Multi-protocol multi-client equipment server
First Claim
1. A multi-client multi-protocol equipment server for communicating with a tool, comprising:
- a plurality of host/client interfaces, at least one of said plurality of host/client interfaces for communicating with a manufacturing execution system;
a plurality of tool interfaces, at least one of said plurality of tool interfaces for communicating with the tool; and
an equipment object model of the tool, wherein the manufacturing execution system communicates with the tool based on said equipment object model of the tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the implementation of automated job management for equipment in a factory. A multi-protocol multi-client equipment server is provided for communicating with equipment and clients utilizing multiple protocols. The equipment server incorporates an object model of each tool and communicates directly in real- time with factory equipment. By providing a multi-protocol multi-client platform, data consumer clients are effectively decoupled from job management clients, allowing next generation station controllers for monitoring and controlling equipment processing to be easily implemented.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A multi-client multi-protocol equipment server for communicating with a tool, comprising:
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a plurality of host/client interfaces, at least one of said plurality of host/client interfaces for communicating with a manufacturing execution system;
a plurality of tool interfaces, at least one of said plurality of tool interfaces for communicating with the tool; and
an equipment object model of the tool, wherein the manufacturing execution system communicates with the tool based on said equipment object model of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for establishing communication between a tool and a plurality of clients through a plurality of protocols, comprising the steps of:
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configuring at least one of a plurality of host/client interfaces to communicate with a manufacturing execution system;
configuring at least one of a plurality of tool interfaces for communicating with the tool; and
defining an equipment object model of the tool, wherein the manufacturing execution system communicates with the tool based on said equipment object model of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer program product for use with an equipment server that incorporates an equipment object model of at least one tool, comprising:
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a graphical user interface; and
an object model definition, wherein said object model definition specifies the structure and format of an equipment object model of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification