Patents by Inventor Chee Kiong Fong

Chee Kiong Fong 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: 11874717
    Abstract: The described technology provides an apparatus including a power supply unit (PSU) and a PSU control system stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processor units, the PSU control system encoding computer-executable instructions on the memory for executing on the one or more processor units a computer process, the computer process including receiving internal temperatures of the PSU over a duration of time, determining multiple exponential weighted moving average (EWMAs) of the internal temperature of the PSU for the duration of time, comparing the EWMA with a temperature threshold associated with the duration of time, and based at least in part on determining that EWMA exceeds the temperature threshold associated with the duration of time, limiting the output power of a charger using a charger current limit input to the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Donghwi Kim, Timothy Jakoboski, Chee Kiong Fong, Manish Shah, Suet Fong Tin, Geoffrey Shew, Gregory Allen Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11870353
    Abstract: A power supply unit provides power to a common output node. The power supply unit includes a first power conversion block electrically coupled to convert the electrical power input to a first output power supply share supplied to the common output node. The first power conversion block is configured to decrease output voltage from the first power conversion block based on output current from the first power conversion block reaching a rated current level. A second power conversion block is electrically coupled to convert the electrical power input to a second output power supply share supplied to the common output node. The second power conversion block is configured with a predesignated open circuit voltage setting and is further configured to contribute the second output power supply share to the common output node based on the output voltage at the common output node decreasing to the predesignated electrical voltage setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Geoffrey Jason Shew, Suet Fong Tin, Michael R. Volkman
  • Patent number: 11831237
    Abstract: A power supply includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, a PFC bypass circuit, and a decision circuit. The PFC circuit is configured to receive an input current from a power source and, when enabled, reduce current harmonics in the input current by shaping an input sinusoidal current waveform to match a phase and shape of a sinusoidal input voltage waveform. The PFC bypass circuit is configured to bypass the PFC circuit when the PFC circuit is disabled. The decision circuit includes a detection circuit configured to detect an output load of the power supply and is configured to output a PFC enable command based at least in part on the detected output load being greater than or equal to a threshold value and a determination that an input voltage of the power source is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Michael Roy Volkman, Geoffrey Jason Shew, Suet Fong Tin, Marshall T Depue
  • Patent number: 11791591
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to connector systems, magnetic plug assemblies and methods for mating a magnetic plug assembly with a plurality of receptacles. In one example, a magnetic plug assembly comprises a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets. A plug tip extends through the aperture, and one or more biasing elements urge the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, with the moveable member being moveable relative to the plug tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Sujuan Tang, Leonardo Gilbert Del Castillo, Richard F. Johnson, Edward C. Giaimo, III, Thomas K. Mehrkens, Kurt David Wrisley, Christopher Alan Schafer, Akash Atul Shah, Mohammed Nadir Haq
  • Publication number: 20230251700
    Abstract: The described technology provides an apparatus including a power supply unit (PSU) and a PSU control system stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processor units, the PSU control system encoding computer-executable instructions on the memory for executing on the one or more processor units a computer process, the computer process including receiving internal temperatures of the PSU over a duration of time, determining multiple exponential weighted moving average (EWMAs) of the internal temperature of the PSU for the duration of time, comparing the EWMA with a temperature threshold associated with the duration of time, and based at least in part on determining that EWMA exceeds the temperature threshold associated with the duration of time, limiting the output power of a charger using a charger current limit input to the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Donghwi KIM, Timothy JAKOBOSKI, Chee Kiong FONG, Manish SHAH, Suet Fong TIN, Geoffrey SHEW, Gregory Allen NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20230188031
    Abstract: A power supply includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, a PFC bypass circuit, and a decision circuit. The PFC circuit is configured to receive an input current from a power source and, when enabled, reduce current harmonics in the input current by shaping an input sinusoidal current waveform to match a phase and shape of a sinusoidal input voltage waveform. The PFC bypass circuit is configured to bypass the PFC circuit when the PFC circuit is disabled. The decision circuit includes a detection circuit configured to detect an output load of the power supply and is configured to output a PFC enable command based at least in part on the detected output load being greater than or equal to a threshold value and a determination that an input voltage of the power source is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Michael Roy VOLKMAN, Geoffrey Jason SHEW, Suet Fong TIN, Marshall T. DEPUE
