IP Library Granted Patent US 9,899,332
Granted Patent B2
US 9,899,332 · App. 15/046,639 · Granted Feb 20, 2018

Visual identification of semiconductor dies

Inventors: Kenneth Michael Butler (Richardson, TX); Kalyan Chakravarthy Cherukuri (Allen, TX); Stephanie Watts Butler (Richardson, TX); Venkataramanan Kalyanaraman (Dallas, TX); Hubert Joseph Payne (Parker, TX); Yazdi Dinshaw Contractor (Tucson, AZ)
Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
H01L23/544H01L2223/54433
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,899,332
App. No.
15/046,639
Granted
Feb 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for visual identification of semiconductor dies are described. In some embodiments, a method may include: receiving a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of dies and printing a unique visual identification mark on each of the plurality of dies. In other embodiments, a method may include receiving an electronic device comprising a die and a package surrounding at least a portion of the die and reading, from the electronic device, a unique visual identification mark that encodes a Cartesian coordinate of the die relative to a reference point on a semiconductor wafer.

Claims (26)

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a die; and

a package surrounding the die, wherein the electronic device includes a unique visual identification mark, wherein each character in the unique visual identification mark follows a decimal alphabet and includes at least one line that connects two adjacent sides of bond pads of the die, wherein the unique visual identification mark encodes a Cartesian coordinate of the die relative to a reference point on a semiconductor wafer.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the unique visual identification mark further encodes a wafer identification of the semiconductor wafer.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the unique visual identification mark further encodes a lot identification of the semiconductor wafer.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the unique visual identification mark includes laser scribed or tip scrubbed bond pads or terminals.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein one or more corners of each bond pad or terminal are marked, scratched, or cut in a manner corresponding to a respective numeral.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least two lines that together connect three adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least three lines that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least four lines that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

9. An electronic device, comprising:

a die; and

a package associated with the die, wherein the electronic device includes a unique visual identification mark to identify a die location on a semiconductor wafer, wherein each character in the unique visual identification mark follows a decimal alphabet and includes at least one line that connects two adjacent sides of bond pads of the die.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least two lines that together connect three adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

11. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least three lines that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

12. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least four lines that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

13. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the unique visual identification mark encodes a Cartesian coordinate of the die relative to a reference point on the semiconductor wafer.

14. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the unique visual identification mark further encodes a wafer identification of the semiconductor wafer.

15. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the unique visual identification mark further encodes a lot identification of the semiconductor wafer.

16. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the package is of an epoxy molding compound.

17. An electronic device, comprising:

a die; and

a package associated with the die, wherein the electronic device includes a unique visual identification mark to identify a die location on a semiconductor wafer, wherein each character in the unique visual identification mark follows a decimal alphabet and includes at least one mark that connects two adjacent sides of bond pads of the die.

18. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least two marks that together connect three adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

19. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least three marks that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

20. The electronic device of claim 17 , wherein at least one character of the decimal alphabet includes at least four marks that together connect four adjacent sides of the bond pads of the die.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2016
From: BUTLER, KENNETH MICHAEL; CHERUKURI, KALYAN CHAKRAVARTHY; BUTLER, STEPHANIE WATTS; KALYANARAMAN, VENKATARAMANAN; PAYNE, HUBERT JOSEPH; CONTRACTOR, YAZDI DINSHAW
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 037763/0603 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170243831A1 · Aug 24, 2017