Credence Technologies, Inc.

3m Innovative Properties Company

Plantronics, Inc.

Other

Electronics, Inc.

Onfilter, Inc.

Vladimir Kraz

Kirk Alan Martin

Fatjon Gurga

Robert F Young

Yelena Kraz

Paul L Regen

Gabriele Bungardt

Gary T Brint

Robert L Harris

Wayne R Stade

Jeff M Wimsatt

Elis Pogace

Jerel C Gedecke

A device and method for reducing ground currents and electromagnetic interference in pulsed signal devices are described. In one embodiment, the device may include, in addition to regular filtering components and circuits, a separate noise-suppressing choke in the ground wire to reduce current in the ground wire that causes damage to bearings and electrical overstress. Such choke may be of a saturation type that offers high inductance and good noise-blocking properties in normal operating conditions and sufficiently low impedance at fail currents which provides proper tripping of safety circuits.

Device and method for reduction of electrical noise from pulsed signal devices

A device and a method of reducing high-frequency currents between the tip of the soldering iron and the circuit board are described. In one embodiment, a special EMI filter and a method of it implementation in soldering process is described. This device and this method of implementation provide significant reduction of high-frequency current to the sensitive components. Another embodiment describes an implementation of EMI-reducing filter inside the soldering iron. Yet other embodiments include implementation of EMI-reducing filter as a part of the solder station, of the vise holding the circuit board, of the solder spool holder and as a stand-alone device.

Device and method for reduction of overstress in soldering process

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method are described. The device and method are able to distinguish between an ESD event and other non-ESD events.

Electrostatic discharge event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method

A device and method of monitoring ground connection of moving equipment with insulative bearing arrangement is provided that does not use a spring contact that wears out and fails. The device provides a reliable method to monitor the ground connection of the moving equipment with an insulative bearing.

Device and method of monitoring ground connection of moving equipment with insulative bearing arrangement

A device for monitoring the voltage or current applied to sensitive components on a circuit board by an assembly tool protects the sensitive components from damage caused by the voltage or current applied to the circuit board.

Monitor device for monitoring the exposure of circuits to current and voltage from a tool

The invention is a grounding device that grounds the wearer when the wearer is in a designated area and automatically disengages when the wearer leaves the designated area. The device may include a magnetic wriststrap connector that disengagably connects to a wriststrap terminal (or a wriststrap monitor when the terminal is integrated into the monitor). The wriststrap connector may provide an indication to the monitor of the proper mating of the connector and the terminal.

Self-disengaging wearable grounding device

A device and method for ionization control is provided. The device and method controls the ionization balance using a sensor element, a control circuit that produces output signal as a function of an input signal from the sensor and transmits that output signal to the ionizer being controlled. The device also has a mechanism for detecting rapid changes in the input signal and a mechanism for disabling changes in the control signal for the duration of presence of said rapidly-changing signal.

Method and device for controlling ionization

A connector assembly for a wriststrap jack is provided wherein the jack may be easily replaced in accordance with the invention.

Connector arrangement in wrist strap monitors

The invention is a grounding device that grounds the wearer when the wearer is in a designated area and automatically disengages when the wearer leaves the designated area. In more detail, the grounding device includes a wristband that is electrically coupled to a grounded object with a fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism automatically releases to separate the wristband from the grounded object if the wristband is outside of the designated area. Where the fastening mechanism includes a coupling mechanism (e.g., a wire), there may be a rotating device that retracts the coupling mechanism after the fastening mechanism is released. The device may be enhanced with a grounding device monitoring unit that monitors whether the grounding device is in use and a sensor that detects whether the operator is in the designated area, so that an alarm is triggered if the operator is in the designated area and the grounding device is not in use.

A system and method for measuring process parameters in a process machine is described. The system is synchronized to the operation of the process machine so that spurious process parameters events are filtered out.

Process parameter event monitoring system and method for process

A method and apparatus for monitoring grounding of personnel and equipment in electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitive areas. The device generates a low voltage alternating current control signal () which is applied to personnel () and equipment () being monitored. The device further includes signal conditioning () and detection means () to distinguish static charges from the control signal and transmit an alarm () upon detection of such static charge. The method encompasses the use of an alternating current control signal to detect static charge.

Device and method of monitoring grounding of personnel and equipment in ESD-sensitive areas

An ESD and transient signal monitoring system and method are provided wherein an ESD monitoring device may be used to continuously monitor ESD events and generate an indicating of the magnitude of the ESD events. A method for protecting an electronic device from ESD events is also described.

Electrostatic discharges and transient signals monitoring system and method

The present invention provides a device for in-situ measurement and recording of various environmental parameters in a semiconductor fabrication process. The device comprises sensors for detecting the parameters and converting them to sensor outputs; and a data logger coupled to the sensors for receiving the sensor outputs and logging them in a file. The device may also comprise an analog to digital converter to convert the sensor outputs to digital data and a communication module to communicate the digital data with other devices. When applied to reticles used in a semiconductor fabrication process comprising a plurality of stages, the device may be used to monitor electrostatic field and electrostatic discharge activities on and around the reticle, convert the monitored parameters into data, and log the data along with a timestamp and an identification of each individual stage. Logged data can be retrieved and analyzed to determine the time and location of detrimental activities such as electrostatic discharge on reticles.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Vladimir Kraz