Patents by Inventor Zhongxuan Tu
Zhongxuan Tu 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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Publication number: 20240061531Abstract: A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Michael Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Patent number: 11898925Abstract: A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. A sample stage includes a sample stage positioner and is configured to retain a sample including at least one force-measuring device. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample. The controller is configured to control actuation of the sample positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhongxuan Tu, Deliang Tao, Chunlei Qian, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Patent number: 11835400Abstract: A force-measuring device testing system is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample which includes a force-measuring device. A load cell signal processing circuitry is configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller. The controller is configured to repeatedly carry out the following until a desired force trajectory has been executed: (1) calculate digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals, (2) calculate a next actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with a desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter, and (3) control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with its next calculated actuation.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhongxuan Tu, Deliang Tao, Chunlei Qian, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Patent number: 11803274Abstract: A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20230332963Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Publication number: 20230333066Abstract: A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen, Hao-Yen Tang
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Patent number: 11725993Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 11719671Abstract: A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: UltraSense Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20220147222Abstract: A multi-virtual button finger-touch input system includes a cover layer, force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuits (FMTSICs), each coupled to the inner surface of the cover layer corresponding to one of the virtual buttons, an elongate flexible circuit, and a host controller. The FMTSICs are mounted to the elongate flexible circuit. The host controller is in communication with each of the FMTSICs via digital bus wiring. The host controller is configured to: (1) obtain force-localization features and ultrasound-localization features of the FMTSICs and (2) determine whether an event is a finger-touch event or a false-trigger event and if the event is determined to be finger-touch event, identify one of the virtual buttons as a touched virtual button, using at least in part a model that has the force-localization features and the ultrasound-localization features as inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Michael Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20220128516Abstract: A method of distinguishing between a first-type touch event and a second-type touch event is disclosed. A force-measuring and touch-sensing system includes piezoelectric force-measuring elements (PFEs) and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers (PUTs), wherein each PUT can be configured as a transmitter (PUT transmitter) and/or a receiver (PUT receiver). The force-measuring and touch-sensing system is configured at a sense region. Each PUT transmitter transmits ultrasound signals towards the sense region and voltage signals are generated at the PUT receivers in response to ultrasound signals arriving from the sense region. Voltage signals are generated at PFEs in response to a low-frequency mechanical deformation of the respective piezoelectric capacitors. An event is determined to be a first-type touch event or a second-type touch event depending on a PUT data decrease and a magnitude of PFE data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Sina Akhbari, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20210293641Abstract: A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. A sample stage includes a sample stage positioner and is configured to retain a sample including at least one force-measuring device. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample. The controller is configured to control actuation of the sample positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Zhongxuan Tu, Deliang Tao, Chunlei Qian, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20210293648Abstract: A force-measuring device testing system is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample which includes a force-measuring device. A load cell signal processing circuitry is configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller. The controller is configured to repeatedly carry out the following until a desired force trajectory has been executed: (1) calculate digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals, (2) calculate a next actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with a desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter, and (3) control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with its next calculated actuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Zhongxuan Tu, Deliang Tao, Chunlei Qian, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang
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Publication number: 20210181041Abstract: A force-measuring and touch-sensing integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film piezoelectric stack overlying the semiconductor substrate, piezoelectric micromechanical force-measuring elements (PMFEs), and piezoelectric micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs). The thin-film piezoelectric stack includes a piezoelectric layer. The PMFEs and PMUTs are located at respective lateral positions along the thin-film piezoelectric stack, such that each of the PMFEs and PMUTs includes a respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack. Each PMUT has a cavity, the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMUT electrodes. Each PMFE has the respective portion of the thin-film piezoelectric stack, and first and second PMFE electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Hao-Yen Tang, Sina Akhbari, Man-Chia Chen, Zhongxuan Tu, Michael Chen
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Patent number: 8724279Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for providing short circuit protection is disclosed. The system has a supply circuit and a series switch. The supply circuit has a supply input and a supply output, and is configured to deliver an output current at the supply output, and to disable the supply output if the output current exceeds a first current limit. The series switch coupled between the supply output of the supply circuit and a supply node, and the supply node is configured to be coupled to a load.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics R & D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhaoang Yang, Haiyang Liu, Zhongxuan Tu, Jianxin Zhang
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Publication number: 20110075308Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for providing short circuit protection is disclosed. The system has a supply circuit and a series switch. The supply circuit has a supply input and a supply output, and is configured to deliver an output current at the supply output, and to disable the supply output if the output current exceeds a first current limit. The series switch coupled between the supply output of the supply circuit and a supply node, and the supply node is configured to be coupled to a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: STMicroelectronics R&D (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhaoang Yang, Haiyang Liu, Zhongxuan Tu, Jianxin Zhang