2010年5月14日 星期五

20080072193 APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXPRESSING CIRCUIT VERSION IDENTIFICATION

20080072193 USPTO

這是早期公開案。

這個方法也是 all metal option 的解決方法，用 circuit 來解決。但自從蔡昌典提出 US7649399 的layout 的解決方案，就沒有使用的價值了。

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20080054985 SIGNAL GENERATING AND SWITCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF

20080054985 USPTO

這是早期公開案。

本案現在已獲權 (24) US7649399

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20070283199 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENTERING SPECIAL MODE IN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

20070283199 USPTO

這是早期公開案。

本案現在是 (23) US7574639


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20070030026 MULTIPLE-TIME PROGRAMMING APPARATUS AND METHOD USING ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING ELEMENT

20070030026 USPTO

這是早期公開案

有一次和日本客戶開會的時候，日本客戶提出這個需求：希望 IC 的 contract 調整至少要兩次一上。當時，我們是用 fuse 來達到 contract programming 的效果，但 fuse 燒斷就不能回復了。所以只能提供一次的燒錄。若要多次燒寫，就要改用更貴的 EPROM 製程。

就在會議上，想到了用另一組fuse，來模擬燒錄兩次的方法。

當時一共寫了四種不同的實作方法，這是其中使用一計算裝置的方法。
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20050275426 MULTIPLE-TIME PROGRAMMING APPARATUS AND METHOD USING ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING ELEMENT

20050275426 USPTO

這是早期公開案

本案已獲權 (22)US7271618

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20050253624 APPARATUS AND METHOD ADAPTED TO USE ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING DEVICES FOR MULTIPLE-TIME PROGRAMMING


這是早期公開案。

本案已獲權 (21)US7161380
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20050232039 APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF FOR MULTIPLE-TIME PROGRAMMING USING ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING DEVICE


這是早期公開案

有一次和日本客戶開會的時候，日本客戶提出這個需求：希望 IC 的 contract 調整至少要兩次一上。當時，我們是用 fuse 來達到 contract programming 的效果，但 fuse 燒斷就不能回復了。所以只能提供一次的燒錄。若要多次燒寫，就要改用更貴的 EPROM 製程。

就在會議上，想到了用另一組fuse，來模擬燒錄兩次的方法。

當時一共寫了四種不同的實作方法，這是其中使用一選擇元件的方法。
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2010年5月13日 星期四

(24) US7649399 Signal generating and switching apparatus and method thereof


這種專利名稱越平淡無奇的，就越有可能是好專利。

這個專利不是我想出來的，想出來的是蔡昌典，一個layout enginner，所以把他放在第一發明人。其實這個問題困擾我們很久了，如何做到all-metal layer option。我也想過這個問題，也提出用circuit的方法來解決。直到，這個方法被提出，總算有了最簡單又便宜的解決方法。所以，專利發明和學歷是沒有直接的關係！

人常被局限在他熟悉的領域去提出解決方案，殊不知，最佳解可能是在另一個領域。

好啦，學歷還是有一些關係的。蔡昌典想出這方法後，要寫成專利，他就寫不出來了。因為不知從何下手。他知道layout這樣畫起來是 OK 的，但說不出其原理是什麼？專利要怎麼寫？所以他找了我來幫忙看這個專利。

剛開始看他的layout圖，我也是一頭茫然。為甚麼這樣是 OK的？怎樣才是這個專利的 general form？還好，學術的訓練，演譯歸納後，讓我很快找到其中的重點，找出最小的building block，然後將很多個building block組合起來，然後寫出的專利就很容易懂了。而且專利範圍也儘量擴大，這就是我的貢獻啦！

本案的台灣專利: I1319935



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(23) US7574639 Method and apparatus for entering special mode in integrated circuit

US7574639 from Google Patent

這篇是拾人牙慧，只是掛名之作。因為之前也掛過他的名字，看來人緣還不錯！
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(22) US7271618 Multiple-time programming apparatus and method using one-time programming element

US7271618 from Google Patent

有一次和日本客戶開會的時候，日本客戶提出這個需求：希望 IC 的 contract 調整至少要兩次一上。當時，我們是用 fuse 來達到 contract programming 的效果，但 fuse 燒斷就不能回復了。所以只能提供一次的燒錄。若要多次燒寫，就要改用更貴的 EPROM 製程。

就在會議上，想到了用另一組fuse，來模擬燒錄兩次的方法。

當時一共寫了四種不同的實作方法，這是其中使用 XOR 的方法。
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(21) US7161380 Apparatus and method adapted to use one-time programming devices for multiple-time programming

