Patents by Inventor John D. Spano

John D. Spano 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: 6750544
    Abstract: A metallization system (10) suitable for use in a semiconductor component and a method for fabricating the metallization system (10). The metallization system (10) includes a dielectric material (20) disposed on a major surface (14) of a substrate (12). The dielectric material (20) contains a dielectric filled plug (26) over a conductor (19). A metal filled plug (38) extends through the dielectric filled plug (26). The metal of the metal filled plug (38) electrically contacts the conductor (19). The metallization system (10) may be fabricated by etching a via (24) in the dielectric material (20) and filling the via (24) with a dielectric material (26) having a dielectric constant that is greater than the dielectric constant of the dielectric material (20) disposed on the major surface. A via (34) is formed in the dielectric material (26) that fills the via (24) and the via (34) is filled with a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices
    Inventors: John D. Spano, John Lee Nistler
  • Patent number: 6196677
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for testing a plurality of integrated circuits. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method and system for testing a plurality of integrated circuits using a probe card having a plurality of circuit sites is provided. First, a group of the plurality of integrated circuits is associated with the probe card and a first-pass test is performed in parallel on each associated integrated circuit in the group using a first number of signal channels for each circuit site. A particular one of the integrated circuits in the group which passed the first-pass tests is then selectively associated with a particular one of the circuit sites, and a second-pass test is performed on the particular one integrated circuit using a second number of signal channels greater than the first number. In this manner, the use of test system resources may be optimized with expensive second-pass tests (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 6134685
    Abstract: A method for partial parallel testing a plurality of integrated circuit packages using a multi-package tester head having a plurality of sockets. Each socket is used for testing an integrated circuit package. A first one of the sockets has a full complement of signal channels, and the other sockets have exclusive subsets of the full complement of signal channels. The first socket and the other sockets support parallel testing of the integrated circuit packages according to a first type of test. Only the first socket, with its full complement of signal channels, supports a second type of test. To test a plurality of integrated circuit packages, a group of packages are inserted in the sockets. A first-pass test is then performed, in parallel, on the packages in the sockets. Then, for packages that passed the first-pass test, second-pass testing is performed sequentially using the first socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 5578867
    Abstract: A method for passivating an integrated circuit includes the RF sputtering of a hard passivation layer on the surface of the integrated circuit. The hard passivation layer can be a ceramic material such as various doped and undoped titanates, zirconates, niobates, tantalates, stanates, hafnates, and manganates, in either their ferroelectric or non-ferroelectric phases. Other exotic, hard, and usually non-ferroelectric materials not normally found in integrated circuit processing such as carbides may also be used. If the integrated circuit sought to be passivated contains ferroelectric devices, the hard passivation layer can be fabricated out of the same material used in the integrated ferroelectric devices. An optional silicon dioxide insulating layer can be deposited on the surface of the integrated circuit before the hard passivation layer is deposited. The optional silicon dioxide layer is used to prevent any possible contamination of the integrated circuit by the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Ramtron International Corporation
    Inventors: George Argos, Jr., John D. Spano, Steven D. Traynor
  • Patent number: 5438023
    Abstract: A method for passivating an integrated circuit includes the RF sputtering of a hard passivation layer on the surface of the integrated circuit. The hard passivation layer can be a ceramic material such as various doped and undoped titanates, zirconates, niobates, tantalates, stanates, hafnates, and manganates, in either their ferroelectric or non-ferroelectric phases. Other exotic, hard, and usually non-ferroelectric materials not normally found in integrated circuit processing such as carbides may also be used. If the integrated circuit sought to be passivated contains ferroelectric devices, the hard passivation layer can be fabricated out of the same material used in the integrated ferroelectric devices. An optional silicon dioxide insulating layer can be deposited on the surface of the integrated circuit before the hard passivation layer is deposited. The optional silicon dioxide layer is used to prevent any possible contamination of the integrated circuit by the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Ramtron International Corporation
    Inventors: George Argos, Jr., John D. Spano, Steven D. Traynor
  • Patent number: 4836070
