Patents by Inventor Bruce C. S. Chou

Bruce C. S. Chou 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).

  • Publication number: 20150233989
    Abstract: In a capacitive sensing array device and an electronic apparatus, a coupling signal source provides a coupling signal to an object, a constant voltage source provides a constant voltage to a shielding conductor group, and a vertical parasitic capacitor is formed between the shielding conductor group and each sensing electrode. Each sensing electrode is electrically connected to the constant voltage source via one corresponding switch module. When one sensing electrode is selected to perform sensing, the corresponding switch module is set as an open state such that the selected sensing electrode is disconnected from the constant voltage source, while the other sensing electrodes are electrically connected to the constant voltage source via their corresponding switch modules configured as short-circuit states, so that a horizontal parasitic capacitor is formed between the selected sensing electrode and the other sensing electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Patent number: 9073748
    Abstract: A microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) assembly includes a carrier and a MEMS device disposed over the carrier. A buffer layer is disposed over the MEMS device. The Young's modulus of the buffer layer is less than that of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Patent number: 9058511
    Abstract: A biometrics sensor module includes a housing, a biometrics sensor and a coupling electrode. The housing has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The biometrics sensor has a sensing surface, which is disposed on the first surface of the housing and has sensing members arranged in an array. The coupling electrode is disposed on the first or second surface of the housing. Two regions, projected from the sensing surface and the coupling electrode to the second surface of the housing, do not overlap with each other. A coupling signal is provided to the coupling electrode and directly or indirectly couples the coupling signal to an object, so that the sensing members of the biometrics sensor sense biometrics messages of the object contacting with the second surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: J-METRICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Patent number: 9056762
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitive sensor having a back-plate, wherein the back-plate forms a first capacitor plate of the capacitive sensor. The back-plate is a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive membrane is spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate by an air-gap. A capacitance of the capacitive sensor is configured to change in response to a movement of the polysilicon membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Jung-Kuo Tu, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Publication number: 20150162220
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first die having a first active surface and a first backside surface opposite the first active surface, a second die having a second active surface and a second backside surface opposite the second active surface, and an interposer, the first active surface of the first die being electrically coupled to a first side of the interposer, the second active surface of the second die being electrically coupled to a second side of the interposer. The semiconductor device also includes a first connector over the interposer, a first encapsulating material surrounding the second die, the first encapsulating material having a first surface over the interposer, and a via electrically coupling the first connector and the interposer. A first end of the via is substantially coplanar with the first surface of the first encapsulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. Chou, Chih-Hsien Lin, Hsiang-Tai Lu, Jung-Kuo Tu, Tung-Hung Hsieh, Chen-Hua Lin, Mingo Liu
  • Patent number: 9048231
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a semiconductor device and methods of forming a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a conductive pad in a first substrate, forming an interconnecting structure over the conductive pad and the first substrate, the interconnecting structure comprising a plurality of metal layers disposed in a plurality of dielectric layers, bonding a die to a first side of the interconnecting structure, and etching the first substrate from a second side of the interconnecting structure, the etching exposing a portion of the conductive pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Yun Hou, Sao-Ling Chiu, Ping-Kang Huang, Wen Hsin Wei, Wen-Chih Chiou, Shin-Puu Jeng, Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20150137303
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. The MEMS device includes a substrate and a MEMS sensor over the substrate. The MEMS sensor includes a floating heater disposed over the substrate. The MEMS sensor further includes a heat sink disposed over the substrate and at a side of the floating heater, and the heat sink has an air gap with the floating heater. The MEMS sensor further includes a first plurality of vias formed through the heat sink and thermally connected to the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. CHOU, Yang-Che CHEN, Chen-Chih FAN
  • Patent number: 8970023
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first die having a first active surface and a first backside surface opposite the first active surface, a second die having a second active surface and a second backside surface opposite the second active surface, and an interposer, the first active surface of the first die being electrically coupled to a first side of the interposer, the second active surface of the second die being electrically coupled to a second side of the interposer. The semiconductor device also includes a first connector over the interposer, a first encapsulating material surrounding the second die, the first encapsulating material having a first surface over the interposer, and a via electrically coupling the first connector and the interposer. A first end of the via is substantially coplanar with the first surface of the first encapsulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Chih-Hsien Lin, Hsiang-Tai Lu, Jung-Kuo Tu, Tung-Hung Hsieh, Chen-Hua Lin, Mingo Liu
  • Publication number: 20140306341
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a semiconductor device and methods of forming a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a conductive pad in a first substrate, forming an interconnecting structure over the conductive pad and the first substrate, the interconnecting structure comprising a plurality of metal layers disposed in a plurality of dielectric layers, bonding a die to a first side of the interconnecting structure, and etching the first substrate from a second side of the interconnecting structure, the etching exposing a portion of the conductive pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shang-Yun Hou, Sao-Ling Chiu, Ping-Kang Huang, Wen Hsin Wei, Wen-Chih Chiou, Shin-Puu Jeng, Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20140264698
    Abstract: A system and method for blocking heat from reaching an image sensor in a three dimensional stack with a semiconductor device. In an embodiment a heat sink is formed in a back end of line process either on the semiconductor device or else on the image sensor itself when the image sensor is in a backside illuminated configuration. The heat sink may be a grid in either a single layer or in two layers, a zig-zag pattern, or in an interleaved fingers configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kuo-Chin Huang, Tzu-Jui Wang, Szu-Ying Chen, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Bruce C.S. Chou, Jung-Kuo Tu, Cheng-Chieh Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140264948
