Patents by Inventor James H. Knapp

James H. Knapp 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: 6833290
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (20) has a first leadframe (200) with a first semiconductor die (70) electrically coupled to one of its leads. A second semiconductor die (130) is mounted to a second leadframe (300) that has a first lead (35, 150) electrically coupled to the second semiconductor die and a second lead (30, 35) mounted to the lead of the first leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Stephen C. St. Germain
  • Patent number: 6677672
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (20) has a first leadframe (200) with a first semiconductor die (70) electrically coupled to one of its leads. A second semiconductor die (130) is mounted to a second leadframe (300) that has a first lead (35, 150) electrically coupled to the second semiconductor die and a second lead (30, 35) mounted to the lead of the first leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Stephen C. St. Germain
  • Publication number: 20030209804
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (20) has a first leadframe (200) with a first semiconductor die (70) electrically coupled to one of its leads. A second semiconductor die (130) is mounted to a second leadframe (300) that has a first lead (35, 150) electrically coupled to the second semiconductor die and a second lead (30, 35) mounted to the lead of the first leadframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Stephen C. St. Germain
  • Publication number: 20030201520
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (20) has a first leadframe (200) with a first semiconductor die (70) electrically coupled to one of its leads. A second semiconductor die (130) is mounted to a second leadframe (300) that has a first lead (35, 150) electrically coupled to the second semiconductor die and a second lead (30, 35) mounted to the lead of the first leadframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Stephen C. St. Germain
  • Patent number: 6300679
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor chip (341, 502, 601, 701, 1101, 1410, 1501) having first and second surfaces opposite each other, a semiconductor device (301) in the semiconductor chip (341, 502, 601, 701, 1101, 1410, 1501), and a flexible substrate (120, 401, 510, 610, 710, 1000, 1050, 1300, 1401, 1510, 1520) packaging the semiconductor chip (341, 502, 601, 701, 1101, 1410, 1501).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Prosanto K. Mukerji, Ronald E. Thomas, George W. Hawkins, Rajesh Srinivasan, Colin B. Bosch, James H. Knapp, Laura J. Norton, Michael J. Seddon
  • Patent number: 6116791
    Abstract: An optical coupler (60) includes of an optical connector (10) coupled to an optoelectric board (64). An optical fiber (50) is inserted into the optical connector (10). The optical fiber (50) is bent to an angle of approximately 90.degree. inside the optical connector (10). A tip (55) of the optical fiber (50) is substantially perpendicular to the optoelectric board (64) and aligned to an optical region of an optoelectric device (62) on the optoelectric board (64). A portion of the optical fiber (50) outside the optical connector (10) is substantially parallel to the optoelectric board (64). A fiber retainer (30) secures the optical fiber (50) to the optical connector (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert John Laninga, James H. Knapp, Laura J. Norton, Joseph E. Sauvageau
  • Patent number: 6081031
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a substrate (301, 801), a leadframe (101, 601, 710) coupled to a first surface of the substrate (301, 801) and extending beyond the first surface and towards a second surface of the substrate (301, 801), and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the second surface and coplanar with a contact portion of the leadframe (101, 601, 710) where the leadframe (101, 601, 710) and the electrically conductive layer form a package around the substrate (301, 801).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Letterman, Jr., Albert J. Laninga, James H. Knapp, Joseph K. Fauty, William F. Burghout
  • Patent number: 5973337
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (10) coupled to ball grid array substrate (11) and encapsulated by an optically transmissive material (29, 31). The ball grid array substrate (11) has conductive interconnects (14) and a semiconductor receiving area (17) on a top surface and solder pads (13) on a bottom surface. An optoelectronic component (24) is mounted on the semiconductor receiving area (17) and encapsulated with the optically transmissive material (29, 31). Solder balls (18) are formed on the solder pads (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Dwight L. Daniels, Keith E. Nelson, Brian A. Webb
  • Patent number: 5933558
    Abstract: An optoelectronic connector (10) coupled to a fiber ferrule (38) containing an optical fiber (39) and a method for coupling the optoelectronic connector (10) to the fiber ferrule (38). The optoelectronic connector (10) has a base (11) and walls (13, 14, 17, and 18) that form a cavity (19). A semiconductor receiving area (26) extends into a first portion of the base (11) and an interconnect recess (27) extends into a second portion of the base (11). Alignment pins (31) extend from the second portion of the base (11). The optoelectronic connector (10) may be a unitary structure. The fiber ferrule (38) is inserted into the cavity (19) to form an optoelectronic device (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sauvageau, James H. Knapp, Francis J. Carney, Laura J. Norton
  • Patent number: 5928595
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor component includes forming a vertical side seal for a runner in a first mold plate by mating a protrusion of the first mold plate with a protrusion of a second mold plate. As an encapsulating material is forced through the runner, the vertical side seal prevents an encapsulating material from leaking out of the edge of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Cliff J. Scribner, Albert J. Laninga, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5900669
    Abstract: A substrate having a vent (20) and a method of forming the vent (20). A substrate (11) has conductive traces (14) and a semiconductor chip attach pad (17) on a top surface and conductive traces (12) and a bonding pad (13) on the bottom surface. A masking layer (18) is formed over the substrate (11) and openings are formed in the masking layer (18) to expose the conductive traces (14) and a semiconductor chip attach pad (17). The vent (20) is formed in the masking layer (18). A semiconductor chip (31) is mounted to the semiconductor chip attach pad (17). During a step of encapsulating the semiconductor chip (31) with a mold compound, the vent (20) provides pressure relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Keith E. Nelson, Les Ticey, Kevin J. Foley
  • Patent number: 5883996
