Patent Publication Number: US-7714310-B2

Title: Apparatus, unit and method for testing image sensor packages

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/457,771, filed Jul. 14, 2006, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Applications 2005-0121803 filed on Dec. 12, 2005 and 2005-0121805 filed Dec. 12, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing photo-sensing semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to an apparatus, unit and method for testing image sensor packages, which can automatically test whether the image sensor packages are defective before they are assembled into camera modules. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Image sensors are semiconductor devices having the function of photographing images of human beings or objects. The market of these image sensors has been rapidly expanded as they have been loaded into portable phones as well as common digital cameras or camcorders. 
   Such an image sensor is configured in the form of a camera module and mounted in the aforementioned apparatuses. A camera module comprises a lens, a holder, an infrared (IR) filter, an image sensor, and a printed circuit board. An image is formed by the lens of the camera module, the image formed by the lens is concentrated on the image sensor through the IR filter, and an optical signal of the image is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor so as to photograph the image. 
   Among these components, the image sensor for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal is directly mounted as a bare chip on the camera module, or mounted on the camera module after an image sensor chip is packaged. 
   Among several methods of directly mounting a bare chip of an image sensor on a camera module, a COB (Chip-On board) method which currently occupies 90% or more has problems such as low productivity caused by a unit level packaging scheme, a high defective rate caused by introduction of dust particles during fabrication processes, high investment and maintenance costs of equipment including a clean room having a high degree of cleanness, and limitations on miniaturization. That is, all color filters and micro-lenses are very vulnerable to introduction of dust particles or penetration of moisture because they are fabricated through a photolithographic process after being coated with photoresist. Therefore, according to the COB method, the mounting of the image sensor chip, a wiring operation, the installation of the IR filter, lens and holder, and the like should be carried out in a clean room in which a high degree of cleanness is maintained. 
   On the contrary, if an image sensor that has been packaged in advance is used, it is possible to solve the aforementioned problems caused when the bare chip is used. 
     FIG. 1  shows a schematic sectional view of a ceramic leadless chip carrier (CLCC) most frequently used as an image sensor package. In a conventional image sensor package  20  shown in the figure, an image sensor chip  22  is mounted on a ceramic substrate  24  by using epoxy or the like such that the surface thereof faces upward, and the image sensor chip is then covered with a glass cover or glass substrate  21 . In order to connect the image sensor chip  22  to the ceramic substrate  24 , wires  26  connected to the image sensor chip  22  are connected to connection terminals  27  formed on a floor of the ceramic substrate  24 , and the image sensor package  20  is connected to a circuit board by the connection terminals  27 . 
   Another package method is to apply a chip scale package scheme (CSP) to an image sensor chip. This method allows an image sensor chip to be packaged at a wafer level contrary to the chip-on board (COB) method in which an image sensor chip as a bare chip is mounted on a camera module, thereby preventing dust or moisture from penetrating into an image sensing area. 
   An image sensor package  30  shown in  FIG. 2  has been proposed by Schellcase Inc. Specifically, an image sensor chip  32  of which a bottom surface is polished to a thickness of about 100 micrometers is first prepared, an adhesive such as epoxy is coated to form an adhesive layer  34  on a top surface of the image sensor chip with a circuit formed thereon, a glass substrate  31  is then attached to the adhesive layer, an adhesive such as epoxy is then coated to form an adhesive layer  33  on the polished bottom surface, and a glass wafer  35  is then attached to the formed adhesive layer. Then, a dicing blade having a slightly gentle tip angle is used to remove a region between the image sensor chip  32  and the adhesive layer  34 , thereby exposing input/output pads of the circuit formed on the top surface of the image sensor chip  32 . Further, lateral sides of the image sensor chip  32 , adhesive layer  33 , and glass wafer  35  are formed to be inclined at a certain angle by using equipment such as a semiconductor wafer cutter (dicing saw). Next, metal wires  36  are formed to extend from the input/output pads of the exposed image sensor chip  32  via the inclined lateral side surfaces to a bottom surface of the glass wafer  35 . At this time, the metal wires  36  are formed by forming a metal film from the input/output pads of the exposed image sensor chip  32  via the inclined lateral side surfaces to the bottom surface of the glass wafer  35  and by etching the metal film to form a desired pattern. Finally, connection terminals  37  such as solder balls are formed at ends of the metal wires  36  formed on the bottom surface of the glass wafer  35 . The connection terminals  37  will be connected to external terminals or a printed circuit board (PCB). Such an image sensor package available from Shellcase Inc. can be completed to conform to the size of an actual image sensor chip. 
   As another example of CSP, an image sensor package proposed by the present applicant shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   The image sensor package  40  of  FIG. 3  comprises a glass substrate  41 , metal wires  44  formed on the glass substrate  41 , an insulating film  45  for protecting the metal wires  44 , an image sensor chip  42  electrically connected to the glass substrate  41  by flipchip solder joints  43 , and connection terminals  47  such as solder balls formed outside the image sensor chip  42  and connected to a printed circuit board. Meanwhile, a dust-seal layer  46  is formed between the glass substrate  41  and the image sensor chip  42  to prevent foreign substances from being introduced into a space defined between the glass substrate  41  and the image sensor chip  42 . 
   An image sensor package  50  for a camera module shown in  FIG. 4  comprises a glass substrate  51 , metal wires  54  formed on the glass substrate  51 , an insulating film  55  for protecting the metal wires  54 , an image sensor chip  52  electrically connected to the glass substrate  51  by flipchip solder joints  53 , and passive elements  58  and connection terminals  57  mounted on the metal wires  54  outside the image sensor chip  52 . Although the image sensor package  50  shown in  FIG. 4  has a structure nearly similar to that of the image sensor package  40  shown in  FIG. 3 , it has a structure in which the passive elements  58 , such as decoupling capacitors, required to construct a camera module can be mounted together on the glass substrate and the connection terminals  57  for connection with a printed circuit board are provided on one surface of the glass substrate. Therefore, in case of such an image sensor package, it is basically possible to eliminate a printed circuit board in fabricating a camera module. 
   An image sensor package is sold as a single component for use in fabricating a camera module, or at least assembled into a camera module on a different fabrication line. That is, an image sensor package is transferred as a separate component to another line or factory and then mounted on a PCB, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is then attached to the PCB, and a holder and a lens housing are then installed on the PCB, thereby completing a camera module. At this time, the image sensor package  20 ,  30 ,  40  or  50  is electrically connected to the PCB via the connection terminals  27 ,  37 ,  47  or  57  formed on the bottom thereof. The holder and the lens housing are installed on the PCB to surround the image sensor package  20 ,  30 ,  40  or  50 , and an JR filter and a lens are installed in the holder and the lens housing such that they are located on the image sensor package. 
   Generally, the most critical and frequent defect in a camera module is a defect of an image sensor, which is caused by a defect of an image sensor chip itself or introduction of dust into an image sensing area during a process of packing the image sensor chip. That is, if dust particles are introduced into the image sensor package and then stick on the image sensing area, repeatable defects occur in photographed images. Even though dust particles do not stick on the image sensing area, dust molecules moving in the image sensing area are not acceptable because they may cause defects in a non-repeatable manner. Therefore, introduction of dust particles into a package or contamination of the package should be minimized during the process of packaging an image sensor. This is the reason why a line for manufacturing an image sensor package is managed at a higher degree of cleanness than lines for manufacturing other general packages. 
   It is known that introduction of moisture into the image sensing area degrades the color filter or micro-lens on the image sensor chip. Of course, since it takes much time for such degradation caused by moisture to appear as deterioration in image quality, it does not generally cause troubles. However, in case of products such as digital cameras for experts, which require no change in image quality for ten years or more, there is a need for a package structure capable of minimizing even the introduction of moisture. 
   In order to determine a defect of an image sensor itself and a defect caused by introduction of dust particles until a camera module is completed, a testing process is essential. Generally, after sensor manufacturers fabricate image sensor wafers, they perform an open and short test, and a probe test for examining whether each pixel operates properly, and then deliver map files, which show whether the sensor wafers and individual sensor chips are defective, to image sensor package manufacturers or camera module manufacturers. 
   The image sensor package manufacturers perform packaging of image sensors on the basis of the map files delivered from the sensor manufacturers. At this time, since a defect may be caused in an image sensor package by an error in the packaging process or introduction of dust particles, the image sensor package manufacturers perform tests for respective image sensor packages and then deliver them to the camera module manufacturers. 
   To complete camera modules, such test processes of determining whether image sensors are defective should also be performed. In this case, a conventional test apparatus is constructed to individually test whether image sensors are defective in the finished camera modules that have been subjected to division into separate PCB units and the process of bonding a connection means such as FPC. Therefore, after one camera module has been tested, it is pulled out manually or automatically. Subsequently, another camera module is manually or automatically seated again at a test position and then tested. Theses test procedures should be repeatedly performed. Since this method inevitably has low throughput per unit time, this becomes a factor that greatly reduces overall productivity of camera modules. 
   As described above, since the most critical and frequent defect in a camera module is a defect caused by introduction of dust into a pixel area of an image sensor, it is not desirable to perform a test process of determining whether an image sensor is defective after an image sensor package has been already assembled into the camera module. That is, it is desirable to determine whether an image sensor package is defective, before it is assembled into a camera module. However, since conventional apparatuses for testing existing CLCC or CSP made by Shellcase, Inc. have the function of testing whether there is a simple electrical defect by connecting the connection terminals  27  or  37  of the image sensor package  20  or  30  to external terminals and applying an electric current to the terminals, it is impossible to perform an image test that is considered to be most significant by camera module manufacturers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, unit and method for testing image sensor packages, which can automatically perform an open and short test and an image test for an image sensor package that is a major component of a camera module. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, unit and method for testing image sensor packages, which can reduce the number of test processes and time required in a sensor manufacturer or camera module manufacturer by automatically performing an open and short test and an image test for an image sensor package after the image sensor package is manufactured, instead of test processes duplicately performed by the image sensor manufacturer and camera module manufacturer. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided an apparatus for testing image sensor packages, comprising a seating unit on which image sensor packages are seated for tests; a testing section having a lens and a light source above the image sensor packages to perform an open and short test and an image test for the image sensor packages; and a controlling and processing unit having a tester module for performing the open and short test and the image test for the image sensor packages. 
   The seating unit may move between a first position where the image sensor packages are to be seated and a second position where the image sensor packages are tested, and the controlling and processing unit may further comprise a handler module for controlling carrying, aligning, and positioning of the image sensor packages. 
   At this time, the apparatus preferably further comprises a plurality of cassettes on which the image sensor packages are to be loaded, and a carrying unit for carrying the image sensor packages while moving between the cassettes and the seating unit at the first position. Preferably, a plurality of image sensor packages are seated on a tray, and each of the cassettes comprises a cassette body in which the tray is loaded, and an elevator for raising and lowering the tray. 
   The seating unit preferably comprises a pair of seats on which the image sensor packages are to be seated, and a rotary arm installed rotatably and having the pair of seats disposed at opposite ends thereof, and the image sensor package is preferably carried to the first or second position by means of the rotation of the rotary arm. 
   The carrying unit may comprise a carrying guide installed to be movable in a right and left direction, a package picker mounting portion mounted on the carrying guide so as to be movable in a fore and aft direction, and a package picker unit mounted on the package picker mounting portion so as to be movable in a vertical direction. Here, the package picker unit comprises a package picker for grasping a sensor. Preferably, a tray picker for grasping an empty tray is mounted on a front surface of the other side of the carrying guide so as to be movable in a vertical direction. 
   Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an aligning camera for photographing a bottom surface of each of the image sensor packages. The package picker unit may comprise a rotating means for rotating the package picker about a vertical axis. 
   Connection terminals may be formed at a portion of a bottom surface of each of the image sensor packages, and the seating unit may comprise socket bases on which the image sensor packages are seated to be electrically connected thereto. 
   Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a lower supporting die; an upper supporting die disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance above the lower supporting die and to face the lower supporting die and having the light source at a bottom surface thereof; a socket cover that is mounted on the bottom surface of the upper supporting die so as to be movable in a vertical direction, is moved downwardly to press the top of the socket base, and has the lens; and a connecting plate that is mounted on a top surface of the lower supporting die so as to be movable in the vertical direction, supports the socket bases, and has lower pogo pins at the top thereof. Each of the socket bases preferably comprises a socket body; a seating plate that is installed to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the socket body and has a top surface on which each of the image sensor packages is to be seated and a plurality of vertically formed through-holes; a resilient member for resiliently biasing the seating plate upwardly; upper pogo pins that are installed through the socket body and inserted into the through-holes of the seating plate so that one ends thereof protrude upwardly upon downward movement of the seating plate and are then connected to the connection terminals of the image sensor packages; and a socket printed circuit board that has top and bottom surfaces respectively formed with upper contact pads brought into contact with lower ends of the upper pogo pins and lower contact pads connected to the upper contact pads and brought into contact with the lower pogo pins provided in the connecting plate and is attached to a bottom surface of the socket body. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for testing image sensor packages, comprising the steps of connecting the image sensor packages to a tester module for performing tests for checking whether the image sensor packages are defective; and carrying out an open and short test and an image test for the image sensor packages while irradiating light on the image sensor packages through a lens or blocking the light. 
   The method may comprise the step of sorting the image sensor packages into defective packages, good packages, and packages to be retested, after the step of carrying out the tests. 
   Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of seating each of the image sensor packages on a socket base at a first position, and carrying the socket base from the first position to a second position. The step of connecting the image sensor packages to the tester module is preferably performed at the second position. 
   Preferably, the method further comprises the step of carrying the socket base back to the first position after the step of carrying out the tests. The tested image sensor packages are sorted at the first position. 
   According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unit for testing image sensor packages, comprising a light source provided above the image sensor packages; a lens provided between the light source and the image sensor packages; and socket bases on which the image sensor packages are seated for an open and short test and an image test and to which the image sensor packages are electrically connected. 
   Each of the socket bases may comprise a socket body; a seating plate that is installed to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the socket body and has a top surface on which each of the image sensor packages is to be seated; a resilient member for resiliently biasing the seating plate upwardly; and connecting members that are installed in the socket body so that one ends thereof protrude upwardly upon downward movement of the seating plate and are then connected to connection terminals formed in a portion on a bottom surface of each of the image sensor packages. 
   Each of the connecting members preferably comprises a pogo pin having resilient opposite ends so that its length can be extendable. 
   Preferably, the socket body includes a concave portion with an open top, the seating plate includes a plurality of through-holes formed vertically therethrough and is located in the concave portion, and the connecting members are inserted into the through-holes of the seating plate. 
   The seating plate preferably includes a recess with an open top on which the image sensor package is seated, and a package supporting portion that is brought into contact with and supports another portion on the bottom surface of the image sensor package. At this time, the package supporting portion preferably has a convex portion or a concave portion formed on the bottom surface of the seating plate. Alternatively, the package supporting portion may include at least one of a slope formed at an upper lateral side of the recess and a peripheral portion of the recess at the top of the seating plate. 
   The unit for testing image sensor packages may further comprising a lower supporting die for supporting the socket base; an upper supporting die disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance above the lower supporting die and to face the lower supporting die; and a socket cover that is mounted on a bottom surface of the upper supporting die so as to be movable in a vertical direction and is moved downwardly to press the top of the socket base. At this time, it is preferred that the light source be provided on the bottom surface of the upper supporting die, the socket cover be formed with a vertical through-hole, and a lens be provided in the through-hole. 
   Preferably, a socket printed circuit board having top and bottom surfaces respectively formed with mutually connected upper and lower contact pads is attached to a bottom surface of the socket body, the socket body is formed with through-holes into which the connecting members are inserted so that lower ends of the connecting members are brought into contact with the upper contact pads, and the lower contact pads are brought into contact with contact members provided on the lower supporting die. Here, the lower supporting die may include a connecting plate on which the contact members are installed and which is mounted on a top surface of the lower supporting die so as to be movable in a vertical direction so that upper ends of the contact members can be brought into contact with the lower contact pads when the connecting plate is moved upwardly. Further, each of the connecting members preferably comprises a pogo pin having resilient opposite ends so that its length can be extendable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIGS. 1 to 4  are schematic sectional views of various kinds of conventional image sensor packages; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows a tray for loading a plurality of image sensor packages on the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cassette with the tray loaded thereon; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are enlarged sectional views taken along line X-X of  FIG. 5 , showing a socket base on which an image sensor package is to be seated; 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a pogo pin to be mounted on the socket base shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing that one of package picker units for carrying image sensor packages is mounted in front of a package picker mounting section; 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a testing section when viewed from the rear of the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are a sectional view and a perspective view of a lens adaptor, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference with the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of an apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to an embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 6  shows a tray for loading a plurality of image sensor packages on the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention;  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cassette with the tray loaded thereon;  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are enlarged sectional views taken along line X-X of  FIG. 5 , showing a socket base on which an image sensor package is to be seated;  FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a pogo pin to be mounted on the socket base shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ;  FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing that one of package picker units for carrying image sensor packages is mounted in front of a package picker mounting section;  FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a testing section when viewed from the rear of the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention; and  FIGS. 12A and 12B  are a sectional view and a perspective view of a lens adaptor, respectively. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention comprises a plurality of cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  loaded with a plurality of trays  110  on which image sensor packages  100  before and after being subjected to tests are to be seated; a seating unit  200  on which the image sensor packages  100  are to be seated for tests; a testing section  300  for performing an open and short test and an image test for the image sensor packages  100  seated on the seating unit  200 ; a carrying unit  400  for carrying the image sensor packages  100  between the trays  110  loaded on the cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  and the seating unit  200 ; and a controlling and processing unit  500  in which a handler unit responsible for the control function of carrying, aligning and positioning the image sensor packages is combined with an image sensor package tester module responsible for the open and short test and the image test for the image sensor packages. 
