Patents by Inventor Xiaofan Niu

Xiaofan Niu 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: 12170271
    Abstract: A micro-light-emitting diode (LED) display includes a number of micro-LED pixel elements and multiple optical sensors integrated with the micro-LED pixel elements. A transparent conductor layer is disposed over the micro-LED pixel elements and optical sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofan Niu, Sunggu Kang, Mohammad Yeke Yazdandoost, Giovanni Gozzini, Xia Li, Oray O. Cellek, Sandeep Chalasani, Steven E. Molesa, Jaein Choi
  • Publication number: 20240142684
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may be provided with conductive structures. The conductive structures may include a sensor electrode for an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor. A coating may be disposed on the sensor electrode to reflect particular wavelengths of visible light so that the sensor electrode exhibits a desired color. The coating may include adhesion and transition layers on the sensor electrode, an opaque coloring layer on the adhesion and transition layers, and a thin-film interference filter on the opaque coloring layer. The thin-film interference filter may have an uppermost diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer. The DLC layer may contribute to the color response of the coating while concurrently minimizing noise in ECG waveforms gathered by the ECG sensor using the sensor electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Bin Fan, Brian S. Tryon, Xiaofan Niu, Chia-Yeh Lee, Frank C. Sit, Hien Minh H Le, Justin S. Shi, Shinjita Acharya, Ziqing Duan
  • Publication number: 20240074665
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining an internal volume, a front opening, and a rear opening. The electronic device can include a display component disposed at the front opening and a rear cover disposed at the rear opening. A logic board can be disposed in the internal volume. The device can also include a thin film thermopile including a cold junction bonded to the logic board and a hot junction bonded to the rear cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hiemstra, Jeffrey W. Buchholz, Xiaofan Niu, James C. Clements, Wei Lin, Habib S. Karaki, Paul Mansky, Boyi Fu, Yanfeng Chen, Edmilson Besseler
  • Patent number: 11803276
    Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dhaval C. Patel, Eugene C. Cheung, Pey-Jiun Ko, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Steve L. Terry, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaoqi Zhou, Yi Gu, Yindar Chuo, Rasmi R. Das, Steven M. Scardato, Se Hyun Ahn, Victor H. Yin, Wookyung Bae, Christopher L. Boitnott, Chun-Hao Tung, Mookyung Son, Sunggu Kang, Nathan K. Gupta, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 11771329
    Abstract: Embodiments include a temperature sensing device that includes a temperature sensor stack that includes a flexible substrate and an array of temperature sensors coupled to the flexible substrate. Each temperature sensor in the array of temperature sensors can include a conductive material defining a continuous pattern extending from a first node to a second node, a first set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate, and a second set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate. The temperature sensing device can include a processing circuit configured to apply an electrical signal across the conductive material of each temperature sensor using the first set of conductive traces, detect an effect of the conductive material of each temperature sensor on the electrical signal using the second set of conductive traces, and determine a temperature for the temperature sensors in the array using the detected effects of the conductive material on the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Mansky, Xiaofan Niu, James C. Clements, Mahmut Tosun, Michael Vosgueritchian
  • Patent number: 11755128
    Abstract: A stylus input device can allow a user to interface with an external electronic device. The stylus can provide an additional or alternative input to the external electronic device in response to a user applying a compressive force to the device housing. The stylus can include multiple sensors to provide a signal in response to the compressive force applied to the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Blake R. Marshall, Nathaniel M. Parnell, Wesley W. Zuber, Henry N. Tsao, Xiaofan Niu, Pavan Gupta, Nahid Harjee, Paul X. Wang, Brenton A. Baugh
  • Publication number: 20230087411
    Abstract: An electronic device may include an infrared sensor with light sources and a quantum film photodetector. The light sources may emit short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light through a display panel and the photodetector may receive the SWIR light through the panel after reflection off an object. The light sources and an integrated circuit may be mounted to a wall of a sensor module mounted to the panel. The module may include a lens. The photodetector may be disposed onto the rear wall, lens, integrated circuit, or display panel. The photodetector may include multiple types of quantum film to absorb different wavelengths of SWIR light. The SWIR light may pass through the display panel without distorting images emitted by the display panel. Using a quantum film in the photodetector may allow the photodetector to extend across a large surface area without unnecessarily increasing manufacturing cost for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Xiaofan Niu, Tong Chen, Mark T. Winkler, Zachary M. Beiley, Andras G. Pattantyus-Abraham
  • Patent number: 11460946
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Publication number: 20220100290
    Abstract: A stylus input device can allow a user to interface with an external electronic device. The stylus can provide an additional or alternative input to the external electronic device in response to a user applying a compressive force to the device housing. The stylus can include multiple sensors to provide a signal in response to the compressive force applied to the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Alex J. LEHMANN, Qiliang XU, Blake R. MARSHALL, Nathaniel M. PARNELL, Wesley W. ZUBER, Henry N. TSAO, Xiaofan NIU, Pavan GUPTA, Nahid HARJEE, Paul X. WANG, Brenton A. BAUGH
  • Publication number: 20220087534
    Abstract: Embodiments include a temperature sensing device that includes a temperature sensor stack that includes a flexible substrate and an array of temperature sensors coupled to the flexible substrate. Each temperature sensor in the array of temperature sensors can include a conductive material defining a continuous pattern extending from a first node to a second node, a first set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate, and a second set of conductive traces coupled to the flexible substrate. The temperature sensing device can include a processing circuit configured to apply an electrical signal across the conductive material of each temperature sensor using the first set of conductive traces, detect an effect of the conductive material of each temperature sensor on the electrical signal using the second set of conductive traces, and determine a temperature for the temperature sensors in the array using the detected effects of the conductive material on the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Mansky, Xiaofan Niu, James C. Clements, Mahmut Tosun, Michael Vosgueritchian
