Patents by Inventor Bret A. Humphrey

Bret A. Humphrey 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).

  • Patent number: 11756811
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Patent number: 11318550
    Abstract: A cleaning material, device, and method for predictably cleaning the capillary tube for a wire bonding machine in which the cleaning pad has a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular wire bonding machine and a substrate having a defined functionalized surface topology and geometry which can be introduced into the wire bonding machine during the normal wire bonding operations. The cleaning material has a predetermined topography with a plurality of functional 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures that provide performance characteristics which are not possible with a non-functionalized and flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alex S. Poles, Wayne C. Smith, Janakraj Shivlal
  • Publication number: 20220093394
    Abstract: A cleaning material, device, and method for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, in which the cleaning pad has a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular pin contact elements and a substrate having a defined functionalized surface topology and geometry which can be introduced into the testing apparatus during the normal testing operations. The cleaning material has a predetermined topography with a plurality of functional 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures that provide performance characteristics which are not possible with a non-functionalized and flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL TEST SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alex S. Poles
  • Patent number: 11211242
    Abstract: A cleaning material, device, and method for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, in which the cleaning pad has a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular pin contact elements and a substrate having a defined functionalized surface topology and geometry which can be introduced into the testing apparatus during the normal testing operations. The cleaning material has a predetermined topography with a plurality of functional 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures that provide performance characteristics which are not possible with a non-functionalized and flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL TEST SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alex S. Poles
  • Publication number: 20210146464
    Abstract: A cleaning material, device, and method for predictably cleaning the capillary tube for a wire bonding machine in which the cleaning pad has a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular wire bonding machine and a substrate having a defined functionalized surface topology and geometry which can be introduced into the wire bonding machine during the normal wire bonding operations. The cleaning material has a predetermined topography with a plurality of functional 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures that provide performance characteristics which are not possible with a non-functionalized and flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alex S. Poles, Wayne C. Smith, Janakraj Shivlal
  • Publication number: 20210151317
    Abstract: A cleaning material, device, and method for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, in which the cleaning pad has a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular pin contact elements and a substrate having a defined functionalized surface topology and geometry which can be introduced into the testing apparatus during the normal testing operations. The cleaning material has a predetermined topography with a plurality of functional 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures that provide performance characteristics which are not possible with a non-functionalized and flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alex S. Poles
  • Publication number: 20210005499
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210001378
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210005483
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210005484
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Patent number: 10792713
    Abstract: A device, mechanism, and methodology for regular and consistent cleaning of the vacuum aperture, nozzle, and contacting surfaces of a pick-and-place apparatus and the pick-up tools of automated or manual semiconductor device and die handling machines are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer with one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics, regular geometrical features, and/or an irregular surface morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Bret A. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Wayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200200800
    Abstract: A medium for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated handling device and the electrical test equipment is disclosed so that the functionality and performance of the individual die or IC package may be electrically evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alan E. Humphrey, James H. Duvall
  • Patent number: 10361169
    Abstract: A methodology and medium for regular and predictable cleaning the support hardware such as capillary tube in semiconductor assembly equipment components, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated assembly are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer and one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Wayne C. Smith, Janakraj Shivlal, Bret A. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 10195648
    Abstract: A cleaning material for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, has a cleaning pad layer, one or more intermediate layers having a set of predetermined characteristics and having a plurality of abrasive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alan E. Humphrey, James H. Duvall
  • Publication number: 20180308821
    Abstract: A methodology and medium for regular and predictable cleaning the support hardware such as capillary tube in semiconductor assembly equipment components, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated assembly are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer and one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Wayne C. Smith, Janakraj Shivlal, Bret A. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9825000
    Abstract: A methodology and medium for regular and predictable cleaning the support hardware such as capillary tube in semiconductor assembly equipment components, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated assembly are disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer and one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Wayne C. Smith, Janakraj Shivlal, Bret A. Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20140331421
    Abstract: A medium for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated handling device and the electrical test equipment is disclosed so that the functionality and performance of the individual die or IC package may be electrically evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alan E. Humphrey, James H. Duvall
  • Patent number: 8801869
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning pin contact elements and support hardware in a semiconductor testing apparatus that has a cleaning layer with a predetermined configuration appropriate for the particular pin contact elements and a substrate having a configuration to be introduced into the testing apparatus during the normal testing operating of the testing apparatus. The cleaning layer secured to the substrate has predetermined characteristics that cause the pad to clean debris the pin contact elements and support hardware when the pin contact elements and support hardware contact the pad during the normal operation of the testing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, Alan E. Humphrey, James H. Duvall
  • Patent number: 8790466
    Abstract: A method for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated handling device and the electrical test equipment is disclosed. In the method, a cleaning device is loaded into wafer prober or packaged device handler and the pin contact elements and support hardware are contacted by the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, James H. Luvall
  • Patent number: 8371316
    Abstract: A medium for predictably cleaning the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card and a test socket, while it is still in manual, semi-automated, and automated handling device and the electrical test equipment is disclosed. The cleaning material may include a cleaning pad layer and one or more intermediate layers that have predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Humphrey, Jerry J. Broz, Bret A. Humphrey, James H. Duvall