US7161380 from Google Patent

有一次和日本客戶開會的時候，日本客戶提出這個需求：希望 IC 的 contract 調整至少要兩次一上。當時，我們是用 fuse 來達到 contract programming 的效果，但 fuse 燒斷就不能回復了。所以只能提供一次的燒錄。若要多次燒寫，就要改用更貴的 EPROM 製程。

就在會議上，想到了用另一組fuse，來模擬燒錄兩次的方法。

當時一共寫了四種不同的實作方法，這是其中使用一判斷機制的方法。
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(20) US6417787 Method and apparatus for increasing the number of keys of a key-matrix

寫了一些 keyboard scan 的專利之後，想還有沒有其它的方法可以用少數的 I/O pin 來增加按鍵數量。這是一個答案。這個專利屬應用的專利，利用 diode 來增加按鍵，這樣可以延用原來的 IC。但IC 是不太會用的。

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(19) US6225992 Method and apparatus for generating bias voltages for liquid crystal display drivers

US6225992

這是 US6148373 的進階版

17,696,969SharpDisplay device and display method
27,623,125CasioDisplay drive device and drive controlling method
37,511,693RenesasDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
47,480,126NationalProtection and voltage monitoring circuit
57,450,099HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
67,307,468XilinxBandgap system with tunable temperature coefficient of the output voltage
77,304,626SharpDisplay device and display method
87,227,560HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
97,199,527AlienDisplay device and methods of manufacturing and control
107,196,700NokiaControlling display
117,193,637HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
127,190,357SharpSignal line drive circuit, image display device, and portable apparatus
137,126,596AnalogRail-to-rail amplifier for use in line-inversion LCD grayscale reference generator
147,088,172XilinxConfigurable voltage bias circuit for controlling buffer delays
157,079,127Seiko EpsonReference voltage generation circuit, display driver circuit, display device, and method of generating reference voltage
167,050,028Seiko EpsonReference voltage generation circuit, display drive circuit, display device and reference voltage generation method
177,031,247MatsushitaLiquid crystal driver and optical head for tilt correction
187,027,024SharpDisplay device and display method
197,023,458HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
206,867,760SharpDisplay device and display method
216,781,605HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
226,661,415MatsushitaLiquid crystal driver and optical head for tilt correction
236,653,999SanyoIntegrated circuit for driving liquid crystal
246,633,271SanyoIntegrated circuit for driving liquid crystal
256,590,570SonyComparator, display apparatus using comparator for driving system, and driving method for comparator
266,587,100OKIDisplay device driver circuit
276,359,607SharpDisplay device and display method
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(18) US6148373 Apparatus and methods for increasing memory utilization

US6148373



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(17) US5969707 Apparatus and method of mosaic picture processing

US5969705

這是遊戲機的馬賽克效果的做法。

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(16) US5894515 Random access memory device having inconsistent write-in and read-out data

US5894515

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(15) US5867057 Apparatus and method for generating bias voltages for liquid crystal display


這是用於LCD Micro Controller的專利，可以省電，也的確被用在IC上，確認是有效的。這個idea是由鄭奕禧想到的，IC的實作是由洪敬和在 NT6512上實作。專利則是由我完成。

17,450,099HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
27,375,705Seiko EpsonReference voltage generation circuit, data driver, display device, and electronic instrument
37,227,560HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
47,106,131RealtekAmplifying circuit
57,079,127Seiko EpsonReference voltage generation circuit, display driver circuit, display device, and method of generating reference voltage
67,071,669Seiko EpsonReference voltage generation circuit, display driver circuit, display device, and method of generating reference voltage
76,781,605HitachiDisplay apparatus and driving device for displaying
86,552,581AgereCurrent recycling circuit and a method of current recycling
96,455,952ToproAdjustment circuit for voltage division
106,225,992UMCMethod and apparatus for generating bias voltages for liquid crystal display drivers
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2010年5月12日 星期三

(14) US5860065 Apparatus and method for automatically providing background music for a card message recording system


