Patents by Inventor Mark R. Shires

Mark R. Shires 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: 20080013823
    Abstract: An overhead traveling camera inspection system for inspecting the condition of electronic semiconductor devices after being handled by a pick and place mechanism, and for automatically determining and calibrating the precise location of modules serviced by the pick and place mechanism for more accurate picking and placing of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Rob G. Bertz, Duane B. Jahnke, Ken J. Pikus, Dave J. Rollmann, Mark R. Shires, Mike J. Reilly, Todd K. Pichler
  • Publication number: 20080003084
    Abstract: A high-speed tray transfer system for trays of semiconductor devices for increasing the rate at which trays are delivered to, and advanced through, a pick and place that moves orthogonal to the tray movement, so as to increase the overall throughput speed of a semiconductor handling machine. The invention utilizes two or more platens that carry trays. The platens can pass over, under or otherwise around each other so that while one platen is under and servicing the pick and place, another platen is cycling around and preparing another tray of electronic devices for the pick and place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Rob G. Bertz, Duane B. Jahnke, Ken J. Pikus, Dave J. Rollmann, Mark R. Shires, Todd K. Pichler, Mike J. Reilly
  • Publication number: 20080000756
    Abstract: A high-speed linear pick-and-place for increasing the speed of transfer of semiconductor electronic devices with accommodation for automated inspection or test. The invention includes two or more linear pick-and-place assemblies, each having two or more independently positionable pick-and-place nozzles. These assemblies are aligned such that the 4 or more nozzles can all pick and place to common shared locations. The 4 or more nozzles are operated so that they can pass by each other on their return stroke, except that nozzles sharing a rail cannot pass each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Rob G. Bertz, Duane B. Jahnke, Todd K. Pichler, Ken J. Pikus, Mike J. Reilly, Dave J. Rollmann, Mark R. Shires
  • Patent number: 6573987
    Abstract: An LCC inspecting device includes a mirror having non-parallel front and rear surfaces, and reflective coatings on the front and rear surfaces. The reflective coatings reflect light of frequencies different from each other such that light of a first frequency reflects off the front surface of the mirror and light of a second, different frequency reflects off the rear surface. The LCC device may therefore be inspected from different angles by selectively using light of the first and second frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Shires
  • Publication number: 20030044056
    Abstract: A method for inspecting composite tape including cover tape bonded to carrier tape comprises capturing a digital image of the composite tape, dividing the seal tracks within the image into a plurality of fragments or segments. The method also provides for analyzing each segment of the seal track for the presence or absence of the seal and for the width of the seal, and assigning a failing grade to the segment if the seal is not continuous within the segment or if the seal has a width less than a minimum width within the segment. The method further provides for notifying a machine operator of a defective seal if the number consecutively-failed segments in the seal track exceeds a defect tolerance. The method also provides for measuring the spacings of the carrier tape edge, cover tape edge, and seal tracks from each other and comparing those spacings to acceptable values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dallin Katt, Mark R. Shires, Robert G. Bertz, Michael Reilly, Merlin Behnke
  • Publication number: 20020135757
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for inspecting an LCC device. The apparatus can detect a variety of surface defects including small cracks, exposed copper, and peripheral deformities on the LCC device. The apparatus includes an LCC support mechanism adapted to support the LCC device, a camera positioned to view the LCC device, and a plurality of light sources that emit light to illuminate the LCC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Shires
  • Publication number: 20020085199
    Abstract: An LCC inspecting device includes a mirror having non-parallel front and rear surfaces, and reflective coatings on the front and rear surfaces. The reflective coatings reflect light of frequencies different from each other such that light of a first frequency reflects off the front surface of the mirror and light of a second, different frequency reflects off the rear surface. The LCC device may therefore be inspected from different angles by selectively using light of the first and second frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Shires
  • Patent number: 5521724
    Abstract: An inexpensive electronic display that presents 3D images by binocular parallax is disclosed. The effect produced is that of a real-time holographic stereogram. The pixels of a 2D display are spatially multiplexed by two HOEs to produce a plurality of lateral viewing zones of 2D rasters, similar to the method used in lenticular screen systems. A directional screen HOE scatters incident light over a lateral viewing zone so small that typically only one eye of a viewer can occupy it at a time. A multiplexer HOE comprised of thousands of tiny holograms, each when reconstructed projects a spot onto the directional screen HOE. The sum of all these spots forms a two-dimensional raster of spots on the directional screen HOE. Each spot can be projected onto the directional screen HOE from at least two laterally different angles and thus reconstruct the directional screen HOE from at least two laterally offset angles, consequently creating at least two laterally offset viewing zones of each spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Mark R. Shires
  • Patent number: 5111313
    Abstract: An electronic autostereoscopic display that presents 3D images through the use of horizontal parallax is disclosed. The device disclosed presents a 3D image, viewable over 360 degrees or less, without the need of special viewing glasses. The image is created electronically and in real-time, thus it can immediately display data gathered remotely, as in live 3D television, and similar applications. The autostereoscope consists of a cylindrical holographic optical element (HOE) which is spun about its axis of symmetry by a motor, light sources such as lasers emit light beams incident on the HOE, and electronic circuitry modulates the lasers according to data received and the angular displacement of the HOE. The HOE consists of 2 basic types of holograms which perform 2 different functions. The first type of hologram performs two dimensional raster scans onto the second type of hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Mark R. Shires