US5381344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for obtaining a list of numbers of wafers for integrated circuit testing
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1992-04-06
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Granted: 1995-01-10
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Expires: 2012-04-06
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method for enabling a user to enter wafer numbers into a computer-based integrated circuit production test system. The method comprises the steps of: (a) prompting the user for the wafer numbers; (b) displaying the wafer numbers in a graphical representation of a wafer cassette; (c) enabling the user to edit the wafer numbers on the graphical representation; and (d) transmitting the wafer numbers to the computer-based IC production test system.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Rohrbaugh
- 👤 Thomas H. Baker
- 👤 Michael J. Bennett
- 👤 Mercedes P. Gil
- 👤 Robert W. Proulx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:33
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P74/00; H10P74/23; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2834; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3185; G01R31/318516; H10W; H10W46/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for enabling a user to specify wafer numbers corresponding to wafers in a cassette to be tested by a computer controlled integrated circuit (IC) testing system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) presenting, via a graphics interface displayed on a display device of the computer, a graphical representation of the cassette; (b) receiving an indication of the wafer numbers from the user via said graphics interface; (c) presenting the wafer numbers on said graphical representation; and (d) communicating the wafer numbers to the testing system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for enabling a user to specify wafer numbers corresponding to wafers in a cassette to be tested by a computer controlled integrated circuit (IC) testing system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) presenting, via a graphics interface displayed on a display device of the computer, a graphical representation of the cassette; (b) receiving an indication of the wafer numbers from the user via said graphics interface; (c) presenting the wafer numbers on said graphical representation; and (d) communicating the wafer numbers to the testing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of generating consecutive numbers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of inputting wafer numbers generated by a wafer number reading device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of inputting at least one of the wafer numbers from the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of inputting wafer numbers previously specified by the user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (e) determining, between steps (b) and (e), whether the wafer numbers comply with a checksum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) inputting a flip list action from the user; and (f) reversing the order of the wafer numbers on said graphical representation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) inputting a clear action from the user; and (f) clearing said wafer numbers from said graphical representation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) enabling the user to select a wafer number displayed on said graphical representation; (f) inputting a skip action made by the user on said wafer number; and (g) marking the wafer number so that the corresponding wafer in the cassette will not be tested.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) enabling the user to select a wafer number displayed on said graphical representation; (f) moving said selected wafer number from said graphical representation to an edit window; (g) inputting an edit action made by the user on said edit window; (h) modifying said selected wafer number as directed by said edit action; and (i) moving said modified selected wafer number from said edit window to said graphical representation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (e) inputting a delete action made by the user on a selected wafer on said graphical representation; and (f) removing said selected wafer number from said graphical representation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (e) enabling the testing system to execute tests on the wafers in the cassette corresponding to the wafer numbers specified by the user.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for enabling a user to specify wafer numbers corresponding to wafers in a cassette to be tested by a computer controlled integrated circuit (IC) testing system, the apparatus comprising: means for providing a graphics interface via a display device of the computer a graphical representation of the cassette; means for receiving from said graphics interface an indication of the wafer numbers to be tested; means for presenting the wafer numbers on said graphical representation; and means for communicating the wafer numbers to the testing system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for enabling a user to specify wafer numbers corresponding to wafers in a cassette to be tested by a computer controlled integrated circuit (IC) testing system, the apparatus comprising: means for providing a graphics interface via a display device of the computer a graphical representation of the cassette; means for receiving from said graphics interface an indication of the wafer numbers to be tested; means for presenting the wafer numbers on said graphical representation; and means for communicating the wafer numbers to the testing system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said determining means comprises means for generating consecutive numbers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said determining means comprises means for receiving wafer numbers from a wafer number reading device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said determining means comprises means for receiving at least one of the wafer numbers from the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said determining means comprises means for receiving wafer numbers previously specified by the user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for determining whether the wafer numbers comply with a checksum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for receiving a flip list action from the user; and means for reversing the order of the wafer numbers on said graphical representation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for receiving a clear action from the user; and means for clearing said wafer numbers from said graphical representation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for receiving from the user a skip action made on a selected wafer number displayed on said graphical representation; and means for marking the selected wafer number so that the corresponding wafer in the cassette will not be tested.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for receiving from the user a select action made on a selected wafer number displayed on said graphical representation; means for moving said selected wafer number from said graphical representation to an edit window; means for receiving from the user an edit action made on said edit window; means for modifying said selected wafer number as directed by said edit action; and means for moving said modified selected wafer number from said edit window to said graphical representation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: means for receiving from the user a delete action made on a selected wafer number displayed on said graphical representation; and means for removing said selected wafer number from said graphical representation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for enabling the testing system to execute tests on the wafers in the cassette corresponding to the wafer numbers specified by the user.
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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) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |