Patents by Inventor James Gregory Balz

James Gregory Balz 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: 6207330
    Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long
  • Patent number: 6127069
    Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long
  • Patent number: 6017025
    Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining at least one component, comprising a substantially rigid frame comprising a side having at least one opening therein that is larger in size than the component, a layer of compliant material attached to the side of the frame and having at least one opening therein, the frame opening and the layer opening cooperating to define a component receiving opening sized for receiving the component, said component receiving opening having an inner sidewall having at least a portion thereof consisting of compliant material, the compliant material being in substantially uniform contact with the side of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Brenda Lee Peterson, Donald Rene Wall
  • Patent number: 5996985
    Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining at least one component, comprising a substantially rigid frame comprising a side having at least one opening therein that is larger in size than the component, a layer of compliant material attached to the side of the frame and having at least one opening therein, the frame opening and the layer opening cooperating to define a component receiving opening sized for receiving the component, said component receiving opening having an inner sidewall having at least a portion thereof consisting of compliant material, the compliant material being in substantially uniform contact with the side of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Brenda Lee Peterson, Donald Rene Wall
  • Patent number: 5958628
    Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long