1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor device assemblies, or so-called “multi-chip modules,” in which two or more semiconductor devices are stacked relative to one another. More specifically, the present invention relates to semiconductor device assemblies in which the distances between adjacent stacked semiconductor devices are determined, at least in part, by the heights of structures protruding from bond pads on an active surface of the lower of the adjacent stacked semiconductor devices.
2. Background of Related Art
In order to conserve the amount of surface area, or “real estate,” consumed on a carrier substrate, such as a circuit board, by semiconductor devices connected thereto, various types of increased density packages have been developed. Among these semiconductor device packages are the so-called multi-chip module (MCM), which includes assemblies of semiconductor devices that are stacked one on top of another. The amount of surface area on a carrier substrate that may be saved by stacking semiconductor devices is readily apparent-a stack of semiconductor devices consumes roughly the same amount of real estate on a carrier substrate as a single, horizontally oriented semiconductor device or semiconductor device package.
Due to the disparity in processes that are used to form different types of semiconductor devices (e.g., the number and order of various process steps), it has proven very difficult to actually incorporate different types of functionality into a single semiconductor device. Even in cases where semiconductor devices that carry out multiple functions can be fabricated, multi-chip modules that include semiconductor devices with differing functions (e.g., memory, processing capabilities, etc.) are often much more desirable since the separate semiconductor devices may be fabricated and assembled with one another much more quickly and cost effectively (e.g., lower production costs due to higher volumes and lower failure rates).
Multi-chip modules may also contain a number of semiconductor devices that perform the same function, effectively combining the functionality of all of the semiconductor devices thereof into a single package.
An example of a conventional, stacked multi-chip module includes a carrier substrate, a first, larger semiconductor device secured to the carrier substrate and a second, smaller semiconductor device positioned over and secured to the first semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device does not overlie bond pads of the first semiconductor device and, thus, the second semiconductor device does not cover bond wires that electrically connect bond pads of the first semiconductor device to corresponding contacts or terminals of the carrier substrate. Such a multi-chip module is disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,767, issued to Tandy on Apr. 10, 2001 (hereinafter “the '767 Patent”). As the sizes of the semiconductor devices of such a multi-chip module continue to decrease as they are positioned increasingly higher on the stack, the obtainable heights of such multi-chip modules become severely limited.
Another example of a conventional multi-chip module is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,060, issued to Fogal et al. on Jun. 21, 1994 (hereinafter “the '060 Patent”). The multi-chip module of the '060 Patent includes a carrier substrate with semiconductor devices disposed thereon in a stacked arrangement. The individual semiconductor devices of each multi-chip module may be the same size or different sizes, with upper semiconductor devices being either smaller or larger than underlying semiconductor devices. Adjacent semiconductor devices of each of the multi-chip modules disclosed in the '060 Patent are secured to one another with an adhesive layer. The thickness of each adhesive layer exceeds the loop heights of bond wires protruding from a semiconductor device upon which that adhesive layer is to be positioned. Accordingly, the presence of each adhesive layer prevents the back side of an overlying, upper semiconductor device from contacting bond wires that protrude from an immediately underlying, lower semiconductor device of the multi-chip module. The adhesive layers of the multi-chip modules disclosed in the '060 Patent do not encapsulate or otherwise cover any portion of the bond wires that protrude from any of the lower semiconductor devices. The multi-chip modules of the '060 Patent may be undesirably thick due to the large vertical distance between each adjacent pair of semiconductor devices that ensures that the back side of each upper semiconductor device is electrically isolated from the bond wires protruding over the active surface of the next, lower semiconductor device, which may result in wasted adhesive and excessive stack height.
A similar but more compact multi-chip module is disclosed in U.S. Patent Re. 36,613, issued to Ball on Mar. 14, 2000 (hereinafter “the '613 Patent”). The multi-chip module of the '613 Patent includes many of the same features as those disclosed in the '060 Patent, including adhesive layers that space vertically adjacent semiconductor devices apart a greater distance than the loop heights of bond wires protruding from the lower of the adjacent dice. The use of thinner bond wires with low loop profile wire bonding techniques permits adjacent semiconductor devices of the multi-chip module disclosed in the '060 Patent to be positioned more closely to one another than adjacent semiconductor devices of the multi-chip modules disclosed in the '060 Patent. Nonetheless, additional space remains between the tops of the bond wires protruding from one semiconductor device and the back side of the next higher semiconductor device of such a stacked multi-chip module.
