Patents by Inventor Chih-Min Liu

Chih-Min Liu 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: 20170214406
    Abstract: One or more gray code counters, counter arrangements, and phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits are provided. A gray code counter comprises a set of cells, such as standard cells, that output a gray code signal. The gray code counter comprises a pre-ready cell that provides an early signal, generated based upon an early clock, to one or more cells to reduce delay. A counter arrangement comprises one or more counter groups configured to provide pixel count levels for pixels, such as pixels of an image sensor array. A counter group comprises a gray code counter configured to provide a gray code signal to latch counter arrangements of the counter group. A PPL circuit comprises a gray code counter configured to generate a gray code signal used by a digital filter to adjust an oscillator. The gray code signal provides n-bit early/late information to the digital filter for adjustment of the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Chih-Min LIU
  • Patent number: 9660579
    Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator (“VCO”) having a VCO cell. The VCO cell includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a gate terminal coupled to a first node that also is coupled to a low-pass filter from which the gate terminal receives a first control voltage signal. A second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first voltage source. The second transistor has a gate terminal coupled to a second node that is disposed between a capacitor and a resistor of the low pass filter. The second transistor has a second terminal connected to the first voltage source. The second transistor is larger than the first transistor, and the VCO has an output terminal for providing an output frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20170142362
    Abstract: A circuit includes a sensing unit, a first group of switching units, and a second group of switching units. The sensing unit is configured to receive light and generate a sensing voltage at a sensing node in response to the light. The first group of switching units is coupled to the sensing node, and configured to generate a first transfer voltage to a first node and generate a first auxiliary voltage to a second node. At least one of the first transfer voltage and the first auxiliary voltage is read by a readout circuit. The second group of switching units is coupled to the sensing node, and configured to generate a second transfer voltage to a third node and generate a second auxiliary voltage to a fourth node. At least one of the second transfer voltage and the second auxiliary voltage is read by the readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Chih-Min LIU
  • Publication number: 20170134670
    Abstract: A sensor includes a plurality of image sensors, wherein each image sensor of the plurality of image sensors is configured to detect a first spectrum of light. The sensor further includes a depth sensing pixel bonded to each image sensor of the plurality of image sensors, wherein the depth sensing pixel is configured to detect a second spectrum of light different from the first spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Calvin Yi-Ping CHAO, Kuo-Yu CHOU, Chih-Min LIU
  • Patent number: 9621169
    Abstract: One or more gray code counters, counter arrangements, and phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits are provided. A gray code counter comprises a set of cells, such as standard cells, that output a gray code signal. The gray code counter comprises a pre-ready cell that provides an early signal, generated based upon an early clock, to one or more cells to reduce delay. A counter arrangement comprises one or more counter groups configured to provide pixel count levels for pixels, such as pixels of an image sensor array. A counter group comprises a gray code counter configured to provide a gray code signal to latch counter arrangements of the counter group. A PLL circuit comprises a gray code counter configured to generate a gray code signal used by a digital filter to adjust an oscillator. The gray code signal provides n-bit early/late information to the digital filter for adjustment of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20170037448
    Abstract: The invention utilizes virtual screening strategy to seek for current market drugs as anti-schizophrenia therapy drug repurposing. Drug repurposing strategy finds new uses other than the original medical indications of existing drugs. Finding new indications for such drugs will benefit patients who are in needs for a potential new therapy sooner since known drugs are usually with acceptable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. In this study, repurposing marketed drugs for DAAO inhibitor as new schizophrenia therapy was performed with virtual screening on marketed drugs and its metabolites. The identified and available drugs and compounds were further confirmed with in vitro DAAO enzymatic inhibitory assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Yufeng Jane TSENG, Yu-Li LIU, Chung-Ming SUN, Hai-Gwo HWU, Chih-Min LIU, Wen-Sung LAI
  • Patent number: 9559130
    Abstract: A method of making a composite pixel image sensor includes forming an image sensing array; and forming a depth sensing pixel. The depth sensing pixel includes a depth sensing photodiode; a first photo storage diode; and a first transistor configured to selectively couple the depth sensing photodiode to the first photo storage diode. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second photo storage diode different from the first photo storage device; and a second transistor configured to selectively couple the depth sensing photodiode to the second photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a first transfer gate configured to selectively couple the first photo storage diode to a first output node. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second transfer gate configured to selectively couple the second photo storage diode to a second output node. The method includes bonding the image sensing array to the depth sensing pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Calvin Yi-Ping Chao, Kuo-Yu Chou, Chih-Min Liu
  • Patent number: 9543970
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is disclosed. The PLL circuit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect a phase difference between a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) clock signal and a reference clock signal, and generate a difference signal based on the detected phase difference; a digitized difference generator, coupled to the detecting circuit, configured to generate a control code based upon the difference signal; and a DCO configured to generate the DCO output signal responsive to the control code of the digitized difference generator; wherein the detecting circuit, the digitized difference generator and the DCO form a closed loop and reduce the phase difference between the DCO output signal and the reference clock signal. An associated method and a circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Min Liu, Chin-Hao Chang
  • Publication number: 20160370224
    Abstract: A sensing device includes: a sampling circuit arranged to sample a sensing signal for generating a signal in response to a sampling signal having a monotonically increasing waveform; and a conversion circuit arranged to convert the signal into a digital output signal when the signal reaches a predetermined threshold of the conversion circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: CHIH-MIN LIU, MANOJ M. MHALA
  • Publication number: 20160358955
    Abstract: A method of making a composite pixel image sensor includes forming an image sensing array; and forming a depth sensing pixel. The depth sensing pixel includes a depth sensing photodiode; a first photo storage diode; and a first transistor configured to selectively couple the depth sensing photodiode to the first photo storage diode. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second photo storage diode different from the first photo storage device; and a second transistor configured to selectively couple the depth sensing photodiode to the second photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a first transfer gate configured to selectively couple the first photo storage diode to a first output node. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second transfer gate configured to selectively couple the second photo storage diode to a second output node. The method includes bonding the image sensing array to the depth sensing pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Calvin Yi-Ping CHAO, Kuo-Yu CHOU, Chih-Min LIU
  • Publication number: 20160308541
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is disclosed. The PLL circuit includes a detecting circuit configured to detect a phase difference between a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) clock signal and a reference clock signal, and generate a difference signal based on the detected phase difference; a digitized difference generator, coupled to the detecting circuit, configured to generate a control code based upon the difference signal; and a DCO configured to generate the DCO output signal responsive to the control code of the digitized difference generator; wherein the detecting circuit, the digitized difference generator and the DCO form a closed loop and reduce the phase difference between the DCO output signal and the reference clock signal. An associated method and a circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: CHIH-MIN LIU, CHIN-HAO CHANG
  • Patent number: 9437633
    Abstract: A depth sensing pixel includes a photodiode; a first photo storage device; and a first transistor configured to selectively couple the photodiode to the first photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second photo storage diode different from the first photo storage device; and a second transistor configured to selectively couple the photodiode to the second photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a first transfer gate configured to selectively couple the first photo storage diode to a first output node. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second transfer gate configured to selectively couple the second photo storage diode to a second output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Calvin Yi-Ping Chao, Kuo-Yu Chou, Chih-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20160133659
    Abstract: A depth sensing pixel includes a photodiode; a first photo storage device; and a first transistor configured to selectively couple the photodiode to the first photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second photo storage diode different from the first photo storage device; and a second transistor configured to selectively couple the photodiode to the second photo storage device. The depth sensing pixel further includes a first transfer gate configured to selectively couple the first photo storage diode to a first output node. The depth sensing pixel further includes a second transfer gate configured to selectively couple the second photo storage diode to a second output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Calvin Yi-Ping CHAO, Kuo-Yu CHOU, Chih-Min LIU
  • Publication number: 20160086996
    Abstract: A Dual-Side Illumination (DSI) image sensor chip includes a first image sensor chip configured to sense light from a first direction, and a second image sensor chip aligned to, and bonded to, the first image sensor chip. The second image sensor chip is configured to sense light from a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Chih-Min Liu, Honyih Tu, Calvin Yi-Ping Chao, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20150378453
    Abstract: An active capacitive stylus and a sensing method thereof are provided. The active capacitive stylus includes a pen tip, a frequency adjuster, a frequency generating module, and a control module. The pen tip includes a contact component for moving in response to a pressing force. The frequency adjuster simultaneously moves with the contact component. The frequency generating module generates an induction frequency according to an induction distance between the frequency adjuster and the frequency generating module. The control module is electrically connected to the frequency generating module and calculates a pressure value according to the induction frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: He-Sung WU, Chih-Min LIU, Chih-Wen WANG
  • Patent number: 9202963
    Abstract: A Dual-Side Illumination (DSI) image sensor chip includes a first image sensor chip configured to sense light from a first direction, and a second image sensor chip aligned to, and bonded to, the first image sensor chip. The second image sensor chip is configured to sense light from a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Min Liu, Honyih Tu, Calvin Yi-Ping Chao, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20150244376
    Abstract: One or more gray code counters, counter arrangements, and phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits are provided. A gray code counter comprises a set of cells, such as standard cells, that output a gray code signal. The gray code counter comprises a pre-ready cell that provides an early signal, generated based upon an early clock, to one or more cells to reduce delay. A counter arrangement comprises one or more counter groups configured to provide pixel count levels for pixels, such as pixels of an image sensor array. A counter group comprises a gray code counter configured to provide a gray code signal to latch counter arrangements of the counter group. A PPL circuit comprises a gray code counter configured to generate a gray code signal used by a digital filter to adjust an oscillator. The gray code signal provides n-bit early/late information to the digital filter for adjustment of the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20150214893
    Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator (“VCO”) having a VCO cell. The VCO cell includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor has a gate terminal coupled to a first node that also is coupled to a low-pass filter from which the gate terminal receives a first control voltage signal. A second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first voltage source. The second transistor has a gate terminal coupled to a second node that is disposed between a capacitor and a resistor of the low pass filter. The second transistor has a second terminal connected to the first voltage source. The second transistor is larger than the first transistor, and the VCO has an output terminal for providing an output frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Min LIU
  • Patent number: 9024694
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for a voltage controlled oscillator (“VCO”) having a large frequency range and a low gain. Passive or active circuitry is introduced between at least one VCO cell in the voltage controlled oscillator and the voltage source for the VCO cell which reduces a gain value for the VCO to maintain stability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu
  • Patent number: 8942332
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reducing inter symbol interference in a high speed data transfer system. One or more decision logic circuits and one or more pull circuits are used to enable the signal level of a bit in a serial bit stream to achieve its nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Min Liu