David A Beard

US Patent:

55788130, Nov 26, 1996

Filed:

Mar 2, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/396826

Inventors:

Ross R. Allen - Belmont CA
David Beard - Palo Alto CA
Mark T. Smith - San Mateo CA
Barclay J. Tullis - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

2502081

Abstract:

A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Illumination for optimal operation of the navigation system may be introduced at a grazing angle in some applications or in the normal to a plane of the original in other applications, but this is not essential.

US Patent:

56441398, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

Aug 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/696713

Inventors:

Ross R. Allen - Belmont CA
David Beard - Palo Alto CA
Mark T. Smith - San Mateo CA
Barclay J. Tullis - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06K 7015

US Classification:

250557

Abstract:

A scanning device and method for forming a scanned electronic image include using navigation information that is acquired along with image data, and then rectifying the image data based upon the navigation and image information. The navigation information is obtained in frames. The differences between consecutive frames are detected and accumulated, and this accumulated displacement value is representative of a position of the scanning device relative to a reference. The image data is then positioned-tagged using the position data obtained from the accumulated displacement value. To avoid the accumulation of errors, the accumulated displacement value obtained from consecutive frames is updated by comparing a current frame with a much earlier frame stored in memory and using the resulting difference as the displacement from the earlier frame. These larger displacement steps are then accumulated to determine the relative position of the scanning device.

US Patent:

58250441, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Feb 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/805963

Inventors:

Ross R. Allen - Belmont CA
David Beard - Palo Alto CA
Mark T. Smith - San Mateo CA
Barclay J. Tullis - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06K 7015

US Classification:

250557

Abstract:

A scanning device and method of forming a scanned electronic image include an imaging sensor and at least one navigation sensor. For an embodiment, the imaging sensor enables sensing of color images. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging sensor is a linear array of sensor elements, with a two-dimensional navigation sensor array at each end. The scanning device has three degrees of freedom, since position information from the navigation sensors allows manipulation of an image signal from the imaging sensor to reduce distortion artifacts caused by curvilinear scanning. Acceptable sources of the position information include printed matter and contrast variations dictated by variations in the inherent structure-related properties of the medium on which the scanned image is formed. Inherent structure-related properties can also include color contrast. Illumination for optimal operation of the navigation system may be introduced at a grazing angle in some applications or in the normal to a plane of the original in other applications, but this is not essential.

US Patent:

57033536, Dec 30, 1997

Filed:

Jan 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/591076

Inventors:

Travis N. Blalock - Santa Clara CA
Richard A. Baumgartner - Palo Alto CA
Thomas Hornak - Portola Valley CA
David Beard - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

250214C

Abstract:

Circuitry and method for transferring signals from a photoreceiver array to computational circuitry includes parallel transfer amplifiers that receive periodic offset correction and includes DC removal amplifiers. In a first embodiment, each transfer amplifier has a differential circuit that can be switched from a reset mode to a readout mode. In the readout mode, the voltage state at the output is responsive to first and second inputs, with the second input being connected to a source of a reference voltage. In the reset mode, the inputs are both connected to the reference voltage and the output is temporarily connected to a source of a fixed reset voltage. An offset adjustment signal is generated in response to detection of a voltage difference between the reset voltage and the actual voltage state at the output after the output has been disconnected from the source of the reset voltage. A single offset circuit is used to periodically and sequentially refresh the various transfer amplifiers. In a second embodiment, spatial frequency components at both low and high frequencies are removed from the outputs of the photoreceiver array by DC removal amplifiers.

US Patent:

20210281726, Sep 9, 2021

Filed:

May 21, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/327014

Inventors:

- Cupertino CA, US
Andrew D. Fernandez - Cupertino CA, US
Arathi S. Bale - Sunnyvale CA, US
David C. Beard - Los Gatos CA, US
Santiago Alban - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04N 5/225
H04N 5/232

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting a lens control mode for a camera in external magnetic fields or other types of non-magnetic interference. In embodiments, when the camera is activated, a test of a position sensor for the camera lens is performed by moving the camera lens through a range of positions and collecting values from the sensor. In embodiments, the sensor readings are analyzed to determine conditions such as (a) whether the sensor is saturated by an external magnetic field or non-magnetic interference, (b) whether the sensor's readings are within an error margin, and (c) whether a computed position offset for the sensor is valid. Based on the analysis, the camera is placed into a first control mode where movement of the lens is controlled using the position sensor, or a second control mode where lens movement is controlled without the position sensor.

US Patent:

20150350507, Dec 3, 2015

Filed:

May 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/292441

Inventors:

- Cupertino CA, US
Richard H. Tsai - Cupertino CA, US
Richard L. Baer - Los Altos CA, US
David C. Beard - Los Gatos CA, US
Damien J. Thivent - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

APPLE INC. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04N 5/232
H04N 5/225

Abstract:

Some embodiments include an optical image stabilization system. The optical image stabilization system includes a sensor. The sensor is configured for measuring movements of a camera module stabilized by the optical image stabilization system. Some embodiments further include an optical image stabilization control system for calculating from the movements a calculated position of a moving body. In some embodiments, the moving body is part of a camera module. Some embodiments further include an actuator control for generating electrical signals to move at least two actuators to achieve a calculated position of the moving body. In some embodiments, the actuator control system receives measurements from positions sensors that assess the position of the moving body.

US Patent:

20150195439, Jul 9, 2015

Filed:

Jun 2, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/294100

Inventors:

- Cupertino CA, US
David C. Beard - Los Gatos CA, US
Douglas S. Brodie - Los Gatos CA, US
Aurelien R. Hubert - Saratoga CA, US

Assignee:

APPLE INC. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H04N 5/232
H04N 5/225

Abstract:

An actuator module for optical image stabilization of a lens assembly relative to an image sensor in a camera includes a coil mounting structure. A plurality of optical image stabilization (OIS) coils is mounted to the coil mounting structure. Some embodiments include a lens assembly structure configured to hold a lens assembly. A plurality of magnets is affixed to the lens assembly structure. Some embodiments include a spring assembly for coupling the coil mounting structure to the lens assembly structure, such that the lens assembly structure is movable relative to the coil mounting structure in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens assembly. The lens assembly comprises a light input side and an opposing light exit side for providing light for an image to an image sensor. The plurality of OIS coils is mounted closer to the light input side than the plurality of magnets.