Rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders in a specified order format

• US 20040025137A1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phototronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Phototronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Croke, Charles E., Ridgway, Nicolas P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,842,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 716/19
• CPC Class Codes: G03F 1/68 Preparation processes not covered by groups G03F1/20 - G03F1/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/04 Constraint-based CAD
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders in a specified format, and more particularly, relates to software which includes templates in which photomask order data is entered and rules for guiding the user in entering such data and rules for ensuring that such data is entered accurately. The rules and templates implemented in the present invention are organized and stored in a manner which allows for the software to be easily adapted to meet the criteria of any existing standard (e.g., SEMI P10) or proprietary photomask order format now known or hereinafter developed. Additionally, the software of the present invention provides for the ability to generate new photomask orders using templates and/or existing photomask order data.

Claims

1. A rule-based system for generating photomask orders in a specified format comprising:

at least one template for the entry and storage of photomask order data, wherein said template is created based upon requirements of a specified photomask order format;

at least one first set of rules corresponding to said at least one template, wherein said first set of rules include instructions which ensure that a user enters complete information into said template as required by the specified order format,

at least one second set of rules which corresponds to said at least one template, wherein said second set of rules include instructions which ensure that the user enters accurate information to said template as required by the specified format;

a graphical user interface in with at least one said template, wherein the user can access said at least one template to enter photomask order data and create an order in the specified format.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one template and said at least one first and second set of rules are set in accordance with the requirements of a particular standard and/or proprietary photomask order format.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one template includes components, wherein data which can be entered into said components are set in accordance with the requirements of a particular standard and/or proprietary photomask order format.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one template includes subcomponents, wherein data which can be entered into said subcomponents are set in accordance with the requirements of a particular standard and/or proprietary photomask order format.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one template includes components and subcomponents, wherein data which can be entered into said components and subcomponents are set in accordance with the requirements of a particular standard and/or proprietary photomask order format.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the type of data that can be entered into said components and said subcomponents is limited to specific attributes set in accordance with the requirements of a particular standard and/or proprietary photomask order format.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first set of rules require specify the type of photomask data which must, can and/or must not be entered to complete a photomask order in a specified format.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said second set of rules specify the format in which the photomask data required to be entered by said first set of rules must, can and/or must not be input.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said format is a binary, string, integer, real number, date, Boolean and/or a list.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer system includes instructions for associating said first and second sets of rules with said templates.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of rules are stored separately from said templates.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of rules are combined to form a single set of rules.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said templates and said first and second sets of rules are stored external to the system.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said templates and said first and second sets of rules are stored in a relational database.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said templates and said first and second sets of rules are as an XML file.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said first and second sets of rules and templates are stored as an object-oriented class.