초록 ▼

A test handler which is capable of transporting and testing a plurality of USB memory devices is provided. The handler includes a tray loaded with USB memory devices for testing, and a loading/unloading picker which transfers the USB memory devices from the tray to a shuffle for transport to a test

A test handler which is capable of transporting and testing a plurality of USB memory devices is provided. The handler includes a tray loaded with USB memory devices for testing, and a loading/unloading picker which transfers the USB memory devices from the tray to a shuffle for transport to a test socket. The shuffle moves to insert connectors of the USB memory devices into corresponding USB ports of a test socket for testing, and to extract the connectors from the USB ports after testing. The loading/unloading picker is capable of detecting an orientation of the connectors of the USB memory devices to ensure proper insertion into corresponding USB ports in the test socket.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A test handler for USB memory devices, the test handler comprising: a tray transfer mechanism that moves a tray holding a plurality of USB memory devices thereon into and out of a transfer area; a shuttle configured to hold a plurality of USB memory devices, to transport the

What is claimed is: 1. A test handler for USB memory devices, the test handler comprising: a tray transfer mechanism that moves a tray holding a plurality of USB memory devices thereon into and out of a transfer area; a shuttle configured to hold a plurality of USB memory devices, to transport the plurality of USB memory devices from a loading area to a test socket to insert connectors of the USB memory devices into corresponding USB ports for testing, to remove the plurality of USB memory devices from the USB ports, and transport the plurality of USB memory devices back to the loading area; and a loading/unloading picker configured to pick up and transfer the plurality of USB memory devices from a first tray to the shuffle and from the shuffle to a second tray, wherein the loading/unloading picker is configured to exert a vacuum force on the USB memory devices so as to hold the USB memory devices. 2. The handler of claim 1, wherein the loading/unloading picker comprises at least one first nozzle and at least one second nozzle, wherein the at least one first nozzle is configured to exert a vacuux-n force on a casing of a corresponding USB memory device, and the at least one second nozzle is configured to exert a vacuum force on a connector of the corresponding USB memory device. 3. The handler of claim 2, wherein the loading/unloading picker is configured to detect an orientation of a USB memory device held by the picker based on a detected vacuum pressure in the second nozzle. 4. The handler of claim 3, further comprising a buffer configured to receive improperly oriented USB memory devices. 5. The handler of claim 3, further comprising a buffer configured to receive USB memory devices that fail a test. 6. The handler of claim 1, wherein the shuttle includes a plurality of slots formed at predetermined intervals along an upper surface thereof, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to receive the plurality of USB memory devices therein. 7. The handler of claim 6, wherein the shuttle further comprises a plunger which supports upper surfaces of the plurality of USB memory devices mounted in the plurality of slots formed in the shuffle. 8. The handler of claim 7, wherein the plunger comprises a plurality of projections formed on a surface thereof which contacts the upper surfaces of the plurality of USB memory devices, wherein the projections are configured to move a knob provided on an upper surface of the USB memory device to extend and retract the connector from the case of the USB memory device. 9. The handler of claim 1, wherein the loading/unloading picker comprises a nozzle configured to exert a vacuum force on a casing of a corresponding USB memory device so as to hold the corresponding USB memory device, and an image sensor configured to detect an orientation of the corresponding USB memory device. 10. The handler of claim 9, wherein the image sensor comprises: an illuminating device positioned to a side of the nozzle and configured to direct light onto the connector of the corresponding USB memory device held by the nozzle; and an imaging device configured to detect an orientation of the corresponding USB memory device held by the picker based on a detected image of the connector of the USB memory device. 11. A test handler for USB memory devices, the test handler comprising: a picker configured to move USB memory devices from a first tray to a shuffle, and from the shuttle to a second tray, wherein the picker includes a holding nozzle that exerts a vacuum force USB memory devices so as to transport the USB memory devices; and an orientation detector configured to detect an orientation of the USB memory devices when they are held by the picker. 12. The handler of claim 11, wherein the orientation detector comprises: an orientation detecting nozzle configured to exert a vacuum force on a connector of a USB memory device held by the picker; and a control unit configured to detect an orientation of the connector based on a detected vacuum pressure of the orientation detecting nozzle. 13. The handler of claim 11, wherein the orientation detector comprises an image sensor mounted on the picker and configured to detect an orientation of a USB memory device held by the picker based on an image of the USB memory device. 14. The handler of claim 13, wherein the image sensor detects an orientation of the USB memory device based on an image of the USB connector of the USB memory device. 15. The handler of claim 14, wherein the image sensor comprises: an illuminating device positioned proximate the holding nozzle and configured to direct light toward a USB memory device held by the picker; and an imaging device configured to detect an image of the USB connector based on light reflected from the USB connector. 16. A method of handling a plurality of USB memory devices in a test handler, the method comprising: transferring a first tray holding a plurality of USB memory devices to a loading position; transferring the plurality of USB memory devices from the first tray to a shuffle; moving the shuttle such that USB connectors of the plurality of USB memory devices are inserted into a corresponding plurality of USB ports formed in a test socket; testing the plurality of USB memory devices; moving the shuffle to remove the USB connectors of the plurality of USB memory devices from the corresponding plurality of USB ports when testing is complete; and transferring USB memory devices which have passed testing to a second tray. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transferring failed USB memory devices which have failed a test to a buffer. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein transferring the plurality of USB memory devices from the tray to a shuffle comprises: picking up USB memory devices from the first tray with a picker; detecting an orientation of the USB memory devices; moving improperly oriented USB memory devices to a buffer; and transferring properly oriented USB memory devices to the shuffle. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein picking up USB memory devices comprises exerting a vacuum force through a holding nozzle of the picker onto a casing of each of the USB memory devices so as to pick up and hold the USB memory devices. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting an orientation of each of the USB memory devices comprises: exerting a vacuum force through an orientation detecting nozzle onto the connectors of each of the USB memory devices; and detecting an orientation of the USB memory devices based on a detected vacuum pressure in the orientation detecting nozzle. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting an orientation of each of the USB memory device comprises: detecting an image of each of the USB connectors of the USB memory devices held by the picker; and detecting an orientation of each of the USB memory devices based on the detected images of the USB connectors.