Patents Assigned to Solomon Systech Limited
  • Patent number: 10452196
    Abstract: A capacitive sensing method comprising: driving a first excitation signal onto a sensor electrode, and driving a second excitation signal onto the embedded electrodes. Either the first or the second excitation signal has voltage oscillations of constant first amplitude, while the other has voltage oscillations of varying second amplitude. The second amplitude varies between a high amplitude value that is larger than the first amplitude by an amplitude difference and a low amplitude value that is smaller than the first amplitude by the same amplitude difference. The method further comprises using one or more integrators to integrate an electric current due to combined voltage oscillations of the first and the second excitation signals within an integration cycle, and generate an integrated signal for detecting a capacitive change on the sensor electrode; wherein the integration cycle comprises a plurality of voltage oscillations of the first and the second excitation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wing Chi Stephen Chan, Jun Chen, Sing Ng
  • Patent number: 10452219
    Abstract: In a capacitive touch sensor device, to avoid floating touches causing signal inversion in mutual capacitance measurements, a segmented conductive layer of conductive material is embedded in the touch panel. The segmented conductive layer comprises a plurality of segments of the conductive material which are separated by gaps. The segmented conductive layer effectively pre-loads the mutual capacitance of the touch sensor to the same or similar level of that of a floating touch of the maximum size for which it is desired to avoid signal inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Justin Anthony Church, David Brent Guard
  • Patent number: 10423285
    Abstract: In a capacitive touch sensor device, to avoid floating touches causing signal inversion in mutual capacitance measurements, an electrode pattern is used of the type in which the mutual capacitance arises primarily from co-extending electrode portions of the drive and sense electrodes separated by a gap G. The pattern is dimensioned such that the sum of the gap G between co-extending drive and sense electrode portions and the widths Wy of the sense electrodes is made sufficiently small to avoid signal inversion. Namely, the width, Wy, plus the gap, G, is made less than or equal to one of: 4, 3 or 2 times the distance from the touch sensor electrodes to the touch surface, this distance being the touch panel thickness, h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Justin Anthony Church, David Brent Guard
  • Patent number: 10347174
    Abstract: A system enabling compressed frame scanning for a display and a method thereof are described herein. A pixel having a maximum pixel data in a row of the plurality of rows corresponding to a frame is identified. The maximum pixel data identified in the row is assigned as a pixel data for the row. A scan time for the row is computed based upon the pixel data of the row and a scanning time associated with a unit of the brightness index. An aggregate scan time for the frame is determined based upon the scan time computed for each of the plurality of rows corresponding to the frame. Finally, the frame is scanned based upon the aggregate scan time determined for the frame thereby enabling compressed scanning of the frame. The method is further implemented for randomly assigned rows of the frame to two or more sub-frames of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wai Hon Ng, Chi Wai Lee, Wing Chi Stephen Chan, Ling Sum Leung
  • Patent number: 10282042
    Abstract: Embodiments of an active in-cell sub-pixel in an LCD panel are provided for time multiplexing image display and touch sensing so as to reduce pin counts required in display driver integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the sub-pixel comprises a liquid crystal capacitor, a storage capacitor and an active switching element. One terminal of the liquid crystal capacitor is connectable to a data line via a thin film transistor switch. The active switching element is connected to another terminal of the liquid crystal capacitor, and is externally controllable. In one configuration, the active switching element connects the liquid crystal capacitor to a second common electrode of the panel, causing the display-driving mode to be turned on. In another configuration, the active switching element connects the liquid crystal capacitor to the data line, causing the touch-sensing mode to be turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wai Ming Lo, Wing Chi Stephen Chan, Kin Keung Tam, Jun Chen, Cheung Fai Lee
  • Patent number: 10235002
    Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor device comprising set of crossing X and Y electrodes whose crossing points form a two-dimensional array of nodes which define a touch sensitive area. As well as the main electrode spines which cross, referred to as zeroth order electrode branches, the electrodes have higher order branches, some of which interdigitate. By varying the dimensions of the electrode branches, such as width and length, the overall area of the X and Y electrodes can be varied relatively independently of each other. It is therefore possible to produce an electrode pattern in which the self capacitances of the X and Y electrodes have a certain ratio, e.g. unity, and thereby compensate for the aspect ratio of the touch sensitive area, and/or to have a certain absolute value, e.g. in order not to overload a touch-sensor controller to which the sensor is to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Justin Anthony Church, David Brent Guard
  • Patent number: 9959828
    Abstract: A method for driving a thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) panel during a display-off period is provided for avoiding image flickering when the panel resumes image display. Flickering when resuming image display is due to charge accumulated on liquid crystals (LCs) during the display-off period. For a cell having a TFT and a LC, the method releases the accumulated charge by driving a gate electrode with a VGH voltage to turn on the TFT for a short pre-determined duration regularly over the display-off period. Over the pre-determined duration, a VCOM electrode and a source electrode of the cell are also driven with a GND voltage, thereby releasing the accumulated charge from the LC as the TFT is turned on. The remaining time in the display-off period may be advantageously used for touch sensing while avoiding flickering after image display is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Cheung Fai Lee, Jun Chen, Hongyi Qian
