Patents by Inventor Wendy Ng
Wendy Ng 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: 10182476Abstract: Apparatus and methods for boost regulators with dynamic regulation band are disclosed. In certain configurations, a boost regulator system includes a boost regulator, a current source, and a light emitting element, such as a flash LED, that is controlled using a current generated by the current source. The boost regulator generates an output voltage that is used to power the current source. The boost regulator operates with a regulation band that changes based on a current level of the light emitting element.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: George A. Hariman, Chak S. Ngai, Wendy Ng
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Publication number: 20180124884Abstract: Apparatus and methods for boost regulators with dynamic regulation band are disclosed. In certain configurations, a boost regulator system includes a boost regulator, a current source, and a light emitting element, such as a flash LED, that is controlled using a current generated by the current source. The boost regulator generates an output voltage that is used to power the current source. The boost regulator operates with a regulation band that changes based on a current level of the light emitting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: George A. Hariman, Chak S. Ngai, Wendy Ng
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Publication number: 20180115250Abstract: A voltage converter is disclosed to include a high-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of high-side switching elements and a low-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may include an intermediate node coupled to one or more high-side switching elements and coupled to one or more low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may further include a segmentation circuit block communicatively coupled to the high-side switch circuit block and communicatively coupled to the low-side switch circuit block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Wendy NG, James Jason LOCASCIO
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Patent number: 9801242Abstract: Apparatus and methods for boost regulators with dynamic regulation band are disclosed. In certain configurations, a boost regulator system includes a boost regulator, a current source, and a light emitting element, such as a flash LED, that is controlled using a current generated by the current source. The boost regulator generates an output voltage that is used to power the current source. The boost regulator operates with a regulation band that changes based on a current level of the light emitting element.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SKYWORKS SOLUTEQNS, ENC.Inventors: George A. Hariman, Chak S. Ngai, Wendy Ng
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Publication number: 20170181106Abstract: In one implementation, a voltage boost assembly including a boost converter having a capacitive element arranged at an output, and an inductive element connectable to an electrical supply. The voltage boost assembly also includes a sensor assembly provided to generate a quick-start enable signal in response to detecting that an electrical condition relative to an electrical output of the boost converter has breached a first threshold. The voltage boost assembly further includes a quick-start module responsive to the quick-start enable signal, and configured to drive the boost converter at a relatively high duty-cycle and so that the boost converter delivers an output current that satisfies a second threshold in order to charge the capacitive element arranged at the output.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Wendy NG, Yin Chun YEUNG, Michael Lee SCHEEL
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Publication number: 20170094734Abstract: Apparatus and methods for boost regulators with dynamic regulation band are disclosed. In certain configurations, a boost regulator system includes a boost regulator, a current source, and a light emitting element, such as a flash LED, that is controlled using a current generated by the current source. The boost regulator generates an output voltage that is used to power the current source. The boost regulator operates with a regulation band that changes based on a current level of the light emitting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: George A. Hariman, Chak S. Ngai, Wendy Ng
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Patent number: 9584012Abstract: In one implementation, a voltage boost assembly including a boost converter having a capacitive element arranged at an output, and an inductive element connectable to an electrical supply. The voltage boost assembly also includes a sensor assembly provided to generate a quick-start enable signal in response to detecting that an electrical condition relative to an electrical output of the boost converter has breached a first threshold. The voltage boost assembly further includes a quick-start module responsive to the quick-start enable signal, and configured to drive the boost converter at a relatively high duty-cycle and so that the boost converter delivers an output current that satisfies a second threshold in order to charge the capacitive element arranged at the output.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventors: Wendy Ng, Yin Chun Yeung, Michael Lee Scheel
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Patent number: 9585211Abstract: Various implementations include circuits, devices and/or methods that enable the repeated generation of controlled surges with lower risk of component failure. Some implementations include a discharge control assembly including a discharge circuit and a controller. In some implementations, the discharge circuit is selectively connectable to a driver circuit, and the discharge circuit is configured to provide a dominant discharge path for the driver circuit when the driver circuit is effectively decoupled from a first load in order to decay an electrical condition of the driver circuit produced prior to the driver circuit being effectively decoupled from the first load. In some implementations, the controller is configured to selectively connect the driver circuit to a combination of the discharge circuit and the first load, and in at least one combination the discharge circuit is effectively coupled to the driver circuit when the first load is effectively decoupled from the driver circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Wendy Ng, George A. Hariman
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Publication number: 20160241143Abstract: In one implementation, a voltage boost assembly including a boost converter having a capacitive element arranged at an output, and an inductive element connectable to an electrical supply. The voltage boost assembly also includes a sensor assembly provided to generate a quick-start enable signal in response to detecting that an electrical condition relative to an electrical output of the boost converter has breached a first threshold. The voltage boost assembly further includes a quick-start module responsive to the quick-start enable signal, and configured to drive the boost converter at a relatively high duty-cycle and so that the boost converter delivers an output current that satisfies a second threshold in order to charge the capacitive element arranged at the output.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Wendy NG, Yin Chun YEUNG, Michael Lee SCHEEL
