Substrate Processing Event Control for Faster Recovery Operations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current substrate processing apparatuses lack a comprehensive response mechanism for various events, leading to extended downtime and inefficiencies in recovery operations.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus that includes a memory for storing event items related to the substrate processing apparatus and a controller to notify and display relevant event information, facilitating recovery operations by controlling the processing based on event occurrence status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a comprehensive response mechanism for various events is implemented, then recovery efficiency is improved and downtime is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments events into different categories (substrate processing events, apparatus operation events, system events) and provides specific response screens for each category. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through modular, organized event types, making the comprehensive response mechanism more manageable and less complex while maintaining high recovery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus acts as an intermediary between the substrate processing apparatus and the operator. It receives event information from the apparatus, processes it through the classification system, and presents appropriate response procedures to the operator. This intermediary role automates the information processing and presentation, reducing the complexity burden on the overall system while improving recovery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If event information is displayed on the operation screen, then operator response time is reduced, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing different types of information displays for different event categories. Substrate processing events receive specific substrate-related information, apparatus operation events receive apparatus-specific information, and system events receive system-level information. This localized information quality ensures operators receive precisely the right information for each event type, reducing response time while managing information complexity through targeted presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus provides a universal information display system that handles multiple event types through a common interface framework. The same basic display mechanism serves substrate processing events, apparatus operation events, and system events, reducing information management complexity through reusability while still providing event-specific details that reduce operator response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4435545A1Control apparatus, substrate processing apparatus, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and program
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 KOKUSAI DENKI KK
  • EP4435545A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435545A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435545A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a technique including a memory (104) that stores an event item indicating at least one event related to a target apparatus (1), and a controller (101) that is capable of controlling notifying a display (204) of an event item corresponding to an occurred event when the event item corresponding to the occurred event is stored in the memory (104).