Patents Assigned to Applied Science & Technology
  • Patent number: 8280443
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide high bandwidth data communication with respect to a large coverage area using smart antenna and/or directional antenna (referred to herein as multi-beam antenna) technology. Circuitry may be provided at a WLAN AP to provide selection of particular antenna beams used in the downlink and/or uplink, control of multicast transmission, control of unicast transmission, and to provide antenna pattern shaping techniques. Embodiments implement multi-beam antenna technology with little or no hardware modifications to AP circuitry. Other embodiments implement multi-beam technology using radio front-end and/or radio hardware modifications to AP circuitry. Various diversity techniques may be implemented, such as selection diversity, maximum ratio combining, and equal gain combing. To provide desired antenna pattern shaping, phase offsets with respect to a signal as transmitted in each antenna beam may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meixia Tao, Cheong Yui Wong, Yan Wang, Kin Nang Lau, Ross D. Murch, Soung C. Liew, Douglas R. George
  • Patent number: 8261971
    Abstract: An electronic label system is provided which includes a data source having information to be displayed by an electronic label. An optical source such as an LED array broadcasts optical signals modulated with the data source data to plural electronic labels. Each electronic label has an optical receiver which receives the modulated optical signals and also receives unmodulated optical signals to supply power to an energy storage device. A mode switch switches the optical receiver between a signal reception mode and an energy storage device power-supplying mode. One or more bistable displays display the data received from the modulated optical signals. Through the use of bistable displays, the power consumption of the electronic label is greatly reduced while use of a single receiving element for receiving both the signal light and power storage light reduces the number of components needed to assemble the electronic label, thus reducing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research, Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Wai Hung, Ming Lu
  • Patent number: 8259819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for improving video quality. The present invention provides a unified loop filter including: a pixel determining unit which determines the type of a pixel based on boundary strength; a similarity transforming unit which transforms a nonlinear filter into a nonlinear similarity-ordered statistics filter; and an integrating unit which integrates the nonlinear similarity-ordered statistics filter with a linear image filtering portion. The unified loop filter is applicable to filter reconstructed frames when an encoder or a decoder is processing a video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Yan Huo, Ka Man Cheng
  • Patent number: 8258852
    Abstract: A motor driver circuit for driving the gate node of a high-side driver transistor to a boosted voltage from a charge pump draws little or no static current from the charge pump. The gate node is pulled to the boosted voltage by a p-channel pullup-control transistor that is driven by p-channel transistors that are pumped by capacitors that cut off current flow to ground from the charge pump. An n-channel output-shorting transistor shorts the gate node to the output when the high-side driver is turned off. A coupling capacitor initializes the shorting transistor for each output transition. A p-channel output-sensing transistor generates a feedback to a second stage that drives the coupling capacitor. P-channel diode transistors and an n-channel equalizing transistor control the voltage on the coupling capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lap Chi David Leung, Yat Tung Lai, Chun Fai Wong, Kam Hung Chan, Kwok Kuen David Kwong
  • Patent number: 8258864
    Abstract: A pre-amplifier circuit can be cascaded and drive a latch for use in a precision analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The pre-amplifier has a main section and a feedback section connected by feedback resistors that do not produce voltage drops in the main section. Offset is stored on offset capacitors during an autozeroing phase and isolated by transmission gates during an amplifying phase. The offset capacitors drive the gates of feedback transistors that drive output nodes in the main section. Autozeroing sink transistors in the feedback section operate in the linear region while current sink transistors in the main section operate in the saturated region. Kickback-charge isolation transistors may be added for charge isolation. The output may also be equalized by an equalizing transmission gate. A very low power-supply voltage is supported even for high-speed operation with offset cancellation, due to the folded feedback resistor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwai Chi Chan, Yat To (William) Wong, Ho Ming (Karen) Wan, Kam Chuen Wan, Kwok Kuen (David) Kwong
  • Publication number: 20120211778
    Abstract: A light emitting diode package for one or more light emitting diodes mounted on a substrate. A frame is disposed on at least a portion of the substrate and substantially surrounds, but does not contact, the light emitting diode. The frame is substantially transparent to light emitted from the light emitting diode and includes one or more first wavelength converting materials. The wavelength converting materials, which may be one or more phosphors, convert at least a portion of light emitted at the emission wavelength to different wavelength. A cover covers the light emitting diode within the frame. The cover layer includes one or more second wavelength converting materials differing from the first one or more wavelength converting materials in wavelength converting material concentration or in converted light wavelength or in combinations of wavelength converting materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Shan Mei WAN, Chang Shu LEE, Ming LU
  • Patent number: 8249440
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to lens actuators used, for example, in auto-focus and/or vibration compensation systems of digital cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin Ming Fan, Sio Kuan Lam, Kwok Sing Cheng, Wing Ming Fan, Hua Yang, Tiegang Liu
  • Patent number: 8249638
    Abstract: A device for participating in a distributed peer-to-peer communications network has a distributed network application that includes a capability-routing entity having capability information for a group of associated peers participating in the network. A method for establishing peer-to-peer communication in the network including determining which of the group of associated peers can fulfil the requested connection based in the capability information and referring the request to the peer that can fulfil the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventor: Kar-Wing Edward Lor
  • Patent number: 8248127
    Abstract: A Digital Phase-Locked Loop (DPLL) has a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) that generates an output clock frequency determined by a digital input with most-significant-bits (MSB's) and a least-significant-bit (LSB). The LSB is generated by a Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) controller clocked by a control clock that is the output clock divided by C. A reference clock is compared to a feedback clock that is the output clock divided by M. The PWM controller generates M/C LSB's for each reference clock period and loads them in parallel to a parallel-to-serial shift register that serially delivers the LSBs. The pulse width is determined by a fine digital loop filter that filters phase comparison results using a fine time resolution. A coarse digital loop filter generates the MSB's from phase comparison results using a coarse time resolution. LSB waveforms are dithered by randomly selecting high-going or low-going pulses and randomly adjusting pulse widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Fat Chan, Chien-Wei Lin, Gordon Chung
  • Patent number: 8248803
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a semiconductor package and method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor package of the subject invention comprises a substrate with a through hole penetrating therethrough; a semiconductor chip positioned on the substrate covering the through hole; and a thermal conductive device filling the through hole and contacting the semiconductor chip. According to the subject invention, the thermal resistance in the structure of the semiconductor package is substantially reduced and thus desirable performance of heat spreading or dissipation is achieved. In addition, the production cost and size of the semiconductor package are also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Jyh-Rong Lin, Ming Lu
  • Publication number: 20120207224
    Abstract: A computer processor implementable method of decoding low-density parity-check (LDPC) code, comprising: receiving a log-likelihood-ratio (LLR) input bitstream; performing a combined bit-deinterleaving and reordering process on the LLR input bitstream and storing in a physical memory space, comprising: determining a logical memory address for each LLR bit in the LLR input bitstream, determining a physical memory address for each LLR bit in the LLR input bitstream from logical memory address of the LLR bit; decoding the LLR input bitstream stored in the physical memory space; and performing a combined de-reordering and de-mapping process on the decoded LLR input bitstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Felix Chow, Chun Hang Lee
  • Publication number: 20120206782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for speckle noise reduction in laser scanning display. In particular, a MEMS device which can superpose vibrational motion onto a biaxial scanning mirror is provided for reducing the effect of speckling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yick Chuen CHAN, Siu Wai Lam, Yao Jun FENG, Francis Chee-Shuen LEE, Ho Yin CHAN
  • Publication number: 20120206784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for speckle noise reduction in laser scanning projection display. In particular, a MEMS device with a vibrating membrane through which light rays are refracted with temporally varying angles is provided for reducing the effect of speckling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yick Chuen CHAN, Siu Wai Lam, Lo Ming FOK, Ying LIU, Chen Jung TSAI
  • Patent number: 8243007
    Abstract: An image display device is presented to solve problems of high power consumption, insufficient contrast, image flicker, and distortion of image display devices. The image display device includes an image display management module which includes a backlight control unit. The backlight control unit includes an image brightness analyzer, generating a brightness value according to an input image data; a weight generator, generating a weight according to the brightness value; an image variation analyzer, analyzing the input image data to generate an image variance; and a backlight factor generator, coupled to the weight generator and the image variation analyzer to generate a backlight adjusting signal according to the weight and the image variance. By the backlight adjusting signal, the image display device achieves the power-saving and contrast enhancement effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Huajun Peng, Chen-Jung Tsai, Chun-Kit Hung
  • Patent number: 8241966
    Abstract: An electronic component package having an EMI shielded space is disclosed. The package comprises a substrate having an electronic component located on its surface and a conductive enclosure having a top and downwardly extending sides enclosing the component and defining a shielded space. A vent opening is provided through the substrate and is located in the shielded space for venting the shielded space. A second vent opening may be provided in the top of the conductive enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Man-Lung Sham, Huili Fu, Chang-Hwa Chung
  • Patent number: 8238989
    Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) component comprising a non-superconducting material, and a superconducting material, wherein the superconducting material is disposed in one or more areas of the RF component such that the areas with superconducting material conduct greater current density than do areas with the non-superconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Corbett R. Rowell
  • Patent number: 8232626
    Abstract: An electronic or micromechanical device having first (11) and second (12) surfaces and a via extending through the device from the first surface to the second surface. The via comprises integrally formed first (84, 86), second (82) and third (88) portions. The first portion (84, 86) extends from the first surface (11) to the second surface (12). The second portion (82) extends over a part of the first surface (11) of the device. The third portion (88) extends over a part of the second surface (12) of the device. Preferably the first portion comprises first and second parts, the second part extending through an active region of the device and having a narrower width than the first part. A method of forming and filling the via is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yat Kit Tsui, Dan Yang, Xunqing Shi
  • Publication number: 20120187462
    Abstract: High optical efficiency CMOS image sensors capable of sustaining pixel sizes less than 1.2 microns are provided. Due to high photodiode fill factors and efficient optical isolation, microlenses are unnecessary. Each sensor includes plural imaging pixels having a photodiode structure on a semiconductor substrate adjacent a light-incident upper surface of the image sensor. An optical isolation grid surrounds each photodiode structure and defines the pixel boundary. The optical isolation grid extends to a depth of at least the thickness of the photodiode structure and prevents incident light from penetrating through the incident pixel to an adjacent pixel. A positive diffusion plug vertically extends through a portion of the photodiode structure. A negative diffusion plug vertically extends into the semiconductor substrate for transferring charge generated in the photodiode to a charge collecting region within the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Pui Chung Simon LAW, Dan YANG, Xunqing SHI
  • Publication number: 20120188435
    Abstract: A compact camera modules has first, second, and third lens groups that move along an optical axis. A stepping motor is centered on the optical axis rather than offset from the optical axis. The motor has two coils that are fixed in place and a shared rotating magnet. The magnet is attached to a rotating guide that has slots to move the first and second lens groups as it rotates. The two coils are alternately energized rotate the magnet, the rotating guide, and to move the first and second lens groups for zoom. The magnet has alternating thicker and thinner segments of opposite polarity. The thicker segments exert a greater force on an autofocus coil that is energized to move the third lens for the autofocus function. The same shared rotating magnet is used for both zoom and autofocus functions. A more compact design is possible using a shared magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Kin Ming FAN, Kwok Sing CHENG
  • Patent number: 8228983
    Abstract: The invention is used in video coding. Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing an order-16 integer transform from an order-8 transform are provided. The order-16 transform method involves expanding an order-8 transform by generating an order-16 integer matrix and a scaling matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research, Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Wai-Kuen Cham, Chi Keung Fong, Jie Dong, King Ngi Ngan, Hoi Ming Wong, Lu Wang, Yan Huo, Thomas H. Y. Pun