Patents by Inventor Sam Lai

Sam Lai 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: 20250151783
    Abstract: A case for an aerosol delivery device is described. The case comprises a lid, an accelerometer (for detecting movement indicative of the lid position changing from a closed position to an open position), a battery status indicator, and a controller. The controller is configured to activate the battery status indicator when said signal indicates that the lid position has changed from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Sam LAI, Tomi VINTOLA, Rick YANG
  • Publication number: 20240407287
    Abstract: A theft prevention system includes a robotic garden tool that includes a housing, and a set of wheels coupled to the housing and configured to rotate to propel the robotic garden tool on an operating surface. The robotic garden tool further includes at least one wheel motor coupled to one or more wheels of the set of wheels to drive rotation of the one or more wheels. The robotic garden tool further include a first electronic processor configured to detect a potential theft event associated with the robotic garden tool. The first electronic processor may be further configured to engage in an anti-theft action in response to detecting the potential theft event. The anti-theft action may include ceasing at least one operation of the robotic garden tool until the first electronic processor receives a code indicating that the potential theft event should be ignored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Shing Hin LI, Man Ho CHOI, Tat Hei LAI, Chi Chau LEE, Hau Leung CHAU, Hok Sum Sam LAI, Hei Man LEE
  • Publication number: 20240407469
    Abstract: A housing for an aerosol provision device is described comprising: a circuit board mounted within the housing; a radiating conductor element at least partially enclosing the circuit board; and an electrical connection between a first connection point on an inside of the radiating conductor element and an antenna signal output of the circuit board for providing an antenna signal for transmission such that, in use, the housing operates as an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Sam LAI, Chin Ting HUANG, Hsi Kai HUNG, Mardin HSIEH, Blue LIU, Kyo KO
  • Publication number: 20240234258
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes attaching a first die pad of a semiconductor die to a central pad of a package leadframe. The first die pad is located in a central region on an active side of the semiconductor die. A second die pad of the semiconductor die is connected a lead of the package lead frame. The second die pad is located in a periphery region on the active side of the semiconductor die. An encapsulant encapsulates a portion of the semiconductor die and a portion of the package leadframe. A backside surface of the semiconductor die is exposed at a top major surface of the encapsulant, and a backside surface of the central pad exposed at a bottom major surface of the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Frank.zy Guo, Yi-Tien Liao, Sam Lai
  • Publication number: 20240180261
    Abstract: A charging case for an aerosol delivery system includes one or more formations that are configured to space at least a portion of the aerosol provision system from the charging case to provide an air gap. A kit of parts can include a charging case and an aerosol delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Sam LAI, Ping Chou CHEN, Mohsin MASIH-UD-DIN
  • Publication number: 20240180262
    Abstract: A charging case for an aerosol provision system includes a charging connector and a ramp. The charging connector is configured to removably connect to a component of the aerosol provision system. The ramp is arranged such that when the component is moved in a direction away from the charging connector a part of the aerosol provision system moves along the ramp. A charging case for an aerosol provision system including a charging connector and a recess. The charging connector is configured to removably connect to a component of the aerosol provision system and the recess is arranged such that when the component has been disconnected from the charging connector a portion of the component can enter the recess to allow the component to rotate relative to the charging case. A kit of parts can include a charging case and an aerosol delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Sam LAI, Ping Chou CHEN, Mohsin MASIH-UD-DIN
  • Publication number: 20240168488
    Abstract: A base station device includes a network interface including a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and an electronic processor. The electronic processor may be coupled to the network interface. The electronic processor may be configured to receive, via the GNSS receiver, a first location signal from each of a first plurality of satellites while the base station device is located at a first location. The electronic processor may also be configured to determine a first signal strength of the base station device at the first location. The first location may be a first potential location of the base station device from which the base station device is configured to provide location calibration information based on communication with the first plurality of satellites to a robotic garden tool. An indication of the first signal strength may be output via an output device for consumption by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Hei Man Lee, Hok Sum Sam Lai, Man Ho Choi, Tat Hei Lai
  • Publication number: 20240136256