Preformed silicon spacers are typically used to separate stacked semiconductor devices a sufficient distance from one another so that the back side of an upper semiconductor device will not contact underlying bond wires or other discrete conductive elements protruding above an active surface of a next lower semiconductor device. The use of silicon, polymeric films, or other preformed spacers is somewhat undesirable from the standpoint that each time a preformed spacer is used, additional alignment and assembly steps are required. For example, a preformed spacer must be positioned on an active surface of a semiconductor device in such a manner that the bond pads thereof or discrete conductive elements extending thereover are exposed beyond an outer periphery of the spacer. Further, when silicon spacers are used, adhesive material must be applied to either the spacer or the semiconductor devices the spacer is to be positioned between. As is well understood by those in the art of semiconductor device fabrication, additional alignment and assembly steps may decrease product yields and consequently increase production costs.
The vertical distance that adjacent semiconductor devices of a stacked type multi-chip module are spaced apart from one another may be reduced by arranging the semiconductor devices such that upper semiconductor devices are not positioned over bond pads of immediately underlying semiconductor devices or the bond wires or other discrete conductive elements protruding from these bond pads. Thus, adjacent semiconductor devices may be vertically spaced apart from one another a distance that is about the same as or less than the loop heights of the bond wires that protrude above the active surface of the lower semiconductor device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,886, issued to Fogal et al. on Apr. 18, 2000 (hereinafter “the '886 Patent”) discloses such a multi-chip module. According to the '886 Patent, wire bonding is not conducted until all of the semiconductor devices of such a multi-chip module have been assembled with one another and with the underlying carrier substrate. The semiconductor devices of the multi-chip modules disclosed in the '886 Patent must have bond pads that are arranged on opposite peripheral edges. Semiconductor devices with bond pads positioned adjacent the entire peripheries thereof could not be used in the multi-chip modules of the '886 Patent. This is a particularly undesirable limitation due to the ever-increasing feature density of state-of-the-art semiconductor devices, which is often accompanied by a consequent need for an ever-increasing number of bond pads on semiconductor devices, as well as arrangement of bond pads over greater portions of the active surfaces of semiconductor devices.
In view of the foregoing, it appears that stacked assemblies in which an upper semiconductor device could be stacked over bond pads of an adjacent, lower semiconductor device to provide flexibility in bond pad number and placement would be useful, as would methods for forming such stacked assemblies. It also appears that methods and structures that reduce the number of different steps required in forming assemblies of stacked semiconductor devices would also be useful.
The present invention includes an assembly of stacked semiconductor devices in which a first semiconductor device may be secured to or otherwise associated with a substrate, such as a circuit board, an interposer, another semiconductor device, or a lead frame. Bond pads of the first semiconductor device may be electrically connected to corresponding contact areas of the substrate by way of discrete conductive elements or otherwise, as known in the art. A second semiconductor device of the assembly is positioned over and secured to the first semiconductor device and may overlie at least some discrete conductive elements protruding above the active surface of the first semiconductor device.
The back side of the second semiconductor device may be spaced apart from the active surface of the first semiconductor device, bond pads thereof, and any underlying discrete conductive elements by way of spacers that protrude from noncircuit, or “dummy,” bond pads of the first semiconductor device. Alternatively, the spacers may protrude from and communicate with bond pads that communicate with a ground or reference voltage plane for the first semiconductor device. The distance between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device is determined, at least in part, by the heights the spacers protrude over the active surface of the first semiconductor device.
Spacers that comprise either substantially linear or nonlinear elements of substantially uniform height may be formed on so-called “dummy” or grounded bond pads, which are also referred to herein as noncircuit bond pads, of the first semiconductor device by wire bond formation techniques. Nonlinear spacers may be shaped in such a manner as to impart them with some resilient compressibility upon receiving a force in the directions of the lengths thereof. The thicknesses (e.g., diameters) of the spacers may impart them with sufficient strength to collectively withstand the weight of a second semiconductor device resting thereon, as well as the force that may be applied thereto as the second semiconductor device is placed thereon. Alternatively, or in addition, the spacers may be coated with one or more materials that enhance their strengths.
While it is preferred that the discrete conductive elements that extend between the first and second semiconductor devices be spaced apart from the back side of the second semiconductor device, other means for electrically isolating the discrete conductive elements from the back side of an immediately overlying, second semiconductor device are also within the scope of the present invention. By way of example only, the discrete conductive elements may be electrically isolated from the back side of the second semiconductor device by way of a dielectric coating on at least contacting portions of one or both of the discrete conductive elements and the back side.
The second semiconductor device, which may be larger, smaller, or the same size as the underlying, first semiconductor device, is secured over the first semiconductor device by way of an adhesive material, which may comprise a dielectric material, disposed between the first and second semiconductor devices.
In one exemplary embodiment of an assembly including stacked semiconductor devices, the adhesive material may fill the entire gap between the first and second semiconductor devices, substantially encapsulating the portion of each discrete conductive element located therebetween. The adhesive material may have a low enough viscosity (high liquidity), that air or other gases located between the first and second semiconductor devices is readily displaced, reducing the tendency of voids to form around discrete conductive elements or between the first and second semiconductor devices.
When a low viscosity material, such as a conventional underfill material, is used to space the first and second semiconductor devices apart from one another, the second semiconductor device is positioned over the first semiconductor device, resting on and supported collectively by the spacers protruding from the active surface of the first semiconductor device. The second semiconductor device may be at least temporarily secured to the first semiconductor device by way of a small quantity of adhesive material, such as an adhesive polymer, solder flux, or the like, which may, for example, be placed on a surface of the first semiconductor device, the second semiconductor device, one or more discrete conductive elements, and/or one or more spacers prior to positioning the second semiconductor device over the first semiconductor device. The low viscosity adhesive material may then be introduced between the first and second semiconductor devices.
The wetting properties of a low viscosity adhesive material may facilitate spreading thereof over the active surface of the first semiconductor device and the back side of the second semiconductor device, as well as capillary action or “wicking” thereof through the spaces between the first and second semiconductor devices and around the portions of discrete conductive elements located between the first and second semiconductor devices. Spreading of the adhesive material may be aided by application of heat thereto or by mechanical vibration of the assembly. When a fixed quantity of adhesive material that is smaller than the volume between the first and second semiconductor devices is used, the surface tension of the adhesive material may cause the distance between the first and second semiconductor devices to decrease as the adhesive material spreads therebetween, thereby decreasing the overall height of the assembly. If the adhesive material is used to decrease the distance between the first and second semiconductor devices in this manner, it is preferred that the spacers be configured to compress somewhat and that a sufficient amount of adhesive material be used to prevent delicate, raised discrete conductive elements, such as bond wires, from being bent, distorted, or collapsed onto one another.
An adhesive material that has a relatively higher viscosity may be used in another exemplary embodiment of an assembly including stacked semiconductor devices. Due to its high viscosity, such an adhesive material may be applied over a portion of the active surface of the first semiconductor device prior to positioning the second semiconductor device thereover. Alternatively, the second semiconductor device may be positioned over the first semiconductor device, then a high viscosity adhesive material introduced therebetween.
When a high viscosity adhesive material is used, a controlled amount of force or loading may be applied to one or both of the active surface of the second semiconductor device or the bottom of the first semiconductor device or a substrate, if any, to which the first semiconductor device is secured in such a manner that the first semiconductor device and second semiconductor device are biased toward one another. In this manner, the distance between the first and second semiconductor devices may be controlled. Force or loading may also be applied to the active surface of the second semiconductor device to facilitate spreading of a high viscosity adhesive material between the first and second semiconductor devices. If such force or loading is used, it is preferred that the force or loading not be sufficient to undesirably deformably stress (e.g., bend, kink, distort, or collapse) the spacers that protrude from the active surface of the first semiconductor device or the first semiconductor device itself
Once the adhesive material cures, it may provide some additional physical support to the second semiconductor device. The adhesive material may also serve as a dielectric coating for the discrete conductive elements or the back side of the second semiconductor device. Bond pads of the second semiconductor device may also be electrically connected to one or both of corresponding contact areas of the substrate and corresponding bond pads of the first semiconductor device.
