Controller and method to mediate data collection from smart sensors for fab applications
First Claim
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1. A controller-aided method of monitoring processes or equipment performance in a semiconductor manufacturing operation, the method including:
- sending from the controller to a smart sensor configuration data keyed to at least one context identifier, whereby the smart sensor is adapted to modify sensing of data responsive to receipt of a context identifier key;
recognizing in the controller a current context of operation of a manufacturing device that is monitored by the smart sensor;
transmitting to the smart sensor the context identifier key for the current context; and
receiving from the smart sensor data sensed by the smart sensor, responsive to the context identifier key.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to control of and data collection from sensors associated with tools. In particular, it relates to using a controller to mediate communications among a tool, sensors associated with the tool and data users, such as a host system or distributed processors. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.
68 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A controller-aided method of monitoring processes or equipment performance in a semiconductor manufacturing operation, the method including:
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sending from the controller to a smart sensor configuration data keyed to at least one context identifier, whereby the smart sensor is adapted to modify sensing of data responsive to receipt of a context identifier key; recognizing in the controller a current context of operation of a manufacturing device that is monitored by the smart sensor; transmitting to the smart sensor the context identifier key for the current context; and receiving from the smart sensor data sensed by the smart sensor, responsive to the context identifier key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A controller adapted to monitoring equipment performance in a semiconductor manufacturing operation, the controller including:
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a processor; memory coupled to the processor; one or more ports coupled to the processor, adapted to communicate with smart sensors; and logic and resources operable with the processor, adapted to send to a smart sensor configuration data keyed to at least one context identifier, whereby the smart sensor is adapted to modify sensing of data responsive to receipt of a context identifier key; recognize a current context of operation of a manufacturing device that is monitored by the smart sensor; transmit to the smart sensor the context identifier key for the current context; and receive from the smart sensor data sensed by the smart sensor, responsive to the context identifier key.
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8. A controller-aided method of monitoring processes or equipment performance in a semiconductor manufacturing operation, the method including:
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receiving from the controller in a smart sensor configuration data keyed to at least one context identifier; receiving from the controller in the smart sensor the context identifier key for the current context to which the sensing of data is to be adapted; and selecting the configuration data corresponding to the context identifier key, sensing data according to the corresponding configuration, and transmitting at least part of the sensed data to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A smart sensor adapted to monitoring manufacturing equipment performance responsive to a current context identifier key received from a controller, the smart sensor including:
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a processor; memory coupled to the processor; one or more ports coupled to the processor, adapted to communicate with at least one controller; and logic and resources operable with the processor, adapted to receive from the controller configuration data keyed to at least one context identifier; receive from the controller the context identifier key for the current context to which the controller is directing for the sensing of data to be adapted; and select the configuration data corresponding to the context identifier key, sensing data according to the corresponding configuration, and transmitting at least part of the sensed data to the controller.
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Specification