Patents by Inventor Hsiang-Chun Lu

Hsiang-Chun Lu 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: 20250110588
    Abstract: An input device, such as a stylus, can include adjustment capabilities that changes a size, shape, stiffness, or other characteristics of a portion of the stylus, such as the tip. The size, shape, stiffness, or other characteristics of a tip of the stylus can be altered to mimic characteristics of a particular writing or drawing tool. For example, the stiffness at the tip, the weight distribution, and/or moment of inertia of a particular tool can be simulated by altering the features of the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun LU, Jacob L. MATLICK, Wesley W. ZUBER
  • Publication number: 20250044883
    Abstract: A system including a stylus with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and force/touch/temperature sensors on its sides and/or tip, in some instances in conjunction with force/touch sensors on a tablet computing device or sensors on a watch, is disclosed that obtains measurements such as stylus grip pressure, tilt and touch location, stylus tip pressure, stylus motion, and user temperature. In some instances, these measurements can be obtained through everyday use of the stylus, while in other instances, the user can be prompted to perform certain tasks (e.g., draw specific contours) to assist in data collection. With these measurements, a user profile and baseline profile data can be established and tracked over time, which can include parameters such as tremor amplitude and grip strength. Deviations from baseline profile data can be computed, and when those deviations exceed a threshold, an alert or other wellness insights can be presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chun LU
  • Patent number: 12105897
    Abstract: A device such as a stylus may have a color sensor. The color sensor may have a color sensing light detector having a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. The color sensor may also have a light emitter. The light emitter may have an adjustable light spectrum. The light spectrum may be adjusted during color sensing measurements using information such as ambient light color measurements made with a color ambient light sensor that has a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. An inertial measurement unit may be used to measure the angular orientation between the stylus and an external object during color measurements. Arrangements in which the light emitter is modulated during color sensing may also be used. Measurements from the stylus may be transmitted wirelessly to external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Bosheng Zhang, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Manohar B. Srikanth, Noah D. Bedard, Ting Sun
  • Publication number: 20230359291
    Abstract: A ring input device, and more particularly to variable rotational resistance mechanisms within the ring input device that modulate the rotational friction of a rotating outer band to improve the user experience, is disclosed. Because finger rings are often small and routinely worn, electronic finger rings can be employed as unobtrusive communication devices that are readily available to communicate wirelessly with other devices capable of receiving those communications. Ring input devices according to examples of the disclosure can modulate the rotational friction of its rotating outer band in accordance with an item (e.g., user interface or parameter) being manipulated by the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael BEYHS, Richard G. HUIZAR, Filip ILIEVSKI, Jean Hsiang-Chun LU, Thayne M. MILLER
  • Patent number: 11733790
    Abstract: A ring input device, and more particularly to pressure-sensitive input mechanisms within the ring input device that detect pressure to initiate an operation, is disclosed. Because finger rings are often small and routinely worn, electronic finger rings can be employed as unobtrusive communication devices that are readily available to communicate wirelessly with other devices capable of receiving those communications. Ring input devices according to examples of the disclosure can detect press inputs on its band to generate inputs that can then be wirelessly communicated to companion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beyhs, Richard G. Huizar, Filip Ilievski, Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Thayne M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230225659
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a housing, and an electrode carrier attached to the housing and having a nonplanar surface. The wearable electronic device includes a set of electrodes, including electrodes positioned at different locations on the nonplanar surface. The wearable electronic device includes a sensor circuit and a switching circuit. The switching circuit is operable to electrically connect a number of different subsets of one or more electrodes in the set of electrodes to the sensor circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Erdrin Azemi, Ali Moin, Anuranjini Pragada, Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Victoria M. Powell, Juri Minxha, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20230078597
    Abstract: A device such as a stylus may have a color sensor. The color sensor may have a color sensing light detector having a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. The color sensor may also have a light emitter. The light emitter may have an adjustable light spectrum. The light spectrum may be adjusted during color sensing measurements using information such as ambient light color measurements made with a color ambient light sensor that has a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. An inertial measurement unit may be used to measure the angular orientation between the stylus and an external object during color measurements. Arrangements in which the light emitter is modulated during color sensing may also be used. Measurements from the stylus may be transmitted wirelessly to external equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Bosheng Zhang, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Manohar B. Srikanth, Noah D. Bedard, Ting Sun
  • Patent number: 11550408
    Abstract: A device such as a stylus may have a color sensor. The color sensor may have a color sensing light detector having a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. The color sensor may also have a light emitter. The light emitter may have an adjustable light spectrum. The light spectrum may be adjusted during color sensing measurements using information such as ambient light color measurements made with a color ambient light sensor that has a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. An inertial measurement unit may be used to measure the angular orientation between the stylus and an external object during color measurements. Arrangements in which the light emitter is modulated during color sensing may also be used. Measurements from the stylus may be transmitted wirelessly to external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Bosheng Zhang, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Manohar B. Srikanth, Noah D. Bedard, Ting Sun
  • Publication number: 20220413636
