Patents by Inventor Tuan D. Le
Tuan D. Le 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).
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Patent number: 9062859Abstract: Wafer edge inspection approaches are disclosed wherein an imaging device captures at least one image of an edge of a wafer. The at least one image can be analyzed in order to identify an edge bead removal line. An illumination system having a diffuser can further be used in capturing images.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Voges, Ajay Pai, Antony Ravi Philip, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 8818074Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 8492178Abstract: Systems and method for monitoring semiconductor wafer fabrication processing, for example based upon EBR line inspection, including capturing at least one image of a wafer at an intermediate stage of fabrication. The captured image(s) are compressed to generate a composite representation of at least an edge zone of the wafer. An edge bead removal area is identified in the representation, and at least one feature attribute is extracted from the identified area. The extracted feature attribute is automatically assessed, and information relating to a status of the fabrication processing in generated based upon the assessment. For example, recommended modifications to the fabrication processing, either upstream or downstream of the current stage of fabrication (or both) can be generated and implemented.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alan Carlson, Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le, Antony Ravi Philip
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Patent number: 8426223Abstract: Wafer edge inspection approaches are disclosed wherein an imaging device captures at least one image of an edge of a wafer. The at least one image can be analyzed in order to identify an edge bead removal line. An illumination system having a diffuser can further be used in capturing images.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Voges, Ajay Pai, Antony Ravi Philip, Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20130022260Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 8175372Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20110263049Abstract: Wafer edge inspection approaches are disclosed wherein an imaging device captures at least one image of an edge of a wafer. The at least one image can be analyzed in order to identify an edge bead removal line. An illumination system having a diffuser can further be used in capturing images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Voges, Ajay Pai, Antony Ravi Philip, Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20110085725Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20110054659Abstract: Systems and method for monitoring semiconductor wafer fabrication processing, for example based upon EBR line inspection, including capturing at least one image of a wafer at an intermediate stage of fabrication. The captured image(s) are compressed to generate a composite representation of at least an edge zone of the wafer. An edge bead removal area is identified in the representation, and at least one feature attribute is extracted from the identified area. The extracted feature attribute is automatically assessed, and information relating to a status of the fabrication processing in generated based upon the assessment. For example, recommended modifications to the fabrication processing, either upstream or downstream of the current stage of fabrication (or both) can be generated and implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: RUDOLPH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alan Carlson, Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le, Antony Ravi Philip
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Patent number: 7881919Abstract: Techniques for simulating universal serial bus (USB) video devices are described. In one example, a document containing a USB video device descriptor set is loaded by a device simulator application. The document is parsed and the descriptor set is extracted. The descriptor set is then used to define a simulated USB video device. A device simulation framework simulates a USB device attachment to a computing device and video data is streamed from the simulated USB video device to the computing device. A video driver associated with the computing device processes the video data as if the data originated from USB video device hardware. Multiple different USB video devices may be simulated and different collections and configurations of video data can be utilized.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Art Trumble, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 7865010Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 7711866Abstract: The described embodiments relate to testing streaming media capture devices and/or computer systems. One exemplary method enumerates and tests multiple streaming media capture device which are operably associated with a computer. The method simultaneously exercises said computer's display and power states.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Percy A Tierney, Tuan D. Le, Wenhong Liu, Adrian Mircea Sima
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Publication number: 20100086197Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Patent number: 7683930Abstract: A vertical blanking interval (VBI) signal testing tool captures, isolates, and analyzes a VBI signal to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. A digitized VBI signal may be received and analyzed according to industry standards. The VBI signal is examined using thresholds, threshold points, and other points as a way of discerning waveforms in the signal and their individual characteristics. Thereafter, deviations of the VBI signal from industry standards are logged or displayed for review. One feature of the tool records captured VBI data to a persistent storage medium, thereby allowing post-processing of the VBI signal at another time and/or another location. An exemplary analysis program can read the recorded VBI data from the persistent storage medium and perform tests to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. VBI signal translations are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Percy A. Tierney, Tuan D. Le, Anand Ganesh, Adrian Mircea Sima
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Patent number: 7616804Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention relate to a wafer inspection method. A plurality of images is acquired about an edge portion of a wafer. Each of the images comprises a pixel array having a first dimension and a second dimension. A composite image of compressed pixel arrays is generated by compressing each of the pixel arrays in the first dimension and concatenating the pixel arrays. The composite image is analyzed to identify a wafer feature, for example using a sinusoidal line fit.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ajay Pai, Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20090196489Abstract: Systems and methods of inspection for a substrate. At least two images of a selected portion of the substrate edge are captured using an optical imaging system, and each characterized by a discrete focal distance setting of the optical imaging system. A composite image of the substrate edge is formed from the at least two images. Defect(s) are identified in the composite image. Some optical systems can include at least one optical element having an optical power and a focusing mechanism for modifying a focal distance of the optical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Tuan D. Le
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Publication number: 20090106419Abstract: The described embodiments relate to testing streaming media capture devices and/or computer systems. One exemplary method enumerates and tests multiple streaming media capture device which are operably associated with a computer. The method simultaneously exercises said computer's display and power states.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Percy A. Tierney, Tuan D. Le, Adrian Mircea Sima, Wenhong Liu
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Patent number: 7479981Abstract: A vertical blanking interval (VBI) signal testing tool captures, isolates, and analyzes a VBI signal to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. A digitized VBI signal is received and analyzed according to industry standards. The VBI signal is first examined using thresholds, threshold points, and other points as a way of discerning waveforms in the signal and their individual characteristics. Thereafter, deviations of the VBI signal from industry standards are logged or displayed for review.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Percy A Tierney, Tuan D Le, Anand Ganesh, Adrian Mircea Sima
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Patent number: 7469347Abstract: The described embodiments relate to testing streaming media capture devices and/or computer systems. One exemplary method enumerates and tests multiple streaming media capture device which are operably associated with a computer. The method simultaneously exercises said computer's display and power states.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Percy A Tierney, Tuan D. Le, Adrian Mircea Sima, Wenhong Liu
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Publication number: 20080249759Abstract: Techniques for simulating universal serial bus (USB) video devices are described. In one example, a document containing a USB video device descriptor set is loaded by a device simulator application. The document is parsed and the descriptor set is extracted. The descriptor set is then used to define a simulated USB video device. A device simulation framework simulates a USB device attachment to a computing device and video data is streamed from the simulated USB video device to the computing device. A video driver associated with the computing device processes the video data as if the data originated from USB video device hardware. Multiple different USB video devices may be simulated and different collections and configurations of video data can be utilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Art Trumble, Tuan D. Le