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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 10642318
    Abstract: A personal computing device comprises a single piece body having a seamless overall appearance and that includes a bendable portion that is capable of having a smoothly curved shape. The single piece body includes a first part capable of carrying a display suitable for presenting visual content, and a second part that is capable of carrying an input device suitable for accepting an input action. The personal computing device also includes a multi-state bending assembly carried by the single piece body at the bendable portion and positioned between and in mechanical communication with the first part and the second part. The multi-state bending assembly includes a planar assembly that, in a first state, is characterized as having a first thickness and allows relative movement of the first and second parts with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10637977
    Abstract: An item such as a leather-based item may have a layer of leather with one or more transparent portions that are illuminated by a light source. The transparent portions of the leather may be formed by a single continuous opening in the leather or may be formed by an array of smaller openings. A flexible light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather. The light guide may be used to add structure and heft to a thinned portion of the leather while still allowing the leather to remain flexible and soft. The light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather and may diffuse and guide light from a light source towards the leather. The light guide may be formed from one or more waveguide “pipes” or may be formed form a plate-light light guide layer that extends continuously under the leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Whitney D. Mattson, Christopher T. Lebedeff, Craig C. Leong, James C. Whitley
  • Patent number: 10612036
    Abstract: Engineered and modified Cry6Aa insecticidal toxins, polynucleotides encoding such toxins, use of such toxins to control pests, and transgenic plants that produce such toxins are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Hey, Xu Xiaoping, Todd P. Glancy, Diaa Alabed, Sarah E. Worden, Nick X. Wang, Carla Ausmus, Shao-Ching Hung
  • Patent number: 10613640
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with input devices. An input device may include a button or a key of a keyboard that uses a light sensor to detect key press events. The light sensor may detect changes in an amount of received light caused by actuation of a keycap of the button or key. The button or key may include an opaque structure that blocks a portion of the light when the key is compressed. The button or key may include a light source such as a light-emitting diode that generates light. A portion of the light from the light source may illuminate the key or button to provide backlight for the key and another portion may be received by the light sensor for detecting partial or complete compression of the button or key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Daniel J. Drusch, Chang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200097747
    Abstract: This application relates to a laptop computer. The laptop computer includes a base portion pivotally coupled to a lid portion is described. The laptop computer includes a display assembly carried by the lid portion, where the display assembly includes a light-transmissive cover, a display layer overlaid by the light-transmissive cover, a display stack electrically coupled to and overlaid by the display layer, and a light pattern recognition module adjacent to the display stack and overlaid by the display layer. The light pattern recognition module includes (i) a light pattern projector that projects a light pattern directly through the display layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Keith J. HENDREN, Adam T. GARELLI, Antonio CLARKE, Joshua L. DAIGLE, Dinesh C. MATHEW
  • Publication number: 20200097048
    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: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Denis H. Endisch, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10595618
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a layer of material with transparent portions. The layer of material may be fabric layer, a layer of leather, or other layer of material. The transparent portions may be formed from openings in the layer of material. The transparent portions may overlap electrical components. The electrical components may include a sensor, light-emitting components, and haptic output components. The light-emitting components may include light-emitting diodes, edge-lit light guides, displays having arrays of pixels, or other light-emitting devices. The openings in the layer of material may be patterned to form icon shapes and other shapes. The layer of material may be used in forming a strap for a wristwatch, a case for a cellular telephone or other portable device, or other electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Christopher T. Lebedeff, Kenneth M. Silz
  • Publication number: 20200089328
    Abstract: An interface device includes a movable button connected to a frame structure by resilient structures positioned laterally between the button and the frame structure. Multiple layers or diaphragms of material can be used to make the button, frame, and resilient structures. Movement of the button can trigger a switch or sensor in a manner allowing an electronic device to detect interaction with the button. The interface device can be implemented in an electronic device such as a keyboard that has a low number of parts yet also providing tactile, stabilized key travel, support for various sensor or switch types for the keys, and, in some cases, haptic feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Craig C. Leong, Alex J. Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20200088999
    Abstract: An electronic device may have an inner display mounted in a housing so that an image on the inner display is presented to an eye box through a lens for viewing by a user while the electronic device is being worn on a head of the user. The electronic device may have input-output devices that are operable on external surfaces of the electronic device. The input-output devices may be used to gather user input for controlling an external device while the electronic device is not being worn on the user's head. The input-output devices may include a touch screen display, buttons, and other input-output components. An input-output component may be formed on a movable member that can be moved between a stored position and a deployed position. A projector may project images onto nearby surfaces. A removable electronic device may be coupled to head-mounted support structures or other housing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200089341
    Abstract: A stylus can be provided with a glass member that defines a portion of an outer periphery of the stylus. The glass member can facilitate detection of touch input with a capacitive touch sensor within the stylus. The glass member can further facilitate magnetic coupling with a host device and wireless charging from the host device. The glass member also provides a durable outer surface along a section of the stylus to reduce the effects of wear. The glass member can be provided in a variety of shapes and arrangements that offer aesthetic options and customization for personal preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200090885
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and provides finger support and key definition as the user feels the top surface of the keycaps and flexible layer. The flexible layer therefore smooths the top surface of the keyboard, supports fingers during key travel, prevents ingress of contaminants, fluids, or debris into the keyboard, and provides a surface that can be used as a touch interface that coincides with the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 10591993
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Juan Pu, Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 10592010
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a cellular telephone may be used to gather pointing input from a user. During operation, the electronic device may be held by a user. Orientation information such as information on an orientation of the electronic device relative to an external surface may be gathered using a camera, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, or other orientation sensor. The gathered input may serve as pointing input for use in drawing visual elements such as lines in content being projected onto the external surface or content being displayed using displays. Pointing input and other input may also be used to select displayed items and take other actions. Displays for displaying image content may form part of an electronic device being held by the user, a desktop device, or other devices. A steerable projector may be used in displaying projected images such as images containing content based on pointing input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 10592008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for changing the shape of a mouse or other input device are described. In one embodiment, a mouse includes an articulating member that defines a curvature of an exterior surface of the mouse. The mouse may include one or more actuators for manipulating the articulating member to change the contour of the exterior surface of the mouse. The curvature may be changed to optimize the ergonomics of the mouse and/or deliver tactile feedback to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Hongcheng Sun, Alex J. Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20200081492
    Abstract: An electronic device may have input-output devices such as sensors, displays, wireless circuitry, and other electronic components mounted within a housing. The housing may have opposing front and rear walls. A display may be formed on a front side of the device and may be overlapped by a front housing wall such as a glass layer. Sensors and other components may be formed on a rear side of the device and may be overlapped by a rear housing wall. The rear housing wall may have a glass portion or other transparent structure through which projectors project images onto nearby surfaces and through which image sensors and other optical sensors receive light. The housing may be supported by a stand. An electrical component in the stand may interact with an electronic device on the stand. Wireless circuitry in an external item may wirelessly couple to wireless circuitry within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Joshua P. Song
  • Publication number: 20200081178
    Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components mounted in an interior region of the electronic device. A housing may surround the interior region and may separate the interior region from an exterior region that surrounds the electronic device. Arrays of recesses may be formed on opposing inner and outer sides of the housing. The arrays may be laterally offset from each other along the housing. The recesses on the inner and outer sides of the housing may meet at passageways within the housing. During operation of the electronic device, air may flow through the inner recesses, the passageways, and the outer recesses to cool electrical components within the interior region. Lighting may be provided for the housing. Light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes may be received within cavities in the housing. Light guiding structures, diffusers, reflectors, and other structures may be used to help adjust illumination from the light-emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Bart K. Andre, Bryan W. Posner, Daniele G. De Iuliis, Dinesh C. Mathew, Kamal H. Habboub, Sung-Ho Tan, Joshua A. Spechler
  • Patent number: 10579099
    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: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 10564724
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Bergeron, Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20200050283
    Abstract: Disclosed are structures, devices, methods and systems for providing dynamically variable internal illumination to individual input devices of an electronic device, such as keys of a keyboard. In some embodiments, input devices contain multiple LEDs whose light intensity may be varied to alter a tone or a color of light used for the internal illumination a key. The LEDs may be micro LEDs and may be internal components of the input device as a unit. In some embodiments, the LEDs are white light LEDs having different phosphor thicknesses. In some embodiments the LEDs may be RGB LEDs, with individual control of color contributions to modify the internal illumination. Systems incorporating such input devices may need only a reduced set of LED control units. Systems can include a processing unit and a light sensor or camera to detect ambient lighting and adjust internal illumination of an input device accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Liquan Tan