Universal burn-in driver system and method therefor

Claim 1

In association with a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, a computer system comprising, in combination: a. first computer editing means for independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; and b. computer data storage means for storing said vector data as an identified project file.

Claim 19

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing first computer editing means for independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; and b. providing computer data storage means for storing said vector data as an identified project file.

Claim 20

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing first computer editing means for independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; and b. providing computer data storage means for storing said vector data as an identified project file.

Claim 36

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; and b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said vector data as an identified project file.

Claim 37

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; and b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said vector data as an identified project file.

Claim 56

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing first computer editing means for independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; b. providing that said first computer editing means includes display means for graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels; c. providing computer data storage means for storing said vector data as an identified project file; d. providing that said vector data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; e. providing second computer editing means for independently setting sequential parameters as sequence data for controlling the testing of said devices under test; f. providing that said second computer editing means includes command means for including as one of said sequential parameters said identified project file; g. providing computer data storage means for storing said sequence data as an identified sequence file; h. providing that said sequence data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; i. providing third computer editing means for graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said devices under test; j. providing computer data storage means for storing said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; k. providing computer burn-in control means for controlling said burn-in system; l. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including said identified burn-in system file as burn-in system data; m. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including a said identified sequence file for use to control said burn-in driver means; n. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes reactive means for mid-test amendment of sequence parameters in response to computer receipt from said driver means of selected test data concerning said device under test; o. providing computer diagnostic means for testing said burn-in system; p. providing that said computer diagnostic means includes command means for using a said identified project file to reconfigure said driver means; and q. providing that said first, second, and third computer editing means include menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.

Claim 57

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing first computer editing means for independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; b. providing that said first computer editing means includes display means for graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels; c. providing computer data storage means for storing said vector data as an identified project file; d. providing that said vector data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; e. providing second computer editing means for independently setting sequential parameters as sequence data for controlling the testing of said devices under test; f. providing that said second computer editing means includes command means for including as one of said sequential parameters said identified project file; g. providing computer data storage means for storing said sequence data as an identified sequence file; h. providing that said sequence data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; i. providing third computer editing means for graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said devices under test; j. providing computer data storage means for storing said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; k. providing computer burn-in control means for controlling said burn-in system; l. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including said identified burn-in system file as burn-in system data; m. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including a said identified sequence file for use to control said burn-in driver means; n. providing that said computer burn-in control means includes reactive means for mid-test amendment of sequence parameters in response to computer receipt from said driver means of selected test data concerning said device under test; o. providing computer diagnostic means for testing said burn-in system; p. providing that said computer diagnostic means includes command means for using a said identified project file to reconfigure said driver means; and q. providing that said first, second, and third computer editing means include menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.

Claim 59

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; b. by said computer means, displaying graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels during said setting, by said computer means, of said vector parameters; c. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said vector data as an identified project file; d. storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; e. by said computer means, independently setting sequential parameters as sequence data for controlling the testing of said devices under test; f. including as at least one of said sequential parameters said identified project file; g. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said sequence data as an identified sequence file; h. storing said sequence data in said computer data storage means in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; i. by said computer means, graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said devices under test; j. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; k. by said computer means, controlling said burn-in system; l. including said identified burn-in system file in said controlling of said burn-in system; m. including said identified sequence file in said controlling of said burn-in system; n. mid-test amending of said sequential parameters in response to computer receipt from said driver means of selected test data concerning said device under test; o. by said computer means, testing said burn-in system including said driver means; p. in said testing, using said identified project file to reconfigure said driver means; and q. including menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.

Claim 60

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting vector parameters as vector data for testing a said device under test; b. by said computer means, displaying graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels during said setting, by said computer means, of said vector parameters; c. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said vector data as an identified project file; d. storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; e. by said computer means, independently setting sequential parameters as sequence data for controlling the testing of said devices under test; f. including as at least one of said sequential parameters said identified project file; g. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said sequence data as an identified sequence file; h. storing said sequence data in said computer data storage means in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; i. by said computer means, graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said devices under test; j. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; k. by said computer means, controlling said burn-in system; l. including said identified burn-in system file in said controlling of said burn-in system; m. including said identified sequence file in said controlling of said burn-in system; n. mid-test amending of said sequential parameters in response to computer receipt from said driver means of selected test data concerning said device under test; o. by said computer means, testing said burn-in system including said driver means; p. in said testing, using said identified project file to reconfigure said driver means; and q. including menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.

Claim 66

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing computer editing means for independently setting, as vector data, first vector parameters for testing a first said device under test and second vector parameters for testing a second said device under test; b. providing computer data storage means for storing, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file and said second vector parameters as an identified second project file i. wherein said vector data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; and c. providing computer burn-in control means for controlling said burn-in system i. wherein said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including said first identified project file and said second identified project file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test.

Claim 67

The method for making a computer-control system for a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. providing computer editing means for independently setting, as vector data, first vector parameters for testing a first said device under test and second vector parameters for testing a second said device under test; b. providing computer data storage means for storing, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file and said second vector parameters as an identified second project file i. wherein said vector data is storable in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; and c. providing computer burn-in control means for controlling said burn-in system i. wherein said computer burn-in control means includes command means for including said first identified project file and said second identified project file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test.

Claim 68

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting first vector parameters as vector data for testing a first said device under test; b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file; c. by said computer means, independently setting second vector parameters as vector data for testing a second said device under test; d. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said second vector parameters as an identified second project file; e. by said computer means, storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; f. by said computer means, controlling said burn-in system for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; g. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said first identified project file and said second identified project file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test.

Claim 69

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting first vector parameters as vector data for testing a first said device under test; b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file; c. by said computer means, independently setting second vector parameters as vector data for testing a second said device under test; d. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said second vector parameters as an identified second project file; e. by said computer means, storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; f. by said computer means, controlling said burn-in system for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; g. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said first identified project file and said second identified project file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test.

Claim 70

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting first vector parameters as vector data for testing a first said device under test; b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file; c. by said computer means, independently setting second vector parameters as vector data for testing a second said device under test; d. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said second vector parameters as an identified second project file; e. by said computer means, displaying graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels during said setting of said vector parameters; f. by said computer means, storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; g. by said computer means, independently setting, as sequence data, first sequential parameters for controlling the testing of said first device under test; h. including as one of said first sequential parameters said first identified project file; i. by means of said computer, storing in said computer data storage means, as sequence data, said first sequential parameters as an identified first sequence file associated with said first device under test i. wherein said sequence data is stored in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; j. by said computer means, independently setting, as sequence data, second sequential parameters for controlling the testing of said second device under test; k. including as one of said second sequential parameters said second identified project file; l. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as sequence data, said second sequential parameters as an identified second sequence file associated with said second device under test i. wherein said sequence data is stored in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; m. by means of said computer, graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said first device under test and said second device under test; n. by means of said computer, storing in said computer data storage means said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; o. by means of said computer, controlling said burn-in system for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; p. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said identified burn-in system file; q. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said first identified sequence file and said second identified sequence file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; and r. including menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.

Claim 71

The method for computer control of a burn-in system of the type comprising test vector computer data storage means for storing data patterns defining the sequence of electrical signals for a burn-in operation to be applied to devices under test; burn-in driver means for controlling the magnitude and frequency content of said electrical signal for burn-in of said devices under test, said burn-in driver means further comprising means for identifying said devices under test; and computer means coupled to said test vector storage means and coupled to said burn-in driver means for changing said sequence, said magnitude and said frequency under program control in response to said means for identifying said devices under test to dynamically modify said sequence of electrical signals for burn-in of said devices under test, comprising the steps of: a. by said computer means, independently setting first vector parameters as vector data for testing a first said device under test; b. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said first vector parameters as an identified first project file; c. by said computer means, independently setting second vector parameters as vector data for testing a second said device under test; d. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as vector data, said second vector parameters as an identified second project file; e. by said computer means, displaying graphic representation of test waveforms for multiple channels during said setting of said vector parameters; f. by said computer means, storing said vector data in said computer data storage means in form for use to configure said burn-in driver means; g. by said computer means, independently setting, as sequence data, first sequential parameters for controlling the testing of said first device under test; h. including as one of said first sequential parameters said first identified project file; i. by means of said computer, storing in said computer data storage means, as sequence data, said first sequential parameters as an identified first sequence file associated with said first device under test i. wherein said sequence data is stored in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; j. by said computer means, independently setting, as sequence data, second sequential parameters for controlling the testing of said second device under test; k. including as one of said second sequential parameters said second identified project file; l. by said computer means, storing in said computer data storage means, as sequence data, said second sequential parameters as an identified second sequence file associated with said second device under test i. wherein said sequence data is stored in form for use to control said burn-in driver means; m. by means of said computer, graphically setting as burn-in system data a burn-in system configuration for controlling the testing of said first device under test and said second device under test; n. by means of said computer, storing in said computer data storage means said burn-in system data as an identified burn-in system file; o. by means of said computer, controlling said burn-in system for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; p. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said identified burn-in system file; q. including in said controlling of said burn-in system said first identified sequence file and said second identified sequence file for use to control said burn-in driver means for testing during the same time period of both said first device under test and said second device under test; and r. including menu-based, interactive, graphic displays.