Patents by Inventor Johnny Chen

Johnny Chen 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: 20170114967
    Abstract: A decorative lighting assembly comprises a first power wire electrically connected to a first power contact and a second power wire electrically connected to a second power contact. The first power wire and the second power wire cooperate to surround a display area of the decorative lighting assembly. Lamp assemblies are distributed across the display area. The lamp assemblies include a first row of lamp assemblies aligned along a first line, a second row aligned along a second line, a third row aligned along a third line, and a fourth row of lamp aligned along a fourth line. A first cord is disposed along a first zig-zag path connecting the lamp assemblies in the first row with the lamp assemblies in the second row. Intermediate wires are disposed along a second zig-zag path connecting the lamp assemblies in the second row with the lamp assemblies in the third row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: Johnny CHEN
  • Patent number: 9601115
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handing off a user conversation between computer-implemented agents. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent specific to a user device, a digital representation of speech encoding an utterance, determining, by the computer-implemented agent, that the utterance specifies a requirement to establish a communication with another computer-implemented agent, and establishing, by the computer-implemented agent, a communication between the other computer-implemented agent and the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe, Gabriel Schine
  • Patent number: 9572446
    Abstract: A lighted artificial tree including a first trunk body, a second trunk body, a first electrical connector inside the first trunk body, and a second electrical connector inside the second trunk body. The first trunk body is keyed to the second trunk body such that the first trunk body is rotationally locked to the second trunk body. The first electrical connector is keyed to the second electrical connector such that the first electrical connector is rotationally locked to the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Publication number: 20170042358
    Abstract: An artificial tree that includes a first trunk body having a first elongated projection that extends axially from a first end toward a second end and forms a first keyway; a first electrical connector anchored within the first end of the first trunk body; a second trunk body, including a second elongated projection that extends axially, the second elongated projection forming a second keyway, the second elongated projection configured to be received by the first keyway; and a second electrical connector anchored within a first end of the second trunk body. The second elongated projection is received by the first keyway, and first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector make electrical connection with first and second electrical terminals of the second electrical connector, when the first end of the first trunk body is coupled to the first end of the second trunk body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny CHEN
  • Patent number: 9569550
    Abstract: A system includes an application programming interface, an indexer, a security unit and at least one search engine. The application programming interface uploads user-selected custom content from a first user. The indexer indexes the custom content to produce a first search index. The security unit authenticates a user and the at least one search engine receives a search query from the user, searches the first search index based on the search query, and searches a second search index based on the search query and based on results of the user authentication, where the second search index is different than the first search index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Naval Verma, Clarence Christopher Mysen
  • Patent number: 9526286
    Abstract: A lighted artificial tree, including a first tree portion having a first electrical connector having a first electrical terminal positioned in line with a central vertical axis, and a second electrical terminal. The tree also includes a second tree portion that includes a second electrical connector having a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal, the second electrical terminal defining a ring shape that encircles the first electrical terminal. When the first tree portion is coupled to the second tree portion, the first electrical connector is coupled to the second electrical connector, such that the first electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the first electrical terminal of the second electrical connector, and the second electrical terminal of the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the second electrical terminal of the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Publication number: 20160351193
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handing off a user conversation between computer-implemented agents. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent specific to a user device, a digital representation of speech encoding an utterance, determining, by the computer-implemented agent, that the utterance specifies a requirement to establish a communication with another computer-implemented agent, and establishing, by the computer-implemented agent, a communication between the other computer-implemented agent and the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe, Gabriel Schine
  • Publication number: 20160343378
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handing off a user conversation between computer-implemented agents. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent specific to a user device, a digital representation of speech encoding an utterance, determining, by the computer-implemented agent, that the utterance specifies a requirement to establish a communication with another computer-implemented agent, and establishing, by the computer-implemented agent, a communication between the other computer-implemented agent and the user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe, Gabriel Schine
  • Publication number: 20160335606
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining other users that will attend an event with a user. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent for a device, input from a user identifying an event, determining constraints for other users that will be invited to attend the event, determining one or more other users who meet the constraints, identifying, for each of the other users, other computer-implemented agents, each of the other agents for respective other devices, sending, to each of the other agents, a request to determine whether the respective other user of the other agent is interested in attending the event, receiving, from a first subset of the other agents, a response that indicates that the respective other user is interested in attending the event, and facilitating communication between the user and the respective other users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Gabriel Schine, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe
  • Publication number: 20160330823
    Abstract: A wirelessly-powered lighted tree system that includes: an artificial tree; a wireless power transmission system, including: a power conditioning portion configured to receive an AC power from an external source, and convert the AC power to a DC power, a microwave-frequency signal generation portion configured to receive the DC power from the power conditioning circuit and generate a microwave-frequency signal, a processor, an antenna configured to receive the generated microwave-frequency signal and to transmit a wireless microwave-frequency signal based on the received microwave-frequency signal from the microwave-frequency generation portion; and a wirelessly-powered lighting system configured to receive the transmitted wireless microwave-frequency signal, the lighting system including an antenna receiving the transmitted wireless microwave-frequency signal, a power conversion portion for converting the wireless microwave-frequency signal into a DC power signal, and a plurality of lighting elements coupled
