Patents Assigned to Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research
  • Patent number: 11043038
    Abstract: A method of tracking a point of interest (POI) in an electronic three-dimensional (3D) viewing environment, comprising: capturing via an optical sensor and recording motions of an onsite user, wherein each motion comprises an image surrounding and a pose of the onsite user; displaying a snapshot to a remote user, wherein the snapshot is one of the recorded motions; receiving a POI indicator in the snapshot from the second user; estimating a 3D position of the POI in the electronic 3D viewing environment using the POI indicator data, a moving trajectory from each of the recorded motions to the snapshot, and an estimation of distance between the optical sensor to the POI center; and rendering and superimposing the POI indicator in the electronic 3D viewing environment to be displayed to the onsite user using the estimated 3D position of the POI, the moving trajectory, and the recorded motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yat Cheung Ngai, Yin Yee Chan
  • Patent number: 11043891
    Abstract: Described is a controller for an AC to DC or a DC to AC multi-phase power converter of a type having N power converter phases, where N is greater or equal to 2. The controller comprises a control module configured to change or vary a phase shift angle of the input current or output current for each of the N power converter phases such that an average phase shift value for each of said N power converter phases over a control module AC line cycle is about, near or substantially the same value. In an embodiment of an AC/DC or a DC/AC multi-phase power converter of a type having N power converter phases arranged in parallel, an advantage of arranging the average phase shift value for each power converter phase to be substantially equal or about equal over an AC line cycle is that it reduces or eliminates any imbalances in the input currents or output currents of the N power converter phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Sui Pung Cheung, Qing Chun Li, Xin Li, Tin Ho Li
  • Patent number: 11023770
    Abstract: Systems and methods which obtain template images corresponding to pattern units of tessellated images using a template unit boundary identification technique are described. Template unit boundary identification techniques of embodiments operate to analyze a sample of a tessellated image to determine a template unit size for the template image, use the determined template unit size to define pixel analysis line segments for identifying template unit boundaries in the tessellated image, and select a template image based on the template unit boundaries identified using the pixel analysis line segments. One or more sample area images may be selected for use in determining a template unit size. Pixel analysis line segments, configured based upon a determined template unit size, may be used for identifying boundaries of a template unit. Moreover, dynamic template image updating may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tian Qiu, Chi Shing Wong, Junlin Chen
  • Patent number: 11004212
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking a position and orientation of a target object that moves along a two-dimensional plane, a camera to generate video frames of the target object, and a processor configured to correct perspective scaling of a current one of the video frames; estimate a current location and angle of the target object using a motion model or its previous location/angle; cut out a region of interest from the current video frame around the estimated current location; resize the region of interest to shrink its size by a predetermined ratio M (width=width/M, height=height/M) or equivalently reducing the image resolution of the region of interest by the ratio M (resolution=resolution/M); track a new location of the target object by template matching the current region of interest with a previously stored template; and either conclude the tracked target object location and angle are accurate and updating the template if a stopping criterion is reached with indication of successful tracking, or proceed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: HONG KONG APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Cheng Hsiung Liu, Wang Kit Wilson Thong, Man Wai Kwan, Zijian Xu, Yiu Man Lam, Jihui Zhang, Jiaxin Yan
  • Patent number: 10983262
    Abstract: A rotational geometric phase hologram has geometric phase optical elements (GPOEs) serially cascaded along a common optical axis to form a GPOE cascade used for receiving a linearly-polarized light beam and generating output light beams at an exit surface of the last GPOE. Interference occurred in the output light beams creates a polarization interference pattern on the exit surface. A photoalignment substrate, when positioned in close proximity to the exit surface, records the pattern. Advantageously, each GPOE is rotatable about the common optical axis. Respective rotation angles of the GPOEs are determined according to a spatially-varying linear polarization orientation distribution selected to be generated for the polarization interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming Wai Alwin Tam, Xiuling Zhu, Kin Lung Chan
  • Patent number: 10937158
    Abstract: An image volume formed by plural anatomical images each having plural image slices of different imaging modalities is segmented by a 2D convolutional neural network (CNN). An individual anatomical image is preprocessed to form a mixed-context image by incorporating selected image slices from two adjacent anatomical images without any estimated image slice. The 2D CNN utilizes side information on multi-modal context and 3D spatial context to enhance segmentation accuracy while avoiding segmentation performance degradation due to artifacts in the estimated image slice. The 2D CNN is realized by a BASKET-NET model having plural levels from a highest level to a lowest level. The number of channels in most multi-channel feature maps of a level decreases monotonically from the highest level to the lowest level, allowing the highest level to be rich in low-level feature details for assisting finer segmentation of the individual anatomical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Xuejian He, Lu Wang, Xiaohua Wu
  • Patent number: 10938310
