US6184514B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic cover for image sensors
Assignee: Omnivision Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-18
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2018-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A cover and method of protecting and testing an image sensor. The cover is designed to be mounted on a supporting substrate in which the sensor is mounted. The substrate has a generally planer surface with the image sensor being mounted below the generally planer surface. Cover includes a body portion which extends over the image sensor and has means for removably mounting and demounting the cover from the substrate. The cover further includes a window area such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur through said window when the cover is mounted to said substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlos F. Rezende
- 👤 Craig E. Arnold
- 👤 Mark A. Harland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:17
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W76/00; H10W76/10; H10W76/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A cover for protecting an image sensor mounted on a supporting substrate, said substrate having a generally planer surface, said image sensor being mounted below said generally planer surface, said cover comprising: a body extending over said image sensor and having means for removably mounting and demounting said cover from said substrate, said body having a window area such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur when the cover is mounted to said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A cover for protecting an image sensor mounted on a supporting substrate, said substrate having a generally planer surface, said image sensor being mounted below said generally planer surface, said cover comprising: a body extending over said image sensor and having means for removably mounting and demounting said cover from said substrate, said body having a window area such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur when the cover is mounted to said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said means for removably mounting and demounting said cover comprises at least two flexible projecting members disposed at opposite sides of said cover, said members each having a portion designed to engage opposite sides of said substrate so as to secure said cover to said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cover according to claim 2 wherein said body further comprises a projecting tab for allowing easy removal of said cover from said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said window has an index of refraction of about 1.49 and a minimum light transmittence of about 90 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said cover is made out of a clear thermoplastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said window area has a substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said cover made out of a non-static plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said sensor is an area CCD.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cover according to claim 1 wherein said body has a substantially uniform thickness and a substantially flat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cover according to claim 9 wherein said cover has a flatness is less than about 0.003 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cover according to claim 9 wherein said substrate having an upper surface adjacent said cover, said upper surface being substantially flat.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of testing and/or use of an image sensor provided in a supporting substrate, comprising: providing a supporting substrate having a general planer upper surface and an image sensor mounted to said supporting substrate below said upper surface; providing a removable cover for engagement with said supporting substrate, said cover extending over said image sensor, said cover having a body having a window such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur through said window when the cover is mounted to said substrate, and; subjecting said image sensor to optical use and/or testing through said window.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of testing and/or use of an image sensor provided in a supporting substrate, comprising: providing a supporting substrate having a general planer upper surface and an image sensor mounted to said supporting substrate below said upper surface; providing a removable cover for engagement with said supporting substrate, said cover extending over said image sensor, said cover having a body having a window such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur through said window when the cover is mounted to said substrate, and; subjecting said image sensor to optical use and/or testing through said window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said substrate is mounted on a product prior to final assembly of said product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12 further comprises step of removing said cover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of finally assembling the product so as to enclose said sensor array in said product.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A sensor and cover assembly comprising sensor having a supporting substrate having a generally planer upper surface and an image sensor mounted to said substrate below said upper surface, and a cover for positioning on said upper surface for protection of said image sensor, said cover comprising: a body extending over said image sensor and having at least one mounting member for removably mounting and demounting said cover from said substrate, said body having a window area positioned with respect to said sensor such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur through said window when the cover is mounted to said substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A sensor and cover assembly comprising sensor having a supporting substrate having a generally planer upper surface and an image sensor mounted to said substrate below said upper surface, and a cover for positioning on said upper surface for protection of said image sensor, said cover comprising: a body extending over said image sensor and having at least one mounting member for removably mounting and demounting said cover from said substrate, said body having a window area positioned with respect to said sensor such that use and/or test of said sensor may occur through said window when the cover is mounted to said substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said at least one mounting member for removably mounting and demounting said cover comprises at least two flexible projecting members disposed at opposite sides of said cover, said members each having a portion designed to engage opposite sides of said substrate so as to secure said cover to said substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cover according to claim 17 wherein said body further comprises a projecting tab for allowing easy removal of said cover from said substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said window has an index of refraction of about 1.49.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said cover is made out of a clear thermoplastic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said window area has a substantially uniform thickness.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said cover made out of a non-static plastic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said sensor is an area CCD.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 16 wherein said body has a substantially uniform thickness and a substantially flat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 24 wherein said cover has a flatness is less than about 0.003 inches.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sensor and cover assembly according to claim 24 wherein said substrate having an upper surface adjacent said cover, said upper surface being substantially flat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |