Patents by Inventor Jifang TAO

Jifang TAO 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: 11486820
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate a chemical sensor. The chemical sensor may include a substrate including a first sealed (or isolated) cavity and a second sealed (or isolated) cavity separate from the first sealed (or isolated) cavity. The chemical sensor may also include an emitter in the first sealed (or isolated) cavity, the emitter configured to emit infrared light. The chemical sensor may further include a detector in the second sealed (or isolated) cavity. The chemical sensor may also include a waveguide configured to carry the infrared light from the emitter to the detector. The waveguide may include a sensing portion configured such that a property of the infrared light carried through the sensing portion changes in response to a chemical entity in contact with the sensing portion. The detector may be configured to detect the change in the property (of the infrared light).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Hong Cai, Jifang Tao, Lennon Yao Ting Lee, Alex Yuandong Gu
  • Publication number: 20210255100
    Abstract: A sensor module for detecting particulate matter of an aerosol, which may include a source of electromagnetic radiation and a collector for electromagnetic radiation. The collector may include a cavity and a first opening for the aerosol. The cavity may be reflective for the electromagnetic radiation. The first opening may allow exchange of the aerosol in and out of the cavity. The source of electromagnetic radiation may be arranged to project the electromagnetic radiation onto the aerosol which may be scattered as scattered electromagnetic radiation. The sensor module may include a detector of electromagnetic radiation arranged to detect the scattered electromagnetic radiation that is reflected by the collector. The source and the detector may be arranged on a same side of the collector. The source and the detector may be arranged at a same aperture of the collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Jifang Tao, Chia-Hung Chen, Yingying Qiao, Weikang Nicholas Lin, Alex Yuandong Gu
  • Publication number: 20200278289
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate a chemical sensor. The chemical sensor may include a substrate including a first sealed (or isolated) cavity and a second sealed (or isolated) cavity separate from the first sealed (or isolated) cavity. The chemical sensor may also include an emitter in the first sealed (or isolated) cavity, the emitter configured to emit infrared light. The chemical sensor may further include a detector in the second sealed (or isolated) cavity. The chemical sensor may also include a waveguide configured to carry the infrared light from the emitter to the detector. The waveguide may include a sensing portion configured such that a property of the infrared light carried through the sensing portion changes in response to a chemical entity in contact with the sensing portion. The detector may be configured to detect the change in the property (of the infrared light).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Hong Cai, Jifang Tao, Lennon Yao Ting Lee, Alex Yuandong Gu
  • Publication number: 20200173780
    Abstract: Various embodiments may provide a gyroscope. The gyroscope may include a piezoelectric substrate, an excitation transducer configured to generate a surface acoustic wave, and a sensing transducer configured to receive the surface acoustic wave generated by the excitation transducer. The gyroscope may additionally include a mass dot array between the excitation transducer and the sensing transducer, the mass dot array configured to generate a stress on the piezoelectric substrate based on a rotation of said gyroscope upon the surface acoustic wave passing through the mass dot array. The gyroscope may also include a light source, and an optical detector configured to receive one or more light beams generated by the light source to determine the rotation of the gyroscope based on a property of the one or more light beams. The property of the one or more light beams may be variable based on the stress on the piezoelectric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Guoqiang Wu, Jifang Tao, Alex Yuandong Gu, Geng Li Chua
  • Patent number: 10578438
    Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an optical gyroscope. The optical gyroscope may include a ring resonator, an input source configured to generate or provide a first light beam and a second light beam to the ring resonator, and a switching pathway having an input end and an output end coupled to the ring resonator, and may include a plurality of switches. The optical gyroscope may include a control circuit configured to control the plurality of switches to allow the first light beam to propagate from the input end to the output end along the switching pathway during a first time interval, and allow the second light beam to propagate from the input end to the output end along the switching pathway during a second time interval. The optical gyroscope may additionally include a detector loop configured to receive the first light beam and the second light beam from the ring resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Guoqiang Wu, Jifang Tao, Alex Yuandong Gu, Junfeng Song
  • Patent number: 10408775
