Patents by Inventor Tien-Min Chen

Tien-Min 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).

  • Patent number: 8629711
    Abstract: A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8436675
    Abstract: A body-bias voltage source having an output monitor, charge pump, and shunt. a shunt circuit having on/off control is coupled to the output monitor and to the output of the charge pump. Upon sensing that the output voltage of the charge pump is above a desired value, the output monitor may disable the charge pump circuit and may enable the shunt circuit to reduce the voltage at the output of the charge pump. When the voltage output of the charge pump is below the desired value, the output monitor may disable the shunt circuit and may enable the charge pump circuit. A shunt circuit having proportional control may be substituted for the shunt circuit with on/off control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8350616
    Abstract: A drive frequency source with two selectable output frequencies connected to two charge pump arrays. A first array of basic charge pump units is connected to the first output frequency and a second array of basic charge pump units is connected to the output frequency. One or more of the basic charge pump units making up the aforementioned first and second charge pump arrays has an enable input allowing its output current contribution to be added or subtracted from the total array output. The output of the first array is coupled to a P-type substrate and the output of the second array is coupled to an N-well residing in the P-type substrate. A controller may be coupled to the drive frequency source for selecting the output frequencies, and an output monitor may be coupled between the array outputs and the controller to provide feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20120212285
    Abstract: A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8193852
    Abstract: A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8085084
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 8022747
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7847619
    Abstract: A servo loop for a charge pump including comparator. A variable resistor and comparator are in series and couple the output of the charge pump to an enable input. A current source/sink coupled to the variable resistor provide a first input voltage to the comparator, with the second input of the comparator being coupled to ground or Vdd. A shunt circuit in parallel with the load at the output of the charge pump is also coupled to the output of the comparator. The charge pump and shunt are alternately enabled and disabled by the comparator to maintain a body-bias supply voltage. The servo loop may be configured to provide body-bias for NFETs or PFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7791880
    Abstract: A fan is disclosed. The fan includes a fan frame and a plug. The fan frame includes a circumference portion, an accommodating portion located in the circumference portion and having two sidewalls, and at least two fixed holes respectively disposed on two sidewalls of the accommodating portion. The plug disposed in the accommodating portion of the fan frame includes a base, a bipolar knife-shaped terminal and a cover. The base includes two sides and two connecting portions respectively disposed on the sides to connect the fan frame. The bipolar knife-shaped terminal is disposed on the base and located between the connecting portions of the base. The cover is engaged to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tien-Min Chen, Te-Tsai Chuang
  • Patent number: 7786756
    Abstract: Systems and methods of suppressing latchup. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention a latchup suppression system comprises a voltage comparator for comparing a voltage applied to a body terminal of a semiconductor device to a reference voltage. The voltage comparator is also for controlling a selective coupling mechanism. The selective coupling mechanism is for selectively coupling the body terminal to a respective power supply. The latchup suppressing system is preferably independent of a voltage supply for applying a voltage to the body terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Vjekoslav Svilan, Tien-Min Chen, Kleanthes G. Koniaris, James B. Burr
  • Publication number: 20100201434
    Abstract: A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7719344
    Abstract: A stabilization component for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. A comparator is coupled to a charge pump to control the charge pump to drive a substrate potential. A stabilization component is coupled to the comparator and is operable to correct an over-charge of the substrate by shunting current from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventors: Tien-Min Chen, Robert Fu
  • Publication number: 20100109758
    Abstract: A body-bias voltage source having an output monitor, charge pump, and shunt. a shunt circuit having on/off control is coupled to the output monitor and to the output of the charge pump. Upon sensing that the output voltage of the charge pump is above a desired value, the output monitor may disable the charge pump circuit and may enable the shunt circuit to reduce the voltage at the output of the charge pump. When the voltage output of the charge pump is below the desired value, the output monitor may disable the shunt circuit and may enable the charge pump circuit. A shunt circuit having proportional control may be substituted for the shunt circuit with on/off control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7692477
    Abstract: A control circuit for substrate potential regulation for an integrated circuit device. The control circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current. A variable resistor is coupled to the current source. The variable resistor is configured to receive the reference current and generate a reference voltage at a node between the current source and the variable resistor. The reference voltage controls the operation of a substrate potential regulation circuit coupled to the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20100073076
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Publication number: 20100073075
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7649402
    Abstract: A body-bias voltage source having an output monitor, charge pump, and shunt. A shunt circuit having on/off control is coupled to the output monitor and to the output of the charge pump. Upon sensing that the output voltage of the charge pump is above a desired value, the output monitor may disable the charge pump circuit and may enable the shunt circuit to reduce the voltage at the output of the charge pump. When the voltage output of the charge pump is below the desired value, the output monitor may disable the shunt circuit and may enable the charge pump circuit. A shunt circuit having proportional control may be substituted for the shunt circuit with on/off control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7642835
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Fu, Tien-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 7597571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan having a frame and a plug. The frame includes an accommodating portion and at least two fixed holes. Each of the fixed holes is disposed on the two sides of the accommodating portion. The plug has a terminal seat with at least two linking portions and a bipolar knife-shaped terminal between an top seat and a bottom seat of the terminal seat, and the plug so that the plug is assembled with the fixed holes of the frame via the linking portions of the plug and is accommodated within the accommodating portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tien-Min Chen, Te-Tsai Chuang
  • Publication number: 20080261432
    Abstract: A fan is disclosed. The fan includes a fan frame and a plug. The fan frame includes a circumference portion, an accommodating portion located in the circumference portion and having two sidewalls, and at least two fixed holes respectively disposed on two sidewalls of the accommodating portion. The plug disposed in the accommodating portion of the fan frame includes a base, a bipolar knife-shaped terminal and a cover. The base includes two sides and two connecting portions respectively disposed on the sides to connect the fan frame. The bipolar knife-shaped terminal is disposed on the base and located between the connecting portions of the base. The cover is engaged to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Tien-Min Chen, Te-Tsai Chuang