Patents Assigned to Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8300431
    Abstract: A fly-back AC-DC power converter has a constant-current control loop that senses the primary output current in a transformer to control the secondary output without an expensive opto-isolator. A primary-side control circuit can use either a Quasi-Resonant (QR) or a Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM) control loop to switch primary current through the transformer on and off. A feedback voltage is compared to a primary-side voltage sensed from the primary current loop to turn the switch on and off. A multiplier loop generates the feedback voltage using a multiplier. A level-shift inverter and a low-pass filter act as the multiplier by multiplying an off duty cycle of the switch by the feedback voltage to generate a filtered voltage. A high-gain error amp compares the filtered voltage to a reference voltage to generate the feedback voltage. The multiplier produces a simple relationship between the secondary current and the reference voltage, yielding simplified current control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chik Wai (David) Ng, Hing Kit Kwan, Po Wah (Patrick) Chang, Wai Kit (Victor) So, Kwok Kuen (David) Kwong
  • Patent number: 8299351
    Abstract: A multi-junction device can be used as a high efficiency solar cell, laser, or light-emitting diode. Multiple epitaxial films grown over a substrate have very low defect densities because an initial epitaxial layer is a coincidence-site lattice (CSL) layer that has III-V atoms that fit into lattice sites of Silicon atoms in the substrate. The substrate is a Si (111) substrate which has a step height between adjacent terraces on its surface that closely matches the step height of GaAs (111). Any anti-phase boundaries (APBs) formed at terrace steps cancel out within a few atomic layers of GaAs in the (111) orientation since the polarity of the GaAs molecule is aligned with the (111) direction. A low CSL growth temperature grows GaAs horizontally along Si terraces before vertical growth. Tunnel diode and active solar-cell junction layers can be grown over the CSL at higher temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung Chi Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120249292
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide identification of a user in combination with mutual authentication between a user and identification host are shown. Embodiments further provide mutual authentication between the identification host and a resource for which access is controlled, thereby providing three-party authentication (e.g., user, identification host, resource). Although utilizing biometric data for user identification, embodiments store such biometric information within devices which remain in the control of users. Protocols implemented according to embodiments facilitate a decentralized approach to user identification and authentication to allow a user to interact with any of a number of identification hosts for user identification and authorization. Auditing and tracing of user identification and authentication and/or resource access is provided according to embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shek Duncan Wong, Jack Sik Ching Poon, Tak Shing Peter Yum
  • Patent number: 8279965
    Abstract: MIMO detection is described that reduces the complexity of computations for finding the soft bit output. The detection process includes QR factorization splitting the distance calculations into two groups, subset lookup using a last cross constellation set (LCCS) lookup, and minimal distance lookup with soft bit output calculation. By grouping the distance calculations into a first group that has one antenna transmitting using a modulation scheme with a generally square constellation diagram and a second group for all of the other antenna constellation diagrams, the LCCS lookup process may be used which substantially reduces the number of calculations to be made in the detection process. Moreover, in the special case of 2×2 antenna, QR factorization is performed by applying a scaled Givens rotation to the channel matrix. The application of the scaled Givens rotation operator eliminates any square root operations that would be performed in a standard QR factorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris Leung
  • Patent number: 8280388
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide for management of wireless communications through the development and use of link space information. Such link space information provides link-centric information with respect to wireless links of a network to thereby provide a view of the network which takes into account phenomena affecting the wireless links. Utilizing such link space information, automated management of various aspects of a wireless network may be provided, including automated provisioning, management, and/or optimization of network links. Network operations may include use of link space information in providing network management applications such as automatic fault management, automatic performance management, operation advisories, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason C. Leung Hang, Bill Piu Wong
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 20120176599
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical emitter-detector for physiological measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lydia Lap Wai Leung, Raymond Kwan Wai To, Luis Ng
  • Patent number: 8211721
    Abstract: A method of making quasi-vertical light emitting devices includes growing semiconductor layers on a growth substrate and etching the semiconductor layers to produce device isolation trenches forming separable semiconductor devices and holes. Blind holes are drilled in the substrate at the location of each of the holes in the semiconductor layers. The drilling of the blind holes defines blind hole walls and a blind hole end in each of the blind holes. N-semiconductor metal is deposited in each of the blind holes. An n-electrode contact is formed in each of the blind holes by plating each of the blind holes with an n-electrode metal connected to the n-semiconductor metal. The substrate is thinned to expose the n-electrode metal as an n-electrode. Bonding metal is deposited to the n-electrode for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Limin Lin, Hung Shen Chu, Ka Wah Chan
  • Patent number: 8191995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printhead for thermal inkjet printing and the printing method thereof. The printhead includes: a substrate having a plurality of orifices with a firing element in each of said plurality of orifices, wherein said plurality of orifices are arranged in a single column, and said printhead is disposed at an angle to a horizontal direction along which said printhead scans; and firing circuits for energizing said plurality of firing elements to eject ink on a printing medium by respectively transmitting a plurality of firing signals to said plurality of firing elements. According to the present invention, the print speed and resolution can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Francis Chee-Shuen Lee, Wei-Fu Lai
  • Patent number: 8194411
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides an electronic package, comprising at least a first module and a second module arranged on top of the first module, the modules together in the form of a module stack, wherein the first and second modules are adhesively connected together, each module includes a substrate layer having at least one metal layer, at least one die and a plastic(s) package molding compound layer molded over said die or dice, in each module the die or dice are bonded on said substrate layer via the metal layer, a plurality of channels formed generally vertically acting as vias to connect the metal layers and arranged adjacent to the die or dice in at least one of the modules, some or all the channels provided with an inner surface coated with a conductive material layer or filled with a conductive material for electrical connection whereby the dice are electrically connected together, and means serving as an intermediary for providing electrical, mechanical and thermal connectivity, commu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Chi Kuen Vincent Leung, Peng Sun, Xunqing Shi, Chang Hwa Tom Chung
  • Patent number: 8185650
    Abstract: A method includes receiving encoded media content, transforming the encoded media content into web page content by dividing the encoded media content into a plurality of web page files formatted as a static web page, and transmitting the web page content over the network in response to a request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kam Hing Lau, Ka Yuk Lee, Kang Heng Wu, Tak Wing Lam
  • Patent number: 8179455
    Abstract: A Optical Black Pixel (OBP) cancellation circuit corrects offsets in sensors in a CCD/CMOS image sensor when reading dark pixels such at the periphery. A pixel voltage is switched to a sampling capacitor during two phases of the same pixel pulse. Sampling capacitors and feedback capacitors connect to differential inputs of an amplifier. An accumulating capacitor accumulates voltage differences and generates a common-mode voltage that is fed back to another sampling capacitor that stores an amplifier offset. The sampling capacitor and accumulating capacitor and their associated switches form a discrete-time first-order low-pass filter that filters the pixel voltage during the first phase. In the second phase the amplifier acts as a unity-gain amplifier to output an average of the pixel voltage differences generated during an OBP time when blackened or covered pixels are read from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 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
  • Publication number: 20120105505
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, or apparatuses relating to adjusting a brightness level of at least one luminescent body disposed, at least in part, on a side emitting backlight display device are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, for example, one or more values representing a light spreading profile for a particular luminescent body may be accessed. A process, system, or apparatus may adjust a brightness of a particular luminescent body by adjusting one or more brightness values associated with that particular luminescent body based, at least in part, on the accessed values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhang Wei, Tsai Chen Jung