Patents by Inventor Patrick Doherty

Patrick Doherty 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: 20020196047
    Abstract: A system for testing semiconductor components contained on a substrate, such as a wafer, a panel, a leadframe or a module, includes an interconnect configured to electrically engage all of the components on the substrate at the same time. The interconnect includes a switching network configured to selectively apply test signals to selected components, to electrically isolate defective components and to transmit test signals from selected groups of components. The system also includes a test apparatus, such as a wafer prober or a carrier for handling the substrate. A method for testing includes the steps of providing the interconnect having the switching network, and controlling test signals to the components using the switching network to perform various test procedures, such as functionality tests, parametric tests and burn-in tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. de Varona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6472368
    Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting cadherin-mediated functions are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least an HAV binding motif, an analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a motif. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by cadherins and/or other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Adherex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Doherty, Orest W. Blaschuk, Barbara J. Gour
  • Patent number: 6466047
    Abstract: An interconnect, a test system, and a test method for testing bumped semiconductor components, such as dice and packages, contained on substrates, such as wafers or panels, are provided. The test system includes the interconnect, a tester for generating test signals, and a wafer prober for placing the components and interconnect in physical contact. The interconnect includes interconnect contacts, such as conductive pockets, for electrically engaging bumped component contacts on the components. The interconnect also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from the tester to the interconnect contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple components in parallel. Reading of the test signals from the components can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6433574
    Abstract: An interconnect, a test system, and a test method for testing bumped semiconductor components, such as dice and packages, contained on substrates, such as wafers or panels, are provided. The test system includes the interconnect, a tester for generating test signals, and a wafer prober for placing the components and interconnect in physical contact. The interconnect includes interconnect contacts, such as conductive pockets, for electrically engaging bumped component contacts on the components. The interconnect also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from the tester to the interconnect contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple components in parallel. Reading of the test signals from the components can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6366112
    Abstract: A probe card for testing semiconductor wafers includes probe card contacts for electrically engaging die contacts on the wafer. The probe card also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from a tester to the probe card contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple dice in parallel. Reading of the dice can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources. In addition to expanding tester resources, the multiplex circuit maintains the individuality of each die, and permits defective dice to be electrically disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6359456
    Abstract: A probe card for testing semiconductor wafers, and a method and system for testing wafers using the probe card are provided. The probe card is configured for use with a conventional testing apparatus, such as a wafer probe handler, in electrical communication with test circuitry. The probe card includes an interconnect substrate having contact members for establishing electrical communication with contact locations on the wafer. The probe card also includes a membrane for physically and electrically connecting the interconnect substrate to the testing apparatus, and a compressible member for cushioning the pressure exerted on the interconnect substrate by the testing apparatus. The interconnect substrate can be formed of silicon with raised contact members having penetrating projections. Alternately the contact members can be formed as indentations for testing bumped wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Warren M. Farnworth, Salman Akram, Alan G. Wood, C. Patrick Doherty, Andrew J. Krivy
  • Patent number: 6356098
    Abstract: A probe card for testing a semiconductor wafer, a test method, and a test system employing the probe card are provided. The probe card includes: a substrate; patterns of pin contacts slidably mounted to the substrate; and a force applying member for biasing the pin contacts into electrical contact with die contacts on the wafer. In an illustrative embodiment the force applying member includes spring loaded electrical connectors in physical and electrical contact with the pin contacts. Alternately, the force applying member includes a compressible pad for multiple pin contacts, or separate compressible pads for each pin contact. A penetration depth of the pin contacts into the die contacts is controlled by selecting a spring force of the force applying member, and an amount of Z-direction overdrive of the pin contacts into the die contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, C. Patrick Doherty, Warren M. Farnworth, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6337577