Of course, assemblies incorporating teachings of the present invention may include more than two semiconductor devices in a stacked arrangement.
Once the semiconductor devices of such an assembly have been secured to one another and electrically connected with a substrate or with one another, the assembly may be packaged, as known in the art.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention:
With reference to
Semiconductor device assembly 10 may also include a substrate 20, such as the depicted circuit board, an interposer, another semiconductor device, leads, or other suitable, known substrates.
First semiconductor device 30 includes first and second sets of bond pads 34a, 34b, respectively, on an active surface 32 thereof. Bond pads 34a communicate with circuitry of first semiconductor device 30 and, therefore, may also be referred to as “circuit bond pads.” Accordingly, and as depicted, bond pads 34a are configured to be secured to discrete conductive elements 36, such as bond wires, tape-automated bond (TAB) elements comprising conductive traces carried on a flexible dielectric film, thermocompression bonded leads, or the like. When included in semiconductor device assembly 10, discrete conductive elements 36 electrically connect and, thus, establish electrical communication between bond pads 34a and corresponding contact areas 24 of a substrate 20 of semiconductor device assembly 10.
Bond pads 34b, which are also referred to herein as “noncircuit bond pads,” are either bond pads that do not communicate with internal circuitry of first semiconductor device 30, or bond pads that communicate with a ground plane of first semiconductor device 30. Communication of noncircuit bond pads 34b with the ground or reference voltage plane of semiconductor device 30 is schematically represented by broken line G.
Spacers 40, which may comprise wire or other conductive elements, are secured to noncircuit bond pads 34b of first semiconductor device 30. Structural support may be imparted to each spacer 40 by use of thicker conductive elements, stronger materials, coatings that strengthen the conductive elements thereof, or as otherwise known in the art.
The height of each spacer 40 separates a back side 33′ of second semiconductor device 30′ a sufficient distance from active surface 32 of the underlying first semiconductor device 30 to prevent any discrete conductive elements 36 protruding above active surface 32 from electrically shorting against back side 33′. Thus, the heights of spacers 40 may prevent back side 33′ of second semiconductor device 30′ from contacting discrete conductive elements 36. Alternatively, if at least portions of one or both of discrete conductive elements 36 that contact back side 33′ and portions of back side 33′ that contact discrete conductive elements 36 are coated with an electrically insulative material (e.g., dielectric polymer, nonconductive oxide, such as a metal oxide, silicon oxide, or glass, etc.), the heights of spacers 40 may prevent discrete conductive elements 36 from being undesirably distorted or from collapsing onto one another when second semiconductor device 30′ is placed over first semiconductor device 30.
Although spacers 40 are depicted in
A quantity of adhesive material 50 may be located between first semiconductor device 30 and second semiconductor device 30′. Adhesive material 50, which is preferably electrically nonconductive, or dielectric, may adhere to at least portions of active surface 32 of first semiconductor device 30, as well as to all or part of second semiconductor device 30′ to secure first semiconductor device 30 and second semiconductor device 30′ to one another. Exemplary adhesive materials that are useful in semiconductor device assembly 10 include low viscosity materials, such as thermoset resins, two-stage epoxies, or the like, as well as higher viscosity materials including, but not limited to, epoxies, silicones, silicone-carbon resins, polyimides, polyurethanes, and parylenes.
As depicted in
In addition, and as depicted, semiconductor device assembly 10″ may include a protective encapsulant 60″. One or more of first semiconductor device 30, second semiconductor device 30′, and discrete conductive elements 36 may be packaged by protective encapsulant 60″. Portions of substrate 20″ that are located adjacent to first and second semiconductor devices 30, 30′ may also be enveloped by protective encapsulant 60″. As shown, protective encapsulant 60″ comprises a molded structure (e.g., a transfer molded or pot molded structure), although other types of protective encapsulants (e.g., glob-top encapsulants), or packages, are also within the scope of the present invention.
