SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PROTECTING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FROM OVER CURRENTS

摘要

A contact detector having power switches for disconnecting power to portions of the contact sensor when an over current is detected is disclosed. The power switches thus protect the contact sensor from over-current as the result of latch-up or other current-generating conditions. These current-generating conditions are often the result of ESD events on a surface of the contact detector. A contact detector comprises an exposed surface for detecting the presence of an object, an insulating surface, and a protection element disposed under the insulating surface for controlling power to the contact detector. The protection element is configured to disconnect power to the contact detector when a current to the contact detector is detected above a threshold. Preferably, the contact detector is a finger swipe sensor, but it can be a finger placement sensor or any other type of device that functions on contact with a finger or other patterned object.