Patents by Inventor Stefan Kolb

Stefan Kolb 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: 8518732
    Abstract: A method for providing a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial structure by etching a plurality of trenches from a first main surface of a substrate. The method further includes covering the plurality of trenches at the first main surface with a cover material to define cavities within the substrate, removing a part of the substrate from a second main surface opposite to the first main surface to a depth at which the plurality of trenches are present, and etching away the sacrificial structure from the second main surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Stefan Kolb, Boris Binder, Bernd Foeste, Marco Mueller
  • Patent number: 8466061
    Abstract: A method for forming a through via in a semiconductor element includes providing a semiconductor element having electronic circuitry integrated on the main side thereof. The semiconductor element further includes an etch stop layer and a conductive region, wherein the conductive region is arranged between the etch stop layer and the main side of the semiconductor element. The method also includes selectively etching a through via from a backside of the semiconductor element, opposite to the main side of the semiconductor element, to the etch stop layer and removing at least partly the etch stop layer, so that the conductive region is exposed to the backside and filling at least partly the through via with a conductive material, wherein the conductive material is electrically isolated from the semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Bernhard Winkler, Ivo Rangelow, Hans-Olof Blom, Johan Bjurstroem
  • Publication number: 20130134530
    Abstract: Embodiments related to semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductor devices with semiconductor structure are described and depicted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Thoralf KAUTZSCH, Boris BINDER, Torsten HELM, Stefan KOLB, Marc PROBST, Uwe RUDOLPH
  • Patent number: 8415191
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to micromachine structures. In one embodiment, a micromachine structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sensing element. The sensing element is mechanically movable and is disposed intermediate the first and second electrodes and adapted to oscillate between the first and second electrodes. Further, the sensing element includes a FinFET structure having a height and a width, the height being greater than the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Reinhard Mahnkopf, Christian Pacha, Bernhard Winkler, Werner Weber
  • Patent number: 8278727
    Abstract: A method for providing a pressure sensor substrate comprises creating a first cavity that extends inside the substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate, and that extends inside the substrate, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, into a first venting area of the substrate; creating a second cavity that extends in the first direction inside the substrate, that extends in parallel to the first cavity in the second direction, and that does not extend into the first venting area; and opening the first cavity in the first venting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Marco Müller, Dirk Meinhold, Ben Rosam, Klaus Elian, Stefan Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120211805
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to MEMS devices, particularly MEMS devices integrated with related electrical devices on a single wafer. Embodiments utilize a modular process flow concept as part of a MEMS-first approach, enabling use of a novel cavity sealing process. The impact and potential detrimental effects on the electrical devices by the MEMS processing are thereby reduced or eliminated. At the same time, a highly flexible solution is provided that enables implementation of a variety of measurement principles, including capacitive and piezoresistive. A variety of sensor applications can therefore be addressed with improved performance and quality while remaining cost-effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Winkler, Andreas Zankl, Klemens Pruegl, Stefan Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120161254
    Abstract: A method for providing a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial structure by etching a plurality of trenches from a first main surface of a substrate. The method further includes covering the plurality of trenches at the first main surface with a cover material to define cavities within the substrate, removing a part of the substrate from a second main surface opposite to the first main surface to a depth at which the plurality of trenches are present, and etching away the sacrificial structure from the second main surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Stefan Kolb, Boris Binder, Bernd Foeste, Marco Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120074570
    Abstract: A method for forming a through via in a semiconductor element includes providing a semiconductor element having electronic circuitry integrated on the main side thereof. The semiconductor element further includes an etch stop layer and a conductive region, wherein the conductive region is arranged between the etch stop layer and the main side of the semiconductor element. The method also includes selectively etching a through via from a backside of the semiconductor element, opposite to the main side of the semiconductor element, to the etch stop layer and removing at least partly the etch stop layer, so that the conductive region is exposed to the backside and filling at least partly the through via with a conductive material, wherein the conductive material is electrically isolated from the semiconductor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Bernhard Winkler, Ivo Rangelow, Hans-Olof Blom, Johan Bjurstroem
  • Publication number: 20120061777
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to micromachine structures. In one embodiment, a micromachine structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sensing element. The sensing element is mechanically movable and is disposed intermediate the first and second electrodes and adapted to oscillate between the first and second electrodes. Further, the sensing element includes a FinFET structure having a height and a width, the height being greater than the width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Reinhard Mahnkopf, Christian Pacha, Bernhard Winkler, Werner Weber
  • Patent number: 8076738
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to micromachine structures. In one embodiment, a micromachine structure comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sensing element. The sensing element is mechanically movable and is disposed intermediate the first and second electrodes and adapted to oscillate between the first and second electrodes. Further, the sensing element comprises a FinFET structure having a height and a width, the height being greater than the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Reinhard Mahnkopf, Christian Pacha, Bernhard Winkler, Werner Weber
  • Publication number: 20110163395
