Patents by Inventor William A. Burns

William A. Burns 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).

  • Patent number: 10032008
    Abstract: A mobile device may perform authentication with an authenticating entity. The mobile device may comprise a plurality of sensors and a processor. The processor may be configured to: receive an authentication request from the authenticating entity requesting authentication information; and determine if the authentication request satisfies predefined user privacy preferences. If so, the processor may be configured to: retrieve the authentication information from at least one sensor to form a trust vector in response to the authentication request and to command transmission of the trust vector to the authenticating entity for authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Griffiths, Eliza Yingzi Du, David William Burns, Muhammed Ibrahim Sezan
  • Patent number: 10031602
    Abstract: A display array is disclosed. The multifunctional pixel may include a plurality of multifunctional pixels. Each multifunctional pixel can include a red display area, a green display area, and a blue display area, as well as at least one sensor selected from the following sensor types: an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor, and a capacitive sensor. The blue display area can be smaller than the red display area, or smaller than the green display area, in each of the plurality of multifunctional pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Conway Kitchens, II, John Keith Schneider, David William Burns, Suryaprakash Ganti
  • Patent number: 10001552
    Abstract: A piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) includes a diaphragm disposed over a cavity, the diaphragm including a piezoelectric layer stack including a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode electrically coupled with transceiver circuitry, and a second electrode electrically coupled with the transceiver circuitry. The first electrode may be disposed in a first portion of the diaphragm, and the second electrode may be disposed in a second, separate, portion of the diaphragm. Each of the first and the second electrode is disposed on or proximate to a first surface of the piezoelectric layer, the first surface being opposite from the cavity. The PMUT is configured to transmit first ultrasonic signals by way of the first electrode during a first time period and to receive second ultrasonic signals by way of the second electrode during a second time period, the first time period and the second time period being at least partially overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Hao-Yen Tang, Yipeng Lu, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Suryaprakash Ganti, David William Burns, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Jon Bradley Lasiter, Nai-Kuei Kuo, Firas Sammoura
  • Patent number: 10003888
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for microspeaker devices. In one aspect, a microspeaker element may include a deformable dielectric membrane that spans a speaker cavity. The deformable dielectric membrane can include a piezoactuator and a dielectric layer. Upon application of a driving signal to the piezoactuator, the dielectric layer can deflect, producing sound. In some implementations, an array of microspeaker elements can be encapsulated between a glass substrate and a cover glass. Sound generated by the microspeaker elements can be emitted through a speaker grill formed in the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SNAPTRACK, INC
    Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, David William Burns, Ravindra V. Shenoy
  • Publication number: 20180155597
    Abstract: Compositions having a core and a coating that covers at least part of the core, where the core comprises a mixture of at least one oil field chemical and at least one core matrix polymer are described. The composition provides a slower release of an oil field chemical into an eluent compared to the release provide by the core. The compositions provide for the controlled release of tracer over long periods of time than is provided by the release from the core. Methods of making the compositions and systems containing the compositions are described. Methods of tracing the movement of fluid in a hydrocarbon reservoir using the compositions and methods of releasing biocides and other well treatment agents into reservoir fluids over time are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas William BURNS, Paul Finbar QUIGLEY, Chun-tian ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20180129849
    Abstract: A system may include a fingerprint sensor system and a control system. The system may be configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave including a first frequency. The control system may be configured to obtain dermis layer image data from a target object based on reflected portions of the ultrasonic waves received by the fingerprint sensor system. The dermis layer image data may correspond to ultrasonic waves received from the target object within a time interval corresponding with the dermis layer. The reflected portions of the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the dermis layer image data may include ultrasonic waves at a second frequency that is an integer multiple of the first frequency. The control system may be configured to determine whether a magnitude of the ultrasonic waves at the second frequency exceeds a harmonic threshold and, if the magnitude exceeds the harmonic threshold, the control system may perform an authentication process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Jessica Liu Strohmann, Yipeng Lu, Ashish Hinger, David William Burns
  • Patent number: 9953233
