Patents by Inventor Andreas Birkner

Andreas Birkner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230395417
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and to a method for imaging an object in at least two views. The device and the method can be used, for example, for teaching-in or monitoring a robot or for monitoring handling systems or, more generally, with devices which require imaging of an object for an analysis or a monitoring process. The device allows an object to be imaged in at least two different views simultaneously, comprising at least one imaging optical element and at least one reflective element, wherein the reflective element is at least partly arranged within object space of the imaging optical element, optical axis of the imaging optical element being associated with first view of the object, and wherein the reflective element is operable to image a second view of the object, which is different from the first view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Ralf Langenbach
  • Publication number: 20210352835
    Abstract: A method for processing substrates, in particular wafers, masks or flat panel displays, with a semi-conductor industry machine, wherein a computer-supported process is used to determine the presence and/or position and/or orientation of the substrate. Further, a system designed to execute the method. The computer-supported process includes an artificial neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Andreas BIRKNER
  • Patent number: 10322919
    Abstract: A maintenance apparatus, in particular for lifting and moving components of a system for processing semiconductor devices. The apparatus comprises a beam and an arm with means for lifting a component, the arm being mounted to the beam via a connecting unit and so as to be pivotable in a horizontal plane, wherein the connecting unit is displaceable along the beam, and wherein the arm is displaceable perpendicularly to the beam, and wherein a load accommodation means is provided on the pivotable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Simon Schadt, Arndt Evers
  • Publication number: 20180155126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a maintenance apparatus for a clean room or for systems in the clean room comprising a system component which can be moved horizontally and vertically. The system component is suspended on magnetic rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo WEISKE, Arndt EVERS, Han HARTGERS, Andreas BIRKNER, Guido VAN LOON
  • Publication number: 20170267504
    Abstract: A maintenance apparatus, in particular for lifting and moving components of a system for processing semiconductor devices. The apparatus comprises a beam and an arm with means for lifting a component, the arm being mounted to the beam via a connecting unit and so as to be pivotable in a horizontal plane, wherein the connecting unit is displaceable along the beam, and wherein the arm is displaceable perpendicularly to the beam, and wherein a load accommodation means is provided on the pivotable arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas BIRKNER, Simon SCHADT, Arndt EVERS
  • Publication number: 20130205822
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooling a computing system, the computing system being cooled using at least two cooling circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Heiland, Andreas Birkner
  • Publication number: 20130050931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooling a computing system, wherein waste heat of the computing system is supplied as driving energy to a refrigeration machine for cooling the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Heiland, Andreas Birkner
  • Patent number: 8089622
    Abstract: A device for evaluating defects in the edge area of a wafer (6) is disclosed. The evaluation may also be performed automatically. In particular, the device includes three cameras (25, 26, 27), each provided with an objective (30), wherein a first camera (25) is arranged such that the first camera (25) is opposite to an edge area on the upper surface (6a) of the wafer (6), wherein a second camera (26) is arranged such that the second camera (26) is opposite to a front surface (6b) of the wafer (6), and wherein a third camera (27) is arranged such that the third camera (27) is opposite to an edge area on the lower surface (6c) of the wafer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Vistec Semiconductor Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Michael Hofmann, Wolfgang Vollrath
  • Publication number: 20080232672
    Abstract: A device for evaluating defects in the edge area of a wafer (6) is disclosed. The evaluation may also be performed automatically. In particular, the device includes three cameras (25, 26, 27), each provided with an objective (30), wherein a first camera (25) is arranged such that the first camera (25) is opposite to an edge area on the upper surface (6a) of the wafer (6), wherein a second camera (26) is arranged such that the second camera (26) is opposite to a front surface (6b) of the wafer (6), and wherein a third camera (27) is arranged such that the third camera (27) is opposite to an edge area on the lower surface (6c) of the wafer (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: VISTEC SEMICONDUCTOR SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Michael Hofmann, Wolfgang Vollrath
  • Patent number: 7028565
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Patent number: 6962471
    Abstract: The invention is based on a substrate conveying module (1) for conveying substrates into a workstation (3) for inspection, measurement, or processing of the substrates, in which on because of connecting elements (4a, b) in at least two side walls (1a, b, c) of the substrate conveying module (1) and/or in at least two side walls (3a, b, c, d) of the workstation (3), the substrate conveying module (1) can, at the installation location of the workstation (3), be flexibly connected thereto in different orientations with respect to the workstation (3) and/or can be coupled at different points to the workstation (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Knut Hiltawski, Karsten Urban, Joachim Wienecke
  • Patent number: 6845174
    Abstract: An arrangement for the identification of a substrate (S) having at least one identification marking (I), comprising a turntable (2) for rotating a substrate (S) placed thereon; an illumination source (4) and a receiving device (5) for evaluating the intensity of the light emerging from the illumination source (4), the edge zone of the substrate (S) placed on the turntable (2), upon rotation thereof, influencing the light intensity striking the receiving device (5); a device (6) for reading the identification marking (I), having a sensing region (E); and a calculation device that calculates a manipulated variable for a correction rotation angle about the rotation axis (A) for alignment of the identification marking (I) with respect to the sensing region (E), and a manipulated variable for a correction motion for changing the position of the sensing region (E) with respect to the rotation axis (A) or with respect to the actual position of the identification marking (I), and outputs them to a positioning devi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Grau, Andreas Birkner, Knut Hiltawski, Frank Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 6789436
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Publication number: 20040149055
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS JENA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Patent number: 6736582
    Abstract: In a device for manipulating an object for loading and unloading a clean room, the problem is to reduce the hardware expense for adjustment devices and for air conditioning while maintaining ergonomic benefits and to further improve the clean room conditions in the device. The device contains a stationary outer part (3) of a housing (2) as well as an inner part (4) that can extend telescopically from it and a receptacle element (11) in the roof area of the inner part (4). For the telescopic extension of the inner part and for the lowering of the receptacle element into the inner part, a common guide rail (16) and a common drive (20) are provided. The receptacle element connected to the drive engages with a driver of the inner part for the telescopic extension of the inner part by vertical upward movement and after reaching an access level (E2, E2), at which the inner part is secured, it can be lowered in the inner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Mages, Andreas Birkner, Alfred Schulz, Klaus Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030140716
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS JENA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Patent number: 6553850
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c ) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Publication number: 20020095999
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS JENA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Publication number: 20020097905
    Abstract: An arrangement for the identification of a substrate (S) having at least one identification marking (I), comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Grau, Andreas Birkner, Knut Hiltawski, Frank Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20020051698
    Abstract: The invention is based on a substrate conveying module (1) for conveying substrates into a workstation (3) for inspection, measurement, or processing of the substrates, in which on because of connecting elements (4a, b) in at least two side walls (1a, b, c) of the substrate conveying module (1) and/or in at least two side walls (3a, b, c, d) of the workstation (3), the substrate conveying module (1) can, at the installation location of the workstation (3), be flexibly connected thereto in different orientations with respect to the workstation (3) and/or can be coupled at different points to the workstation (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Knut Hiltawski, Karsten Urban, Joachim Wienecke