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: 20130307095
    Abstract: A composite wafer semiconductor device includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer has a first side and a second side, and the second side is substantially opposite the first side. The composite wafer semiconductor device also includes an isolation set is formed on the first side of the first wafer and a free space is etched in the isolation set. The second wafer is bonded to the isolation set. A floating structure, such as an inertia sensing device, is formed in the second wafer over the free space. In an embodiment, a surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the first wafer. Then, the floating structure is electrically coupled to the surface mount pad using a through silicon via (TSV) conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20130277771
    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 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce C.S. Chou, Jung-Kuo Tu, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Publication number: 20130277777
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure above a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprising a central static element, a movable element, and an outer static element. A portion of bonding material between the central static element and the first substrate. A second substrate above the MEMS structure, with a portion of a dielectric layer between the central static element and the second substrate. A supporting post comprises the portion of bonding material, the central static element, and the portion of dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Chia Chang, Chen-Chih Fan, Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Patent number: 8507358
    Abstract: A composite wafer semiconductor device includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer has a first side and a second side, and the second side is substantially opposite the first side. The composite wafer semiconductor device also includes an isolation set is formed on the first side of the first wafer and a free space is etched in the isolation set. The second wafer is bonded to the isolation set. A floating structure, such as an inertia sensing device, is formed in the second wafer over the free space. In an embodiment, a surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the first wafer. Then, the floating structure is electrically coupled to the surface mount pad using a through silicon via (TSV) conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Patent number: 8497148
    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 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20130119493
    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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. CHOU, Chen-Chih FAN
  • Publication number: 20130020718
    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 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20120049299
    Abstract: A composite wafer semiconductor device includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer has a first side and a second side, and the second side is substantially opposite the first side. The composite wafer semiconductor device also includes an isolation set is formed on the first side of the first wafer and a free space is etched in the isolation set. The second wafer is bonded to the isolation set. A floating structure, such as an inertia sensing device, is formed in the second wafer over the free space. In an embodiment, a surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the first wafer. Then, the floating structure is electrically coupled to the surface mount pad using a through silicon via (TSV) conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. Chou
  • Patent number: 8072060
    Abstract: In a fingerprint apparatus, fingerprint sensing members disposed on a silicon substrate detect skin textures of a finger placed thereon to generate electric signals. A set of integrated circuits formed on the substrate processes the electric signals. First bonding pads are disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the set of integrated circuits. A first insulating layer is disposed below the first bonding pads. Metal plugs penetrating through the substrate are respectively electrically connected to the first bonding pads. A second insulating layer is formed on the substrate and between the metal plugs and the substrate. Second bonding pads are formed on a rear side of the second insulating layer, and are respectively electrically connected to the first bonding pads through the metal plugs. The protection layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the sensing members to form a flat touch surface to be touched by the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Patent number: 7961919
    Abstract: An imaging device for sensing an image of an object includes a negative feedback amplifier, a substrate, a sense electrode, a couple electrode and an insulation protection layer. The sense and couple electrodes are disposed above the substrate. The insulation protection layer covers the sense and couple electrodes. The sense electrode and the object form a sense capacitor. The couple electrode and the object form a couple capacitor. A negative input terminal of the negative feedback amplifier is directly electrically connected to the sense electrode, and the couple electrode is directly electrically connected to one of a signal output terminal of the negative feedback amplifier and a signal input terminal of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Patent number: 7915722
    Abstract: An information sensing device includes a substrate, one information sensing chip, one electroconductive structure and a molded body. An electrical output portion including output connections is formed on the substrate. The information sensing chip is electrically connected to the electrical output portion and has one bottom chip surface mounted on the substrate, and one top chip surface to be close to or in contact with an object to sense specific information of the object. The electroconductive structure is electrically connected to the electrical output portion. The molded body is in contact with the information sensing chip and the at least one electroconductive structure to expose the top chip surface and a first surface of the electroconductive structure. The top chip surface is disposed opposite the bottom chip surface. The top chip surface and the first surface are exposed outside and disposed on substantially the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Publication number: 20100310137
    Abstract: An image sensing device adapted to a flat surface design includes a carrier and an image sensing structure. The carrier has carrier input pads and carrier output pads respectively electrically connected to the carrier input pads. The image sensing structure has signal input pads and signal output pads respectively electrically connected to the signal input pads. The signal output pads are respectively electrically connected to the carrier input pads. The image sensing structure includes a sensing chip having image sensing members and a processing circuit. The signal input pads and the image sensing members are electrically connected to the processing circuit. The image sensing members sense an image of an object and output sensed signals. The processing circuit processes the sensed signals into processed signals, which are transmitted to the carrier output pads through the signal input pads, the signal output pads and the carrier input pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. CHOU, Chen-Chih Fan
