Patents by Inventor Bryan J. Root

Bryan J. Root 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: 9024651
    Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a semiconductor device includes a circuit board having a contact pattern on one side and an opening therethrough, and a probe card supporting a probe needle array. The probe needle array is insertable into the opening of the circuit board and is configured to probe a device under test. The probe needle array is in electrical contact with the contact pattern of the circuit board, to allow signals through the probe card and circuit board to a test equipment. A holder supports the probe card and other probe cards. The holder has multiple sides, each of which is supportable of a probe card having a probe needle array. The holder is rotatable to manipulate and position the probe needle arrays of the probe cards relative to a device under test. The holder allows disconnection and replacement of the probe needle arrays from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Celadon Systems, Inc., Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, Michael Palumbo, John L. Dunklee
  • Patent number: 9018966
    Abstract: A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, John L. Dunklee
  • Patent number: 8994390
    Abstract: A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, John L. Dunklee
  • Publication number: 20150084662
    Abstract: A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester site by site at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. in one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8860450
    Abstract: A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester side by side at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. In one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Publication number: 20140239996
    Abstract: A test apparatus for testing a semiconductor device includes a circuit board having a contact pattern on one side and an opening therethrough, and a probe card supporting a probe needle array. The probe needle array is insertable into the opening of the circuit board and is configured to probe a device under test. The probe needle array is in electrical contact with the contact pattern of the circuit board, to allow signals through the probe card and circuit board to a test equipment. A holder supports the probe card and other probe cards. The holder has multiple sides, each of which is supportable of a probe card having a probe needle array. The holder is rotatable to manipulate and position the probe needle arrays of the probe cards relative to a device under test. The holder allows disconnection and replacement of the probe needle arrays from the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: INTEL CORPORATION, CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, Michael Palumbo, John L. Dunklee
  • Publication number: 20140225636
    Abstract: A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, John L. Dunklee
  • Publication number: 20140210501
    Abstract: A probe apparatus has probe wires with a contact pattern on one side. The contact pattern is for contacting a respective contact pattern on another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. The probe wires have tips that probe a device desired for testing. Signals are transmitted through the probe wires from the probe card, for example, through a circuit board to other diagnostic equipment. The contact of the probe card with the circuit board allows signals to be transferred through the probe wires to the other diagnostic equipment. On another side of the probe card is a connector structure. The connector structure includes a retainer that can allow the probe card to be replaced from a test system, such as allowing it to be connected and disconnected from a holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk, John L. Dunklee
  • Publication number: 20140139248
    Abstract: A probe core includes a frame, a wire guide connected to the frame, a probe tile, and a plurality of probe wires supported by the wire guide and probe tile. Each probe wire includes an end configured to probe a device, such as a semiconductor wafer. Each probe wire includes a signal transmitting portion and a guard portion. The probe core further includes a lock mechanism supported by the frame. The lock mechanism is configured to allow the probe core to be connected and disconnected to another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. As one example, the probe core is configured to connect and disconnect from the test equipment or component in a rotatable lock and unlock operation or twist lock/unlock operation, where the frame is rotated relative to remainder of the core to lock/unlock the probe core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8698515
    Abstract: A test apparatus is described that can be useful as test equipment in various applications, including for example testing a semiconductor device. The test apparatus has a circuit board, a probe card, and a card holder. The circuit board includes a contact layout that electrically connects with a probe card at one portion and electrically connects with a probe card holder at another portion. The probe card has probes for electrically contacting a device to be tested, and has a contact configuration that electrically connects with the circuit board. The apparatus allows for electrical signals to be sent to and from the probe card, through the probe card holder and circuit board, in testing a device such as for example a semiconductor device. The circuit board and probe card holder have an attachment structure, configured for example as a notch and catch finger attachment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8674715
    Abstract: A probe core includes a frame, a wire guide connected to the frame, a probe tile, and a plurality of probe wires supported by the wire guide and probe tile. Each probe wire includes an end configured to probe a device, such as a semiconductor wafer. Each probe wire includes a signal transmitting portion and a guard portion. The probe core further includes a lock mechanism supported by the frame. The lock mechanism is configured to allow the probe core to be connected and disconnected to another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. As one example, the probe core is configured to connect and disconnect from the test equipment or component in a rotatable lock and unlock operation or twist lock/unlock operation, where the frame is rotated relative to remainder of the core to lock/unlock the probe core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8354856
    Abstract: A probe apparatus for probing a device on a semiconductor wafer to be tested by a testing equipment is provided. The probe apparatus includes a replaceable probe tile removably mounted in a probing location on a base plate. The probe tile is configured into a self-contained assembly which includes a chassis body containing a plurality of probes for probing devices on a wafer, a dielectric block for supporting the probes, and a wireguide for guiding a plurality of cables from the testing equipment into the chassis body. A wafer station having replaceable base plates and replaceable probe tiles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Publication number: 20120161804
    Abstract: A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester side by side at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. In one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8149009
    Abstract: A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester side by side at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. In one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Publication number: 20120038380
    Abstract: A test apparatus is described that can be useful as test equipment in various applications, including for example testing a semiconductor device. The test apparatus has a circuit board, a probe card, and a card holder. The circuit board includes a contact layout that electrically connects with a probe card at one portion and electrically connects with a probe card holder at another portion. The probe card has probes for electrically contacting a device to be tested, and has a contact configuration that electrically connects with the circuit board. The apparatus allows for electrical signals to be sent to and from the probe card, through the probe card holder and circuit board, in testing a device such as for example a semiconductor device. The circuit board and probe card holder have an attachment structure, configured for example as a notch and catch finger attachment arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8082842
    Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium, which includes a) a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; b) an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an optional outer layer; and iii) iii) a release agent material coating, wherein the release agent material coating includes a perfluorinated polyether having a skeleton selected from the group consisting of Formulas I and II and mixtures thereof: CF3—(CF2CF2)m—O—(R1R2O)—(R3R3O)n—(R3O)p—(CF2)q—CF3??Formula I and R1—(CF2CF2)m—O—(R2R2O)n—(R2O)p—(CF2)q—CF3—R1??Formula II.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Gervasi, Bryan J. Root, Santokh S Badesha
  • Publication number: 20110204912
    Abstract: A probe core includes a frame, a wire guide connected to the frame, a probe tile, and a plurality of probe wires supported by the wire guide and probe tile. Each probe wire includes an end configured to probe a device, such as a semiconductor wafer. Each probe wire includes a signal transmitting portion and a guard portion. The probe core further includes a lock mechanism supported by the frame. The lock mechanism is configured to allow the probe core to be connected and disconnected to another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. As one example, the probe core is configured to connect and disconnect from the test equipment or component in a rotatable lock and unlock operation or twist lock/unlock operation, where the frame is rotated relative to remainder of the core to lock/unlock the probe core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CELADON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: D654033
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Root, William A. Funk
  • Patent number: D713363
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Funk, Dennis Flanders, John L. Dunklee, Bryan J. Root
  • Patent number: D722031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Celadon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Dunklee, William A. Funk, Matthew Page, Dennis Flanders, Bryan J. Root