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a sensor arrangement including a filter configured to provide an output signal having an output wavelength, the output wavelength having a dependence on a temperature of the filter; a temperature module configured to change the temperature of the filter; a controller circuit configured to control the temperature module for changing the temperature of the filter until the output wavelength increases with decreasing temperature; and a determination circuit configured to determine a dew point of an environment surrounding the sensor arrangement, based on a minimum value of the output wavelength and the dependence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jifang Tao, Alex Yuan-dong Gu, Hong Cai, Junfeng Song
  • Patent number: 10215692
    Abstract: There is provided an optical waveguide structure, including a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate whereby the insulating layer includes an air slot formed therein, a first material layer suspended over the air slot whereby the first material layer constitutes a waveguide core of the optical waveguide structure, and a second material layer disposed over the waveguide core whereby the waveguide core is suspended over the air slot by the second material layer. There is also provided an optical gas sensor incorporating the optical waveguide structure and methods of fabrication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jifang Tao, Hong Cai, Alex Yuandong Gu, Hyun Kee Chang
  • Patent number: 10212501
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a MEMS device. The MEMS device comprises a printed circuit board, a cover attached to the printed circuit board to form a housing, at least one sound hole formed in the housing, a transducer with a diaphragm inside the housing, and at least one shutter structure. Each shutter structure is mounted to the housing around a respective sound hole. Each shutter structure comprises a moveable component disposed near the inner surface of the housing, the moveable component remains at an open position under regular pressure such that an air flow path from the sound hole to the at least one ventilation hole of the substrate across the moveable component is opened, and moves to a first closed position under a high external pressure to block the at least one ventilation hole and close the air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GOERTEK.INC
    Inventors: Zhe Wang, Quanbo Zou, Jifang Tao
  • Publication number: 20190049249
    Abstract: Various embodiments may provide an optical gyroscope. The optical gyroscope may include a ring resonator, an input source configured to generate or provide a first light beam and a second light beam to the ring resonator, and a switching pathway having an input end and an output end coupled to the ring resonator, and may include a plurality of switches. The optical gyroscope may include a control circuit configured to control the plurality of switches to allow the first light beam to propagate from the input end to the output end along the switching pathway during a first time interval, and allow the second light beam to propagate from the input end to the output end along the switching pathway during a second time interval. The optical gyroscope may additionally include a detector loop configured to receive the first light beam and the second light beam from the ring resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Guoqiang Wu, Jifang Tao, Alex Yuandong Gu, Junfeng Song
  • Patent number: 10151638
    Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure provide a bolometer including a substrate and a ring resonator structure over the substrate. The bolometer may also include a silicon oxide layer in thermal contact with the ring resonator structure. The bolometer may further include a first waveguide over the substrate and coupled to the ring resonator structure, the first waveguide configured to couple an infrared light to the ring resonator structure so that the infrared light generates a temperature increase in the silicon oxide layer. The bolometer may additionally include a second waveguide over the substrate and coupled to the ring resonator structure, the second waveguide configured to couple a probe light input to the ring resonator structure so that a probe light output is generated from the probe light input, the probe light output having a change in a characteristic from the probe light input based on the temperature increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jifang Tao, Hong Cai, Yuandong Alex Gu, Guoqiang Wu
  • Publication number: 20180266889
    Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure provide a bolometer including a substrate and a ring resonator structure over the substrate. The bolometer may also include a silicon oxide layer in thermal contact with the ring resonator structure. The bolometer may further include a first waveguide over the substrate and coupled to the ring resonator structure, the first waveguide configured to couple an infrared light to the ring resonator structure so that the infrared light generates a temperature increase in the silicon oxide layer. The bolometer may additionally include a second waveguide over the substrate and coupled to the ring resonator structure, the second waveguide configured to couple a probe light input to the ring resonator structure so that a probe light output is generated from the probe light input, the probe light output having a change in a characteristic from the probe light input based on the temperature increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jifang TAO, Hong CAI, Yuandong Alex GU, Guoqiang WU
  • Publication number: 20180164236
