Patents by Inventor John U. Knickerbocker

John U. Knickerbocker 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: 20190189469
    Abstract: Various embodiments process semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a release layer is applied to a handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is bonded to the handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is packaged while it is bonded to the handler. The release layer is ablated by irradiating the release layer through the handler with a laser. The the at least one singulated semiconductor device is removed from the transparent handler after the release layer has been ablated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. ANDRY, Bing DANG, Jeffrey Donald GELORME, Li-Wen HUNG, John U. KNICKERBOCKER, Cornelia Tsang YANG
  • Patent number: 10325785
    Abstract: Various embodiments process semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a release layer is applied to a handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is bonded to the handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is packaged while it is bonded to the handler. The release layer is ablated by irradiating the release layer through the handler with a laser. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is removed from the transparent handler after the release layer has been ablated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Bing Dang, Jeffrey Donald Gelorme, Li-Wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker, Cornelia Tsang Yang
  • Patent number: 10314970
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Joana S. B. T. Maria, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10304802
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for an integrated wafer-level processing system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an integrated wafer-level processing system includes a memory wafer and a processing element connected to the memory wafer via a data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip G. Emma, Hillery C. Hunter, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 10297479
    Abstract: Structures and methods are provided for temporarily bonding handler wafers to device wafers using bonding structures that include one or more releasable layers which are laser-ablatable using mid-wavelength infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Cornelia Kang-I Tsang
  • Publication number: 20190146245
    Abstract: Lenses and methods for adjusting the focus of a lens include dividing multiple light sensors in a lens into four quadrants. A position of the lens relative to occlusion along a top and bottom edge of the lens is determined based on numbers of bits in respective bit sequences from light sensors in respective regions of the lens. An optimal focal length for the lens is determined based on the position of the lens. The focal length of the lens is adjusted to match the optimal focal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Emily R. Kinser, John U. Knickerbocker, Roy R. Yu
  • Publication number: 20190148564
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a thin-film device layer, an optoelectronic device disposed in the thin-film device layer, and a surrogate substrate permanently attached to the thin film device layer. The optoelectronic device is excitable by light at an application wavelength. The surrogate substrate is optically transparent and has a thermal conductivity of at least 300 W/m-K. The surrogate substrate has a volume of substrate removed therefrom to form a via. Light passes through the via and at least some of the surrogate substrate prior to reaching the optoelectronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Bing DANG, John U. KNICKERBOCKER, Steven Lorenz WRIGHT, Cornelia TSANG YANG
  • Publication number: 20190115243
    Abstract: A bonded structure contains a substrate containing at least one feature, the substrate having a top surface; a first release layer overlying the top surface of the substrate, the first release layer being absorptive of light having a first wavelength for being decomposed by the light; an adhesive layer overlying the first release layer, and a second release layer overlying the adhesive layer. The second release layer is absorptive of light having a second wavelength for being decomposed by the light having the second wavelength. The bonded structure further contains a handle substrate that overlies the second release layer, where the handle substrate is substantially transparent to the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength. Also disclosed is a debonding method to process the bonded structure to remove and reclaim the adhesive layer for re-use. In another embodiment a multi-step method optically cuts and debonds a bonded structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Russell A. Budd, Bing Dang, Li-Wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker, Cornelia Kang-I Tsang
  • Patent number: 10261067
    Abstract: A nanopore FET sensor device and method of making. The nanopore FET sensor device includes a FET device stack of material layers including a source, channel and drain layers, and a nanoscale hole through the FET device stack to permit flow of strands of molecular material, e.g., DNA, therethrough. The perimeter of the nanoscale hole forms a FET device gate surface. The source and drain layers are provided with respective contacts for connection with measuring instruments that measure a flow of current therebetween. The molecular strands having charged portions pass from one side of a wafer substrate to the other side through the (nanopore) gate and modulate the current flow sensed at the source or drain terminals. The sensor collects real-time measurements of the current flow modulations for use in identifying the type of molecule. Multiple measurements by the same nanopore FET sensor are collected and compared for enhanced detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John U. Knickerbocker, Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 10258142
    Abstract: Smart toothbrush designs are provided. In one aspect, a toothbrush is provided which includes: a handle portion; and a head portion attached to the handle portion, wherein the head portion has bristles, a sample testing chamber containing at least one electronic sensor, a removable tip for drawing saliva samples into the sample testing chamber, and a calibration solution reservoir connected to the sample testing chamber. In another aspect, the head portion of the toothbrush has at least one optical sensor. A method for acquiring user data using the present smart toothbrush designs is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John U. Knickerbocker, Minhua Lu, Sufi Zafar
  • Patent number: 10258279
    Abstract: A method includes forming one or more vias in a first layer, forming one or more vias in at least a second layer different than the first layer, aligning at least a first via in the first layer with at least a second via in the second layer, and bonding the first layer to the second layer by filling the first via and the second via with solder material using injection molded soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John U. Knickerbocker, Shriya Kumar, Jae-Woong Nah
