Patents by Inventor Richard Lai

Richard Lai 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: 7411226
    Abstract: An InP high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure in which a gate metal stack includes an additional thin layer of a refractory metal, such as molybdenum (Mo) or platinum (Pt) at a junction between the gate metal stack and a Schottky barrier layer in the HEMT structure. The refractory metal layer reduces or eliminates long-term degradation of the Schottky junction between the gate metal and the barrier layer, thereby dramatically improving long-term reliability of InP HEMTs, but without sacrifice in HEMT performance, whether used as a discrete device or in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Yeong-Chang Choug, Ronald Grundbacher, Po-Hsin Liu, Denise L. Leung, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20080111157
    Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate (100), a photoresist layer (102) is deposited on the semiconductor substrate; a window (106) is formed in the photoresist layer (102) by electron beam lithography; a conformal layer (108) is deposited on the photoresist layer (102) and in the window (106); and substantially all of the conformal layer (108) is selectively removed from the photoresist layer (102) and a bottom portion of the window to form dielectric sidewalls (110) in the window (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Linh Dang, Wayne Yoshida, Xiaobing Mei, Jennifer Wang, Po-Hsin Liu, Jane Lee, Weidong Liu, Michael Barsky, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20080050493
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for making a multi-grain, whole grain baked snack food product with a soft, crunchy texture similar to a cracker. Ingredient formula ranges have been determined that maximize the amount and number of nutritious whole grains present in the snack food, while still keeping the texture soft and crunchy, and the color and flavor acceptable. The ingredients are combined with water to make a dough, which is then sheeted and cut into pieces. The pieces are baked to produce a multi-grain, whole grain baked snack food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Pierre Faa, Richard Lai
  • Patent number: 7239852
    Abstract: A common source, bi-directional microwave amplifier is described. More particularly, the present invention is a microwave, common source, bi-directional amplifier that includes a first amplification path and a second amplification path wherein the signal directional flow is controlled through the selective biasing of the first amplification path and the second amplification path. Each amplification path is designed to optimize desired performance. For signal flow through the first amplification path, the first amplification path is biased-on and the second path is biased-off. For signal flow through the second amplification path, the second amplification path is biased-on and the first path is biased-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ming-Jer Yang, Matt Nishimoto, Yun-Ho Chung, Michael Battung, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20060244009
    Abstract: An InP high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structure in which a gate metal stack includes an additional thin layer of a refractory metal, such as molybdenum (Mo) or platinum (Pt) at a junction between the gate metal stack and a Schottky barrier layer in the HEMT structure. The refractory metal layer reduces or eliminates long-term degradation of the Schottky junction between the gate metal and the barrier layer, thereby dramatically improving long-term reliability of InP HEMTs, but without sacrifice in HEMT performance, whether used as a discrete device or in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Yeong-Chang Choug, Ronald Grundbacher, Po-Hsin Liu, Denise Leung, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20060019009
    Abstract: A method for making a low carbohydrate high protein puffed snack food product. Ingredients comprising soy isolate, soy concentrate, corn meal, and water are introduced into an extrudate. The ingredients are extruded through a die orifice at a high specific mechanical energy. The ingredient formula ranges have been determined that maximize volumetric expansion and the set operating conditions and keep texture, color, and flavor acceptable. The puffed snack is then dried and seasoned. There are minimal off-flavors in the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Lewis Keller, Richard Lai, Jason Niermann, V.N. Rao, James Stalder
  • Publication number: 20050144060
    Abstract: A system for setting user-right is used to set user rights of a plurality of users. The system comprises an account creating module, a group creating module, a role creating module, a function creating module, and a relationship defining module. The account creating module creates a plurality of user accounts corresponding to the users. The group creating module creates at least one group according to the user's organization. The role creating module creates at least one functional role according to jobs or projects of the users. The function creating module creates a plurality of functions corresponding to execution items of the users. The relationship defining module defines that at least one user account is subordinate to the group, and the functional role has the right to execute at least one of the functions. The relationship defining module further creates the relationship between the group and the function role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiros Chen, Richard Lai, Andy Chen
  • Publication number: 20050131755