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes attaching a first die pad of a semiconductor die to a central pad of a package leadframe. The first die pad is located in a central region on an active side of the semiconductor die. A second die pad of the semiconductor die is connected a lead of the package lead frame. The second die pad is located in a periphery region on the active side of the semiconductor die. An encapsulant encapsulates a portion of the semiconductor die and a portion of the package leadframe. A backside surface of the semiconductor die is exposed at a top major surface of the encapsulant, and a backside surface of the central pad exposed at a bottom major surface of the encapsulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Frank.zy Guo, Yi-Tien Liao, Sam Lai
  • Publication number: 20240065144
    Abstract: A method of creating a virtual boundary for a robotic garden tool includes receiving location coordinates of a location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The method also includes retrieving, from a first server and based on the location coordinates, a preexisting visual media file of the location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The preexisting visual media file includes metadata that includes coordinate information of the location shown in the preexisting visual media file. The method includes generating virtual boundary coordinates of the virtual boundary based at least partially on the preexisting visual media file and the coordinate information. The method includes controlling, with a first electronic processor of the robotic garden tool, the robotic garden tool to be confined by the virtual boundary to remain in an operating area during operation of the robotic garden tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Hei Man Lee, Hok Sum Sam Lai, Man Ho Choi, Ho Lam Ng, Shing Hin Li
  • Publication number: 20240069561
    Abstract: A robotic garden tool includes at least one sensor configured to generate signals associated with an object within an operating area. A first electronic processor of the robotic garden tool receives, from the at least one sensor, an obstacle signal associated with an obstacle located within the operating area. The first electronic processor determines a first location of the robotic garden tool at a time corresponding to when the first electronic processor received the obstacle signal. The first electronic processor determines a second location of the obstacle based on the obstacle signal and the first location of the garden tool. The first electronic processor generates mapping information of the operating area that includes a virtual boundary based on the second location of the obstacle. The first electronic processor controls the robotic garden tool in the operating area to remain outside of the virtual boundary based on the mapping information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Hei Man Lee, Hok Sum Sam Lai, Man Ho Choi, Ho Lam Ng, Shing Hin Li, Chi Chau Lee, Tat Hei Lai
  • Publication number: 20240061433
    Abstract: A communication system may include a robotic garden tool with an electronic processor that may be configured to determine (i) a plurality of relative distances between the robotic garden tool and an object as the object moves in the operating area, and (ii) one or more locations of the robotic garden tool as the object moves in the operating area. The electronic processor may be further configured to determine a respective location of the one or more locations of the robotic garden tool at a respective time at which data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance of the plurality of relative distances. A virtual boundary may be generated using each relative distance in combination with the respective location of the robotic garden tool at the respective time at which the data was captured that allowed for the determination of each relative distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Denis Gaston Fauteux, Hei Man Lee, Hok Sum Sam Lai, Man Ho Choi, Ho Lam Ng, Shing Hin Li
  • Publication number: 20240032463
    Abstract: A communication system may include a robotic garden tool, a first external device, and a server device. The first external device receives a user input of a selected lawn pattern, and generates, on a display of the first external device, a three-dimensional representation of a lawn surface based on the selected lawn pattern. The first external device transmits the lawn pattern information corresponding to the selected lawn pattern to a server device and to the robotic garden tool. The server device transmits the lawn pattern information to a second external device. The robotic garden tool receives the lawn pattern information from the first external device, and controls an operation of the robotic garden tool on a real-world lawn based on the lawn pattern information to generate the selected lawn pattern on the real-world lawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Hok Sum Sam LAI
  • Publication number: 20240023602
    Abstract: A case for an aerosol delivery device, and a method for using the case, is described and can include a lid having an open position and a closed position; a magnet and hall sensor pair configured to provide a signal indicative of whether the lid is in the open position or the closed position; and a controller configured to receive a signal from the hall sensor indicative of whether the lid is open or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Sam LAI, Tomi VINTOLA
  • Publication number: 20230380342
