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In a packaged integrated circuit, electrostatic discharge protection is provided by portions of a lead frame on which the integrated circuit is mounted. The lead frame includes a die paddle on which an integrated circuit die is mounted, with plastic or epoxy material encapsulating exposed surfaces o

In a packaged integrated circuit, electrostatic discharge protection is provided by portions of a lead frame on which the integrated circuit is mounted. The lead frame includes a die paddle on which an integrated circuit die is mounted, with plastic or epoxy material encapsulating exposed surfaces of the integrated circuit die except for a sensing surface, and supporting pins or leads formed from the lead frame. Portions of the lead frame extending from the die paddle are folded around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over, or adjacent to and level with, a peripheral upper surface of the encapsulated integrated circuit die to form an electrostatic discharge ring. The lead frame portions folded around the integrated circuit package are connected to ground through a ground pin, so that charge on a human finger touching the electrostatic discharge ring is dissipated to ground before the finger contacts a sensing surface of the integrated circuit. The portions of the lead frame which are folded around the encapsulated integrated circuit die may extend only around sides or side regions of the integrated circuit package not including pins or leads or, alternatively, may extend around all sides of the integrated circuit package and have openings where side regions of the integrated circuit package includes pins or leads.

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1. A method of providing electrostatic discharge protection for an integrated circuit, comprising:mounting an integrated circuit die on a lead frame including one or more leads or pins;encapsulating at least part of the integrated circuit die and a portion of the lead frame with a plastic or epoxy m

1. A method of providing electrostatic discharge protection for an integrated circuit, comprising:mounting an integrated circuit die on a lead frame including one or more leads or pins;encapsulating at least part of the integrated circuit die and a portion of the lead frame with a plastic or epoxy material; andfolding an unencapsulated portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:connecting the portion of the lead frame folded around the sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to the peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material to a ground voltage. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of encapsulating at least part of the integrated circuit die with a plastic or epoxy material further comprising:after mounting the integrated circuit die on the lead frame, encapsulating exposed surfaces of the integrated circuit die except for a sensing surface; andencapsulating wire bonds connecting the integrated circuit die to portions of the lead frame connected to the leads. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding a portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material further comprises:folding portions of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around each side of the encapsulated integrated circuit die. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding a portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material further comprises:folding a first portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around a first side of the encapsulated integrated circuit die, wherein the first portion includes an opening providing access for a connector to pins electrically connected to the integrated circuit die. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding a portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material further comprises:folding portions of the lead frame other than the leads or pins only around edges of the encapsulated integrated circuit die not including leads electrically connected to the integrated circuit die. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding a portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material further comprises:folding a first portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around a side of the encapsulated integrated circuit die; andfolding a second portion of the lead frame extending from the first portion over a peripheral upper surface of the encapsulated integrated circuit die. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding a portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around sides of the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a peripheral upper surface of the plastic or epoxy material further comprises:folding a first portion of the lead frame other than the leads or pins around a side of the encapsulated integrated circuit die; andfolding a second portion of the lead frame extending from the first portion adjacent to and level with a peripheral upper surface of the encapsulated integrated circuit die. 9. A method of providing electrostatic discharge protection for an integrated circuit, comprising:encapsulating at least part of an integrated circuit die mounted on a lead frame and a portion of the lead frame with a plastic or epoxy materia l, leaving lead portions and an electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame unencapsulated; andfolding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around the encapsulated integrated circuit die and over or adjacent to a surface of the plastic or epoxy material. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of encapsulating at least part of an integrated circuit die mounted on a lead frame and a portion of the lead frame with a plastic or epoxy material, leaving lead portions and an electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame unencapsulated further comprises:forming the plastic or epoxy material over one surface and sidewalls of the integrated circuit die and over portions of a surface of the lead frame on which the integrated circuit die is mounted, leaving an opposite surface of the lead frame and the lead portions and the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame unencapsulated. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of encapsulating at least part of an integrated circuit die mounted on a lead frame and a portion of the lead frame with a plastic or epoxy material, leaving lead portions and an electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame unencapsulated further comprises:leaving a contact surface of the integrated circuit die exposed. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:mounting the integrated circuit die on a flat lead frame having the lead portions projecting from at least one edge and the electrostatic discharge protection portion projecting from at least one edge. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame projects from an edge other than an edge from which the lead portions project. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame projects from an edge from which the lead portions project, the electrostatic discharge protection portion extending around the lead portions and beyond ends of the lead portions. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame projects from at least two opposing edges of the lead frame. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame projects from at least three edges of the lead frame, including one edge from which the lead portions project. 17. A method of providing electrostatic discharge protection for an integrated circuit, comprising:forming a flat lead frame having lead portions and an electrostatic discharge protection portion extending from edges thereof;mounting an integrated circuit die on a surface of the lead frame and encapuslating the at least sides of the integrated circuit die and a portion of the lead frame surface on which the integrated circuit die is mounted with an encapsulating material, leaving the lead portions and the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame projecting beyond the encapsulating material;folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around one or more sides of the encapsulating material. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around one or more sides of the encapsulating material further comprises:folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame to extend along the sides of the encapsulating material; andfolding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame to extend over a periphery of a surface of the encapsulating material opposite the lead frame. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around one or more sides of the encapsulating material further comprises:folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame to extend along the sides of the encapsulating material; andf olding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame to extend adjacent to a surface of the encapsulating material opposite the lead frame. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around one or more sides of the encapsulating material further comprises:folding the electrostatic discharge protection portion of the lead frame around at least two opposing sides of the encapsulating material.