Transporting Or Conveying The Device Under Test To The Testing Station Patents (Class 324/757.01)
  • Patent number: 11899042
    Abstract: An example test system includes test sites comprising test sockets for testing devices under test (DUTs) and pickers for picking DUTs from the test sockets or placing the DUTs into the test sockets. Each picker may include a picker head for holding a DUT. The test system also includes a gantry on which the pickers are mounted. The gantry may be configured to move the pickers relative to the test sites to position the pickers for picking the DUTs from the test sockets or placing the DUTs into the test sockets. The test sockets are arranged in at least one array that is accessible to the pickers on the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TERADYNE, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Luke Campbell, Adnan Khalid, Christopher Croft Jones, Christopher James Bruno
  • Patent number: 11822301
    Abstract: Controlled appliance and method for controlling interactions between the controlled appliance and a remote control device. The controlled appliance comprises a BLE interface and an actuation module. The controlled appliance sets the BLE interface in a scanning mode where the BLE interface is capable of receiving BLE signals from other devices. The controlled appliance receives, via the BLE interface, a BLE advertising signal from the remote control device. The controlled appliance establishes a connection between the controlled appliance and the remote control device through the BLE interface. The controlled appliance exchanges data with the remote control device via the BLE interface. Upon reception from the remote control device via the BLE interface of a command for controlling operations of the actuation module, the controlled appliance applies the command to the actuation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Distech Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Chenier, Marc-Andre Vallieres
  • Patent number: 11688654
    Abstract: Test line structures are provided. A test line structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of diagnosis units and a plurality of first micro pad units. The diagnosis units are formed over the semiconductor substrate. Each of the diagnosis units includes a first interconnect structure having a first routing pattern. The first interconnect structures of the diagnosis units are connected in series to form a first test chain through the first micro pad units, and each of the first micro pad units is configured to connect the first interconnect structures of two adjacent diagnosis units in the first test chain. The first routing patterns of the first interconnect structures in the diagnosis units are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Chun Lin, Chung-Yi Lin, Yen-Sen Wang, Bao-Ru Young
  • Patent number: 11530962
    Abstract: An automatic robot control system and methods relating thereto are described. These systems include components such as a touch screen panel (“TSP”) robot controller for controlling a TSP robot, a camera robot controller for controlling a camera robot and an audio robot controller for controlling an audio robot. The TSP robot operates inside a TSP testing subsystem, the camera robot operates inside a camera testing subsystem, and the audio robot operates inside an audio testing subsystem. Inside the audio testing subsystem, an audio signals measurement system, using a bi-directional coupling, controls the operation of the audio robot controller. In this control scheme, a test application controller is designed to control the different types of subsystem robots. Methods relating to TSP, camera, and audio robots, and their controllers, taken individually or in combination, for automatic testing of device functionalities are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Myung Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 11528854
    Abstract: A sod harvester's stacking position can be dynamically adjusted to form vertically aligned stacks. More particularly, a sod harvester's control system can be configured to automatically adjust the stacking position as a stack is being formed based on a sensed orientation of the pallet. In this way, the control system can ensure that a slab of sod that is dropped from the stacking head will fall into the intended location on the stack regardless of the orientation of the pallet relative to the stacking head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: FireFly Automatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Aposhian, Eric E. Aston, William M. Decker, Mark C. LeBlanc, Daniel A. Aposhian
  • Patent number: 11486924
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a load port area in which a carrier accommodation chamber for accommodating a carrier that receives an inspection object is disposed; an inspection area in which a plurality of probe cards are respectively disposed under a plurality of inspection devices, and in which the probe card is pressed against an electronic device of the inspection object on a chuck top to inspect the electronic device; a transfer area in which a transfer mechanism transfers the inspection object onto the chuck top; and a plurality of probe card accommodation devices disposed in at least one of the load port area or the inspection area, each probe card accommodation device being capable of accommodating the probe card, and a number of the probe card accommodation devices being equal to or greater than a number of the probe cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroki Hosaka
  • Patent number: 11428608
    Abstract: An automatic robot control system and methods relating thereto are described. These systems include components such as a touch screen panel (“TSP”) robot controller for controlling a TSP robot, a camera robot controller for controlling a camera robot and an audio robot controller for controlling an audio robot. The TSP robot operates inside a TSP testing subsystem, the camera robot operates inside a camera testing subsystem, and the audio robot operates inside an audio testing subsystem. Inside the audio testing subsystem, an audio signals measurement system, using a bi-directional coupling, controls the operation of the audio robot controller. In this control scheme, a test application controller is designed to control the different types of subsystem robots. Methods relating to TSP, camera, and audio robots, and their controllers, taken individually or in combination, for automatic testing of device functionalities are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Myung Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 11408931
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated-circuit-level (IC-level) test method and system. The IC-level test method includes the operations of: providing, by a stage wagon, a plurality of burn-in boards to an IC loading chamber; determining, by the IC loading chamber, at least one disposing configuration for a plurality of ICs according to at least one docking mechanism of the stage wagon; disposing, by the IC loading chamber, the plurality of ICs on each of the plurality of burn-in boards according to the at least one disposing configuration; providing, by the stage wagon, the plurality of burn-in boards with the plurality of ICs to a test chamber; and performing, by the test chamber, a test function on the plurality of ICs to determine a status of each of the plurality of ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Sung Lai
  • Patent number: 11368804
    Abstract: A testing apparatus including a testing platform, a loading device, a testing-signal generating device, a sound sensing device, a control unit, and an unloading device is disclosed. The loading device is configured to load a plurality of under-test devices to the testing platform. The testing-signal generating device is configured to generate at least one testing signal. The plurality of under-test devices receives the at least one testing signal and produces at least one testing sound-according to the at least one testing signal. The sound sensing device is configured to receive the at least one testing sound. The control unit controls the unloading device to unload the plurality of under-test devices from the testing platform and controls the unloading device to categorize the plurality of under-test devices into a plurality of groups according to the at least one testing sound received by the sound sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: xMEMS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan-Shuang Liu, David Hong, Ming-Che Chuang, Ping-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11152329
    Abstract: A method of an embodiment separates a bonded substrate including first and second substrates. The bonded substrate includes a carbon film on a first surface of the first substrate, a memory cell on the carbon film, a first connection terminal on the memory cell, a transistor on a first surface of the second substrate, and a second connection terminal on the transistor. In opposing direction of the first surfaces of the first and second substrates, a side of the first substrate on which the memory cell is located and a side of the second substrate on which the transistor is located are joined together, and the first and second connection terminals are mutually connected. The method includes removing the carbon film, and separating the bonded substrate into the first substrate with the first surface exposed and the second substrate on which the memory cell and the transistor are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiichi Soda
  • Patent number: 10978818
    Abstract: Embodiments describe an electronic device fastener including a base link bar, and a pair of corner retaining features coupled to the base link bar. Each corner retaining feature includes a base being formed of a planar structure and having a base top surface, a support rail extending from a portion of the base top surface and having a support rail top surface, a fastening feature defined by surfaces of the base and support rail and comprising vacant space extending through the base and at least a portion of the support rail, a guide wall extending from a portion of the support rail top surface, a retaining protrusion extending from the guide wall toward a center line of the electronic device fastener, and a stopper positioned beside the base link bar and at back ends of the base, the support rail, the guide wall, and the base link bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Lock Duc Nguyen, Alex Jensen
  • Patent number: 10794951
    Abstract: An electronic element inspection equipment is provided, which is adapted to inspect an electronic element. The electronic element inspection equipment includes a first transmission track, a first rotational unit, a first image capturing device, a second image capturing device, a third image capturing device, a second rotational unit, a fourth image capturing device, and a second transmission track. The first rotational unit rotates around a first axis. When the first rotational unit moves the electronic element, the first image capturing device, the second image capturing device, and the third image capturing device capture images of the electronic element. The second rotational unit rotates around a second axis, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. When the second rotational unit moves the electronic element, the fourth image capturing device captures one image of the electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Ting-Ming Fu
  • Patent number: 10682762
