Patents by Inventor Wei Hsin Yao
Wei Hsin Yao 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).
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Patent number: 9817513Abstract: A sense amplifier can be designed with a series variable resistance circuit to dynamically adjust an input resistance in series with the sense amplifier for stability during the different operating modes. In some examples, a switchable resistor can be switched into the input path of the sense amplifier for stability when required by increased capacitive loading of the sense electrodes, and can be switched out of the input path of the sense amplifier when unnecessary for stability. In some examples, an adjustable resistor can be coupled to and in series with the input of the sense amplifier. The resistance of the adjustable resistor can be tuned to stabilize the sense amplifier during operating modes having increased capacitive loading from the sense electrodes and can be minimized when additional input resistance is unnecessary for stability.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Weijun Yao, Wei Hsin Yao, Yingxuan Li
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Patent number: 9806608Abstract: A charge pump that can be configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode is disclosed. The charge pump can comprise a charging capacitor coupled to a first node and configured to transfer a first DC voltage to the first node. The charge pump can also comprise a first output node and a second output node coupled to the first node. During the first mode, the first output node can be configured to output a second DC voltage based on the first DC voltage, and the second output node can be configured to output a third DC voltage based on the first DC voltage. During the second mode, the first output node can be configured to output the second DC voltage, and the second output node can be configured to output an AC voltage, the AC voltage being offset by the third DC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Weijun Yao, David A. Stronks, Hopil Bae, Kingsuk Brahma, Wei Hsin Yao, Yafei Bi, Yingxuan Li
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Patent number: 9678609Abstract: Systems and processes for stimulating a touch sensor panel using orthogonal frequencies are provided. In one example process, the drive lines of the touch sensor panel can be stimulated with stimulation signals having orthogonal frequencies. The orthogonal frequencies can be separated by a frequency that is inversely proportional to an integration time of the touch sensor panel. The touch signals generated in response to the stimulation signals can be amplified, converted into digital form, demodulated using the orthogonal frequencies, and integrated over the integration time. Integrating the demodulated signals over a length of time that is inversely proportional to the frequency spacing between the orthogonal frequencies reduces or eliminates interference in the touch signals caused by the stimulation signals having different frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Weijun Yao, Ahmad Al-Dahle, Yingxuan Li, Wei Hsin Yao
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Publication number: 20170147119Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Steve Porter HOTELLING, Wei CHEN, Christoph H. KRAH, John Greer ELIAS, Wei Hsin YAO, John Z. ZHONG, Andrew Bert HODGE, Brian R. LAND, Willem den BOER
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Publication number: 20170139539Abstract: A self-capacitance touch screen. In some examples, the touch screen comprises a plurality of display pixels, a first display pixel of the plurality of display pixels including a first touch electrode of a plurality of touch electrodes, and a gate line coupled to the first display pixel, wherein the gate line is configured such that a voltage at the gate line substantially follows a voltage at the first touch electrode. In some examples, the gate line is coupled to a resistor, the resistor being configured to decouple the gate line from ground. In some examples, the gate line is coupled to an AC voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Weijun YAO, Ahmad AL-DAHLE, Hyunwoo NHO, Taif A. SYED, Wei Hsin YAO, Yingxuan LI
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Publication number: 20170090644Abstract: A self-capacitive touch sensor panel configured to have a portion of both the touch and display functionality integrated into a common layer is provided. The touch sensor panel includes a layer with circuit elements that can switchably operate as both touch circuitry and display circuitry such that during a touch mode of the device the circuit elements operate as touch circuitry and during a display mode of the device the circuit elements operate as display circuitry. The touch mode and display mode can be time multiplexed. By integrating the touch hardware and display hardware into common layers, savings in power, weight and thickness of the device can be realized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicants: APPLE INC., APPLE INC.Inventors: Weijun YAO, Wei Hsin YAO, Yingxuan LI, Bingrui YANG, Marduke YOUSEFPOR, Abbas JAMSHIDI-ROUDBARI, Ahmad AL-DAHLE
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Patent number: 9575610Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem Den Boer
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Publication number: 20160320913Abstract: Electrode configurations for reducing wobble error for a stylus translating on a surface over and between electrodes of a touch sensor panel are disclosed. In some examples, electrodes associated with a more linear signal profile are correlated with lower wobble error. In some examples, electrodes can have projections which can interleave with projections of adjacent electrodes. In some configurations, projections of adjacent electrodes can be interleaved in one-dimension; in other configurations, projections of adjacent electrodes can be interleaved in two-dimensions. In some configurations, the width and length of one or more projections in an electrode can be selected based on a desired signal profile for that electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Kanke GAO, Wei Hsin YAO, Yingxuan LI, Weijun YAO
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Publication number: 20160241139Abstract: A charge pump that can be configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode is disclosed. The charge pump can comprise a charging capacitor coupled to a first node and configured to transfer a first DC voltage to the first node. The charge pump can also comprise a first output node and a second output node coupled to the first node. During the first mode, the first output node can be configured to output a second DC voltage based on the first DC voltage, and the second output node can be configured to output a third DC voltage based on the first DC voltage. During the second mode, the first output node can be configured to output the second DC voltage, and the second output node can be configured to output an AC voltage, the AC voltage being offset by the third DC voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Weijun YAO, David A. STRONKS, Hopil BAE, Kingsuk BRAHMA, Wei Hsin YAO, Yafei BI, Yingxuan LI