  • Patent number: 7822239
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device includes a chip substrate, first connecting pads and a flexible printed circuit board. The substrate has fingerprint sensing cells. The first connecting pads are respectively disposed on the fingerprint sensing cells and exposed from a top surface of the substrate. The printed circuit board is disposed above the substrate and has signal transmission structures exposed from a bottom surface of the printed circuit board. The fingerprint sensing cells are respectively electrically connected to the signal transmission structures, and a top surface of the printed circuit board serves as a contact surface for a finger so that sensed fingerprint signals of the finger are transmitted to the fingerprint sensing cells through the signal transmission structures. The numbers of the first connecting pads, the fingerprint sensing cells and the signal transmission structures are equal to one another. A method of manufacturing the fingerprint sensing device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Egis Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Publication number: 20100201485
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a module and a biometrics sensor. The module has an exposed surface and an unexposed surface. The biometrics sensor has an embedded sensing surface. The embedded sensing surface is joined to the unexposed surface of the module so that a portion of the exposed surface corresponding to a contact portion between the embedded sensing surface and the unexposed surface serves as an exposed sensing surface for sensing biometrics information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20100096710
    Abstract: In a fingerprint apparatus, fingerprint sensing members disposed on a silicon substrate detect skin textures of a finger placed thereon to generate electric signals. A set of integrated circuits formed on the substrate processes the electric signals. First bonding pads are disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the set of integrated circuits. A first insulating layer is disposed below the first bonding pads. Metal plugs penetrating through the substrate are respectively electrically connected to the first bonding pads. A second insulating layer is formed on the substrate and between the metal plugs and the substrate. Second bonding pads are formed on a rear side of the second insulating layer, and are respectively electrically connected to the first bonding pads through the metal plugs. The protection layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the sensing members to form a flat touch surface to be touched by the finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20100084542
    Abstract: An imaging device for sensing an image of an object includes a negative feedback amplifier, a substrate, a sense electrode, a couple electrode and an insulation protection layer. The sense and couple electrodes are disposed above the substrate. The insulation protection layer covers the sense and couple electrodes. The sense electrode and the object form a sense capacitor. The couple electrode and the object form a couple capacitor. A negative input terminal of the negative feedback amplifier is electrically connected to the sense electrode, and the couple electrode is electrically connected to a signal output terminal of the negative feedback amplifier and a signal input terminal of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Patent number: 7669047
    Abstract: A biometrics signal input device with a USB interface is connected to a computer apparatus to control BIOS booting procedures of the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus communicates with a USB controller of the input device through the USB interface according to a USB communication protocol and regards this device as a USB device. Then, the computer apparatus executes a program stored in a memory of the input device and enables a biometrics sensor to read biometrics data of a user. Then, to-be-identified biometrics data and biometrics template data pre-stored in the memory are transferred to a main memory of the computer apparatus. A CPU of the computer apparatus compares the to-be-identified biometrics data with the biometrics template data. After the comparison passes, the BIOS booting procedures are allowed to be continued until the CPU has completely loaded an operation system stored in a main storage device of the computer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: EGIS Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Jer-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20090283845
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes a holding substrate, a sensing chip and a protection layer. The sensing chip is mounted on the holding substrate and electrically connected to the holding substrate. The sensing chip has a sensing region and a non-sensing region other than the sensing region. The sensing region senses image data of an object and thus generates a sensed signal outputted to the holding substrate. The protection layer is formed by a packaging material and is simultaneously processed and integrally formed to cover the sensing region and the non-sensing region of the sensing chip and the holding substrate. The protection layer has an exposed upper surface, which has one portion serving as a sensing surface in contact with the object. The entire protection layer is composed of the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Patent number: 7620761
    Abstract: A multi-functional storage apparatus and a control method thereof for executing the steps of: receiving a first command outputted from an operation system through a driver and responding to the first command to make the operation system identify an attribute of the multi-functional storage apparatus; transferring an application program stored in a storage device of the multi-functional storage apparatus according to an executing request of the operation system; executing, by the operation system, the application program to generate a second command, wherein the first command and the second command pertain to a control transfer command (CTC) for enabling a control transfer; and receiving the second command to control a signal generator of the multi-functional storage apparatus to generate an external signal, transferring the external signal back to the operation system; and converting the CTC into a bulk transfer command (BTC) for enabling a bulk transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: EGIS Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Jer-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7606440
    Abstract: In a linear image sensing device with image matching function, a linear sensors array senses a finger, which is moving over it, to obtain fragment image analog signals, which are amplified, by a programmable gain amplifier, into amplified signals. An analog-to-digital converter sequentially converts the amplified signals into digital image signals. An image matching module sequentially receives and processes adjacent two of the digital image signals, and outputs continuous non-overlapped fragment images through an input/output interface. A control logic controls operations and communications of the above-mentioned components. A terminal system receives the non-overlapped fragment images and assembles the non-overlapped fragment images into a complete fingerprint image in a manner of stacking the images side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. S. Chou, Yung-Pin Lee, Jer-Wei Chang