Patents by Inventor Michael E. Cropp

Michael E. Cropp 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: 20080300946
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for implementing an end-to-end integrated product development management system are provided. A method includes providing a user system with a link to a data source and an analysis tool via a user interface in response to a project opportunity selection for a proposed product. The method also includes receiving results of an analysis performed by the user system in response to implementing the analysis tool, and creating a project record for the project opportunity selection in response to determining an approval of the project opportunity selection. The method further includes creating a project plan by mapping data fields in the project record to corresponding data entries relating to a project phase, project task, project task tool, project task timetable, project task measurement, data source, and project team selected by the user system via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark G. Clark, Michael E. Cropp, Bohdan Demczar, Richard J. Fishbune, Justin Gilbert, Mahesh J. Jesrani, Ruediger Johner, Robert C. Kulle, Alan D. Lemberger, John S. Maresca, Suheil M. Nassar, Timothy R. Tennant
  • Patent number: 7117060
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling production or manufacturing costs by obtaining yield measurements of unit manufacturing for a multiplicity of products or production lines having a plurality of processes which includes determining a started units number for the plurality of processes. The method further includes determining a cost per unit for each unit of the plurality of processes, and calculating an expected approved units number for the plurality of processes. The expected approved units number is calculated by multiplying the started units number by an expected yield measurement. The method next includes calculating an actual approved units number for each of the plurality of processes by multiplying the started units number by an actual yield measurement, and calculating an unapproved units number for each of the plurality of processes by subtracting the expected approved units number from the actual approved units number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. McPhee, Michael E. Cropp, Donald Diangelo, Alberto H. Gay, Carmella Pemberton, Joseph Saltarelli, Nicholas L. Volkringer, John J. DeMarco
  • Publication number: 20020103560
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling production or manufacturing costs by obtaining yield measurements of unit manufacturing for a multiplicity of products or production lines having a plurality of processes which includes determining a started units number for the plurality of processes. The method further includes determining a cost per unit for each the unit of the plurality of processes, and calculating an expected approved units number for the plurality of processes. The expected approved units number is calculated by multiplying the started units number by an expected yield measurement. The method next includes calculating an actual approved units number for each of the plurality of processes by multiplying the started units number by an actual yield measurement, and calculating an unapproved units number for each of the plurality of processes by subtracting the expected approved units number from the actual approved units number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. McPhee, Michael E. Cropp, Donald Diangelo, Alberto H. Gay, Carmella Pemberton, Joseph Saltarelli, Nicholas L Volkringer, John J DeMarco
  • Patent number: 6351871
    Abstract: This invention relates to the cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor printing, such as, for example, screening masks. This invention is basically directed to removing, for example, an organic polymer-metal composite paste from screening masks used in printing conductive metal patterns onto ceramic green sheets in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. More particularly, this invention is concerned with the automated in-line cleaning of paste screening masks with an aqueous alkaline solution of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide as a more environmentally friendly alternative to non-aqueous organic solvents-based cleaning in screening operations for the production multilayer ceramic (MLC) substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna G. Sachdev, John T. Butler, Michael E. Cropp, Donald W. DiAngelo, John F. Harmuth, James N. Humenik, John U. Knickerbocker, Daniel S. Mackin, Glenn A. Pomerantz, David E. Speed, Candace A. Sullivan, Bruce E. Tripp, James C. Utter
  • Patent number: 6280527
    Abstract: This invention relates to the cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor printing, such as, for example, screening masks. This invention is basically directed to removing, for example, an organic polymer-metal composite paste from screening masks used in printing conductive metal patterns onto ceramic green sheets in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. More particularly, this invention is concerned with the automated in-line cleaning of paste screening masks with an aqueous alkaline solution of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide as a more environmentally friendly alternative to non-aqueous organic solvents-based cleaning in screening operations for the production multilayer ceramic (MLC) substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna G. Sachdev, John T. Butler, Michael E. Cropp, Donald W. DiAngelo, John F. Harmuth, James N. Humenik, John U. Knickerbocker, Daniel S. Mackin, Glenn A. Pomerantz, David E. Speed, Candace A. Sullivan, Bruce E. Tripp, James C. Utter
  • Publication number: 20010006116
    Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layer feature on a ceramic or organic article in which first and second layers of paste are sequentially screened through a screening mask wherein the screening mask has not been moved between screening steps. A structure produced by this process is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Blazick, Michael E. Cropp, James N. Humenik, Gerald H. Leino, Jawahar P. Nayak, Frank V. Ranalli, Deborah A. Sylvester, John A. Trumpetto, James C. Utter, Rao V. Vallabhaneni, Renne L. Weisman
  • Patent number: 6238741
    Abstract: A process of forming a multi-layer feature on a ceramic or organic article in which first and second layers of paste are sequentially screened through a screening mask wherein the screening mask has not been moved between screening steps. A structure produced by this process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Blazick, Michael E. Cropp, James N. Humenik, Gerald H. Leino, Jawahar P. Nayak, Frank V. Ranalli, Deborah A. Sylvester, John A. Trumpetto, James C. Utter, Rao V. Vallabhaneni, Renee L. Weisman
  • Patent number: 6177184
    Abstract: An interface layer for separating first and second microelectronic ceramic substrates during firing includes a thermally degradable binder, preferably a polymer, that degrades at temperatures above room temperature and below a firing temperature for the microelectronic ceramic substrates, and a separating material, such as boron nitride or graphite. The method of making the interface layer includes mixing the binder, one or more solvents for the binder, a plasticizer and the separating material for a sufficient period of time to form a homogeneous mass, then casting the material in a thin sheet to form the interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Casey, Michael A. Cohn, Michael E. Cropp, Candace A. Sullivan, Robert J. Sullivan, Andrew H. Vogel
  • Patent number: 6032683
    Abstract: A cleaning method and related apparatus for cleaning semiconductor screening masks using an aqueous alkali detergent solution applied under high pressure simultaneously from both sides of the mask, followed by a drying step that uses air knives to blow off the mask surface any residual cleaner solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Casey, Michael E. Cropp, Donald W. DiAngelo, John F. Harmuth, John U. Knickerbocker, David C. Long, Daniel S. Mackin, Glenn A. Pomerantz, Krishna G. Sachdev, David E. Speed, Candace A. Sullivan, Robert J. Sullivan, Bruce E. Tripp, James C. Utter
  • Patent number: 5951917
    Abstract: Deformation of vias and shorting between vias during screening of conductive paste onto greensheets wider than 185 mm is avoided by a concentration of thixotropic agent in the conductive paste formulation to a concentration which raises the thixotropic index of the paste to within 5% to 25% of the maximum achievable thixotropic index for the organic vehicle in the paste. For a paste containing molybdenum powder in which the organic vehicle is a mixture of ethyl cellulose, texanol and oleoyl sarcosine, this criterion corresponds to a concentration of glycerl tri(-12-hydroxystearate) in the range of 1.4% to 1.8% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jawahar P. Nayak, Michael E. Cropp, John M. Wargo, Nancy A. Wier-Cavalieri, Charles W. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5916374
    Abstract: A cleaning method and related apparatus for cleaning semiconductor screening masks using an aqueous alkali detergent solution applied under high pressure simultaneously from both sides of the mask, followed by a drying step that uses air knives to blow off the mask surface any residual cleaner solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Casey, Michael E. Cropp, Donald W. DiAngelo, John F. Harmuth, John U. Knickerbocker, David C. Long, Daniel S. Mackin, Glenn A. Pomerantz, Krishna G. Sachdev, David E. Speed, Candace A. Sullivan, Robert J. Sullivan, Bruce E. Tripp, James C. Utter
  • Patent number: 5800761
    Abstract: An interface layer for separating first and second microelectronic ceramic substrates during firing includes a thermally degradable binder, preferably a polymer, that degrades at temperatures above room temperature and below a firing temperature for the microelectronic ceramic substrates, and a separating material, such as boron nitride or graphite. The method of making the interface layer includes mixing the binder, one or more solvents for the binder, a plasticizer and the separating material for a sufficient period of time to form a homogeneous mass, then casting the material in a thin sheet to form the interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Casey, Michael A. Cohn, Michael E. Cropp, Candace A. Sullivan, Robert J. Sullivan, Andrew H. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5783113
    Abstract: Deformation of vias and shorting between vias during screening of conductive paste onto greensheets wider than 185 mm is avoided by a concentration of thixotropic agent in the conductive paste formulation to a concentration which raises the thixotropic index of the paste to within 5% to 25% of the maximum achievable thixotropic index for the organic vehicle in the paste. For a paste containing molybdenum powder in which the organic vehicle is a mixture of ethyl cellulose, texanol and oleoyl sarcosine, this criterion corresponds to a concentration of glycerl tri(-12-hydroxystearate) in the range of 1.4% to 1.8% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jawahar P. Nayak, Michael E. Cropp, John M. Wargo, Nancy A. Wier-Cavalieri, Charles W. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4808435
    Abstract: An improved method for screen printing fine lines of conductive paste on a substrate wherein a mask having a desired pattern of line shaped openings is placed on the substrate, and conductive paste screened in the openings in the mask in contact with the substrate, and also as a thin layer over the top surface of the mask. The mask is removed from the substrate before the conductive paste in the openings dries, thereby leaving a fine pattern of paste lines with a uniform height on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Cropp, Phillip De Prado, Kamalesh S. Desai