Patent ID: 7756597
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: G03F,G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a lithographic processing machine capable of performing a plurality of tasks and configured to have a plurality of states over time, each of the plurality of tasks being associated with a corresponding beginning state of the plurality of states, in which the machine is configured to initiate the task, and a corresponding end state of the plurality of states, in which the machine is configured to complete the task, the method comprising: maintaining a state register representing a state of the machine at a corresponding time; providing a task database relating each of the plurality of tasks with its corresponding beginning and end states; based on the task database, constructing a plurality of possible sequences of tasks; selecting one among said plurality of possible sequences that starts from a given beginning state of the machine and results in a desired end state of the machine; selecting at least one among the group consisting of (A) said constructing a plurality of possible sequences and (B) said selecting one among said plurality of possible sequences comprises detecting and rejecting sequences that loop; and performing the selected possible sequence.