In-line program system for assembly printed circuit board

Abstract

An in-line programming (ILP) system and method for programming and testing programmable integrated circuit devices (PICS) and performing the assembly of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). Printed circuit boards enter and leave the ILP system on a conveyor system. PICs are loaded into the ILP system, and the ILP system automatically programs and tests the PICs and places them onto the PCBs as the PCBs arrive on the conveyor. The programming and testing operations are performed by the same piece of equipment that performs the PCBA assembly operation.

1 .- 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A system for programming and assembling one or more programmable devices on a printed circuit board, the system comprising: 
 a programming system having one or more programming sites;    a pick and place system for picking the one or more programmable devices from one or more receiving media, and for placing the one or more programmable devices within the one or more programmable sites, the pick and place system computing the location and orientation to place the one or more programmable devices on the printed circuit board using fiducial recognition techniques; and    a central control unit for communicating with the concurrent programming system and the pick and place system, and for coordinating placement of the one or more programmable devices on the printed circuit board after the devices are programmed by the programming system.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the programming system programs the one or more programmable devices by transferring a sequence of operating codes into a memory of the programmable devices.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the pick and place device includes self-teaching capability for determining the precise locations at which to pick and place the programmable devices.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising a fiducial system for determining the location on the printed circuit board at which the programmable devices are to be placed.