Patents by Inventor Dean Stanford

Dean Stanford 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: 6040691
    Abstract: A test head for an integrated circuit tester includes a horizontal base holding a motherboard. The motherboard distributes test instructions to an array of daughterboards mounted thereon, the daughterboards being radially distributed about a central vertical axis of the motherboard. Each daughterboard holds a set of node cards and includes data paths for forwarding the test instructions from the motherboard to the node cards. Each node card contains circuits for transmitting test signals to and receiving response signals from a separate terminal of a device under test (DUT) in response to the test instructions forwarded thereto. Edges of the daughterboards extend downward through apertures in the base to contact pads on an interface board holding the DUT. The daughterboards provide conductive paths for the test and response signals extending between the node cards and pads on the DUT interface board. The interface board extends those conductive paths from the pads to terminals of the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Hanners, Charles A. Miller, Dean Stanford
  • Patent number: 5986447
    Abstract: A test head for an integrated circuit-tester includes a horizontal base holding a circular motherboard. The motherboard distributes input test instructions to an array of carrier boards mounted thereon, the carrier boards being radially distributed about a central vertical axis of the motherboard. Each carrier board holds a set of daughterboards, and each daughterboard holds a set of node cards. The carrier boards and daughterboards include data paths for forwarding the test instructions from the motherboard to the node cards. Each node card contains circuits for transmitting test signals to and receiving response signals from a separate terminal of a device under test (DUT) in response to the test instructions forwarded thereto. Edges of the carrier boards extend downward through apertures in the base to contact pads on an interface board holding the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Hanners, Charles A. Miller, Dean Stanford