   The image sensor packages  100  include image sensor packages that are packaged at a wafer level, i.e., packaged using the CSP scheme described in “Description of the Prior Art.” In particular, an image sensor package having a bottom surface formed with connection terminals connected to input/output pads of an image sensor chip, for example, the image sensor package  20 ,  30 ,  40  or  50  described in “Description of the Prior Art,” is preferably applied to the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention. Therefore, since the image sensor packages  100  to be tested by the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention have a configuration similar to that of the aforementioned conventional image sensor package  20 ,  30 ,  40  or  50 , a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. Hereinafter, the image sensor packages will be described using reference numeral  100 . However, if the image sensor packages  20  and  30  used in the CLCC and the CSP of Shellcase Inc. shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  should be distinguished from the image sensor packages  40  and  50  which are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and proposed by the present applicant, reference numeral  20 ,  30 ,  40  or  50  will be used for an image sensor. 
   Each of the trays  110  is a member for loading a plurality of image sensor packages  100  to the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the tray  110  is configured such that a plurality of rectangular recesses  114  are arranged in a matrix form in a plate-shaped tray body  112 . The rectangular recesses  114  are formed to have a shape such that an image sensor package  100  can be seated therein. Since several trays  110  are stacked within each of the cassettes  120   a  to  120   d , a plurality of projections  116  protrude from respective corners on a top surface (or bottom surface) of the tray body  112  in order to allow the stacked trays  110  to be spaced apart from one another. As can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, the tray body may be provided with convexities, concavities, or a combination of convexities and concavities for alignment of the trays  110 . Further, concave portions (not shown) having a shape corresponding to that of tips of the projections  116  are preferably formed in the bottom surface (or top surface) of the tray body  112  so that upper and lower trays  110  can be easily aligned with each other when the trays  110  are stacked. Although there is no limitation on the number of rectangular recesses  114  formed in the tray body  112 , the tray  110  used in the present embodiment has a total of sixty four recesses  114 , i.e., eight rows of recesses arranged in a horizontal direction and eight columns of recesses arranged in a vertical direction. 
   In the embodiment of the present invention, the first to fourth cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  are arranged in a line in front of the apparatus for testing image sensor packages. The first cassette  120   a  is a cassette for loading trays  110  on which a plurality of image sensor packages  100  to be tested are seated, and the second cassette  120   b  is a cassette for loading empty trays  110  without an image sensor package  100 . Empty trays  100  are loaded to the third and fourth cassettes  120   c  and  120   d . Thereafter, among the image sensor packages  100  which have been tested, good packages are put on the trays  100  loaded to the third cassette  120   c , and defective packages are put on the trays  100  loaded to the fourth cassette  120   d . Since the cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  have the same configuration, the configuration thereof will be described by way of example in connection with the cassette  120   a.    
   Referring to  FIG. 7  that is a perspective view showing the first cassette  120   a  with a door thereof opened, the first cassette  120   a  comprises a cassette body  122  in the form of a rectangular hexahedron of which at least top and bottom faces are open, and a door  124  for opening and closing a front face of the cassette body  122 . A front surface of the door  124  is formed with a handle  124   a  for facilitating opening and closing of the door, and a window  124   b  for use in checking the interior of the cassette body  122 . A predetermined space is defined within the cassette body  122  so that the aforementioned trays  110  can be stacked and loaded therein. Moreover, an elevator for raising and lowering the stacked and loaded trays  110  is provided at a lower portion of the cassette body  122 . The elevator comprises a cylinder  126  provided at the lower portion of the cassette body  122 ; and an elevating shaft  128  which extends to the interior of the cassette body  122  through the bottom of the cassette body  122  and has an upper end which supports the bottom surface of the tray  110 . In this case, the upper end of the elevating shaft  128  preferably takes the shape of a plate so that it can stably support the bottom surface of the tray  110 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the seating unit  200  on which the image sensor packages  100  are to be seated for tests comprises a pair of seats  210 , a rotary arm  220  having the pair of seats  210  disposed at opposite ends thereof, a rotating shaft  230  provided at the center of the rotary arm  220 , and a motor (not shown) which drives the rotating shaft to rotate the rotary arm  220 . A pair of socket bases  240  is detachably or integrally mounted on the seats  210 , respectively, which are disposed at the both ends of the rotary arm  220 . 
   The rotary arm  220  extends in a fore and aft direction (up and down in  FIG. 5 ) in the apparatus for testing image sensor packages so that the seats  210  disposed at the both ends of the rotary arm can be positioned in the front and rear of the apparatus, respectively. In this case, the rotary arm  220  is reciprocally rotated by 180 degrees about the rotating shaft  230  provided at the center thereof by means of the motor. Accordingly, the front and rear positions of the seats  210  are interchanged. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8A  showing a socket base  240  to which the image sensor package  40  shown in  FIG. 3  is applied, the socket base  240  comprises a socket body  241  formed with a concave portion  242  having an open top face and formed with through-holes; a plurality of upper pogo pins  244  as connection members which are fitted into the through-holes to be disposed upwardly and are electrically connected to the image sensor package  40 ; a seating plate  246  inserted into the concave portion  242  so as to be movable up and down with respect to the socket body  241 ; a plurality of resilient members  248  such as springs which are interposed between the socket body  241  and the seating plate  246 ; and a socket printed circuit board  249  attached to a bottom surface of the socket body  241 . 
   The seating plate  246  is formed with a recess  247  which has an open top and on which the image sensor package  40  is to be seated. The recess  247  has a size and shape corresponding to those of the image sensor package  40 , and has a slope  247   a  at its upper lateral side. This makes a mouth of the recess  247  a little larger than the image sensor package  40 , thereby serving to guide the image sensor package  40  into the recess  247  such that the package can be seated in the recess. The seating plate  246  is also formed with a plurality of vertical through-holes into which the upper pogo pins  244  are inserted so that the upper pogo pins are exposed to a floor surface  247   b  of the seating plate  246 . In particular, the center of the floor surface  247   b  of the seating plate  246  is formed with an upwardly protruding block-shaped package supporting portion  247   c  which comes into contact with and supports the bottom surface of the image sensor package  40 . 