    Abstract: A DC-DC power converter has an auxiliary tank cascaded to share an efficiency tank's inductor, capacitor, and transformer. Switching transistors pump the auxiliary tank at startup to provide a boost current. The switching frequency is reduced in steps and the voltage gain and power of the converter sensed until the voltage gain matches a voltage gain calculated for the efficiency tank. Then tank switchover occurs and transistors to the efficiency tank are pumped with the last switching frequency used by the auxiliary tank, and the auxiliary tank is not pumped. Since the voltage gains before and after tank switchover are equal, no output voltage deviation or current spike occurs. A voltage sag or failure switches back to the auxiliary tank at a switching frequency determined by a dynamic contour line where the voltage gains of the two tanks are equal for the current power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventors: Chi Man Cheng, Shek Mong Wong, Tak Lok Shum
  • Patent number: 10916626
    Abstract: A silicon carbide diode that contains a silicon carbide substrate, a silicon carbide layer on top of the silicon carbide substrate, two first lower barrier metal portions disposed on the silicon carbide layer and separated from each other along a top surface of the silicon carbide layer, and a first higher barrier metal portion connected to the two lower barrier metal portions. The silicon carbide layer is thinner and having lower doping than the silicon carbide substrate. The first higher barrier metal portion is located between the two first lower barrier metal portions on the silicon carbide layer along a direction of the top surface of the silicon carbide layer. By reducing the leakage current at the junction barrier, the reverse breakdown voltage of the silicon carbide diode is significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu Kin Yau, Siu Wai Wong
  • Patent number: 10887500
    Abstract: Optical inspection system detects defects of an object, such as an electronic device during manufacturing. The optical inspection system includes a first linear light source that irradiates a first light beam on a top surface of the object along a scan line across the width of the object. A second linear light source forms an angle with the first linear light source and irradiates a second light beam on a side surface of the object. A camera receives scattered light from the top surface and the side surface of the object and captures a subimage of the object along the scan line. An image processing system receives each subimage from the camera, stitches the subimages, and detects defects on the top surface and the side surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changli Wu, Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 10877729
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide reconfigurable shifter configurations supporting multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD) are described. Shifters implemented according to embodiments support multiple data shifts with respect to an instance of data shifting, wherein multiple individual different data shifts are implemented at a time in parallel. Reconfigurable segmented scalable shifters of embodiments, in addition being reconfigurable for scalability in supporting data shifting with respect to various bit lengths of data, are configured to support data shifting of differing bit lengths in parallel. The data shifters of embodiments implement segmentation for facilitating data shifting with respect to differing bit lengths. Different data shift commands may be provided with respect to each such segment, thereby facilitating multiple data shifts in parallel with respect to various bit lengths of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hing-Mo Lam, Man-Wai Kwan, Ching-Hong Leung, Kong-Chau Tsang
  • Patent number: 10873222
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter that supplies power to a wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter includes a control unit, a resonator and an amplifier. The control unit generates an identification information of the wireless power transmitter. The resonator transmits power to the wireless power receiver. The amplifier drives the resonator and is controlled by the control unit such that the power transmitted by the resonator includes a first signal that carries the identification information of the wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter further includes a wireless communication unit that sends a second signal having the identification information of the wireless power transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Iek Po So, Hang Sang Lee, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10867255
    Abstract: A method for annotating a batch of original samples is provided. A first subset of original samples, selected from the batch and determined by minimizing an entropy-mean difference between the first subset and the batch, is used for human annotation to yield human-annotated samples. The human-annotated samples are used as training data to configure an annotation process for annotating an input sample to yield an annotated output sample, and a check process for verifying annotation accuracy of the annotated output sample. Remaining original samples in the hatch are processed by the annotation process to yield machine-annotated samples, whose accuracy is verified by the check process. In one embodiment, part of the original samples corresponding to erroneous machine-annotated samples are selected for human annotation. Resultant additional human-annotated samples are used to update the two processes. The remaining original samples not yet annotated are then processed by the two processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Chao Feng, Zhengmairuo Gan, Zhi Bin Lei, Yi Xiang
  • Patent number: 10862427
    Abstract: A two-point modulation Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) has a dual-input Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO). A digital data modulation signal is combined with a carrier and input to a feedback divider. The data modulation signal is also input to an offset Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to generate an analog voltage to a second input of the VCO. The loop path through the VCO has a higher gain than the DAC path through the VCO, which has better linearity. A calibration unit divides the VCO output and counts pulses. The offset DAC has a data input and a gain input. During calibration, the data input of the DAC is set to minimum and then maximum values and VCO output pulses counted, and repeated for two values of the gain input to the DAC. From the four counts a K(DAC) calculator calculates the calibrated gain to apply to the gain input of the offset DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tat Fu Chan
  • Patent number: 10853576