    Abstract: A package component includes a surface dielectric layer including a planar top surface, a metal pad in the surface dielectric layer and including a second planar top surface level with the planar top surface, and an air trench on a side of the metal pad. The sidewall of the metal pad is exposed to the air trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. Chou, Chen-Jong Wang, Ping-Yin Liu, Jung-Kuo Tu, Tsung-Te Chou, Xin-Hua Huang, Xin-Chung Kuang, Lan-Lin Chao, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Xiaomeng Chen
  • Patent number: 8802504
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a semiconductor device and methods of forming a semiconductor device. An embodiment is a method of forming a semiconductor device, the method comprising forming a conductive pad in a first substrate, forming an interconnecting structure over the conductive pad and the first substrate, the interconnecting structure comprising a plurality of metal layers disposed in a plurality of dielectric layers, bonding a die to a first side of the interconnecting structure, and etching the first substrate from a second side of the interconnecting structure, the etching exposing a portion of the conductive pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Yun Hou, Sao-Ling Chiu, Ping-Kang Huang, Wen Hsin Wei, Wen-Chih Chiou, Shin-Puu Jeng, Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20140213008
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitive sensor having a back-plate, wherein the back-plate forms a first capacitor plate of the capacitive sensor. The back-plate is a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive membrane is spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate by an air-gap. A capacitance of the capacitive sensor is configured to change in response to a movement of the polysilicon membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. Chou, Jung-Kuo Tu, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Publication number: 20140168167
    Abstract: A stray-light-coupled biometrics sensing module includes a light-transparent body, a display unit and an optical module. The light-transparent body has a front side and a backside. The front side is configured to support an organic object thereon. The display unit attached to the backside of the light-transparent body displays a frame. The optical module is attached to the backside of the light-transparent body through an adhesive, and is disposed adjacent to the display unit. First light rays of the frame emitted from an eye-viewing screen couple into the organic object through the light-transparent body. After travelling a short distance in the organic object, the first light rays couple out of the organic object and re-enter the light-transparent body as second light rays entering the optical module. The optical module senses the second light rays to generate a biometrics image signal. An electronic apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20140168121
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus with a hidden sensor guiding indication includes a housing, a display, a biometrics sensor and a processor. The display is visually disposed in the housing. The biometrics sensor, hidden in the housing and disposed beside the display, senses a biometrics message of a user. The processor, disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the display and the biometrics sensor, controls operations of the display and the biometrics sensor. In a sensing mode, the processor controls the display to display a guiding message to instinctively guide the user to operate the hidden biometrics sensor, disposed beside the display, to sense the biometrics message. An instinctive guiding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Patent number: 8748999
    Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitive sensor having a back-plate, wherein the back-plate forms a first capacitor plate of the capacitive sensor. The back-plate is a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A conductive membrane is spaced apart from the semiconductor substrate by an air-gap. A capacitance of the capacitive sensor is configured to change in response to a movement of the polysilicon membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Jung-Kuo Tu, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Publication number: 20140151823
    Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS structure comprising confined sacrificial oxide layer and a bonded Si layer. Polysilicon stack is used to fill aligned oxide openings and MEMS vias on the sacrificial layer and the bonded Si layer respectively. To increase the design flexibility, some conductive polysilicon layer can be further deployed underneath the bonded Si layer to form the functional sensing electrodes or wiring interconnects. The MEMS structure can be further bonded to a metallic layer on top of the Si layer and the polysilicon stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Patent number: 8742595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS structure comprising confined sacrificial oxide layer and a bonded Si layer. Polysilicon stack is used to fill aligned oxide openings and MEMS vias on the sacrificial layer and the bonded Si layer respectively. To increase the design flexibility, some conductive polysilicon layer can be further deployed underneath the bonded Si layer to form the functional sensing electrodes or wiring interconnects. The MEMS structure can be further bonded to a metallic layer on top of the Si layer and the polysilicon stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20140140588
    Abstract: A biometrics sensor module includes a housing, a biometrics sensor and a coupling electrode. The housing has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The biometrics sensor has a sensing surface, which is disposed on the first surface of the housing and has sensing members arranged in an array. The coupling electrode is disposed on the first or second surface of the housing. Two regions, projected from the sensing surface and the coupling electrode to the second surface of the housing, do not overlap with each other. A coupling signal is provided to the coupling electrode and directly or indirectly couples the coupling signal to an object, so that the sensing members of the biometrics sensor sense biometrics messages of the object contacting with the second surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20140103941
    Abstract: A capacitive sensing array device of an electronic apparatus includes sensing electrodes, a shielding conductor layer, a coupling signal source, a constant voltage source and switch modules. The coupling signal source provides a coupling signal coupled to an object. The constant voltage source provides a constant voltage to the shielding conductor layer to form a stable vertical parasitic capacitor between the shielding conductor layer and each sensing electrode. Each switch module is electrically connected to the constant voltage source via the corresponding sensing electrode. When one sensing electrode is selected to perform sensing, the corresponding switch module is configured as an open-circuited state such that the selected sensing electrode is disconnected from the constant voltage source, while the other sensing electrodes are electrically connected to the constant voltage source to form a stable horizontal parasitic capacitor between the selected sensing electrode and the other sensing electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Bruce C. S. CHOU
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. CHOU, Shih Chieh HSU