  • Publication number: 20230104550
    Abstract: A power supply unit provides power to a common output node. The power supply unit includes a first power conversion block electrically coupled to convert the electrical power input to a first output power supply share supplied to the common output node. The first power conversion block is configured to decrease output voltage from the first power conversion block based at least in part on output current from the first power conversion block reaching a rated current level. A second power conversion block is electrically coupled to convert the electrical power input to a second output power supply share supplied to the common output node. The second power conversion block is configured with a predesignated open circuit voltage setting and is further configured to contribute the second output power supply share to the common output node based at least in part on the output voltage at the common output node decreasing to the predesignated electrical voltage setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Geoffrey Jason SHEW, Suet Fong TIN, Michael R. VOLKMAN
  • Publication number: 20230043117
    Abstract: A power supply unit (PSU) configured to provide electrical power to an electronic device. The PSU may include a PSU control circuit configured to, via a power meter, detect that electrical power conveyed to the electronic device is above a timer starting threshold. In a first charging mode with a first predetermined charging duration, the PSU control circuit may control the PSU to convey electrical power to the electronic device with a first power ceiling. Subsequently to the first predetermined charging duration elapsing, in a second charging mode with a second predetermined charging duration, the PSU control circuit may control the PSU to convey electrical power to the electronic device with a second power ceiling that is lower than the first power ceiling. Subsequently to the second predetermined charging duration elapsing, the PSU control circuit may control the PSU to return to the first charging mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Michael Roy VOLKMAN, Suet Fong TIN, Geoffrey Jason SHEW, Edward Charles GIAIMO, III, Cindy-Kay FORSYTH-MARTINEZ
  • Publication number: 20220329149
    Abstract: A power supply may include multiple converters connected in parallel. The power supply may detect a signal that indicates how much power a device uses. Based on the signal, a converter controller may determine which of the multiple converters to activate or deactivate to supply enough power to meet the power load of the device and to operate the highest efficiency possible. The amount of power output from the power supply may be the sum of the power output by each of the converters that is activated. The power supply may use the multiple converters to operate at high efficiency throughout a wide range of power load levels. Such a power supply may achieve a haystack (i.e., near flat) power efficiency curve throughout a large part of its operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Geoffrey Jason SHEW, Michael Roy VOLKMAN, Aaron David BUERMAN, Andres Felipe HERNANDEZ, Richard Frederick JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11397455
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to power supply devices and methods for managing DC power. In one example, a method comprises: providing DC power at a first voltage until determining that a standby time period has elapsed; determining that a load is connected to the power supply device; and based on determining that the standby time period has elapsed, entering a restricted power mode, wherein the restricted power mode comprises either: deactivating the DC power, or (1) providing the DC power at a second voltage until determining that a load detection time period has elapsed, (2) deactivating the DC power after determining that the load detection time period has elapsed, and (3) repeating (1) and (2) until determining that the load is no longer connected to the power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Geoffrey Jason Shew, Gary Alan Tornquist, Edward C. Giaimo, III, Richard F. Johnson, Tim R. Calland
  • Publication number: 20210399466
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to connector systems, magnetic plug assemblies and methods for mating a magnetic plug assembly with a plurality of receptacles. In one example, a magnetic plug assembly comprises a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets. A plug tip extends through the aperture, and one or more biasing elements urge the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, with the moveable member being moveable relative to the plug tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Sujuan TANG, Leonardo Gilbert DEL CASTILLO, Richard F. JOHNSON, Edward C. GIAIMO, III, Thomas K. MEHRKENS, Kurt David WRISLEY, Christopher Alan SCHAFER, Akash Atul SHAH, Mohammed Nadir HAQ
  • Publication number: 20200081510