    Abstract: A method for recognizing and extracting named entities in a natural language input text processing comprising: performing, by a compressed named entities recognition (NER)-model-based named entity recognizer, a first stage NER on the input text to generate a first stage determination of whether at least one named entity exists in the input text; if the first stage NER determines no named entity exists in the input text, performing, by a rule based named entity recognizer, a second stage NER on the input text to generate a second stage NER result; if the first stage NER determines at least one named entity exists in the input text, generating, by the compressed NER-model-based named entity recognizer, a first stage NER result; and integrating, by a NER result integrator, the first stage NER result and the second stage NER result to generate a final NER result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Zhixi Li, Chao Feng, Yi Ping Tse, Zhi Bin Lei
  • Patent number: 10855965
    Abstract: A segmented 3D multi-view image generator generates fewer multi-view view images for partitions having less salient features. Saliency values are calculated based on a depth map and image processing of the input image. The saliency values are compared to thresholds to map pixel locations to first, second, and third partitions. First, second, and third segmented images are created from the input image using a partition map. A multi-view generator uses the depth map and viewer eye locations to generates 28 view images from the first segmented image, 14 unique view images from the second segmented image that are replicated to 28 view images, and 7 unique view images from the third segmented image that are replicated to 28 view images. The view images for each segment are interlaced to generated interlaced segmented images that are then integrated together into a single 3D image that drives a 28-view autostereoscopic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuzhong Jiao, Man Chi Chan, Ping Chan Mok
  • Patent number: 10856344
    Abstract: A method for setting-up a tunnel connection for transporting data packets over a high latency network connection in a communication network comprises the step of, at a module or node configured on a tunnel connection initiator side of the high latency network connection, using a non-TCP connection to encapsulate a set-up connection message for sending to a module or node configured on a core network (CN) side of the backhaul network to offset-up a data packet transport tunnel connection between the initiator side of the high latency network connection and core network (CN) side of the high latency network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Ka Ho Mui, Wei Chen, Kuankuan Yang, Jingwei Liu
  • Patent number: 10847297
    Abstract: A low-core-loss transformer for high transfer ratio and high power density applications can have five pillars including four corner pillars and at least one center pillar between magnetic metal plates. The center pillar provides an additional flux path to reduce thermal and core losses and improve efficiency. Magnetic flux density may be further reduced by having multiple central pillars in an N-track configuration in several kinds of symmetrical arrangements. The low-core-loss transformer achieves a flexible voltage transfer ratio. The ratio can be either even or odd numbers. An odd ratio design is able to fulfill the requirement of future data centers to supply a 400-volt high-distribution power bus. The transformer windings can be traces on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that integrate electronic components for a compact and modular design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventors: Liang Jye Hsu, Yan Liu, Shek Mong Wong
  • Patent number: 10848066
    Abstract: Described is a controller for a DC/DC converter of a type having N power stages, where N is a natural number greater or equal to 2. The controller comprises a decision maker module, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) or proportional-integral (PI) control module and a transient compression control module. The decision maker module determines a first steady state mode of operation and a second transient mode of operation and is configured to switch control between said first steady state mode of operation to said second transient mode of operation when an operating parameter of one of the N power stages exhibits a predetermined operating condition relative to a predetermined operating limit and/or a predetermined, calculated or selected threshold. The PID or PI module regulates the operating parameter during said first steady state mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Wai To Yan, Kuen Fuat Yuen, Sui Pung Cheung, Tin Ho Li
  • Patent number: 10848005
    Abstract: A receiver is energized by wireless power from a coil antenna. A matching network tunes the receiver to a resonant frequency and a bridge and capacitor generate an output voltage. The output voltage is divided and compared to a reference voltage. An asynchronous digital controller increases a digital count when the compare result is true, but decreases the digital count when the compare result is false. A current-steering Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) shunts a current from the output that is a function of the digital count. The asynchronous digital controller, comparator, and DAC do not use a system clock, so the digital feedback to the shunt current operates when the target output voltage is reached, preventing over-voltage when waiting for the system clock to begin pulsing. The digital count is compared to a digital threshold to recover transmitted Amplitude-Shifted-Keyed (ASK) data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventors: Chi Hong Chan, Gordon Chung, Bun Go Yau
  • Patent number: 10830641
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a compact spectrometer using static Fourier transform interferometer (SFTI) cube configurations, such as are suitable for use with respect to mobile and portable electronic devices, are described. A SFTI cube of embodiments comprises a monolithic dual mirrored wedge beam splitter structure wherein mirrored wedge surfaces provide two reflective mirrors that are slightly tilted away from the orthogonal directions so that the resultant beams of light cross over one another and form an interference pattern. SFTI cube implementations of embodiments facilitate highly compact spectrometer configurations having a wide wavelength range, high resolution, high throughput, and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiangquan Mai, Wai Yi Yeung, Siddharth Arunkumar Agrawal, Chun Zhang