US5091692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Probing test device
Assignee: Tokyo Electron Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-12-31
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A probing test device is provided for contacting a plurality of probes with pads on a semiconductor wafer to be tested and supplying a test signal to a tester comprising a CPU for previously storing, as a reference image, the image signal obtained when the probes are correctly contacted with the electrode pads. The probing test device includes a mechanism for positioning these probes to be contacted with the pads on the wafer by moving the tested wafer relative to the probes, an optical system for image sensing those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads, and a mechanism for positioning the optical system near to the pads by moving the optical system relative to the wafer. The CPU performs a comparison of the reference image signal with that image signal sensed for those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads. which is picked up by the optical system to confirm whether or not both of these images coincide with each other, wherein the wafer is moved relative to the probes by the wafer positioning mechanism responsive to the result confirmed by the CPU.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Ohno
- 👤 Tetsuo Ohtsuka
- 👤 Naotaka Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/07314
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A probing test device for contacting a plurality of probes with pads on an object to be tested and supplying a test signal to a tester comprising: means for previously storing, as a reference image, the image signal obtained when the probes are correctly contacted with the pads; first means for positioning these probes to be contacted with the pads by moving the tested object relative to the probes; means for image sensing those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads including a lighting-up means and a reflected-light detecting means to allow those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads to be caught as perspective images; second means for positioning the image sensing means near to the pads by moving the image sensing means relative to the tested object; and means for comparing the reference image signal with the image signal of their contacted portions which is picked up by the image sensing means to confirm whether or not both of these images coincide with each other; wherein the tested object is moved relative to the probes by said first positioning means responsive to the result confirmed by said comparison means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A probing test device for contacting a plurality of probes with pads on an object to be tested and supplying a test signal to a tester comprising: means for previously storing, as a reference image, the image signal obtained when the probes are correctly contacted with the pads; first means for positioning these probes to be contacted with the pads by moving the tested object relative to the probes; means for image sensing those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads including a lighting-up means and a reflected-light detecting means to allow those portions at which the probes are contacted with the pads to be caught as perspective images; second means for positioning the image sensing means near to the pads by moving the image sensing means relative to the tested object; and means for comparing the reference image signal with the image signal of their contacted portions which is picked up by the image sensing means to confirm whether or not both of these images coincide with each other; wherein the tested object is moved relative to the probes by said first positioning means responsive to the result confirmed by said comparison means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said lighting-up and reflected-light detecting means are introduced near to the tested object through an opening of a probe card which is provided with the probes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said lighting-up and reflected-light detecting means are introduced near to the tested object through the center of an opening of a probe card which are provided with the probes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said lighting-up means includes two emitting blocks branched from a light guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The probing test device according to claim 4, wherein said two emitting blocks are positioned to shoot light in a direction opposite to the direction in which the probes are brought to contact the pads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said lighting-up means includes a light source which can adjust its light quantity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said lighting-up means is attached to the probe card which is provided with the probes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said reflected-light detecting means has a CCD camera which is of the zooming type.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said reflected-light detecting means has a mirror which is inclined relative to the vertical axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said first positioning means includes a system which serves to move a stage, on which the tested object is mounted, in directions X, Y, Z and θ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The probing test device according to claim 1, wherein said second positioning means includes a system which serves to move the image sensing means in the directions X, Y, Z and θ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probing test device according to claim 9, wherein said mirror is inclined with respect to the vertical axis by an angle of 25°±5°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probing test device according to claim 6, further comprising cooling means for forcibly cooling said light source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |