Patents by Inventor Nobuhiro Kawamata

Nobuhiro Kawamata 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: 20210172978
    Abstract: Customizable probe cards, probe systems including the same, and related methods. A customizable probe card for testing one or more devices under test (DUTs) comprises a support structure, one or more probe assemblies supporting respective probes, and a probe repositioning assembly. The probe repositioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective adjustment of an orientation of at least one probe relative to the support structure. In examples, a probe system comprises a chuck for supporting a substrate that includes one or more DUTs, a customizable probe card, and a probe card holder. In examples, methods of reconfiguring a customizable probe card comprise utilizing a probe repositioning assembly to reposition the respective probe of at least one probe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Yoichi Funatoko, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Masahiro Sameshima, Masanori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10352870
    Abstract: Improved wafer-scale testing of optoelectronic devices, such as CMOS image scan devices, is provided. A probe card includes an LED light source corresponding to each device under test in the wafer. The LED light sources provide light from a phosphor illuminated by the LED. A pinhole and lens arrangement is used to collimate the light provided to the devices under test. Uniformity of illumination can be provided by closed loop control of the LED light sources using internal optical signals as feedback signals, in combination with calibration data relating the optical signal values to emitted optical intensity. Uniformity of illumination can be further improved by providing a neutral density filter for each LED light source to improve uniformity from one source to another and/or to improve uniformity of the radiation pattern from each LED light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kawamata, Toshihiro Kasai, Hiromitsu Sasanami, Shigeki Mori
  • Publication number: 20180164223
    Abstract: Improved wafer-scale testing of optoelectronic devices, such as CMOS image scan devices, is provided. A probe card includes an LED light source corresponding to each device under test in the wafer. The LED light sources provide light from a phosphor illuminated by the LED. A pinhole and lens arrangement is used to collimate the light provided to the devices under test. Uniformity of illumination can be provided by closed loop control of the LED light sources using internal optical signals as feedback signals, in combination with calibration data relating the optical signal values to emitted optical intensity. Uniformity of illumination can be further improved by providing a neutral density filter for each LED light source to improve uniformity from one source to another and/or to improve uniformity of the radiation pattern from each LED light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kawamata, Toshihiro Kasai, Hiromitsu Sasanami, Shigeki Mori
  • Patent number: 7898242
    Abstract: A probe card assembly can include an insert holder configured to hold a probe insert, which can include probes disposed in a particular configuration for probing a device to be tested. The probe card assembly can provide an electrical interface to a tester that can control testing of the device, and while attached to the probe card assembly, the insert holder can hold the probe insert such that the probe insert is electrically connected to electrical paths within the probe card assembly that are part of the interface to the tester. The insert holder can be detached from the probe card assembly. The probe insert of the probe card assembly can be replaced by detaching the insert holder, replacing the probe insert with a new probe insert, and then reattaching the insert holder to the probe card assembly. The probe insert and holder can be integrally formed and comprise a single structure that can be detached from a probe card assembly and replaced with a different probe insert and holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Carl V. Reynolds, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Takao Saeki
  • Patent number: 7843202
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing semiconductor devices are provided herein. In some embodiments, an assembly for testing semiconductor devices can include a probe card assembly; and a thermal barrier disposed proximate an upper surface of the probe card assembly, the thermal barrier can restrict thermal transfer between tester side boundary conditions and portions of the probe card assembly disposed beneath the thermal barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Hobbs, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Andrew W. McFarland, Carl V. Reynolds, Yoichi Urakawa
  • Publication number: 20090160432
    Abstract: A probe card assembly can include an insert holder configured to hold a probe insert, which can include probes disposed in a particular configuration for probing a device to be tested. The probe card assembly can provide an electrical interface to a tester that can control testing of the device, and while attached to the probe card assembly, the insert holder can hold the probe insert such that the probe insert is electrically connected to electrical paths within the probe card assembly that are part of the interface to the tester. The insert holder can be detached from the probe card assembly. The probe insert of the probe card assembly can be replaced by detaching the insert holder, replacing the probe insert with a new probe insert, and then reattaching the insert holder to the probe card assembly. The probe insert and holder can be integrally formed and comprise a single structure that can be detached from a probe card assembly and replaced with a different probe insert and holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Carl V. Reynolds, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Takao Saeki
  • Patent number: 7498825
    Abstract: A probe card assembly can include an insert holder configured to hold a probe insert, which can include probes disposed in a particular configuration for probing a device to be tested. The probe card assembly can provide an electrical interface to a tester that can control testing of the device, and while attached to the probe card assembly, the insert holder can hold the probe insert such that the probe insert is electrically connected to electrical paths within the probe card assembly that are part of the interface to the tester. The insert holder can be detached from the probe card assembly. The probe insert of the probe card assembly can be replaced by detaching the insert holder, replacing the probe insert with a new probe insert, and then reattaching the insert holder to the probe card assembly. The probe insert and holder can be integrally formed and comprise a single structure that can be detached from a probe card assembly and replaced with a different probe insert and holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, Carl V. Reynolds, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Takao Saeki
  • Publication number: 20070007977
    Abstract: A probe card assembly can include an insert holder configured to hold a probe insert, which can include probes disposed in a particular configuration for probing a device to be tested. The probe card assembly can provide an electrical interface to a tester that can control testing of the device, and while attached to the probe card assembly, the insert holder can hold the probe insert such that the probe insert is electrically connected to electrical paths within the probe card assembly that are part of the interface to the tester. The insert holder can be detached from the probe card assembly. The probe insert of the probe card assembly can be replaced by detaching the insert holder, replacing the probe insert with a new probe insert, and then reattaching the insert holder to the probe card assembly. The probe insert and holder can be integrally formed and comprise a single structure that can be detached from a probe card assembly and replaced with a different probe insert and holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: FORMFACTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Eldridge, Carl Reynolds, Nobuhiro Kawamata, Takao Saeki