Command script editing method, command script editor and graphic user interface

A command script editing method, a command script editor and a graphic user interface are provided. The command script editing method includes the following steps. The command node is edited according to at least one inputting action or at least one image identifying action performed on the operation frame when the command script editor is at an image editing mode. The command node is edited according to a setting content of at least one process action when the command script editor is at a process editing mode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates in general to a command script editing method, a command script editor and a graphic user interface, and more particularly to a command script editing method, a command script editor and a graphic user interface of a robotic process automation (RPA) device.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of semiconductor technology, the complexity of the semiconductor process is gradually increasing. In the semiconductor manufacturing process, a considerable number of semiconductor manufacturing apparatus need to be operated. The operation of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is labor intensive and easy to make mistakes.

For automatically operating the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the robotic process automation (RPA) technology is invented. Through the RPA technology, a command script can be edited in advance and the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus can be automatically operated according the command script without human power.

In traditional, the command script is edited by many typing or complex instructions inputting. Semiconductor products are quite diverse, and so many command scripts need to be edited. Therefore, researchers are working hard to develop a command script editor to make it easier for the user to edit the command scripts.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to a command script editing method, a command script editor and a graphic user interface. The command script editor helps the user to create or edit a command script without many typing or complex instructions inputting.

According to one embodiment, a command script editing method of a robotic process automation (RPA) device for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is provided. The command script editing method includes the following steps. Whether a command script editor is at an image editing mode or at a process editing mode is determined. An operation frame of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is shown in a main window of the command script editor and a command flowchart is shown in a secondary window of the command script editor, if the command script editor is at the image editing mode. The command flowchart includes at least one command node. The command node is edited according to at least one inputting action or at least one image identifying action performed on the operation frame when the command script editor is at the image editing mode. The command flowchart is shown in the main window of the command script editor and the operation frame of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is shown in the secondary window of the command script editor, if the command script editor is at the process editing mode. The command node is edited according to a setting content of at least one process action when the command script editor is at the process editing mode.

According to an alternative embodiment, a command script editor of a robotic process automation (RPA) device for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The command script editor includes a switching unit, a display unit, a first editing unit, a second editing unit and a third editing unit. The switching unit is configured to switch the command script editor being at an image editing mode or at a process editing mode. The display unit is configured to display a main window and a secondary window. The main window shows an operation frame of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus if the command script editor is at the image editing mode and shows a command flowchart including at least one command node if the command script editor is at the process editing mode. The secondary window shows the command flowchart if the command script editor is at the image editing mode and shows the operation frame of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus if the command script editor is at the process editing mode. The first editing unit is configured to edit the command node according to at least one inputting action performed on the operation frame when the command script editor is at the image editing mode. The second editing unit is configured to edit the command node according to at least one image identifying action performed on the operation frame when the command script editor is at the image editing mode. The third editing unit is configured to edit the command node according to a setting content of at least one process action when the command script editor is at the process editing mode.

According to another embodiment, a graphic user interface of a command script editor. The graphic user interface includes a switch button, a main window and a secondary window. The switch button is configured to switch the command script editor being at an image editing mode or at a process editing mode. The main window shows an operation frame of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus if the command script editor is at the image editing mode, and shows a command flowchart if the command script editor is at the image editing mode. The secondary window shows the command flowchart if the command script editor is at the image editing mode, and shows the operation frame of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus if the command script editor is at the image editing mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, which shows a robotic process automation (RPA) device1000. The RPA device1000is, for example, a server, a cluster computing system, or a computer. The RPA device1000is connected to at least one semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900via the network800. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900is, for example, a diffusion apparatus, an etching apparatus, or an annealing apparatus. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900is remotely controlled by the RPA device1000according to a command script CS. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900can be automatically operated according to the command script CS. For example, the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900may be automatically operated the following procedures according to the command script CS. A control system of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900can be automatically logged in without manually inputting any information on an operation frame910. The parameters can be automatically set without any operation on the operation frame910. The color of the gas in the chamber can be automatically detected without the need for human eyes to observe. The processing result can be automatically transmitted without any operation on the operation frame910. By analogy, various operations on the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900can be automatically executed according to the command script CS.

In the present embodiment, the RPA device1000includes a command script execution engine100and a command script editor200. The command script execution engine100and the command script editor200can be integrated into one device. Or, the command script execution engine100and the command script editor200can be disposed in separate devices. The command script execution engine100is configured to execute commands according to the command script CS. The command script editor200is configured to edit the command script CS.

In the present embodiment, the command script editor200helps the user to create or edit the command script CS without many typing or complex instructions inputting. The commands for the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900include text inputting, button clicking, screenshot, text collecting, text matching, number comparing, specific text detecting, specific pattern detecting, specific color detecting, color collecting, report sending, mail sending, message sending or counter creating. Referring to Table I, the text inputting, the button clicking and the screenshot are inputting actions performed on the operation frame910; the text collecting, the text matching, the number comparing, the specific text detecting, the specific pattern detecting, the specific color detecting and the color collecting are image identifying actions performed on the operation frame910; the report sending, the mail sending, the message sending and the counter creating are process actions which are not related to the operation frame910.

Please refer toFIG.2, which shows an image editing mode M1and a process editing mode M2of the command script editor200. The command script editor200has the image editing mode M1and the process editing mode M2. The image editing mode M1is used for editing the inputting actions and the image identifying actions which are performed on the operation frame910. The process editing mode M2is used for editing the process actions which are not related to the operation frame910. The command script editor200can be switched between the image editing mode M1and the process editing mode M2.

