Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-24
2001-05-22
Grant, William (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C700S112000, C700S213000, C700S228000, C414S222120, C414S222130, C414S222010, C414S936000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236902
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention is directed toward an apparatus and method for retaining a device and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for retaining a device while moving it between a first location at which the device is transferred to or from the apparatus, and a second, distinct location at which the device is processed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When manipulating integrated circuits and other electronic devices, an automated device handler is commonly used to pick up the device at one location and place it at another location for processing, marking, storage, etc. The handler comprises a positioning mechanism that is moved by an actuator. The positioning mechanism picks up the device with a chuck or a gripper that may rotate about the vertical axis of the handler. The rotation of the chuck combined with the movement of the positioning mechanism enables the handler to pick up and deliver a device to any location, in any orientation, within the working space of the handler.
Devices are often marked to indicate to the user how that particular device was processed. For example, a programmable read-only memory (“PROM”) may be marked with indicia to identify a program or data stored in the PROM. After being processed, the device is picked up by the chuck on the handler's positioning mechanism and is delivered to the marker. The marker comprises a marker, such as a laser marking head, and a support mechanism where the device is held during marking. The device is placed onto the support mechanism, marked by the laser, then picked up by the positioning mechanism and delivered to a storage location for devices that have been processed.
FIGS. 1A-1E
are schematic diagrams indicating the steps involved in marking devices according to the prior art. In
FIG. 1A
, a device
2
a
is being marked by a marker
4
, such as a laser. The device
2
a
is supported by a chuck
6
a
which is rigidly mounted on a turntable
8
. A number of chucks
6
are positioned about the perimeter of the turntable
8
, with each chuck
6
oriented vertically to position the devices
2
for marking. The chucks
6
are each essentially conduits of a resilient material that are open ended. The conduits are coupled to a vacuum source so that the devices
2
are securely held on the chucks
6
by suction. Other types of chucks may alternatively be used. The marker
4
is positioned directly above the turntable
8
, and is aimed downward at the device
2
a
. While one device
2
a
is being marked, a second device
2
b
is engaged with the chuck
6
b
adjacent the chuck
6
a
in the marking position. Thus, once the first device
2
a
is marked, the turntable
8
can rotate, moving the adjacent device
2
b
into the marking position.
During the marking process, a positioning mechanism
10
picks up yet another device
2
c
from a first storage location
12
. The positioning mechanism
10
has a positioning chuck
11
at one end that is adapted to engage and then pick up devices
2
such as integrated circuits. The positioning mechanism
10
is also positioned in a vertical orientation. This orientation allows the positioning mechanism
10
to properly place the device
2
c
in the chuck
6
c
on the turntable
8
, as well as to properly remove the device
2
c
therefrom.
As shown in
FIG. 1B
, the turntable
8
has rotated so that the device
2
b
is at the marking position, and the positioning mechanism
10
is placing an unmarked device
2
c
on the next available chuck
6
c
. After each device
2
is marked, the turntable rotates to position the next chuck
6
into the proper position for marking the next device
2
.
After being marked, the device
2
a
is picked up by the positioning mechanism
10
and delivered to a second storage location
14
, as shown in
FIGS. 1C and 1D
. After the positioning mechanism
10
places the device
2
a
in the second storage location
14
, the positioning mechanism
10
returns to the first storage location
12
in order to pick up another unmarked device
2
d
, as shown in FIG.
1
E. At this point, the above-described process starts over.
Because the positioning mechanism
10
and the marker
4
are both oriented above the device
2
being marked, simultaneous operation of the positioning mechanism
10
and the marker
4
requires that the chucks
6
on the turntable
8
be spaced apart far enough to prevent interference between the positioning mechanism
10
and the marker
4
. To account for this, the size of the turntable
8
must be quite large, thereby making any device incorporating such a system large as well.
Another problem with the prior art system shown in
FIGS. 1A-E
is caused by the upwardly facing orientation of the chucks
6
. More specifically, the chucks
6
face upwardly so that any dust generated during the marking process can be drawn into the chucks, thus creating additional costs associated with cleaning the system and possibly damaging it.
Yet another problem with the prior art system shown in
FIGS. 1A-E
is caused by the downwardly facing orientation of the processor. For example, where the processor is a laser marker oriented directly above the device, smoke rising from the face of the device
2
being marked can soil the laser's lens, adversely affecting the laser's performance and creating additional costs associated with cleaning the lens.
A need therefore exists for an improved method and apparatus for retaining devices during processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus and method according to one embodiment of the present invention alternatingly retains a device at two distinct locations: a transfer location at which the device is transferred to or from the apparatus, and a process location at which the device is processed. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure on which a first chuck is rigidly connected. The first chuck releasably engages one of the devices. The mounting structure is rotatably attached to a support mechanism on which the mounting structure may rotate between a first position and a second position.
When the mounting structure is in the first position, the first chuck is near the transfer location and is facing in a first direction. In this configuration, a positioning mechanism can transfer a device to the first chuck. The mounting structure may then rotate from the first position to the second position. When the mounting structure is in the second position, the first chuck is near the process location and is facing in a second direction. In this configuration, a processor, such as a marker, may process the device. Following processing, the mounting structure can rotate from the second position to the first position, where the positioning mechanism can remove the device from the first chuck.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a second chuck connected to a surface of the mounting structure. The surface onto which the second chuck is connected may be continuous with the surface of the first chuck, such as two points about the perimeter of a cylinder; the two surfaces may be discontinuous, such as where the surfaces are two faces of a cube; or the two surfaces can be non-contiguous, such as where the two surfaces are on separate plates. The second chuck, like the first chuck, releasably engages one of the devices.
When the mounting structure is in the second position, the second chuck is near the transfer location and is facing in the first direction. This allows the system to either place an unprocessed device at, or remove a processed device from, the second chuck while a device on the first chuck is being processed. The system can thus sequentially place a second device onto the apparatus while a first device is being processed, remove the first device while the second device is being processed, and then place a third device onto the apparatus while the second device is being processed, and so on.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a plurality of first chucks and a plurality of second chucks. In this emb
Bolotin Lev M.
Olson Carl W.
Data I/O Corporation
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Grant William
Rodriguez Paul
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for retaining a device for processing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for retaining a device for processing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for retaining a device for processing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2514181