Interface unit for automation systems and method of providing and installing such an interface

• US 20060095545A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Dreyer, Thomas, Limmer, Gerd
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32033 Send article design, needed material, packaging and shipping info to manufacturer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416

Abstract

A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprises the steps of receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between the engineering/control system within the facility and the machines or installations; manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill the definition or specification and adapting the communication interface unit to the definition or specification; providing the communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing the machine or installation; delivering the machine or installation and the communication interface unit to the facility; and integrating the machine or installation equipped with the communication interface unit within the facility.

Claims

1. A method of integrating a machine or installation into an engineering/control system within the facility, such as an automation system, comprising the steps of:

receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said engineering/control system within the facility and said machines or installations;

manufacturing or providing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification and adapting said communication interface unit to said definition or specification;

providing said communication interface unit to a machine or installation manufacturer for manufacturing said machine or installation;

delivering said machine or installation and said communication interface unit to said facility; and

integrating said machine or installation equipped with said communication interface unit within said facility.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of adapting said communication interface unit is performed by an integrator or by said machine or installation manufacturer.

4. A method of providing enhanced functionality within a facility comprising an engineering/control system coupled with a plurality of machines or installations, comprising the steps of:

receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said facility and said machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification and adapting said communication interface unit to said definition or specification;

adapting at least one machine or installation within said facility to said communication interface unit; and

coupling said communication interface unit between said machine or installation and said engineering/control system within the facility.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of adapting said machine or installation is performed by an integrator, a machine or installation manufacturer or a facility operator.

7. A method of providing enhanced functionality within a facility comprising an engineering/control system coupled with a plurality of machines or installations, comprising the steps of:

receiving a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between said engineering/control system within the facility and said machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification and adapting said communication interface unit to said definition or specification;

adapting said communication interface unit to at least one machine or installation within said facility; and

coupling said communication interface unit between said machine or installation and said engineering/control system within the facility.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said communication interface unit is provided by an integrator.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein said step of adapting said machine or installation is performed by an integrator, a machine or installation manufacturer or a facility operator.

10. A method of providing enhanced functionality for a machines or installations, comprising the steps of:

creating a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between a facility and machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification and adapting said communication interface unit to said definition or specification;

coupling said communication interface unit with a machine or installation through a standard interface; and

offering said machine or installation with said communication interface to a customer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a machine or installation manufacturer.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of adapting said communication interface unit is performed by an integrator.

13. A method of providing enhanced functionality for machines or installations coupled with an engineering/control system within a facility, comprising the steps of:

creating a definition or specification for applicable standards for communication between a facility and machines or installations;

providing or manufacturing a communication interface unit comprising enhanced interfaces to fulfill said definition or specification and adapting said communication interface unit to said definition or specification; and

coupling said communication interface unit with a machine or installation and with said engineering/control system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a facility operator.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said step of creating said definition or specification is performed by a machine or installation manufacturer.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of machines and installations each is equipped with said communication interface unit.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a server and coupling said server with all communication interface units.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the server provides for an electronic diagnosis of said machines or installations.

19. A communication interface unit for integrating a machine or installation into an automation system, comprising:

an first interface for coupling the unit with an engineering system,

a plurality of data interfaces coupled in parallel with the first interface;

a data acquisition unit coupled with the plurality of data interfaces, and

a second interface coupled with the data acquisition unit for coupling the unit with the machine or installation.

20. The unit according to claim 19, further comprising at least a third interface coupled with the data acquisition unit for coupling additional hardware with the unit.

21. The unit according to claim 20, wherein the additional hardware is a barcode reader used with the machine or installation.

22. The unit according to claim 20, wherein the additional hardware is a sensor used with the machine or installation.

23. The unit according to claim 22, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and pressure sensor.

24. The unit according to claim 20, wherein the third interface is a graphical user interface used for controlling the machine or installation.

25. The unit according to claim 20, wherein the additional hardware is an external control circuit used with the machine or installation.

26. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the data acquisition unit comprises a microprocessor or microcontroller.

27. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the unit is integrated within a fan-less housing.

28. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of data interfaces are selected from the group consisting of SECS/GEM interface, EDA interface, EPT interface, and e-diagnostic interface.

29. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of data interfaces include at least one 300 mm semiconductor standard interface.

30. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the data acquisition unit further comprises a cell controller for controlling machine specific functions of an automation process.

31. The unit according to claim 19, wherein the first interface includes an Ethernet, a field bus and/or a serial interface.

33. The unit according to claim 31, further comprising at least a third interface arranged in the housing coupled with the data acquisition unit for coupling additional hardware with the unit.

34. The unit according to claim 33, wherein the additional hardware is a barcode reader used for identifying a wafer carrier.

35. The unit according to claim 33, wherein the additional hardware is a sensor used with the machine or installation.

36. The unit according to claim 33, wherein the additional hardware is an external control circuit used with the machine or installation.

32. A communication interface unit for integrating a semiconductor manufacturing machine or installation into a semiconductor automation system, comprising:

a fan-less housing,

a first interface arranged in the housing for coupling the unit with an engineering system,

a plurality of data interfaces arranged in the housing coupled in parallel with the first interface including include at least one 300 mm semiconductor standard interface;

a data acquisition unit arranged in the housing coupled with the plurality of data interfaces, and

a second interface arranged in the housing coupled with the data acquisition unit for coupling the unit with the machine or installation.

37. The unit according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of data interfaces are selected from the group consisting of SECS/GEM interface, EDA interface, EPT interface, and e-diagnostic interface.

38. The unit according to claim 32, wherein the data acquisition unit further comprises a cell controller for controlling machine specific functions of an automation process.