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: 20240069595
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a glass housing member that includes an upper portion defining a display area, a lower portion defining an input area, and a transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion and defining a continuous, curved surface between the upper portion and the lower portion. The electronic device may include a display coupled to the glass housing member and configured to provide a visual output at the display area. The electronic device may include an input device coupled to the glass housing member and configured to detect inputs at the input area. The electronic device may include a support structure coupled to the glass housing member and configured to support the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Paul X. Wang, Adam T. Garelli, Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 11914780
    Abstract: A finger-mounted device may include finger-mounted units. The finger-mounted units may each have a body that serves as a support structure for components such as force sensors, accelerometers, and other sensors and for haptic output devices. The body may have sidewall portions coupled by a portion that rests adjacent to a user's fingernail. The body may be formed from deformable material such as metal or may be formed from adjustable structures such as sliding body portions that are coupled to each other using magnetic attraction, springs, or other structures. The body of each finger-mounted unit may have a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that leaves the finger pad of each finger exposed when the body is coupled to a fingertip of a user's finger. Control circuitry may gather finger press input, lateral finger movement input, and finger tap input using the sensors and may provide haptic output using the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Michael J. Rockwell, Michael Y. Cheung, Ray L. Chang, Hongcheng Sun, Ian M. Bullock, Kyle J. Nekimken, Madeleine S. Cordier, Seung Wook Kim, David H. Bloom, Scott G. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20240061520
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld input device for controlling the electronic device. The handheld input device may include a stylus and a removable sleeve on the stylus. The input-output capabilities of the handheld input device may be shared between the stylus and the removable sleeve. The stylus may include touch sensor circuitry, a force-sensitive tip, and a motion sensor. The sleeve may include conductors for translating touch input on the sleeve to the touch sensor circuitry on the stylus, a deformable member for translating forces on the sleeve to the force-sensitive tip of the stylus, and visual markers that can be detected by an external camera and used with motion sensor data from the stylus to track the handheld input device. The removable sleeve may include haptic output devices and a battery and may be attached to an item without electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Ray L Chang
  • Publication number: 20240061255
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a display, a facial interface, and a connector between the display and the facial feature. The connector can include a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Darshan R. Kasar, Samuel G. Smith, Paul X. Wang, Liam R. Martinez, Jonathan M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20240064420
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can have multiple cameras, which may be used to generate graphical content, provide a video passthrough of the environment, and/or sense objects, people, or events in the environment. The cameras of the head-mountable device can capture views that are output to a display. Other sensors and/or detectors can detect the presence or motion of objects and/or events in an environment of the user and provide outputs that call the user's attention to such objects and/or events. The outputs can include notifications, selectable features of a visual display output, and/or a view that includes the objects and/or events. The cameras can be integrated in a way that provides a low profile, such as by incorporation with other features of the head-mountable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Paul X. WANG
  • Publication number: 20240064280
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can operate in concert with one or more optical assemblies thereof to provide multiple users with shared experiences and content enjoyment. Such operations can be facilitated by a connection between the head-mountable device and one or both of its optical assemblies to allow different users to receive content. Such a connection can be made possible by a communication link that directly and/or physically connects the head-mountable device and one or both of its optical assemblies when the one or both of the optical assemblies is removed from the head-mountable device for operation by a separate user. The ability to provide multiple outputs on separate components allows separate users to participate in a shared experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Jeremy C. FRANKLIN
  • Patent number: 11906748
    Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device that distributes forces along the user's head. A head-mountable device can include head securement element with a support element to engage the head of the user. The support element can be coupled to the frame or light seal module of the head-mountable device. The support element can be attachable or deployable from the head-mountable device. A head-mountable device can also distribute forces with a support portion extending from a band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Scott M. Leinweber, Adam Y. Kollgaard, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti, Sally R. Annis
  • Patent number: 11910690
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display mounted in a housing. The display may be mounted on a front side of the device and the housing may have a housing wall on the rear side of the device. The display may be formed from an array of pixels configured to display an image for a user. Pixel-free border areas that run along the edges of the array of pixels may be provided with an edge illuminator. The edge illuminator may provide illumination to the border areas during operation of the device. The edge illuminator may have crystalline semiconductor light-emitting diode dies, backlit liquid crystal devices or electrophoretic display components, or may have a light guide that is supplied with illumination from a light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 11903666
    Abstract: A medical device for retrieval of kidney stone fragments from a urinary tract is provided. The medical device has a plurality of magnets arranged within a flexible sheath forming a flexible wire. The magnets are magnetically attached end-to-end and arranged with their magnetic polarities alternating in direction. The magnetization direction of each of the magnets is orthogonal to the length axis of the flexible wire. A removable inner stylet is situated within the flexible sheath allowing for modifiable flexibility of the wire. The medical device is dimensioned to be introduced into the urinary tract and standard endoscopic devices. The medical device is further dimensioned to allow for the wire with magnetically attached stone fragments to be retrieved from the urinary tract. The magnetic field along the length axis is sufficient to attract to the surface of the flexible wire superparamagnetic nanoparticles which have bound themselves to kidney stone fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, U.S. Government as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Tianjia Jessie Ge, Simon Conti, Joseph C. Liao, Kunj Raju Sheth, Shan X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20240047156
    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 lies between inner and outer keycaps. The flexible layer prevents intrusion of invasive material to the keyboard mechanisms and simplifies the appearance of the keyboard area. Some flexible layers help align keycaps by connecting inner and outer keycaps or by providing a mechanical connection interface for the keycaps. Some membranes used in the flexible layer have a layered or composite construction that increases durability and tear resistance by attaching or infusing a mesh material or other tough material to a less durable, elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Abidur R. Chowdhury, Bart K. Andre, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Patent number: 11893171
    Abstract: Computing systems and input devices can include a chassis with a computing device and an input tool with a sensor, such as a pen- or rod-like input tool, that can be positioned relative to the chassis in multiple configurations. In one configuration, the tool can be spaced away from the chassis and its sensor output can cause a first output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. In another configuration, the tool can be contacting the chassis and its sensor output can cause a second output signal in response to input provided to the sensor. For example, an input tool can be stowed in a recess of a keyboard housing or device chassis, and the input tool can produce a first output when it is in the recess and a second input when it has been removed from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, John S. Camp
  • Publication number: 20240037984
    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: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Keith J. HENDREN, Adam T. GARELLI, Antonio CLARKE, Joshua L. DAIGLE, Dinesh C. MATHEW
  • Patent number: 11886235
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a shield that provides thermal and electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) shielding benefits. The shield is secured with fan assemblies by airtight seals to prevent air leakage and promote a pressured volume when the fan assemblies are running. Further, the shield can direct airflow from the fan assemblies to one or more thermally conductive components, where the airflow can convectively cool the thermally conductive components and exit the electronic device. The shield is made from a metal, and when the shield covers a circuit board, the shield protects an EMI barrier for integrated circuits located on the circuit board. Moreover, the shield can provide a single-piece, monolithic body that provides advantages over multiple shields, such as eliminating gaps in the shield for air leakage and EMI intrusion, increasing air circulation efficiency, and decreasing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam T. Garelli, Paul X. Wang, Pooja B. Patel, Nicholas A. Rundle, Eric R. Prather, Simon S. Lee
  • Publication number: 20240012256
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes a device housing and a fan coupled to the device housing and configured to direct airflow within the device housing. The fan includes a fan housing, a motor hub, and a fan blade coupled to the motor hub. The fan blade has a first cross-section adjacent to the motor hub, a second cross-section outward of and adjacent to the first cross-section, and the first cross-section is smaller than the second cross-section such that an applied force to the device housing causes the fan blade to transition from an operable configuration to an inoperable configuration by deformation of the fan blade at the first cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, John Cagle
  • Publication number: 20240012257
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may be provided with displays. The displays and lenses through which images on the displays are viewed may be mounted in optical modules. Lens positioners may be used to move the optical modules toward and away from eye boxes to adjust eye relief distance. Control circuitry may gather sensor data such as motion sensor data from a motion sensor indicating whether the head-mounted device is in free fall and/or image sensor data from a front-facing camera indicating whether the head-mounted device is headed toward a collision with an external surface. The control circuitry may use the lens positioners to automatically increase the eye relief distance in response to sensor data if a collision is predicted. The lens positioners may include solenoids or other actuators. The positions of the lenses may be adjusted without necessarily adjusting a distance between the lens and the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X Wang, Fletcher R Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 11868542
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michelle R. Goldberg, Kathleen A. Bergeron, Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, William P. Yarak, III, Kevin C. Armendariz, Zheng Gao
  • Publication number: 20240004206
    Abstract: A head-mountable device includes a display portion having a housing and a display, a light seal extending from the housing and including offset from the housing by a distance, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the housing and the light seal and configured to alter the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Liam R. Martinez, Samuel G. Smith, Adam Y. Kollgaard
  • Publication number: 20240004459
    Abstract: A head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can provide guidance for optimal placement of the head-mountable device. The head-mountable device and/or another electronic device can be operated to guide a user to position the head-mountable device in a manner that will achieve proper alignment of components with respect to the user and maximize user comfort. For example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can include sensors for detecting features of the user's face, forces distributed on the face when worn, and/or alignment with the face (e.g., eyes). By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in adjustment and infer user discomfort based on the frequency and/or magnitude of such changes. By further example, the head-mountable device and/or another device can detect changes in features of the user's face before, during, and/or after use of the head-mountable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. WANG, Dustin A. HATFIELD
  • Publication number: 20230418391
    Abstract: A computer input device can include a housing, a set of key switch mechanisms positioned in the housing, and a removable key structure that is operable between a first configuration positioned in the housing and a second configuration detached from the housing. The removable key can have a position sensor, wherein in the first configuration, the removable key structure is operable to provide a key-based typing input, and, in the second configuration, the removable key structure is operable as a computer pointing device using the position sensor. The removable key structure can therefore allow comfortable, portable, and precise pointer input for a computer input system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 11856090
    Abstract: In an approach, a processor obtains an encrypted data key and a first encrypted protection key from a storage device. A processor sends the first encrypted protection key to a first device. A processor obtains a protection key from the first device, wherein the protection key is generated by the first device through decrypting the first encrypted protection key. A processor decrypts the encrypted data key using the protection key to obtain a data key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Qing Zhou, Yan Lin Ren, Zong Xiong Z X Wang, Zhang Li, Xiao Ling Chen