The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2001
Bruno Vajana, Bergamo, IT;
Matteo Patelmo, Trezzo Sull'Adda, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method of making an integrated circuit that is resistant to an unauthorized duplication through reverse engineering includes forming a plurality of false contacts and/or false interconnection vias in the integrated circuit. These false contacts and/or false interconnection vias are connected as true contacts and true interconnection vias by lines patterned in a metallization layer deposited over an insulating dielectric layer or multilayer through which the true contacts and/or the true interconnection vias are formed. False contacts and false vias extend in the respective dielectric layers or multilayers to a depth insufficient to reach the active areas of a semiconductor substrate for false contacts, or to a depth insufficient to reach a layer of conductive material below the dielectric layers or multilayers for false interconnection vias.