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Publication number: 20160216836Abstract: A sense amplifier can be designed with a series variable resistance circuit to dynamically adjust an input resistance in series with the sense amplifier for stability during the different operating modes. In some examples, a switchable resistor can be switched into the input path of the sense amplifier for stability when required by increased capacitive loading of the sense electrodes, and can be switched out of the input path of the sense amplifier when unnecessary for stability. In some examples, an adjustable resistor can be coupled to and in series with the input of the sense amplifier. The resistance of the adjustable resistor can be tuned to stabilize the sense amplifier during operating modes having increased capacitive loading from the sense electrodes and can be minimized when additional input resistance is unnecessary for stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Weijun YAO, Wei Hsin YAO, Yingxuan LI
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Publication number: 20160117023Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Steve Porte HOTELLING, Wei CHEN, Christoph Horst KRAH, John Greer ELIAS, Wei Hsin YAO, John Z. ZHONG, Andrew Bert HODGE, Brian Richards LAND, Willem DEN BOER
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Patent number: 9268429Abstract: Liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screens integrate touch sensing elements with display circuitry and may include in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. A method of operating the integrated touch sensing elements with the display circuitry includes dividing touch-sensing circuitry of the touch screen into a plurality of drive segments, each drive segment overlapping one or more display rows; updating the display at a predetermined refresh rate; stimulating the plurality of drive segments at a predetermined scan rate; and changing the sequence of stimulating the plurality of drive segments as required to prevent simultaneously stimulating a drive segment that overlaps a display row currently being updated.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Land, Willem den Boer
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Patent number: 9244561Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer
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Publication number: 20150331535Abstract: A touch controller. The touch controller can include first sense circuitry configured to be coupled to a first electrode on a touch sensor panel, the first sense circuitry configured to sense a first self-capacitance associated with the first electrode, and a first mutual capacitance associated with the first electrode. In some examples, the first sense circuitry can be configured to sense the first self-capacitance and the first mutual capacitance simultaneously. In some examples, the touch controller can further include a first mixer and a second mixer coupled to the first sense circuitry, the first mixer configured to demodulate a first output from the first sense circuitry to extract information about the first self-capacitance from the first output, the second mixer configured to demodulate the first output from the first sense circuitry to extract information about the first mutual capacitance from the first output.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yingxuan LI, Weijun YAO, Hyunwoo Henry NHO, Wei Hsin YAO
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Publication number: 20150169121Abstract: Integrated touch screens are provided including drive lines formed of grouped-together circuit elements of a thin film transistor layer and sense lines formed between a color filter layer and a material layer that modifies or generates light. The common electrodes (Vcom) in the TFT layer can be grouped together during a touch sensing operation to form drive lines. Sense lines can be formed on a separate layer dedicated to only touch hardware.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Weijun Yao, Wei Hsin Yao, Yingxuan Li, Hopil Bae, Ahmad Al-Dahle
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Publication number: 20150109212Abstract: Systems and processes for stimulating a touch sensor panel using orthogonal frequencies are provided. In one example process, the drive lines of the touch sensor panel can be stimulated with stimulation signals having orthogonal frequencies. The orthogonal frequencies can be separated by a frequency that is inversely proportional to an integration time of the touch sensor panel. The touch signals generated in response to the stimulation signals can be amplified, converted into digital form, demodulated using the orthogonal frequencies, and integrated over the integration time. Integrating the demodulated signals over a length of time that is inversely proportional to the frequency spacing between the orthogonal frequencies reduces or eliminates interference in the touch signals caused by the stimulation signals having different frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Weijun YAO, Ahmad AL-DAHLE, Yingxuan LI, Wei Hsin YAO
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Publication number: 20140152619Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter HOTELLING, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer
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Publication number: 20140139457Abstract: Liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screens integrate touch sensing elements with display circuitry and may include in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. A method of operating the integrated touch sensing elements with the display circuitry includes dividing touch-sensing circuitry of the touch screen into a plurality of drive segments, each drive segment overlapping one or more display rows; updating the display at a predetermined refresh rate; stimulating the plurality of drive segments at a predetermined scan rate; and changing the sequence of stimulating the plurality of drive segments as required to prevent simultaneously stimulating a drive segment that overlaps a display row currently being updated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter HOTELLING, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer
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Patent number: 8654083Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer
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Patent number: 8552989Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steve Porter Hotelling, Wei Chen, Christoph Horst Krah, John Greer Elias, Wei Hsin Yao, John Z. Zhong, Andrew Bert Hodge, Brian Richards Land, Willem den Boer