Patents by Inventor Andy Hong

Andy Hong 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).

  • Publication number: 20240140840
    Abstract: An oscillating bubble reactor can include a stream inlet configured to receive a contaminated liquid stream, a reactant gas source, a serial venturi reactor (SVR), a micro-nano-bubble aerator (MNBA), and a treated stream outlet. The SVR can be connected downstream to the stream inlet and configured to receive the contaminated liquid stream. The SVR can include a set of serially connected constrictions alternating with pipe segments having a larger diameter than a smaller diameter of the constrictions. The MNBA can be in the stream inlet or the serial venturi reactor. The MNBA can be connected to the reactant gas source and configured to release reactant gas microbubbles, nanobubbles, or a combination thereof into the contaminated liquid stream from the reactant gas source. The treated stream outlet can be connected downstream to the serial venturi reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventor: Andy HONG
  • Patent number: 11955245
    Abstract: A method and a system for mental index prediction are provided. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of images of a subject person are obtained. A plurality of emotion tags of the subject person in the images are analyzed. A plurality of integrated emotion tags in a plurality of predetermined time periods are calculated according to the emotion tags respectively corresponding to the images. A plurality of preferred features are determined according to the integrated emotion tags. A mental index prediction model is established according to the preferred features to predict a mental index according to the emotional index prediction model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Acer Incorporated, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Li, Szu-Chieh Wang, Andy Ho, Liang-Kung Chen, Jun-Hong Chen, Li-Ning Peng, Tsung-Han Yang, Yun-Hsuan Chan, Tsung-Hsien Tsai
  • Publication number: 20170297934
    Abstract: A method of treating wastewater can include introducing wastewater into a wastewater treatment apparatus through a wastewater inlet. The wastewater can be compressed and decompressed via a mechanical pressurizing element and subsequently discharged from the wastewater treatment apparatus via a treated water outlet. The pressure cycling wastewater treatment apparatus can include a confined chamber which encloses an interior volume. The confined chamber can have a wastewater inlet through which wastewater can flow into the confined chamber. In addition, an expansion fluid inlet can receive an expansion fluid into the confined chamber. A treated water outlet can allow treated water to flow out of the confined chamber. Within the interior volume of the confined chamber, a mechanical pressurizing element can be configured to move in a cyclical pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: P.K. Andy Hong
  • Patent number: 9604863
    Abstract: A pressure cycling wastewater treatment apparatus can include a confined chamber which encloses an interior volume. The confined chamber can have a wastewater inlet through which wastewater can flow into the confined chamber. In addition, an expansion fluid inlet can receive an expansion fluid into the confined chamber. A treated water outlet can allow treated water to flow out of the confined chamber. Within the interior volume of the confined chamber, a mechanical pressurizing element can be configured to move in a cyclical pattern. Motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can cyclically compress and decompress a mixture of wastewater and expansion fluid inside the confined chamber. The motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can be driven by a driving unit connected to the mechanical pressurizing element through a crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: P. K. Andy Hong
  • Publication number: 20160039691
    Abstract: A pressure cycling wastewater treatment apparatus can include a confined chamber which encloses an interior volume. The confined chamber can have a wastewater inlet through which wastewater can flow into the confined chamber. In addition, an expansion 5 fluid inlet can receive an expansion fluid into the confined chamber. A treated water outlet can allow treated water to flow out of the confined chamber. Within the interior volume of the confined chamber, a mechanical pressurizing element can be configured to move in a cyclical pattern. Motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can cyclically compress and decompress a mixture of wastewater and expansion fluid inside the confined chamber. 10 The motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can be driven by a driving unit connected to the mechanical pressurizing element through a crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: P.K. Andy Hong
  • Patent number: 9139460
    Abstract: A method of deactivating biomass is set forth. The method includes two stages, a disrupting stage and a rupture stage. The disrupting stage includes the steps of injecting an oxidizer gas into the biomass with minimal or significant elevated pressure and then a depressurizing of the biomass. The steps cause a disruption of cellular membranes of cells present in the biomass. The rupture stage includes the step of injecting the biomass with a rupture gas sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a second elevated pressure following by the depressurizing of the biomass. The injecting and depressurizing steps of the rupture stage can be repeated at least two times in order to rupture the cell membranes and expose residual cell contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: P. K. Andy Hong
  • Patent number: 9090834
    Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons into more usable hydrocarbon products is provided. The method provides for the steps of adding heavy hydrocarbons to a solvent system to form a reaction medium, and ozonating the reaction medium with an ozone containing gas to provide ozonation products. The solvent system can include a first solvent that solubilizes at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbons and a reactive solvent which reacts with ozonation intermediates. Reactive solvent is maintained at concentrations sufficient to decompose ozonation intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: P. K. Andy Hong, Zhixiong Cha
  • Publication number: 20140249884
    Abstract: A production management system is configured to dynamically controlling inventory of a semiconductor product to prevent overstock and stockout. The production management system includes a production planning module including components containing data of demand forecast, and customer order. The production management system further includes a dynamic inventory control module including a dynamic inventory control simulation module and an inventory management system, wherein the dynamic inventory control simulation module is configured to adjust a target inventory if a current inventory is beyond a threshold multiplied by the target inventory for M number of review cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Andy HONG, Edwin D. LIOU, Chiapin WEN, Winston TSAI, Chih-Sheng SHIH
  • Patent number: 8751277
    Abstract: A production management system is configured to dynamically control inventory of a semiconductor product to prevent overstock and stockout. The production management system includes a production planning module including components containing data of demand forecast, and customer order. The production management system further includes a dynamic inventory control module including a dynamic inventory control simulation module and an inventory management system, wherein the inventory management system is configured to record real inventory data, and wherein the dynamic inventory control simulation module includes simulators for target inventory, future inventory, future shipment and semiconductor product production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andy Hong, Edwin D. Liou, Chiapin Wen, Winston Tsai, Chih-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 8709263
    Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from slurry samples is set forth. The method includes the utilization of repeated pressurizing and depressurizing steps to disrupt solidified particles in solid-containing slurries thereby increasing decontamination efficiency. An expansion fluid is injected into the slurry sample sufficient to create microbubbles when the slurry sample is depressurized. The micro bubbles mechanically disrupt the solidified particles increasing contaminant exposure. The microbubbles also provide for increased interfacial regions where contaminants can accumulate at gas-liquid thin films that are in close proximity to and can be effectively removed using a suitable expansion fluid and optional decontamination agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: P. K. Andy Hong
  • Publication number: 20130292297
    Abstract: A method for upgrading heavy hydrocarbons into more usable hydrocarbon products is provided. The method provides for the steps of adding heavy hydrocarbons to a solvent system to form a reaction medium, and ozonating the reaction medium with an ozone containing gas to provide ozonation products. The solvent system can include a first solvent that solubilizes at least a portion of the heavy hydrocarbons and a reactive solvent which reacts with ozonation intermediates. Reactive solvent is maintained at concentrations sufficient to decompose ozonation intermediates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: P.K. Andy Hong, Zhixiong Cha
  • Patent number: 8557565
    Abstract: A method for the degradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds is disclosed that involves dissolving ozone in a bipolar solvent comprising a non-polar solvent in which is of sufficiently non-polar character to solubilized the polycyclic aromatic compounds, and a polar-water-compatible solvent which is fully miscible with the non-polar solvent to form a single phase with the non-polar solvent. The bipolar solvent with dissolved ozone is contacted with the polycyclic aromatic compounds to solubilize the polycyclic aromatic compounds and react the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds with the ozone to degrade the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds to oxygenated intermediates. The bipolar solvent is then mixed with sufficient water to form separate non-polar and polar phases, the non-polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the oxygenated intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: David Wavrek, P. K. Andy Hong, Jiun-Chi Chao, Yu Zeng
  • Publication number: 20130192138
    Abstract: A method of deactivating biomass is set forth. The method includes two stages, a disrupting stage and a rupture stage. The disrupting stage includes the steps of injecting an oxidizer gas into the biomass with minimal or significant elevated pressure and then a depressurizing of the biomass. The steps cause a disruption of cellular membranes of cells present in the biomass. The rupture stage includes the step of injecting the biomass with a rupture gas sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a second elevated pressure following by the depressurizing of the biomass. The injecting and depressurizing steps of the rupture stage can be repeated at least two times in order to rupture the cell membranes and expose residual cell contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: P. K. Andy Hong
  • Patent number: 8364512
