Patent ID: 7673973
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A micro-fluid ejecting device comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a conductivity type; a plurality of fluid ejection elements formed on the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of nonvolatile programmable memory devices at least partially embedded in the semiconductor substrate, the programmable memory devices formed by a programmable memory matrix that includes a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of pass transistors and each of the plurality of rows includes at least one pass transistor, the programmable memory devices including a plurality of floating gate transistors, each of the plurality of floating gate transistors is coupled between a row pass transistor and a column pass transistor, the row pass transistor being one of the pass transistors included in the one of the plurality of rows and the column pass transistor being one of the plurality of pass transistors included in the one of the plurality of columns, the programmable memory devices for storing information related to the operation of the micro-fluid ejecting device, each of the programmable memory devices comprising: a source region formed in the semiconductor substrate, the source region having a conductivity type opposite the conductivity type of the semiconductor substrate; a drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the source region, the drain region having a conductivity type opposite the conductivity type of the semiconductor substrate; an insulative layer formed on the semiconductor substrate over the source region and drain region; a floating gate region formed on the insulative layer and spatially disposed between the source region and drain region, the floating gate region electrically insulated from the source and drain regions by the insulative layer; and electrical contacts connected to the source region and the drain region, the micro-fluid ejecting device further comprising a nozzle plate attached to the semiconductor substrate and covering the plurality of programmable memory devices and the plurality of fluid ejection elements, wherein the nozzle plate comprises a material which is opaque to ultraviolet light, thereby protecting the programmable memory devices from inadvertent deprogramming by exposure to ultraviolet light.