Patents by Inventor Xiaofeng Fan

Xiaofeng Fan 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: 10026771
    Abstract: One or more cross-wafer capacitors are formed in an electronic component, circuit, or device that includes stacked wafers. One example of such a device is a stacked image sensor. The image sensor can include two or more wafers, with two wafers that are bonded to each other each including a conductive segment adjacent to, proximate, or abutting a bonding surface of the respective wafer. The conductive segments are positioned relative to each other such that each conductive element forms a plate of a capacitor. A cross-wafer capacitor is formed when the two wafers are attached to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiajen Lee, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 10019570
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies for accessing resources associated with a Web-based application in accordance with one or more embodiments disclosed herein may include a browser that obtains at least first resources from a first domain and second resources from a second domain and a resource management component that facilitates controlled communication between the first resources and the second resources and prevents the first resources and the second resources from accessing other resources that the first resources and the second resources are not permitted to access. The resource management component may be further operable to contain restricted services in a sandbox containment structure and/or to isolate access-controlled resources in a service instance. In addition, the resource management component may be operable to facilitate the flexible display of resources from disparate domains and/or controlled communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jiahe Helen Wang, Xiaofeng Fan, Collin Edward Jackson, Jonathan Ryan Howell, Zhenbin Xu
  • Patent number: 10003759
    Abstract: A vertically stacked image sensor having a photodiode chip and a transistor array chip. The photodiode chip includes at least one photodiode and a transfer gate extends vertically from a top surface of the photodiode chip. The image sensor further includes a transistor array chip stacked on top of the photodiode chip. The transistor array chip includes the control circuitry and storage nodes. The image sensor further includes a logic chip vertically stacked on the transistor array chip. The transfer gate communicates data from the at least one photodiode to the transistor array chip and the logic chip selectively activates the vertical transfer gate, the reset gate, the source follower gate, and the row select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9979915
    Abstract: Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel array includes a floating diffusion region, a source a source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion region, a plurality of first pixels associated with a first color, and a plurality of second pixels associated with a second color different than the first color and arranged in a single column with the first pixels. The first and second pixels are configured to transfer charge to the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiping Yin, Xiaofeng Fan, Xiangli Li
  • Patent number: 9966000
    Abstract: A display system includes an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), first and second driver chips, and one or more protection chips on a display substrate. The first and second driver chips are to drive a first group of LEDs of the array of LEDs and a second group of LEDs of the array of LEDs, respectively. Each protection chip includes one or more electro-static discharge (ESD) protection devices to assist with protecting the driver chips from damage caused by an ESD event. In one embodiment, each ESD protection device is connected between one or more signal lines, one or more power supply voltage lines, and an electrical ground line of the display substrate. In one embodiment, at least one protection chip comprises one or more electric overstress (EOS) protection devices to assist with protecting the driver chips from damage caused by an EOS event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Andreas Bibl, Kapil V. Sakariya, Tore Nauta
  • Publication number: 20180090526
    Abstract: A back-illuminated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensor includes a sensor wafer stacked vertically over a circuit wafer. The sensor wafer includes one or more SPAD regions, with each SPAD region including an anode gradient layer, a cathode region positioned adjacent to a front surface of the SPAD region, and an anode avalanche layer positioned over the cathode region. Each SPAD region is connected to a voltage supply and an output circuit in the circuit wafer through inter-wafer connectors. Deep trench isolation elements are used to provide electrical and optical isolation between SPAD regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Shingo Mandai, Cristiano L. Niclass, Nobuhiro Karasawa, Xiaofeng Fan, Arnaud Laflaquiere, Gennadiy A. Agranov
  • Publication number: 20180090536
    Abstract: A back-illuminated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensor includes a sensor wafer stacked vertically over a circuit wafer. The sensor wafer includes one or more SPAD regions, with each SPAD region including an anode gradient layer, a cathode region positioned adjacent to a front surface of the SPAD region, and an anode avalanche layer positioned over the cathode region. Each SPAD region is connected to a voltage supply and an output circuit in the circuit wafer through inter-wafer connectors. Deep trench isolation elements are used to provide electrical and optical isolation between SPAD regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Shingo Mandai, Cristiano L. Niclass, Nobuhiro Karasawa, Xiaofeng Fan, Arnaud Laflaquiere, Gennadiy A. Agranov
  • Patent number: 9929139
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) may include a circuit block that couples to one or more pins of the IC to communicate and/or receive power on the pins. The circuit block may include a ground connection, which may be electrically insulated/electrically separate from the ground connection of other components of the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, the circuit block may include an ESD protection circuit for the pad coupled to the pin. The IC may include another ESD protection circuit for the pad. The circuit block's ESD protection circuit may be sized for the current that may produced within the circuit block for an ESD event, and the IC's ESD protection circuit may be sized for the current that may be produced from the other components of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Xin Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180080070
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for template-dependent multiple displacement amplification (tdMDA) that preferably use 5? blocked pentamer primers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Saint Louis University
    Inventors: Xiaofeng FAN, Adrian M. DI BISCEGLIE
  • Patent number: 9906549
    Abstract: Processes and techniques for protecting web users from malicious executable code are described. A proxy engine is implemented that intercepts communications between a web browser and a script engine. The proxy engine can invoke a variety of custom event handlers that are configured to handle specific types of events (e.g., script events) that occur in the processing of web content. A script shield event handler detects the presence of script in pre-defined script-free zones and prevents the script from being executed on a user's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Jiahe Helen Wang
  • Publication number: 20180048115
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a semiconductor substrate, having front and back sides and having at least one cavity extending from the back side through the semiconductor substrate into proximity with the front side. At least one optoelectronic emitter is formed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate in proximity with the at least one cavity. A heat-conducting material at least partially fills the at least one cavity and is configured to serve as a heat sink for the at least one optoelectronic emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Tongbi T. Jiang, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20170370554
    Abstract: A radiation source includes a semiconductor substrate, an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) formed on the substrate, which are configured to emit optical radiation, and a transparent crystalline layer formed over the array of VCSELs. The transparent crystalline layer has an outer surface configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the VCSELs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Neil MacKinnon, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20170373106
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge transfer in image sensors are disclosed. One example of an image sensor pixel may include a first charge storage node and a second charge storage node. A transfer circuit may be coupled between the first and second charge storage nodes, and the transfer circuit may have a first region proximate the first charge storage node and configured to have a first potential. The transfer circuit may also have a second region proximate the second charge storage node configured to have a second, higher potential. An input node may be configured to control the first and second potentials based on a transfer signal provided to the input node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Xiangli Li, Xiaofeng Fan, Chung Chun Wan
  • Patent number: 9842875
    Abstract: A pixel in an image sensor can include a photodetector and a storage region disposed in one substrate, or a photodetector disposed in one substrate and a storage region in another substrate. A buried light shield is disposed between the photodetector and the storage region. A sense region, such as a floating diffusion, can be adjacent to the storage region, with the buried light shield disposed between the photodetector and the storage and sense regions. When the photodetector and the storage region are disposed in separate substrates, a vertical gate can be formed through the buried light shield and used to initiate the transfer of charge from the photodetector and the storage region. A transfer channel formed adjacent to, or around the vertical gate provides a channel for the charge to transfer from the photodetector to the storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Philip H. Li, Chung Chun Wan, Anup K. Sharma, Xiangli Li
  • Publication number: 20170332030
    Abstract: Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel array includes a floating diffusion region, a source a source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion region, a plurality of first pixels associated with a first color, and a plurality of second pixels associated with a second color different than the first color and arranged in a single column with the first pixels. The first and second pixels are configured to transfer charge to the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Zhiping Yin, Xiaofeng Fan, Xiangli Li
  • Patent number: 9819144
    Abstract: A method for production of an optoelectronic device includes fabricating a plurality of vertical emitters on a semiconductor substrate. Respective top surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters. Both anode and cathode contacts are attached to the bottom surfaces so as to drive the emitters to emit light from the bottom surfaces. In another embodiment, the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate is bonded to a carrier substrate having through-holes that are aligned with respective top surfaces of the emitters, after which the semiconductor substrate is removed below respective bottom surfaces of the emitters, and the respective bottom surfaces of the emitters are bonded to a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Chin Han Lin, Kevin A. Sawyer, Neil MacKinnon, Venkataram R. Raju, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9756269
    Abstract: Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel array includes a floating diffusion region, a source a source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion region, a plurality of first pixels associated with a first color, and a plurality of second pixels associated with a second color different than the first color and arranged in a single column with the first pixels. The first and second pixels are configured to transfer charge to the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiping Yin, Xiaofeng Fan, Xiangli Li
  • Patent number: 9741754
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge transfer in image sensors are disclosed. One example of an image sensor pixel may include a first charge storage node and a second charge storage node. A transfer circuit may be coupled between the first and second charge storage nodes, and the transfer circuit may have a first region proximate the first charge storage node and configured to have a first potential. The transfer circuit may also have a second region proximate the second charge storage node configured to have a second, higher potential. An input node may be configured to control the first and second potentials based on a transfer signal provided to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangli Li, Xiaofeng Fan, Chung Chun Wan
  • Patent number: 9735539
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a semiconductor substrate, having front and back sides and having at least one cavity extending from the back side through the semiconductor substrate into proximity with the front side. At least one optoelectronic emitter is formed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate in proximity with the at least one cavity. A heat-conducting material at least partially fills the at least one cavity and is configured to serve as a heat sink for the at least one optoelectronic emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tongbi T. Jiang, Weiping Li, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Publication number: 20170214241
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device, a comparison circuit, and a switch. The device includes a first terminal coupled to a first power supply signal, and a second terminal coupled to a ground reference. The comparison circuit is configured to compare a first voltage level on the first power supply signal to a second voltage level of a second power supply signal, and enable the device in response to a determination that the first voltage level is greater than the second voltage level. The switch circuit is configured to couple a power supply terminal of the comparison circuit to the first power supply signal in response to determining that the first voltage level is greater than the second voltage level, and to couple the power supply terminal to the second power supply signal in response to determining that the first voltage level is less than the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Fan, Xin Y. Zhang, Junjun Li