Patent ID: 6766210
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A process error prevention method comprising:generating a plurality of manufacturing process characterization data signals in a plurality of pieces of semiconductor fabricating equipment during a manufacturing process; repeatedly transmitting the process characterization data signals to a data collecting server during the manufacturing process; comparing in the data collecting server the process characterization data signals to a range of optimum process conditioning parameters that are stored in a database in the data collecting server; continuing the manufacturing process if the results of the comparisons satisfy an acceptance criteria; generating an interlock signal and transferring the interlock signal to an interlock module if the results of the comparisons do not satisfy the acceptance criteria; disabling a particular one of the plurality of pieces of semiconductor fabricating equipment when the interlock module receives an interlock signal generated at that particular piece of semiconductor fabricating equipment and transferring the interlock signal to a three-strike-out module to be recorded; and disabling a particular one of the plurality of pieces of semiconductor fabricating equipment such that re-enablement thereof is possible only upon an inputting of a correct authorization code into an operator interface server when the three-strike-out module receives an interlock signal generated at that particular piece of semiconductor fabricating equipment a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time.