   Furthermore, upper contact pads  245   a  are formed at positions on a top surface of the socket printed circuit board  249  corresponding to the through-holes of the socket body  241 , and lower contact pads  245   b  connected to the upper contact pads  245   a  are formed on a bottom surface of the socket printed circuit board  249 . 
   Moreover, the pogo pins  244  that are connection members installed in the socket base  240  have extendable resilient opposite ends. Referring first to  FIG. 9 , each pogo pin  244  comprises a hollow pipe-shaped pogo pin body  244   b  with opposite open ends, contacts  244   c  partially inserted into the opposite ends of the pogo pin body  244   b , and a spring  244   s  interposed between the contacts  244   c  within the pogo pin body  244   b . A smaller diameter portion  244   d  which has a diameter smaller than that of the opposite ends of the pogo pin body is formed between the contacts  244   c . A groove  244   g  is formed at the periphery of the pogo pin body  244   b  such that the inner diameter of the pogo pin body  244   b  becomes smaller, thereby limiting movement of the contacts  244   c . Such an upper pogo pin  244  retracts or extends in length while the contacts  244   c  enter and leave the pogo pin body  244   b  with predetermined resilience. 
   When the image sensor package  40  is seated on the socket base  240  configured as such, specifically, on the seating plate  246 , the bottom surface of the image sensor chip  42  of the image sensor package  40  is first brought into contact with the seating plate. The resilient member  248  provided between the bottom surface of the seating plate  246  and a floor surface of the concave portion  242  biases the seating plate  246  upwardly. When the image sensor package  40  has been seated on the seating plate  246 , the bottom surface of the image sensor chip  42  which are located higher than the connection terminals  47  of the image sensor package  40  is put on the package supporting portion  247   c  of the seating plate  246 . At this time, the connection terminals  47  are still spaced apart from the upper contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pins  244 . Thereafter, when the image sensor package  40  is pressed downwardly by a socket cover  340  to be described below, the upper contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pins  244  protrude upwardly of the floor surface  247   b  of the seating plate  246  while the seating plate  246  descends, resulting in connection of the image sensor package  40  to the connection terminals  47 . At this time, since the upper contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pin  244  are resiliently engaged with the pogo pin body  244   b , a predetermined resilient force exists between the upper contacts and the connection terminals  47 , and accordingly, a constant contact force is maintained therebetween. 
   At this time, the lower contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pins  244  are brought into contact with the upper contact pads  245   a  formed on the top surface of the socket printed circuit board  249 . Accordingly, the connection terminals  47  of the image sensor package  40  are electrically connected to the lower contact pads  245   b  which are formed on the bottom surface of the socket printed circuit board  249  and connected to the upper contact pads  245   a . The lower contact pads  245   b  are electrically connected to the controlling and processing unit  500  via lower pogo pins  314  that are contact members installed on a lower supporting die  310  to be described below. 
   The socket base  240  having the shape shown in  FIG. 8A  can also be applied to the image sensor packages  20  and  50  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  by adjusting the position of the upper pogo pins  244  and the height of the package supporting portion  247   c . This is particularly because the package supporting portion  247   c  is formed to correspond to a difference in height between the bottom surface of the image sensor package  40  and the connection terminals  47 . For instance, application of the image sensor packages  20  and  50  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  to the socket base  240  requires to position the upper pogo pins  244  below the connection terminals  27  and  57 , and to form the package supporting portion  247   c  into a substantially flat shape in case of the image sensor package  20  of  FIG. 1 , or to form the packing supporting portion  247   c  into a concave shape so that it can receive the image sensor chip  52  and the passive elements  58  in case of the image sensor package  50  of  FIG. 4 . 
     FIG. 8B  shows a socket base  250  which uses the image sensor package  30  shown in  FIG. 2  as the image sensor package  100 . In this case, the socket base  250  is the same as the socket base  240  shown in  FIG. 8A  in view of their configurations and operations except that the upper pogo pins  244  are formed at the center of the concave portion  242  and the shape of a seating plate  256  is slightly different from the seating plate  246  of  FIG. 8A . A slope  257   a  which is formed at a peripheral portion and/or an upper lateral side of a recess  257  in a top surface of the seating plate  256  also functions as the package supporting portion which comes into contact with and supports the adhesive layer  34  defining the bottom surface of the image sensor package  30 , and/or the inclined lateral side surface on which the metal wires  36  are formed. Therefore, when the image sensor package  30  is seated on the seating plate  256 , the adhesive layer  34  of the image sensor package  30  and/or the inclined lateral side surface formed with the metal wires  36  are first brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the recess  257  in the top surface of the seating plate  256  and the slope  257   a  of the concave portion  252 , respectively. The socket base  250  is the same as the socket base  240  shown in  FIG. 8A  in view of other configurations and operations. 
   Next, the carrying unit  400  is provided between the first to fourth cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  and a front socket base of the socket bases  240  respectively provided at the opposite ends of the rotary arm  220 , which is located at the front end of the rotary arm  220 , thereby carrying an image sensor package  100  therebetween. Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the carrying unit  400  comprises a carrying guide rail  420  which extends transversely such that opposite ends of the rail are fixed to right and left walls of the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention; a carrying guide  440  which is mounted on the carrying guide rail  420  to move transversely along the rail; a package picker mounting portion  460  mounted at one side of the carrying guide  440  so as to be movable in the fore and aft direction; and a plurality of picker units  470  mounted on a front surface of the package picker mounting portion  460  so as to be movable in a vertical direction. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , each package picker unit  470  comprises a package picker body  472  mounted on the front surface of the package picker mounting portion  460  so as to be movable in the vertical direction; a rotating shaft  474  mounted on a bottom surface of the package picker body  472  so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis; and a package picker  476  mounted on a bottom surface of the rotating shaft  474 . The package picker  476  is a part that actually grasps an image sensor package  100 . In this embodiment, the package picker grasps an image sensor package  100  by using vacuum suction. 
