Patents by Inventor Sau Ching Wong

Sau Ching Wong 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: 4912342
    Abstract: A programmable logic device having a relatively small number of programmable product terms ("P-terms") feeding each fixed combinatorial logic device, and additional "expander" programmable P-terms which do not directly feed a fixed device. Relatively simple logic functions can be performed by suitably programming the P-terms feeding the fixed devices. More complex logic functions can be performed by suitably programming the required number of expander P-terms, and then combining the outputs of those P-terms by means of another P-term. In addition, a programmable interconnect array is provided to allow certain inputs to the device to be applied to any programmable portion of the device, and also to allow the outputs of at least one of the fixed devices to be also applied to any programmable portion of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sau-Ching Wong, Hock-Chuen So, Stanley J. Kopec, Jr., Robert F. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4899067
    Abstract: A programmable logic device having a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines, each of which is programmably interconnectable to at least one of the word lines for producing on each bit line a signal which is a logical function of the signal or signals on the word line or lines to which that bit line is interconnected. The logic device further includes at least one spare word line and/or bit line for use in the event that one of the regular lines of the same kind in defective. When the spare line is to be used, the device is preprogrammed to automatically redirect all signals intended for the bad line to another line, thereby putting the spare line into use. The signals thus automatically redirected include both the signals used during program mode to selectively interconnect the word lines and bit lines and the data signals subsequently processed during normal operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Hock-Chuen So, Sau-Ching Wong
  • Patent number: 4899070
    Abstract: In a programmable logic device, switching speed is improved by preventing the bit line potential from going excessively close to ground even when large numbers of word line connections to the ground conductor are made. In addition, bit line pull up to logic 1 is effected more rapidly (without retarding bit line pull down to logic 0) by having two transistors connected in parallel with one another between the reference potential source and the bit line. One of these transistors is on all the time providing a relatively small leakage current. The other transistor is on only while the bit line is at logic 0, thereby speeding pull up to logic 1 and then shutting off so as not to impede subsequent return to logic 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Jung-Hsing Ou, Sau-Ching Wong
  • Patent number: 4871930
    Abstract: A programmable logic device having a relatively small number of programmable product terms ("P-terms") feeding each fixed combinatorial logic device, and additional "expander" programmable P-terms which do not directly feed a fixed device. Relatively simple logic functions can be performed by suitably programming the P-terms feeding the fixed devices. More complex logic functions can be performed by suitably programming the required number of expander P-terms, and then combining the outputs of those P-terms by means of another P-term. In addition, a programmable interconnect array is provided to allow certain inputs to the device to be applied to any programmable portion of the device, and also to allow the outputs of at least one of the fixed devices to be also applied to any programmable portion of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sau-Ching Wong, Hock-Chuen So, Stanley J. Kopec, Jr., Robert F. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4864161
    Abstract: A flip-flop-type circuit capable of operating either as a conventional D flip-flop or as a device which merely passes through the data applied to it (so-called "flow-through mode"). In the flow-through mode, the circuit has the additional capability of being able to latch in the data flowing through it at any time. Thus the circuit can also operate as a level-sensitive latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Norman, Hock-Chuen So, Kerry S. Veenstra, Sau-Ching Wong
  • Patent number: 4774421
    Abstract: A programmable logic array device basically comprising a programmable AND gate array (FIGS. 5, 11) having addressable rows (40-45) and columns (32-38) or memory cells (30, 31) which can be individually programmed to represent logic data; an input signal receiving circuit (FIG. 9) for developing a corresponding buffered input signal; a first row driver (FIG. 10) responsive to the buffered signal and operative to cause a particular row of memory cells in an AND array (FIG. 11) to output corresponding logical product of AND-input signals, OR/NOR sensing circuitry (FIG. 12) for sensing the AND array product signals and for developing therefrom corresponding logical OR sum signals; circuit means output terminal circuitry; output switching circuitry (FIG. 14) responsive to a control signal and operative to couple either the circuit means output signal or a registered (FIG. 13) output to a device input or output terminal (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Hartmann, Sau-Ching Wong, Yiu-Fai Chan, Jung-Hsing Ou
  • Patent number: 4713792
    Abstract: A programmable macrocell 28 for use in an integrated circuit device including an electronic circuit 32 responsive to control signals and operative to perform particular operations selected by the control signals on input data signals and to develop commensurate output signals, and one or more architecture control circuits 30 each including a programmable EPROM device 34 which when programmed generates a logic signal of a first state and when unprogrammed generates a logic signal of a second state, a read and write control circuit 36 responsive to input program data signals and a corresponding address signal and operative to program the EPROM device 34 by applying a programming potential thereto, and a sensing circuit 38 for sensing the programmed or unprogrammed status of the EPROM device 34 and for developing a commensurate control signal for input to the electronic circuit 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Hartmann, Yiu-Fai Chan, Robert J. Frankovich, Jung-Hsing Ou, Hock C. So, Sau-Ching Wong
  • Patent number: 4617479
    Abstract: The programmable logic array device basically comprises a programmable AND array (FIGS. 5, 11) having a plurality of memory cells (30, 31) arranged in addressable rows (40-45) and columns (32-38) and which can be individually programmed to contain logic data; an input circuit (FIG. 9) for receiving an input signal and for developing a buffered signal corresponding thereto; a first row driver (FIG. 10) responsive to the buffered signal and operative to interrogate a particular row of the memory cells and to cause the AND array to output signals corresponding to the data contained therein; first sensing circuitry (FIG. 12) for sensing the signals output by the AND array and for developing corresponding data signals which are the logical OR of signals output by the AND array; first output terminal circuitry; and first switching circuitry (FIG. 14) responsive to a control signal and operative to couple the data signal either into the storage circuitry or to the output terminal circuitry (FIG. 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Hartmann, Sau-Ching Wong, Yiu-Fai Chan, Jung-Hsing Ou
  • Patent number: 4000413
    Abstract: Improved circuits for a MOS-RAM including an on chip TTL compatible high-level clock driver and sense amplifier. The driver employs a unique feedback and delay scheme allowing the high-level line to be quickly and efficiently discharged without using a large, high capacitance device. The upward swing of the control signal for the sense amplifier includes a perturbation which increases the sensitivity of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sau Ching Wong, Siu Keun Tsang