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.
121 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