  • Patent number: 9954441
    Abstract: A slim and cost effective power module solution derived from the multiple-phase buck converter technology that addresses the problems of inductor thickness and excessive magnetic material use. Such power module solution utilizes a multi-phase constant current topology and a corresponding electronic controller to provide a constant current source for various OLED lighting applications. The multi-phase constant current topology comprises two or more inductor-flyback diode feedback loops. Each inductor-flyback diode feedback loop is triggered ON and OFF out-of-phase by a current controller, which senses and estimates the average current supplied to the load, and causes the adjustments to the average current supplied to the load by controlling the ON duration of the inductor-flyback diode feedback loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SOLOMON SYSTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Wing Chi Stephen Chan, Siu Hong Lui, Sing Ng, Hon Sheung Liu, Xiacong Liu, Johnkid Lo, Rong Gao
  • Patent number: 9946384
    Abstract: A method of controlling a touch screen which includes electrode pads provided in response to a display is provided, the method includes: performing a pre-scan of scanning the electrode pads under a deactivation mode of the display; confirming a first touch input during the pre-scan; performing a high-speed fine scan of scanning the electrode pads with a fine high frequency that is higher than a frequency for the pre-scan; evaluating a touch validity of the first touch input of the pre-scan via the high-speed fine scan; performing a fine scan of scanning the electrode pads that is higher than the frequency for the pre-scan and lower than the frequency of the high-speed fine scan, when the touch validity of the first touch input is satisfied; sensing a second touch input during the fine scan; and changing the display into an activation mode in response to the second touch input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SOLOMON SYSTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Il Hyun Yun, Hyong Cheol Shin, Young Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 9881580
    Abstract: A circuit for common electrode voltage generation includes: a VCOM driver configured to output alternating voltage levels at an output thereof, the output being connected to a display panel; a switching circuit with a plurality of inputs and an output, being configured to select one of voltage levels at the inputs at a time and thereby to output alternating voltages levels at the output of the switching circuit; and a stabilizing capacitor with one end connected to the output of the VCOM driver, and the other end connected to the output of the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Zhirong Chen, Wing Chun Chan, Wai Kwong Lee, Choi Wing Siu
  • Patent number: 9847048
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving an e-paper display is provided. The display includes a plurality of segments. The apparatus includes: a memory module for each segment; a SEG 4-to-1 multiplexor connected with the memory module for each segment; a 2-to-1 multiplexor connected with the SEG 4-to-1 multiplexor for each segment; a SEG waveform generator connected with the SEG 4-to-1 multiplexor; a COM waveform generator connected with the 2-to-1 multiplexor; a SEG waveform table connected with the SEG waveform generator; and a COM waveform table connected with the COM waveform generator. The memory module for each segment includes an old Data corresponding to a current state of the segment of the display, a new Data corresponding to a new state to be driven for the segment in a display update period, and a COM_Option memory corresponding to an option state. A method for driving an e-paper display is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wai Sum Choi, Jian Han
  • Patent number: 9817509
    Abstract: An analog front-end circuit comprising: a first current mode differential charge amplifier for a first sensing line, comprising: a unity gain buffer with current replication circuit, wherein the first sensing line current being fed to the unity gain buffer with current replication circuit to generate a pull up and a pull down output currents; and a current mirroring and amplification circuit, wherein the pull up and pull down output currents being fed to the current mirroring and amplification circuit to generate a positively scaled and a negatively scaled output currents; a current combining circuit for combining the positively scaled output generated for the first sensing line and a negatively scaled output current generated for a second sensing line to generate a differential current; and a differential current-to-voltage converter for converting the differential current to an output voltage usable by touch controller application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SOLOMON SYSTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Yin Li, Kin Pui Ho, Kut Hing Lam
  • Patent number: 9811223
    Abstract: Driving a touch-sensing-enabled active matrix LCD display panel for enhancing touch sensing by reducing parasitic capacitances is considered. In one embodiment, a plurality of driving voltages is generated. The driving voltages include a common voltage, and a first and a second gate-drive reference voltages for configuring a thin film transistor (TFT) in the panel to switch on and off, respectively. When the panel is operated in a sensing mode, the common voltage that is generated includes a pulse-train waveform. Furthermore, each of the first and the second gate-drive reference voltages is substantially time-synchronized to and includes the pulse-train waveform of the common voltage during the sensing mode. In one option, the driving voltages further include a sensing-mode source-drive voltage acting as a source-drive signal for the TFT during the sensing mode. The sensing-mode source-drive voltage is substantially time-synchronized to and includes the pulse-train waveform of the common voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Cheung Fai Lee, Yiu Sang Lei, Wing Chi Stephen Chan
