Patents by Inventor Eric T. Mueller

Eric T. Mueller 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: 7858420
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7786574
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of imaging dies on a microfeature workpiece. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes attaching a plurality of covers to corresponding imaging dies, cutting the microfeature workpiece to singulate the imaging dies, and coupling the singulated dies to a support member. The covers can be attached to the imaging dies before or after the workpiece is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7691660
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of imaging dies on a microfeature workpiece. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes attaching a plurality of covers to corresponding imaging dies, cutting the microfeature workpiece to singulate the imaging dies, and coupling the singulated dies to a support member. The covers can be attached to the imaging dies before or after the workpiece is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7655507
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090148969
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of imaging dies on a microfeature workpiece. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes attaching a plurality of covers to corresponding imaging dies, cutting the microfeature workpiece to singulate the imaging dies, and coupling the singulated dies to a support member. The covers can be attached to the imaging dies before or after the workpiece is cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7511374
    Abstract: Microelectronic imaging units having covered image sensors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the microelectronic imaging units have an image sensor, an integrated circuit, a cover located over the image sensor, at least one dam, and a fill material between adjacent imaging units. The covers may be located on discrete adhesive portions inboard of external contacts that are operably coupled to the integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080268563
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7439598
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080241985
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7402453
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7276393
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of imaging dies on a microfeature workpiece. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes attaching a plurality of covers to corresponding imaging dies, cutting the microfeature workpiece to singulate the imaging dies, and coupling the singulated dies to a support member. The covers can be attached to the imaging dies before or after the workpiece is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Derderian, Bret K. Street, Eric T. Mueller