Patents by Inventor Michael E. Hess

Michael E. Hess 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: 20010023113
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Publication number: 20010020408
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers are disclosed comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6285203
    Abstract: A test system for testing semiconductor components includes an interconnect having contacts for making temporary electrical connections with terminal contacts on the components. The interconnect contacts can be configured to electrically engage planar terminal contacts (e.g., bond pads, test pads) or bumped terminal contacts (e.g., solder bumps, solder balls) on the components. The test system also includes an alignment member for aligning the components to the interconnect. Different embodiments of the alignment member include: a curable polymer material molded in place on the interconnect; an alignment opening formed as an etched pocket in a substrate of the interconnect; and a separate fence attached to the interconnect using an alignment fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Warren M. Farnworth, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6279563
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers are disclosed comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Publication number: 20010007254
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6255196
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6250192
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers are disclosed comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their elective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Publication number: 20010000650
    Abstract: A test system for testing semiconductor components includes an interconnect having contacts for making temporary electrical connections with terminal contacts on the components. The interconnect contacts can be configured to electrically engage planar terminal contacts (e.g., bond pads, test pads) or bumped terminal contacts (e.g., solder bumps, solder balls) on the components. The test system also includes an alignment member for aligning the components to the interconnect. Different embodiments of the alignment member include: a curable polymer material molded in place on the interconnect; an alignment opening formed as an etched pocket in a substrate of the interconnect; and a separate fence attached to the interconnect using an alignment fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Warren M. Farnworth, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6196096
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6155247
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6119675
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6045026
    Abstract: A machine and method for bonding puncture-type conductive contact members of an interconnect to the bond pads of a bare semiconductor die includes the use of one or two ultrasonic vibrators mounted to vibrate one or both of the die and interconnect. A short axial linear burst of ultrasonic energy enables the contact members to pierce hard oxide layers on the surfaces of the bond pads at a much lower compressive force and rapidly achieve full penetration depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Michael E. Hess, John O. Jacobson, Warren M. Farnworth, Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 6006739
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer saw and method of using the same for dicing semiconductor wafers comprising a wafer saw including variable lateral indexing capabilities and multiple blades. The wafer saw, because of its variable indexing capabilities, can dice wafers having a plurality of differently sized semiconductor devices thereon into their respective discrete components. In addition, the wafer saw with its multiple blades, some of which may be independently laterally or vertically movable relative to other blades, can more efficiently dice silicon wafers into individual semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Derek J. Gochnour, Michael E. Hess, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 5907492
    Abstract: An inventive method in an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing process for using data regarding repair procedures conducted on IC's at probe to determine whether any further repairs will be conducted later in the manufacturing process includes storing the data in association with a fuse ID of each of the IC's. The ID codes of the IC's are automatically read, for example, at an opens/shorts test during the manufacturing process. The data stored in association with the ID codes of the IC's is then accessed, and additional repair procedures the IC's may undergo are selected in accordance with the accessed data. Thus, for example, the accessed data may indicate that an IC is unrepairable, so the IC can proceed directly to a scrap bin without having to be queried to determine whether it is repairable, as is necessary in traditional IC manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, Warren M. Farnworth, Derek J. Gochnour, David R. Hembree, Michael E. Hess, John O. Jacobson, James M. Wark, Alan G. Wood