Patents by Inventor Thomas J. McKeone

Thomas J. McKeone 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).

  • Integrated circuit heating system and method therefor
    Patent number: 6879172
    Abstract: Semiconductor die analysis is enhanced via a method and system that use a heater having a plurality of heating elements to heat a selected portion of the die. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the heater is thermally coupled to the die, and the die is operated while at least one of the plurality of heating elements heats a portion of the die. A response is detected and used to analyze the die. The present invention makes possible selective heating of the die in a manner that is readily controllable and implemented. Die analysis, including, for example, critical timing path analysis, is enhanced by this ability to controllably heat the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eppes, Thomas J. McKeone
  • Integrated circuit internal heating system and method therefor
    Patent number: 6815965
    Abstract: Substrate removal for analysis of a semiconductor die is enhanced via a method and system for heating the die. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heating elements are formed in a semiconductor die. The die is operated while at least one of the plurality of heating elements heats a portion of the die adjacent the heating element. A response to the heating is detected and used to analyze the die. The present invention makes possible selective heating of the die in a manner that is readily controllable and implemented. Die analysis, including, for example, critical timing path analysis, is enhanced by this ability to controllably heat the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eppes, Thomas J. McKeone