Stephen N Sweet

Title: Innovations of Stephen N Sweet

Introduction

Stephen N Sweet is a prominent inventor based in San Jose, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of technology, particularly in the development of advanced input detection systems. With a total of eight patents to his name, Sweet's work has had a notable impact on electronic devices.

Latest Patents

One of Sweet's latest patents is for "Single photon avalanche diodes for rotational and translational input detection." This invention involves an input component for electronic devices that can detect both rotational and translational movement of a surface. The design includes a movable input member with a shaft that has a specific pattern on its surface. A light-emitting element directs light towards this pattern, and a portion of the light is reflected back. An imaging system captures the reflected light using an array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) operating in Geiger mode. This array is connected to a counter circuit that increments values based on the SPAD output, allowing for the correlation of these values to the spatial phase of the reflected light, which can be converted to determine the movement of the input member.

Another significant patent is the "Laser safety circuit providing frequency-based average current monitoring." This method involves generating a first signal with a specific frequency that varies according to the amplitude of the drive current supplied to a laser. The process includes incrementing or decrementing a count based on the relationship between two frequencies and determining if the count meets a threshold. If the threshold is satisfied, the operation of the laser is modified accordingly.

Career Highlights

Stephen N Sweet is currently employed at Apple Inc., where he continues to innovate and develop cutting-edge technologies. His work at Apple has positioned him as a key player in the advancement of electronic device functionality.

Collaborations

Sweet has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Dong Zheng and Tyler S Bushnell. These partnerships have contributed to the successful development of his patented technologies.

Conclusion

Stephen N Sweet's contributions to the field of technology through his innovative patents demonstrate his expertise and commitment to advancing electronic device capabilities. His work continues to influence the industry and inspire future innovations.