Patents by Inventor John B Boatner

John B Boatner 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).

  • Method and apparatus for backlighting a wafer during alignment
    Patent number: 7639861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for illuminating a wafer during wafer alignment using machine vision. An illumination device is fabricated using electroluminescent material, that provides diffuse illumination uniformly over the surface of the lamp to provide backlighting of the wafer. Contrast between the image of the wafer and the diffuse illumination produce edge features in the image that can be analyzed to determine the position and orientation of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Michael, John B Boatner, Martin Karnacewicz