IP Library Granted Patent US 9,635,228
Granted Patent B2
US 9,635,228 · App. 14/466,770 · Granted Apr 25, 2017

Image sensors with interconnects in cover layer

Inventors: Swarnal Borthakur (Boise, ID); Nathan Lee (Boise, ID); Andrew Perkins (Boise, ID); Marc Sulfridge (Boise, ID)
Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
H04N5/2253H01L27/14618H01L27/14625H01L27/14627H01L2224/16225H01L2224/48091H01L2224/48227H01L2224/73253H01L2224/73265
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,635,228
App. No.
14/466,770
Granted
Apr 25, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image sensor die may include a pixel array formed in an image sensor substrate and covered by a transparent cover layer. The transparent cover layer may be attached to the image sensor substrate using adhesive. Electrical interconnect structures such as conductive vias may be formed in the transparent cover layer and may be used in conveying electrical signals between the image sensor and a printed circuit board. The conductive vias may have one end coupled to a bond pad on the upper surface of the transparent cover layer and an opposing end coupled to a bond pad on the upper surface of the image sensor substrate. The conductive vias may pass through openings that extend through the transparent cover layer and the adhesive. Conductive structures such as wire bonds, stud bumps, or solder balls may be coupled to the bond pads on the surface of the transparent cover layer.

Claims (11)

1. An imaging system, comprising:

an image sensor having an array of image sensor pixels formed in a front surface of an image sensor substrate;

a transparent cover layer formed over the array of image sensor pixels, wherein the transparent cover layer comprises a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings; and

first conductive structures formed in the first plurality of openings and second conductive structures formed in the second plurality of openings, wherein the first conductive structures convey image data from the image sensor and wherein the second conductive structures control a flow of a fluid over the array of image sensor pixels.

2. The imaging system defined in claim 1 wherein the transparent cover layer transmits light corresponding to a first range of wavelengths and blocks light corresponding to a second range of wavelengths.

3. The imaging system defined in claim 1 wherein the transparent cover layer comprises opposing exterior and interior surfaces, wherein the second conductive structures comprise first and second electrodes formed on the interior surface of the transparent cover layer, and wherein the first and second electrodes have opposite polarity.

4. The imaging system defined in claim 1 further comprising:

an adhesive interposed between the image sensor substrate and the transparent cover layer, wherein the adhesive attaches the transparent cover layer to the image sensor substrate.

5. The imaging system defined in claim 4 wherein each of the first conductive structures comprises a conductive via that passes through an opening that extends through the transparent cover layer and the adhesive.

6. The imaging system defined in claim 5 wherein the conductive via comprises a conductive material that fills the opening.

7. The imaging system defined in claim 5 wherein the conductive via comprises a conductive material that lines the opening.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 038620, FRAME 0087 Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC; FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064070/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER 5859768 AND TO RECITE COLLATERAL AGENT ROLE OF RECEIVING PARTY IN THE SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038620 FRAME 0087. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Aug 25, 2016
From: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039853/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2016
From: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 038620/0087 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2015
From: APTINA IMAGING CORPORATION
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 036555/0382 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: BORTHAKUR, SWARNAL; LEE, NATHAN; PERKINS, ANDREW; SULFRIDGE, MARC
To: APTINA IMAGING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033618/0042 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61870424 · Aug 27, 2013
Related Publication 20150062420A1 · Mar 5, 2015