Patents by Inventor X. Wang

X. Wang 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: 20200257362
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a user input device and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a flexible fabric attachable to a user having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be moveable in relation to the second portion. The embodiment may further include a controller configured to identify an input configuration based on a position of the first portion relative to a position of the second portion within a three-dimensional space. The embodiment may further include a haptic feedback structure disposed adjacent the flexible fabric and configured to provide haptic feedback based on the input configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Zheng Gao, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Ray L. Chang
  • Patent number: 10739820
    Abstract: A system may include ring devices. A ring device may have a housing that is configured to be worn on a finger of a user. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, touch sensors, and other components may be used in gathering input from a user. Control circuitry may wirelessly transmit information gathered from sensors and other input devices to an associated electronic device. The information may be used in controlling operation of the electronic device. The housing of the ring device may have an annular main body and an expandable portion coupled to the main body. The expandable portion may include a flap with a hinge, a rotatable housing member, a housing with an internal adjustable frame and a cover, an expandable housing formed from an expandable tube coupled between first and second annular devices, and other expandable structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 10741344
    Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. Knopf, Matthew P. Casebolt, Craig C. Leong, Robert Y. Cao, Bradford J. Zercoe, Dinesh C. Mathew, Zheng Gao, Ryan P. Brooks, Paul X. Wang, Bruce E. Berg
  • Patent number: 10741342
    Abstract: This application relates to illuminated dome switches and a dome switch assembly having a first contact carried by a switch base and a dome shaped structure coupled to and supported by the switch base, the dome shaped structure comprising a material that is flexible and capable of internally transmitting visible light. The switch assembly can include a second contact coupled to the dome shaped structure and arranged opposite the first contact, and a light source configured to emit visible light, the light source in optical communication with the dome shaped structure such that at least some of the visible light emitted by the light source passes into the material and is subsequently emitted by the material in a generally uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Aidan N. Zimmerman, Chia Chi Wu
  • Publication number: 20200249725
    Abstract: A computing device can include a housing including a peripheral housing defining an aperture, the peripheral housing having a constant cross-sectional area. The computing device can also include a display having a first major surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface, the display disposed within the aperture defined by the peripheral housing and attached to the housing at one or more locations such that the first major surface and the second major surface of the display are substantially unobstructed by any other portion of the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10735854
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for enhancing a user's listening experience by adjusting physical attributes of an audio playback system based on detected environmental attributes of the system's environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ivan S. Maric
  • Patent number: 10732743
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Richard G. Huizar
  • Patent number: 10725544
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an accessory device for interacting with an electronic device having a touch sensitive surface, is described. The accessory device can include a housing having walls suitable for carrying a processor capable of providing instructions and an interface unit extending through an opening at a distal end of the housing, where the interface unit is capable of interacting with the touch sensitive surface. The accessory device can further include a sensor in communication with the processor and the interface unit, where the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a stimulus generated by the interaction between the interface unit and the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a feedback parameter to the processor that responds by providing a feedback instruction. The accessory device can further include a feedback component that responds to the feedback instruction by transmitting a feedback force to the walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Taylor, Brenton A. Baugh, Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Ivan S. Maric, Zheng Gao, Qiliang Xu
  • Patent number: 10712931
    Abstract: A user may provide finger press input to a surface such as a touch sensitive input surface. The input surface may be formed from a two-dimensional touch sensor overlapping a display of an electronic device. The electronic device and an associated device such as a finger-mounted device may form a system for gathering the finger press input from the user. A sensor may be used in monitoring when the finger-mounted device and a user's finger in the device approach the input surface of the electronic device. In response to detection of the finger near the input surface, actuators in the finger-mounted device may squeeze the finger inwardly to cause a finger pad on the finger to protrude outwardly towards the input surface, thereby softening impact between the finger and the input surface. The electronic device may also have an array of components to repel the finger-mounted device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200211795
    Abstract: Keycaps for keyboards that have transparent top portions have a set of layered components to define a top surface that provides key definition by curvature, texture, ridges, or other external structural features. Other portions of the keycaps define a glyph or support structure for the top layer. Features such as angle filters and partially reflective materials are implemented to improve the visibility, contrast, and reflectivity of the keycaps. Multiple methods are used to bend or otherwise modify rigid transparent materials such as glass in order to add surface features and to improve aesthetics of the keycaps of a keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Christopher D. Jones, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Martin Melcher, Matthew S. Rogers, Naoto Matsuyuki, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque, Avianne Marie B. Tuano
  • Patent number: 10696864
    Abstract: A dirt repellant panel coated with a powder coating composition that includes a polymeric binder and an anionic fluorosurfactant present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt. % to about 4 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Masia, Michelle X. Wang, Kenneth G. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20200201042
    Abstract: Head-mounted devices can be formed as a modular system that provides a variety of different components and functions to achieve the results that are desired by a user. The modular configurations allow a user to easily customize a head-mounted device with one or more arm modules to provide features that integrate with other operations of the frame module of the head-mounted device. The arm modules can be easily exchanged with each other to provide different components and functions at different times. Accordingly, a frame module of a head-mounted device need not include permanent components that provide every function that will later be desired by the user. Instead, the head-mounted device can have expanded and customizable capabilities by the use of one or more arm modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Dinesh C. MATHEW
  • Publication number: 20200193107
    Abstract: A method of reading a barcode is provided. A target containing a barcode is illuminated in a first illumination pattern by an illumination assembly. While the target is illuminated in the first illumination pattern, a first image of the target is captured and transmitted to a barcode decoder. Based on an indication of an unsuccessful attempt to decode the barcode using the first image of the target, the target is illuminated in a second illumination pattern and a second image of the target is captured, and the target is illuminated in a third illumination pattern and a third image of the target is captured. A fourth image of the target (a composite of the second and third image) is constructed using the second and third image of the target. The fourth image of the target is transmitted to the barcode decoder for decoding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Vladimir Gurevich, Matthew D. Blasczak, Michelle X. Wang, David P. Goren
  • Publication number: 20200192484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures, devices, methods and systems for providing haptic output on an electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes an actuator configured to move in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a substrate coupled to the actuator. When the actuator moves in the first direction, the substrate or a portion of the substrate, by virtue of being coupled to the actuator, moves in a second direction. In some implementations, the movement of the substrate is perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Juan Pu, Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao
  • Publication number: 20200174572
    Abstract: An input device, such as a stylus, can include a piezoelectric device for providing haptic feedback and/or detecting user input. The piezoelectric device can be coupled to an inner surface of a housing of the stylus. The piezoelectric device can provide haptic feedback with a force to the housing when an electric voltage is applied to the piezoelectric device. The haptic feedback can provide information to the user relating operation of the stylus with an external device. The piezoelectric device can also produce an electric voltage when an input force is applied to an outer surface of the housing and transmitted to the piezoelectric device. The electric voltage can be used to detect tactile input from a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Kathleen A. BERGERON, Alex J. LEHMANN, Qiliang XU, Zheng GAO, Paul X. WANG
  • Publication number: 20200174583
    Abstract: A system may include electronic devices. The electronic devices may include finger devices configured to be worn on fingers of users and may include other electronic devices. The electronic devices may include sensors. A sensor may measure information on real-world-object physical attributes such as surface contours and textures associated with real-world objects. The measured physical attributes may be used to recreate a sampled physical object for a user in a computer-generated reality environment. During presentation of computer-generated content, visual content, audio content, haptic content, and/or other content may be presented that is based on measured visual, audio, haptic, and/or other physical attributes of a real-world object. Content may be presented using a head-mounted device, haptic devices and other output devices in finger devices, and/or other output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10671127
    Abstract: A computing device can include a housing including a peripheral housing defining an aperture, the peripheral housing having a constant cross-sectional area. The computing device can also include a display having a first major surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface, the display disposed within the aperture defined by the peripheral housing and attached to the housing at one or more locations such that the first major surface and the second major surface of the display are substantially unobstructed by any other portion of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200150715
    Abstract: A system may include ring devices. A ring device may have a housing that is configured to be worn on a finger of a user. Sensors such as force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inertial measurement units, optical sensors, touch sensors, and other components may be used in gathering input from a user. Control circuitry may wirelessly transmit information gathered from sensors and other input devices to an associated electronic device. The information may be used in controlling operation of the electronic device. The housing of the ring device may have an annular main body and an expandable portion coupled to the main body. The expandable portion may include a flap with a hinge, a rotatable housing member, a housing with an internal adjustable frame and a cover, an expandable housing formed from an expandable tube coupled between first and second annular devices, and other expandable structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Publication number: 20200142501
    Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10642356
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a user input device and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a flexible fabric attachable to a user having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be moveable in relation to the second portion. The embodiment may further include a controller configured to identify an input configuration based on a position of the first portion relative to a position of the second portion within a three-dimensional space. The embodiment may further include a haptic feedback structure disposed adjacent the flexible fabric and configured to provide haptic feedback based on the input configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Zheng Gao, Reza Nasiri Mahalati, Ray L. Chang