Patents by Inventor Paul S. Kim

Paul S. Kim 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: 20240168558
    Abstract: A finger-mounted device may include finger-mounted units. The finger-mounted units may each have a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have sidewall portions coupled by a portion that rests adjacent to a user's fingernail. The body may be formed from deformable material such as metal or may be formed from adjustable structures such as sliding body portions that are coupled to each other using magnetic attraction, springs, or other structures. The body of each finger-mounted unit may have a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that leaves the finger pad of each finger exposed when the body is coupled to a fingertip of a user's finger. Control circuitry may gather finger press input, lateral finger movement input, and finger tap input using the sensors and may provide haptic output using the haptic output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Michael J. Rockwell, Michael Y. Cheung, Ray L. Chang, Hongcheng Sun, Ian M. Bullock, Kyle J. Nekimken, Madeleine S. Cordier, Seung Wook Kim, David H. Bloom, Scott G. Johnston
  • Patent number: 11991901
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to be flexed about a bend axis. A display may span the bend axis. To facilitate bending about the bend axis without damage, the display may include a display cover layer with a flexible portion. The flexible portion of the display cover layer may be interposed between first and second rigid portions of the display cover layer. The display cover layer may also include a layer with self-healing properties. The layer of self-healing material may be formed across the entire display cover layer or may be formed only in the flexible region of the display cover layer. The display cover layer may include a layer of elastomer in the flexible region of the display cover layer for increased flexibility. Self-healing may be initiated or expedited by externally applied heat, light, electric current, or other type of external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hoon Sik Kim, Terry C. Lam, Chang-Chia Huang, Paul S. Drzaic, Yasmin F. Afsar, Young Cheol Yang, Leiming Wang
  • Patent number: 11967561
    Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric layers and other layers of material. An array of electrical components may be mounted in the fabric-based item. The electrical components may be mounted to a support structure such as a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit may have a mesh shape formed from an array of openings. Serpentine flexible printed circuit segments may extend between the openings. The electrical components may be light-emitting diodes or other electrical devices. Polymer with light-scattering particles or other materials may cover the electrical components. The flexible printed circuit may be laminated between fabric layers or other layers of material in the fabric-based item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Sunshine, Paul S. Drzaic, Daniel A. Podhajny, David M. Kindlon, Hoon Sik Kim, Kathryn P. Crews, Yung-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 11961946
    Abstract: A foldable electronic device may have a foldable housing. The foldable housing may be configured to bend about a bend axis. First and second portions of the housing that rotate relative to each other may be coupled by a hinge that is aligned with the bend axis. A foldable display may be coupled to the foldable housing and may be configured to bend along the bend axis as the foldable housing is folded. The display may have an array of pixels supported by a metal layer. The pixels may be interposed between a display cover layer and the metal layer. The foldable housing may have a support layer. To help support the display for bending about the bend axis while preventing damage to the display when the display is contacted by an external object, a spring layer may be interposed between the metal layer and the support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Chia Huang, Hoon Sik Kim, Paul S. Drzaic, Terry C. Lam, Yasmin F. Afsar, Zhichun Shao
  • Patent number: 11914780
    Abstract: A finger-mounted device may include finger-mounted units. The finger-mounted units may each have a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have sidewall portions coupled by a portion that rests adjacent to a user's fingernail. The body may be formed from deformable material such as metal or may be formed from adjustable structures such as sliding body portions that are coupled to each other using magnetic attraction, springs, or other structures. The body of each finger-mounted unit may have a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that leaves the finger pad of each finger exposed when the body is coupled to a fingertip of a user's finger. Control circuitry may gather finger press input, lateral finger movement input, and finger tap input using the sensors and may provide haptic output using the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Michael J. Rockwell, Michael Y. Cheung, Ray L. Chang, Hongcheng Sun, Ian M. Bullock, Kyle J. Nekimken, Madeleine S. Cordier, Seung Wook Kim, David H. Bloom, Scott G. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6053322
    Abstract: A hanging ornament kit including a generally transparent container comprising first and second components, each component having an interior surface and an opening at one side, and decorating material for decorating the interior surface of each component. The first component is detachably connected to the second component by a coupling on the periphery of at least one of the first and second component openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Family Time Crafts, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Kim, Karyn L. Kim
  • Patent number: 5549713
    Abstract: Utilizing the techniques of tissue expansion, hair-bearing scalp is created and/or wound closure is effected. Elongated anchor plates are implanted in the scalp at spaced apart locations. Each plate has projecting studs which are extended through incisions in the scalp. A readily attachable and removable skin tensioning means is attachable to the studs and set to the required tension for tissue expansion. Guide means control the force vector applied by the tensioning means to the anchor plates. The tensioning and guide means are attachable for use when the patient is in the privacy of his home. The tensioning means may comprise a pair of straps with a hook and look fastener, buckles or the like for the application of requisite tension at a controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Paul S. Kim
  • Patent number: 5516726
    Abstract: A process, compatible with bipolar and CMOS processes, for making local interconnection of adjacent devices on a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. An electrically insulating etch stop layer is deposited over the semiconductor substrate including the device contact openings. A conductive layer is deposited over the etch stop layer. The conductive layer is patterned into a local interconnect by use of resist patterning and subtractive etching, stopping on the etch stop layer. By thermal activation, the conductive pattern and the underlying insulating material interact to become a single electrically conductive layer. This layer also establishes electrical contact to the devices thus completing the formation of the local interconnection of the devices on a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Kim, Seiki Ogura
  • Patent number: 5441540
    Abstract: Utilizing the techniques of tissue expansion, hair-bearing scalp is created and/or wound closure is effected. Elongated anchor plates are implanted in the scalp at spaced apart locations. Each plate has projecting studs which are extended through incisions in the scalp. A readily attachable and removable skin tensioning means is attachable to the studs and set to the required tension for tissue expansion. Guide means control the force vector applied by the tensioning means to the anchor plates. The tensioning and guide means are attachable for use when the patient is in the privacy of his home. The tensioning means may comprise a pair of straps with a Velcro.RTM. fastener, buckles or the like for the application of requisite tension at a controlled rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Paul S. Kim