Patents by Inventor Gil Balog

Gil Balog 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).

  • Publication number: 20090115445
    Abstract: Methods and systems of semiconductor testing where reference dice and non-reference dice in a wafer and/or lot are tested differently. In one embodiment of the invention, geography, lithography exposure, other characteristics, performance and/or behavior are taken into account when selecting reference dice, thereby improving the likelihood that the response of reference dice to testing is well representative of the wafer and/or lot. In one embodiment, based on data from the testing of reference dice, the test flow for non-reference dice and/or other testing may or may not be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: OptimalTest Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Balog
  • Publication number: 20090119048
    Abstract: Methods and systems of semiconductor testing where reference dice and non-reference dice in a wafer and/or lot are tested differently. In one embodiment of the invention, geography, lithography exposure, other characteristics, performance and/or behavior are taken into account when selecting reference dice, thereby improving the likelihood that the response of reference dice to testing is well representative of the wafer and/or lot. In one embodiment, based on data from the testing of reference dice, the test flow for non-reference dice and/or other testing may or may not be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: OptimalTest Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Balog
  • Patent number: 7528622
    Abstract: Methods and systems for semiconductor testing are disclosed. In one embodiment, devices which are testing too slowly are prevented from completing testing, thereby allowing untested devices to begin testing sooner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Optimal Test Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Balog, Reed Linde, Avi Golan
  • Publication number: 20090112501
    Abstract: Methods and systems of semiconductor testing where reference dice and non-reference dice in a wafer and/or lot are tested differently. In one embodiment of the invention, geography, lithography exposure, other characteristics, performance and/or behavior are taken into account when selecting reference dice, thereby improving the likelihood that the response of reference dice to testing is well representative of the wafer and/or lot. In one embodiment, based on data from the testing of reference dice, the test flow for non-reference dice and/or other testing may or may not be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: OptimalTest Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Balog
  • Publication number: 20090013218
    Abstract: Methods, systems and modules for datalog management. In one embodiment, the logging of data is allowed to at least occasionally occur while the handling equipment is preparing device(s) for testing. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment with a plurality of test site controllers, after testing has been completed at all test site(s) associated with a particular test site controller the logging of data relating to that test site controller is allowed to at least occasionally occur while testing is continuing at test site(s) associated with other test site controller(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Optimal Test Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran ROUSSEAU, Igal GURVITS, Reed LINDE, Gil BALOG
  • Publication number: 20080114558
    Abstract: A method for augmenting quality or reliability of semiconductor units, including providing few populations of semiconductor units that are subject to quality or reliability testing. The populations include few quality or reliability fail candidate populations and other population(s). The method includes the step of associating test flows to the populations. Each test flow includes stress testing sequence. The stress testing sequence for the quality or reliability fail candidate population includes a stress test of increased duration compared to duration of a stress test in the test flow of the other population. The stress test sequence for the other population includes a stress test of increased voltage compared to corresponding operating voltage specification for a semiconductor unit. The method further includes the step of applying, within a sort testing stage, the corresponding test flow to the populations and identifying any unit which failed the stress sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Nir Erez, Gil Balog
  • Patent number: 7340359
    Abstract: A method for augmenting quality or reliability of semiconductor units, including providing few populations of semiconductor units that are subject to quality or reliability testing. The populations include few quality or reliability fail candidate populations and other population(s). The method includes the step of associating test flows to the populations. Each test flow includes stress testing sequence. The stress testing sequence for the quality or reliability fail candidate population includes a stress test of increased duration compared to duration of a stress test in the test flow of the other population. The stress test sequence for the other population includes a stress test of increased voltage compared to corresponding operating voltage specification for a semiconductor unit. The method further includes the step of applying, within a sort testing stage, the corresponding test flow to the populations and identifying any unit which failed the stress sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Optimaltest Ltd
    Inventors: Nir Erez, Gil Balog
  • Publication number: 20080007284
    Abstract: Methods and systems of semiconductor testing where reference dice and non-reference dice in a wafer and/or lot are tested differently. In one embodiment of the invention, geography, lithography exposure, other characteristics, performance and/or behavior are taken into account when selecting reference dice, thereby improving the likelihood that the response of reference dice to testing is well representative of the wafer and/or lot. In one embodiment, based on data from the testing of reference dice, the test flow for non-reference dice and/or other testing may or may not be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: OptimalTest Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Balog
  • Publication number: 20070233629
    Abstract: Methods and systems for semiconductor testing. In one embodiment, a semiconductor testing method includes one or more of the following stages: defining a rule relating to semiconductor testing, validating the rule, bundling the rule with other rules, correlating the rule with other rules, publishing the rule, actualizing the rule, and follow up relating to the rule. In one embodiment, a semiconductor testing system includes one or more of the following modules: rule creation module(s), analysis module(s), simulation module(s), real time production module(s), and offline production module(s). In one embodiment, user friendly graphical user interface(s) can be used for defining the building blocks of a rule and/or for viewing an optional hierarchy of categories to which the rule belongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Gil Balog
  • Publication number: 20070132477
    Abstract: Methods and systems for semiconductor testing are disclosed. In one embodiment, devices which are testing too slowly are prevented from completing testing, thereby allowing untested devices to begin testing sooner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Optimal Test Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Balog, Reed Linde, Avi Golan
  • Publication number: 20060267577
    Abstract: A method for augmenting quality/reliability of semiconductor units, including providing few populations of semiconductor units that are subject to quality/reliability testing. The populations include few quality/reliability fail candidate populations and other population(s). The method includes the step of associating test flows to the populations. Each test flow includes stress testing sequence. The stress testing sequence for the quality/reliability fail candidate population includes a stress test of increased duration compared to duration of a stress test in the test flow of the other population. The stress test sequence for the other population includes a stress test of increased voltage compared to corresponding operating voltage specification for a semiconductor unit. The method further includes the step of applying, within a sort testing stage, the corresponding test flow to the populations and identifying any unit which failed the stress sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Nir Erez, Gil Balog