Patents by Inventor Fan Zhong

Fan Zhong 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).

  • Patent number: 9134527
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses for pixel vias. In one aspect, a method of forming an electromechanical device having a plurality of pixels includes depositing an electrically conductive black mask on a substrate at each of four corners and along at least one edge region of each pixel, depositing a dielectric layer over the black mask, depositing an optical stack including a stationary electrode over the dielectric layer, and depositing a mechanical layer over the optical stack. The method further includes providing a conductive via in a first pixel of the plurality of pixels, the via disposed in the dielectric layer and electrically connecting the stationary electrode to the black mask, the via disposed in a position along an edge of the first pixel, spaced offset from the edge of the first pixel in a direction towards the center of the first pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong, Yi Tao
  • Patent number: 8963159
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses for pixel vias. In one aspect, a method of forming an electromechanical device having a plurality of pixels includes depositing an electrically conductive black mask on a substrate at each of four corners of each pixel, depositing a dielectric layer over the black mask, depositing an optical stack including a stationary electrode over the dielectric layer, depositing a mechanical layer over the optical stack, and anchoring the mechanical layer over the optical stack at each corner of each pixel. The method further includes providing a conductive via in a first pixel of the plurality of pixels, the via in the dielectric layer electrically connecting the stationary electrode to the black mask, the via disposed at a corner of the first pixel, offset from where the mechanical layer is anchored over the optical stack in an optically non-active area of the first pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong, Yi Tao
  • Publication number: 20150046834
    Abstract: Provided are an information processing method and apparatus being applicable to a first electronic device, comprising establishing a communication link between the first and a second electronic device; displaying a first communication interface; judging whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and displaying a second communication interface when it is judged that the predetermined condition is satisfied; wherein the second communication interface comprises a first area and a second area, the first and second areas are at least partially overlapped, and the first area comprises a first subarea and/or a second subarea, the second subarea is used for displaying first information acquired by the first electronic device, the first subarea is used for displaying second information acquired by the second electronic device, the second area is used for displaying shared information, and at least a part of the shared information is simultaneously displayed on the first and second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicants: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD., BEIJING LENOVO SOFTWARE LTD.
    Inventors: Xu WU, Fa WANG, Yannan CHEN, Fan ZHONG, Hailiang LI
  • Patent number: 8817357
    Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems device includes a substrate and a mechanical layer having an actuated position and a relaxed position. The mechanical layer is spaced from the substrate to define a collapsible gap. The gap is in a collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the actuated position and in a non-collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the relaxed position. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a conductive layer, and a supporting layer. The supporting layer is positioned between the reflective layer and the conductive layer and is configured to support the mechanical layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong, Wilhelmus A. de Groot
  • Publication number: 20140210836
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing image artifacts that arise when a display is exposed to sunlight over time. Various implementations disclosed herein can be implemented to prevent charge injection from inducing a negative offset voltage shift for display elements in the display. In one aspect, a buffer layer is applied to block electrons from being photoelectrically ejected from a movable reflective layer of a display element and into a stationary optical stack of the display element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Fan Zhong, Guneet Sethi, Daniel Felnhofer, Thanh N. Tu
  • Publication number: 20140192060
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for controlling launch effects of movable layers in electromechanical systems (EMS) devices. First and second EMS devices with first and second step creating layers are positioned over a substrate and spaced, by different gaps, from the movable layers of the EMS devices. The movable layers of the first and second EMS devices include steps having different heights and/or different edge spacing from the center of an anchoring region of each EMS device. The different steps can provide different launch effects for different EMS devices, and if the same thickness of sacrificial material is used for the different devices, the different launch effects can be responsible for different gap heights in the unbiased conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong, Lixia Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140168223
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for electromechanical systems displays. In one aspect, the display can include a plurality of electromechanical display elements including a first set of electromechanical display elements and a second set of electromechanical display elements. Each electromechanical display element can include a common electrode and a segment electrode. Each of the segment electrodes of the first set of electromechanical display elements can have a first area located under the common electrodes of the first set. Each of the segment electrodes of the second set of electromechanical display elements can have a second area smaller than the first area located under the common electrodes of the second set. In some implementations, an actuation voltage of each electromechanical display element of the first set is approximately the same as an actuation voltage of each electromechanical display element of the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20140098109
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses reduce stress and/or reduce stiffness in a movable layer of an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. Stress or stiffness can be reduced by including one or more compressive stress layers to compensate for the tensile stress exhibited by other layers of the movable layer. The movable layer can include a dielectric core with a first tensile stress layer and a first compressive stress layer on a first side of the dielectric core, and a second tensile stress layer and a second compressive stress layer on a second side of the dielectric core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Chengyea Leu, Yi Tao, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20140071139
    Abstract: Pixels that include display elements that are configured with different structural dimensions corresponding to the color of light they provide are disclosed. In one implementation, a display device includes an array having a plurality of electromechanical pixels disposed on a substrate, each pixel including at least a first display element and a second display element. Each of the first and second display elements interferometrically modulating light by moving a reflective element between a relaxed position spaced apart from the substrate to an actuated position further away from the substrate than the relaxed position by applying a voltage across the reflective element and a stationary electrode. The stationary electrode of each display element is sized to provide actuation of the movable reflective element using the same actuation voltage even though the electrical gap through which the reflective element moves is different within a pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kostadin D. Djordjev, Alok Govil, Yi Tao, Fan Zhong
  • Patent number: 8659816
    Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method of forming a pixel includes depositing a black mask on a substrate, depositing an optical stack over the black mask, and forming a mechanical layer over the optical stack. The black mask is disposed along at least a portion of a side of the pixel, and the mechanical layer defines a cavity between the mechanical layer and the optical stack. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a cap layer, and the dielectric layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the cap layer. The method further includes forming a notch in the dielectric layer of the mechanical layer along the side of the pixel so as to reduce the overlap of the dielectric layer with the black mask along the side of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong
  • Patent number: 8605050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a conductor pattern structure of a capacitive touch panel. First-axis conductor assemblies and second-axis conductor assemblies are formed on a surface of a substrate. Each first-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of first-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by first-axis conduction lines. Each second-axis conductor assembly includes a plurality of second-axis conductor cells that are interconnected by second-axis conduction lines. At least part of each first-axis conduction lines is conductive in horizontal direction and insulating in vertical direction and each of the second-axis conduction lines respectively intersects with the at least part of corresponding first-axis conduction lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Yang Chang, Shun-Ta Chien, Fan Zhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8547626
    Abstract: A method of shaping a mechanical layer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises depositing a support layer, a sacrificial layer and a mechanical layer over a substrate, and forming a support post from the support layer. A kink is formed adjacent to the support post in the mechanical layer. The kink comprises a rising edge and a falling edge, and the kink can be configured to control the shaping and curvature of the mechanical layer upon removal of the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong, Teruo Sasagawa
  • Publication number: 20130113810
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for electromechanical systems devices having a sidewall spacer along at least one sidewall of a conductive line. An electromechanical systems device can include a sidewall spacer along at least one sidewall of a conductive line under a movable layer. The sidewall spacer can be sloped such that the sidewall spacer has a decreasing width away from a substrate under the movable layer. The conductive line can be configured to route an electrical signal to the electromechanical systems device. In some implementations, a black mask structure of an electromechanical systems device can include the conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chok Wah Ho, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20130100145
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for EMS devices. In one aspect, an EMS device includes at least one movable layer configured to move relative to one or more electrodes. The at least one movable layer can include a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a non-conductive layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. In some implementations, the movable layer can include at least one conductive via electrically connecting the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer through the non-conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Zhong, Yi Tao
  • Publication number: 20130088498
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for electromechanical systems devices having a non-uniform gap under a mechanical layer. An electromechanical systems device includes a movable element supported at its edges over a substrate by at least two support structures. The movable element can be spaced from the substrate by a gap having two or more different heights in two or more corresponding distinct regions. The gap has a first height in a first region below the gap, such as an active area of the device, and a second height in a second region adjacent the support structure. In an interferometric modulator implementation, the second region can be encompasses within an anchor region with a black mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Kostadin Djordjev, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20130057558
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for controlling a mechanical layer. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems device includes a substrate and a mechanical layer positioned over the substrate to define a gap. The mechanical layer is movable in the gap between an actuated position and a relaxed position, and includes a mirror layer, a cap layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the mirror layer and the cap layer. The mechanical layer is configured to have a curvature in a direction away from the substrate when the mechanical layer is in the relaxed position. In some implementations, the mechanical layer can be formed to have a positive stress gradient directed toward the substrate that can direct the curvature of the mechanical layer upward when the sacrificial layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Pu, Yi Tao, Chandra S. Tupelly, Kostadin D. Djordjev, Fan Zhong, Rihui He, Wenyue Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120287138
    Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices include a movable layer supported by overlying support structures, and may also include underlying support structures. In one embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the movable layer are substantially equal. In another embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the underlying support structures are substantially equal. In certain embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are be obtained through the use of layers made from the same materials having the same thicknesses. In further embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are obtained through the use of support structures and/or movable layers which are mirror images of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Fan Zhong, Lior Kogut
  • Patent number: 8298847
    Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices include support structures having substantially vertical sidewalls. Certain support structures are formed through deposition of self-planarizing materials or via a plating process. Other support structures are formed via a spacer etch. Other MEMS devices include support structures at least partially underlying a movable layer, where the portions of the support structures underlying the movable layer include a convex sidewall. In further embodiments, a portion of the support structure extends through an aperture in the movable layer and over at least a portion of the movable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lior Kogut, Chun-Ming Wang, Chengbin Qui, Stephen Zee, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20120268430
    Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method of forming a pixel includes depositing a black mask on a substrate, depositing an optical stack over the black mask, and forming a mechanical layer over the optical stack. The black mask is disposed along at least a portion of a side of the pixel, and the mechanical layer defines a cavity between the mechanical layer and the optical stack. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a cap layer, and the dielectric layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the cap layer. The method further includes forming a notch in the dielectric layer of the mechanical layer along the side of the pixel so as to reduce the overlap of the dielectric layer with the black mask along the side of the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20120248478
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses for pixel vias. In one aspect, a method of forming an electromechanical device having a plurality of pixels includes depositing an electrically conductive black mask on a substrate at each of four corners of each pixel, depositing a dielectric layer over the black mask, depositing an optical stack including a stationary electrode over the dielectric layer, depositing a mechanical layer over the optical stack, and anchoring the mechanical layer over the optical stack at each corner of each pixel. The method further includes providing a conductive via in a first pixel of the plurality of pixels, the via in the dielectric layer electrically connecting the stationary electrode to the black mask, the via disposed at a corner of the first pixel, offset from where the mechanical layer is anchored over the optical stack in an optically non-active area of the first pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong, Yi Tao