    Abstract: A method for providing a pressure sensor substrate comprises creating a first cavity that extends inside the substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate, and that extends inside the substrate, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, into a first venting area of the substrate; creating a second cavity that extends in the first direction inside the substrate, that extends in parallel to the first cavity in the second direction, and that does not extend into the first venting area; and opening the first cavity in the first venting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Marco Müller, Dirk Meinhold, Ben Rosam, Klaus Elian, Stefan Kolb
  • Publication number: 20110068420
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes etching a first opening into a substrate; etching a chip singulation trench into the substrate to define a lamella between the first opening and the chip singulation trench; fabricating a sense element for sensing a deflection of the lamella; and singulating the semiconductor structure at the chip singulation trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Boris Binder, Bernd Foeste, Thoralf Kautzsch, Stefan Kolb, Marco Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090084181
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to micromachine structures. In one embodiment, a micromachine structure comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sensing element. The sensing element is mechanically movable and is disposed intermediate the first and second electrodes and adapted to oscillate between the first and second electrodes. Further, the sensing element comprises a FinFET structure having a height and a width, the height being greater than the width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Stefan KOLB, Reinhard MAHNKOPF, Christian PACHA, Bernhard WINKLER, Werner WEBER
  • Patent number: 7167097
    Abstract: A blood donation device with a receptacle for a blood donation container and a control section at which utensils required by the operator can be accommodated and/or by means of which parameters of the donation process can be varied, detected and/or retrieved. Bending of the operator to the blood donation device is avoided by the fact that the control section is arranged in an elevated position with respect to the receptacle of the blood donation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fresenius HemoCare Beteiligungs GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Artur Meisberger
  • Publication number: 20060202291
    Abstract: In the method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive sensor module, at first a composite arrangement out of a semiconductor substrate and a metal-insulator arrangement is provided, wherein a semiconductor circuit arrangement is integrated adjacent to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate into the same, wherein the metal-insulator arrangement is arranged on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises a structured metal sheet and insulation material at least partially surrounding the structured metal sheet, wherein the structured metal sheet is electrically connected to the semiconductor circuit arrangement. Then, a magnetoresistive sensor structure is applied onto a surface of the insulation material of the composite arrangement, and finally an electrical connection between the magnetoresistive sensor structure and the structured metal sheet is established, so that the magnetoresistive sensor structure is connected to the integrated circuit arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Klemens Pruegl, Juergen Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6883381
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a deflectable pressure measuring diaphragm and a counter-structure, which is deflectable as against the pressure measuring diaphragm. The acceleration sensor includes a detection means for detecting a deflection of the pressure measuring diaphragm as against the counter-structure. Further, a test mass is connected to the pressure measuring diaphragm or the counter-structure in order to be deflected from an idle position depending on an acceleration applied. The deflection of the test mass results in a change of the distance between the pressure measuring diaphragm and the counter-structure, which is detectable by the detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Wolfgang Werner
  • Patent number: 6770845
    Abstract: This invention refers to a supporting structure (10) for sheet material as sheet metal material (100) cut out by a laser device (200) located above the sheet material and focused on the same, with means of movement between the laser device and the sheet material and/or supporting structure. The supporting structure substantially comprises vertically mounted parallel rows of identical narrow sheet strips (12), each having raised integrated support areas (22) for the sheet material (100) between recessed grooves (20). To increase the life time of the sheet strips and therefore the life of the supporting structure, and at the same time to prevent damage to the underside of the sheet material as sheet metal, needles (24) are set onto the integrated support areas (22) of the sheet strips (12), the free ends of which form points of support (26) for the sheet material (100) laid upon them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventors: Nöst Franz, Döhring Frank, Richard Bohnert, Konrad Straub, Rolf Kiefer, Karl-Martin Benz, Horst Ambruster, Stefan Kolb
  • Publication number: 20040144762
    Abstract: This invention refers to a supporting structure (10) for sheet material as sheet metal material (100) cut out by a laser device (200) located above the sheet material and focused on the same, with means of movement between the laser device and the sheet material and/or supporting structure. The supporting structure substantially comprises vertically mounted parallel rows of identical narrow sheet strips (12), each having raised integrated support areas (22) for the sheet material (100) between recessed grooves (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Nost Franz, Dohring Frank, Richard Bohnert, Konrad Straub, Rolf Kiefer, Karl-Martin Benz, Horst Ambruster, Stefan Kolb
  • Publication number: 20040055385
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a deflectable pressure measuring diaphragm and a counter-structure, which is deflectable as against the pressure measuring diaphragm. The acceleration sensor includes a detection means for detecting a deflection of the pressure measuring diaphragm as against the counter-structure. Further, a test mass is connected to the pressure measuring diaphragm or the counter-structure in order to be deflected from an idle position depending on an acceleration applied. The deflection of the test mass results in a change of the distance between the pressure measuring diaphragm and the counter-structure, which is detectable by the detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Wolfgang Werner
  • Publication number: 20030069562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blood donation device with a receptacle for a blood donation container and a control section at which utensils required by the operator can be accommodated and/or by means of which parameters of the donation process can be varied, detected and/or retrieved. Bending of the operator to the blood donation device which is normally arranged in the region of the floor is avoided according to the invention by the fact that the control section is arranged in an elevated position with respect to the receptacle of the blood donation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Artur Meisberger