    Abstract: An unmanned conveyance vehicle includes a monitoring section which includes, as monitoring regions for detecting obstacles, a first monitoring region and a second monitoring region which is capable of detecting obstacles that are more distant than the first monitoring region, and a light emitting section which emits light in the first monitoring region, in which when an obstacle is detected within the first monitoring region, a vehicle is caused to perform an emergency stop. Ordinarily, when the unmanned conveyance vehicle stops the light emission of the light emitting section and detects an obstacle within the second monitoring region, the unmanned conveyance vehicle causes the light emitting section to emit light. Accordingly, when an operator enters the second monitoring region, the operator is capable of recognizing a distance at which, when reached by the unmanned conveyance vehicle, the unmanned conveyance vehicle will perform the emergency stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mizuho Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10459027
    Abstract: A semiconductor test apparatus capable of securely having the contact pin and the external contact terminal held in contact with each other even in case where the vertical type handler is used. The semiconductor test apparatus comprises: a test socket having a socket surface formed thereon, the socket surface having a contact pin towering therefrom; and a semiconductor transport fixture having a concave portion formed thereon, the concave portion adapted to receive therein an IC under test, wherein the test socket has a position adjustment guide provided thereon, the semiconductor transport fixture has a guide through bore formed therein, the guide through bore adapted to receive the position adjustment guide therethrough when the IC under test comes under test, and either one of the position adjustment guide or the guide through bore is formed in a tapered shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: UNITECHNO, INC.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Adachi, Munehiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 10205544
    Abstract: An RF shield for enclosing a robotic tester unit while testing mobile devices. In some embodiments, the RF shield includes at least two conductive RF shield layers separated by an insulator material. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the RF shield is further lined with a RF absorbing material to absorb EM radiation generated within the RF Shield enclosure. In some embodiments, the internal components required for testing, e.g. the robot, are powered via a power conditioner that removes from the power source frequencies above a threshold, e.g. 100 Hz, to eliminate RF signals absorbed into the power lines via radio towers and/or intentionally induced into the power lines to control power equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Lee, David Ross Jenkinson
  • Patent number: 10081103
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems to analyze wearable technology. A robot with snake assembly works in conjunction with a server in order to simulate the locomotive actions of appendages and to concomitantly determine the response of wearable technology devices, which are attached to the snake robot assembly, to the simulated locomotive actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, John E. Moore, Jr., Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9927478
    Abstract: A configurable electronic test system that is adapted for varying test processes and thermal conditions, consisting of a device handler working with multiple testers and a thermal environment module for controlling the thermal condition during test. The test system can be easily expanded by stacking more testers vertically for more test capacity without requiring an increase in floor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AEM SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Boon Hua How, Kok Keong Ong, Chiang Huan Saw, See Jean Chan, Wee Tick Lo
  • Patent number: 9821468
    Abstract: A system, method, and device may include software and hardware which simplify and quicken configuration of the system for testing a device, enhance testing procedures which may be performed, and provide data via which to easily discern a cause and nature of an error which may result during testing. A camera may capture still images of a display screen of a tested device and another camera may capture video images of the tested device and a partner device. A wizard may be used to generate a configuration file based on one previously generated for a similar device. A mount for a tested device may be structured so that: it is suitable for mounting thereon a plurality of differently structured devices; and adjustments in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction in a plane and adjustments of an angle of the device relative to the plane may be easily made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ross Jenkinson, Bobby Lee, Gavin Liaw
  • Patent number: 9818631
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for optimizing operational throughput for a semiconductor device handler having multiple stages. The method includes receiving semiconductor devices for testing at an input carrier buffer, and operating the handler in the testing of semiconductor devices. The method also includes recording operational throughput characteristics for each operational stage of the handler, and analyzing recorded operational throughput characteristics for each operational stage of the handler. Additionally, the method includes determining which operational stage of the handler has the most limiting constraint causing a lowest operational drumbeat, and adjusting operational parameters of the operational stage of the handler that has the lowest operational drumbeat to increase the operational drumbeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CELERINT, LLC.
    Inventors: Howard Roberts, Jr., LeRoy Growt
  • Patent number: 9798314
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for testing mobile devices using an intelligent mobile device test fixture. A server computing device generates programmatic instructions for testing an application on a mobile device coupled to the test fixture, where the programmatic instructions are based upon a test script, and include a first set of instructions and a second set of instructions. The server computing device transmits the first set of instructions to the application, and transmits the second set of instructions to a controller board coupled to the test fixture. The application executes the first set of instructions to activate functionality. The controller board executes the second set of instructions to activate one or more servo motors of the test fixture that control movement of the fixture. The server computing device determines an updated state of the application after execution of each instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FMR LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Eugene Dougherty, Hongyu Wang, Hongbing Gu, Bahram Omidfar
  • Patent number: 9561594
    Abstract: A robot includes, a holding unit configured to hold an object, an image pickup unit, and a predetermined first portion of the robot. The image pickup unit picks up images of the holding unit and the object using the first portion as a background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9513313
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an electronic device, in which inspection of electrical characteristics is carried out, uses conduction to pass a current to an electronic device while the electronic device is being continuously conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Arita, Osamu Masuda
  • Patent number: 9481084
    Abstract: Described herein is a robot for testing touch-sensitive displays. The test robot may have a test surface holding a touch-sensitive display. The test robot may also have a first robotic unit that can translate in only two dimensions relative to the touch-sensitive display, where the first robotic unit secures a first plurality of finger units. The test robot may also have a second robotic unit that can translate in only the two dimensions relative to the touch-sensitive display, where the second robotic unit secures a second plurality of finger units. The test robot may also have a control unit controlling the first robotic unit, the second robotic unit, the first plurality of finger units, and the second plurality of finger units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Young Bu Park
  • Patent number: 9194885
    Abstract: The invention relates to a prober for checking and testing electronic semiconductor components and methods of using the same. The prober comprises at least two checking units, each of which is equipped with a chuck, probes, and a positioning unit, and each of which is assigned to a machine control system and a process control system. The prober further comprises a loading unit for automatically loading both testing units and an additional loader for manually loading at least one of the testing units, a user interface, and a module control system for controlling the process control systems and/or the machine control systems and the loading unit. The user interface can optionally be connected to at least one of the process control systems or the module control system by means of a switching device of the prober.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stojan Kanev, Botho Hirschfeld, Axel Becker, Ulf Hackius
  • Patent number: 9138896
    Abstract: A system, method, and device may include software and hardware which simplify and quicken configuration of the system for testing a device, enhance testing procedures which may be performed, and provide data via which to easily discern a cause and nature of an error which may result during testing. A camera may capture still images of a display screen of a tested device and another camera may capture video images of the tested device and a partner device. A wizard may be used to generate a configuration file based on one previously generated for a similar device. A mount for a tested device may be structured so that: it is suitable for mounting thereon a plurality of differently structured devices; and adjustments in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction in a plane and adjustments of an angle of the device relative to the plane may be easily made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jenkinson, Bobby Lee, Gavin Liaw
  • Patent number: 9069010
    Abstract: There is provided a pitch changing apparatus which can change a pitch of DUTs when the DUTs are transferred between trays by a shuttle revolving system. The pitch changing apparatus, which changes the pitch of DUTs, includes a plurality of shuttles which hold DUTs, a first guide rail which guides the plurality of shuttles, a second feeder which feeds the shuttles along the first guide rail at a first pitch, a third feeder which includes a plurality of pins receiving the shuttles from the second feeder and moves the pins along the first guide rail at a second pitch, and a controller which controls a feed rate of the second feeder and a receiving rate of the third feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haruki Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20150123686
    Abstract: The semiconductor transporting and testing fixture according to the present invention comprises: a frame portion (21) adapted to receive therein an IC (5) having an external connection terminal, the frame portion having an inner peripheral wall; a bottom surface sheet (25) pasted on a bottom surface of the frame portion, the bottom surface sheet having an IC side pad (26) formed on a front surface thereof and a socket side pad (27) formed on a rear surface thereof, the IC side pad being adapted to contact the external connection terminal, the socket side pad electrically connected with the corresponding IC side pad and being adapted to contact a testing socket, wherein the frame portion (21) is provided with a retaining latch (23) protruding therefrom toward above the IC (5) when the IC (5) is received in the inner peripheral wall (22) of the frame portion (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Fumiaki Nanami
  • Patent number: 9024648
