Patents by Inventor Faqiu (Frank) Liang

Faqiu (Frank) Liang 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: 8768530
    Abstract: A predefined mathematical relationship that is stored in the memory of a computing system is accessed, wherein the relationship refers to temperatures of a number of points in the system, wherein the points together define a zone. The mathematical relationship yields a representative temperature for the zone. Temperature data from sensors in the system is obtained and applied to thermal models, to estimate the temperatures of at least some of the points that define the zone. The representative temperature for the zone is computed using the estimated temperatures as input to the mathematical relationship. A decision is then made on whether or not to change a power consuming activity limit in the system, based on the computed representative temperature. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Faqiu Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox
  • Patent number: 8452463
    Abstract: A computing system has a thermal manager that changes a power consuming activity limit in the device based on an estimate of temperature of a target location in the system. There are several temperature sensors that are not at the target location. An estimator computes the target location temperature estimate using a thermal model and, as input to the thermal model, data from the sensors. The thermal model produces different estimates of the target location temperature at different ambient temperatures but without computing or measuring the ambient temperatures. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor, Frank Faqiu Liang
  • Publication number: 20110301778
    Abstract: A predefined mathematical relationship that is stored in the memory of a computing system is accessed, wherein the relationship refers to temperatures of a number of points in the system, wherein the points together define a zone. The mathematical relationship yields a representative temperature for the zone. Temperature data from sensors in the system is obtained and applied to thermal models, to estimate the temperatures of at least some of the points that define the zone. The representative temperature for the zone is computed using the estimated temperatures as input to the mathematical relationship. A decision is then made on whether or not to change a power consuming activity limit in the system, based on the computed representative temperature. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Faqiu Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox
  • Publication number: 20110301777
    Abstract: A computing system has a thermal manager that changes a power consuming activity limit in the device based on an estimate of temperature of a target location in the system. There are several temperature sensors that are not at the target location. An estimator computes the target location temperature estimate using a thermal model and, as input to the thermal model, data from the sensors. The thermal model produces different estimates of the target location temperature at different ambient temperatures but without computing or measuring the ambient temperatures. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Gaurav Kapoor, Frank Faqiu Liang
  • Patent number: 6072163
    Abstract: Systems and methods that make it possible to rapidly cycle a workpiece through a temperature/time profile over a wide temperature range, e.g., 0.degree. C. to 350.degree. C., without having to lift and transfer the workpiece between separate baking and chilling mechanisms. The present invention is based in part upon the concept of using a low thermal mass, thermally conductive heating member to support a workpiece, such as a microelectronic device, during both baking and chilling operations. While supporting the workpiece on one surface, the other surface of the heating member can be brought into and out of thermal contact with a relatively thermally massive chill plate to easily switch between baking and chilling operations. A simple mechanism is all that is required to either physically separate the heating member and chill plate to accomplish the most rapid heating, or the simple mechanism adjoins the heating member and chill plate to accomplish the most rapid chilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: FSI International Inc.
    Inventors: Keith H. Armstrong, Kevin G. Kemp, Faqiu (Frank) Liang, Natarajan Ramanan