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: 11487362
    Abstract: A force input/haptic output interface for an electronic device can include a force input sensor and a haptic actuator. In one example, the force input sensor and the haptic actuator are accommodated on a frame positioned below an input surface. In many examples, the frame includes relieved portions that redirect and/or concentrate compression or tension in the haptic actuator into the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Robert Y. Cao, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Qiliang Xu, Paul X. Wang, Robert J. Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20220343102
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively determining a region of interest (ROI) are disclosed herein. An example device includes an imaging assembly and a controller. The imaging assembly captures image data comprising pixel data from a plurality of pixels. The controller calculates a contrast value for each pixel of the plurality of pixels, generates a histogram of contrast values, calculates an area under the curve of the histogram, and determines a contrast value threshold to delineate between high-contrast value pixels and low-contrast value pixels. The controller also identifies a ROI within the image data by locating a region within the image data that (i) satisfies a pre-determined size threshold and (ii) contains a largest number of high-contrast value pixels relative to all other regions that satisfy the pre-determined size threshold, and adjusts imaging parameters of the imaging assembly based on the ROI to capture at least one subsequent image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Dayou Wang, Michelle X. Wang, Justin F. Barish
  • Patent number: 11474684
    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: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20220321121
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having adjustable input mechanisms. The input mechanisms of the input device may be dynamically adjusted based on one or more input characteristics associated with a user. Accordingly, the input device may be customized to fit a user's input preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, John C. DiFonzo, Dayu Qu, Zheng Gao, Chang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11462194
    Abstract: A system may include electronic devices that communicate wirelessly. When positioned so that a pair of devices overlap or are adjacent to one another, the devices may operate in a linked mode. During linked operations, devices may communicate wirelessly while input gathering and content displaying operations are shared among the devices. One or both of a pair of devices may have sensors. A capacitive sensor or other sensor may be used to measure the relative position between two devices when the two devices overlap each other. Content displaying operations and other linked mode operations may be performed based on the measured relative position between the two devices and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Tianjia Sun, Chang Zhang, Dominic P. McCarthy, Eric Shyr, John B. Morrell, John P. Ternus
  • Publication number: 20220300088
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Michelle R. Goldberg, Kathleen A. Bergeron, Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, William P. Yarak, III, Kevin C. Armendariz, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 11450101
    Abstract: A head-mounted device can be operated to detect and respond to a user's behavior. The head-mounted device can be regularly and frequently worn while the user performs regular daily tasks, allowing the head-mounted device to collect a large volume of data across a long duration of time so that the cognitive status of the user can be evaluated with greater confidence than may be achieved with an evaluation of short duration and/or frequency. Evaluations performed by the head-mounted device can facilitate the determinations of which disorder is present, a severity of the disorder, trends, and/or forecasts. The head-mounted device can provide feedback that can guide and direct a user to correct actions despite a tendency to do otherwise due to cognitive decline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20220289987
    Abstract: Described herein is a barrier coating composition comprising an organic blend comprising a first component and a second component, the first component comprising latex polymer and the second component being selected from polyurethane emulsion, wax emulsion, and alkyd emulsion, wherein the first component and the second component are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and the latex polymer has a glass transition temperature of less than about 18° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Linzhu ZHANG, John E. HUGHES, Michelle X. WANG, Steven L. MASIA
  • Patent number: 11442552
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sensing membrane that is coupled with electrical terminals of a key switch and a light source. This may allow the membrane to be both configured to transmit a signal in response to actuation of keyboard key cap and illuminate an illuminable symbol of key cap. In one aspect, the membrane includes a set of deformable layers separated by a spacer layer. Terminals of the key switch are connected to distinct ones of the set of deformable layers and positioned within a cavity defined by the spacer layer. A light assembly may be positioned along and configured to move with one of the set of deformable layers. Depression of a key cap toward the set of deformable layers causes the set of terminals to move and initiate a switch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Patent number: 11442615
    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: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Paul X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20220272062
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying and processing graymail are disclosed. An electronic message store is accessed. A determination is made that a first message included in the electronic message store represents graymail, including by accessing a profile associated with an addressee of the first message. A remedial action is taken in response to determining that the first message represents graymail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Rami F. Habal, Kevin Lau, Sharan Dev Sankar, Yea So Jung, Dhruv Purushottam, Venkat Krishnamoorthi, Franklin X. Wang, Jeshua Alexis Bratman, Jocelyn Mikael Raphael Beauchesne, Abhijit Bagri, Sanjay Jeyakumar
  • Patent number: 11425490
    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: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Ivan S. Maric
  • Patent number: 11422765
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to engaging in cross device interactions. The method includes at a first device with a first display, while a second device having a second display is placed over a first region of the first display, detecting, via input devices of the first device, a first input. In response to detecting the first input and in accordance with a determination that the first input occurred while focus was directed to the second device, the method includes causing a response to the first input to be displayed on the second display. In response to detecting the first input and in accordance with a determination that the first input occurred while focus was directed to the first device, the method includes displaying, on the first display, a response to the first input without causing a response to the first input to be displayed on the second display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tianjia Sun, Chang Zhang, Paul X Wang, Aaron Wang
  • Patent number: 11416076
    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: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    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
  • Patent number: 11409332
    Abstract: A device may include a display portion that includes a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system below the top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key region of the array of raised key regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 11402644
    Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a head-mountable device that distributes securement forces to sides of the user's head. A head-mountable device can include a head securement element with arms that clamp onto sides of the user's head. Such arms can be pivotably coupled to a frame of the head-mountable device. Where a band is provided, the band can have an adjustable width that tightens onto the sides of the user's head to reduce the load on the front and rear of the user's head. A head-mountable device can also distribute forces (e.g., weight) onto the top of the user's head without restricting facial features of the user (e.g., forehead, eyes, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dustin A. Hatfield, Venkata Narayana Murthy Arelekatti
  • Patent number: 11397449
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Paul X. Wang, Adam T. Garelli, Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Dinesh C. Mathew
  • Patent number: 11397486
    Abstract: Ultrasonic force detection systems and methods can be based on propagation of ultrasonic waves in a user's body (e.g., in a user's digit). An amount of force can be determined using time-of-flight (TOF) techniques of one or more ultrasonic waves propagating in the user's body. In some examples, an electronic device including a transducer can be coupled to a digit, and can transmit ultrasonic waves into the digit. As the wave propagates through the thickness of the digit, a reflection of at least a portion of the transmitted wave can occur due to the bone and/or due to reaching the opposite side of the digit (e.g., finger pad). One or more reflections can be measured to determine the amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ehsan Khajeh, George Ho Yin Mak, Marcus Yip, Brian Michael King, Aaron Scott Tucker, Jason S. Griesbach, Paul X. Wang, Alex Joseph Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11398359
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    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: 11397473
    Abstract: Keyboards and other input devices are provided with membranes that extend under the keycaps or buttons. The membranes are flexible and can support conductive structures, traces, and electrical switch connections to enable effective key switches, lighting, and fluid-tightness for the keyboard. The flexible membrane is positioned near the keycaps to prevent ingress of fluids and debris into the lower portions of the key assemblies. In some cases, the flexible membrane also provides support for an interstitial layer that extends between keycaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Shan Wu, Simon R. Lancaster-Larocque