  • Publication number: 20220068900
    Abstract: A micro-light-emitting diode (LED) display includes a number of micro-LED pixel elements and multiple optical sensors integrated with the micro-LED pixel elements. A transparent conductor layer is disposed over the micro-LED pixel elements and optical sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaofan NIU, Sunggu KANG, Mohammad YEKE YAZDANDOOST, Giovanni GOZZINI, Xia LI, Oray O. CELLEK, Sandeep CHALASANI, Steven E. MOLESA, Jaein CHOI
  • Publication number: 20210325993
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Patent number: 11054932
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Publication number: 20210089168
    Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a user input surface defining an exterior surface of the electronic device, a first capacitive sensing element, and a second capacitive sensing element capacitively coupled to the first capacitive sensing element. The electronic device also comprises a first spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements, and a second spacing layer between the first and second capacitive sensing elements. The first and second spacing layers have different compositions. The electronic device also comprises sensing circuitry coupled to the first and second capacitive sensing elements configured to determine an amount of applied force on the user input surface. The first spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is below a force threshold, and the second spacing layer is configured to collapse if the applied force is above the force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Dhaval C. Patel, Eugene C. Cheung, Pey-Jiun Ko, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Steve L. Terry, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaoqi Zhou, Yi Gu, Yindar Chuo, Rasmi R. Das, Steven M. Scardato, Se Hyun Ahn, Victor H. Yin, Wookyung Bae, Christopher L. Boitnott, Chun-Hao Tung, Mookyung Son, Sunggu Kang, Nathan K. Gupta, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 10353506
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for an electronic device having an input surface that uses dual sensors to measure forces applied to the input surface. The forces can be estimated over a greater range of values than would be possible with either sensor alone. A second sensor can be used after a first sensor has reached a limit. A first sensor can be a strain sensor and a second sensor a pressure sensor. Both sensors may be resistance based, with signals from both sensors can be combined and measured by processing circuitry. Each sensor type may be part of planar arrays disposed beneath the input surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Saahil Mehra, Xiaofan Niu
  • Publication number: 20190073079
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an input device. The input device has an input/output module below or within a cover defining an input surface. The input/output module detects touch and/or force inputs on the input surface, and provides haptic feedback to the cover. In some instances, a haptic device is integrally formed with a wall or structural element of a housing or enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Alex J. Lehmann, Ming Yu, Xianwei Zhao, Xiaonan Wen, Shan Wu, Xiaofan Niu
  • Publication number: 20180364850
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for an electronic device having an input surface that uses dual sensors to measure forces applied to the input surface. The forces can be estimated over a greater range of values than would be possible with either sensor alone. A second sensor can be used after a first sensor has reached a limit. A first sensor can be a strain sensor and a second sensor a pressure sensor. Both sensors may be resistance based, with signals from both sensors can be combined and measured by processing circuitry. Each sensor type may be part of planar arrays disposed beneath the input surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Vosgueritchian, Sinan Filiz, James E. Pedder, John Stephen Smith, Saahil Mehra, Xiaofan Niu
  • Publication number: 20180081441
    Abstract: An electronic device is configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more regions or sections of a surface of the electronic device. The localized haptic feedback is provided by an array of piezoelectric haptic actuators below the surface of the electronic device. Actuators within the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators are separately controllable by a control circuit layer. The control circuit layer includes control circuitry, a master flexible circuit which passes between rows of actuators, and an array of slave flexible circuits. Each slave flexible circuit is connected to the master flexible circuit and an actuator. In further examples, the array of piezoelectric haptic actuators provides a unified structure for detecting touch and force inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: James E. Pedder, Supratik Datta, Karan Jain, Jui-Ming Yang, Pavan O. Gupta, Robert W. Rumford, Wei Lin, Xiaofan Niu, Xiaonan Wen
  • Publication number: 20170364158
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a haptic actuator includes piezoelectric material and a pattern of voltage electrodes coupled to a surface of the piezoelectric material. The voltage electrodes are individually controllable to supply voltage to different portions of the piezoelectric material. Different sections of the piezoelectric material are operable to deflect, producing haptic output at those locations, in response to the application of the voltage. Differing voltages may be provided to one or more of the voltage electrodes to affect the location of the deflection, and thus the haptic output. In various embodiments, a haptic output system incorporates a sealed haptic element. The sealed haptic element includes a piezoelectric component that is coupled to one or more flexes and is sealed and/or enclosed by the flex(es) and an encapsulation or sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaonan Wen, Wei Lin, James E. Pedder, Xiaofan Niu, Nathan K. Gupta, Po-Jui Chen, Robert W. Rumford, Pavan O. Gupta, Jui-Ming Yang
  • Publication number: 20170357325
    Abstract: An electronic device configured to provide localized haptic feedback to a user on one or more regions or sections of a surface of the electronic device. A support structure is positioned below the surface, and one or more haptic actuators are coupled to the support structure. In some examples, the support structure is shaped or configured to amplify a response to a haptic actuator. When a haptic actuator is actuated, the support structure deflects, which causes the surface to bend or deflect at a location that substantially corresponds to the location of the activated haptic actuator. In some examples, prior to providing haptic feedback, at least one haptic actuator is electrically pre-stressed to place the haptic actuator(s) in a pre-stressed state. When haptic feedback is to be provided, at least one haptic actuator transitions from the pre-stressed state to a haptic output state to produce one or more deflections in the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jui-Ming Yang, Nathan K. Gupta, Po-Jui Chen, Teera Songatikamas, Kyle J. Campiotti, Robert L. Sheridan, Xiaonan Wen, Xiaofan Niu, James E. Pedder