    Abstract: A blade height adjustment mechanism for use with a lawn mower having a deck and a blade. The blade height adjustment mechanism has an actuator and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to adjust a height of the blade with respect to the deck in a height adjustment direction. The biasing member is configured to provide a force for supporting the blade. The force defines an axis that is transverse to the height adjustment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Hok Sum Sam Lai, Man Ho Choi, Ho Lam Ng
  • Publication number: 20230371427
    Abstract: A robotic garden tool including a deck, a blade motor configured to rotate a blade about a blade axis, and a mount axially movable with respect to the deck along the blade axis. The garden tool also includes a worm shaft mounted for rotation with respect to the deck about a worm axis, the work shaft forming a threaded interface with the mount such that rotation of the worm shaft about the worm axis causes the mount to move axially with respect to the deck. The garden tool also includes a manual actuator configured to move with respect to the deck in response to receiving a manual actuation force by an operator, where the manual actuator is in operable communication with the worm shaft such that movement of the manual actuator with respect to the deck causes the worm shaft to rotate about the worm axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hok Sum Sam LAI, Ho Lam NG, Li Feng WANG, Yong HU
  • Publication number: 20230369872
    Abstract: A charging station for use with a robotic tool, the charging station including a first column defining a first column axis, a second column defining a second column axis. The charging station also including a first charging terminal pivotably coupled to the first column for rotation about the first column axis, where the first charging terminal includes at least one electrode, and a second charging terminal pivotably coupled to the second column for rotation about the second column axis, where the second charging terminal includes at least one electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hok Sum Sam LAI, Man Ho CHOI, Ho Lam NG, Shing Hin LI
  • Patent number: 11815359
    Abstract: A travel service system makes it possible for a driver to pick up a passenger quickly and accurately. The system obtains map information including real-scene picture information, determines a geographic coordinate, obtains a real-scene picture of the geographic coordinate, and analyzes the real-scene picture to identify a salient object in the real-scene picture. A preferable target position is determined on the basis of the identified salient object. The identified salient object and the preferable target position on the real-scene picture are marked. The real-scene picture with the marked salient object and the preferable marked target position are sent to a receiving terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sam Lai, Andy Liao
  • Publication number: 20230347521
    Abstract: A robotic garden tool for use with a boundary wire producing an electromagnetic field, the robotic garden tool including a body, one or more wheels coupled to the body, a working tool coupled to the body, and a first sensor set coupled to the body. Where the first sensor set includes a first sensor configured to detect the orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field along a first detection axis, and a second sensor configured to detect the orientation and magnitude of the electromagnetic field along a second detection axis and output a signal representative thereof. The garden tool also including a controller in operable communication with the first sensor set, where the controller is configured to determine the relative location of the boundary wire with respect to the first sensor set based at least in part on the signals output by the first and second sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hei Man LEE, Man Ho CHOI, Shing Hin LI, Hok Sum Sam LAI, Ho Lam NG
  • Publication number: 20230345865
    Abstract: A communication system may include a robotic garden tool and an external device. The robotic garden tool may be configured to receive a first location signal from a satellite, and to transmit calibration information regarding the first location signal to the external device. The robotic garden tool may be configured to remain stationary to act as a first base station with respect to the external device that is moved in an operating area during creation of a virtual boundary by the external device. The external device may be configured to determine, based on (i) the first location signal that is also received by the external device from the satellite and (ii) the calibration information from the robotic garden tool, a plurality of locations of the external device to be used as waypoints to generate the virtual boundary as the external device is moved within the operating area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Hei Man Lee, Man Ho Choi, Shing Hin Li, Hok Sum Sam Lai, Ho Lam Ng
  • Publication number: 20230339347
    Abstract: A charging station for use with a robotic garden tool, the charging station including a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface of the base being configured to be supported on a support surface, a charging terminal coupled to the upper surface of the base, where the charging terminal includes a positive electrode and a ground electrode electrically insulated from the positive electrode, where the positive electrode and the ground electrode are configured to selectively extend upward to a location vertically above the upper surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Hok Sum Sam LAI, Man Ho CHOI, Ho Lam NG, Shing Hin LI