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to power supply devices and methods for managing DC power. In one example, a method comprises: providing DC power at a first voltage until determining that a standby time period has elapsed; determining that a load is connected to the power supply device; and based on determining that the standby time period has elapsed, entering a restricted power mode, wherein the restricted power mode comprises either: deactivating the DC power, or (1) providing the DC power at a second voltage until determining that a load detection time period has elapsed, (2) deactivating the DC power after determining that the load detection time period has elapsed, and (3) repeating (1) and (2) until determining that the load is no longer connected to the power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong FONG, Geoffrey Jason SHEW, Gary Alan TORNQUIST, Edward C. GIAIMO, III, Richard F. JOHNSON, Tim R. CALLAND
  • Patent number: 10573997
    Abstract: A power supply unit having improved resistance to overheating caused by electrically conductive environmental contamination of electrical contacts of a connector of the power supply unit is disclosed. In one example, the connector includes one or more electrical contacts configured to receive one or more signals that indicate the connector is connected to an electronic device. The power supply unit includes a protection circuit that is configured to electrically disconnect the power supply unit from the connector based on detecting that a voltage on at least one of the one or more electrical contacts is greater than an expected/reference voltage. The higher than expected voltage may indicate that electrically conductive contamination has created a short between different electrical contacts of the connector. The power supply unit may be disabled based on detection of the electrically conductive contamination in order to prevent overheating and/or degradation of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Sujuan Tang, Richard F. Johnson, Suet Fong Tin, Geoffrey Jason Shew
  • Patent number: 10063156
    Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, David Richard Perchilk, Suet Fong Tin, Michael Donovan Rulien, Perry Samuel Stultz, Edward C. Giaimo, III
  • Patent number: 9236729
    Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Suet Fong Tin, David Richard Perchilk, Edward C. Giaimo, III, Michael Donovan Rulien, Perry Samuel Stultz
  • Publication number: 20150280587
    Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, David Richard Perchilk, Suet Fong Tin, Michael Donovan Rulien, Perry Samuel Stultz, Edward C. Giaimo, III
  • Publication number: 20150049402
    Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Suet Fong Tin, David Richard Perchilk, Edward C. Giaimo, III, Michael Donovan Rulien, Perry Samuel Stultz
  • Patent number: 7929301
    Abstract: An external AC power adapter defines a power conversion chamber that retains power conversion circuitry operable to convert an input power to an output power. The power adapter further include an intake chamber and an outlet chamber, both having an aperture that places the respective chamber in fluid communication with the power conversion chamber. Each chamber may have at least one vent to the ambient environment such that an air mover is operable to circulate ambient air through the power conversion chamber. Each chamber may include a guard that deters liquid that has entered the respective chamber from flowing into the associated aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Kiong Fong, Suet Fong Tin, J. David Egner, Vinicio Manfrini, Mike Hiett, Gary Tornquist
  • Patent number: 7914344
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are dual-barrel, connector jack and plug assemblies. Particularly, plug assemblies having two single barrel connectors that are situated side-by-side. Each barrel may include two or more contacts for receiving and transmitting DC IN+ electrical signals. Further, each barrel may include two or more contacts for receiving and transmitting DC IN? electrical signals. Inside each barrel connector may be disposed center pins. The barrel connectors may be cylindrically-shaped and configured to mate to a dual-barrel, connector jack assembly as described herein. A bridge component may be disposed between the barrel connectors for preventing the plug assembly from being inserted into the jack assembly in the wrong orientation. The bridge assembly may be shaped to prevent improper insertion into a corresponding aperture of the jack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Suet Fong Tin, Chee Kiong Fong, Jeffrey Griffis, Gary Tornquist, Farrukh Kamal, Michael Hiett, Kenneth Budoff
  • Publication number: 20100311280
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are dual-barrel, connector jack and plug assemblies. Particularly, plug assemblies having two single barrel connectors that are situated side-by-side. Each barrel may include two or more contacts for receiving and transmitting DC IN+ electrical signals. Further, each barrel may include two or more contacts for receiving and transmitting DC IN? electrical signals. Inside each barrel connector may be disposed center pins. The barrel connectors may be cylindrically-shaped and configured to mate to a dual-barrel, connector jack assembly as described herein. A bridge component may be disposed between the barrel connectors for preventing the plug assembly from being inserted into the jack assembly in the wrong orientation. The bridge assembly may be shaped to prevent improper insertion into a corresponding aperture of the jack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Suet Fong Tin, Chee Kiong Fong, Jeffrey Griffis, Gary Tornquist, Farrukh Kamal, Michael Hiett, Kenneth Budoff