    Abstract: A handler for conveying DUTs to a socket for a test that can reduce a test time includes: a test section including the socket; a heat applying section into which a tray having plural DUTs placed on its surface is conveyed and that controls the temperature of the DUTs to a predetermined test temperature and conveys the tray into the test section; and a device image capturing section that includes imaging elements arranged along a first direction the number of which is equal to DUTs arranged along the first direction and that in the heat applying section, captures images of the DUTs by moving the imaging elements relative to the surface of the tray in a second direction non-parallel with the first direction; and a position adjusting section that adjusts the positions of the DUTs relative to the socket based on their images captured by the device image capturing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Horino, Masataka Onozawa
  • Publication number: 20150102832
    Abstract: A carrier disassembling apparatus which disassembles a test carrier including a base member and a cover member coming into close contact with each other, includes: a first reversing arm which sucks and holds the cover member; and a disassembly table which sucks and holds the base member. The first reversing arm can approach and separate from the disassembly table. The first reversing arm includes a first contract surface which comes into contact with the cover member. The first contract surface includes a protrusion which protrudes toward the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinari Kogure
  • Publication number: 20150077153
    Abstract: An automatic module apparatus for manufacturing a solid state drive (SSD) includes a labeling apparatus, one or more test handler apparatuses and a sorting apparatus. The labeling apparatus is for printing a label on a SSD mounted on a carrier tray. The one or more test handler apparatuses are for transporting the carrier tray on which the labeled SSD is mounted and for testing the labeled SSDs to determine whether the labeled SSDs have any defects. The SSD sorting apparatus is for transporting the carrier tray on which the tested SSDs are mounted and sorting non-defective defective SSDs tested by the test handler apparatuses. The SSD labeling apparatus, the test handler apparatuses, and the SSD sorting apparatus are in-line and automated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Min-woo Kim, Dong-woo Shin, IL-hyoung Koo, Do-young Jung
  • Patent number: 8981807
    Abstract: A system for positioning a load including a support column, a drive rail unit coupled to the support column, the drive rail unit moveable relative to the support column, a vertical carriage moveable along the support column, wherein the vertical carriage supports the load, an engagement member which engages the drive rail and which moves along the drive rail, and a motor which applies force to the engagement member, causing the engagement member to move along the drive rail. The motor is coupled to the vertical carriage so that, as the motor applies force to the engagement member, the vertical carriage moves relative to the drive rail unit, the vertical carriage is also moveable with the drive rail unit so that the vertical carriage and the drive rail unit move relative to the support column. A method of positioning a load is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: inTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Leonard West, Charles Paul Nappen
  • Patent number: 8975904
    Abstract: A wafer inspection interface IF comprises a probe card, an adsorption unit configured to adsorb a wafer to the probe card, a wafer adsorption sealing member to which the probe card is adsorbed, and a fixing ring configured to fix the wafer adsorption sealing member to a card holder. The adsorption unit includes an air exhaustion unit, a first air duct whose right end portion is opened in the hermetically closed space and the left end portion is opened at a side of the fixing ring, a second air duct whose right end portion is opened to face an opening of the left end portion of the first air duct and the left end portion is opened to be connected with the air exhaustion unit, and a hole by which the first air duct is in communication with the second air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8970244
    Abstract: One embodiment is a transport apparatus for moving carriers of microelectronic devices along a track, the transport apparatus including: (a) a track with two rails adapted to support the carriers; (b) a trolley adapted to be transported in a direction along the track by a linear actuator; and (c) a first and a second engagement feature attached to the trolley wherein the first engagement feature is adapted to engage temporarily with a first of the carriers, and the second engagement feature is adapted to engage temporarily with a second of the carriers; wherein a predetermined movement of the trolley slidably moves the first carrier onto a test position and slidably moves the second carrier off the test position simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Di Stefano, Peter T. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 8963568
    Abstract: The resistive probing tip system has one or more carriers and one or more electrical contact assemblies. Each carrier has opposing surfaces with a plurality of resistors engaging the carrier. Each of the plurality of resistors has opposing electrical contacts that are exposed at respective opposing surfaces of the carrier. Each electrical contact assembly has opposing surfaces with electrical contacts exposed at the opposing surfaces with each electrical contact exposed on one surface coupled to a corresponding electrical contact on the other opposing surface. The carrier(s) and the electrical contact assembly(s) selectively mate to and mate from one another with the electrical contacts exposed at the opposing surfaces the carrier(s) and the electrical contact assembly(s) contacting one another. The carrier(s) and/or the electrical contact assembly(s) may be selectively secured to either of a circuit board or a probe head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Booman, Neil C. Clayton, Bruce C. Tollbom
  • Publication number: 20150044788
