Abstract: A Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) forming an enhanced fingerprint module is disclosed. The PCBA includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), an image sensing chip, at least one electrode and a protection layer. An opening in a first insulation layer and a second insulation layer of the PCB together form a sensor portion so that the image sensing chip can be packaged in the opening. Thus, the thickness of the enhanced fingerprint module can be thinner than other fingerprint modules provided by the conventional package methods.

Abstract: A chip with I/O pads on the peripheries and a method making the chip is disclosed. The chip includes: a substrate; at least two metal layers, formed above the substrate, each metal layer forming a specific circuit, wherein two adjacent metal layers are separated by an inter-metal dielectric layer; and a passivation layer, formed on a top side of the chip. By changing the I/O pad from the top of the chip to the peripheries, the extra thickness of the packaged chip caused by wire bonding in the prior arts can be reduced.

Abstract: A capacitive image sensor and a method for running the capacitive image sensor are disclosed. The capacitive image sensor includes a number of capacitive sensing elements, forming an array, each capacitive sensing element for transforming a distance between a portion of a surface of an approaching finger and a top surface thereof into an output voltage, wherein a value of the output voltage is changed by a driving signal exerted on the finger; an A/D converter, for converting the output voltage into a number and outputting the number; and a signal source, for providing the driving signal to the finger.

Abstract: A remote control for a smart TV or a set-top box is disclosed. The remote control includes a capacitive fingerprint sensor, a processor and a wireless transmitter. The present invention takes advantages of the capacitive fingerprint sensor so that every user's personal data and corresponding setting for the smart TV or set-top box are available. Channel (or web-site) content rating can be achieved. Purchasing over TV can be safer than ever.

Abstract: An enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit is disclosed. The enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit includes a base structure and a fingerprint sensing structure. The fingerprint sensing structure has a first inter-metal dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a second inter-metal dielectric layer, a third metal layer, and a passivation layer. By connecting the third metal layer to Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) device, anti-Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is available. By increasing the thicknesses of the first inter-metal dielectric layer and the second inter-metal dielectric layer, sensitivity of the enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit can be improved.

Abstract: An enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit is disclosed. The enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit includes a base structure and a fingerprint sensing structure. The fingerprint sensing structure has a first inter-metal dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a second inter-metal dielectric layer, a third metal layer, and a passivation layer. By connecting the third metal layer to Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) device, anti-Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is available. By increasing the thicknesses of the first inter-metal dielectric layer and the second inter-metal dielectric layer, sensitivity of the enhanced capacitive fingerprint sensing unit can be improved.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a method to assemble the PCBA are disclosed. The PCBA includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an image sensing chip and a protection layer. The PCB includes a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, a first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer, and a third electrically conductive layer. The image sensing chip has a number of bonding pads with a sensor portion facing down through the second opening. The PCBA can function as an image sensing module and make the module have the thinnest thickness.

Abstract: A method for forming a stacked metal contact in electrical communication with aluminum wiring in a semiconductor wafer of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: forming at least one passivation layer on a surface of the semiconductor wafer of the integrated circuit, where an aluminum wiring is embedded; forming a patterned terminal via opening through the passivation layer to expose the aluminum wiring; removing a portion of the aluminum wiring from the patterned terminal via opening by chemical etching and forming a thin zinc film on an etched surface at the same time; forming a nickel film stacked on the zinc film; and; and forming a metal stack in the patterned terminal via opening and/or at least a portion of the passivation layer by chemical plating or metal plating.

Abstract: A method for mounting a chip on a printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a chip having a plurality of bonding pads and a PCB having a recess portion and a plurality of connectors; gluing the recess portion; placing the chip into the recess portion; and forming circuit patterns linking associated bonding pad and connector. A bottom of the recess portion is substantially flat and a shape of the recess portion is similar to that of the chip but large enough so that the chip can be fixed in the recess portion after being glued.

Abstract: A method for mounting a chip on a printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a chip having a plurality of bonding pads and a PCB having a recess portion and a plurality of connectors; gluing the recess portion; placing the chip into the recess portion; and forming circuit patterns linking associated bonding pad and connector. A bottom of the recess portion is substantially flat and a shape of the recess portion is similar to that of the chip but large enough so that the chip can be fixed in the recess portion after being glued.

Abstract: A method for enhancing surface characteristics of a fingerprint sensor and a protective structure made according to the method are disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a fingerprint sensor having a number of detecting elements beneath a top surface of the fingerprint sensor, the detecting element is used to detect changes of capacitance over a portion of a finger; forming a metal mesh layer over the top surface of the fingerprint sensor, wherein metal lines of the metal mesh layer are formed periodically and each of them is located between two adjacent detecting elements; forming a passivation layer on the metal mesh layer to shape a concave-convex top surface; and filling concave portions of the passivation layer with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) material. A convex portion of the passivation layer is substantially above the metal line of the metal mesh layer.

Abstract: A silicon wafer having colored top side is disclosed in the present invention. The silicon wafer includes: a wafer; a first semi-conductor layer, formed on at least a portion of a top side of the wafer, having periodical structures to form a grating pattern, and a second semi-conductor layer, formed on the first semi-conductor layer with a bottom side substantially fully contacted with the periodical structures. The first semi-conductor layer and the second semi-conductor layer form a photonic crystal layer and work to reflect a predetermined wavelength range of incident visible light beams. The present invention provides a silicon wafer which can reflect specified color(s) from the surface facing external light beams. Therefore, dies from cutting the silicon wafer with functions to interact with external environment rather than packaged can have advantages to show some specified logo or trademark.