Please refer toFIGS.3A and3B.FIG.3Ashows a graphic user interface GUI200of the command script editor200being at the image editing mode M1, andFIG.3Bshows the graphic user interface GUI200of the command script editor200being at the process editing mode M2. The graphic user interface GUI200at least includes a switch button B1, a record button B2, a main window W1, a secondary window W2and a tool window W3. The main window W1is larger than the secondary window W2. The switch button B1is used to switch the command script editor200being at the image editing mode M1or at the process editing mode M2.

As shown inFIG.3A, when the command script editor200is at the main editing mode M1, the main window W1shows the operation frame910of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900, the secondary window W2shows a command flowchart FC, and the tool window W3shows a plurality of image tools T1each of which is used to perform the image identifying action on the operation frame910of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900.

As shown inFIG.3B, when the command script editor200is at the process editing mode M2, the main window W1shows the command flowchart FC, the secondary window W2shows the operation frame910of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900, and the tool window W3shows a plurality of process tools T2each of which is used to perform the process action.

Please refer toFIG.4, which shows a block diagram of the command script editor200. The command script editor200includes a switching unit250, a display unit260, a first editing unit210, a second editing unit220, a third editing unit230and a fourth editing unit240. The display unit260is, for example, a display panel or a touch display. The switching unit250, the first editing unit210, the second editing unit220, the third editing unit230and/or the fourth editing unit240are/is, for example, a circuit, a chip, a program code, or a storage device storing the program code. The command script editor200helps the user to create or edit the commands, such that the command script CS can be created or edited without many typing or complex instructions inputting. The operation of the command script editor200and the graphic user interface GUI200are illustrated with a flowchart.

Please refer to FIG.FIGS.5to9.FIG.5shows a flowchart of a command script editing method of the RPA device1000.FIGS.6to9illustrate the steps inFIG.5. In step S110, whether the command script editor200is at the image editing mode M1or at the process editing mode M1is determined. After clicking the switch button B1, the switching unit250switches the command script editor200being at the image editing mode M1or the process editing mode M2. If the command script editor200is at the image editing mode M1, the process proceeds to steps S120to S160; if the command script editor200is at the process editing mode M2, the process proceeds to steps S170to S190.

In step S120, referring toFIG.3A, the switching unit250controls the display unit260to show the operation frame910, the command flowchart FC and the image tools T1in the main window W1, the secondary window W2and the tool window W3respectively.

Next, in step S130, whether the record button B2is clicked is determined. If the record button B2is clicked, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, referring toFIG.6, a command node N1is edited according to at least one inputting action performed on the operation frame910. In this step, the inputting action(s) performed on the operation frame910is/are recorded. The inputting action is, for example, text inputting, button clicking or screenshot. For example, the user may input username/password and then click “OK” to log in the system. The series of inputting actions are recorded to be the command node N1. When the inputting action(s) performed on the operation frame is/are being recorded, a flashing box BX is shown around the main window W1.

Further, in step S140, a positioning box PX is used for aligning a position of the inputting action performed on the operation frame910. For example, the pattern in the positioning box PX and the position of the inputting action relative to the positioning box PX are recorded. When the command node N1is executed to perform the recorded inputting actions, the positioning box PX is found out from the operation frame910, and the position of the recorded inputting actions are aligned according to the positioning box PX. Therefore, the recorded inputting actions can be accurately performed even if the operation frame910of one semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900is shifted.

Next, in step S150, whether one of the image tools T1is clicked or dragged is determined. If one of the image tools T1is clicked or dragged, the process proceeds to step S160.

In step S160, referring toFIG.7, a command node N2is edited according to one image identifying action performed on the operation frame910. For example, as shown inFIG.7, a specific color detecting is performed on the operation frame910. In this step, referring toFIG.8, a parameter setting window W4can be used to set the parameter of the image identifying action. For example, as shown inFIG.8, the specific color to be detected can be set in the parameter setting window W4.

By performing the steps S120to S160, the inputting actions and the image identifying actions which are performed on the operation frame910can be edited during the image editing mode M1.

On the other hand, if the command script editor200is at the process editing mode M2, the process proceeds to steps S170to S190.

In step S170, referring toFIG.3B, the switching unit250controls the display unit260to show the command flowchart FC, the operation frame910and the process tools T2in the main window W1, the secondary window W2and the tool window W3respectively.

Next, in step S180, whether one of the process tools T2is clicked or dragged is determined. If the process tool T2is clicked or dragged, the process proceeds to step S190.

In step S190, referring toFIG.9, a command node N3is edited according a setting content of a process action. For example, as shown inFIG.9, a delay time is set in a parameter setting window W5.

By performing the steps S170to S190, the process actions which are not related to the operation frame910can be edited during the process editing mode M2.

After performing the step S160or the step S190, the process returns to step S110. That is to say, the command script editor200can be switched at the image editing mode M1or at the process editing mode M2when the user clicks the switch button B1at any time.

Please refer toFIGS.10to15, which show the command flowchart FC according to several embodiments. As shown inFIG.10, when a command node N4is completely edited, a new commend node N5will be automatically created. As shown inFIG.11, two branches can be combined. As shown inFIG.12, a command node N6can be copied (or cut) and pasted to another location. As shown inFIG.13, a command node N9can be inserted between a command node N7and a command node N8. As shown inFIG.14, a command node N11can be deleted, and then a command node N10and a command node N12can be reconnected.

As shown inFIG.15, a command node N13can be added an exception handling procedure E13. The exception handling procedure E13is used for handling an exception. For example, when a KVM device is broken, a warning signal may be immediately sent to the engineer for handing the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus900.

Base on above, the command script editor helps the user to create or edit the command script without many typing or complex instructions inputting. Even if semiconductor products are quite diverse, editing the command scripts becomes easier via the command script editor.