Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6467077?dq=6,998,619
Timestamp: 2018-01-23 16:34:52
Document Index: 604048693

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n27', 'art.\n28', 'art.\n29', 'art.\n30', 'art.\n56', 'art.\n57', 'art.\n58', 'art.\n59']

Patent US6467077 - Capturing an evolving wafer fabrication method and system - Google Patents
A method and system for use in wafer fabrication systems. The method and system capture an evolving wafer fabrication system by mapping at least one interaction between a selected at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with...http://www.google.com/patents/US6467077?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6467077 - Capturing an evolving wafer fabrication method and system
Publication number US6467077 B1
Application number US 09/352,983
Publication number 09352983, 352983, US 6467077 B1, US 6467077B1, US-B1-6467077, US6467077 B1, US6467077B1
Inventors Timothy C. Dean
Patent Citations (5), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (4), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4)
Capturing an evolving wafer fabrication method and system
US 6467077 B1
1. A method for capturing an evolving wafer fabrication system comprising:
selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system;
mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system; and
providing a captured wafer fabrication system from the mapping.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one production tool.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one integral item of at least one production tool.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one utility system.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one integral item of at least one utility system.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
mapping at least one electrical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
mapping at least one mechanical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
mapping at least one chemical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
mapping at least one thermal coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
creating a data structure for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said creating a data structure for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
creating a data structure having at least one central coupling and at least one peripheral coupling for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one production tool as the at least one component.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said selecting at least on e component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one component.
16. The method of claim 13, where said selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one optistation as the at least one component.
17. The method of claim 13, where said selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one component.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one device that modifies or meters a utility as the at least one control.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one of the group comprising any valve, damper, circuit breaker, flow meter, transformer, or sensor as the at least one control.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one control.
22. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one connection.
24. The method of claim 22, where said selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one utility system as the at least one connection.
25. The method of claim 22, where said selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one connection.
26. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one production tool as the at least one integral part.
27. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one integral part.
28. The method of claim 12, where said selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one utility system as the at least one integral part.
29. The method of claim 12, where said selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one integral part.
30. A system for capturing an evolving wafer fabrication system comprising:
means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system;
means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system; and
means for providing a captured wafer fabrication system from the mapping.
31. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one production tool.
32. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one integral item of at least one production tool.
33. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one utility system.
34. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one integral item of at least one utility system.
35. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for mapping at least one electrical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
36. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for mapping at least one mechanical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
37. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for mapping at least one chemical coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
38. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for mapping at least one thermal coupling between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and the at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
39. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for creating a data structure for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein said means for creating a data structure for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for creating a data structure having at least one central coupling and at least one peripheral coupling for the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system.
41. The system of claim 30, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with a wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system.
43. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one production tool as the at least one component.
44. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one component.
45. The system of claim 42, where said means for selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one optistation as the at least one component.
46. The system of claim 42, where said means for selecting at least one component associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one component.
47. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system.
48. The system of claim 47, wherein said means for selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one device that modifies or meters a utility as the at least one control.
49. The system of claim 47, wherein said means for selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one of the group comprising any valve, damper, circuit breaker, flow meter, transformer, or sensor as the at least one control.
50. The system of claim 47, wherein said means for selecting at least one control associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one control.
51. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for selecting the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system.
52. The system of claim 51, wherein said means for selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one connection.
53. The system of claim 51, where said means for selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one utility system as the at least one connection.
54. The system of claim 51, where said means for selecting at least one connection associated with the wafer fabrication system further comprises:
means for selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one connection.
55. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one production tool as the at least one integral part.
56. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool as the at least one integral part.
57. The system of claim 41, where said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one utility system as the at least one integral part.
58. The system of claim 41, where said means for selecting at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis further comprises:
means for selecting at least one item of utility system equipment of at least one utility system as the at least one integral part.
59. A method for capturing an evolving wafer fabrication system comprising:
providing a captured wafer fabrication system from the mapping; and
utilizing the captured wafer fabrication system for at least one of capturing an evolution point of the wafer fabrication system, discerning an impact on the wafer. fabrication system, and generating a system interaction of the wafer fabrication system.
60. A system for capturing an evolving wafer fabrication system comprising:
means for mapping at least one link between the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system and at least one other integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system;
means for providing a captured wafer fabrication system from the mapping; and
means for utilizing the captured wafer fabrication system for at least one of capturing an evolution point of the wafer fabrication system, discerning an impact on the wafer fabrication system, and generating a system interaction of the wafer fabrication system.
1 As used herein, “central” indicates towards the source of the utility. Visualize a tree trunk. Connection capacities are larger towards the central end of the utility distribution. Switchgear, boilers, and pumps are typically towards the center of utility systems.
2 As used herein, “peripheral” indicates towards the outer edges of the utility distribution. Visualize twigs and leaves of a tree. Connection capacities are smaller. Production tools and plumbing fixtures are typically towards the periphery of utility systems.
Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is a high-level logic flowchart showing an example of the selection of at least one integral part referenced in method step 202. Method step 700 illustrates that in one instance, the selection of the at least one integral part referenced in method step 202 can be the selection of at the at least one integral part is done on a granular basis. The remaining shown steps function substantially as like-numbered steps described previously.
3 As used herein, a “Component” typically consumes utilities for purposes not related to the utility being consumed, such as heating water or processing wafers. Components often are linked to multiple utilities. A Component is a primary interface location for human use of the utility systems. Examples of Components include: production tools, scrubbers, boilers, pumps, etc.
Referring now to FIG. 9, shown is a high-level logic flowchart showing several examples of the selection of the at least one component (as the term component is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system referenced in method step 800. Method step 900 illustrates that in a first instance, the selection of the at least one component (as the term component is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 800, can involve selecting at least one production tool. Method step 902 illustrates that in a second instance, the selection of the at least one component (as the term component is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 800, can involve selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool. Method step 906 illustrates that in a third instance, the selection of the at least one component (as the term component is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 800, can involve selecting at least one item of utility system equipment. The remaining shown steps function substantially as like-numbered steps described previously.
4As used herein, a “Control” modifies or meters a utility as it flows by. Manual controls only link to a single utility. Automatic Controls link to two utilities—the one being controlled and the one doing the controlling. A Control does not consume utilities. Examples include: valves, dampers. circuit breakers, flow meters, transformers, sensors, etc.
Referring now to FIG. 11, shown is a high-level logic flowchart showing several examples of the selection of the at least one control (as the term control is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system referenced in method step 1000. Method step 1102 illustrates that in a first instance, the selection of the at least one control (as the term control is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 1000, can involve selecting at least one sub-unit of at least one production tool. Method step 1104 illustrates that in a third instance, the selection of the at least one control (as the term control is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 1000, can involve selecting at least one item of utility system equipment. The remaining shown steps function substantially as like-numbered steps described previously.
5 As used herein, a “Connection” transports a single utility. It may be either linear (only two links) or branching (many links). There is no human interaction. Examples of Connections include: pipes, ducts, wyes & tees, wires, valve manifolds, breaker panels, etc. Connection item records are where CCC tracks flow and pressure quantity data.
Referring now to FIG. 13, shown is a high-level logic flowchart showing several examples of the selection of the at least one connection (as the term connection is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system referenced in method step 1200. Method step 1300 illustrates that in a first instance, the selection of the at least one connection (as the term connection is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 1200, can involve selecting at least one production tool. Method step 1302 illustrates that in a second instance, the selection of the at least one connection (as the term connection is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 1200, can involve selecting at least one utility system. Method step 1304 illustrates that in one instance, the selection of the at least one connection (as the term connection is defined and used herein) associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 1200, can involve selecting at least one item of utility system equipment. The remaining shown steps function substantially as like-numbered steps described previously.
6 As used herein, “directly-affected” can mean affected through direct action (e.g., mechanical, electrical, chemical, or thermal) upon a first integral part, and can also mean that the affecting is through a coupling (e.g., mechanical, electrical, chemical, or thermal) between the first integral part and a second integral part. Indirectly-affected can mean that at least a third intermediary integral part and its attendant couplings reside between a first and a second integral part, indirectly-coupled.
Referring now to FIG. 35, shown is a high-level logic flowchart showing an example of how identifying at least one directly-affected integral part of the wafer fabrication system, with the directly-affected integral part being directly affected by the action related to the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 3300. Method step 3500 illustrates that in a first instance, the identifying at least one directly-affected integral part of the wafer fabrication system, with the directly-affected integral part being directly affected by the action related to the at least one integral part associated with the wafer fabrication system, referenced in method step 3300, can include identifying at least one directly-affected production tool of the wafer fabrication system on a granular basis. The remaining shown steps function substantially as like-numbered steps described previously.
1 * Jeng et al, "Performance Evaluation of the Thin Film Area in an IC Wafer Fabrication System Using Petri Nets," IEEE, Oct. 1998, pp. 3094-3099.
2 * Kristoff et al, "The Process Specification System for MMST," IEEE, Aug. 1995, pp. 262-271.*
Cooperative Classification H01L21/67276, H01L22/20, H01L2924/0002
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DEAN, TIMOTHY C.;REEL/FRAME:010107/0438