Patents by Inventor Frans Nijs

Frans Nijs 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: 10215560
    Abstract: A method for shape classification of an object is provided. Shape categories are provided which specify a plane and points therein relative to the object, and also specify at least one limit coordinate for each such point, the limit coordinate defining a boundary in a direction normal to the plane for the shape of the object considered in order for the object to be classified into a respective shape category. The shape categories can be provided by a user, making the method very flexible. The shape categories can in particular be derived from a set of samples of objects representing a shape category to be defined. For classification, the position of a surface of the object is measured at each of the points defined in the shape category, and the result is compared with the corresponding limit coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KLA Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Hermans, Eric Delfosse, Frans Nijs, Francis Thissen, Johan De Greeve
  • Publication number: 20160282111
    Abstract: A method for shape classification of an object is provided. Shape categories are provided which specify a plane and points therein relative to the object, and also specify at least one limit coordinate for each such point, the limit coordinate defining a boundary in a direction normal to the plane for the shape of the object considered in order for the object to be classified into a respective shape category. The shape categories can be provided by a user, making the method very flexible. The shape categories can in particular be derived from a set of samples of objects representing a shape category to be defined. For classification, the position of a surface of the object is measured at each of the points defined in the shape category, and the result is compared with the corresponding limit coordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Laurent Hermans, Eric Delfosse, Frans Nijs, Francis Thissen, Johan De Greeve
  • Patent number: 9140546
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 9103665
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20120300039
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20070023716
    Abstract: A three dimensional measuring apparatus, provided for measuring a position of at least one contact element, applied on a surface of an electronic component, said apparatus comprising a first and a second camera, said first and second camera being each provided with a lens set-up, having an optical axis, said first and second camera being disposed at opposite sides with respect to a perpendicular axis on said surface of said component, in such a manner that their optical axis form each time an angle ?0° with respect to said perpendicular axis, said first and second camera each having an image field, provided for forming thereon a first, respectively a second image pattern of at least one of said contact elements, said first and second camera being connected with an image processor, provided for processing said image patterns formed in said image field by applying a perspective reconstruction on measurements, performed on said first and second image pattern, in order to determine, within a 3D reference frame, s
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Maarten van der Burgt, Frans Nijs, Luc Vanderheydt, Carl Smets