Patents by Inventor Karel Van Gils

Karel Van Gils 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: 11287248
    Abstract: For three-dimensional topography measurement of a surface of an object patterned illumination is projected on the surface through an objective. A relative movement between the object and the objective is carried out, and plural images of the surface are recorded through the objective by a detector. The direction of the relative movement includes an oblique angle with an optical axis of the objective. Height information for a given position on the surface is derived from a variation of the intensity recorded from the respective position. Also, patterned illumination and uniform illumination may be projected alternatingly on the surface, while images of the surface are recorded during a relative movement of the object and the objective along an optical axis of the objective. Uniform illumination is used for obtaining height information for specular structures on the surface, patterned illumination is used for obtaining height information on other parts of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Maarten van der Burgt, Sheng Liu, Andy Hill, Johan De Greeve, Karel van Gils
  • Publication number: 20200217651
    Abstract: For three-dimensional topography measurement of a surface of an object patterned illumination is projected on the surface through an objective. A relative movement between the object and the objective is carried out, and plural images of the surface are recorded through the objective by a detector. The direction of the relative movement includes an oblique angle with an optical axis of the objective. Height information for a given position on the surface is derived from a variation of the intensity recorded from the respective position. Also, patterned illumination and uniform illumination may be projected alternatingly on the surface, while images of the surface are recorded during a relative movement of the object and the objective along an optical axis of the objective. Uniform illumination is used for obtaining height information for specular structures on the surface, patterned illumination is used for obtaining height information on other parts of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Maarten van der Burgt, Sheng Liu, Andy Hill, Johan De Greeve, Karel van Gils
  • Patent number: 10634487
    Abstract: For three-dimensional topography measurement of a surface of an object patterned illumination is projected on the surface through an objective. A relative movement between the object and the objective is carried out, and plural images of the surface are recorded through the objective by a detector. The direction of the relative movement includes an oblique angle with an optical axis of the objective. Height information for a given position on the surface is derived from a variation of the intensity recorded from the respective position. Also, patterned illumination and uniform illumination may be projected alternatingly on the surface, while images of the surface are recorded during a relative movement of the object and the objective along an optical axis of the objective. Uniform illumination is used for obtaining height information for specular structures on the surface, patterned illumination is used for obtaining height information on other parts of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Maarten van der Burgt, Sheng Liu, Andy Hill, Johan De Greeve, Karel van Gils
  • Publication number: 20180209784
    Abstract: For three-dimensional topography measurement of a surface of an object patterned illumination is projected on the surface through an objective. A relative movement between the object and the objective is carried out, and plural images of the surface are recorded through the objective by a detector. The direction of the relative movement includes an oblique angle with an optical axis of the objective. Height information for a given position on the surface is derived from a variation of the intensity recorded from the respective position. Also, patterned illumination and uniform illumination may be projected alternatingly on the surface, while images of the surface are recorded during a relative movement of the object and the objective along an optical axis of the objective. Uniform illumination is used for obtaining height information for specular structures on the surface, patterned illumination is used for obtaining height information on other parts of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Maarten van der Burgt, Sheng Liu, Andy Hill, Johan De Greeve, Karel van Gils
  • Patent number: 9886764
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition system and an image acquisition method, as well as to an inspection system having at least one such image acquisition system. A projector projects a pattern on a surface of a sample, a camera records light intensity information from within at least two detection fields defined by the camera on the surface of the sample. A relative motion between the sample on the one hand and the camera and projector on the other hand is generated. From the acquired at least one image a height profile of the surface of the sample may be inferred. The pattern may comprise a number of sub-patterns related to each other by a phase shift. Alternatively, the pattern may be a fringe pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Guoheng Zhao, Stanley E. Stokowski, Andrew Hill, Johan De Greeve, Maarten Van Der Burgt, Karel Van Gils
  • Patent number: 9776334
