may include colored elements and clear elements. The clear elements may be formed from transparent dielectric material. The color filter layer may include a grid of light-blocking material that forms color filter container structures having an array of openings in which the colored elements and the clear elements are formed. The color filter container structures may be formed from the same transparent dielectric material that forms the clear elements. The color filter container structures may be formed from opaque materials or transparent materials that form structures such as planarization layers, microlenses, or antireflection coatings for the array of pixels. The material used to form the color filter container structures may have a refractive index that is sufficiently high to prevent light from passing between adjacent elements in the color filter layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Swarnal Borthakur, Nathan Wayne Chapman, Brian Anthony Vaartstra
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Publication number: 20190348456Abstract: An image sensor may include high dynamic range imaging pixels having an inner sub-pixel surrounded by an outer sub-pixel. To steer light away from the inner sub-pixel and towards the outer sub-pixel, the high dynamic range imaging pixels may be covered by a toroidal microlens. To mitigate cross-talk caused by high-angled incident light, various microlens arrangements may be used. A toroidal microlens may have planar portions on its outer perimeter. A toroidal microlens may be covered by four additional microlenses, each additional microlens positioned in a respective corner of the pixel. Each pixel may be covered by four microlenses in a 2×2 arrangement, with an opening formed by the space between the four microlenses overlapping the inner sub-pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN, Marc Allen SULFRIDGE, Ulrich BOETTIGER, Swarnal BORTHAKUR, Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA
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Patent number: 10432883Abstract: Global shutter imaging pixels may include a charge storage region that receives charge from a respective photodiode. Global shutter imaging pixels may be formed as frontside illuminated imaging pixels or backside illuminated imaging pixels. Shielding charge storage regions from incident light may be important for image sensor performance. To shield charge storage regions in backside illuminated global shutter imaging pixels, shielding structures may be included over the charge storage region. The shielding structures may include backside trench isolation structures, a metal layer formed in a backside trench between backside trench isolation structures, and frontside deep trench isolation structures. The metal layer may have angled portions that reflect light towards the photodiodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Nathan Wayne Chapman, Swarnal Borthakur, Marc Allen Sulfridge
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Publication number: 20190123083Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of pixels having a color filter layer. The color filter layer may include colored elements and clear elements. The clear elements may be formed from transparent dielectric material. The color filter layer may include a grid of light-blocking material that forms color filter container structures having an array of openings in which the colored elements and the clear elements are formed. The color filter container structures may be formed from the same transparent dielectric material that forms the clear elements. The color filter container structures may be formed from opaque materials or transparent materials that form structures such as planarization layers, microlenses, or antireflection coatings for the array of pixels. The material used to form the color filter container structures may have a refractive index that is sufficiently high to prevent light from passing between adjacent elements in the color filter layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Swarnal BORTHAKUR, Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN, Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA
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Patent number: 10165847Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exoskeleton system to be worn by a user. The system includes a load carriage arrangement configured to carry an applied load. The load carriage arrangement includes a frame, for example a frame for a backpack, and at least one non-rigid member. The at least one-non rigid member is arranged to transfer at least a first part of the applied load carried by the load carriage arrangement to the ground bypassing the user's musculoskeletal system. The system may further include a load sharing arrangement configured to transfer a second part of the applied load to the user's musculoskeletal system.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIAInventor: Thomas Wayne Chapman
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Publication number: 20180301484Abstract: An image sensor may include phase detecting and autofocusing (PDAF) pixels. Each PDAF pixel may be hexagonal may be divided into two or more photodiode regions. A semi-spherical microlens may be formed over each PDAF pixel. Each PDAF pixel may be further divided into an inner sub-pixel portion and an outer sub-pixel portion to provide high dynamic range (HDR) functionality. The outer sub-pixel portion may be further divided into two or more photodiode regions to provide depth sensing capability. A semi-toroidal microlens may be formed over each PDAF HDR pixel. Each PDAF HDR pixel may also have a snowflake-like shape or some irregular shape. Smaller interstitial pixels may be dispersed among the larger snowflake-like pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA, Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN
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Publication number: 20170374306Abstract: An imaging system may include at least two image sensors. Each image sensor may have a respective lens module that is configured to focus light on the image sensor. One of the image sensors may be a monochrome sensor, while another image sensor may be a color sensor. The monochrome sensor may include phase detection pixels while the color sensor may not include phase detection pixels. The imaging system may include processing circuitry that is configured to adjust the lens modules for both the monochrome and color sensors based on the data from the phase detection pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA, Nathan Wayne CHAPMAN
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Publication number: 20170035187Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exoskeleton system to be worn by a user. The system includes a load carriage arrangement configured to carry an applied load. The load carriage arrangement includes a frame, for example a frame for a backpack, and at least one non-rigid member. The at least one-non rigid member is arranged to transfer at least a first part of the applied load carried by the load carriage arrangement to the ground bypassing the user's musculoskeletal system. The system may further include a load sharing arrangement configured to transfer a second part of the applied load to the user's musculoskeletal system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Thomas Wayne Chapman
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Patent number: 8417539Abstract: A pharmaceutical solid in a prescription vial is identified from an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid using light reflected from two different light sources. For each known pharmaceutical solid, an optical property of the known pharmaceutical solid is stored. The prescription vial is illuminated with a first light source and a first image is recorded. The prescription vial is then illuminated with a second light source and a second image is recorded. The first image and the second image are processed to find an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid. The optical property found is compared to the stored optical properties. The identity of the pharmaceutical solid is determined from the comparison. The first light source and the second light source are selected to remove artifacts of the prescription bottle or to enhance or suppress two-dimensional or three-dimensional effects on the surface of the pharmaceutical solid.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Optopo Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Chapman, John E. Stranzl, Jr., Evan C. Cull, Prasant Potuluri, David J. Brady
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Patent number: 8331678Abstract: Machine vision is used to identify a discontinuity in the boundary of an object in an image. An image of one or more objects is captured. One or more skeletons of the one or more objects are calculated. One or more boundaries of the one or more objects are calculated. A plurality of radial lines is extended from a spine point of a skeleton to the one or more boundaries. Each radial line intersects a boundary at a radial endpoint producing a plurality of radial endpoints. For each radial endpoint an expected radial endpoint is calculated based on two or more neighboring radial endpoints. If the difference between the radial endpoint and its expected radial endpoint exceeds a threshold, a radial line including the radial endpoint is identified as a discontinuity in a boundary of an object.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Optopo Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Chapman, Prasant Potuluri
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Publication number: 20100278382Abstract: Machine vision is used to identify a discontinuity in the boundary of an object in an image. An image of one or more objects is captured. One or more skeletons of the one or more objects are calculated. One or more boundaries of the one or more objects are calculated. A plurality of radial lines is extended from a spine point of a skeleton to the one or more boundaries. Each radial line intersects a boundary at a radial endpoint producing a plurality of radial endpoints. For each radial endpoint an expected radial endpoint is calculated based on two or more neighboring radial endpoints. If the difference between the radial endpoint and its expected radial endpoint exceeds a threshold, a radial line including the radial endpoint is identified as a discontinuity in a boundary of an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Chapman, Prasant Potuluri
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Publication number: 20090080735Abstract: A pharmaceutical solid in a prescription vial is identified from an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid using light reflected from two different light sources. For each known pharmaceutical solid, an optical property of the known pharmaceutical solid is stored. The prescription vial is illuminated with a first light source and a first image is recorded. The prescription vial is then illuminated with a second light source and a second image is recorded. The first image and the second image are processed to find an optical property of the pharmaceutical solid. The optical property found is compared to the stored optical properties. The identity of the pharmaceutical solid is determined from the comparison. The first light source and the second light source are selected to remove artifacts of the prescription bottle or to enhance or suppress two-dimensional or three-dimensional effects on the surface of the pharmaceutical solid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Chapman, John E. Stranzl, JR., Evan C. Cull, Prasant Potuluri, David J. Brady
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Publication number: 20030154971Abstract: A one-piece hood for a gas grill is formed from a single sheet of steel and comprises at least a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, and a top wall. Each of the opposing side walls further includes an indented central portion that has a substantially uniform depth and a perimeter internally adjacent to the side wall perimeter. The indented central portions increase the structural strength of the hood so as to better resist warping due to heating. A sloped wall can be formed between the top wall and the front wall. The hood is porcelain-coated to prevent rust.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventor: Wayne Chapman
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Patent number: D494004Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Meco CorporationInventor: Wayne Chapman