  • Patent number: 9762191
    Abstract: A system for offset cancellation for driving a display panel includes: a plurality of source amplifiers driving the display panel; an image analyzer configured to receive a data input of an image frame and analyze the data input; and a chopping pattern controller connected with the image analyzer and configured to determine a chopping pattern that fits the data input based on analysis results of the image analyzer, and apply the determined chopping pattern to the source amplifiers. The source amplifiers are divided into N groups while the chopping pattern controller is configured to drive source amplifiers in each group by a single chopping control signal. The image analyzer is configured to generate an indicator that indicates whether image data being analyzed corresponds to a general image or one of pre-registered killer pattern images. A method for offset cancellation for driving a display panel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Yiu Sang Lei, Wei Jun Koh, Cheung Fai Lee
  • Patent number: 9645590
    Abstract: A system for providing on-chip voltage supply includes a plurality of local voltage regulators each including a first input, a second input, and an output; a transconductance amplifier connected with the local voltage regulators and configured to drive the local voltage regulators, including a first input, a second input and an output; a reference voltage source; and a plurality of transistors. The output of the transconductance amplifier is connected to the first input of each local voltage regulators. The first input of each local voltage regulator is connected to ground through a first capacitor. The output of each local voltage regulator is connected to gate of each transistor correspondingly. Source or drain of each transistor is connected to a load, to the second input of the local voltage regulator, to each other through a plurality of first resistors representing metal routing resistance, and to ground through a RC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Hiu Siu Bernard Fung, Hok Sun Ling
  • Patent number: 9210390
    Abstract: A poly-phase frame modulation system includes a phase matrix look-up table being configured for generating a reference phase matrix; a first phase modulator being configured for generating a first modulated output by taking in the data from a red channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix and a frame offset; a second phase modulator being configured for generating a second modulated output by taking in the data from a green channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix, the frame offset and a first channel offset; and a third phase modulator being configured for generating a third modulated output by taking in the data from a blue channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix, the frame offset and a second channel offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SOLOMON SYSTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Wing Chi Stephen Chan, Wai Kin Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150029131
    Abstract: A method is provided for recognizing touches by at least a finger on a touch panel and determining positions of the touches by analyzing a change in capacitance of electrodes of the touch panel. The change in capacitance is represented as at least an array. A digital signal processing unit and a touch panel that implement the method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wai Kin CHENG, Wing Chi Stephen CHAN, Wai Pak CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150029212
    Abstract: A poly-phase frame modulation system includes a phase matrix look-up table being configured for generating a reference phase matrix; a first phase modulator being configured for generating a first modulated output by taking in the data from a red channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix and a frame offset; a second phase modulator being configured for generating a second modulated output by taking in the data from a green channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix, the frame offset and a first channel offset; and a third phase modulator being configured for generating a third modulated output by taking in the data from a blue channel and the sum of the reference phase matrix, the frame offset and a second channel offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Wing Chi Stephen CHAN, Wai Kin CHENG
  • Patent number: 8860645
    Abstract: A scan driving method for LCD panel comprises varying of polarity pattern adaptive to column data, wherein polarity patterns are dynamically determined from row to row, based on analysis of column drive signals for present and previous rows to obtain a parametric value and determination to either keep default polarity pattern or switch to alternate polarity pattern in accordance with parametric value obtained. Columns are regarded as in one or multiple groups for consideration. A total drive differential value is used as parameter, switching from default polarity pattern to alternate polarity pattern when a threshold is exceeded, to reduce total drive differential going from row to row. Column inversion is a default and dot inversion is an alternate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Solomon Systech Limited
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Cheung Fai Lee, Yiu Sang Lei
  • Publication number: 20140010445
    Abstract: A method for compressing image data into a sequence of codes, the image data being represented by a plurality of input color vectors. The method includes a repetitive processing of one color vector at a time with the following steps: receiving one of the input color vectors; comparing the received input color vector with codebook words in a codebook, the codebook words being expressed as color vectors: compressing the received input color vector to generate a code based on the comparison; updating the codebook with a color vector, the color vector being generated by decoding the code; and outputting the code before receiving a next one of the input color vectors; wherein the updating may include rearranging the order of the codebook words based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SOLOMON SYSTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Wing Chi Stephen CHAN, Wai Pak Icarus CHOI