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing fibrous web pieces by die cutting the pieces from a continuous web. In the method, a fibrous web is provided having adjacent corrugations usually filled with a powder, and the powder-filled web is passed through a matched cutting die set intermittently which cuts and punches out the individual web pieces. Following the web cut out step, the web pieces are transferred downwardly onto a shuttle conveyor, and the pieces moved forward and simultaneously spread apart to permit subsequent convenient placement of the pieces. The cutting die apparatus includes matched punch and body die units which closely interfit with less than about 0.001 inch total clearance, so as to cut and punch out the fibrous web pieces from the continuous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Personal Products Company
    Inventors: John D. Spano, Michael J. Menard
  • Patent number: 4730761
    Abstract: A method for cutting flexible formed shell product from a flexible plastic foam sheet. In the method, a foam shell formed in the sheet is drawn into and positioned in a die unit lower cavity and the die assembly is clamped together. A cutting die unit having dual curved serrated knife elements then descends and severs the formed shell from the sheet at all locations except for two short segments located at opposite ends of the formed shell. Then as a separate step, the partly severed formed shell is punched out from the flexible foam sheet, so as to provide multiple formed products. The products are usually formed as multiple units oriented in an end-to-end relationship in the foam sheet and which are simultaneously severed from the sheet. Cutting die apparatus adapted for cutting the formed products from the foam sheet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Personal Products Company
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 4677810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing multiple crimped flexible pieces into concave formed shells. In the method, a plurality of flat fibrous web pieces are provided on a shuttle device and are picked up and crimped longitudinally by gripper fingers, and each piece is transferred laterally to a location over a formed shell then lowered and inserted into the shell. While the pieces are on the shuttle device they are moved apart from each other. Also, during lateral transfer the crimped pieces are moved longitudinally and are also bowed longitudinally while being placed into the concave formed shells. Suitable apparatus is also disclosed for picking up and crimping the flexible pieces and laterally transferring the pieces and placing them in the concave formed shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Personal Products Company
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 4521271
    Abstract: The labeling machine comprises a stationary label hopper, a rotatable turret provided with suction means located adjacent to the leading edge of the terminal label in the article and constructed to enter into the hopper to lift by vacuum the leading edge of the terminal label out of the hopper and then in coaction with a pressure roll to mechanically withdraw the remainder of the label from the hopper and insert such leading label edge into the entry end of a fixed label guideway. Located intermediate the ends of the guideway and clamping the label in the guideway therebetween are a feed roll and a pressure roll spaced from the turret a distance substantially less than the length of the label so that they clamp the label before it moves past the turret and its associated pressure roll. Positioned adjacent to the discharge end of said guideway is a rotatable glue roll onto which the label is directed as it is discharged from said guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: NJM, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer, John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 4493744
    Abstract: The labeling machine comprises a stationary label hopper, a rotatable turret provided with suction means located adjacent to the leading edge of the terminal label in the article and constructed to enter into the hopper to lift by vacuum the leading edge of the terminal label out of the hopper and then in coaction with a pressure roll to mechanically withdraw the remainder of the label from the hopper and insert such leading label edge into the entry end of a fixed label guideway. Located intermediate the ends of the guideway and clamping the label in the guideway therebetween are a feed roll and a pressure roll spaced from the turret a distance substantially less than the length of the label so that they clamp the label before it moves past the turret and its associated pressure roll. Positioned adjacent to the discharge end of said guideway is a rotatable glue roll onto which the label is directed as it is discharged from said guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: NJM, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer, John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 4307416
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which modifies a video signal (in the video frequency range) for scrambling (encoding) and unscrambling (decoding) video signals for television pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: 4266191
    Abstract: Test probe alignment apparatus for the alignment of test probes for testing integrated circuits includes three separate stages in which the theta stage is separate from the X-Y stage and the Z stage is separate from both the theta stage and the X-Y stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Inventors: John D. Spano, Danny R. Barnett
  • Patent number: 3938317
    Abstract: Time keeping apparatus is disclosed in which time is decoded either orally or tactilely by visually handicapped persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Inventor: John D. Spano
  • Patent number: D536981
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Toth, Kristin Recchiuti, Leonard Wojnarowicz, Jr., John D. Spano, Roger A. Rinker