    Abstract: A sales forecast managing system comprises a forecast receiving module, a forecast database, a forecast analyzing module, and an outputting module. At least one user inputs sales forecast information through the forecast receiving module. The sales forecast information comprises numerous sales forecasts for numerous periods and numerous products respectively. The forecast database records the input sales forecast information and storages at least one history sales forecast information, which comprises numerous history sales forecasts for periods and products. The periods of the history sales forecast information and the periods of the sales forecast information are partially overlapped. The forecast analyzing module analyses the sales forecast information and the history sales forecast information, and the outputting module outputs the analyzing result of the forecast analyzing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiros Chen, Mavis Liao, Irving Fan, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20050026571
    Abstract: A common source, bi-directional microwave amplifier is described. More particularly, the present invention is a microwave, common source, bi-directional amplifier that includes a first amplification path and a second amplification path wherein the signal directional flow is controlled through the selective biasing of the first amplification path and the second amplification path. Each amplification path is designed to optimize desired performance. For signal flow through the first amplification path, the first amplification path is biased-on and the second path is biased-off. For signal flow through the second amplification path, the second amplification path is biased-on and the first path is biased-off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Yang, Matt Nishimoto, Yun-Ho Chung, Michael Battung, Richard Lai
  • Patent number: 6764573
    Abstract: Apparatuses (10, 100), and methods of using same, for the simultaneous thinning of the backside surfaces of a plurality of semiconductor wafers (W) using a non-crystallographic and uniform etching process, are described. The apparatuses (10, 100) include a fixture (12, 102) having a plurality of horizontal receptacles (14, 16, 18, 20, 104, 106, 108, 110) for receiving the semiconductor wafers (W). The loaded fixtures (12, 102) are then immersed into an etchant solution (36, 146) that is capable of isotropically removing a layer of semiconductor material from the backside surface of the semiconductor wafers (W). The etchant solution (36, 146) is preferably heated to about 40° C.-50° C. and constantly stirred with a magnetic stirring bar (48, 158). Once a sufficient period of time has elapsed, the thinned semiconductor wafers (W) are removed from the etchant solution (36, 146).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lai, Harvey N. Rogers, Yaochung Chen, Michael E. Barsky
  • Publication number: 20040034660
    Abstract: A system and method for keyword registration. The system has a data storage device having a symbol database, a function word database, and a keyword database, and a processor. The processor compares a document to the symbol and function word databases to delete symbols and function words in the document, calculates the occurrence frequency of each word in the document to acquire a plurality of candidate words and corresponding frequency values, selects at least one keyword from the candidate words according to a condition, and registers the selected keyword into the keyword database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Andy Chen, Richard Lai
  • Patent number: 6551905
    Abstract: A method is provided for backside processing a semiconductor wafer (10) including applying a polymer based protective coating (16) on the wafer, depositing a barrier layer of ceramic (18) on the protective coating, and coating the ceramic layer with a thermoplastic based adhesive (20). Thereafter, the wafer (10) is bonded to a perforated substrate (22) and then lapped and polished to a desired thickness and patterned with an etch mask. A high temperature plasma etching process is then used to etch via holes in the wafer (10). After etching and subsequent backside processing, the adhesive layer (20) is dissolved in acetone to separate the wafer (10) from the substrate (22). The protective coating (16) is then dissolved with a solvent to separate the ceramic layer (18) from the finished wafer (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Barsky, Harvey N. Rogers, Vladimir Medvedev, Yaochung Chen, Richard Lai
  • Publication number: 20030071009
    Abstract: Apparatuses (10, 100), and methods of using same, for the simultaneous thinning of the backside surfaces of a plurality of semiconductor wafers (W) using a non-crystallographic and uniform etching process, are described. The apparatuses (10, 100) include a fixture (12, 102) having a plurality of horizontal receptacles (14, 16, 18, 20, 104, 106, 108, 110) for receiving the semiconductor wafers (W). The loaded fixtures (12, 102) are then immersed into an etchant solution (36, 146) that is capable of isotropically removing a layer of semiconductor material from the backside surface of the semiconductor wafers (W). The etchant solution (36, 146) is preferably heated to about 40° C.-50° C. and constantly stirred with a magnetic stirring bar (48, 158). Once a sufficient period of time has elapsed, the thinned semiconductor wafers (W) are removed from the etchant solution (36, 146).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Lai, Harvey N. Rogers, Yaochung Chen, Michael E. Barsky
  • Patent number: 6524899
