Patents by Inventor Douglas Wehrly
Douglas Wehrly 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).
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Publication number: 20060050492Abstract: A flexible circuit has contacts for mounting in a socket or card edge connector. The flexible circuit includes integrated circuit devices mounted on both sides of the edge connector contacts. Preferably, the flexible circuit is wrapped about an edge of a rigid substrate and presents contacts on both sides of the substrate for mounting in a socket. Multiple flexible circuits may be overlaid with the same strategy. The flexible circuit may exhibit one or two or more conductive layers, and may have changes in the layered structure or have split layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2004Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: Paul Goodwin, James Cady, Douglas Wehrly
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Patent number: 6955945Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance. In a preferred embodiment, a high speed switching system selects a data line associated with each level of a stacked module to reduce the loading effect upon data signals in memory access. This favorably changes the impedance characteristics exhibited by a DIMM board populated with stacked modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Staktek Group L.P.Inventors: Russell Rapport, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jr., Jeff Buchle
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Patent number: 6956284Abstract: The present invention stacks integrated circuits (ICs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance. In an alternative embodiment, the form standard may include a heat spreader portion with mounting feet. In a preferred embodiment of the memory addressing system, a high speed switching system selects a data line associated with each level of a stacked module to reduce the loading effect upon data signals in memory access.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Staktek Group L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jr.
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Patent number: 6940729Abstract: The present invention stacks packaged integrated circuits into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. The invention provides techniques and structures for aggregating chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) or leaded packages with other CSPs or with monolithic or stacked leaded packages into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. The present invention can be used to advantage with CSP or leaded packages of a variety of sizes and configurations ranging from larger packaged base elements having many dozens of contacts to smaller packages such as, for example, die-sized packages such as DSBGA. In a preferred embodiment devised in accordance with the present invention, a base element IC and a support element IC are aggregated through a flex circuit having at least two conductive layers that are patterned to selectively connect the two IC elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Staktek Group L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, Russell Rapport, James Douglas Wehrly, Jr., Jeffrey Alan Buchle
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Patent number: 6914324Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. The form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Staktek Group L.P.Inventors: Russell Rapport, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jr., Jeff Buchle
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Patent number: 6893899Abstract: A system and method for selectively stacking and interconnecting individual integrated circuit devices to create a high-density integrated circuit module. In a preferred embodiment, conventional thin small outline packaged (TSOP) memory circuits are vertically stacked one above the other. The constituent IC elements act in concert to provide an assembly of memory capacity approximately equal to the sum of the capacities of the ICs that constitute the assembly. The IC elements of the stack are electrically connected through individual contact members that connect corresponding leads of IC elements positioned adjacently in the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the contact members are composed of lead frame material. Methods for creating stacked integrated circuit modules are provided that provide reasonable cost, mass production techniques to produce modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Staktek Group L.P.Inventor: James Douglas Wehrly, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040245615Abstract: With the use of stacked modules, a system and method for point to point addressing of multiple integrated memory circuits is provided. A single memory expansion board is populated with stacked modules of integrated circuits. The single memory expansion board is located at the terminus of a transmission line, thus, effectively placing at a relative single point in the addressing system, added memory capacity that would otherwise have required multiple memory expansion boards and, consequently, a longer bus. Therefore, signal degradation issues are mitigated and the system has improved tolerance for higher signal speeds with added memory capacity. In a preferred embodiment, a four DIMM socket memory access bus that does not employ stacking is replaced with a single DIMM socket bus that supports stacking up to four high on a single DIMM.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, Russell Rapport, Julian Partridge, James Douglas Wehrly, James Wilder, David L. Roper, Jeff Buchle
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Publication number: 20040235222Abstract: The present invention stacks integrated circuits (ICs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance. In an alternative embodiment, the form standard may include a heat spreader portion with mounting feet. In a preferred embodiment of the memory addressing system, a high speed switching system selects a data line associated with each level of a stacked module to reduce the loading effect upon data signals in memory access.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20040229402Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into low profile modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. Low profile structures provide connection between CSPs of the stacked module and between and to the flex circuitry. Low profile contacts are created by any of a variety of methods and materials including, for example, screen paste techniques and use of high temperature solders, although other application techniques and traditional solders may be employed for creating low profile contacts in the present invention. A consolidated low profile contact structure and technique is provided for use in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The CSPs employed in stacked modules devised in accordance with the present invention are connected with flex circuitry. That flex circuitry may exhibit one or two or more conductive layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, Julian Partridge, James Douglas Wehrly, James Wilder, David L. Roper, Jeff Buchle
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Patent number: 6806120Abstract: A system and method for selectively stacking and interconnecting individual integrated circuit devices to create a high-density integrated circuit module. In a preferred embodiment, conventional thin small outline packaged (TSOP) memory circuits are vertically stacked one above the other. The constituent IC elements act in concert to provide an assembly of memory capacity approximately equal to the sum of the capacities of the ICs that constitute the assembly. The IC elements of the stack are electrically connected through individual contact members that connect corresponding leads of IC elements positioned adjacently in the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the contact members are composed of lead frame material. Methods for creating stacked integrated circuit modules are provided that provide reasonable cost, mass production techniques to produce modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventor: James Douglas Wehrly, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040201091Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard associated with one or more CSPs provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the contacts of the lower CSP will be compressed before flex circuitry is attached to a combination of the CSP and a form standard to create lower profile contacts between CSP and the flex circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: Julian Partridge, James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20040195666Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. The form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be bonded to the flex circuitry with metallurgical bonds devised from an intermetallic that improves module stability while lowering the module profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Julian Partridge, James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20040197956Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance. In a preferred embodiment, a high speed switching system selects a data line associated with each level of a stacked module to reduce the loading effect upon data signals in memory access. This favorably changes the impedance characteristics exhibited by a DIMM board populated with stacked modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group L.P.Inventors: Russell Rapport, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jeff Buchle
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Publication number: 20040183206Abstract: A system and method for selectively stacking and interconnecting individual integrated circuit devices to create a high-density integrated circuit module. In a preferred embodiment, conventional thin small outline packaged (TSOP) memory circuits are vertically stacked one above the other. The constituent IC elements act in concert to provide an assembly of memory capacity approximately equal to the sum of the capacities of the ICs that constitute the assembly. The IC elements of the stack are electrically connected through individual contact members that connect corresponding leads of IC elements positioned adjacently in the stack. In a preferred embodiment, the contact members are composed of lead frame material. Methods for creating stacked integrated circuit modules are provided that provide reasonable cost, mass production techniques to produce modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventor: James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20040183183Abstract: The present invention stacks integrated circuits (ICs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance. In an alternative embodiment, the form standard may include a heat spreader portion with mounting feet. In a preferred embodiment of the memory addressing system, a high speed switching system selects a data line associated with each level of a stacked module to reduce the loading effect upon data signals in memory access.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20040178496Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. The form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Staktek Grop, L.P.Inventors: Russell Rapport, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jeff Buchle
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Publication number: 20040052060Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into low profile modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. Low profile structures provide connection between CSPs of the stacked module and between and to the flex circuitry. Low profile contacts are created by any of a variety of methods and materials including, for example, screen paste techniques and use of high temperature solders, although other application techniques and traditional solders may be employed for creating low profile contacts in the present invention. A consolidated low profile contact structure and technique is provided for use in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Multiple numbers of CSPs may be stacked in accordance with the present invention. The CSPs employed in stacked modules devised in accordance with the present invention are connected with flex circuitry. That flex circuitry may exhibit one or two or more conductive layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: James W. Cady, Julian Partridge, James Douglas Wehrly, James Wilder, David L. Roper, Jeff Buchle
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Publication number: 20040000708Abstract: The present invention stacks chip scale-packaged integrated circuits (CSPs) into modules that conserve PWB or other board surface area. In another aspect, the invention provides a lower capacitance memory expansion addressing system and method and preferably with the CSP stacked modules provided herein. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, a form standard is disposed between the flex circuitry and the IC package over which a portion of the flex circuitry is laid. The form standard provides a physical form that allows many of the varying package sizes found in the broad family of CSP packages to be used to advantage while employing a standard connective flex circuitry design. In a preferred embodiment, the form standard will be devised of heat transference material such as copper to improve thermal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: January 1, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: Russell Rapport, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly, Jeff Buchle
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Publication number: 20040000707Abstract: An IC die and a flexible circuit structure are integrated into a lower stack element that can be stacked with either further integrated lower stack element iterations or with pre-packaged ICs in any of a variety of package types. The present invention may be employed to stack similar or dissimilar integrated circuits and may be used to create modularized systems. In a preferred embodiment, a die is positioned above the surface of portions of a pair of flex circuits. Connection is made between the die and the flex circuitry. A protective layer such as a molded plastic, for example, is formed to protect the flex-connected die and its connection to the flex. Connective elements are placed along the flex circuitry to create an array of module contacts along the second side of the flex circuitry. The flex circuitry is positioned above the body-protected die to create an integrated lower stack element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: January 1, 2004Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: David L. Roper, Curtis Hart, James Wilder, Phill Bradley, James G. Cady, Jeff Buchle, James Douglas Wehrly
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Publication number: 20030234443Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that mounts integrated circuit devices onto substrates and a system and method for employing the method in stacked modules. The contact pads of a packaged integrated circuit device are substantially exposed. A solder paste that includes higher temperature solder paste alloy is applied to a substrate or to the integrated circuit device to be mounted. The integrated circuit device is positioned to contact the contacts of the substrate. Heat is applied to create high temperature joints between the contacts of the substrate and the integrated circuit device resulting in a device-substrate assembly with high temperature joints. The formed joints are less subject to re-melting in subsequent processing steps. The method may be employed in devising stacked module constructions such as those disclosed herein as preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention. Typically, the created joints are low in profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: Staktek Group, L.P.Inventors: Julian Partridge, James W. Cady, James Wilder, David L. Roper, James Douglas Wehrly