    Abstract: A method of determining whether a biometric object is part of a live individual is described. In one such method, image information is acquired from the biometric object by using a sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor. The image information may be analyzed in at least two analysis stages. One of the analysis stages may be a temporal analysis stage that analyzes changes in the image information obtained during a time period throughout which the biometric object was continuously available to the sensor. For example, a dead/alive stage may analyze differences between image information taken at two different times in order to identify changes from one time to the next. Other stages may focus on aspects of a particular image information set, rather than seeking to assess changes over time. These other stages seek to determine whether an image information set exhibits characteristics similar to those of a live biometric object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Eliza Yingzi Du, Ming Yu Chen, Esra Vural, Kwokleung Chan, David William Burns, Suryaprakash Ganti, John Keith Schneider, Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Jin Gu
  • Patent number: 9945818
    Abstract: Embodiments of an ultrasonic button and methods for using the ultrasonic button are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic button may include an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave, a piezoelectric receiver layer configured to receive a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, a platen layer configured to protect the ultrasonic transmitter and the piezoelectric receiver layer, a first matching layer configured to match an acoustic impedance of the platen layer with an acoustic impedance of ridges of a finger, and an ultrasonic sensor array configured to detect the finger using the reflected wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Suryaprakash Ganti, Srikanth Chilukuru, Livingstone Song, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Jack Conway Kitchens, John Schneider, Nicholas Ian Buchan, Leonard Eugene Fennell, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Ashish Hinger, Nai-Kuei Kuo, Kollengode Narayanan, Samir Kumar Gupta, Timothy Dickinson, Max Hamel, David William Burns, Muhammed Ibrahim Sezan, Eugene Dantsker
  • Patent number: 9946873
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus that provide secure executable codes generated during run time via a trusted compiler server are described. An application can send a service request to the compiler server to request executable codes. The compiler server can determine whether the service request is permitted to be served based on a security policy imposed and the security settings associated with the service request. Availability of certain compilers can be allowed if the application is authorized according to the service request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Beretta, Nicholas William Burns, Nathaniel Begeman, Phillip Kent Miller, Geoffrey Grant Stahl
  • Publication number: 20180101711
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for configuring a fingerprint sensor to operate in a capacitive sensing mode and an ultrasonic sensing mode are disclosed. A fingerprint sensor may be configured to operate in a capacitive sensing mode by driving a sensing electrode using a controller. In some implementations, an object positioned on or near the sensing electrode may be detected using the fingerprint sensor in the capacitive sensing mode, and the controller can drive electrodes of the fingerprint sensor differently to configure the fingerprint sensor to operate in an ultrasonic sensing mode. In some implementations, an applications processor may be instructed to authenticate a fingerprint of the object from image data obtained when the fingerprint sensor is operating in the ultrasonic sensing mode. In some implementations, a display of a mobile device containing the fingerprint sensor may be unlocked, or the mobile device may be woken up when the fingerprint is authenticated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Sandeep Louis D'Souza, Vadim Winebrand, Ashish Hinger, Paul Penchin Pan, Meir Agassy, Yizhaq Abudi, Micah Timothy Lawrence, Jong Soo Kim, Sherman Sebastian Antao, Bo-Ren Wang, Masoud Roham, Lennart Karl Mathe, Nathan Felix Altman, Suryaprakash Ganti, David William Burns
  • Patent number: 9911184
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing apparatus may include a fingerprint sensor system and a control system capable of receiving fingerprint sensor data from the fingerprint sensor system. The control system may be capable of determining fingerprint sensor data blocks for at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor data and of calculating statistical variance values for fingerprint sensor data corresponding to each of the fingerprint sensor data blocks. The control system may be capable of determining, based at least in part the statistical variance values, whether an object is positioned proximate a portion of the fingerprint sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Eliza Yingzi Du, Ming Yu Chen, Esra Vural, Kwokleung Chan, Suryaprakash Ganti, John Keith Schneider, David William Burns
  • Publication number: 20180055369
    Abstract: An apparatus or a system may include an ultrasonic sensor array, a radio frequency (RF) source system and a control system. Some implementations may include a light source system and/or an ultrasonic transmitter system. The control system may be capable of controlling the RF source system to emit RF radiation and of receiving signals from the ultrasonic sensor array corresponding to acoustic waves emitted from portions of a target object in response to being illuminated with the RF radiation. The control system may be capable of acquiring ultrasonic image data from the acoustic wave emissions received from the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David William Burns, Jonathan Charles Griffiths, Yipeng Lu
  • Patent number: 9901106
    Abstract: A process for preparing frozen particles having an average diameter of from 1 to 10 mm and comprising from 1 to 50 wt % of a frozen aqueous core and from 50 to 99 wt % of a fat-based shell is provided, the process comprising: providing a dispensing device having an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle which surrounds the inner nozzle; supplying an aqueous mix to the inner nozzle and a fat-based mix to the outer nozzle, thereby forming particles with a water-continuous core and a fat-continuous shell, and then dropping the particles into a refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian William Burns, Andrea Williams, Shiping Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180031686
