Patent · US Expired

Surface shape recognition sensor and method of manufacturing the same

US6727561B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
7References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 2002
Grant dateApr 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06V40/1306
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A surface shape recognition sensor includes a plurality of capacitive detection elements, a support electrode, and a protective film. The capacitive detection elements are formed from lower electrodes and a deformable plate-like upper electrode made of a metal. The lower electrodes are insulated and isolated from each other and stationarily laid out on a single plane of an interlevel dielectric formed on a semiconductor substrate. The upper electrode is laid out above the lower electrodes at a predetermined interval and has a plurality of opening portions. The support electrode is laid out around the lower electrodes while being insulated and isolated from the lower electrodes, and formed to be higher than the lower electrodes to support the upper electrode. The protective film is formed on the upper electrode to close the opening portions. The opening portions of the upper electrode are laid out in a region other than regions on a main part of the lower electrode and on the support electrode. A method of manufacturing the surface shape recognition sensor is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.