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention fill the need of properly controlling product inventory of semiconductor chips by providing methods and systems of dynamic inventory control. The methods and systems timely modify parameters affecting inventory. The parameters may include target inventory, cycle time, wafer start, future inventory and future shipment. In addition, the methods and systems gather real-time customer demand forecast to assist in production planning and adjustment. Further, the methods and systems identify inventory control turning points dynamically to adjust production activities to prevent overstock and to prevent stockout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andy Hong, Edwin D. Liou, Chiapin Wen, Winston Tsai, Chih-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 8298814
    Abstract: A method for the degradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds is disclosed that involves dissolving ozone in a bipolar solvent comprising a non-polar solvent in which is of sufficiently non-polar character to solubilized the polycyclic aromatic compounds, and a polar-water-compatible solvent which is fully miscible with the non-polar solvent to form a single phase with the non-polar solvent. The bipolar solvent with dissolved ozone is contacted with the polycyclic aromatic compounds to solubilize the polycyclic aromatic compounds and react the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds with the ozone to degrade the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds to oxygenated intermediates. The bipolar solvent is then mixed with sufficient water to form separate non-polar and polar phases, the non-polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the oxygenated intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: University of Utah
    Inventors: P. K. Andy Hong, David A. Wavrek, Jiun-Chi Chao, Yu Zeng
  • Publication number: 20110191139
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention fill the need of properly controlling product inventory of semiconductor chips by providing methods and systems of dynamic inventory control. The methods and systems timely modify parameters affecting inventory. The parameters may include target inventory, cycle time, wafer start, future inventory and future shipment. In addition, the methods and systems gather real-time customer demand forecast to assist in production planning and adjustment. Further, the methods and systems identify inventory control turning points dynamically to adjust production activities to prevent overstock and to prevent stockout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Andy HONG, Edwin D. Liou, Chiapin Wen, Winston Tsai, Chih-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 7909985
    Abstract: A method for recovering valuable chemical products from heavy hydrocarbons such as tar sand or petroleum waste products is disclosed and described. Heavy hydrocarbons can be contacted with a fragmentation fluid which includes ozone and a solvent carrier. The fragmentation fluid can be provided at supercritical conditions. For example, supercritical CO2 can be an effective liquid solvent carrier for ozone. During contact with the fragmentation fluid, the heavy hydrocarbons are reduced in size to form a product mixture of chemical compounds. This product mixture typically includes chemical species which are more suitable than the original heavy hydrocarbons to commercial uses and/or further separation to provide useful starting materials for a wide variety of synthesis and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Andy Hong, Willem P C Duyvesteyn
  • Publication number: 20100307959
    Abstract: A method for extracting hydrocarbons from sands can include: providing sands containing a hydrocarbon; mixing the hydrocarbon sands with water; heating the water before, during, or after being mixed with the hydrocarbon sands; increasing the pressure within a closed vessel containing the heated hydrocarbon and water mixture in the presence of gas or by injecting with gas; releasing the pressure of the heated hydrocarbon and water mixture in the vessel so as to create microbubbles from the dissolved gas in the water mixture; and collecting the hydrocarbon from the water. Optionally, the process is substantially devoid of adding caustic agents to the hydrocarbon and water mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Andy Hong, Zhixiong Cha
  • Publication number: 20080242875
    Abstract: A method for the degradation of polycyclic aromatic compounds is disclosed that involves dissolving ozone in a bipolar solvent comprising a non-polar solvent in which is of sufficiently non-polar character to solubilized the polycyclic aromatic compounds, and a polar-water-compatible solvent which is fully miscible with the non-polar solvent to form a single phase with the non-polar solvent. The bipolar solvent with dissolved ozone is contacted with the polycyclic aromatic compounds to solubilize the polycyclic aromatic compounds and react the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds with the ozone to degrade the dissolved polycyclic aromatic compounds to oxygenated intermediates. The bipolar solvent is then mixed with sufficient water to form separate non-polar and polar phases, the non-polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the polar phase comprising the non-polar solvent and the oxygenated intermediates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: P.K. Andy Hong, David A. Wavrek, Jiun-Chi Chao, Yu Zeng
  • Patent number: 7409258
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for measuring customer delivery service. A projected customer delivery date is generated. At least one projected output volume is determined based on the projected customer delivery date. At least one actual output volume is determined, and an accuracy of the projected customer delivery date is determined based on the at least one projected output volume and the at least one actual output volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Heng Huang, Kuo-Lien Chen, Chin-Hui Hung, Andy Hong, Cheng Meng, Cheng-Chung Chien