   That is, the package picker mounting portion  460  is movable in the fore and aft direction on the carrying guide  440  which moves transversely, i.e., in the right and left direction, on the carrying guide rail  420 . The package picker unit  470  with the package picker  476  installed thereon is movable perpendicularly to the package picker mounting portion  460 . Therefore, the package picker  476  is movable in the right and left direction, in the fore and aft direction and in the vertical direction within the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention. Further, since the package picker  476  is mounted on the rotating shaft  474  which rotates about the vertical axis, the package picker can also rotate about the vertical axis by a motor (not shown) provided within the package picker body  472 . 
   An upwardly facing aligning camera  490  is fixedly installed at a position adjacent to the socket base  240  located at the front end of the rotary arm  220  with respect to the rotating shaft  230 , for instance, on the left (or on the right) of the socket base. The aligning camera  490  photographs a bottom surface of an image sensor package  100  lifted by the package picker  476 , and then transmits a signal of a photographed image to the controlling and processing unit  500 . The controlling and processing unit  500  having the function of a handler module analyses the signal of the photographed image of the image sensor package  100 , and recognizes the oriented and aligned state of a sensor. Thereafter, if the image sensor package  100  is misaligned, the orientation of the image sensor package  100  is aligned by rotating the rotating shaft  474  by means of a motor. This alignment is performed to exactly seat the image sensor package  100  on the seating plate  246  of the socket base  240 . 
   Meanwhile, the other side of the carrying guide  440  extends forward, and a tray picker  480  is mounted on a front surface of the other side so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The tray picker  480  serves to grasp and move an empty tray within a cassette while the tray picker is moved in the right and left direction and in the vertical direction between the first to fourth cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  by the carrying guide  440 . The tray picker  480  can grasp the tray  110  using vacuum suction or clamps. 
   In the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention including the carrying unit  400 , the configurations of driving parts, such as motors and hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, for transverse movement, back and forth movement, and vertical movement, and rotation about the vertical axis are well known in the related art. Thus, descriptions of the configurations and operational relationship will be omitted herein. 
   When an image sensor package  100  in the first cassette  120   a  is put on the seating plate  246  of the socket base  240  located at the front end of the rotary arm  220  with respect to the rotating shaft  230 , the rotary arm  220  is rotated by 180 degrees to move the socket base  240  and the image sensor package  100  seated thereon to the testing section  300 . 
   Under cooperation between the carried socket base  240  and the testing section  300 , the image sensor package  100  is subjected to an open and short test and an image test. Therefore, the socket base  240  together with the testing section  300  constitutes a single unit for testing image sensor packages. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , the testing section  300  comprises lower and upper supporting dies  310  and  320  which are disposed to be vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance from each other while facing each other; a connecting plate  312  mounted on a top surface of the lower supporting die  310  so as to be movable in a vertical direction therefrom; and a socket cover  340  mounted on a bottom surface of the upper supporting die  320  so as to be movable in the vertical direction therefrom. 
   The upper supporting die  320  is provided with one or more cylinders  314  and both ends of the connecting plate  312  are fixed to tips of pistons  316  of the cylinders so that operations of the cylinders  314  cause the connecting plate  312  to move in a vertical direction. When the socket base  240  is located between the connecting plate  312  and the socket cover  340 , the lower pogo pins  314  are installed at positions corresponding to the lower contact pads  245   b  of the socket printed circuit board  249 . In particular, the lower pogo pins  314  are installed such that the upped contacts  314   c  thereof protrude from the top face of the connecting plate  312 . Similarly to the aforementioned upper pogo pins  244 , the upper contacts  314   c  of the lower pogo pins  314  also move resiliently with respect to the bodies of the lower pogo pins  314 . Accordingly, when the operations of the cylinders  314  moves the connecting plate  312  which in turn comes into contact with and supports the bottom surface of the socket base  240 , the lower pogo pins  314  and the lower contact pads  245   b  are resiliently brought into contact with each other, and thus, the connection therebetween is kept constant. 
   The upper supporting die  320  is provided with at least one or more cylinders  324  and both ends of the socket cover  340  are fixed to tips of pistons  326  of the cylinders  324  so that operations of the cylinders  324  cause the socket cover  340  to move in the vertical direction. The center of the socket cover  340  is formed with a through-hole  342  for adaptor engagement. A lens adaptor  350  is fitted into the through-hole  342 , and the lens adaptor  350  is mounted with a lens section  360  including a lens housing  362  and lenses  364  fixed in the lens housing  362 . Further, a light source  322  is installed in the upper supporting die  320  above the socket cover  340  to provide light required for an image test for an image sensor package  100 . As for the light source  322 , an incandescent electric lamp, a white LED and the like can be used. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12A to 12B , the lens adaptor  350  comprises first and second hollow cylindrical diameter portions  352  and  354 , wherein the first diameter portion  352  has an outer diameter  353  corresponding to the inner diameter of the through-hole  342 , and the second diameter portion  354  has an inner diameter  355  corresponding to the outer diameter of the lens housing  362 . Therefore, one side of the lens adaptor  350  is fixedly mounted to the socket cover  340 , and other side thereof is fixedly mounted to the lens section  360 . This lens adaptor  350  is provided to mount various kinds of lenses to the socket cover  340 . 
   Since lens sections for use in ordinary camera modules have different diameters, the lens section  360  is installed in the socket cover  340  via the lens adaptor  350  instead of preparation of a socket cover corresponding to an individual lens section, in order to adapt lens sections with different diameters to the socket cover  340 . Therefore, even though a lens optimized for the image sensor package  100  has an outer diameter different from the inner diameter of the through-hole  342 , the lens can be mounted to the socket cover  340  by preparing a plurality of lens adaptors  350  of which the outer diameters  353  of the first diameter portions  352  are identical with one another but the inner diameters  355  of the second diameter portions  354  are different from one another. 
   The outer diameter  353  of the first diameter portion  352  and the inner diameter of the through-hole  342  are formed with complementary male and female threads, respectively, and the inner diameter  355  of the second diameter portion  354  and the outer diameter of the lens housing  362  are formed with complementary female and male threads, thereby facilitating engagement therebetween. Moreover, since these portions are threadedly engaged with each other, the focus of the lens section  360  can be adjusted by rotating one of the threaded portions to adjust the distance between the image sensor package  100  and the lens section  360 . 
   The lens adaptor  350  shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  is applied to a case where the outer diameter  360  of the lens section  360  is smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole  342 . On the contrary, if the outer diameter of the lens section is greater than the inner diameter of the through-hole  342 , the inner diameter of the second diameter portion  354  can be made greater than the outer diameter of the first diameter portion  352 . 
   Naturally, the outer diameter  353  of the first diameter portion  352 , the inner diameter of the through-hole  342 , the inner diameter  355  of the second diameter portion  354  and the outer diameter of the lens housing  362  may not be formed with threads but may be fitted into one another or fixed to one another by means of other means. 
   To ensure a precise image test in the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention, lenses optimized for image sensor packages  100  should be used to perform evaluation. Therefore, since lenses to be used are different depending on image sensor packages  100  to be tested, replacement of a lens is required if an image sensor package  100  to be tested is changed. Meanwhile, such a lens adaptor is preferably made of materials such as plastics. 
   The controlling and processing unit  500  is a combination of a handler module responsible for carrying, aligning and positioning image sensor packages and a tester module responsible for an open and short test and an image test for image sensor packages. Specifically, the handler module controls operations of the elevators installed in the cassettes  120   a  to  120   d , the rotary arm  220 , the carrying unit  400 , the connecting plate  312 , the socket cover  340  and the like. The tester module controls ON/OFF of the light source  322 , applies a predetermined reference voltage and current to the upper pogo pins  244  of the socket base  240 , receives and processes a resultant output signal for an image sensor package  100  to determines whether the image sensor package  100  is defective, and receives a signal from the aligning camera  490  to perform image processing for the image sensor package  100 . While the handler module and the tester module communicate with each other as mentioned above, the handler module causes the carrying unit to carry the image sensor package to a predetermined position and to perform alignment thereof, depending on determination results of the tester module on whether the image sensor package  100  is defective and aligned. 
   As tests for the image sensor package  100  performed in the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention, both tests including the open and short test and the image test are performed. 
   In the open and short test, current and power approval tests are performed in which a predetermined current and voltage is applied to input/out pads via connection terminals of an image sensor package  100 , a resultant output value is compared with an initial set value, and it is determined whether the image sensor package is defective based on the degree of difference between the output value and the initial set value. 
   In the image test, it is determined whether an image sensor package  100  is defective based on the presence or absence of a black spot or a stain on an image photographed by the image sensor package, similarly to tests for display devices such as ordinary LCDs. As in the aforementioned testing section  300 , the tests are performed while an image sensor package  100  to be tested is irradiated with a predetermined quantity of light from the light source  322  provided above the image sensor package. At this time, a lens section  360  optimized for the image sensor package  100  is located between the image sensor package  100  and the light source  322  via the lens adaptor  350 . The tester module in the controlling and processing unit  500  processes an output image signal for the image sensor package  100  and determines whether there is any physical or electrical trouble, which obstructs traveling of light, in the image sensor package  100  into which light has been converged. Items detected by the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention include a dead pixel, line noise, RGB abnormality and the like, which are similar to those in ordinary display devices. 
   Image tests performed by the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention include a darkroom test, a color integration test, a test for checking a central position of a lens, a screen division (central portion/edge) test, a pixel defect test, a horizontal line defect test, a vertical line defect test, a stain presence/absence test, a shading defect check, a bit missing test, and the like. 
   Next, the process of testing whether an image sensor package  100  is defective, using the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention will be described. 
   First, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , image sensor packages  100  each of which has connection terminals formed on the bottom of a sensor are seated in the rectangular recesses  114  of the trays  110 . The door  124  of the first cassette  120   a  is opened, and the plurality of trays  110  are then loaded and stacked in the first cassette  120   a . At this time, the elevating shaft  128  within the first cassette  120   a  is in a state where it is lowered to a lowermost position. When the door  124  is closed after all the trays  110  are loaded, the elevating shaft  128  is raised to a proper position. At this time, the second cassette  120   b  is in an empty state without a tray  110 , and the third and fourth cassettes  120   c  and  120   d  are loaded with empty trays  110  and have the elevating shafts  128  raised to a proper position. 
   Thereafter, the carrying section moves the package picker  476  to the first cassette  120   a  to lift an image sensor package  100  to be tested. At this time, two package pickers  476  can lift two image sensor packages  100  one by one so that the apparatus for testing image sensor packages can test the two image sensor packages  100  at a time. When the package picker  476  lifts the image sensor package  100  and then moves such that the image sensor package is placed above the aligning camera  490 , the aligning camera  490  photographs the image sensor package  100  lifted by the package picker  476  and then sends an image signal to the controlling and processing unit  500 . The controlling and processing unit  500  analyses the image signal of the photographed image sensor package  100  and recognizes the oriented and aligned state of the sensor. At this time, if the image sensor package  100  is misaligned, the motor rotates the rotating shaft  474  to align the orientation of the image sensor package  100 . 
   Then, the carrying section moves the package picker  476  to the socket base  240  located at the front end of the rotary arm  220  with respect to the rotary shaft  230 , and causes the image sensor package  100  to be seated on the seating plate  246  of the socket base  240 . At this time, if two package pickers  476  have lifted two image sensor packages  100  one by one, the image sensor packages  100  can be seated one by one on a pair of juxtaposed socket bases  240 . When the image sensor package  100  is seated in the recess  247  of the seating plate  246 , the rotary arm  220  of the seating unit  200  is rotated by 180 degrees, and thus, the socket base  240  on which the image sensor package  100  is seated moves from the front end of the rotary arm  220  to the rear end thereof, i.e., to the testing section  300 . 
   The socket base  240  moved to the testing section  300  is located between the upper and lower supporting dies  310  and  320 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Thereafter, the cylinders  314  of the lower supporting die  310  operate to move the connecting plate  312  upwardly, so that the connecting plate  312  comes into contact with and supports the socket printed circuit board  249  of the socket base  240 . At this time, the lower pogo pins  314  installed on the connecting plate  312  and the lower contact pads  245   b  of the socket printed circuit board  249  are resiliently brought into contact with each other, and thus, the connection therebetween is kept constant. Thereafter, the cylinders  324  of the upper supporting die  320  push the pistons  326  so as to lower the socket cover  340 . When the socket cover  340  is lowered, a pressing surface  341  formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the socket cover  340  presses the top of the image sensor package  100  so as to lower the image sensor package  100  together with the seating plate  246  on which the image sensor package is seated. When the seating plate  246  is lowered, as mentioned above, the upper contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pins  244  protrude upwardly of the floor surface  247   c  of the recess  247  and then are connected to the connection terminals formed on the bottom of the image sensor package  100 . At this time, the lower contacts  244   c  of the upper pogo pins  244   c  are also brought into contact with the upper contact pads  245   a  of the socket printed circuit board  249  and then electrically connected to the controlling and processing unit  500  via the lower contact pads  245   b  and the lower pogo pins  314 . 
   The controlling and processing unit  500  applies a predetermined voltage and current to the image sensor package  100  to perform an open and short test. Further, the image sensor package  100  receives light emitted from the light source  322  located thereabove, and transmits a resultant image signal to the controlling and processing unit  500  to perform an image test. Even at this time, if image sensor packages  100  are seated on a pair of juxtaposed socket bases  240 , respectively, the tests for the image sensor packages are simultaneously performed in one testing section  300 . 
   As such, while the image sensor package  100  is tested in the testing section  300  located behind the rotating shaft  230 , the carrying unit  400  seats an image sensor package  100  to be tested on the socket base  240  located at the front end of the rotary arm  220 . When the test for the image sensor package  100  is completed, the rotary arm  220  of the seating unit  200  is rotated again by 180 degrees to carry the socket base  240  located in the rear testing section  300  back to the front and to carry the front socket base  240  on which the image sensor package  100  to be tested is seated to the rear so that the image sensor package to be tested can be subjected to such a test. 
   When the tester module of the controlling and processing unit  500  has completed the open and short test and the image test for the image sensor package  100  and has determined whether the image sensor package is defective, the tester module transmits a test result signal to the handler module so that the handler module of the controlling and processing unit  500  causes the package picker  476  to move the tested image sensor package  100  to a predetermined position according to the determination results. That is, the hander module controls the package picker  476  through communication between the tester module and the handler module in the controlling and processing unit  500 , so that the package picker sorts and carries the image sensor package  100 , which has been tested and carried to the front, to the third or fourth cassette  120   c  or  120   d  depending on whether the image sensor package is defective. Accordingly, the image sensor package  100  is seated in an empty rectangular recess  114  of a tray  110  loaded in the third or fourth cassette  120   c  or  120   d . At this time, the rotary arm  220  is preferably rotated in a direction opposite to the direction when the socket base  240  is carried from the front end of the rotary arm to the rear end thereof. This is because a second wire (not shown) extending from the socket base  240  to the controlling and processing unit  500  is prevented from being wound on the rotating shaft  230 . 
   When such test processes are repeated, all the image sensor packages  110  of the tray  110  located at the uppermost layer in the first cassette  120   a  are tested. Then, when the tray becomes empty, the tray picker  480  lifts the empty tray  110  and transfers it to the second transfer  120   b , and the elevator of the first cassette  120   a  is raised for preparation of tests for image sensor packages  100  seated on the next tray. Further, when a tray  110  located at the uppermost layer in the third or fourth cassette  120   c  or  120   d  is full of image sensor packages  100 , the elevator of the third or fourth cassette  120   c  or  120   d  is lowered, and the tray picker  480  loads the empty tray  110  of the second cassette  120   b  into the third or fourth cassette  120   c  or  120   d.    
   Meanwhile, since the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention performs various tests, in addition to the open and short test, including a darkroom test, a color integration test, a test for checking a central position of a lens, a screen division (central portion/edge) test, a pixel defect test, a horizontal line defect test, a vertical line defect test, a stain presence/absence test, a shading defect check, a bit missing test and the like, as the image test, it may be unreasonable to sort image sensor packages into two kinds of packages, i.e., defective packages and good packages, even though the importance of each of these test items is taken into consideration, i.e., even though a different weighting factor is given to each test item. Therefore, in the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention, tested image sensor packages may be sorted into three kinds of packages, i.e., defective packages, packages to be retested, and good packages by setting a proper boundary range between the defective and good packages. The packages to be retested may be sorted again into packages for individual retests, such as a darkroom test, a color integration test and a test for checking a central position of a lens. To this end, at least one additional tray for a retest should be provided, and accordingly, the test module should perform control such that the handler module handles the package picker  476  according to the results of the retest. Meanwhile, as for image sensor packages sorted to be subjected to a retest, an inspector reexamines the test results or performs a retest so as to determine whether the image sensor packages are defective. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings and the illustrative embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. 
   For example, although the rotary arm is rod-shaped and the socket bases are mounted at the opposite ends of the rotary arm in the aforementioned embodiment, it is also possible to employ a rotary arm constructed in such a manner that two rotary arms each of which is identical with the rotary arm of the embodiment are placed in parallel and then connected by a connecting member at central portions thereof. If such an H-shaped rotary arm is mounted with socket bases at its four ends, respectively, and a rotating shaft installed at the center of the connecting member is rotated, much more image sensor packages can be tested at a time as compared with the aforementioned embodiment. 
   Further, although the seating dies  210  are respectively provided at the both ends of the rotary arm  220  in this embodiment, they may be installed within the testing section  300 . In this case, the carrying unit  400  should carry image sensor packages  100  while it moves between the cassettes  120   a  to  120   d  and the testing section  300 . 
   In the apparatus for testing image sensor packages according to the present invention constructed as above, it is possible to perform an image test as well as an open and short test for image sensor packages before they are assembled into camera modules. Accordingly, since it can be determined whether image sensor packages are defective before being assembled into camera modules, the yield of camera modules can be increased. 
   In particular, since the image test can be performed with a lens optimized for each image sensor package, the image test can be performed more accurately even at a packaging stage of an image sensor before it is assembled into a camera module.