Device for tracking waffle boxes

Abstract

The present application provides a method for tracking waffle boxes, wherein the input waffle boxes and the output waffle boxes are configured to be tracked by: enabling at least one first scanner (115) to scan a first identification label (107A) on the output waffle box (103A), at least one second scanner (116) to scan an input waffle box cover mark (117B) on the input waffle box cover (103B1), and at least one third scanner (118) to scan a second identification label (107B) on the input waffle box (103B), and cross-checking the data with the input map; thereby enabling the output waffle box cover (103A1) to be printed with an output cover mark (117A) automatically printed by a mark printing device (221). The present application also provides an apparatus for performing the above method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application provides a method for tracking waffle boxes, wherein the input waffle box and the output waffle box are configured to be tracked by: enabling at least one first scanner to scan a first identification label on the output waffle box, and enabling at least one second scanner to scan an input waffle box cover mark on the input waffle box cover and scan a second identification label on the input waffle box, and cross-checking the data with at least one input map; thereby enabling the output waffle box cover to be embossed with an output cover mark automatically printed by a mark printing device. The present application also proposes a device for performing the above method. Background Art

[0002] In a semiconductor die sorting process, dice may be transported to a die sorting machine by being stored in a waffle box, and the sorted dice may also be transported from the die sorting machine by being stored in another waffle box. Given the large number of dies to be sorted by the die sorting machine, which also requires a large number of waffle boxes, it is uncertain which unsorted dies from an input waffle box correspond to the sorted dies in an output waffle box.

[0003] For the storage of waffle boxes of tube cores given by another party, many waffle box stacks in its inventory are not sorted and arranged according to its database. For example, some waffle boxes may have empty pockets without placing any tube core.

[0004] Waffle boxes are usually stacked together, with the topmost waffle box serving as a waffle box stack cover. After printing the mark by a conventional marking printer, the cover is usually placed on the waffle box stack and manually marked by a user. However, this process of manually marking the waffle box stack cover is prone to error, as the user may incorrectly mark the waffle box stack, resulting in a mixed or chaotic output waffle box stack containing the sorted dies.

[0005] In some cases, multiple empty waffle boxes or waffle box stack lids are placed on a single stack, further confusing the traceability of the dies and waffle boxes.

[0006] TW201338072A by CHENG YU-JEN et al. discloses a system and method for automatically identifying the pallet position of semiconductor products, which has markings for the pallets, but there is still a problem that users need to manually mark the lids of the waffle box stacks, which results in the wrong empty waffle boxes being placed together with the wrong semiconductor devices.

[0007] It would therefore be advantageous to mitigate these disadvantages by having a method and system for tracking waffle boxes which could also allow for automated printing and stamping of waffle box covers; with cross checking of data with at least one input map to allow for comprehensive tracking of the waffle box stack and the semiconductor devices stored therein. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, the primary object of the present application is to provide a method and apparatus for tracing waffle packs with complete waffle pack identification traceability, waffle pack physical labeling, and output waffle pack mapping.

[0009] It is another object of the present application to provide a method and apparatus for tracking waffle packs whereby a user is able to retrieve a complete output waffle pack stack from a die sorter after completing the die sorting process from their incoming unsorted / sorted waffle packs for their next processing line without the need for manually labelling waffle pack stacks which requires knowing which label to place on which waffle pack.

[0010] Another object of the present application is to provide a method and device for tracking waffle boxes, whereby when the device prompts an alert to the user, the user only needs to collect the automatically labeled waffle box stack without interfering with the waffle pack stack cover labelling process.

[0011] Other objects of the present application will become apparent upon understanding the following detailed description of the application or employing the application in actual practice.

[0012] According to the preferred embodiment of the present application, the following contents are provided:

[0013] A method for tracking a waffle box, comprising the following steps:

[0014] (i) performing sorting of at least one semiconductor device;

[0015] (ii) placing the semiconductor devices into the output waffle box until all pockets in the output waffle box are filled with the semiconductor devices;

[0016] (iii) transferring said output waffle box filled with said semiconductor devices to at least one output waffle box unloader system;

[0017] (iv) stacking a predetermined amount of said output waffle boxes together with at least one output waffle box lid marked with at least one output lid marking by at least one output waffle box stacker at said output waffle box unloader system;

[0018] It is characterized in that

[0019] The method of tracking waffle boxes further comprises loading at least one empty output waffle box prior to step (i);

[0020] The method of tracking waffle boxes further comprises loading at least one input waffle box prior to step (i);

[0021] The method of tracking waffle boxes further comprises transferring the output waffle box stack to at least one output waffle box stack unloading channel after step (vi);

[0022] The method of tracking waffle boxes further comprises the step of prompting at least one data processing device to complete processing once the output waffle box stack unloading channel includes a predetermined amount of the output waffle box stack.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present application, there is provided:

[0024] A device for tracking waffle packs (WP), comprising:

[0025] at least one semiconductor device sorting system;

[0026] at least one input waffle box system configured to load at least one input waffle box containing at least one semiconductor device into the semiconductor device sorting system;

[0027] at least one output waffle box system configured to load at least one empty output waffle box into the semiconductor device sorting system for placement with sorted semiconductor devices before the output waffle boxes are stacked and unloaded from the output waffle box system;

[0028] It is characterized in that

[0029] The input waffle box system includes:

[0030] at least one input waffle box loader system;

[0031] At least one input X-Y axis waffle box table;

[0032] at least one input waffle box unloader system;

[0033] The output waffle box system includes:

[0034] at least one output waffle box loader system;

[0035] at least one output placement station;

[0036] at least one output waffle pack unloader system, the at least one output waffle pack unloader system comprising at least one output waffle pack stacker and at least one output waffle pack stack unloading lane;

[0037] The operation of the apparatus is managed by at least one data processing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Other aspects of the present application and their advantages will be recognized after studying the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method for tracking waffle boxes of the present application.

[0040] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the flow of inputting waffle boxes, the flow of the sorting process, and the flow of outputting waffle boxes of the present application.

[0041] Figure 3A is a sample of the input map, and Figure 3B is a sample of the output map.

[0042] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C 1 is a block diagram showing the input waffle box loader system, the input X-Y axis waffle box station and the input waffle box unloader system of the present application respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the following detailed description, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, processes and / or components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present application.

[0044] The present application will be more clearly understood from the following description of embodiments given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the present application proposes a method for tracking waffle boxes, such as Figure 1 As shown, the process comprises the following steps: Before step (i), at least one empty output waffle box 103A is loaded. Figure 2 As further shown, the step of loading the empty waffle box 103A comprises the following sub-steps. In the sub-step (a) of loading the empty output waffle box 103A, the empty output waffle box 103A and the output waffle box cover 103A1 are loaded from at least one waffle box loader system 217. Prior to the sub-step (a) of loading the empty output waffle box 103A, the empty output waffle box 103A and the output waffle box cover 103A1 are loaded onto the output waffle box loader system 217. In the sub-step (b) of loading the empty output waffle box 103A, at least one first identification tag 107A on the empty output waffle box 103A and the empty output waffle box cover 103A1 is scanned to obtain first identification data; prior to storing the first identification data into at least one any suitable data processing system. The scanning of the first identification tag 107A may be performed by at least one first scanner 115. Preferably, all output waffle boxes 103A and all first output waffle boxes 103A1 are provided with at least one first identification tag 107A. All first identification tags 107A1 of the output waffle boxes 103A and the first output waffle boxes 103A will be scanned.

[0046] In the sub-step (c) of loading the output waffle box 103A, the empty output waffle box 103A is loaded into at least one output placement station 109, while the empty first output waffle box 103A1 is loaded into the output waffle box stacker 209. The output placement station 109 functions as a platform for placing semiconductor devices 121 onto the output waffle box 103A. The first output waffle box 103A1 is configured as an output waffle box cover. In the sub-step (d) of loading the output waffle box 103A, at least one readily printed output cover mark 117A is automatically stamped on the output waffle box cover 103A1. Preferably, the output cover mark 117A is automatically printed even before the production process starts, whereby the output cover mark 117A will be easily stamped on the output waffle box cover 103A1 in the sub-step (d). Preferably, the printing of the output cap mark 117A and the imprinting of the output cap mark 117A onto the output waffle box cover 103A1 are completed before the die sorting process for the specific input lot. Typically, the automatic output cap mark 117A printing and imprinting is completed by using at least one robot arm to suck up the output cap mark 117A before transferring the mark to the output waffle box cover 103A1, whereby another robot arm can be used to perform the imprinting of the output cap mark 117A on the output waffle box cover 103A1.

[0047] Before step (i), at least one input waffle box 103B is also loaded. The step of loading the input waffle box 103B includes the following sub-steps. In the sub-step (a) of loading the input waffle box 103B, at least one input waffle box stack 129 is loaded onto at least one input waffle box loader system 213; wherein the input waffle box stack 129 includes at least one input waffle box 103B and an input waffle box lid 103B1 marked with an input waffle box lid mark 117B. In the sub-step (b) of loading the input waffle box 103B, the input waffle box lid mark 117B on the input waffle box lid 103B1 is scanned to obtain second identification data; after cross-checking the second identification data with at least one input map (such as Figure 3A ), and before storing the second identification data in at least one any suitable data processing system. Figure 3A, #A represents an input waffle box and #A1, #A2, etc. represent individual semiconductor devices in the #A input waffle box. The scanning of the input waffle box cover mark 117B can be completed by at least one second scanner 116. In the sub-step (c) of loading the input waffle box 103B, at least one input waffle box 103B is loaded from at least one input waffle box loader system 213. At the same time, the input waffle box cover 103B1 is also loaded from the input waffle box loader system 213.

[0048] In the sub-step (d) of loading the input waffle box 103B, at least one second identification label 107B on the input waffle box 103B is scanned using at least one third scanner 118 to obtain third identification data; before the third identification data is cross-checked with the input map and the third identification data is stored in at least one any suitable data processing system; wherein the cross-check is to ensure that the method of the present application sorts the correctly input waffle box 103B. The input map is generally data that is readily available (readily available data) when depicting the arrangement of multiple input waffle boxes 103B. The input map can also be available (available) in a third party database. The input waffle box cover mark 117B and the second identification label 107B can be any 2-dimensional (2D) mark such as a barcode or a 3-dimensional (3D) mark such as a quick response (QR) code, which is configured to scan, identify, classify, decode or generate an output map; as long as the input waffle box cover mark 117B and the second identification label 107B have two independent identities. In sub-step (ii)(d), the input waffle box 103B is loaded into at least one input X-Y axis waffle box station 119. At the same time, the input waffle box cover 103B1 is also moved to the input X-Y axis waffle box station 119.

[0049] In step (i), at least one semiconductor device 121 is sorted, which includes picking up the semiconductor device 121 from the input waffle box 103B using at least one pick-up head of the semiconductor device sorting system 203, performing visual inspection and position transfer of at least one side of the semiconductor device 121. Typically, all semiconductor devices 121 will be picked up from the input waffle box 103B, whereby after performing the inspection, good semiconductor devices 121 will be transferred to the output waffle box 103A, while defective semiconductor devices 121 will be rejected. The visual inspection includes pre-bond vision inspection for angle correction, die back vision inspection for defect detection, die front vision inspection for defect detection, die position vision inspection for correction, or a combination thereof. Sorting may also include inspecting two opposite sides or six sides of the semiconductor device 121. Sorting may also include transferring the semiconductor die 121 to and from at least one turn table.

[0050] In step (ii), the semiconductor devices 121 are placed into the output waffle box 103A until all pockets in the output waffle box 103A are filled / placed with the semiconductor devices 121. Each semiconductor device 121 from the input waffle box stack 129 will be picked up by the semiconductor device sorting system 203 and placed on the output waffle box 103A after being sorted. Therefore, preferably, each pocket of the output waffle box 103A will be filled with semiconductor devices 121, and no additional empty waffle boxes or waffle box lids 103A1 will be arranged into the output waffle box stack 127. An output map is then generated, which includes information and / or a map of the semiconductor devices 121 placed into the output waffle box 103A. An example of the information is a bin waffle pack traceability number. Figure 3B The example shown. Figure 3B In the diagram, #B represents an output waffle box and #B1, #B2, etc. represent individual semiconductor devices in the #B output waffle box. The method of the present application enables tracking of waffle boxes through the output map generated for the user's database system report.

[0051] The method further comprises the step of moving the empty input waffle box 103B to at least one input waffle box unloader system 215 after picking up all semiconductor devices 121 from the input waffle box 103B. The input waffle box cover 103B1 is also moved to the input waffle box unloader system 215.

[0052] In step (iii), the output waffle box 103A filled with the semiconductor devices 121 is transferred to at least one output waffle box unloader system 219. In step (iv), a predetermined amount of the output waffle box 103A is stacked together with at least one output waffle box cover 103A1, which is marked with at least one output cover mark 117A by at least one output waffle box stacker 209 at the output waffle box unloader system 219. The printing of the output cover mark 117A and the imprinting of the output cover mark 117A on the output waffle box cover 103A1 are completed before the output waffle box cover 103A1 is stacked. The output cover mark 117A and the first identification label 107A can be any 2-dimensional (2D) mark such as a barcode or a 3-dimensional (3D) mark such as a quick response (QR) code, which is configured to scan, identify, classify, decode or generate an output map; as long as the output cover mark 117A and the first identification label 107A have two independent identities.

[0053] In step (v), the output waffle box stack 127 is transferred to at least one output waffle box stack unloading channel 123 after step (iv). Thereafter, once the output waffle box stack unloading channel 123 includes a predetermined amount of output waffle box stacks 127, at least one data processing device 125 indicates that the process is complete. For example, once five output waffle box stacks 127 are available at the waffle box stack unloading channel 123, the data processing device 125 may provide an alert so that the user knows that the five output waffle box stacks 127 need to be retrieved from the waffle box stack unloading channel 123. At this stage, the output waffle box stacks 127 have had their corresponding output waffle box lids 103A1 automatically marked with the output lid marking 117A without any intervention from the user.

[0054] like Figure 2As shown, the present application is also an apparatus 201 for tracking waffle boxes, comprising at least one semiconductor device sorting system 203, at least one input waffle box system 205, and at least one output waffle box system 207. The input waffle box system 205 is configured to load at least one input waffle box 103B containing at least one semiconductor device 121 into the semiconductor device sorting system 203 while the output waffle box system 207 is configured to load at least one empty output waffle box 103A into the semiconductor device sorting system 203 to be placed together with the sorted semiconductor devices 121 before said output waffle pack 103A is being stacked and unloaded from said output waffle pack system 207. The output waffle box system 207 may be a linear conveyor.

[0055] The input waffle box system 205 includes at least one input waffle box loader system 213, at least one input X-Y axis waffle box station 119 and at least one input waffle box unloader system 215, such as Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4CAs shown. The input waffle box loader system 213 is configured to receive at least one input waffle box stack 129, wherein the input waffle box stack 129 includes the input waffle box 103B and the input waffle box lid 103B1 marked with the input waffle box lid mark 117B. The input waffle box loader system 213 further includes at least one second scanner 116, which is configured to scan at least one input waffle box lid mark 117B on the input waffle box lid 103B1 to obtain second identification data; before cross-checking said second identification data with at least one input map. The input waffle box loader system 213 also includes at least one first motorized pusher 701, which is configured to separate one input waffle box 103B from the input waffle box stack 129 to the first input conveyor 707. The input waffle box loader system 213 further comprises at least one loading gate 702 to release one input waffle box 103B to be transferred by the first motorized pusher 701 to the first input conveyor 707 while holding on the rest of the input waffle box 103B in the input waffle box 129; whereby the loading gate 702 is preferably controlled by at least one pneumatic cylinder. The input waffle box loader system 213 further comprises at least one second motorized pusher 703 configured to transfer the input waffle box 103B on the first input conveyor 707 to the input X-Y axis waffle box station 119. The input X-Y axis waffle box station 119 includes at least one third scanner 118, which is configured to scan at least one input waffle box cover mark 117B on the input waffle box cover 103B1 to obtain second identification data, and scan at least one second identification label 107B on the input waffle box 103B to obtain third identification data, and cross-check said second identification data and third identification data with at least one input map.The input waffle box unloader system 215 further includes at least one third motorized pusher 705 configured to transfer the input waffle boxes 103B from the second input conveyor 709 to the input waffle box stack 129 .

[0056] The output waffle box system 207 includes at least one output waffle box loader system 217, at least one output placement station 109, and at least one output waffle box unloader system 219, which includes at least one output waffle pack stacker 209 and at least one output waffle pack stack unloading lane 123. The output placement station 109 is configured to place the empty output waffle box 103A so that the semiconductor device 121 can be placed into the pocket of the output waffle box 103A by the semiconductor device sorting system 203.

[0057] The apparatus 201 further comprises at least one label printing device 221 configured to print an updated output cover label 117A; and at least one label stamping means 223 configured to stamp said updated output cover label 117A on said updated output waffle box cover 103A1. The automatic label printing device 221 and the automatic label stamping device 223 are important in the present application because these two features eliminate the need for a user to manually load the output waffle box cover 103A1 into the output waffle box stacker 209. In previous implementations, the output cover label 117A was printed randomly or non-randomly according to customised information. In the present application, the output cover label 117A is printed based on information given by an interested party (i.e. a customer) so that the output waffle box cover 103A1 is marked in a more standardized manner and is easy to cross-check with the system or database of the interested party. In the previous implementation, it is assumed that the user manually attaches the output cover mark 117A to the output waffle box cover 103A1. In the present application, the output cover mark 117A can be automatically stamped / pasted to the output waffle box cover 103A1 by at least one automatic mechanism such as a ball screw, a vacuum pick-up or other mechanisms.

[0058] The operation of the apparatus 201 is managed by at least one data processing device 125 .

[0059] Although the present application has been shown and described herein in a manner that is considered to be its preferred embodiment, illustrating the results and advantages obtained by the present application over the prior art, the present application is not limited to these specific embodiments. Therefore, the form of the present application shown and described herein is considered to be illustrative only, and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present application, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (201) for tracking a waffle box, comprising: at least one semiconductor device (121) sorting system (203); at least one input waffle box system (205), the at least one input waffle box system (205) being configured to load at least one input waffle box (103B) into the semiconductor device sorting system (203), and unload the input waffle box (103B) from the semiconductor device sorting system (203); at least one output waffle box system (207) configured to load at least one empty output waffle box (103A) into the semiconductor device sorting system (203) for placement together with sorted semiconductor devices (121) before the output waffle boxes (103A) and at least one output waffle box cover (103A1) are stacked together and unloaded from the output waffle box system (207); It is characterized in that The input waffle box system (205) comprises: at least one input waffle box loader system (213); At least one input X-Y axis waffle box table (119); at least one input waffle box unloader system (215); The output waffle box system (207) comprises: at least one output waffle box loader system (217); at least one output placement station (109); at least one output waffle box unloader system (219), the at least one output waffle box unloader system (219) comprising at least one output waffle box stacker (209) and at least one output waffle box stack unloading channel (123); The operation of the apparatus (201) is managed by at least one data processing device (125).

2. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 1, wherein: The input waffle box (103B) contains at least one semiconductor device (121).

3. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 1, wherein: The input waffle box loader system (213) is configured to receive at least one input waffle box stack (129), wherein the input waffle box stack (129) includes the input waffle boxes (103B) and input waffle box lids (103B1) marked with input waffle box lid markings (117B).

4. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 3, wherein: The input waffle box loader system (213) further comprises at least one second scanner (116) configured to scan at least one input waffle box cover mark (117B) on the input waffle box cover (103B1) to obtain second identification data; before cross-checking the second identification data with at least one input map.

5. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 3, wherein: The input waffle box loader system (213) also includes at least one first motorized pusher (701) configured to separate an input waffle box (103B) from the input waffle box stack (129) to a first input conveyor (707).

6. The device (201) for tracking a waffle box according to claim 1, wherein: The input waffle box loader system (213) also includes at least one second motorized mover (703) configured to transfer the input waffle box (103B) to the input X-Y axis waffle box station (119).

7. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 3, wherein: The input X-Y axis waffle box station (119) includes at least one third scanner (118), which is configured to scan at least one input waffle box cover mark (117B) on the input waffle box cover (103B1) to obtain second identification data and scan at least one second identification label (107B) on the input waffle box (103B) to obtain third identification data; before cross-checking the second identification data and the third identification data with at least one input map.

8. The device (201) for tracking waffle boxes according to claim 3, wherein: The input waffle box unloader system (215) also includes at least one third motorized mover (705) configured to transfer the input waffle boxes (103B) from the second input conveyor (709) to the input waffle box stack (129).

9. The device (201) for tracking a waffle box according to claim 1, wherein: The device (201) further comprises: at least one indicia printing device (221), the indicia printing device (221) being configured to print an updated output cover indicia (117A); and at least one marking stamping device (223), the marking stamping device (223) being configured to stamp the updated output cover marking (117A) onto the output waffle box cover (103A1).

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