Patent US5189363A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5189363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated circuit testing system having a cantilevered contact lead probe pattern mounted on a flexible tape for interconnecting an integrated circuit to a tester
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-09-14
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Granted: 1993-02-23
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Expires: 2010-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for testing chips uses a patterned tape having a patterned array of cantilevered contact leads. The tape serves as an interface between the chip under test and a testing unit by providing conductive leads from the I/O terminals on the chip to an off-chip measuring system. The leads on the array may have balls, tips or other shapes on the end to provide contact with the terminals and compensate for height differences. The tape is a single frame or has a series of arrays each positioned around an opening where the chip will be located when a particular pattern is positioned over that chip for test. The pattern on the tape may be the same array or a different array. The tape is indexed to a new pattern when the old one is damaged or no longer needed. Alignment with the chip is by optical sensing and physical pin movement. The tape may have a flap protruding into an aperture and deflectable to provide for planar contact of the leads to the device under test.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark F. Bregman
- 👤 Paul R. Hoffman
- 👤 Peter G. Ledermann
- 👤 Paul A. Moskowitz
- 👤 Roger A. Pollak
- 👤 Timothy C. Reiley
- 👤 Mark B. Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/0735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a film tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of conductive beam leads thereon; an aperture in said layer, said beam leads positioned such that they project into said aperture; means for moving said entire tape essentially in a plane of said tape to position said beam leads for testing said electronic device; and means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a film tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of conductive beam leads thereon; an aperture in said layer, said beam leads positioned such that they project into said aperture; means for moving said entire tape essentially in a plane of said tape to position said beam leads for testing said electronic device; and means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tape comprises a plurality of layers, at least one being a ground plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein ends of said beam leads projecting into said aperture extend to different lengths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tape is a polymer film having a conductive pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pattern comprises a first array of conductors connected to a first array of beam leads and a second array of conductors connected to a second array of beam leads, wherein said first array of conductors is a pattern different from that of said second array of conductors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for pressing comprises an anvil positioned over said aperture to press inner beam ends projecting into said aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an elastomer layer on said anvil, said elastomer contacting said inner beam ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said anvil comprises a transparent material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an alignment hole in said tape, said tester interface comprising a movable pin to place said tape into alignment with said tester interface by engaging said alignment hole and moving said tape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an optical sensor to sense the position of said tape aperture relative to said tester interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tester interface, said tape having plurality of contacts on said interface to selectively establish electrical continuity between beam leads and said tester interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said beam leads projects in cantilevered fashion into said aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said beam leads terminates in a downward extending point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said beam leads terminates in a U-shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said beam lends terminates in a spherical shape.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of beam leads on said tape; an aperture in said layer, said beam leads positioned such that they project into said aperture; means for advancing said tape to a position for testing said electronic device; and means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device; wherein said aperture defines a pattern in said tape providing for a tape flap, said flap deflectable by said means for pressing, and said beam leads mounted on said flap.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of beam leads on said tape; an aperture in said layer, said beam leads positioned such that they project into said aperture; means for advancing said tape to a position for testing said electronic device; and means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device; wherein said aperture defines a pattern in said tape providing for a tape flap, said flap deflectable by said means for pressing, and said beam leads mounted on said flap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said aperture is an H-pattern providing for two opposed flaps and said beam leads are mounted on each of said flaps.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said aperture defines a pattern having four flaps positioned on sides of a rectangle and said beam leads define four sets each projecting into said aperture.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of beam leads on said tape; a first aperture in said layer, a plurality of first beams leads of said beam leads positioned such that they project into said first aperture; means for advancing said tape to a position for testing said electronic device; means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device; wherein said tape comprises a second aperture a plurality of second beam leads of said beam leads pass over and project into said second aperture.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for testing an electronic device having a plurality of contact locations on a surface thereof, comprising: a tape having a dielectric layer, a plurality of beam leads on said tape; a first aperture in said layer, a plurality of first beams leads of said beam leads positioned such that they project into said first aperture; means for advancing said tape to a position for testing said electronic device; means for pressing said beam leads into engagement with said contact locations on said electronic device; wherein said tape comprises a second aperture a plurality of second beam leads of said beam leads pass over and project into said second aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first and second beam leads are parallel to each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first aperture and said second aperture are staggered on said tape.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for interfacing with electronic devices comprising: a tape having a plurality apertures, a plurality of patterned leads having terminals, each pattern of leads defining a deflectable temporary contact array to one of said electronic devices, each contact array positioned relative to one of said plurality of apertures and projecting into said aperture, said apertures each with an associated pattern of leads spaced on said tape; and an alignment hole in said tape relative to each aperture.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for interfacing with electronic devices comprising: a tape having a plurality apertures, a plurality of patterned leads having terminals, each pattern of leads defining a deflectable temporary contact array to one of said electronic devices, each contact array positioned relative to one of said plurality of apertures and projecting into said aperture, said apertures each with an associated pattern of leads spaced on said tape; and an alignment hole in said tape relative to each aperture.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said alignment hole comprises a through-hole for engaging a pin to align said tape with a device under test.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said alignment hole comprises a hole remote from said contact array for providing an optical window to determine the position of said tape.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a metallic layer on a surface of said tape to act as a ground plane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein each of said plurality of patterned leads terminates on said tape in a pattern of contacts, said pattern of contacts being the same for said first and second contact arrays.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said plurality of patterned leads comprises a first and second contact arrays wherein said first contact array has a pattern of leads projecting into a first aperture different from a pattern of leads in said second contact array projecting into a second aperture.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for interfacing with an electronic device comprising; a flexible elongate tape substrate having a plurality of apertures, a first aperture of said plurality of aperture in said substrate, said substrate having a first flap extending into said first aperture and deflectable out of the plane of said substrate, and plural test leads mounted on said first flap and extending into said first aperture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for interfacing with an electronic device comprising; a flexible elongate tape substrate having a plurality of apertures, a first aperture of said plurality of aperture in said substrate, said substrate having a first flap extending into said first aperture and deflectable out of the plane of said substrate, and plural test leads mounted on said first flap and extending into said first aperture.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a second flap extending into said first aperture and a second beam leads mounted on said second flap and extending into said aperture.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said first flap and second flap oppose each other in said aperture.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first flap and said second flap are at right angles to each other.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein each of said beam leads is an alloy of nickel and copper.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprises means to deflect said flap downward out of plane of said substrate whereby each of said beam leads contacts said electronic device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said means to deflect said flap comprises a pressure anvil, said anvil having a leveled bearing surface contacting said substrate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said substrate comprises an individual frame.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further including means for containing a plurality of flexible substrates.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said means for containing is a carousel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said means for containing is a magazine.
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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) | 1996-02-23 | 1996-08-24 | 1997-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-23 | 2000-08-24 | 2001-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-23 | 2004-08-24 | 2005-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |