Methods and systems for controlling a semiconductor fabrication process
US7945348B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/80
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.