公开(公告)号：JP2003188166A

公开(公告)日：2003-07-04

申请号：JP2002348626

申请日：2002-11-29

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： SIEGEL HARRY M ,  LANE FRED P

IPC: H01L23/29 ,  A61B5/103 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H01L21/312 ,  H01L23/31

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance durability of a physical interface exposed to the environment of a semiconductor device, e.g. an integrated circuit. SOLUTION: In a touch sensitive semiconductor chip having a physical interface exposed to the environment, the surface of the physical interface is coated with fluorocarbon polymer. The polymer has a high scratch durability and a low permittivity exhibiting a low attenuation for the electric field. The polymer can be employed in place of conventional passivation so that a thin layer of low permittivity can be provided between an object touching the physical interface and a capacitive detection circuit existing beneath the polymer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

公开(公告)号：JP2003188165A

公开(公告)日：2003-07-04

申请号：JP2002348280

申请日：2002-11-29

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： SIEGEL HARRY M ,  LANE FRED P

IPC: H01L21/312 ,  H01L21/20 ,  H01L21/302 ,  H01L21/31 ,  H01L21/44 ,  H01L21/461 ,  H01L21/469 ,  H01L21/768

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance durability of a physical interface exposed to the environment of a semiconductor device, e.g. an integrated circuit. SOLUTION: In a touch sensitive semiconductor chip having a physical interface exposed to the environment, the surface of the physical interface is coated with fluorocarbon polymer. The polymer has a high scratch durability and a low permittivity exhibiting a low attenuation for the electric field. The polymer can be employed in place of conventional passivation so that a thin layer of low permittivity can be provided between an object touching the physical interface and a capacitive detection circuit existing beneath the polymer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

公开(公告)号：JP2003188319A

公开(公告)日：2003-07-04

申请号：JP2002347852

申请日：2002-11-29

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： SIEGEL HARRY M ,  LANE FRED P ,  EVANS RICHARD P

IPC: H01L23/29 ,  G06K9/00 ,  H01L23/31

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve durability of a physical interface exposed in the environment of a semiconductor device, such as an integrated circuit, etc. SOLUTION: A touch-sensitive semiconductor chip equipped with a physical interface exposed in the environment is provided. The surface of the interface is coated with a fluorocarbon polymer. The polymer has high scratching durability and a low dielectric constant that is little damped by electric fields. The polymer can be used instead of the conventional passivation and, when the polymer is used, a thin layer having a low dielectric constant can be provided between an object which touches the physical interface and a capacitive detecting circuit existing beneath the polymer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

公开(公告)号：JP2003254707A

公开(公告)日：2003-09-10

申请号：JP2002350078

申请日：2002-12-02

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： LANE FRED P ,  GOZZINI GIOVANNI ,  SIEGEL HARRY M

IPC: G01B7/28 ,  A61B5/117 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06T1/00

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved protection coating for a fingerprint sensor. SOLUTION: The capacitive fingerprint sensor partitions a sensing surface, and has the polymer protection coating containing conductive particles suspended therein. The conductive particles act as parallel strings of series capacitors to couple the capacitance of the skin bearing the fingerprint of a user's finger applied to the sensing surface to capacitive sensing elements. A polymer material of the coating is durable and scratch-resistant. The conductive particles enable use of a protection coating of 10-20 μ in thickness, while providing a high degree of sensitivity and image resolution. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

公开(公告)号：JP2003123054A

公开(公告)日：2003-04-25

申请号：JP2002252419

申请日：2002-08-30

Applicant: ST MICROELECTRONICS INC

Inventor： LANE FRED P ,  CHANG HOYOUNG

IPC: G06T1/00 ,  G01N21/956 ,  G06T7/00

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for detecting minute surface damage or other irregularities on the surface of a capacitive sensor integrated circuit. SOLUTION: A preliminary image of capacitance readings for a sensor array is acquired, a sensor surface is coated with an electrolyte solution and then an additional image is acquired while the sensor surface is coated and/or after the electrolyte solution is removed. The electrolyte solution accelerates manifestation of pixel degradation and failure caused by the surface damage or irregularities. Defective regions are identified by change of gray scale pixels in the preliminary image while the electrolyte coating is on the sensing surface and then again after the electrolyte coating is removed.