Patents by Inventor King Hong Kwan

King Hong Kwan 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: 20240096126
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor system includes an active thermal sensor pixel matrix, a plurality of presence sensors, and an image acquisition controller. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns and a boundary defining a perimeter. The plurality of presence sensors is disposed at least partially within the boundary of the pixel matrix. The image acquisition controller is coupled to the pixel matrix and the plurality of presence sensors. The image acquisition controller is configured to: (i) receive signals from the presence sensors; (ii) identify, based on the signals, a scan region, wherein the scan region is a portion of the pixel matrix that is in contact with or adjacent to a specimen; and (iii) obtain image data only from pixels that are within the scan region for generating an image of the specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Matias N. Troccoli, King Hong Kwan
  • Publication number: 20240029468
    Abstract: A multi-segment pixel matrix, a sensor or device, a system, and a method, for biometric sensing, are provided. Such a device or system includes a sensor comprising a pixel matrix having two or more pixel arrays as separate segments logically divided in the pixel matrix. The pixel matrix may include both thermal sensing pixels and capacitive sensing nodes. The device or system may include a plurality of application-specific intergrade circuits (ASICs) coupled to the sensor. Each ASIC is configured to capture image data of a biometric pattern measured by at least one pixel array. Each pixel array is independently driven and scanned by one or more of the plurality of the ASICs. The device or system further includes a microcontroller unit coupled to the plurality of ASICs and are used to process the image data and/or control operation of the system. Such a sensor can be a fingerprint sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Next Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: King Hong Kwan, Tian Xiao, Ryan John Higgins
  • Patent number: 11854291
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor system includes an active thermal sensor pixel matrix, a plurality of presence sensors, and an image acquisition controller. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns and a boundary defining a perimeter. The plurality of presence sensors is disposed at least partially within the boundary of the pixel matrix. The image acquisition controller is coupled to the pixel matrix and the plurality of presence sensors. The image acquisition controller is configured to: (i) receive signals from the presence sensors; (ii) identify, based on the signals, a scan region, wherein the scan region is a portion of the pixel matrix that is in contact with or adjacent to a specimen; and (iii) obtain image data only from pixels that are within the scan region for generating an image of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Matias N. Troccoli, King Hong Kwan
  • Patent number: 11790684
    Abstract: A multi-segment pixel matrix, a sensor or device, a system, and a method, for biometric sensing, are provided. Such a device or system includes a sensor comprising a pixel matrix having two or more pixel arrays as separate segments logically divided in the pixel matrix. The pixel matrix may include both thermal sensing pixels and capacitive sensing nodes. The device or system may include a plurality of application-specific intergrade circuits (ASICs) coupled to the sensor. Each ASIC is configured to capture image data of a biometric pattern measured by at least one pixel array. Each pixel array is independently driven and scanned by one or more of the plurality of the ASICs. The device or system further includes a microcontroller unit coupled to the plurality of ASICs and are used to process the image data and/or control operation of the system. Such a sensor can be a fingerprint sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: King Hong Kwan, Tian Xiao, Ryan John Higgins
  • Patent number: 11688640
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing flexible electronics are described herein. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include disposing electrical features, such as thin film circuits, on a first side of a glass substrate, applying a first protective material over the electronic features, and exposing a second side of the glass substrate to a chemical etching tank to thin the glass substrate to a predetermined thickness. The thinning process can remove cracks and other defects from the second side of the glass substrate and enhance the flexibility of the electronic assembly. A second protective material can be disposed on the second side of the thinned glass substrate to maintain the enhanced backside surface of the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the method also includes singulating the plurality of electronic features into individual electronic components by submerging the electronic assembly into a chemical etching tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Tian Xiao, King Hong Kwan, Sheng-Hsiang Hung, Mark W. Naumann
  • Publication number: 20220366718
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor system includes an active thermal sensor pixel matrix, a plurality of presence sensors, and an image acquisition controller. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns and a boundary defining a perimeter. The plurality of presence sensors is disposed at least partially within the boundary of the pixel matrix. The image acquisition controller is coupled to the pixel matrix and the plurality of presence sensors. The image acquisition controller is configured to: (i) receive signals from the presence sensors; (ii) identify, based on the signals, a scan region, wherein the scan region is a portion of the pixel matrix that is in contact with or adjacent to a specimen; and (iii) obtain image data only from pixels that are within the scan region for generating an image of the specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Matias N. Troccoli, King Hong Kwan
  • Publication number: 20220222964
    Abstract: A multi-segment pixel matrix, a sensor or device, a system, and a method, for biometric sensing, are provided. Such a device or system includes a sensor comprising a pixel matrix having two or more pixel arrays as separate segments logically divided in the pixel matrix. The pixel matrix may include both thermal sensing pixels and capacitive sensing nodes. The device or system may include a plurality of application-specific intergrade circuits (ASICs) coupled to the sensor. Each ASIC is configured to capture image data of a biometric pattern measured by at least one pixel array. Each pixel array is independently driven and scanned by one or more of the plurality of the ASICs. The device or system further includes a microcontroller unit coupled to the plurality of ASICs and are used to process the image data and/or control operation of the system. Such a sensor can be a fingerprint sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Next Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: King Hong Kwan, Tian Xiao, Ryan John Higgins
