Patents by Inventor Chia-chi Wu

Chia-chi Wu 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: 11990292
    Abstract: A computing device can include a housing defining an opening, a base layer, and a button mechanism positioned in the opening. The button mechanism can include a keycap movable relative to the base layer between an undepressed state and a depressed state, and a dome contacting the keycap, the dome including a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. In the undepressed state, the first surface can be concave and the second surface can be convex. In a partially depressed state, a first portion of the first surface can be convex and a second portion of the first surface can be concave. In the depressed state, the first surface can be convex and the second surface can be concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Po Chang, Chia Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 11972062
    Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Xiaopeng Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20240105400
    Abstract: A computing device can include a housing defining an opening, a base layer, and a button mechanism positioned in the opening. The button mechanism can include a keycap movable relative to the base layer between an undepressed state and a depressed state, and a dome contacting the keycap, the dome including a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. In the undepressed state, the first surface can be concave and the second surface can be convex. In a partially depressed state, a first portion of the first surface can be convex and a second portion of the first surface can be concave. In the depressed state, the first surface can be convex and the second surface can be concave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Po Chang, Chia Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 11942285
    Abstract: An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Michael Vosgueritchian, Ming Gao, Nan Chen, Vyom Sharma, Wenhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230298834
    Abstract: An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Michael Vosgueritchian, Ming Gao, Nan Chen, Vyom Sharma, Wenhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20230060729
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a power module. The power module includes first fasteners and power devices. The power devices are adjacently disposed and locked by the first fasteners. Each of the power devices packages a power electronic therein. Each of the power devices includes a first extending portion. The first extending portion extends from a side of the power device. The first extending portion includes at least one first curved opening for receiving the first fastener. The first curved openings are adjacently disposed to form a first inserting hole. The first fastener passes through the first inserting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Chi WU, Lian-An JIAN, Cheng-Yu SHEN, Chun-Hong CHEN, Hung-Hsiao LIU
  • Patent number: 11586153
    Abstract: Watch bands described herein include electrochromic features that provide adjustable color control based on an applied voltage to offer a variety of colors and color combinations to be displayed by a single band. The user or a control system can control, select, and/or adjust one or more colors of the watch band for visual display. Accordingly, a variety of colors can be displayed at different times without requiring different watch bands for each color or color combination. The color changing features can be used as a visual output of information from the watch to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Zhengyu Li, Chia Chi Wu, Chen Zhang, Qiliang Xu
  • Patent number: 11501933
    Abstract: An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Michael Vosgueritchian, Ming Gao, Nan Chen, Vyom Sharma, Wenhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20220164036
    Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Xiaopeng Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11282659
    Abstract: Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Ming Gao, Zheng Gao, Zyhengyu Li
  • Patent number: 11281305
    Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11209870
    Abstract: Accessory units for electronic devices are described. The accessory units can include a panel that has a flexible substrate with a network of structural elements that are arranged to fold the panel into different forms and shapes similar to origami. For example, the panel can be bent along one or more fold lines that are defined by adjacent structural elements. In some cases, the panels are configured to fold at preferred fold lines, sometimes in non-parallel orientations with respect to each other. In one case, the accessory can be unfolded into a flat configuration and serve as a cover for the electronic device. In some cases, the accessory units can be brought behind and support an electronic device at different angles with respect to a support surface. The accessory units can also include features such as keyboards, touch pads, or other input devices for the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zhengyu Li, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu
  • Patent number: 11177093
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to touch-sensitive mechanical keyboards and methods for detecting touch events and key depression events on the touch-sensitive mechanical keyboard. The keypad can include a plurality of domes, a plurality of key make electrodes, first touch electrodes, and second touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes may be located underneath the plurality of key make electrodes, and the second touch electrodes may not. Both touch electrodes can detect touch events based on self-capacitance sensing. A key depression event can cause the key make electrode to make electrical contact with a corresponding first touch electrode, creating a short circuit that may cause the measured signal to saturate. The keyboard can include a plurality of sensing circuits coupled to the key make electrodes, the first touch electrodes, and the second touch electrodes. The plurality of sensing circuits can be used to detect both touch events and key depression events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Karan Jain, William P. Yarak, III, Chia Chi Wu, Nicole Wells
