# US 8,465,138 B2 · Semiconductor device, ink cartridge, and electronic device

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- Number: US 8,465,138 B2
- Document ID: US8465138B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/537,815
- Filed: 2012-06-29
- Published: 2012-10-18
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2006-03-10
- Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation
- Applicants: Nobuaki Hashimoto
- Inventors: Nobuaki Hashimoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465138B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/17546: {electronically}
- B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control}
- B41J 2002/17579: {Measuring electrical impedance for ink level indication}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ink cartridge used for an electronic device unit including an antenna, the ink cartridge comprising:
an ink cartridge casing including a container that accommodates ink; and
a semiconductor device that detects and manages information relating to the ink accommodated in the container, the semiconductor device including:
a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element and a first electrode electrically connected to the active element are formed;
a dielectric layer formed on the active element formation face;
detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink, the detection electrodes being formed on the dielectric layer;
an antenna transmitting and receiving information, the antenna being formed on the dielectric layer;
a first interconnection connecting the first electrode and the detection electrodes, a part of the first interconnection being formed on the dielectric layer; and
a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises:
a second electrode formed on the active element; and
a second interconnection connected to the second electrode, a part of the second interconnection being formed on the dielectric layer, wherein
the antenna is a part of the second interconnection.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
a protective film covering the first interconnection; and
an opening in the protective film exposing at least a part of the first interconnection, wherein
the detection electrodes are constituted by the part of the first interconnection exposed through the opening.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
a protective film covering the first interconnection;
an opening in the protective film exposing at least a part of the first interconnection; and
a bump formed on the first interconnection exposed through the opening, wherein
the detection electrodes are constituted by the bump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises:
a plated layer formed on a surface of the detection electrodes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of pairs of the detection electrodes formed along the depth direction of the container, the detection electrodes being arranged along a bottom face of the container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of the semiconductor devices formed along the depth direction of the container, the detection electrodes of at least one of the semiconductor devices being arranged along a bottom face of the container.

### Claim 8

An electronic device comprising:
an ink cartridge; and
an electronic device unit,
the ink cartridge including:
an ink cartridge casing including a container that accommodates ink; and
a liquid sensor including a semiconductor device that detects and manages information relating to the ink accommodated in the container,
the semiconductor device including:
a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element and a first electrode electrically connected to the active element are formed;
a dielectric layer formed on the active element formation face;
detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink, the detection electrodes being formed on the dielectric layer;
an antenna transmitting and receiving information, the antenna being formed on the dielectric layer;
a first interconnection connecting the first electrode and the detection electrodes, a part of the first interconnection being formed on the dielectric layer; and
a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink.