Patents by Inventor Robert Bo Xiao

Robert Bo Xiao 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: 11619983
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that resolve near touch ambiguities in a touch screen includes detecting a touch screen touch event and detecting a vibro-acoustic event. These events generate signals received respectively by two different sensors and/or processes. When the two events occur within a pre-defined window of time, they may be considered to be part of the same touch event and may signify a true touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Chris Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 11048355
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining pitch and yaw of an elongated interface object as it interacts with a touchscreen surface. A touch image is received, and this touch image has at least a first area that corresponds to an area of the touchscreen that has an elongated interface object positioned at least proximate to it. The elongated interface object has a pitch and a yaw with respect to the touchscreen surface. A first transformation is performed to obtain a first transformation image of the touch image, and a second transformation is performed to obtain a second transformation image of the touch image. The first transformation differs from the second transformation. The yaw is determined for the elongated interface object based on both the first and second transformation images. The pitch is determined based on at least one of the first and second transformation images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 10969957
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. The resulting actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. For example, the same touch interactions performed by three different touch types of a finger pad, a finger nail and a knuckle, may result in the execution of different actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 10712858
    Abstract: Touch sensitive devices, methods and computer readable recording mediums are provided that allow for improved classification of objects against a touch sensitive surface of a touch sensitive device based upon analysis of subdivisions of data representing contact with the touch sensitive surface during a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao, Chris Harrison
  • Publication number: 20200183527
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. The resulting actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. For example, the same touch interactions performed by three different touch types of a finger pad, a finger nail and a knuckle, may result in the execution of different actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Publication number: 20200125207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining pitch and yaw of anelongated interface object as it interacts with a touchscreen surface. A touch image is received, and this touch image has at least a first area that corresponds to an area of the touchscreen that has an elongated interface object positioned at least proximate to it. The elongated interface object has a pitch and a yaw with respect to the touchscreen surface. A first transformation is performed to obtain a first transformation image of the touch image, and a second transformation is performed to obtain a second transformation image of the touch image. The first transformation differs from the second transformation. The yaw is determined for the elongated interface object based on both the first and second transformation images. The pitch is determined based on at least one of the first and second transformation images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER HARRISON, JULIA SCHWARZ, ROBERT BO XIAO
  • Patent number: 10599250
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. The resulting actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. For example, the same touch interactions performed by three different touch types of a finger pad, a finger nail and a knuckle, may result in the execution of different actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: QEEXO, CO.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 10564761
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining a pitch and yaw of an elongated interface object relative to a proximity sensitive surface. In one aspect, a proximity image is received having proximity image data from which it can be determined which areas of the proximity sensitive surface sensed the elongated interface object during a period of time. A proximity blob is identified in the proximity image and the proximity image is transformed using a plurality of different transformations to obtain a plurality of differently transformed proximity images. A plurality of features is determined for the identified blob in the transformed proximity images and the pitch of the elongated interface object relative to the proximity sensitive surface is determined based upon the determined features and a multi-dimensional heuristic regression model of the proximity sensitive surface; and a yaw is determined based upon the pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Patent number: 10082935
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. Some of these touch interactions may be detected as indicative of a grasp for manipulating a physical tool (e.g., the grasp for holding a pen). When these touch interactions are encountered, a corresponding virtual tool is instantiated. The virtual tool controls an action on the electronic device that is similar to an action that can be performed by the physical tool. For example, the virtual pen can be used to draw on the display, whereas the physical pen draws on paper. A representation of the virtual tool is also displayed on a display for the electronic device, possibly providing additional affordances, at a location that corresponds to a location of the detected touch interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao, Scott E. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9778783
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining pitch and yaw of an elongated interface object as it interacts with a touchscreen surface. A touch image is received, and this touch image has at least a first area that corresponds to an area of the touchscreen that has an elongated interface object positioned at least proximate to it. The elongated interface object has a pitch and a yaw with respect to the touchscreen surface. A first transformation is performed to obtain a first transformation image of the touch image, and a second transformation is performed to obtain a second transformation image of the touch image. The first transformation differs from the second transformation. The yaw is determined for the elongated interface object based on both the first and second transformation images. The pitch is determined based on at least one of the first and second transformation images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: QEEXO, Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Publication number: 20170024892
