Patents by Inventor Chou Liu

Chou Liu 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).

  • Patent number: 12277379
    Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram of a wire routing arrangement in a multi-patterning context having multiple masks, the layout diagram being stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium) includes: placing, relative to a given one of the masks, a given cut pattern at a first candidate location over a corresponding portion of a given conductive pattern in a metallization layer; determining whether the first candidate location results in a group of cut patterns which violates a design rule; and temporarily preventing placement of the given cut pattern in the metallization layer at the first candidate location until a correction is made which avoids violating the design rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Chin-Chou Liu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Meng-Kai Hsu, Pin-Dai Sue, Po-Hsiang Huang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Chi-Yu Lu, Jung-Chou Tsai
  • Patent number: 12261199
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a chip having a semiconductor substrate and a thermoelectric module embedded in the semiconductor substrate, where the thermoelectric module includes a first semiconductor structure electrically connected to a second semiconductor structure, where a bottom portion of thermoelectric module extends through a thickness of the semiconductor substrate, and where the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure include dopants of different conductivity types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Yuan Chang, Jheng-Hong Jiang, Chin-Chou Liu, Long Song Lin
  • Patent number: 12223252
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes structures and methods for a via structure for three-dimensional integrated circuit (IC) packaging. The via structure includes a middle portion that extends through a planar structure and a first end and a second end each connected to the middle portion and on a different side of the planar structure. One or more of the first end and the second end includes one or more of a plurality of vias and a pseudo metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-yuan Chang, Chin-Chou Liu, Chin-Her Chien, Cheng-Hung Yeh, Po-Hsiang Huang, Sen-Bor Jan, Yi-Kan Cheng, Hsiu-Chuan Shu
  • Patent number: 12224359
    Abstract: A sensor package structure includes a substrate, a sensor chip and a ring-shaped solder mask frame those are disposed on the substrate, a ring-shaped support disposed on a top side of the annular solder mask frame, and a light permeable member that is disposed on the ring-shaped support. The sensor chip is electrically coupled to the substrate. A top surface of the sensor chip has a sensing region, and the sensing region is spaced apart from an outer lateral side of the sensor chip by a distance less than 300 ?m. The ring-shaped solder mask frame surrounds and contacts the outer lateral side of the sensor chip. The light permeable member, the ring-shaped support, and the sensor chip jointly define an enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: TONG HSING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Chou Liu, Jui-Hung Hsu, Yu-Chiang Peng, Chien-Chen Lee, Ya-Han Chang, Li-Chun Hung
  • Patent number: 12216981
    Abstract: A system (for generating a layout diagram of a wire routing arrangement) includes a processor and memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the system generating the layout diagram including: placing, relative to a given one of masks in a multi-patterning context, a given cut pattern at a first candidate location over a corresponding portion of a given conductive pattern in a metallization layer; determining that the first candidate location results in an intra-row non-circular group of a given row which violates a design rule, the intra-row non-circular group including first and second cut patterns which abut a same boundary of the given row, and a total number of cut patterns in the being an even number; and temporarily preventing placement of the given cut pattern in the metallization layer at the first candidate location until a correction is made which avoids violating the design rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Chin-Chou Liu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Meng-Kai Hsu, Pin-Dai Sue, Po-Hsiang Huang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Chi-Yu Lu, Jung-Chou Tsai
  • Publication number: 20240413052
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes heat dissipating structures that can be formed either in functional or non-functional areas of three-dimensional system on integrated chip structures. In some embodiments, the heat dissipating structures maintain an average operating temperature of memory dies or chips below about 90° C. For example, a structure includes a stack with chip layers, where each chip layer includes one or more chips and an edge portion. The structure further includes a thermal interface material disposed on the edge portion of each chip layer, a thermal interface material layer disposed over a top chip layer of the stack, and a heat sink over the thermal interface material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Hsiang HUANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Chin-Her CHIEN, Fong-yuan CHANG, Hui Yu LEE
  • Patent number: 12154842
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes heat dissipating structures that can be formed either in functional or non-functional areas of three-dimensional system on integrated chip structures. In some embodiments, the heat dissipating structures maintain an average operating temperature of memory dies or chips below about 90° C. For example, a structure includes a stack with chip layers, where each chip layer includes one or more chips and an edge portion. The structure further includes a thermal interface material disposed on the edge portion of each chip layer, a thermal interface material layer disposed over a top chip layer of the stack, and a heat sink over the thermal interface material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Hsiang Huang, Chin-Chou Liu, Chin-Her Chien, Fong-yuan Chang, Hui Yu Lee
