Patents by Inventor Kuo-Hua Sung
Kuo-Hua Sung 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: 20140246148Abstract: Structures in an electronic device such as substrates associated with a display may be bonded together using liquid adhesive. Fiber-based equipment may be used to apply ultraviolet light to peripheral edges of an adhesive layer during bonding. There-dimensional adhesive shapes may be produced using nozzles with adjustable openings, computer-controlled positioners, and other adhesive dispensing equipment. Ultraviolet light may be applied to liquid adhesive through a mask with an opacity gradient. Adjustable shutter structures may control adhesive exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light exposure may be used to create an adhesive dam that helps create a well defined adhesive border. Multiple layers of adhesive may be applied between a pair of substrates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Cyrus Y. Liu, Kuo-Hua Sung, Po-Jui Chen, Silvio Grespan
-
Patent number: 8808483Abstract: A method of forming a curved touch surface is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes depositing a touch sensor pattern on a flexible substrate; and curving the flexible substrate, using a chuck surface supporting the flexible substrate, to conform to a shape of a curved cover surface. Then, the curved flexible substrate can be laminated or otherwise adhered to the cover surface. The flexible substrate can be a glass substrate greater than 200 ?m in thickness, and can be reduced to a desired thickness below 200 ?m after the touch sensor pattern is deposited thereon. The flexible substrate can be curved by supporting the flexible substrate on the chuck surface such that the flexible substrate conforms to a shape of the chuck surface, or forcing the flexible substrate against the cover surface, such that the flexible substrate conforms to the shape of the curved cover surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kuo-Hua Sung, Casey J. Feinstein, Silvio Grespan
-
Publication number: 20140192276Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven P. HOTELLING, Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20140184057Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an organic light-emitting diode display with minimized border regions. The border regions may be minimized by providing conductive structures that pass through polymer layers of the display and/or conductive structures that wrap around an edge of the display and couple conductive traces on the display to conductive traces on additional circuitry that is mounted behind the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Apple IncInventors: Sang Ha Kim, Silvio Grespan, John Z. Zhong, Jean-Pierre Guillou, Kuo-Hua Sung, Paul S. Drzaic, Young Bae Park, Vasudha Gupta
-
Patent number: 8767141Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20140150952Abstract: A lamination system may be provided for attaching a rigid structure to a compliant structure. The system may include a fixed stage for holding the rigid structure and a movable stage for holding the compliant structure. The rigid structure may be a rigid substrate or an assembly of substrates such as a sensor-on-cover-glass assembly for a touch-sensitive electronic device display. The compliant structure may be a sheet of optically clear adhesive. The system may include a temperature-controlled lamination roller attached to the movable stage. The roller may be heated or cooled during lamination operations. The compliant structure may be laminated onto the rigid structure by pressing the compliant structure onto the rigid structure using the roller while controlling the temperature of the roller. The roller may be heated while pressing the compliant structure onto the rigid structure to minimize the risk of lamination defects.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventor: Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Patent number: 8743309Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Patent number: 8711570Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven Porter Hotelling, Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20140071417Abstract: Methods and devices for using liquid optically clear adhesives (LOCAs) are described. A method for detecting uncured LOCA between a first substrate and a second substrate is described. In addition, an improved method for curing a laminated stack up having LOCA between a first substrate and a second substrate is described. The method includes a pre-curing method involving variable exposure of the LOCA. In addition, an improved light emitting diode (LED) unit assembly for exposing a laminated stack up to ultraviolet (UV) light during a pre-curing process is described. A method for testing the LED unit assembly prior to a pre-curing process is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Silvio GRESPAN, Shih-Min HSU, Heng-Hsi WU, Kuo-Hua SUNG, Cyrus Y. LIU
-
Publication number: 20140071354Abstract: Methods for controlling deformation of laminated display assemblies are described. The laminated display assemblies can include flexible layers. In some embodiments, the flexible layers are sensor layers. Methods involving the use of a thermal press and ultra violet (UV) curing procedure are described. In one embodiment, a thermal press method can be performed by placing a laminated display assembly including the flexible substrate, an ink layer, an adhesive, and a cover on a temperature controlled fixture. A mechanical press can apply pressure to the top of the laminated display assembly. The mechanical press can remove any planar deformity of the flexible layer and can redistribute portions of the adhesive. Following the mechanical pressing, the laminated display assembly can be exposed to UV light to cure the adhesive and thereby fix in place the planar state of the laminated display assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Kuo-Hua Sung, Sang Ha Kim, Hsing Han Ho
-
Publication number: 20140069567Abstract: A flexible circuit with multiple independent mounting points can be mounted (soldered) to substrates by independently (and concurrently) positioning mounting points in x, y, and theta (angular rotation) with vacuum chucks. In one embodiment the vacuum chucks can be guided by computer aided vision to locate and match fiducials on the flex circuit with fiducials on the substrate. In one embodiment, hot bars can be used in a subsequent bonding operation to secure an adhesive coupling between the flexible circuits and the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Silvio GRESPAN, Shih-Min HSU, Heng-Hsi WU, Kuo-Hua SUNG
-
