Patents by Inventor Li-Chun CHIEN

Li-Chun CHIEN 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).

  • Publication number: 20240153942
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided and includes a multi-bit cell having multiple bit cells disposed in multiple cell rows. The bit cells include M bit cells, M being positive integers. A first bit cell of the bit cells and a M-th bit cell of the bit cells are arranged diagonally in different cell rows in the multi-bit cell. The multi-bit cell includes first to fourth cell boundaries. The first and second boundaries extend in a first direction and the third and fourth boundaries extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The first bit cell and a second bit cell of the bit cells abut the third cell boundary, and the first bit cell and a (M/2+1)-th bit cell of the bit cells abut the first cell boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shao-Lun CHIEN, Po-Chun WANG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Patent number: 11916058
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided and includes a multi-bit cell having multiple bit cells disposed in multiple cell rows. The bit cells include M bit cells, M being positive integers. A first bit cell of the bit cells and a M-th bit cell of the bit cells are arranged diagonally in different cell rows in the multi-bit cell. The multi-bit cell includes first to fourth cell boundaries. The first and second boundaries extend in a first direction and the third and fourth boundaries extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The first bit cell and a second bit cell of the bit cells abut the third cell boundary, and the first bit cell and a (M/2+1)-th bit cell of the bit cells abut the first cell boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shao-Lun Chien, Po-Chun Wang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20230115272
    Abstract: A classifier capable of predicting if cylinder valves of an engine commanded to activate or deactivate failed to activate or deactivate respectively. In various embodiments, the classifier can be binary or multi-class Logistic Regression, or a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) classifier. The variable displacement engine can operate in cooperation with a variable displacement engine using cylinder deactivation (CDA) or skip fire, including dynamic skip fire and/or multi-level skip fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Elliott A. ORTIZ-SOTO, Shikui Kevin CHEN, Li-Chun CHIEN, Aditya MANDAL
  • Patent number: 11326534
    Abstract: Using machine learning for cylinder misfire detection in a dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. In a classification embodiment, cylinder misfires are differentiated from intentional skips based on a measured exhaust manifold pressure. In a regressive model embodiment, the measured exhaust manifold pressure is compared to a predicted exhaust manifold pressure generated by neural network in response to one or more inputs indicative of the operation of the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In yet other alternative embodiment, angular crank acceleration is used as well for misfire detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Aditya Mandal, Li-Chun Chien, Elliott Ortiz-Soto
  • Publication number: 20220010744
    Abstract: Using machine learning for cylinder misfire detection in a dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. In a classification embodiment, cylinder misfires are differentiated from intentional skips based on a measured exhaust manifold pressure. In a regressive model embodiment, the measured exhaust manifold pressure is compared to a predicted exhaust manifold pressure generated by neural network in response to one or more inputs indicative of the operation of the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In yet other alternative embodiment, angular crank acceleration is used as well for misfire detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Aditya MANDAL, Li-Chun CHIEN, Elliott ORTIZ-SOTO
  • Patent number: 11125175
    Abstract: Using machine learning for cylinder misfire detection in a dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. In a classification embodiment, cylinder misfires are differentiated from intentional skips based on a measured exhaust manifold pressure. In a regressive model embodiment, the measured exhaust manifold pressure is compared to a predicted exhaust manifold pressure generated by neural network in response to one or more inputs indicative of the operation of the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In yet other alternative embodiment, angular crank acceleration is used as well for misfire detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Aditya Mandal, Li-Chun Chien, Elliott Ortiz-Soto
  • Patent number: 10941722
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Shost, Louis J. Serrano, Steven E. Carlson, Vijay Srinivasan, Eric J. Defenderfer, Nitish J. Wagh, Randall S. Beikmann, Jinbiao Li, Xin Yuan, Li-Chun Chien
  • Publication number: 20210003088
    Abstract: Using machine learning for cylinder misfire detection in a dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. In a classification embodiment, cylinder misfires are differentiated from intentional skips based on a measured exhaust manifold pressure. In a regressive model embodiment, the measured exhaust manifold pressure is compared to a predicted exhaust manifold pressure generated by neural network in response to one or more inputs indicative of the operation of the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In yet other alternative embodiment, angular crank acceleration is used as well for misfire detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Aditya MANDAL, Li-Chun CHIEN, Elliott ORTIZ-SOTO
  • Patent number: 10816438
    Abstract: Using machine learning for misfire detection in a Dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. A neural network is used to calculate expected crank acceleration from various inputs, including the dynamically defined cylinder skip fire sequence. The output of the neural network is then compared to a signal indicative of the measured crank acceleration. Based the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In alternative embodiment, the neural network is expanded to include the measured crank acceleration as an additional input. With the latter embodiment, the neural network is arranged to directly predict misfire events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Aditya Mandal, Li-Chun Chien, Elliott Ortiz-Soto
  • Publication number: 20190170074
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. SHOST, Louis J. SERRANO, Steven E. CARLSON, Vijay SRINIVASAN, Eric J. DEFENDERFER, Nitish J. WAGH, Randall S. BEIKMANN, Jinbiao LI, Xin YUAN, Li-Chun CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20190145859
    Abstract: Using machine learning for misfire detection in a Dynamic firing level modulation controlled internal combustion engine is described. A neural network is used to calculate expected crank acceleration from various inputs, including the dynamically defined cylinder skip fire sequence. The output of the neural network is then compared to a signal indicative of the measured crank acceleration. Based the comparison, a prediction is made if a misfire has occurred or not. In alternative embodiment, the neural network is expanded to include the measured crank acceleration as an additional input. With the latter embodiment, the neural network is arranged to directly predict misfire events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Aditya MANDAL, Li-Chun CHIEN, Elliot ORTIZ-SOTO
  • Patent number: 10247121
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Shost, Louis J. Serrano, Steven E. Carlson, Vijay Srinivasan, Eric J. Defenderfer, Nitish J. Wagh, Randall S. Beikmann, Jinbiao Li, Xin Yuan, Li-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 10088388
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Masaki Nagashima, Li-Chun Chien
  • Publication number: 20170370804
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Masaki NAGASHIMA, Li-Chun CHIEN
  • Patent number: 9784644
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Masaki Nagashima, Li-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 9664130
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Wilcutts, Xin Yuan, Joshua P. Switkes, Li-Chun Chien, Steven E. Carlson, Christopher W. Chandler, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. Younkins, Adya S. Tripathi
  • Patent number: 9650971
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to skip fire control of internal combustion engines and particularly to mechanisms for determining a desired operational firing fraction. In some embodiments, a firing fraction determining unit is arranged to determine a firing fraction suitable for delivering a requested engine output. The firing fraction determining unit may utilize data structures such as lookup tables in the determination of the desired firing fraction. In one aspect the desired engine output and one or more operational power train parameters such as current engine speed, are used as indices to a lookup table used to select a desired firing fraction. In other embodiments, additional indices to the data structure may include any one of: transmission gear; manifold absolute pressure (MAP); manifold air temperature; a parameter indicative of mass air charge (MAC); cam position; cylinder torque output; maximum permissible manifold pressure; vehicle speed; and barometric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, Li-Chun Chien, Adya S. Tripathi
  • Patent number: 9562470
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for detecting valve actuation faults in internal combustion engines operating in a skip fire operational mode. In one aspect, a torque model is used to estimate an expected net torque during a selected operating window. The torque model considers an expected torque contribution from each of the cylinders and accounts for the effects of specific skip fire firing decisions that affect the expected torque contribution from each cylinder. A parameter indicative of the actual engine torque is also measured. Valve actuation faults can then be identified based at least in part on a comparison of the measured parameter to an expected parameter value that is based at least in part on the expected net torque. With the described approaches, the occurrence of the valve actuation fault can be made within one engine cycle of the initial occurrence of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen, Li-Chun Chien, Masaki Nagashima, John W. Parsels, Geoff Routledge
  • Publication number: 20160377007
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. WILCUTTS, Xin YUAN, Joshua P. SWITKES, Li-Chun CHIEN, Steven E. CARLSON, Christopher W. CHANDLER, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Adya S. Tripathi
  • Publication number: 20160363062
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to skip fire control of internal combustion engines and particularly to mechanisms for determining a desired operational firing fraction. In some embodiments, a firing fraction determining unit is arranged to determine a firing fraction suitable for delivering a requested engine output. The firing fraction determining unit may utilize data structures such as lookup tables in the determination of the desired firing fraction. In one aspect the desired engine output and one or more operational power train parameters such as current engine speed, are used as indices to a lookup table used to select a desired firing fraction. In other embodiments, additional indices to the data structure may include any one of: transmission gear; manifold absolute pressure (MAP); manifold air temperature; a parameter indicative of mass air charge (MAC); cam position; cylinder torque output; maximum permissible manifold pressure; vehicle speed; and barometric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, Li-Chun CHIEN, Adya S. TRIPATHI