Patents by Inventor Yoichi Funatoko

Yoichi Funatoko 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: 20260063481
    Abstract: Probe supports, probe assemblies that include the probe supports, probe systems that include the probe assemblies, and related methods. The probe assemblies include the probe support, a probe support mounting structure, and a probe. The probe support may include an elongate support body that extends between a support mount and a probe mount. The probe support also may include a deformation measurement structure configured to generate a deformation output indicative of deformation of the elongate support body. The probe support mounting structure may be operatively attached to the support mount. The probe may be operatively attached to the probe mount. The probe systems include a chuck, a signal generation and analysis assembly, and the probe assembly. The methods control the operation of a probe system based, at least in part, on a deformation output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Masahiro Sameshima, Yoichi Funatoko, Gavin Neil Fisher
  • Publication number: 20250327836
    Abstract: Probes, probe blades, tools for probe blades, blade holders, and probe systems for electrically testing a device under test (DUT). In some examples, the probe blades are configured to provide a Kelvin electrical connection with the DUT. In some examples, the probe blades include an alignment structure configured to engage with a blade holder when the probe blade is received within a blade-receiving region of the blade holder. The blade holders are configured to separably and operatively attach a probe blade to a probe system. In some examples, the blade holders include the probe blade. The probe systems are configured to electrically test the DUT and include the blade holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Choon Beng Sia, Yoichi Funatoko, Isao Kunioka, Masanori Watanabe, Peter Andrews, Ken Dawson
  • Patent number: 12379395
    Abstract: Probes, probe blades, tools for probe blades, blade holders, and probe systems for electrically testing a device under test (DUT). In some examples, the probe blades are configured to provide a Kelvin electrical connection with the DUT. In some examples, the probe blades include an alignment structure configured to engage with a blade holder when the probe blade is received within a blade-receiving region of the blade holder. The blade holders are configured to separably and operatively attach a probe blade to a probe system. In some examples, the blade holders include the probe blade. The probe systems are configured to electrically test the DUT and include the blade holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Choon Beng Sia, Yoichi Funatoko, Isao Kunioka, Masanori Watanabe, Peter Andrews, Ken Dawson
  • Publication number: 20250020689
    Abstract: Probes, probe blades, tools for probe blades, blade holders, and probe systems for electrically testing a device under test (DUT). In some examples, the probe blades are configured to provide a Kelvin electrical connection with the DUT. In some examples, the probe blades include an alignment structure configured to engage with a blade holder when the probe blade is received within a blade-receiving region of the blade holder. The blade holders are configured to separably and operatively attach a probe blade to a probe system. In some examples, the blade holders include the probe blade. The probe systems are configured to electrically test the DUT and include the blade holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Choon Beng Sia, Yoichi Funatoko, Isao Kunioka, Masanori Watanabe, Peter Andrews, Ken Dawson
  • 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