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic pitch conversion for pick and place heads, comprising at least one auto pitch station for adjusting a pitch in a X-coordinate direction and/or adjusting a pitch in a Y-coordinate direction of pickers/grippers of a pick and place heads; a first actuator, operated by a motor gear assembly of the at least one auto pitch station, wherein the first actuator changes the pitch in the X-coordinate direction distance between rows of pickers/grippers of the respective pick and place head; and a second actuator operated by the same motor gear assembly, wherein the second actuator changes the pitch in the Y-coordinate direction between the pickers/grippers within a row of the respective pick and place head. A method for automatic pitch conversion of pick and place heads and a pick and place head and a pick and place device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Vangilbergen, Erik De Block, Jimmy Vermeulen, KW Cheung, KC Leung, Bruno Accou, Carl Truyens, Karel Van Gils
  • Publication number: 20160048969
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition system and an image acquisition method, as well as to an inspection system having at least one such image acquisition system. A projector projects a pattern on a surface of a sample, a camera records light intensity information from within at least two detection fields defined by the camera on the surface of the sample. A relative motion between the sample on the one hand and the camera and projector on the other hand is generated. From the acquired at least one image a height profile of the surface of the sample may be inferred. The pattern may comprise a number of sub-patterns related to each other by a phase shift. Alternatively, the pattern may be a fringe pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Guoheng ZHAO, Stanley E. Stokowski, Andrew HILL, Johan DE GREEVE, Maarten VAN DER BURGT, Karel VAN GILS
  • Patent number: 9140546
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 9103665
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Publication number: 20140271084
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic pitch conversion for pick and place heads, comprising at least one auto pitch station for adjusting a pitch in a X-coordinate direction and/or adjusting a pitch in a Y-coordinate direction of pickers/grippers of a pick and place heads; a first actuator, operated by a motor gear assembly of the at least one auto pitch station, wherein the first actuator changes the pitch in the X-coordinate direction distance between rows of pickers/grippers of the respective pick and place head; and a second actuator operated by the same motor gear assembly, wherein the second actuator changes the pitch in the Y-coordinate direction between the pickers/grippers within a row of the respective pick and place head. A method for automatic pitch conversion of pick and place heads and a pick and place head and a pick and place device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Vangilbergen, Erik De Block, Jimmy Vermeulen, KW Cheung, KC Leung, Bruno Accou, Carl Truyens, Karel Van Gils
  • Publication number: 20120300039
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for the three dimensional inspection of saw marks (2) on at least one surface (3) of a wafer (4) are disclosed. At least one camera (6) is required to capture an image of the entire surface (3) of the wafer (4). At least one line projector (8) provides a light bundle (5), centered about a central beam axis (9). The line projector (8) is arranged such that the central beam axis (9) is at an acute angle (?) with regard to the plane (P) of the wafer (4). A line shifter (12) is positioned in the light bundle (5) between each line projector (8) and the surface (3) of the wafer (4). A frame grabber (14) and an image processor (16) are used to synchronize and coordinate the image capture and the position of the pattern (20) of lines (22) on the front side (3F) and/or the back side (3B) of the wafer (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benoit Maison, Andy Hill, Laurent Hermans, Frans Nijs, Karel Van Gils, Christophe Wouters
  • Patent number: 7423743
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring respective positions of a set of N contact elements of an electronic component. A first and a second light path are created by a first and a second light beam which have different viewing angles. Both the first and the second light path can selectively be opened and both end into the image plane of a single camera. The positions being determined by using the first and second image produced by the first and second light beam respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Icos Vision Systems NV
    Inventors: Carl Smets, Karel Van Gils, John Zabolitsky, Jurgen Everaerts
  • Patent number: 6778282
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring respective positions of a set of contact elements of an electronic component, wherein the contact elements are illuminated with a light source producing a light with an incident angle of at the most 20° and wherein a first respectively a second image is recorded of said elements by means of a first respectively a second camera which are set up over a triangulation angle with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: ICOS Vision Systems N.V.
    Inventors: Carl Smets, Karel Van Gils, Maarten Van Der Burgt
  • Publication number: 20040085549
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring respective positions of a set of N contact elements of an electronic component. A first and a second light path are created by a first and a second light beam which have different viewing angles. Both the first and the second light path can selectively be opened and both end into the image plane of a single camera. The positions being determined by using the first and second image produced by the first and second light beam respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Carl Smets, Karel Van Gils, John Zabolitsky, Jurgen Everaerts