Publication number: 20140071392Abstract: One embodiment of method and apparatus for laminating a first substrate to a second substrate can use a liquid optically clear adhesive to form an initial contact area in addition to bonding the first substrate to the second substrate. When either the first substrate or the second substrate is relatively clear, the initial contact area can help reduce the introduction of bubbles or voids into a lamination region between the two substrates. In another embodiment, selected regions of a substrate can be treated to enhance the flow of the liquid optically clear adhesive, which can also reduce the introduction of bubbles and voids into the lamination region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Der-Song Lin, Ralf Horstkemper, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20140042406Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an organic light-emitting diode display with minimized border regions. The border regions may be minimized by providing the display with bent edge portions having neutral plane adjustment features that facilitate bending of the bent edge portions while minimizing damage to the bent edge portions. The neutral plane adjustment features may include a modified backfilm layer of the display in which portions of the backfilm layer are removed in a bend region. A display device may include a substrate, a display panel on the substrate having display pixels, and peripheral circuitry proximate the display panel and configured to drive the display pixels. A portion of the periphery of the substrate may be bent substantially orthogonal to the display panel to reduce an apparent surface area of the display device. The bent portion may include an electrode for communication with the peripheral circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Chieh-Wei Chen, Dinesh C. Mathew, Paul S. Drzaic, Sang Ha Kim, Silvio Grespan, John Z. Zhong, Jean-Pierre Guillou, Kuo-Hua Sung, Young Bae Park, Vasudha Gupta
-
Patent number: 8608896Abstract: Methods for liquid adhesive lamination for precision adhesive control are provided. Precision liquid adhesive control can be obtained by first patterning liquid adhesive in a thin pre-coat layer on a substrate. A second adhesive layer can then be patterned on top of the pre-coat layer. When the second substrate is pressed onto the first substrate, the second substrate first comes into contact with the second adhesive layer. The adhesive can then be spread uniformly across the two substrates without forming voids. Alternatively, a single liquid adhesive layer can be formed in a three dimensional gradient pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ralf Horstkemper, Casey J. Feinstein, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20130068505Abstract: Methods for chemically strengthening the edges of glass sheets are provided. Voids can be formed in a mother sheet. The edges of these voids may correspond to a portion of the new edges that would normally be created during separation and free shaping of the mother sheet. The mother sheet can then be immersed in a chemical strengthener. The edges of the voids can be chemically strengthened in addition to the front and back sides of the mother sheet. After thin film processing and separation, each of the resulting individual sheets has been chemically strengthened on both sides and on a portion of its edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventors: Seung Jae Hong, Casey J. Feinstein, Lili Huang, Sunggu Kang, Kuo-Hua Sung, John Z. Zhong
-
Publication number: 20130062011Abstract: Methods for liquid adhesive lamination for precision adhesive control are provided. Precision liquid adhesive control can be obtained by first patterning liquid adhesive in a thin pre-coat layer on a substrate. A second adhesive layer can then be patterned on top of the pre-coat layer. When the second substrate is pressed onto the first substrate, the second substrate first comes into contact with the second adhesive layer. The adhesive can then be spread uniformly across the two substrates without forming voids. Alternatively, a single liquid adhesive layer can be formed in a three dimensional gradient pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Ralf Horstkemper, Casey J. Feinstein, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20130064967Abstract: A system for controlling a boundary of spreading liquid adhesive on a surface is disclosed. The system includes one or more ultra-violet (UV) sources configurable to emit UV light onto the liquid adhesive; and a control circuit coupled to the one or more UV sources and configured to control the one or more UV sources to selectively apply the UV light at selected locations on the liquid adhesive to cure the adhesive and prevent its further spread at those locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: CASEY J. FEINSTEIN, Kuo-Hua Sung, Ralf Horstkemper
-
Publication number: 20120326990Abstract: Flexible circuits for routing signals of a device, such as a touch sensor panel of a touch sensitive device, are provided. The flexible circuit can include a first set of traces for routing a first set of lines and a second set of traces for routing a second set of lines. The first set of traces can couple together the ends of at least a portion of the first set of lines. Additionally, the first set of traces can be non-intersecting or non-overlapping with the second set of traces. The flexible circuit can have a T-shape configuration and can be incorporated within a touch sensitive device, display device, printed circuit board, or the like. The flexible circuit can be placed over another flexible circuit, and can extend onto the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Joshua G. Wurzel, Steven J. Martisauskas, Thayne M. Miller, Steven Porter Hotelling, Kuo-Hua Sung
-
Publication number: 20120306771Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to reducing surface reflections on an electronic display device having a touch-screen panel. A touch-screen panel may contribute to undesirable reflection of external light. For example, a touch-screen panel typically includes conductive electrodes which may significantly reflect ambient light, resulting in decreased visibility of displayed images. In some embodiments, a circular polarizer is disposed over a touch-screen panel in the display device. The circular polarizer includes a linear polarizer and a quarter-wave plate to modify the polarization of the external light traveling towards and reflecting from the touch-screen panel and absorbing the reflected light from the touch-screen panel to significantly reduce undesirable light reflections from the touch-screen panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Cheng Chen, EnkhAmgalan Dorjgotov, Kuo-Hua Sung, Lili Huang, John Z. Zhong
-
Publication number: 20120211148Abstract: A method of laminating a surface of a flexible material to a surface of a rigid, curved material. The method includes pressing an area of the surface of the flexible material into the surface of the rigid, curved material with a holder to create a contact area while the flexible material is conformed to the holder, which has a curvature greater than a curvature of the rigid, curved material surface; and changing the contact area between the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid, curved material while maintaining pressure on the contact area until the surface of the flexible material and the surface of the rigid curved material are laminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Kuo-Hua SUNG, Troy Edwards, Casey Feinstein, John Zhong, Steven Porter Hotelling, Andrew David Lauder