Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for detecting a process endpoint

US6572443B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
15References
43Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 2000
Grant dateJun 3, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B37/013
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting a process endpoint. The method includes receiving a first data signal and a second data signal and combining the first data signal and the second data signal to generate a combined data signal. The method also includes detecting a peak in the combined data signal, wherein the peak indicates the process endpoint. The apparatus includes a data collection unit capable of receiving a plurality of data signals and a signal analysis unit. The signal analysis unit is capable of combining the plurality of data signals received through the data collection unit to generate a combined data signal and identifying a peak in the combined data signal indicative of the process endpoint.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.