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a sensor arrangement including a filter configured to provide an output signal having an output wavelength, the output wavelength having a dependence on a temperature of the filter; a temperature module configured to change the temperature of the filter; a controller circuit configured to control the temperature module for changing the temperature of the filter until the output wavelength increases with decreasing temperature; and a determination circuit configured to determine a dew point of an environment surrounding the sensor arrangement, based on a minimum value of the output wavelength and the dependence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Jifang TAO, Alex Yuan-dong GU, Hong CAI, Junfeng SONG
  • Patent number: 9866971
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a thermal bimorph diaphragm and a MEMS speaker with thermal bimorphs, wherein the method comprises the steps of: thermally oxidizing a substrate to obtain an insulating layer thereon and providing a metal layer on the insulating layer; providing a sacrificial layer on the metal layer; providing a first thermal bimorph layer on the sacrificial layer; providing a second thermal bimorph layer on the first thermal bimorph layer; providing a metal connecting layer at the positions on the metal layer where the sacrificial layer is not provided; forming corresponding back holes on the substrate and the insulating layer and releasing the sacrificial layer; forming the thermal bimorph diaphragm which is warped with the first thermal bimorph layer and the second thermal bimorph layer after the sacrificial layer is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Quanbo Zou, Zhe Wang, Jifang Tao, Guanxun Qiu
  • Patent number: 9823150
    Abstract: A micro-machined optical pressure sensor, comprising: a diaphragm configured to deform when a force is applied thereto; and a sensing micro-ring spaced apart from the diaphragm by a gap, the gap being variable depending on the force applied on the diaphragm, wherein the sensing micro-ring is configured to produce a resonance wavelength shift when the gap is varied, the resonance wavelength shift indicative of the force applied to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Hong Cai, Jifang Tao, Julius Ming-Lin Tsai, Aiqun Liu
  • Publication number: 20170280218
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a MEMS device. The MEMS device comprises a printed circuit board, a cover attached to the printed circuit board to form a housing, at least one sound hole formed in the housing, a transducer with a diaphragm inside the housing, and at least one shutter structure. Each shutter structure is mounted to the housing around a respective sound hole. Each shutter structure comprises a moveable component disposed near the inner surface of the housing, the moveable component remains at an open position under regular pressure such that an air flow path from the sound hole to the at least one ventilation hole of the substrate across the moveable component is opened, and moves to a first closed position under a high external pressure to block the at least one ventilation hole and close the air flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Goertek.Inc
    Inventors: Zhe Wang, Quanbo Zou, Jifang Tao
  • Publication number: 20170227456
    Abstract: There is provided an optical waveguide structure, including a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate whereby the insulating layer includes an air slot formed therein, a first material layer suspended over the air slot whereby the first material layer constitutes a waveguide core of the optical waveguide structure, and a second material layer disposed over the waveguide core whereby the waveguide core is suspended over the air slot by the second material layer. There is also provided an optical gas sensor incorporating the optical waveguide structure and methods of fabrication thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jifang Tao, Hong Cai, Alex Yuandong Gu, Hyun Kee Chang
  • Publication number: 20170041719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a thermal bimorph diaphragm and a MEMS speaker with thermal bimorphs, wherein the method comprises the steps of: thermally oxidizing a substrate to obtain an insulating layer thereon and providing a metal layer on the insulating layer; providing a sacrificial layer on the metal layer; providing a first thermal bimorph layer on the sacrificial layer; providing a second thermal bimorph layer on the first thermal bimorph layer; providing a metal connecting layer at the positions on the metal layer where the sacrificial layer is not provided; forming corresponding back holes on the substrate and the insulating layer and releasing the sacrificial layer; forming the thermal bimorph diaphragm which is warped with the first thermal bimorph layer and the second thermal bimorph layer after the sacrificial layer is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Quanbo ZOU, Zhe WANG, Jifang TAO, Guanxun QIU
  • Publication number: 20160273980
    Abstract: A micro-machined optical pressure sensor, comprising: a diaphragm configured to deform when a force is applied thereto; and a sensing micro-ring spaced apart from the diaphragm by a gap, the gap being variable depending on the force applied on the diaphragm, wherein the sensing micro-ring is configured to produce a resonance wavelength shift when the gap is varied, the resonance wavelength shift indicative of the force applied to the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Hong CAI, Jifang TAO, Julius Ming-Lin TSAI, Aiqun LIU