    Abstract: An electronic component (10) for aligning a light transmitting structure (19) such as an optical fiber or a waveguide, includes a semiconductor substrate (11) which contains or supports at least one semiconductor device (12). To provide electrical isolation and mechanical protection for the semiconductor device (12), a passivation layer (25) is disposed over the semiconductor substrate (11). At least one alignment feature (14) for the light transmitting structure (19) is provided over the passivation layer (25) and over the semiconductor device (12). The alignment feature (14) is manufactured simultaneously during a flip chip bump process which eliminates the necessity for extra processing steps while providing additional alignment functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Francis J. Carney, Laura J. Norton
  • Patent number: 5834062
    Abstract: A material (21) is transferred to an electronic component (32) using a transfer apparatus (10). The transfer apparatus (10) has pins (13) that pass through openings (19) in a cavity plate (16). The pins (13) and the openings (19) in the cavity plate (16) form cavities (20) that are filled with the material (21). The pins (13) are then extended from the cavity plate (16) to transfer the material (21) from the cavities (20) to the electronic component (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Johnson, James H. Knapp, Albert J. Laninga
  • Patent number: 5768456
    Abstract: An optoelectronic package including an interconnect substrate having electronic components and carrying an optical fiber holder. The holder containing an end of an optical fiber and including an end surface in which is formed alignment openings. A flexible substrate having conductive traces, a first end, a second end, and alignment openings formed proximate the first end, interconnects the holder and the electronic components of the interconnect substrate. A photonic unit is mechanically and electrically coupled to the flexible substrate proximate the first end in precise relation to the alignment openings so as to be aligned with the optical fiber by inserting alignment pins extending concurrently through the alignment openings of the flexible substrate and the alignment openings of the optical fiber holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Barbara M. Foley
  • Patent number: 5761364
    Abstract: An optical system (22) contains an optical waveguide (10) having cladding layers (11, 12) defining a channel (19) that is filled with an optically conductive core material (20). The index of refraction of the optically conductive core material (20) is greater than the index of refraction of the cladding layers (11, 12) to maintain total internal reflection of an input light beam (39). The channel (19) is tapered at an angle (32) to increase beam divergence of the input light beam (39). The beam divergence is increased while the input light beam (39) is reflected through the optically conductive core material (20) from an opening (26) to an exit (27) of the channel (19). The taper of the channel (19) maintains an adiabatic characteristic for the waveguide (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Laura J. Norton, Joseph E. Sauvageau
  • Patent number: 5659648
    Abstract: A light transmitting structure or optical waveguide (47) of the present invention can provide both optical and electrical conductivity. The optical waveguide (47) is capable of simultaneously transmitting multiple optical and electrical signals. The optical waveguide (47) has several cladding layers (40, 41, 42, 43, 44) which optically isolate several different regions of waveguide core material (45, 46) through which the multiple optical signals are transmitted. To provide a compact structure, portions of the cladding layers (42, 43, 44) of the optical waveguide (47) are used as electrical conductors while the waveguide core material (45, 46) is used as an electrical insulator for the electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Francis J. Carney
  • Patent number: 5637264
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical waveguide (10) includes using an electrical discharge machine (20) to fabricate mold plates (41, 61) for molding cladding layers (11, 12) of the optical waveguide (10). The cladding layers (11, 12) contain rounded edges (15, 16) which are aligned to form a cylindrical channel or core (13). The cylindrical shape of the channel (13) improves the reliability of the waveguide (10) compared to waveguides having a conventional square or rectangular channel with sharp corners. An optically transparent material (17) fills the cylindrical channel (13) and serves as the medium through which light is transmitted. The refractive index of the optically transparent material (17) is greater than that of the cladding layers (11, 12) to keep the light within the cylindrical channel. The optically transparent material (17) also serves as an adhesive for the cladding layers (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Laura J. Norton, Michael L. Majercak, Michael C. Majercak
  • Patent number: 5529682
    Abstract: A method for use with semiconductor devices (47) that have leads (49) electroplated with a solderable metal (53) includes exposing the solderable metal (53) to an elevated temperature sufficient to flow or melt the solderable metal (53). In a preferred embodiment, the solderable metal (53) is exposed to the elevated temperature before the leads (49) are severed from the leadframe (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Francis J. Carney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5468910
    Abstract: A method for making an improved semiconductor device package is provided. A semiconductor die (16) is attached to a supportive substrate (10, 12). A protective lid (20) is attached to the supportive substrate (10, 12), over the semiconductor die (16). The protective lid (20) is partially encapsulated with molding compound (28). The protective lid (20) prevents the molding compound (30) from contacting the semiconductor die (16), and associated wirebonded wires (18). A portion (30) of the protective lid (20) remains exposed. Thus, a molded package compatible with current product designs and assembly processes is provided, yet disadvantages caused by molding compound contacting the die (16) and wires (18) are avoided. Furthermore, the exposed protective lid (30) provides superior heat dissipation for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Knapp, Keith E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5319242
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a die having a first surface including a plurality of bond pads disposed thereon and a second surface. Inner lead portions of a TAB leadframe are coupled to the bond pads and outer lead portions electrically coupled to the inner lead portions extend therefrom. An encapsulation is disposed on the first surface of the die including the bond pads having the inner lead portions of the TAB leadframe bonded thereto. Encapsulation is also disposed about the sides of the die. The second surface of the die remains exposed. This allows for a relatively thin package having superior thermal dissipation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Carney, Edward M. Majors, James H. Knapp