Patents by Inventor Xiaoming Tao

Xiaoming Tao 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: 7531203
    Abstract: A method for the production of a conductive flexible textile array. The method includes the application of an oxidizing agent to selected areas of the textile; coating the textile with pyrrole by vapor deposition to form a conductive coated textile having a polypyrrole network; stabilizing the conductive coated textile; and forming the conductive flexible textile arrays as a sensor. With this method of production, the degree of polymerization of the conjugated polymer, the morphology and the rate of the capacitance delay is carefully controlled. As such, stable flexible textile sensors are produced with various levels of sensitivities and conductivities which are particularly useful for designed applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Sarah Mei-Yi Leung, Marcus Chun-Wah Yuen, Wing-Yin Kwok, Hoi-Lut Ho
  • Patent number: 7466896
    Abstract: A method of making a photonic fabric display includes wrapping photonic fibers with a yarn, weaving the wrapped photonic fibers to form a fabric, printing a pattern on the fabric, surface treating the fabric, and coupling the photonic fibers with a light source to form a photonic fabric display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Xiaoyin Cheng, Jianming Yu, Lijie Liu, Wang-wah Wong, Wing-kwong Tam
  • Publication number: 20080119896
    Abstract: An anti-sleep apnea device having an elastic abdomen belt optionally with a fabric strain sensor, a first signal-processing unit for processing signals from the fabric strain sensor in response to the change of circumference of the abdomen, two electrodes adapted to be disposed on the user's wrist for releasing electrical pulses to an acupoint of the user, a second signal-processing unit associated with the electrodes, and wireless means for transmitting signals from the first signal-processing unit to the second signal-processing unit. The present invention also discloses a method for managing sleep apnea by applying electrical pulses upon an acupoint of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Kwok Shing Thomas Wong, Xiaoyin Cheng, Ching Ching Cheung, Wai Yee Joanne Chung, Ka Lun Fan, Yin Ki Lau, Wai Man Li, Siu Luen Ng, Xiaoming Tao, Harry Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080019659
    Abstract: A photonic fabric display wherein graphic patterns, color, luminescence intensity, and light self-amplification are controllable. Incorporated in the fabric display are a number of photonic fibers which contain a converter either coated on a surface of the photonic fibers or inside said photonic fibers and a light source, such as LEDs, is connected to the end of the photonic fibers by using an efficient coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Xiaoyin Cheng, Jianming Yu, Lijie Liu, Wang-wah Wong, Wing-kwong Tam
  • Publication number: 20070281155
    Abstract: A method of making a photonic fabric display includes wrapping photonic fibers with a yarn, weaving the wrapped photonic fibers to form a fabric, printing a pattern on the fabric, surface treating the fabric, and coupling the photonic fibers with a light source to form a photonic fabric display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Xiaoyin Cheng, Jianming Yu, Lijie Liu, Wang-wah Wong, Wing-kwong Tam
  • Patent number: 7219556
    Abstract: A process for measuring snarling properties of a yarn is provided. Firstly a first and a second point of the yarn are held in close proximity, and a portion of the yarn between the two points is of a predetermined length. A predetermined tension force is temporarily exerted to the portion of the yarn, and simultaneously the portion of the yarn is temporarily restricted from twisting when the tension force is exerted. Then the portion of the yarn is released from the tension force such that the portion of the yarn is able to twist freely so as to form snarls thereon. Thereafter, the snarling properties of the yarn are measured by detecting an amount of the snarls thereby formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Charlotte Murrells, Ka-Kee Wong, Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu
  • Publication number: 20070091967
    Abstract: A solid-state laser emitting material for use in conjunction with a light source includes a polymer matrix functioning as host materials, containing laser dye of rhodamine 590 or rhodamine 610 as gain materials and nano-submicron particles as scatters therein. The lowest lasing threshold of the laser emitting material is approximately 5 mJ/cm2 for 585 nm emission and 2 mJ/cm2 for 630 nm emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Xiaohong Sun, Jianguo Deng, Kai-Cheong Kwan
  • Patent number: 7096655
    Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a singles ring yarn, firstly a first twist is supplied to a strand of traveling drafted fibers at a false twist device for producing a preliminary singles yarn. The false twist device rotates at a first speed for twisting the fibers. Immediately after the first twisting step, a joint twist of a second twist in the same direction as the first twist and a third twist in a reversed direction is supplied to the preliminary yarn for producing a final singles ring yarn. The second twist is produced by a rotatable take-up package onto which the final singles yarn is drawn. The reversed twist results in correspondence to the first twist, and the take-up package rotates at a second speed. The final singles yarn is then drawn onto the take-up package. Furthermore, a ratio of the first speed to the second speed is controlled for controlling the amount of a residual torque in the final singles ring yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu, Sing-Kee Wong
  • Publication number: 20060144122
    Abstract: A process for measuring snarling properties of a yarn is provided. Firstly a first and a second point of the yarn are held in close proximity, and a portion of the yarn between the two points is of a predetermined length. A predetermined tension force is temporarily exerted to the portion of the yarn, and simultaneously the portion of the yarn is temporarily restricted from twisting when the tension force is exerted. Then the portion of the yarn is released from the tension force such that the portion of the yarn is able to twist freely so as to form snarls thereon. Thereafter, the snarling properties of the yarn are measured by detecting an amount of the snarls thereby formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Charlotte Murrells, Ka-Kee Wong, Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu
  • Publication number: 20060148351
    Abstract: This invention relates to patterned conductive textile sensors such as those for simultaneously measurement of strain, temperature and relative humidity. The patterned textile structures comprise sensing elements of various electrical conductivity and they are in the forms of fabrics, fibres, filaments or yarns coated with conductive polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Sarah Leung, Marcus Yuen, Wing-Yin Kwok, Hoi-Lut Ho
  • Patent number: 7027699
    Abstract: An optical fiber device has at least two cores within the same cladding having different characteristics. The characteristics include including strain optic coefficient, thermo-optic coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, photo-sensitivity and refractive index. One or more cores can have a Bragg grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Jianming Yu, Dongxiao Yang
  • Publication number: 20050268591
    Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a singles ring yarn, firstly a first twist is supplied to a strand of traveling drafted fibers at a false twist device for producing a preliminary singles yarn. The false twist device rotates at a first speed for twisting the fibers. Immediately after the first twisting step, a joint twist of a second twist in the same direction as the first twist and a third twist in a reversed direction is supplied to the preliminary yarn for producing a final singles ring yarn. The second twist is produced by a rotatable take-up package onto which the final singles yarn is drawn. The reversed twist results in correspondence to the first twist, and the take-up package rotates at a second speed. The final singles yarn is then drawn onto the take-up package. Furthermore, a ratio of the first speed to the second speed is controlled for controlling the amount of a residual torque in the final singles ring yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu, Sing-Kee Wong
  • Publication number: 20050196592
    Abstract: A three-dimensional cellular textile composite structure with energy-absorbing capacities under multiple impacts is provided. The cellular textile composite structure includes a base, and at least one progressively collapsible projection extending from the base for absorbing energies under the multiple impacts. The projection includes a non-woven textile material supported in a thermoplastic matrix material such that the projection is capable of retaining energy-absorption capacity at least after the first impact of the multiple impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tongxi Yu, Peggie Lam
  • Patent number: 6860095
    Abstract: An internal torque balancing method of short fiber yarns related to the art of textile and the manufacturing apparatus thereof. The present invention proposes a completely new mechanical processing method of single torque-free yarns, and applies it into the process of ring spinning. Said method accomplishes a machine and a possibility of processing single torque-free yarns within one processing step by simple improvement on the existing ring spinning machine. Said technique is applicable to the production of all types of short fiber materials, and can overcome the maximum bundle yarn count of Ne limit of the torque-free yarns processed by the existing physical balancing technique. Meanwhile, said technique can process the yarns with low twist, which is unable to be processed normally by the conventional ring spinning machine. The torque-free singles ring spinning machine has good mechanical behavior, good handle, and evenness without residual torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu
  • Publication number: 20040234218
    Abstract: An optical fiber device has at least two cores within the same cladding having different characteristics. The characteristics include including strain optic coefficient, thermo-optic coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, photo-sensitivity and refractive index. One or more cores can have a Bragg grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Jianming Yu, Dongxiao Yang
  • Publication number: 20030200740
    Abstract: An internal torque balancing method of short fibre yarns related to the art of textile and the manufacturing apparatus thereof. The present invention proposes a completely new mechanical processing method of single torque-free yarns, and applies it into the process of ring spinning. Said method accomplishes a machine and a possibility of processing single torque-free yarns within one processing step by simple improvement on the existing ring spinning machine. Said technique is applicable to the production of all types of short fibre materials, and can overcome the maximum bundle yarn count of Ne limit of the torque-free yarns processed by the existing physical balancing technique. Meanwhile, said technique can process the yarns with low twist, which is unable to be processed normally by the conventional ring spinning machine. The torque-free singles ring spinning machine has good mechanical behaviour, good handle, and evenness without residual torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Bingang Xu
  • Patent number: 6536052
    Abstract: A safety helmet in the form of a cycling helmet or similar. The helmet has an outer shell and an energy-absorbing liner within the outer shell. The energy-absorbing liner is provided by a cellular textile material combined with a matrix material to form a composite. The composite material retains some porosity from the original textile material to both improve breathing of the liner and also its capability for large deformations to improve energy absorption. The liner may also be provided with a linkage structure to link adjacent cells to improve the absorption of impact loads over a number of adjacent cells in the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lucky Bell Plastic Factory Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tongxl Yu, Pu Xue
  • Publication number: 20030005511
    Abstract: This invention provides a safety helmet in the form of a cycling helmet or similar. The helmet has an outer shell and an energy-absorbing liner within the outer shell. The energy-absorbing liner is provided by a cellular textile material combined with a matrix material to form a composite. The composite material retains some porosity from the original textile material to both improve breathing of the liner and also its capability for large deformations to improve energy absorption. The liner may also be provided with a linkage structure to link adjacent cells to improve the absorption of impact loads over a number of adjacent cells in the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Lucky Bell Plastic Factory, Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tongxi Yu, Pu Xue
  • Publication number: 20020066135
    Abstract: This invention provides a safety helmet in the form of a cycling helmet or similar. The helmet has an outer shell and an energy-absorbing liner within the outer shell. The energy-absorbing liner is provided by a cellular textile material combined with a matrix material to form a composite. The composite material retains some porosity from the original textile material to both improve breathing of the liner and also its capability for large deformations to improve energy absorption. The liner may also be provided with a linkage structure to link adjacent cells to improve the absorption of impact loads over a number of adjacent cells in the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tongxl Yu, Pu Xue
  • Patent number: 6012277
    Abstract: A yarn is spun by dividing a traveling fiber assembly into a plurality of fiber sub-assemblies, causing the sub-assemblies to traverse different paths and then recombining them, wherein the paths are sufficiently proximate for fibers to continuously transfer from one or more of the sub-assemblies and be drawn onto or into another or other sub-assemblies. Also disclosed is a method for forming a yarn comprising twisting a plurality of fiber sub-assemblies together at a convergence point to form a fiber assembly being a yarn, and further including cyclically altering the relative twist propagation in and/or into the sub-assemblies upstream of the convergence point. Still further disclosed are alternative methods involving cyclic variation of paths traversed by the sub-assemblies, and cyclic alteration of the relative positions of the sub-assemblies. Apparatus is described for carrying out each method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Martin Willem Prins, Peter Ronald Lamb, Geoffrey Robert Stewart Naylor, Xiaoming Tao