    Abstract: Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Nai-Kuei Kuo, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, Ranjith Ranganathan, Nao Sugawara Chuei, Ashish Hinger, David William Burns
  • Patent number: 9880819
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus that instructs a compiler server to build or otherwise obtain a compiled code corresponding to a compilation request received from an application are described. The compiler server may be configured to compile source codes for a plurality of independent applications, each running in a separate process, using a plurality of independent compilers, each running in a separate compiler process. A search may be performed in a cache for a compiled code that satisfies a compilation request received from an application. A reply message including the compiled code can be provided for the application, wherein the compiled code is compiled in direct response to the request, or is obtained from the cache if the search identities in the cache the compiled code that satisfies the compilation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Beretta, Nicholas William Burns, Nathaniel Begeman, Phillip Kent Miller, Geoffrey Grant Stahl
  • Publication number: 20170364726
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor device includes a sensor substrate, a plurality of sensor circuits over a first surface of the sensor substrate, and a transceiver layer located over the plurality of sensor circuits and the first surface of the sensor substrate. The transceiver layer includes a piezoelectric layer and a transceiver electrode positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer and the transceiver electrode are configured to generate one or more ultrasonic waves or to receive one or more ultrasonic waves. The fingerprint sensor device may include a cap coupled to the sensor substrate and a cavity formed between the cap and the sensor substrate. The cavity and the sensor substrate may form an acoustic barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Ian Buchan, Mario Francisco Velez, Chin-Jen Tseng, Hrishikesh Vijaykumar Panchawagh, Firas Sammoura, Jessica Liu Strohmann, Kostadin Dimitrov Djordjev, David Williams Burns, Leonard Eugene Fennell, Jon Gregory Aday
  • Publication number: 20170343346
    Abstract: A device may include a surface at least partially defining an enclosed region, a plurality of fluids within the enclosed region, the plurality of fluids comprising at least a first fluid having a first acoustic impedance and a second fluid having a second acoustic impedance different from the first acoustic impedance, a first piezoelectric transducer disposed on the surface, the first piezoelectric transducer being configured to generate a first wave reception signal based, at least in part, on an ultrasonic return wave received through at least one of the plurality of fluids, and a processor coupled to the first piezoelectric transducer and configured to determine a measurement of a tilt of the device based, at least in part, on the first wave reception signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Firas SAMMOURA, Stephanie FUNG, Donald William KIDWELL, JR., Ravindra Vaman SHENOY, David William BURNS
  • Patent number: 9815087
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a one- or two-dimensional array of micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) elements positioned below, beside, with, on, or above a backplane of a visual display. The backplane may be a thin-film transistor (TFT) backplane. The array of PMUT elements may be a piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) array or a capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array. The PMUT array may be configurable to operate in modes corresponding to multiple frequency ranges. When operating in the low-frequency mode, the apparatus may be capable of gesture detection. A high-frequency mode may include a fingerprint sensor mode or a stylus detection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Suryaprakash Ganti, David William Burns, Jonathan Charles Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20170323130
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic receiver array, an ultrasonic transmitter and a control system capable of controlling the ultrasonic transmitter to transmit first ultrasonic waves in a first direction and to simultaneously transmit second ultrasonic waves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The control system may be capable of distinguishing first reflected waves from second reflected waves, the first reflected waves corresponding to reflections of the first ultrasonic waves that are received by the ultrasonic receiver array and the second reflected waves corresponding to reflections of the second ultrasonic waves that are received by the ultrasonic receiver array. The control system may be capable of determining first image data corresponding to the first reflected waves and of determining second image data corresponding to the second reflected waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Dickinson, Nicholas Ian Buchan, David William Burns, John Keith Schneider, Muhammed Ibrahim Sezan
  • Publication number: 20170323132
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor array, a light source system and a control system. Some implementations may include an ultrasonic transmitter. The control system may be operatively configured to control the light source system to emit light that induces acoustic wave emissions inside a target object. The control system may be operatively configured to select a first acquisition time delay for the reception of acoustic wave emissions primarily from a first depth inside the target object. The control system may be operatively configured to acquire first ultrasonic image data from the acoustic wave emissions received by the ultrasonic sensor array during a first acquisition time window. The first acquisition time window may be initiated at an end time of the first acquisition time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Yipeng Lu, David William Burns