Patents by Inventor Yonghua Wei

Yonghua Wei 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: 11095048
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20210137439
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Publication number: 20210135350
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10992029
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10892565
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a primary conductive ring embedded in the walls of the housing as antennas for various forms of wireless communication. The conductive ring includes a plurality of conductive elements separated from each other by portions of the housing, the plurality of conductive elements coupled respectively to the one or more signal sources on the PCB. Embodiments may additionally utilize a ground extension element positioned a distance away from the primary conductive ring in an opposite direction from the display module, in which the ground extension element is coupled to a ground connection of the PCB and boosting the antenna signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200365974
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a ring antenna forming a portion of an outer perimeter of the housing, the ring antenna including a plurality of connections coupled the PCB, the plurality of connections. The plurality of connections include at least one feed connection coupled to at least one signal source on the PCB, respectively, and at least one ground connection coupled to a ground point on the PCB. In some embodiments, the connections may be inductively or capacitively loaded. The ring antenna may include a single feed connection or multiple feed connections respectively coupled to different signal sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10806362
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Kevin Li, Man-Chi Liu, Lindsey Michelle Sunden, Peter W. Richards, Dennis Jacob McCray, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kyung Nim Noh
  • Patent number: 10797387
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10763576
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Publication number: 20200220258
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Publication number: 20200192424
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200192425
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a primary conductive ring embedded in the walls of the housing as antennas for various forms of wireless communication. The conductive ring includes a plurality of conductive elements separated from each other by portions of the housing, the plurality of conductive elements coupled respectively to the one or more signal sources on the PCB. Embodiments may additionally utilize a ground extension element positioned a distance away from the primary conductive ring in an opposite direction from the display module, in which the ground extension element is coupled to a ground connection of the PCB and boosting the antenna signal strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Publication number: 20200194905
    Abstract: Various antenna designs are presented that can be used to provide for wireless communication in electronic devices, such as wearable electronic devices. Various embodiments provide antenna structures and designs that can support multiple frequency bands in a relatively compact space. Various embodiments utilize a slot and patch antenna design to support multiple frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a slot and inverted “F” antenna (IFA) assembly, hybrid slot antenna assembly, or external slot antenna assembly. A split ring antenna assembly can also be used, where individual segments of the ring antenna can support specific frequency bands. Other embodiments utilize a dielectrically loaded planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFA) assembly to support various frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Faton Tefiku, Christos Kinezos Ioannou, Kevin Li
  • Patent number: 10637138
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10637129
    Abstract: A wearable computing device can include a monopole-excited slot antenna formed by a gap between a housing (such as a highly conductive housing) and a bracket (such as a highly conductive bracket) within the highly conductive housing and by a back cavity between the highly conductive bracket and the PCB. The antenna configuration can include a monopole antenna electrically coupled to a printed circuit board and a slot antenna that is excited through coupled electromagnetic fields. The highly conductive bracket is positioned near a display window of the device, mostly below and partially enclosing a battery. The highly conductive bracket is positioned above the printed circuit board. This configuration allows for a relatively small dead band in the display window, a larger battery, compact and mechanically simple configuration, and superior water resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Kevin Li, Patrick James Markan, Allen Yu-Li Wang, Teemu Taneli Raafael Kaiponen, Christos Kinezos Ioannou
  • Publication number: 20200015701
    Abstract: Multiple circuits in a computing device can share one or more conductive elements. The use of the conductive element can vary by circuit, such as an antenna radiator for a radio frequency (RF) circuit or an electrode for an electrocardiography (ECG) circuit. The circuitry sharing a conductive element can utilize signals obtained over different frequency ranges. Those ranges can be used to select decoupling circuitry, or elements, that can enable the respective circuits to obtain signals over a respective frequency range, excluding signals over one or more other frequency ranges corresponding to other circuitry sharing the circuit. Such an approach allows for concurrent independent operation of the circuitry sharing a conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yonghua WEI, Faton TEFIKU, Kevin LI, Man-Chi LIU, Lindsey Michelle SUNDEN, Peter W. RICHARDS, Dennis Jacob McCRAY, Christos Kinezos IOANNOU, Kyung Nim NOH
  • Publication number: 20200021018
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna circuit; an antenna aperture tuning circuit; an antenna impedance measurement circuit; and a processor circuit electrically coupled to the tunable antenna aperture circuit and the impedance measurement circuit. The processor circuit is configured to: set the antenna aperture tuning circuit to an antenna aperture tuning state according to one or more parameters of an RF communication network; initiate an antenna impedance measurement; and change the antenna aperture tuning state to an antenna aperture tuning state indicated by the antenna impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ping Shi, Yonghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10537039
    Abstract: Mechanisms for providing inductance-based user interface elements are provided. Some implementations of such inductance-based devices may feature very small gaps between the housing and the inductive coil, as well as various features to aid in improving sensor sensitivity and reducing the possibility of false button-push events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Aditya Vivekanand Nadkarni, Allen Yu-Li Wang, Benjamin Patrick Robert Jean Riot, Reza Yazdani, Dennis Alejandro Grijalva, Edison Tam King Miguel, Vaibhav Kiran Mistry, Yonghua Wei
  • Publication number: 20190260116
    Abstract: A wearable computing device can include a monopole-excited slot antenna formed by a gap between a housing (such as a highly conductive housing) and a bracket (such as a highly conductive bracket) within the highly conductive housing and by a back cavity between the highly conductive bracket and the PCB. The antenna configuration can include a monopole antenna electrically coupled to a printed circuit board and a slot antenna that is excited through coupled electromagnetic fields. The highly conductive bracket is positioned near a display window of the device, mostly below and partially enclosing a battery. The highly conductive bracket is positioned above the printed circuit board. This configuration allows for a relatively small dead band in the display window, a larger battery, compact and mechanically simple configuration, and superior water resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Yonghua Wei, Kevin Li, Patrick James Markan, Allen Yu-Li Wang, Teemu Taneli Raafael Kaiponen, Christos Kinezos Ioannou
  • Publication number: 20190215977
    Abstract: Mechanisms for providing inductance-based user interface elements are provided. Some implementations of such inductance-based devices may feature very small gaps between the housing and the inductive coil, as well as various features to aid in improving sensor sensitivity and reducing the possibility of false button-push events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Aditya Vivekanand Nadkarni, Allen Yu-Li Wang, Benjamin Patrick Robert Jean Riot, Reza Yazdani, Dennis Alejandro Grijalva, Edison Tam King Miguel, Vaibhav Kiran Mistry, Yonghua Wei