Patents by Inventor Nicholas L. Qu

Nicholas L. Qu 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).

  • Publication number: 20230315166
    Abstract: A computing device can be reconfigurable to include one or more electrical devices in various configurations. The computing device can include a base forming an input surface configured to receive user input. The base can receive one or more input devices, such as, displays or keyboards. The base can include a hinge rotatably attached to the base and configured to removably retain an electronic device, such as, a display. The computing device can include a coupling mechanism having a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion. The first and second retaining portions can be configured to removably retain electrical devices to the coupling mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu, Dinesh C. Mathew, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 11709527
    Abstract: A computing device can be reconfigurable to include one or more electrical devices in various configurations. The computing device can include a base forming an input surface configured to receive user input. The base can receive one or more input devices, such as, displays or keyboards. The base can include a hinge rotatably attached to the base and configured to removably retain an electronic device, such as, a display. The computing device can include a coupling mechanism having a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion. The first and second retaining portions can be configured to removably retain electrical devices to the coupling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu, Dinesh C. Mathew, Adam T. Garelli
  • Publication number: 20220214722
    Abstract: An accessory device for a tablet computing device may include a base portion having one or more input devices (e.g., keyboards, trackpads, touchscreen displays, and the like) for providing inputs to the tablet computing device. The accessory device may include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the base portion of the accessory device to a tablet computing device in multiple different installation modes. The coupling mechanism may include an auxiliary display for providing a graphical output along a surface of the coupling mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling mechanism may include a recess for receiving a stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu
  • Patent number: 11360587
    Abstract: A system may include a finger device that is worn on a user's finger. The finger device may serve as a controller for a head-mounted device or other devices in the system. The finger device may have a foldable housing with hinge structures that allow portions of the housing to fold with respect to each other. Magnets or other bistability structures may be used to provide the folding housing with folding bistability. This allows the housing to be placed in a stable unfolded state that releases the finger or a stable folded state in which the housing snaps over the finger and holds the finger device in place. A base may be used to store the finger device for charging. The base may have deployment structures that help place the finger device on the user's finger for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Bradley J. Hamel, Dinesh C. Mathew, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John C. DiFonzo, Keith J. Hendren, Navpreet S. Kaloty, Nicholas L. Qu, Scott J. Krahn, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11320869
    Abstract: An accessory device for a tablet computing device may include a base portion having one or more input devices (e.g., keyboards, trackpads, touchscreen displays, and the like) for providing inputs to the tablet computing device. The accessory device may include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the base portion of the accessory device to a tablet computing device in multiple different installation modes. The coupling mechanism may include an auxiliary display for providing a graphical output along a surface of the coupling mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling mechanism may include a recess for receiving a stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu
  • Publication number: 20220035420
    Abstract: A computing device can be reconfigurable to include one or more electrical devices in various configurations. The computing device can include a base forming an input surface configured to receive user input. The base can receive one or more input devices, such as, displays or keyboards. The base can include a hinge rotatably attached to the base and configured to removably retain an electronic device, such as, a display. The computing device can include a coupling mechanism having a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion. The first and second retaining portions can be configured to removably retain electrical devices to the coupling mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu, Dinesh C. Mathew, Adam T. Garelli
  • Publication number: 20220035417
    Abstract: An accessory device for a tablet computing device may include a base portion having one or more input devices (e.g., keyboards, trackpads, touchscreen displays, and the like) for providing inputs to the tablet computing device. The accessory device may include a coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the base portion of the accessory device to a tablet computing device in multiple different installation modes. The coupling mechanism may include an auxiliary display for providing a graphical output along a surface of the coupling mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling mechanism may include a recess for receiving a stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Nicholas L. Qu