  • Patent number: 11083383
    Abstract: Cardiac monitor devices are described. An exemplary cardiac monitor device can take the form of an armband that can be worn by a user. The cardiac monitor device can be paired with an electronic device so that the user can access information of his or her heart activity. In one embodiment, the cardiac monitor device can include a body that can be worn at a limb of the user. The body can carry different electronic components. The electronic components can include an electrode configured to come into contact with a location of the limb and configured to measure a first electrical potential at the location. The electronic components can also include an antenna configured to capacitively couple with the body of the user to generate a second electrical potential. The electronic components can further include an amplifier configured to amplify the potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Sheng-Yang Tsui, Shu Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20210098210
    Abstract: An electronic device has a keyboard with an internal membrane. The membrane has a set of strain gauges configured to respond to a key press, such as when a collapsible dome collapses into contact with the membrane. The strain gauges are connected in a half Wheatstone bridge configuration and are positioned on the membrane in order to limit effects of temperature and subtle flexure of the membrane. The strain gauges are also configured to magnify detection of a resistance differential when a keycap is pressed with sufficient force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Chia Chi Wu, Michael Vosgueritchian, Ming Gao, Nan Chen, Vyom Sharma, Wenhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20210083868
    Abstract: A dynamic secret key security system for test circuit and a method of the same are disclosed. The security architecture includes a scan chain set, a dynamic key generator, a secret key checking logic, a fake response generator, and a controller. Scan chains of the scan chain set receive a test vector while the dynamic key generator produces different secret keys according to the test vector received. The secret key checking logic is used for comparing the test vector with the secret key so as to know whether they are the same. Thus whether the test vector being input is legal can be learned. Thereby the present dynamic secret key generation technique provides higher security level. Moreover, the secret key will not be stored in the memory in advance so that attackers cannot get the secret key through attacks on the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: KUEN-JONG LEE, CHIA-CHI WU, MAN-HSUAN KUO
  • Patent number: 10886082
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a keyboard or other input structure having a diaphragm that controls the illumination of a perimeter of a keycap. In one aspect, the keyboard includes a dome configured to buckle in response to a depression of a keycap. A support structure may support the keycap above the dome. A light source may be positioned below the keycap and configured to illuminate one or more illuminable symbols defined on a top surface. A diaphragm may be positioned above the light source and have a barrier portion extending from a perimeter of the keycap. The barrier portion may be configured to control illumination of the perimeter of the light source, including substantially preventing the illumination of the perimeter in order to mask or conceal an illuminated halo around the keycap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Chia Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 10788421
    Abstract: The present invention related to an electronic assay apparatus and a testing method thereof. The electronic assay apparatus for determining a result of an assay performed using a test strip comprises three light sources, only one detector and a microprocessor. The three light sources respectively illuminate light incident upon three different zones of the test strip. The detector detects light from the three zones alternately and the distances between the only one detector and the three light sources respectively are almost the same. Further, multiple openings corresponding to the three light sources respectively have the same size and/or shape. The microprocessor compares a calculating result value to only one threshold for showing a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: TAIDOC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Chi Wu, Tien-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 10741342
    Abstract: This application relates to illuminated dome switches and a dome switch assembly having a first contact carried by a switch base and a dome shaped structure coupled to and supported by the switch base, the dome shaped structure comprising a material that is flexible and capable of internally transmitting visible light. The switch assembly can include a second contact coupled to the dome shaped structure and arranged opposite the first contact, and a light source configured to emit visible light, the light source in optical communication with the dome shaped structure such that at least some of the visible light emitted by the light source passes into the material and is subsequently emitted by the material in a generally uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Chia Chi Wu
  • Publication number: 20200142501
    Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman