Patents by Inventor Feng-Chi Liu

Feng-Chi Liu 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: 12326537
    Abstract: An optical tracking device is used to track a target object. An outer surface of the target object is divided into a first region and a second region adjacent to each other, and a marker is disposed on the first region. The optical tracking device includes an optical sensor and an operation processor. The optical sensor has auto exposure function and is adapted to acquire a detection image containing at least one of the first region and the second region. The operation processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor and adapted to analyze variation of an exposure parameter of the auto exposure function for determining whether the first region is appeared in the detection image, so as to acquire an operation datum of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Ching Geak Chan, Chung-Ting Yang, Feng-Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20250111524
    Abstract: Disclosed in a movement direction determination system comprising a first detection region, a second detection region and a processing circuit. The first detection region and the second detection region respectively comprises an optical sensor. The processing circuit determines a movement direction of an object according to the optical data generated by the first detection region and the second detection region. The present invention also discloses a movement direction determination system using a single detection region. The present invention also discloses an object volume computation system which can compute an object volume according to sensed optical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Jeng-Yue Weng, Tzung-Min Su, Feng-Chi Liu
  • Patent number: 12211219
    Abstract: Disclosed in a movement direction determination system comprising a first detection region, a second detection region and a processing circuit. The first detection region and the second detection region respectively comprises an optical sensor. The processing circuit determines a movement direction of an object according to the optical data generated by the first detection region and the second detection region. The present invention also discloses a movement direction determination system using a single detection region. The present invention also discloses an object volume computation system which can compute an object volume according to sensed optical data. The disclosed movement direction determination system can be used for various applications and the object volume computation system can assist product confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Jeng-Yue Weng, Tzung-Min Su, Feng-Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20250000294
    Abstract: A beverage preparation equipment includes a weighing unit, a mixing unit, a supply module, and a control unit. The weighing unit is configured to allow the cup to be placed thereon and to measure a weight of an object placed thereon. The mixing unit is configured to stir content contained therein and to output the content to the cup. The supply module is configured to supply an ingredient to the mixing unit. The control unit is configured to control the supply module to supply a predetermined volume of the ingredient to the mixing unit based on a command related to preparation of a beverage, control the mixing unit to stir the ingredient inputted thereto into the beverage and then output the beverage to the cup, and control the mixing unit to stop outputting the beverage based on the weight of the object and a predetermined weight indicated by the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Jia-Yan HOU, Feng-Chi LIU
  • Patent number: 12152925
    Abstract: An optical detection device includes a first linear light source, a second linear light source, an optical sensor array and a processor. The first linear light source is adapted to project a first long strip illumination beam onto the target container. The second linear light source is adapted to project a second long strip illumination beam onto the target container, and the second long strip illumination beam is crossed with the first long strip illumination beam. The optical sensor array is adapted to receive a first long strip detection beam and a second long strip detection beam reflected from the target container. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor array. The processor is adapted to analyze intensity distribution of the first long strip detection beam and the second long strip detection beam to acquire a relative distance between the optical sensor array and the target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Guo-Zhen Wang, Hung-Ching Lai
  • Publication number: 20240077350
    Abstract: An optical detection device includes a first linear light source, a second linear light source, an optical sensor array and a processor. The first linear light source is adapted to project a first long strip illumination beam onto the target container. The second linear light source is adapted to project a second long strip illumination beam onto the target container, and the second long strip illumination beam is crossed with the first long strip illumination beam. The optical sensor array is adapted to receive a first long strip detection beam and a second long strip detection beam reflected from the target container. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor array. The processor is adapted to analyze intensity distribution of the first long strip detection beam and the second long strip detection beam to acquire a relative distance between the optical sensor array and the target container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Guo-Zhen Wang, Hung-Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 11852519
    Abstract: An optical detection device of detecting a target container includes a linear light source, an optical sensor array and a processor. The linear light source is adapted to project a long strip illumination beam onto the target container. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sensing units arranged as a long strip adapted to receive a long strip detection beam reflected from the target container. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor array. The processor is adapted to analyze intensity distribution of the plurality of sensing units to acquire a relative distance between the optical sensor array and a rim of the target container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Guo-Zhen Wang, Hung-Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 11609642
    Abstract: A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Publication number: 20230033053
    Abstract: There is provided a human falling detection system including an image sensor, a thermal sensor and a microphone. The image sensor captures an image frame that is used to identify a face and a height-width ratio of a human image. The thermal sensor is used as a filter for filtering out a living body and captures a thermal image that is used to identify a height-width ratio of a human thermal image. The microphone records a time stamp of an abrupt sound appearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: FENG-CHI LIU, NIEN-TSE CHEN
  • Publication number: 20220390646
    Abstract: An optical tracking device is used to track a target object. An outer surface of the target object is divided into a first region and a second region adjacent to each other, and a marker is disposed on the first region. The optical tracking device includes an optical sensor and an operation processor. The optical sensor has auto exposure function and is adapted to acquire a detection image containing at least one of the first region and the second region. The operation processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor and adapted to analyze variation of an exposure parameter of the auto exposure function for determining whether the first region is appeared in the detection image, so as to acquire an operation datum of the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Ching Geak CHAN, Chung-Ting Yang, Feng-Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20220342490
    Abstract: A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Patent number: 11429199
    Abstract: A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Publication number: 20220245837
    Abstract: Disclosed in a movement direction determination system comprising a first detection region, a second detection region and a processing circuit. The first detection region and the second detection region respectively comprises an optical sensor. The processing circuit determines a movement direction of an object according to the optical data generated by the first detection region and the second detection region. The present invention also discloses a movement direction determination system using a single detection region. The present invention also discloses an object volume computation system which can compute an object volume according to sensed optical data. The disclosed movement direction determination system can be used for various applications and the object volume computation system can assist product confirmation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Jeng-Yue Weng, Tzung-Min Su, Feng-Chi Liu
  • Publication number: 20220120600
    Abstract: An optical detection device of detecting a target container includes a linear light source, an optical sensor array and a processor. The linear light source is adapted to project a long strip illumination beam onto the target container. The optical sensor array includes a plurality of sensing units arranged as a long strip adapted to receive a long strip detection beam reflected from the target container. The processor is electrically connected to the optical sensor array. The processor is adapted to analyze intensity distribution of the plurality of sensing units to acquire a relative distance between the optical sensor array and a rim of the target container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Guo-Zhen Wang, Hung-Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 11304271
    Abstract: A compound heating apparatus includes a microwave generating unit and an infrared radiation generator disposed in a casing outwardly of a heating chamber of the casing. A light shield is disposed around the infrared radiation generator, and has a shield opening facing toward the heating chamber. A microwave blocker plate covers the shield opening. An air supply module is connected to the light shield to blow air to the light shield for causing heat radiant energy generated from the infrared radiation generator to pass acceleratedly by forced heat convection through microwave blocking holes of the microwave block plate to the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Food Industry Research and Development Institute
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Jia-Yan Hou, Binghuei-Barry Yang
  • Patent number: 11172548
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for cooking ingredients packaged together in a package is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking device and a barcode reader. The cooking device includes a housing defining a cooking room for accommodating the ingredients therein, a cooking unit for heating contents in the cooking room, and a control module electrically connected to the cooking unit for controlling operation of the cooking unit. The barcode reader is electrically connected to the control module, and scans a barcode on the package representing data related to information about the ingredients, decodes the barcode so as to obtain the data, and transmits the data to the control module that controls operation of the cooking unit based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Binghuei-Barry Yang, Feng-Chi Liu, Pei-Wen Lo, Yao-Te Tsai, Yu-Chi Cheng
  • Publication number: 20210216149
    Abstract: A method of an optical sensor apparatus which is to be used with a controlling device arranged for controlling an object having a long shape and flexible form of a material, includes: using a light emitting circuit to generate and output a light ray to a surface of a portion of the object; sensing the light ray reflected from the surface for multiple times to generate multiple images; detecting at least one motion image in the generated multiple images; and, determining a motion, an offset, or a rotation angle of the object, which is controlled by the thread controlling device, according to the detected at least one motion image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Publication number: 20210112638
    Abstract: A compound heating apparatus includes a microwave generating unit and an infrared radiation generator disposed in a casing outwardly of a heating chamber of the casing. A light shield is disposed around the infrared radiation generator, and has a shield opening facing toward the heating chamber. A microwave blocker plate covers the shield opening. An air supply module is connected to the light shield to blow air to the light shield for causing heat radiant energy generated from the infrared radiation generator to pass acceleratedly by forced heat convection through microwave blocking holes of the microwave block plate to the heating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Jia-Yan Hou, Binghuei-Barry Yang
  • Publication number: 20190215916
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for cooking ingredients packaged together in a package is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking device and a barcode reader. The cooking device includes a housing defining a cooking room for accommodating the ingredients therein, a cooking unit for heating contents in the cooking room, and a control module electrically connected to the cooking unit for controlling operation of the cooking unit. The barcode reader is electrically connected to the control module, and scans a barcode on the package representing data related to information about the ingredients, decodes the barcode so as to obtain the data, and transmits the data to the control module that controls operation of the cooking unit based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Binghuei-Barry Yang, Feng-Chi Liu, Pei-Wen Lo, Yao-Te Tsai, Yu-Chi Cheng
  • Patent number: 10260918
    Abstract: A flow amount measuring apparatus comprising: a rotating device, configured to rotate while material flows through the rotating device; a rotating bar, connected to the rotating device, configured to rotate corresponding to rotating of the rotating device; a feature acquiring device, configured to detect at least one feature of the rotating bar; and a computing unit, configured to compute a number for full rotations for the rotating bar based on the feature of the rotating bar, and configured to compute a flow amount for the material flows through the rotating device based on the number for full rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Liu, Yen-Min Chang