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: 20240094550
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a head-mountable display, a facial interface, a connector between the head-mountable display and the facial interface, a cushion positioned proximate to the connector, and a wearable strap connected to at least one of the head-mountable display or the facial interface. In one example, the cushion includes an aluminum block with an air pocket. In another example, the cushion includes a foam cushion. In certain implementations, the foam cushion defines a channel, the connector being positioned within the channel. In other implementations, the foam cushion includes a foam torus, the connector being positioned inside a center hole of the foam torus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20240094831
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld input device for controlling the electronic device. A tracking device may be removably coupled to the handheld input device to increase the precision with which the head-mounted device tracks the handheld input device. The tracking device may have larger dimensions than the handheld input device and/or may have an expandable housing that expands and retracts. Visual markers on the tracking device may include infrared light-emitting diodes, geometric surface features, or other optical tracking features. The tracking device may serve as a secondary input device for the head-mounted device when the tracking device is decoupled from the input device. The tracking device may have a recess for receiving a shaft of the input device and may have magnets or other attachment structures for attaching the tracking device to the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Paul X Wang
  • Publication number: 20240098411
    Abstract: Adaptively controlling a speaker assembly allows an acoustic characteristic of the speaker assembly to automatically change based on one or more factors. For example, when external noise is detected, the associated noise volume level is determined, and control instructions are generated based on the noise volume level. The control instructions cause the speaker assembly to adaptively increase the volume level to effectively cancel the noise volume. In another example, when a speaker assembly in a vehicle changes from playing a media file to conducting a phone conversation, the volume level associated with the phone conversation may increase. In this regard, control instructions can be generated and used to adaptively reduce the volume level of the phone conversation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jie GU, Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20240081009
    Abstract: Low-profile computer supports include features to reduce the thickness and improve the portability or storage capability of a computer system while it is disassembled, packaged, shipped, or moved. Some computer systems have a computing device and a dock device that can be stored and moved separately or that can store or support accessories associated with the computer system. Some computer systems have a movable stand configured to transition between a collapsed state and a deployed or standing state. Some stands include handles or grips for moving the computer systems while collapsed. Other computer systems include handles or grips to provide areas to more easily carry the computer systems. The handles or grips can have features such as a flexible material to hide or mask their appearance on the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Abidur R. Chowdhury, Adam T. Garelli, Bart K. Andre, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren
  • Publication number: 20240069352
    Abstract: A system may include an electronic device such as a head-mounted device and a handheld controller for controlling the electronic device. The handheld controller may have a housing with an elongated shaft extending between first and second tip portions. The handheld controller may have power receiving circuitry configured to receive power from a power source. The power source may be incorporated into an electronic device such as a wireless charging dock or stick, a battery case, or a head-mounted device. The power source may supply power through terminals that form ohmic contacts with mating terminals in the finger device or may transmit power wirelessly using capacitive coupling or inductive charging arrangements. Magnets may be used to hold and align the elongated shaft of the handheld controller on the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ian P. Colahan, Christopher T. Eubank, Christopher K. Ewy, Patrick T. Ryan, Emery A. Sanford, Robert D. Silfvast
  • Publication number: 20240068040
    Abstract: A method of identifying methylated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) biomarkers is provided, referred to as layered analysis of methylated biomarkers (LAMB). In particular, the LAMB methodology can be used to analyze data from patients to discover methylated cfDNA biomarkers associated with cancer. LAMB was used to identify tumor suppressor candidates using meta-analysis of cancer tissue methylation studies, followed by screening for tumor-specific promoter CpGs in these tumor suppressors and analysis of microarray data for cancerous tissues, non-cancerous tissues adjacent to tumors, and healthy blood samples. Biomarker panels for diagnosis of liver, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer as well as biomarkers for predicting tumor response to therapy are provided based on this LAMB methodology. The biomarkers identified by LAMB can be used alone or in combination with one or more additional biomarkers or relevant clinical parameters in prognosis, diagnosis, therapy selection, or monitoring treatment of cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Shan X. WANG, Ritish PATNAIK
  • Publication number: 20240069596
    Abstract: A head-mounted device may include a main housing portion and displays in the main housing portion that provide images to eye boxes. A light seal may be coupled to the main housing portion and may at least partially surround the eye boxes. The head-mounted device may include sweat mitigation structures such as moisture-guiding channels in the light seal to guide sweat and other moisture away from the eye boxes. The moisture-guiding channels may be formed from grooves or moisture-wicking fabric. Control circuitry may adjust a fan based on humidity, temperature, or fog detected by a sensor. The light seal may include a directional pattern of grooves through which moisture is guided away from the eye boxes. A moisture barrier layer may be interposed between an inner foam layer and an outer light-blocking fabric to prevent sweat from penetrating into the foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Y Kollgaard, Kristine S Atom, Vedant A Dhandhania, Ian A Guy, Dustin A Hatfield, Shannon Pomeroy, Paul X Wang
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • 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