那時我待的部門在做 speech IC，speech IC有很多應用，可以用來錄音或放出語音。當時就想，若把這兩者合起來，好像也挺不錯的。

Reference

17,600,336Mr. ChristmasSound device for enhancing gift packages, and method and system for marketing such device
27,535,996Voice cardsMethod and system for recording audio onto a carrier using a personal computer
37,444,288HighWiredAutomatically mixing audio signals in a predetermined manner
47,424,098IBMSelectable audio and mixed background sound for voice messaging system
57,356,950NajiyahKaraoke card
67,203,287Voice cardsAudio recording system and method of use
77,203,286ComverseMethod and apparatus for combining ambient sound effects to voice messages
87,167,827AmericanAudio information leaflet system
97,111,319LSI LogicSet top box access hub system
107,003,083IBMSelectable audio and mixed background sound for voice messaging system
116,718,013VoicecardsAudio recording system and method of use
126,614,357SupportMiniature message module
136,605,769GibsonMusical instrument digital recording device with communications interface
146,556,560AT&TLow-latency audio interface for packet telephony
156,288,319CatonaElectronic greeting card with a custom audio mix
166,067,278RecotonDigital recorder for car radio
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(13) US5812662 Method and apparatus to protect computer software

這篇專利應該是第一個申請的美國專利，但等了很久才拿到。這篇也是 software protection的專利，因為我寫了太多種做法，所以 reference的專利倒是很多，當然也和軟體保護很重要有關，所以也審核的特別久。

Reference by:

17,634,661MicrosoftManifest-based trusted agent management in a trusted operating system environment
27,602,655MediatekEmbedded system
37,587,589MicrosoftSaving and retrieving data based on symmetric key encryption
47,577,840MicrosoftTransferring application secrets in a trusted operating system environment
57,577,839MicrosoftTransferring application secrets in a trusted operating system environment
67,565,697ECDSystems and methods for preventing unauthorized use of digital content
77,549,922AtronicSoftware security for gaming devices
87,543,336MicrosoftSystem and method for secure storage of data using public and private keys
97,543,335MicrosoftMethod and system for allowing code to be securely initialized in a computer
107,529,919MicrosoftBoot blocks for software
117,512,786MicrosoftClient-side boot domains and boot rules
127,487,365MicrosoftSaving and retrieving data based on symmetric key encryption
137,484,095Sun MicroSystem for communicating program data between a first device and a second device
147,480,744MediatekMethod and apparatus for one time programming
157,457,412MicrosoftSystem and method for authenticating an operating system to a central processing unit, providing the CPU/OS with secure storage, and authenticating the CPU/OS to a third party
167,434,263MicrosoftSystem and method for secure storage data using a key
177,424,612MicrosoftSaving and retrieving data based on symmetric key encryption
187,424,606MicrosoftSystem and method for authenticating an operating system
197,415,620MicrosoftSystem and method for authenticating an operating system to a central processing unit, providing the CPU/OS with secure storage, and authenticating the CPU/OS to a third party
207,356,682MicrosoftAttesting to a value of a register and/or memory region
217,328,453ECD SysSystems and methods for the prevention of unauthorized use and manipulation of digital content
227,305,553MicrosoftManifest-based trusted agent management in a trusted operating system environment
237,302,709MicrosoftKey-based secure storage
247,281,244SunUsing a digital fingerprint to commit loaded data in a device
257,272,830SunOrdering program data for loading on a device
267,257,707MicrosoftManifest-based trusted agent management in a trusted operating system environment
277,243,230MicrosoftTransferring application secrets in a trusted operating system environment
287,237,123ECDSystems and methods for preventing unauthorized use of digital content
297,222,331SunLinking of virtual methods
307,194,092MicrosoftKey-based secure storage
317,174,457MicrosoftSystem and method for authenticating an operating system to a central processing unit, providing the CPU/OS with secure storage, and authenticating the CPU/OS to a third party
327,165,246SunOptimized representation of data type information in program verification
337,159,240MicrosoftOperating system upgrades in a trusted operating system environment
347,139,915MicrosoftMethod and apparatus for authenticating an open system application to a portable IC device
357,137,004MicrosoftManifest-based trusted agent management in a trusted operating system environment
367,107,463MicrosoftManifest-based trusted agent management in a trusted operating system environment
377,076,705RenesasSemiconductor integrated circuit having bonding optional function
387,032,240Pace Anti-PiraPortable authorization device for authorizing use of protected information and associated method
397,024,564SafeNetSoftware protection device and method
407,020,772MicrosoftSecure execution of program code
417,010,684MicrosoftMethod and apparatus for authenticating an open system application to a portable IC device
426,978,365MicrosoftClient-side boot domains and boot rules
436,976,200RenesasSemiconductor integrated circuit having bonding optional function
446,938,164MicrosoftMethod and system for allowing code to be securely initialized in a computer
456,848,045RainbowIntegrated USB connector for personal token
466,820,063MicrosoftControlling access to content based on certificates and access predicates
476,813,695InfineonMemory access method and circuit configuration
486,757,824MicrosoftClient-side boot domains and boot rules
496,751,598HitachiDigital content distribution system and protection method
506,681,212ZengInternet-based automated system and a method for software copyright protection and sales
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(12) US5805704 Method and apparatus for protecting broadcast software against unauthorized reception on a software broadcasting system