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining a pitch and yaw of an elongated interface object relative to a proximity sensitive surface. In one aspect, a proximity image is received having proximity image data from which it can be determined which areas of the proximity sensitive surface sensed the elongated interface object during a period of time. A proximity blob is identified in the proximity image and the proximity image is transformed using a plurality of different transformations to obtain a plurality of differently transformed proximity images. A plurality of features is determined for the identified blob in the transformed proximity images and the pitch of the elongated interface object relative to the proximity sensitive surface is determined based upon the determined features and a multi-dimensional heuristic regression model of the proximity sensitive surface; and a yaw is determined based upon the pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER HARRISON, JULIA SCHWARZ, ROBERT BO XIAO
  • Publication number: 20160299615
    Abstract: Touch sensitive devices, methods and computer readable recording mediums are provided that allow for improved classification of objects against a touch sensitive surface of a touch sensitive device based upon analysis of subdivisions of data representing contact with the touch sensitive surface during a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: JULIA SCHWARZ, ROBERT BO XIAO, CHRIS HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20160231865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining pitch and yaw of an elongated interface object as it interacts with a touchscreen surface. A touch image is received, and this touch image has at least a first area that corresponds to an area of the touchscreen that has an elongated interface object positioned at least proximate to it. The elongated interface object has a pitch and a yaw with respect to the touchscreen surface. A first transformation is performed to obtain a first transformation image of the touch image, and a second transformation is performed to obtain a second transformation image of the touch image. The first transformation differs from the second transformation. The yaw is determined for the elongated interface object based on both the first and second transformation images. The pitch is determined based on at least one of the first and second transformation images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER HARRISON, JULIA SCHWARZ, ROBERT BO XIAO
  • Publication number: 20160077664
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that resolve near touch ambiguities in a touch screen includes detecting a touch screen touch event and detecting a vibro-acoustic event. These events generate signals received respectively by two different sensors and/or processes. When the two events occur within a pre-defined window of time, they may be considered to be part of the same touch event and may signify a true touch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: CHRIS HARRISON, JULIA SCHWARZ, ROBERT BO XIAO
  • Publication number: 20150242009
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user physically interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch events. The resulting interface actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. The type of touch is determined in part based on capacitive image data produced by the touch event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Robert Bo Xiao, Greg Lew, Julia Schwarz, Christopher Harrison
  • Patent number: 9013452
    Abstract: A method activates different interactive functions based on a classification of vibro-acoustic signals resulting from touch events with finger parts of a user. A primary function is trigger when an interactive element on a touch screen is touched with a finger tip of the user. An auxiliary function is launched when the interactive element is touched with a knuckle or fingernail of the user. The touch events result in generating the vibro-acoustic signals. The vibro-acoustic signals are classified and used to distinguish what finger part was used based on the classification of the vibro-acoustic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Publication number: 20150035759
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user physically interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch events. The resulting interface actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. The type of touch is determined in part based on vibro-acoustic data and touch data produced by the touch event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Publication number: 20140327626
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. The resulting actions taken depend at least in part on the touch type. For example, the same touch interactions performed by three different touch types of a finger pad, a finger nail and a knuckle, may result in the execution of different actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao
  • Publication number: 20140310631
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. Some of these touch interactions may be detected as indicative of a grasp for manipulating a physical tool (e.g., the grasp for holding a pen). When these touch interactions are encountered, a corresponding virtual tool is instantiated. The virtual tool controls an action on the electronic device that is similar to an action that can be performed by the physical tool. For example, the virtual pen can be used to draw on the display, whereas the physical pen draws on paper. A representation of the virtual tool is also displayed on a display for the electronic device, possibly providing additional affordances, at a location that corresponds to a location of the detected touch interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao, Scott E. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20140289659
    Abstract: A method activates different interactive functions based on a classification of vibro-acoustic signals resulting from touch events with finger parts of a user. A primary function is trigger when an interactive element on a touch screen is touched with a finger tip of the user. An auxiliary function is launched when the interactive element is touched with a knuckle or fingernail of the user. The touch events result in generating the vibro-acoustic signals. The vibro-acoustic signals are classified and used to distinguish what finger part was used based on the classification of the vibro-acoustic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Qeexo, Co.
    Inventors: Christopher HARRISON, Julia Schwarz, Robert Bo Xiao