Patents by Inventor Meng-Hsiung Kiang
Meng-Hsiung Kiang 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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Patent number: 11711067Abstract: A transducer includes first and second piezoelectric layers made of corresponding different first and second piezoelectric materials and three or more electrodes, implemented in two or more conductive electrode layers. The first piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a first pair of electrodes and the second piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a second pair of electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes contain no more than one electrode that is common to both pairs.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.Inventors: Stefon Shelton, Andre Guedes, Richard Przybyla, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Patent number: 11005025Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) device may include a piezoelectric membrane transducer designed to have lower sensitivity to residual stress and reduced sensitivity to geometric variations arising from the backside etching process used to release the membrane. These designs allow some of its key feature to be adjusted to achieve desired characteristics, such as pressure sensitivity, natural frequency, stress sensitivity, and bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David Horsley, Andre Guedes, Stefon Shelton, Richard Przybyla, Meng-Hsiung Kiang
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Patent number: 10751755Abstract: An apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer having a first and second electrode and switches which configured to selectively connect the first and second electrodes to a transmit voltage source or to a receive amplifier. The switches are configured to selectively connect a first input of the amplifier to the first electrode of the transducer and to selectively connect a second input of the amplifier to the second electrode of the transducer. The switches are also configured to selectively connect the voltage source to the first and second electrodes of the transducer. The transducer may include a piezoelectric layer attached to and sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a flexible membrane attached to the first electrode. The piezoelectric layer may be patterned to form an annular ring at the outer diameter of the flexible membrane.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Chirp Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20200266798Abstract: A transducer includes first and second piezoelectric layers made of corresponding different first and second piezoelectric materials and three or more electrodes, implemented in two or more conductive electrode layers. The first piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a first pair of electrodes and the second piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a second pair of electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes contain no more than one electrode that is common to both pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Stefon Shelton, Andre Guedes, Richard Przybyla, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Patent number: 10573289Abstract: A system and method use an array of ultrasonic transducers to emit and receive sound in a phased array fashion by using acoustic waveguides to achieve a desired acoustic radiation and reception pattern. A chip package attached to an acoustic transducer array includes acoustic waveguides coupled to acoustic ports. Each waveguide is coupled between a corresponding acoustic transducer and a corresponding acoustic port. A spacing of a pair of acoustic ports is different than a spacing of a corresponding pair of acoustic transducers.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Richard Przybyla, Andre Guedes, Stefon Shelton, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Patent number: 10566949Abstract: A transducer includes first and second piezoelectric layers made of corresponding different first and second piezoelectric materials and three or more electrodes, implemented in two or more conductive electrode layers. The first piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a first pair of electrodes and the second piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a second pair of electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes contain no more than one electrode that is common to both pairs.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Stefon Shelton, Andre Guedes, Richard Przybyla, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Patent number: 10562069Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) is disclosed. The PMUT consists of a flexural membrane that is piezoelectrically actuated. These membranes are formed on a first substrate that is bonded to a second substrate. The two substrates are separated by an air gap to allow the PMUT to vibrate. Several methods for joining the two substrates are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David A. Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard J. Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Patent number: 10324181Abstract: A miniature rangefinder includes a housing, a micromachined ultrasonic transducer, and signal processing circuitry. The housing includes a substrate and a lid. The housing has one or more apertures and the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is mounted over an aperture. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer may function as both a transmitter and a receiver. An integrated circuit is configured to drive the transducer to transmit an acoustic signal, detect a return signal, and determine a time of flight between emitting the acoustic signal and detecting the return signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard J. Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Patent number: 10293377Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) device includes a substrate having an opening therethrough and a membrane attached to the substrate over the opening. A portion of the membrane that overlies the opening is divided into a plurality of cantilevers that are mechanically coupled so that the cantilevers resonate at a common frequency.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: CHIRP MICROSYSTEMSInventors: Andre Guedes, David Horsley, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20170329005Abstract: A miniature rangefinder includes a housing, a micromachined ultrasonic transducer, and signal processing circuitry. The housing includes a substrate and a lid. The housing has one or more apertures and the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is mounted over an aperture. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer may function as both a transmitter and a receiver. An integrated circuit is configured to drive the transducer to transmit an acoustic signal, detect a return signal, and determine a time of flight between emitting the acoustic signal and detecting the return signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Chirp Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: David Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard J. Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20170236506Abstract: A system and method use an array of ultrasonic transducers to emit and receive sound in a phased array fashion by using acoustic waveguides to achieve a desired acoustic radiation and reception pattern. A chip package attached to an acoustic transducer array includes acoustic waveguides coupled to acoustic ports. Each waveguide is coupled between a corresponding acoustic transducer and a corresponding acoustic port. A spacing of a pair of acoustic ports is different than a spacing of a corresponding pair of acoustic transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Richard Przybyla, Andre Guedes, Stefon Shelton, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Publication number: 20170194934Abstract: A transducer includes first and second piezoelectric layers made of corresponding different first and second piezoelectric materials and three or more electrodes, implemented in two or more conductive electrode layers. The first piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a first pair of electrodes and the second piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between a second pair of electrodes. The first and second pairs of electrodes contain no more than one electrode that is common to both pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Stefon Shelton, Andre Guedes, Richard Przybyla, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Publication number: 20170184718Abstract: A miniature rangefinder includes a housing, a micromachined ultrasonic transducer, and signal processing circuitry. The housing includes a substrate and a lid. The housing has one or more apertures and the micromachined ultrasonic transducer is mounted over an aperture. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer may function as both a transmitter and a receiver. An integrated circuit is configured to drive the transducer to transmit an acoustic signal, detect a return signal, and determine a time of flight between emitting the acoustic signal and detecting the return signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: Chirp Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: David Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard J. Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20170128983Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducer (PMUT) is disclosed. The PMUT consists of a flexural membrane that is piezoelectrically actuated. These membranes are formed on a first substrate that is bonded to a second substrate. The two substrates are separated by an air gap to allow the PMUT to vibrate. Several methods for joining the two substrates are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: Chirp Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: David A. Horsley, Andre Guedes, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard J. Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20170021391Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) device includes a substrate having an opening therethrough and a membrane attached to the substrate over the opening. A portion of the membrane that overlies the opening is divided into a plurality of cantilevers that are mechanically coupled so that the cantilevers resonate at a common frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Andre Guedes, David Horsley, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Richard Przybyla, Stefon Shelton
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Publication number: 20150323667Abstract: A rangefinding apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one processor and memory operably connected to the at least one processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to iterate a target-acquisition process until a target is identified and then iterate a target-tracking process after the target has been identified. The target-acquisition process may include transmitting a short ultrasonic pulse, transmitting a long ultrasonic pulse, and listening for one or more echoes corresponding to the short or long ultrasonic pulses. The target-tracking process may include steering an optimized ultrasonic pulse toward the target, listening for an echo corresponding to the optimized ultrasonic pulse, and calculating, based on the echo, an updated location for the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Richard Przybyla, Andre Guedes, Stefon Shelton, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, David Horsley
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Patent number: 7245215Abstract: A position-tracking system for tracking the position of an object is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the tracking system includes a tracking device that is connected to or otherwise affixed to the object to be tracked. The tracking device may include, among other things, an inertial sensor assembly, radio transceivers and a processor. The position tracking system may also include a host processing system that is in communication with the tracking device. The position tracking system may provide variable-resolution position information based on the environment in which the object is moving. In a “wide resolution” area, the system may compute a general position for the object based on a wireless telephone network Cell-ID/map correlation architecture. In a high-resolution area, greater position resolution may be realized from the combination of a wireless aiding system and inputs from the inertial sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: PINC SolutionsInventors: Aleks Göllü, Meng-Hsiung Kiang
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Patent number: 7236091Abstract: A position-tracking system for tracking the position of an object is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the tracking system includes a tracking device that is connected to or otherwise affixed to the object to be tracked. The tracking device may include, among other things, an inertial sensor assembly, radio transceivers and a processor. The position tracking system may also include a host processing system that is in communication with the tracking device. The position tracking system may provide variable-resolution position information based on the environment in which the object is moving. In a “wide resolution” area, the system may compute a general position for the object based on a wireless telephone network Cell-ID/map correlation architecture. In a high-resolution area, greater position resolution may be realized from the combination of a wireless aiding system and inputs from the inertial sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: PINC SolutionsInventors: Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Aleks Göllü
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Patent number: 7183633Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch comprises a base (216), a flap (211) and one or more electrically conductive landing pads (222) connected to the flap (211). The flap (211) has a bottom portion that is movably coupled to the base (216) such that the flap (211) is movable with respect to a plane of the base (216) from a first orientation to a second orientation. The one or more landing pads (222) are electrically isolated from the flap (211) and electrically coupled to be equipotential with a landing surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Analog Devices Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Daneman, Franklin Wall, Behrang Behin, Murali Chaparala, Mark W. Chang, Scott Dalton, Timothy Beerling, Stephen Panyko, Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Boris Kobrin, Chuang-Chia Lin
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Publication number: 20060187028Abstract: A position-tracking system for tracking the position of an object is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the tracking system includes a tracking device that is connected to or otherwise affixed to the object to be tracked. The tracking device may include, among other things, an inertial sensor assembly, radio transceivers and a processor. The position tracking system may also include a host processing system that is in communication with the tracking device. The position tracking system may provide variable-resolution position information based on the environment in which the object is moving. In a “wide resolution” area, the system may compute a general position for the object based on a wireless telephone network Cell-ID/map correlation architecture. In a high-resolution area, greater position resolution may be realized from the combination of a wireless aiding system and inputs from the inertial sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Meng-Hsiung Kiang, Aleks Gollu