Turning now to
As shown in
In
As shown in
Once spacers 40 have been formed, a second semiconductor device 30′ may be positioned over first semiconductor device 30, as depicted in
Prior to introduction of an adhesive material between at least portions of active surface 32 of first semiconductor device 30 and back side 33′ of second semiconductor device 30′, a position of second semiconductor device 30′ may be maintained by way of adhesive material (not shown), such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive material, solder flux, or the like, disposed on either back side 33′ of second semiconductor device 30′, on an active surface 32 of first semiconductor device 30, and/or on uppermost portions of spacers 40.
As depicted in
In
Next, as depicted in
Adhesive material 50, 50′ may then be fully or partially hardened to an at least semisolid state, as appropriate for the type of material employed, securing first and second semiconductor devices 30 and 30′ to one another. By way of example, thermoplastic adhesive materials 50, 50′ may be cooled or permitted to cool. Other types of adhesive materials 50, 50′ may be cured by processes such as heat curing, snap curing, UV curing, catalytic curing, or appropriate combinations thereof. As an example of the use of a combination of curing processes, some known adhesive materials 50, 50′, such as some of the die attach and thermal adhesives marketed as QUANTUM® adhesives by Dexter Corporation of Industry, Calif., may be cured by both UV curing and heat or snap curing processes. Exposed, edge portions of these adhesive materials 50, 50′ may be UV-cured to form an external fillet which contains internal, unconsolidated adhesive material 50, 50′, which may then be cured by heat or snap curing processes.
If spacers 40 comprise somewhat compressible structures, such as those depicted in
Alternative configurations of spacers 40e and 40f are shown in
Once adhesive material 50 has cured sufficiently to secure the relative positions of first semiconductor device 30 and second semiconductor device 30′, discrete conductive elements 36 may be formed between bond pads 34a′ of second semiconductor device 30′ and corresponding contact areas 24 of substrate 20, as depicted in
In the event that assembly of additional semiconductor devices 30″ over semiconductor devices 30 and 30′ is desired, as shown in
Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some exemplary embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/939,258, filed Aug. 24, 2001, now abandoned.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3811186 | Lamerd et al. | May 1974 | A |
3871015 | Lin et al. | Mar 1975 | A |
4764804 | Sahara et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4866507 | Jacobs et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4897708 | Clements | Jan 1990 | A |
4989069 | Hawkins | Jan 1991 | A |
5012323 | Famworth | Apr 1991 | A |
5056215 | Blanton | Oct 1991 | A |
5154341 | Melton et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5220200 | Blanton | Jun 1993 | A |
5269453 | Melton et al. | Dec 1993 | A |
5323060 | Fogal et al. | Jun 1994 | A |
5323084 | Haitz | Jun 1994 | A |
5399898 | Rostoker | Mar 1995 | A |
5400950 | Myers et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
5476211 | Khandros | Dec 1995 | A |
5484314 | Famworth | Jan 1996 | A |
5518964 | DiStefano et al. | May 1996 | A |
5614766 | Takasu et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5633535 | Chao et al. | May 1997 | A |
5654226 | Temple et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5659952 | Kovac et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5700715 | Pasch | Dec 1997 | A |
5726492 | Suzuki et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5763939 | Yamashita | Jun 1998 | A |
5763941 | Fjelstad | Jun 1998 | A |
5772451 | Dozier et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5793108 | Nakanishi et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5804004 | Tuckerman et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5804874 | An et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5813115 | Misawa et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5820014 | Dozier et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5832601 | Eldridge et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5841197 | Adamic, Jr. | Nov 1998 | A |
5841198 | Chia et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5852871 | Khandros | Dec 1998 | A |
5864177 | Sundstrom | Jan 1999 | A |
5864946 | Eldridge et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5884398 | Eldridge et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5953814 | Sozansky et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5976913 | Distefano | Nov 1999 | A |
5985682 | Higgins, III | Nov 1999 | A |
5998228 | Eldridge et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6005778 | Spielberger et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
RE36613 | Ball | Mar 2000 | E |
6032356 | Eldridge et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
6046910 | Ghaem et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6049976 | Khandros | Apr 2000 | A |
6051886 | Fogal et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6054337 | Solberg | Apr 2000 | A |
6063648 | Beroz et al. | May 2000 | A |
6084284 | Adamic, Jr. | Jul 2000 | A |
6087718 | Cho | Jul 2000 | A |
6100594 | Fukui et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6107682 | Fjelstad | Aug 2000 | A |
6124179 | Adamic, Jr. | Sep 2000 | A |
6133072 | Fjelstad | Oct 2000 | A |
6133637 | Hikita et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6147401 | Solberg | Nov 2000 | A |
6160526 | Hirai et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6162665 | Zommer | Dec 2000 | A |
6166476 | Nakashima et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6168974 | Chang et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6175157 | Morifuji | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6183267 | Marcus et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6191487 | Rodenbeck et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6208024 | DiStefano | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6212767 | Tandy | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6215670 | Khandros | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6231974 | Yamakawa et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6232668 | Hikita et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6242803 | Khandros et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6246247 | Eldridge et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6252175 | Khandros | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6265771 | Ference et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6271598 | Vindasius et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6274823 | Khandros et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6279227 | Khandros et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6281577 | Oppermann et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6287895 | Sato | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6294040 | Raab et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6297063 | Brown et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6297547 | Akram | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6313528 | Solberg | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6316727 | Liu | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6333562 | Lin | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6336269 | Eldridge et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6340822 | Brown et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6340846 | LoBianco et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6362520 | DiStefano | Mar 2002 | B2 |
6388313 | Lee et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6392292 | Morishita | May 2002 | B1 |
6400007 | Wu et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6406938 | Rodenbeck et al. | Jun 2002 | B2 |
6410366 | Hashimoto | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6429509 | Hsuan | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6437449 | Foster | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6441496 | Chen et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6448659 | Lee | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6452259 | Akiyama | Sep 2002 | B2 |
6461881 | Famworth et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6462420 | Hikita et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6472758 | Glenn et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6476333 | Khandros et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6476503 | Imamura et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6483190 | Kainuma et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6483328 | Eldridge et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6484395 | Marcus et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6486547 | Smith et al. | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6495462 | Haba et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6504223 | Zhou et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6518664 | Miyamoto | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6528889 | Matsuhira et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6531784 | Shim et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6545365 | Kondo et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6564449 | Tsai et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6593662 | Pu et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6602733 | Iwahashi et al. | Aug 2003 | B2 |
6603072 | Foster et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6607937 | Corisis | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6621172 | Nakayama et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6624005 | DiCaprio et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6630365 | Famworth et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6649444 | Eamworth et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6682954 | Ma et al. | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6724084 | Hikita et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6727579 | Eldridge et al. | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6778406 | Eldridge et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6809421 | Hayasaka et al. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6835898 | Eldridge et al. | Dec 2004 | B2 |
6956174 | Khandros et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
7064566 | Khandros et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7084656 | Khandros et al. | Aug 2006 | B1 |
20010000927 | Rodenbeck et al. | May 2001 | A1 |
20010035587 | Kondo et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010042906 | Nakamura et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010048151 | Chun | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20010048591 | Fjelstad et al. | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20020008309 | Akiyama | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020043711 | Akram et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020045290 | Ball | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020068417 | Famworth et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020074637 | McFarland | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020185746 | Park | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030015781 | Farrar | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030022462 | Famworth et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030038353 | Derderian | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030170921 | Akram | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20040200885 | Derderian | Oct 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0463297 | Mar 1991 | EP |
357176738 | Oct 1982 | JP |
358157146 | Sep 1983 | JP |
59108341 | Jun 1984 | JP |
01238148 | Sep 1989 | JP |
404037137 | Feb 1992 | JP |
404062866 | Feb 1992 | JP |
11214432 | Jan 1998 | JP |
10189653 | Jul 1998 | JP |
411040608 | Feb 1999 | JP |
2000077458 | Mar 2000 | JP |
2000299330 | Oct 2000 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040200885 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 09939258 | Aug 2001 | US |
Child | 10834651 | US |