  • Patent number: 10250963
    Abstract: A wearable monitoring system includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone to receive acoustic signal data through skin of a user. An integrated circuit chip is bonded to and electrically connected to the MEMS microphone. A portable power source is connected to at least the integrated circuit chip. A flexible substrate is configured to encapsulate and affix the MEMS microphone and the integrated circuit chip to the skin of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20190091786
    Abstract: An improved molten solder injection head having a vacuum filter and differential gauge system is provided. In one aspect, an injection head is provided. The injection head includes: a reservoir; an injection port on a bottom of the injection head connected to the reservoir; a vacuum port adjacent to the injection port on the bottom of the injection head connected to a vacuum source; and a filter disposed between the bottom of the injection head and the vacuum source. A method for molten solder injection using the present injection head is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jae-Woong Nah, John U. Knickerbocker, Eric P. Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20190090791
    Abstract: A submersible sensor device configured as a small pellet for testing biological and other liquid samples is provided. In one aspect, a sensing device includes: a housing; and one or more sensors contained within the housing, wherein the housing hermetically seals the sensors such that the sensing device is fully submersible in a liquid analyte. A method and system for analysis of a liquid sample using the present sensing device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Vince Siu, Minhua Lu, Evan Colgan, Russell Budd, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 10243091
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a thin-film device layer, an optoelectronic device disposed in the thin-film device layer, and a surrogate substrate permanently attached to the thin film device layer. The surrogate substrate is optically transparent and has a thermal conductivity of at least 300 W/m-K. The optoelectronic device excitable by visible light transmitted through the surrogate substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Steven Lorenz Wright, Cornelia Tsang Yang
  • Publication number: 20190088480
    Abstract: Small size chip handling and electronic component integration are accomplished using handle fixturing to transfer die or other electronic components from a full area array to a targeted array. Area array dicing of a thinned device wafer on a handle wafer/panel may be followed by selective or non-selective de-bonding of targeted die or electronic components from the handle wafer and optional attachment to a carrier such as a transfer head or tape. Alignment fiducials may facilitate precision alignment of the transfer head or tape to the device wafer and subsequently to the targeted array. Alternatively, the dies or other electronic elements are transferred selectively from either a carrier or the device wafer to the targeted array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Qianwen Chen, Bing Dang, Jeffrey D. Gelorme, Li-wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20190088481
    Abstract: Small size chip handling and electronic component integration are accomplished using handle fixturing to transfer die or other electronic components from a full area array to a targeted array. Area array dicing of a thinned device wafer on a handle wafer/panel may be followed by selective or non-selective de-bonding of targeted die or electronic components from the handle wafer and optional attachment to a carrier such as a transfer head or tape. Alignment fiducials may facilitate precision alignment of the transfer head or tape to the device wafer and subsequently to the targeted array. Alternatively, the dies or other electronic elements are transferred selectively from either a carrier or the device wafer to the targeted array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Qianwen Chen, Bing Dang, Jeffrey D. Gelorme, Li-wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 10229288
    Abstract: A method for providing data security comprises operatively connecting sensing elements with a user, sensing characteristics of the user via the sensing elements, wherein each of the sensing elements comprises at least one unique semiconductor identifier. The at least one unique semiconductor identifier and data concerning the sensed characteristics is transmitted from the sensing elements to a data analytics engine, and at least one unique biological identifier associated with the user is attached to the transmission of the at least one unique semiconductor identifier and the data concerning the sensed characteristics. The method further includes verifying by the data analytics engine that the at least one unique semiconductor identifier of the sensing elements and the at least one biological identifier are valid, analyzing by the data analytics engine the data concerning the sensed characteristics, and generating and transmitting a response based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Minhua Lu
  • Patent number: 10224229
    Abstract: A bonded structure contains a substrate containing at least one feature, the substrate having a top surface; a first release layer overlying the top surface of the substrate, the first release layer being absorptive of light having a first wavelength for being decomposed by the light; an adhesive layer overlying the first release layer, and a second release layer overlying the adhesive layer. The second release layer is absorptive of light having a second wavelength for being decomposed by the light having the second wavelength. The bonded structure further contains a handle substrate that overlies the second release layer, where the handle substrate is substantially transparent to the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength. Also disclosed is a debonding method to process the bonded structure to remove and reclaim the adhesive layer for re-use. In another embodiment a multi-step method optically cuts and debonds a bonded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Russell A. Budd, Bing Dang, Li-Wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker, Cornelia Kang-I Tsang
  • Patent number: 10224219
    Abstract: Various embodiments process semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a release layer is applied to a handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is bonded to the handler. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is packaged while it is bonded to the handler. The release layer is ablated by irradiating the release layer through the handler with a laser. The at least one singulated semiconductor device is removed from the transparent handler after the release layer has been ablated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Bing Dang, Jeffrey Donald Gelorme, Li-Wen Hung, John U. Knickerbocker, Cornelia Tsang Yang