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a HEMT IC using a citric acid etchant. In order that gates of different sizes may be formed with a single etching step, a citric acid etchant is used which includes potassium citrate, citric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The wafer is first spin coated with a photoresist which is then patterned by optical lithography. The wafer is dipped in the etchant to etch the exposed semiconductor material. Metal electrodes are evaporated onto the wafer and the remaining photoresist is removed with solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Grundbacher, Richard Lai, Mark Kintis, Michael E. Barsky, Roger S. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6452221
    Abstract: An enhancement mode FET device (10) that employs a strained N-doped InAlAs charge shield layer (22) disposed on an intrinsic InAlAs barrier layer (20). A gate metal electrode (38) of the FET device (10) is controllably diffused through a recess (36) into the shield layer (22) to the barrier layer (20). The resulting enhancement mode device (10) provides an excellent Schottky barrier with a high barrier height that inhibits undesirable surface depletion effects through charge shielding by the shield layer (22) in the regions between the recess edge and the gate metal. Minimizing surface depletion effects makes the device more robust by making the surface less sensitive to processing conditions and long-term operation effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lai, Ronald W. Grundbacher, Yaochung Chen, Michael E. Barsky
  • Patent number: 6396679
    Abstract: A single-layer, metal-insulator-metal capacitor, a monolithic microwave integrated circuit including such capacitors, and a process of fabricating such capacitors. The capacitor has a single layer of insulating material between two metallic layers. At least one of the metallic layers has rounded corners, reducing the electric field at the corners, and so lessening the likelihood of breakdown. In one preferred embodiment, each metal layer has rounded corners. The capacitors can be fabricated by an optical lithographic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Grundbacher, Richard Lai, Roger S. Tsai, Michael E. Barsky
  • Patent number: 6383826
    Abstract: A method for determining the etch depth of a gate recess (26) in an InP based FET device (10). The source-drain, current-voltage (I-V) relationship is monitored during the etching process. As the etch depth increases, a kink is formed in the linear portion of the I-V relationship. When the kink current reaches a desired value, the etching is stopped. The kink current is a strong function of etch depth, so small differences in etch depth can be easily targeted. By controlling the etch depth, the characteristics of the transistor can be reproducibly controlled and optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Barsky, Richard Lai, Ronald W. Grundbacher, Rosie M. Dia, Yaochung Chen
  • Patent number: 6201283
    Abstract: A field effect transistor with a double sided airbridge comprises a substrate containing a conductive region and source, drain and gate electrodes disposed on the substrate. The gate electrode has a finger portion with a first end secured to the substrate between the source and drain electrodes and a second end, and a double sided airbridge portion flaring outwardly from the second end and having opposed first and second extremities. A first gate pad is disposed on said substrate outwardly from the source electrode and is connected to the first extremity. A second gate pad is disposed on said substrate outwardly from the drain electrodes and is connected to the second extremity. The gate pads serve to support the airbridge gate finger so as to reduce stress on the gate finger. The first and second gate pads receive and transmit signals through the airbridge and to and from the gate finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lai, Yaochung Chen, Huan-Chun Yen, James C. K. Lau
  • Patent number: 5181436
    Abstract: A stem for interconnecting a handlebar and a head tube or bicycle includes an upright tube and a connecting tube pivoted to two lug portions of the upright tube. Each of the lug portions of the upright tube has a torsional spring mounted in a through bore of the lug portion and a positioning disc attached to the outside face of the lug portion. The positioning disc has a plurality of adjusting holes circumferentially formed. The torsional spring has a first end engaging the connecting tube and a second end engaging one of the adjusting holes of the positioning disc. The torsional spring can absorb the shock wave produced from the front wheel of a bicycle. The angle between the connecting tube and the upright tube can be varied by inserting the second end of the torsional spring into different adjusting holes of the positioning disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Richard Lai
  • Patent number: 5129666
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy bicycle frame includes a set of tubes and a set of joint members for connecting the tubes, each of the joint members having a tubular joining portion. Each of the tubes has an externally threaded end provided with adhesive glue, and the tubular joining portion of each of the joint members has a threaded inner face provided with adhesive glue. The externally threaded ends of the tubes are respectively screwed into and adhered to the tubular joining portions of the joint members. This frame has strong joints which are clean and smooth in appearance, without requiring a high degree skill or unusually expensive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Richard Lai