  • Publication number: 20240386183
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes structures and methods for a via structure for three-dimensional integrated circuit (IC) packaging. The via structure includes a middle portion that extends through a planar structure and a first end and a second end each connected to the middle portion and on a different side of the planar structure. One or more of the first end and the second end includes one or more of a plurality of vias and a pseudo metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-yuan CHANG, Chin-Chou Liu, Chin-Her Chien, Cheng-Hung Yeh, Po-Hsiang Huang, Sen-Bor Jan, Yi-Kan Cheng, Hsiu-Chuan Shu
  • Publication number: 20240387377
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacture are provided wherein a metallization layer is located over a substrate, and a power grid line is located within the metallization layer. A signal pad is located within the metallization layer and the signal pad is surrounded by the power grid line. A signal external connection is electrically connected to the signal pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Noor Mohamed Ettuveettil, Po-Hsiang Huang, Sen-Bor Jan, Ming-Fa Chen, Chin-Chou Liu, Yi-Kan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20240379746
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure including a thermoelectric module embedded in the semiconductor substrate, where the thermoelectric module includes a first semiconductor structure electrically connected to a second semiconductor structure, where a bottom portion of thermoelectric module extends through a thickness of the semiconductor substrate, and where the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure include dopants of different conductivity types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jen-Yuan Chang, Jheng-Hong Jiang, Chin-Chou Liu, Long Song Lin
  • Publication number: 20240370633
    Abstract: A method includes forming first and second circuits in first and second regions, alpha and dummy conductors having majority-portions in the first region, and a beta conductor having a majority-portion in the second region. The conductors are formed substantially collinear correspondingly with reference tracks along a first direction. The alpha conductors are for the first circuit. The beta conductor is for the second circuit. For a majority of the reference tracks, first ends of the alpha or the dummy conductors are aligned and proximal to a first side of the first region. A first alpha conductor is prevented from extending beyond the first side and a second side of the first region, such that the first alpha conductor is confined within the first region. The beta conductor is formed on a same reference track as the first alpha conductor, and has a minority portion extending into the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Po-Hsiang HUANG
  • Publication number: 20240338507
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for generating a multichip, hybrid node stacked package designs from single chip designs using artificial intelligence techniques, such as machine learning. The methods disclosed herein can facilitate heterogenous integration using advanced packaging technologies, enlarge design for manufacturability of single chip designs, and/or reduce cost to manufacture and/or size of systems provided by single chip designs. An exemplary method includes receiving a single chip design for a single chip of a single process node, wherein the single chip design has design specifications and generating a multichip, hybrid node design from the single chip design by disassembling the single chip design into chiplets having different functions and different process nodes based on the design specifications and integrating the chiplets into a stacked chip package structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Jen-Yuan CHANG, Jheng-Hong JIANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Long Song LIN
  • Publication number: 20240312978
    Abstract: A layout design methodology is provided for a device that includes two or more identical structures. Each device can have a first die, a second die stacked over the first die and a third die stacked over the second die. The second die can include a first through-silicon via (TSV) and a first circuit, and the third die can include a second TSV and a second circuit. The first TSV and the second TSV can be linearly coextensive. The first and second circuit can each be a logic circuit having a comparator and counter used to generate die identifiers. The counters of respective device die can be connected in series between the dice. Each die can be manufactured using the same masks but retain unique logical identifiers. A given die in a stack of dice can thereby be addressed by a single path in a same die layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan CHANG, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Chin-Her CHIEN, Ka Fai CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240296272
    Abstract: A method includes forming a transistor layer; forming a first metallization layer, including: forming first conductors, aligned along alpha tracks, and representing input pins of a cell region including first and second input pins; and cutting lengths of the first and second input pins to accommodate at most two access points, each aligned to a different one of first to fourth beta tracks, the beta tracks to which are aligned the access points of the first input pin being different than the beta tracks to which are aligned the access points of the second input pin; and forming a second metallization layer, including: forming second conductors representing routing segments and a representing a power grid segment aligned with one of the beta tracks of access points of the first input pin or the access points of the second input pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chi-Yu LU, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Chin-Chou LIU, Lee-Chung LU, Yen-Hung LIN, Li-Chun TIEN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 12079561
    Abstract: A cell region of a semiconductor device, the cell region including: components (representing a first circuit) including alpha info conductors and dummy conductors which are substantially collinear correspondingly with reference tracks, regarding the first circuit, the alpha info conductors beipng correspondingly for one or more input and/or output signals, or one or more internal signals, and for a majority of the reference tracks, first ends correspondingly of the alpha info conductors or the dummy conductors being aligned and proximal to a first side of the cell region; a first alpha info conductor being on a first reference track and being an intra-cell conductor which does not extend beyond the first side nor a second side of the cell region; and a portion of a first beta info conductor of a second circuit (represented by components of an external cell region) being on the first reference track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Chin-Chou Liu, Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Po-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20240274561
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a plurality of first pads, a plurality of second pads, and a plurality of conductive lines. The first pads are arranged to form a first column-and-row array, and the second pads are arranged to form a second column-and-row array. The first column-and-row array, the second column-and-row array and the conductive lines are disposed in a same layer. The first pads in adjacent rows in the first column-and-row array are separated from each other by a first vertical distance from a plan view, the second pads in adjacent rows in the second column-and-row array are separated from each other by a second vertical distance from the plan view. A sum of widths of the conductive lines electrically connecting the first pads and the second pads in the same row is less than the first vertical distance and the second vertical distance from the plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: JUNG-CHOU TSAI, FONG-YUAN CHANG, PO-HSIANG HUANG, CHIN-CHOU LIU, YI-KAN CHENG
  • Patent number: 12062641
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first semiconductor wafer, a second semiconductor wafer, a first interconnect structure, a first through substrate via, and an under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer. The first semiconductor wafer has a first side of the first semiconductor wafer. The second semiconductor wafer is coupled to the first semiconductor wafer, and is over the first semiconductor wafer. The second semiconductor wafer has a first device in a first side of the second semiconductor wafer. The first interconnect structure is on a second side of the first semiconductor wafer opposite from the first side of the first semiconductor wafer. The first interconnect structure includes an inductor below the first semiconductor wafer. The first through substrate via extends through the first semiconductor wafer. The first through substrate via electrically couples the inductor to at least the first device. The UBM layer is on a surface of the first interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Lin Chen, Hui-Yu Lee, Fong-Yuan Chang, Po-Hsiang Huang, Chin-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: 12039244
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for generating a multichip, hybrid node stacked package designs from single chip designs using artificial intelligence techniques, such as machine learning. The methods disclosed herein can facilitate heterogenous integration using advanced packaging technologies, enlarge design for manufacturability of single chip designs, and/or reduce cost to manufacture and/or size of systems provided by single chip designs. An exemplary method includes receiving a single chip design for a single chip of a single process node, wherein the single chip design has design specifications and generating a multichip, hybrid node design from the single chip design by disassembling the single chip design into chiplets having different functions and different process nodes based on the design specifications and integrating the chiplets into a stacked chip package structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Jen-Yuan Chang, Jheng-Hong Jiang, Chin-Chou Liu, Long Song Lin
  • Patent number: 12027513
    Abstract: A layout design methodology is provided for a device that includes two or more identical structures. Each device can have a first die, a second die stacked over the first die and a third die stacked over the second die. The second die can include a first through-silicon via (TSV) and a first circuit, and the third die can include a second TSV and a second circuit. The first TSV and the second TSV can be linearly coextensive. The first and second circuit can each be a logic circuit having a comparator and counter used to generate die identifiers. The counters of respective device die can be connected in series between the dice. Each die can be manufactured using the same masks but retain unique logical identifiers. A given die in a stack of dice can thereby be addressed by a single path in a same die layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan Chang, Po-Hsiang Huang, Chin-Chou Liu, Chin-Her Chien, Ka Fai CHang
  • Publication number: 20240213121
    Abstract: A three dimensional Integrated Circuit (IC) Power Grid (PG) may be provided. The three dimensional IC PG may comprise a first IC die, a second IC die, an interface, and a power distribution structure. The interface may be disposed between the first IC die and the second IC die. The power distribution structure may be connected to the interface. The power distribution structure may comprise at least one Through-Silicon Vias (TSV) and a ladder structure connected to at least one TSV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Noor E.V. Mohamed, Fong-Yuan Chang, Po-Hsiang Huang, Chin-Chou Liu