當時想把軟體透過第四台把軟體發佈出去，所以要有軟體保護機制。

Reference by:

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(11) US5805085 Apparatus and method for scanning a key matrix

分割案，請參照 US5790054

這篇 reference 的就比較多了
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(10) US5802187 Two-channel programmable sound generator with volume control

這是用在 Micro Controller 的專利，內建一個 2-channel 的聲音產生器，並能產生 noise。且讓我來吹噓這顆 IC (UM6510)吧！當年這顆IC用於handheld LCD game，可是單月出貨量 9.6M, 業績單月破億的 IC。Project 成員有PD曾政貴，SA 洪宗謹，IC designer則是現在矽創副總的鄭奕禧，負責 CPU core，我則是做 Mask ROM, LCD, 2-channel PSG (programmable sound generator)，接 FPGA等等。

Reference by:

16,947,780DolphinAuditory alarms for physiological data monitoring
26,944,284VtechPulsed volume control of a magnetic ringer
36,781,977HuaweiWideband CDMA mobile equipment for transmitting multichannel sounds
46,671,315UnidenDTMF signal generator
56,573,909HPMulti-media display system
66,553,272OakMethod and apparatus for audio signal channel muting
76,538,523FujiMulti-channel pulse width modulation apparatus and down counter
86,535,611OakMethod and apparatus for reducing switching noise of a digital volume control
96,534,700HPAutomated compilation of music
106,240,191SamsungAudio volume control circuit using pulse width modulation signal
116,195,438MatsushitaMethod and apparatus for leveling and equalizing the audio output of an audio or audio-visual system
126,101,257SGS-TAudio signal processor
136,078,277MortorolaArrangement and method for producing a plurality of pulse width modulated signals
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(9) US5793313 Apparatus and method for scanning a key matrix

分割案，請參照 US5790054
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(8) US5790054 Apparatus and method for scanning a key matrix

這個專利是用在 micro Controller, 例如一些掌上 LCD 遊戲機。利用這方法，4 pin 的 I/O port可以掃描到 10 key。

這個專利只有一個申請案，後來被審查委員分割成三案。也就是專利US5790054, US5793313, US5805085都是同一個申請案，後來分割成三案。這虧大了，當時聯電一個專利有九萬元的獎金，因為是同一個申請案，所以只拿到九萬塊。如果當時分成三個申請案，就可以拿到二十七萬了。差很大！

Reference by:

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(7) US5785598 Software cartridge being extensible with additional programs and/or data and the method of fabricating the same

這個專利在遊戲卡匣上做手腳，這樣就可以 update 程式，我把自己的照片放到遊戲中。

17,662,041NintendoGame system
27,467,100FujitsuPersonal shopping data service system using extended gaming machine memory module
37,445,551NintendoMemory for video game system and emulator using the memory
47,338,376NintendoVideo game distribution network
57,155,604SonyGame system having selectable startup display image wherein system processor selects between internal display image or display image from external memory card
67,137,894NintendoHand-held display system and display method and storage medium therefor
77,050,064NintendoMethod and apparatus for displaying higher color resolution on a hand-held LCD device
86,894,686NintendoSystem and method for automatically editing captured images for inclusion into 3D video game play
96,884,171NintendoVideo game distribution network
106,877,096ChungModular computer applications with expandable capabilities
116,810,463NintendoGaming machine that is usable with different game cartridge types
126,786,826SegaMemory device, controller, and electronic device
136,743,103SonyMemory card device, video game apparatus, and program providing medium
146,672,963NintendoSoftware implementation of a handheld video game hardware platform
156,582,311SonyMemory card device, video game apparatus, and program providing medium
166,544,126NintendoPortable game machine with download capability
176,488,587MegaGame cassette unit with decode controller
186,386,979STDMethods and systems for transferring game saves between a game system memory card and a computer
196,373,462NintendoMethod and apparatus for displaying higher color resolution on a hand-held LCD device
206,322,447NintendoPortable color display game machine and storage medium for the same
216,315,669NintendoPortable color display game machine and storage medium for the same
226,267,678KonamiMethod of carrying out communication between different game devices, a game system played by using the method, and a recording medium used in the game system
236,132,315NintendoGame system operable with backup data on different kinds of game machines
245,971,461FordAutomotive vehicle instrument panel assembly with modular glovebox

最後一個應該是筆誤


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