    Abstract: A device such as a stylus may have a color sensor. The color sensor may have a color sensing light detector having a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. The color sensor may also have a light emitter. The light emitter may have an adjustable light spectrum. The light spectrum may be adjusted during color sensing measurements using information such as ambient light color measurements made with a color ambient light sensor that has a plurality of photodetectors each of which measures light for a different respective color channel. An inertial measurement unit may be used to measure the angular orientation between the stylus and an external object during color measurements. Arrangements in which the light emitter is modulated during color sensing may also be used. Measurements from the stylus may be transmitted wirelessly to external equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Bosheng Zhang, Kathrin Berkner Cieslicki, Manohar B. Srikanth, Noah D. Bedard, Ting Sun
  • Publication number: 20220091683
    Abstract: A ring input device, and more particularly to pressure-sensitive input mechanisms within the ring input device that detect pressure to initiate an operation, is disclosed. Because finger rings are often small and routinely worn, electronic finger rings can be employed as unobtrusive communication devices that are readily available to communicate wirelessly with other devices capable of receiving those communications. Ring input devices according to examples of the disclosure can detect press inputs on its band to generate inputs that can then be wirelessly communicated to companion devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Michael BEYHS, Richard G. HUIZAR, Filip ILIEVSKI, Jean Hsiang-Chun LU, Thayne M. MILLER
  • Patent number: 10877557
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a VR glove capable of measuring the movement of individual finger and thumb bones. The VR glove can include a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the movement of one or more finger and/or hand sections. The IMUs can include one or more motion sensors, such as a gyroscope and an accelerometer, for measuring the orientation, position, and velocity of objects (e.g., finger bones) that the IMU can be attached. An IMU can be located proximate to a finger (or thumb) bone and can measure the inertial motion of the corresponding bone. In some examples, the VR glove may include magnetometers to determine the direction of the geo-magnetic field. The VR glove can also include one or more other electronic components, such as a plurality of electrodes for sensing the heading, enabling capacitive touch, and/or contact sensing between finger tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John Greer Elias, Andrew D. Sterian, Anuranjini Pragada, Daniel D. Sunshine, Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Lia Mieko Uesato, Storrs Townsend Hoen, Zebinah P. Masse
  • Publication number: 20190101981
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a VR glove capable of measuring the movement of individual finger and thumb bones. The VR glove can include a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the movement of one or more finger and/or hand sections. The IMUs can include one or more motion sensors, such as a gyroscope and an accelerometer, for measuring the orientation, position, and velocity of objects (e.g., finger bones) that the IMU can be attached. An IMU can be located proximate to a finger (or thumb) bone and can measure the inertial motion of the corresponding bone. In some examples, the VR glove may include magnetometers to determine the direction of the geo-magnetic field. The VR glove can also include one or more other electronic components, such as a plurality of electrodes for sensing the heading, enabling capacitive touch, and/or contact sensing between finger tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: John Greer ELIAS, Andrew D. STERIAN, Anuranjini PRAGADA, Daniel D. SUNSHINE, Jean Hsiang-Chun LU, Lia Mieko UESATO, Storrs Townsend HOEN, Zebinah P. MASSE
  • Patent number: 10152135
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to the provision of multiple modes of a user interface that are automatically selected in response to the position and gestures of its operator. An apparatus includes an image sensor to capture at least one image of an operator, and a position component communicatively coupled to the image sensor to determine a proximate distance of the operator to a manually-operable control and to provide the determination of the distance to a user interface component to enable dynamic selection of one of multiple views of a visual portion of a user interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean Hsiang-Chun Lu, Garth Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20140282271
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to the provision of multiple modes of a user interface that are automatically selected in response to the position and gestures of its operator. An apparatus includes an image sensor to capture at least one image of an operator, and a position component communicatively coupled to the image sensor to determine a proximate distance of the operator to a manually-operable control and to provide the determination of the distance to a user interface component to enable dynamic selection of one of multiple views of a visual portion of a user interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: JEAN HSIANG-CHUN LU, GARTH SHOEMAKER
  • Publication number: 20090032668
    Abstract: The invention provides an adjustably-tiltable supporting apparatus which is capable of supporting an object, and it includes a shelf member, a supporting member, a friction device, and a resilient member. When the tilt of the object is adjusted, the supporting member rotates relative to the shelf member so that the outer side of supporting member slides relative to a friction member of the friction device to generate a friction which balances a difference between a torque generated by the weight of the object and an elastic force generated by the resilient member so as to fix the tilt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BenQ Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Yen Lin, Hsiang-Chun Lu, Chien-Hua Sui
  • Publication number: 20020133452
    Abstract: According to the invention, a main web site provides consumers a hyperlink element linked to an associate web site. When a consumer selects this hyperlink element, the main web site will transmit the consumer's ID and confirmation code to the associate web site to confirm the identity of the consumer. When the consumer wants to purchase the commodity sold by the associate web site, the main web site receives the trade information transmitted from the associate web site and thereby bills the consumer. Finally, the main web site sends an order to the associate web site and provides the receiver's name and address. The associate web site then sends out the commodity to the receiver according to the trade information and the receiver's name and address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chun Lu
  • Publication number: 20020133429
    Abstract: The invention discloses a multi-website shopping cart implementation method, which uses a main website to provide consumers a hyperlink element linking to an associate website. When a consumer selects the hyperlink element, the main website will transmit the ID of the consumer and the verification code to the associate website so as to verify the identity of the consumer. When the consumer wants to purchase a particular commodity sold at the associate website, the main website will receive trade information transmitted from the associate website and thereby charge to the consumer. Finally, the main website places an order to the associate website and provides the name and the address of the receiver to the associate website. With the trade information, the name and the address of the receiver, the associate website sends out the commodity. The invention also discloses a multi-website shopping cart system to implement the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Hsiang-Chun Lu