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alec HWA, Johnny CHEN, Jiang Hai NIE
  • Patent number: 9489170
    Abstract: In some examples, aspects of the present disclosure may include techniques for audio control of one or more multimedia objects. In one example, a method includes receiving an electronic document that includes a group of one or more multimedia objects capable of generating audio data. The method also includes registering a multimedia object of the group of one or more multimedia objects, wherein registering the multimedia object comprises storing a multimedia object identifier that identifies the multimedia object. The method further includes receiving audio data; and determining, by a computing device, a volume level of the audio data generated by the registered multimedia object based on one or more configuration parameters, wherein the one or more configuration parameters define one or more volume levels associated with the multimedia object identifier. The method also includes outputting, to an output device, the audio data at the determined volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 9484687
    Abstract: A lighted artificial tree includes a first tree portion including a first trunk portion, first branches joined to the first trunk portion, and a first light string. The first trunk portion has a trunk connector and a first trunk wiring assembly, the first trunk wiring assembly is electrically connectable to the first light string and the trunk connector, and at least a portion of the first wiring assembly is located inside the first portion. The second tree portion includes a second trunk portion, second branches, and a second light string. The second trunk portion has a trunk connector and a second trunk wiring assembly, the second trunk wiring assembly electrically connectable to the second lighting string and the trunk connector. The second tree portion may be mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the first tree portion by coaxially coupling the first trunk portion to the second trunk portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Publication number: 20160311299
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle cover configured to fit a variety of vehicles. The adjustable vehicle cover includes a one-piece body and at least first and second engagement features. The one-piece body includes at least a top, oppositely disposed first and second sides adjacent to the top, and oppositely disposed first and second ends. The at least first and second engagement features are disposed intermediate the first and second ends and extend in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal direction. The at least first and second engagement features are operable to convert the one-piece body between at least a first configuration and a second configuration that is longer than the first configuration in the longitudinal direction. The at least first and second engagement features are joined in the first configuration and are spaced apart in the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Craig A. White, Alexandria R. Hill, Johnny Chen Wu, Arthur Carl Sepmeyer
  • Patent number: 9439528
    Abstract: An artificial tree that includes a first trunk body having a first elongated projection that extends axially from a first end toward a second end and forms a first keyway; a first electrical connector anchored within the first end of the first trunk body; a second trunk body, including a second elongated projection that extends axially, the second elongated projection forming a second keyway, the second elongated projection configured to be received by the first keyway; and a second electrical connector anchored within a first end of the second trunk body. The second elongated projection is received by the first keyway, and first and second electrical terminals of the first electrical connector make electrical connection with first and second electrical terminals of the second electrical connector, when the first end of the first trunk body is coupled to the first end of the second trunk body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 9441800
    Abstract: A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 9441823
    Abstract: A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Publication number: 20160239110
    Abstract: The method includes the steps of: a) displaying a cursor of the mouse on a screen of the personal computer; b) operatably connecting the handheld computer to the personal computer; c) creating an edge bar on an edge of a screen of the handheld computer; d) the handheld computer monitoring an event of the personal computer; e) transferring the control right of the mouse from the personal computer to the handheld computer and transferring the cursor from the screen of the personal computer to the screen of the handheld computer when the cursor exceeds an edge of the screen of the personal computer; and f) transferring the control right of the mouse from the handheld computer to the personal computer and transferring the cursor from the screen of the handheld computer to the screen of the personal computer when the cursor touches the edge bar of the screen of the handheld computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: I/O INTERCONNECT INC.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Hou-Hao Hsun
  • Patent number: 9418567
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including compute program products, for selecting a question for a challenge-response test. One of the methods includes obtaining question response pairs, wherein each question response pair includes a question about a first entity and a response to the question. Respective difficulty values for each question response pair are determined from a count of a number of times the question in the question response pair has been submitted as a search query to a search engine by users of the search engine. A request for a challenge-response test is received, wherein the request includes a context for the challenge-response test. Difficulty criteria for the challenge-response test are determined from the context. A first question response pair is selected that has a difficulty value that satisfies the difficulty criteria for the challenge-response test, the question from the first question response pair is provided in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Warren H. Y. Shen
  • Patent number: 9418663
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handing off a user conversation between computer-implemented agents. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent specific to a user device, a digital representation of speech encoding an utterance, determining, by the computer-implemented agent, that the utterance specifies a requirement to establish a communication with another computer-implemented agent, and establishing, by the computer-implemented agent, a communication between the other computer-implemented agent and the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe, Gabriel Schine
  • Patent number: 9413835
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining other users that will attend an event with a user. One of the methods includes receiving, by a computer-implemented agent for a device, input from a user identifying an event, determining constraints for other users that will be invited to attend the event, determining one or more other users who meet the constraints, identifying, for each of the other users, other computer-implemented agents, each of the other agents for respective other devices, sending, to each of the other agents, a request to determine whether the respective other user of the other agent is interested in attending the event, receiving, from a first subset of the other agents, a response that indicates that the respective other user is interested in attending the event, and facilitating communication between the user and the respective other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Thomas L. Dean, Gabriel Schine, Qiangfeng Peter Lau, Sudeep Gandhe