Patents by Inventor Man-Chia Chen
Man-Chia Chen 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).
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Publication number: 20230332963Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 11725993Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20230033775Abstract: A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 11500494Abstract: A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 11451239Abstract: Reference scaling, op amp balancing and chopper stabilization techniques for delta-sigma modulators of analog-to-digital converters are provided. For reference scaling, unit elements in a feedback digital-to-analog (DAC) converter are driven by a reference voltage or disconnected from active circuitry to realize three DAC levels. While disconnected, the unit elements deliver no charge to the device which results in power saving and a reduction in thermal noise. Op amp balancing involves down-sampling the quantizer output followed by up-sampling on the feedback path and filtering to hold a DAC value of the signal for a duration of a sampling period to generate the feedback signal. Chopper stabilization is performed by chopping an operational transconductance amplifier of the integrator at a chopping frequency equal to the sampling frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Saikrishna Ganta, Man-Chia Chen, Chinwuba Ezekwe
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Publication number: 20210278926Abstract: A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20210181041Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20200343904Abstract: Reference scaling, op amp balancing and chopper stabilization techniques for delta-sigma modulators of analog-to-digital converters are provided. For reference scaling, unit elements in a feedback digital-to-analog (DAC) converter are driven by a reference voltage or disconnected from active circuitry to realize three DAC levels. While disconnected, the unit elements deliver no charge to the device which results in power saving and a reduction in thermal noise. Op amp balancing involves down-sampling the quantizer output followed by up-sampling on the feedback path and filtering to hold a DAC value of the signal for a duration of a sampling period to generate the feedback signal. Chopper stabilization is performed by chopping an operational transconductance amplifier of the integrator at a chopping frequency equal to the sampling frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Saikrishna Ganta, Man-Chia Chen, Chinwuba Ezekwe
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Patent number: 10775938Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 10719175Abstract: A touch sensor chip can comprise an ultrasound sensor layer comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers. The array of ultrasonic transducers can comprise one or more ultrasonic transducers. The touch sensor chip can also comprise an integrated circuit layer coupled to the ultrasound sensor layer. The integrated circuit layer can comprise circuitry configured for driving the array of ultrasonic transducers to generate ultrasound signals and receiving reflected ultrasound signals using the array of ultrasonic transducers. The integrated circuit layer can also comprise circuitry configured for generating an energy signal associated with received reflected ultrasound signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: UltraSense System, Inc.Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 10644675Abstract: A stacked switched resistance device has been developed. The stacked switched resistance device includes a plurality of segments connected in series. Each segment includes a resistor including an inherent parasitic capacitance, and a switch connected in series with the resistor, the switch being configured to connect and disconnect the resistor from the plurality of segments in response to a predetermined clock signal. An effective resistance of the stacked switched resistance device exceeds another effective resistance of at least one resistor with an equivalent inherent resistance that is connected in series to a single switch configured to connect and disconnect the at least one resistor in response to the predetermined clock signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Saikrishna Ganta, Man-Chia Chen, Chinwuba Ezekwe
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Patent number: 10585534Abstract: An ultrasound input device can be coupled to a material layer having an external surface located opposite the material layer from the ultrasound input device. The ultrasound input device can transmit an emitted signal through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with the emitted signal. The set of reflected ultrasound signals comprises at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and the set of reflected ultrasound signals can be associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. A system can comprise one or more data processors configured for performing operations including determining an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals, extracting feature information associated with the energy signal, determining an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information, and generating an output signal associated with the determined inference.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 10581453Abstract: A current sensing system and delta sigma modulator architecture are discloses for sensing and digitizing a current input signal from a high impedance signal source with improve power efficiency. The delta sigma modulator integrates a signal condition stage within the delta sigma modulator feedback loop by utilizing a capacitive summation stage. For given gain, resolution, and bandwidth requirements, the delta sigma modulator architecture achieves reduced power consumption by advantageously reducing the number of nodes in the system that require a high dynamic range. Additionally, the delta sigma modulator has very high input impedance such that the input of the delta-sigma modulator can be connected directly to a high impedance signal source, without the need for a front-end pre-amplifier stage, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Saikrishna Ganta, Man-Chia Chen, Chinwuba Ezekwe
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Publication number: 20200012385Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Applicant: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20190354237Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20190354209Abstract: An ultrasound input device can be coupled to a material layer having an external surface located opposite the material layer from the ultrasound input device. The ultrasound input device can transmit an emitted signal through the material layer towards the external surface and receive a set of reflected ultrasound signals associated with the emitted signal. The set of reflected ultrasound signals comprises at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and the set of reflected ultrasound signals can be associated with a touch event between an object and the external surface. A system can comprise one or more data processors configured for performing operations including determining an energy signal associated with the set of reflected ultrasound signals, extracting feature information associated with the energy signal, determining an inference associated with the object based on the extracted feature information, and generating an output signal associated with the determined inference.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: UltraSense Systems, Inc,Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20190354210Abstract: A touch sensor chip can comprise an ultrasound sensor layer comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers. The array of ultrasonic transducers can comprise one or more ultrasonic transducers. The touch sensor chip can also comprise an integrated circuit layer coupled to the ultrasound sensor layer. The integrated circuit layer can comprise circuitry configured for driving the array of ultrasonic transducers to generate ultrasound signals and receiving reflected ultrasound signals using the array of ultrasonic transducers. The integrated circuit layer can also comprise circuitry configured for generating an energy signal associated with received reflected ultrasound signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20190354238Abstract: A method includes receiving energy data associated with an ultrasound input device coupled to a material layer. The energy data comprises a current energy value and past energy values associated with reflected ultrasound signals received at the ultrasound input device in response to the ultrasound input device transmitting emitted signals through the material layer towards an external surface of the material layer. The method can then include comparing the energy data with threshold data to generate a current trigger value for trigger data. The trigger data is indicative of an occurrence of a touch event when the current energy value exceeds a current threshold value of the threshold data. Then the method can include updating the threshold data based on the energy data, the trigger data, and the threshold data. Updating the threshold data comprises generating a subsequent threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Patent number: 10466844Abstract: Touch events can be detected using an ultrasound input device coupled to a surface, such as a surface of a piece of furniture or electronic device. The ultrasound input device can generate ultrasonic waves in the surface, the reflections of which can be measured by the ultrasound input device. When a touch is made to the surface (e.g., opposite the ultrasound input device), the physical contact can absorb some of the energy of the outgoing ultrasonic waves (e.g., the originally transmitted wave and any subsequent outgoing reflections). Energy measurements associated with the measured reflections can thus be used to identify touch events. Various techniques can be used to make the energy measurements and reduce identification of false touch events.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Mo Maghsoudnia, Man-Chia Chen
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Publication number: 20190103856Abstract: A stacked switched resistance device has been developed. The stacked switched resistance device includes a plurality of segments connected in series. Each segment includes a resistor including an inherent parasitic capacitance, and a switch connected in series with the resistor, the switch being configured to connect and disconnect the resistor from the plurality of segments in response to a predetermined clock signal. An effective resistance of the stacked switched resistance device exceeds another effective resistance of at least one resistor with an equivalent inherent resistance that is connected in series to a single switch configured to connect and disconnect the at least one resistor in response to the predetermined clock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Saikrishna Ganta, Man-Chia Chen, Chinwuba Ezekwe