  • Publication number: 20220139781
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing flexible electronics are described herein. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include disposing electrical features, such as thin film circuits, on a first side of a glass substrate, applying a first protective material over the electronic features, and exposing a second side of the glass substrate to a chemical etching tank to thin the glass substrate to a predetermined thickness. The thinning process can remove cracks and other defects from the second side of the glass substrate and enhance the flexibility of the electronic assembly. A second protective material can be disposed on the second side of the thinned glass substrate to maintain the enhanced backside surface of the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the method also includes singulating the plurality of electronic features into individual electronic components by submerging the electronic assembly into a chemical etching tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Tian Xiao, King Hong Kwan, Sheng-Hsiang Hung, Mark W. Naumann
  • Patent number: 11264279
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing flexible electronics are described herein. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include disposing electrical features, such as thin film circuits, on a first side of a glass substrate, applying a first protective material over the electronic features, and exposing a second side of the glass substrate to a chemical etching tank to thin the glass substrate to a predetermined thickness. The thinning process can remove cracks and other defects from the second side of the glass substrate and enhance the flexibility of the electronic assembly. A second protective material can be disposed on the second side of the thinned glass substrate to maintain the enhanced backside surface of the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the method also includes singulating the plurality of electronic features into individual electronic components by submerging the electronic assembly into a chemical etching tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Tian Xiao, King Hong Kwan, Sheng-Hsiang Hung, Mark W. Naumann
  • Patent number: 11132522
    Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor includes an image acquisition controller and a pixel array. The pixel array includes a first set of pixels electrically coupled to the controller and a second set of pixels electrically coupled to the controller. The sensor is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. When operating in the first mode, the controller is configured to acquire signals from only the first set of pixels for generating a low-resolution image. When operating in the second mode, the controller is configured to acquire signals from both the first set of pixels and the second set of pixels for generating a high-resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NEXT Biometrics Group ASA
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Matias N. Troccoli, King Hong Kwan
  • Publication number: 20210042489
    Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor includes an image acquisition controller and a pixel array. The pixel array includes a first set of pixels electrically coupled to the controller and a second set of pixels electrically coupled to the controller. The sensor is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. When operating in the first mode, the controller is configured to acquire signals from only the first set of pixels for generating a low-resolution image. When operating in the second mode, the controller is configured to acquire signals from both the first set of pixels and the second set of pixels for generating a high-resolution image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: NEXT BIOMETRICS GROUP ASA
    Inventors: Robert MUELLER, Matias N. TROCCOLI, King Hong KWAN
  • Publication number: 20200335397
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing flexible electronics are described herein. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include disposing electrical features, such as thin film circuits, on a first side of a glass substrate, applying a first protective material over the electronic features, and exposing a second side of the glass substrate to a chemical etching tank to thin the glass substrate to a predetermined thickness. The thinning process can remove cracks and other defects from the second side of the glass substrate and enhance the flexibility of the electronic assembly. A second protective material can be disposed on the second side of the thinned glass substrate to maintain the enhanced backside surface of the glass substrate. In some embodiments, the method also includes singulating the plurality of electronic features into individual electronic components by submerging the electronic assembly into a chemical etching tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Tian Xiao, King Hong Kwan, Sheng-Hsiang Hung, Mark W. Naumann
  • Publication number: 20180107856
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device includes a substrate; a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid of rows and columns, each pixel having an active thermal sensing element therein; a first metal layer forming first addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; a second metal layer above the first metal layer and forming second addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; an electrically conductive ESD protection layer; and an insulating layer disposed between the ESD protection layer and the active thermal sensing elements. The ESD protection layer is electrically connected to a bias potential. The ESD protection layer is disposed in a pattern such that it partially overlaps each pixel, the ESD protection layer at least partially overlapping the active thermal sensing element of each pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Matias N. TROCCOLI, Huiqing PANG, King Hong KWAN, Jamie Lyn SHAFFER
  • Patent number: 9946915
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device includes a substrate; a plurality of pixels arranged in a grid of rows and columns, each pixel having an active thermal sensing element therein; a first metal layer forming first addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; a second metal layer above the first metal layer and forming second addressing lines for addressing the active thermal sensing elements; an electrically conductive ESD protection layer; and an insulating layer disposed between the ESD protection layer and the active thermal sensing elements. The ESD protection layer is electrically connected to a bias potential. The ESD protection layer is disposed in a pattern such that it partially overlaps each pixel, the ESD protection layer at least partially overlapping the active thermal sensing element of each pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NEXT BIOMETRICS GROUP ASA
    Inventors: Matias N. Troccoli, Huiqing Pang, King Hong Kwan, Jamie Lyn Shaffer