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Publication number: 20150077014Abstract: Various implementations include circuits, devices and/or methods that enable the repeated generation of controlled surges with lower risk of component failure. Some implementations include a discharge control assembly including a discharge circuit and a controller. In some implementations, the discharge circuit is selectively connectable to a driver circuit, and the discharge circuit is configured to provide a dominant discharge path for the driver circuit when the driver circuit is effectively decoupled from a first load in order to decay an electrical condition of the driver circuit produced prior to the driver circuit being effectively decoupled from the first load. In some implementations, the controller is configured to selectively connect the driver circuit to a combination of the discharge circuit and the first load, and in at least one combination the discharge circuit is effectively coupled to the driver circuit when the first load is effectively decoupled from the driver circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Wendy Ng, George A. Hariman
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Patent number: 7907061Abstract: In an embodiment, a proximity sensor includes a driver, a photo-diode (PD) and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proximity sensor can also include a controller to control the driver. The driver selectively drives a light source, e.g., an infrared (IR) light emitting diode (LED). The PD, which produces a current signal indicative of the intensity of light detected by the PD, is capable of detecting both ambient light and light produced by the light source that is reflected off an object. The ADC receives one or more portion of the current signal produced by the PD. The ADC produces one or more digital output that can be used to estimate the proximity of an object to the PD in a manner that compensates for ambient light detected by the PD and transient changes to the detected ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Xijian Lin, Zhong Li, Wendy Ng, Phillip J. Benzel, Oleg Steciw
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Publication number: 20090121889Abstract: In an embodiment, a proximity sensor includes a driver, a photo-diode (PD) and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proximity sensor can also include a controller to control the driver. The driver selectively drives a light source, e.g., an infrared (IR) light emitting diode (LED). The PD, which produces a current signal indicative of the intensity of light detected by the PD, is capable of detecting both ambient light and light produced by the light source that is reflected off an object. The ADC receives one or more portion of the current signal produced by the PD. The ADC produces one or more digital output that can be used to estimate the proximity of an object to the PD in a manner that compensates for ambient light detected by the PD and transient changes to the detected ambient light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Xijian Lin, Zhong Li, Wendy Ng, Phillip J. Benzel, Oleg Steciw
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Patent number: 7471071Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a hybrid boost regulator that includes a conventional boost regulator chip that operates when its input voltage is above 2.5 volts and a pre-boost circuit that operates when its input voltage is above 1 volt. A single 1.5 volt battery may be used to power the hybrid boost regulator. The pre-boost circuit is connected to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip. The pre-boost circuit boosts the battery voltage (e.g., 1.5v) at an output terminal of the hybrid boost regulator to approximately the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5v) of the boost regulator chip. Since this pre-boosted voltage is applied to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip, the boost regulator chip will become operational when the ramping output voltage of the hybrid boost regulator exceeds about 2.5 volts. Once the boost regulator chip is operational, the pre-boost circuit is then turned off, and the boost regulator chip runs off the 1.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Micrel, Inc.Inventors: Wendy Ng, Charles Vinn, Ramesh Selvaraj
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Publication number: 20080122417Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a hybrid boost regulator that includes a conventional boost regulator chip that operates when its input voltage is above 2.5 volts and a pre-boost circuit that operates when its input voltage is above 1 volt. A single 1.5 volt battery may be used to power the hybrid boost regulator. The pre-boost circuit is connected to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip. The pre-boost circuit boosts the battery voltage (e.g., 1.5 v) at an output terminal of the hybrid boost regulator to approximately the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5 v) of the boost regulator chip. Since this pre-boosted voltage is applied to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip, the boost regulator chip will become operational when the ramping output voltage of the hybrid boost regulator exceeds about 2.5 volts. Once the boost regulator chip is operational, the pre-boost circuit is then turned off, and the boost regulator chip runs off the 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: MICREL, INC.Inventors: Wendy Ng, Charles Vinn, Ramesh Selvaraj
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Publication number: 20040089420Abstract: Accumulation of material in an endpoint detection cell downstream of a CVD chamber is avoided by selectively isolating the endpoint detection cell from chamber exhaust. During initial and midpoint phases of a plasma-based semiconductor fabrication process when concentration of materials in the chamber exhaust is heaviest, a bypass valve is closed and the endpoint detection cell is isolated from exposure to exhaust from the chamber. As endpoint of the plasma-based process approaches, the isolation valve is opened and the detection cell is exposed to chamber exhaust and can accurately detect the precise endpoint of the process. By selectively isolating the endpoint detector in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, unwanted accumulation of deposited materials that could degrade reliability of an optical or RF power endpoint detection signal is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Wendy Ng, Toan Tran, Yen-Kun Victor Wang
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Publication number: 20030027428Abstract: Accumulation of material in an endpoint detection cell downstream of a CVD chamber is avoided by selectively isolating the endpoint detection cell from chamber exhaust. During initial and midpoint phases of a plasma-based semiconductor fabrication process when concentration of materials in the chamber exhaust is heaviest, a bypass valve is closed and the endpoint detection cell is isolated from exposure to exhaust from the chamber. As endpoint of the plasma-based process approaches, the isolation valve is opened and the detection cell is exposed to chamber exhaust and can accurately detect the precise endpoint of the process. By selectively isolating the endpoint detector in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, unwanted accumulation of deposited materials that could degrade reliability of an optical or RF power endpoint detection signal is avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Wendy Ng, Toan Tran, Yen-Kun Victor Wang