    Abstract: A test apparatus includes a foreign matter removal unit having a first slope provided with an abrasive coating or an adhesive sheet and a second slope provided with an abrasive coating or an adhesive sheet, the second slope facing the first slope in such a manner that an upper end of the second slope is spaced from an upper end of the first slope a greater distance than a lower end of the second slope is spaced from a lower end of the first slope, a test unit for testing electrical characteristics of a semiconductor chip, and a transfer unit for holding and releasing the semiconductor chip at a position above the first and second slopes and transferring the semiconductor chip to the test unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira OKADA, Takaya NOGUCHI, Norihiro TAKESAKO, Kinya YAMASHITA, Hajime AKIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8947114
    Abstract: An inspecting method for an object to be inspected is provided to bring probes of a probe card into electrical contact with a predetermined number of devices of target devices of the object at a time to inspect electrical characteristics of the target devices by moving a mounting table for mounting thereon the object under the control of a control unit. Upon completion of the inspection of the target devices, if inspection errors have occurred in specific devices of the target devices in a regular pattern, the target devices are re-examined, and when the re-examination is carried out, a contact position between the probe card and the object is displaced from a contact position in a previous inspection by a distance of at least one device to inspect electrical characteristics of the number of devices of the target devices at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hideaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150022231
    Abstract: A test apparatus includes a sector conveyance device provided with a plurality of soaking buffers, the soaking buffers being used to carry electronic components, the sector conveyance device being mounted pivotably by a pivot and moved between a test location and a transferring location; a transferring device arranged in correspondence to the transferring location, used to transfer a plurality of electronic components into or out of the sector conveyance device; and a test device arranged in correspondence to the test location for testing electronic components, the electronic components being transferred into the sector conveyance device after test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Chiao Lee, Xin-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 8928342
    Abstract: A system for analyzing electronic devices includes an input station, a transport apparatus, an electric machine interface station, an electric machine interface, a support structure and first and second thermal components. The input station receives a plurality of electronic devices and the transport apparatus transports each of the electronic devices from the input station to the electric machine interface station. The electric machine interface engages the electronic device when the electronic device is at the electric machine interface station, and is disengageable from the electronic device for the electronic device to be transportable by the transport apparatus away from the electric machine interface station. The first and second thermal components are located on opposing sides of the electronic device when the electronic device is at the electric machine interface station to simultaneously transfer heat to or from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Exatron, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Howell
  • Patent number: 8926259
    Abstract: A technology related to a pick-and-place apparatus for electronic device inspection equipment is provided. The pick-and-place apparatus includes the guiding unit that can interact with a loading element and can guide the picker to load the electronic devices at a correct position on the loading element. Therefore, the pick-and-place apparatus can allow the electronic devices, for example, semiconductor devices having a ball type of electrical contact lead (BGA, FBGA, etc.), to electrically contact the tester in a stable manner when the tester inspects the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TechWing., Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Sung Na, In-Gu Jeon, Dong-Hyun Yo, Young-Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 8901950
    Abstract: Microelectronic contactors on a probe contactor substrate, or adhesive elements on a probe contactor or space transformer substrate, are protected by a sacrificial material as 1) the microelectronic contactors or adhesive elements are planarized, or 2) a surface of the substrate on which the microelectronic contactors or adhesive elements are formed is planarized. The adhesive elements are used to bond the probe contactor substrate to the space transformer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest America, Inc
    Inventors: Yohannes Desta, Lakshmikanth Namburi, Matthew Losey
  • Patent number: 8850907
    Abstract: [Problem] A test carrier able to secure a high air-tightness is provided. [Solution] A test carrier 10 comprises a cover member 50A and a base member 20A which are bonded together while sandwiching a die 90 between them. ultraviolet rays can pass through the cover member 50A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoto Nakamura, Yoshinari Kogure
  • Publication number: 20140239998
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of testing a semiconductor component includes loading a plurality of semiconductor components into a main turret of a turret handler, transporting the plurality of semiconductor components using the main turret to a test area, and splitting the plurality of semiconductor components into a first set and a second set. The method further includes testing a first semiconductor component in the first set at a first test pad using a tester while transporting a second semiconductor component in the second set to a second test pad and testing the second semiconductor component using the tester while transporting the first semiconductor component out of the first test pad. The first set and the second set are merged into the plurality of semiconductor components and the plurality of semiconductor components are transported away from the test area using the main turret.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Theng Chao Long, Nee Wan Khoo
  • Patent number: 8797057
    Abstract: Test structures for performing electrical tests of devices under one or more microbumps are provided. Each test structure includes at least one microbump pad and a test pad. The microbump pad is a part of a metal pad connected to an interconnect for a device. A width of the microbump pad is equal to or less than about 50 ?m. The test pad is connected to the at least one microbump pad. The test pad has a size large enough to allow circuit probing of the device. The test pad is another part of the metal pad. A width of the test pad is greater than the at least one microbump pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Hsien-Pin Hu, Shang-Yun Hou, Shin-Puu Jeng, Chen-Hua Yu, Chao-Hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 8791705
    Abstract: A calibration substrate having at least one calibration standard with at least two electrical connection points, each for one measurement gate of a vector network analyzer. At least one electrical connection point is formed of at least one calibration standard having a switch, wherein the switch has a first electrical contact electrically connected to an electrical connection point of the calibration standard, a second electrical contact designed for electrically connecting to a measurement gate of the vector network analyzer, and a third electrical contact, wherein the switch is designed such that an electrical contact is established either between the first and third electrical contact or between the first and second electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Zelder, Bernd Geck
  • Publication number: 20140203832
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for spinning a test tray and an in-line test handler including the above apparatus, wherein the apparatus may include a supporting unit for supporting a test tray transported between first and second chamber units facing in the different directions, wherein the first chamber unit is provided at a predetermined interval from the second chamber unit; a base unit to which the supporting unit is spinnably connected; and a spinning unit which spins the test tray so that semiconductor devices received in the test tray are tested at the same arrangement in each of the first chamber unit and the second chamber unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MIRAE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyung Tae KIM, Chan Ho PARK, Jae Gue LEE, Ung Hyun YOO, Hae Jun PARK, Kook Hyung LEE, Hyun Chae CHUNG, Jang Yong PARK
  • Patent number: 8781779
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically aligning probe pins to the test or bond pads of semiconductor devices under changing conditions. In at least one embodiment, a dynamic model is used to predict an impact of changing conditions to wafer probing process. This reduces the need for frequent measurements and calibrations during probing and testing, thereby increasing the number of dice that can be probed and tested in a given period of time and increasing the accuracy of probing at the same time. Embodiments of the present invention also make it possible to adjust positions of probe pins and pads in response to the changing conditions while they are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard James Casler, Jr., Fenglei Du, Stephen Craig Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20140145743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a prober for checking and testing electronic semiconductor components and methods of using the same. The prober comprises at least two checking units, each of which is equipped with a chuck, probes, and a positioning unit, and each of which is assigned to a machine control system and a process control system. The prober further comprises a loading unit for automatically loading both testing units and an additional loader for manually loading at least one of the testing units, a user interface, and a module control system for controlling the process control systems and/or the machine control systems and the loading unit. The user interface can optionally be connected to at least one of the process control systems or the module control system by means of a switching device of the prober.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Cascade Micotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stojan Kanev, Botho Hirschfeld, Axel Becker, Ulf Hackius
  • Publication number: 20140139253
    Abstract: A method for inspecting an electronic device, in which inspection of electrical characteristics is carried out, uses conduction to pass a current to an electronic device while the electronic device is being continuously conveyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Arita, Osamu Masuda
  • Publication number: 20140103954
    Abstract: A test system with rotational test arms for testing semiconductor components includes a transport device, a first test socket, a second test socket, a first test arm, and a second test arm. The first test socket and the second test socket are electrically connected to different test signals respectively and correspond to the first test arm and the second test arm. The first test arm and the second test arm test arms operate rotationally to carry and place the semiconductor components to the transport device, the first test socket and the second test socket, so the test time is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Ming CHEN, Herbert TSAI, Chin-Yi OU YANG
  • Patent number: 8653845
    Abstract: A test handler is provided, which comprises a test tray, at least one opening unit, and a position changing apparatus. The test tray aligns a plurality of inserts on its side. Each insert loads at least one semiconductor device thereon. The opening unit opens inserts at one part of the one side of the test tray. The position changing apparatus moves at least one opening unit in such a way that the at least one opening units can be located at another part of the one side of the test tray, such that the at least one opening units can open inserts at said another part of the one side of the test tray. The present invention can reduce the number of replaced parts according to change in the semiconductor device size, production cost, and part replacement time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: TechWing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Gyun Shim, Yun-Sung Na, In-Gu Jeon, Tae-Hung Ku, Dong-Han Kim