    Abstract: An interconnect, a test system, and a test method for testing bumped semiconductor components, such as dice and packages, contained on substrates, such as wafers or panels, are provided. The test system includes the interconnect, a tester for generating test signals, and a wafer prober for placing the components and interconnect in physical contact. The interconnect includes interconnect contacts, such as conductive pockets, for electrically engaging bumped component contacts on the components. The interconnect also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from the tester to the interconnect contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple components in parallel. Reading of the test signals from the components can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6300786
    Abstract: A probe card, a test method and a test system for testing semiconductor wafers are provided. The test system includes the probe card, a tester for generating test signals, and a wafer prober for placing the wafers and probe card in physical contact. The probe card includes contacts for electrically engaging die contacts on the wafer. The probe card also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from the tester to the probe card contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple dice in parallel. Reading of the dice can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources. In addition to expanding tester resources, the multiplex circuit maintains the individuality of each die, and permits defective dice to be electrically disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6277824
    Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting cadherin-mediated functions are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least an HAV binding motif, an analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a motif. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by cadherins and/or other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Adherex Technologies
    Inventors: Patrick Doherty, Orest W. Blaschuk, Barbara J. Gour
  • Patent number: 6275052
    Abstract: A probe card for testing semiconductor wafers, and a method and system for testing wafers using the probe card are provided. The probe card is configured for use with a conventional testing apparatus, such as a wafer probe handler, in electrical communication with test circuitry. The probe card includes an interconnect substrate having contact members for establishing electrical communication with contact locations on the wafer. The probe card also includes a membrane for physically and electrically connecting the interconnect substrate to the testing apparatus, and a compressible member for cushioning the pressure exerted on the interconnect substrate by the testing apparatus. The interconnect substrate can be formed of silicon with raised contact members having penetrating projections. Alternately the contact members can be formed as indentations for testing bumped wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Warren M. Farnworth, Salman Akram, Alan G. Wood, C. Patrick Doherty, Andrew J. Krivy
  • Patent number: 6246250
    Abstract: A probe card, a test method and a test system for testing semiconductor wafers are provided. The test system includes the probe card, a tester for generating test signals, and a wafer prober for placing the wafers and probe card in physical contact. The probe card includes contacts for electrically engaging die contacts on the wafer. The probe card also includes an on board multiplex circuit adapted to fan out and selectively transmit test signals from the tester to the probe card contacts. The multiplex circuit expands tester resources by allowing test signals to be written to multiple dice in parallel. Reading of the dice can be performed in groups up to the limit of the tester resources. In addition to expanding tester resources, the multiplex circuit maintains the individuality of each die, and permits defective dice to be electrically disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Patrick Doherty, Jorge L. deVarona, Salman Akram
  • Patent number: 6246245
    Abstract: A probe card for testing a semiconductor wafer, a test method, and a test system employing the probe card are provided. The probe card includes: a substrate; patterns of pin contacts slidably mounted to the substrate; and a force applying member for biasing the pin contacts into electrical contact with die contacts on the wafer. In an illustrative embodiment the force applying member includes spring loaded electrical connectors in physical and electrical contact with the pin contacts. Alternately, the force applying member includes a compressible pad for multiple pin contacts, or separate compressible pads for each pin contact. A penetration depth of the pin contacts into the die contacts is controlled by selecting a spring force of the force applying member, and an amount of Z-direction overdrive of the pin contacts into the die contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Akram, C. Patrick Doherty, Warren M. Farnworth, David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6060891
    Abstract: A probe card for testing semiconductor wafers, and a method and system for testing wafers using the probe card are provided. The probe card is configured for use with a conventional testing apparatus, such as a wafer probe handler, in electrical communication with test circuitry. The probe card includes an interconnect substrate having contact members for establishing electrical communication with contact locations on the wafer. The probe card also includes a membrane for physically and electrically connecting the interconnect substrate to the testing apparatus, and a compressible member for cushioning the pressure exerted on the interconnect substrate by the testing apparatus. The interconnect substrate can be formed of silicon with raised contact members having penetrating projections. Alternately the contact members can be formed as indentations for testing bumped wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hembree, Warren M. Farnworth, Salman Akram, Alan G. Wood, C. Patrick Doherty, Andrew J. Krivy