KR20030071516A - Passdown database and flow chart - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for monitoring a multistage process, the method comprising implementing a process comprising a plurality of steps represented by a process flow diagram, generating a table for recording data associated with each of the plurality of steps, and Writing data to a table in response to an operation associated with each of the plurality of steps as the process implementation proceeds, providing a process flow diagram and / or a display on which at least a portion of the table is displayed, and data selected from the table. Providing an indication on the display of the process steps of the flowchart associated with the entry.

Description

Multistage process monitoring method and system and multistage diagnostic process monitoring method {PASSDOWN DATABASE AND FLOW CHART}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to diagnosing problems with equipment, and more particularly, to systems and methods for diagnosing equipment in which the diagnosis is easily and accurately tracked and information that identifies the status of the diagnosis is readily available.

Many manufacturing facilities that produce products throughout the 24 hours or with several alternations by workers are diagnosed to determine whether the equipment is operating at acceptable levels after a defective or after a given period or after producing a given number of products. Sometimes you have the equipment you need. For example, the applicant of the present invention produces a semiconductor device. Manufacturing equipment should be clean to prevent the accumulation of small particles on the equipment that may affect semiconductor products. However, due to the length of time the diagnostic process can consume, for a production line running 24 hours a day, the diagnostic process can start for one shift and not end until a subsequent shift, where the person who started this process Can not complete. Therefore, for example, if the second shift comes after the first shift, the second shifter may not know what happened during the first shift. In order for the second shift to be aware of events that occurred during the first shift, the first shift must leave a note indicating whether any outstanding equipment problem exists.

This reference should not only identify the equipment, but also indicate what kind of test or calibration action has already been taken, or at what stage the previous shifter has completed the process of testing or calibrating portions of the equipment. The obvious solution is to leave some equipment until the shifters who begin the diagnostic process return to their next turn to complete their work. However, this process can be more complex depending on the shift schedule. For example, if a facility uses a rotating schedule, the operator who initiated the process can come to the workplace in four days. If the operator started the process on the fourth day, waiting three days until the operator returns is not cost effective for the facility. Also, if the operator's statement is unclear, he may not be able to ask the operator until the next time the operator returns to the workplace.

With the development of computers, electronic databases can now leave references that allow others to electronically know the diagnostic status of the equipment. However, as computer technology improves, so does processing equipment. For example, in semiconductor manufacturing, rigorous test protocols are applied before returning to normal operating procedures if any part of the equipment is defective. In some cases, before some of the equipment is used, the protocol requires the operator to first run a test unit through the equipment to determine if the equipment passes the acceptance range. If the instrument does not pass, the operator should use a detailed textual description of the calibration procedure to be followed before using the instrument.

With respect to semiconductors, the equipment typically resides in a clean room and paper is not allowed in the clean room, so the operator uses a computer to electronically store and retrieve the procedure. Decisions regarding character reading or working through printouts on a computer screen, each test run that needs to be made, and whether the equipment or system passed or failed after each test can be tedious. Because of the complexity involved, a contracted vendor service can be invoked to perform the task. However, depending on the validity of the vendor's services, some of the particular equipment may not be able to operate or be stopped for an unacceptable time.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for diagnosing and tracking problems associated with equipment or mechanical parts, systems or processes. This diagnostic and tracking procedure may occur after a defect is discovered or may be a routine preventative maintenance procedure that may detect the defect before it occurs.

One preferred method includes implementing a process that includes a number of steps represented by a process flow diagram. A table is created that records data associated with each of the plurality of steps. Data is written to a table in response to actions associated with multiple steps as the process implementation progresses. A display is provided in which at least a portion of a process flow chart and / or table is displayed. An indication associated with the process steps of the flowchart associated with the data entry selected from the table is provided on the display. This indication provides the status of the process.

The invention also relates to a system having a memory for storing data representing a plurality of process flow diagrams, each flow chart having a plurality of process steps and representing a plurality of tables associated with respective process flow diagrams. The system also includes a processor coupled to memory to perform programmed instructions for selecting process flow diagrams and / or associated tables. A data entry device is provided for writing data into a selected table. This data is responsive to the actions caused by implementing the process steps of the selected process flow diagram. A display is provided that displays at least a portion of a selected process flow chart and / or associated table, coupled to a processor.

1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pass down database table of the present invention;

2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a flow chart tab and pass down database table in conjunction with the flow chart of the present invention;

3 is an exemplary block diagram of exemplary components constituting the present invention;

4 is an exemplary flow chart of the present invention;

5 is an exemplary flow chart of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: database table 30: memory

35: table 36: representative entry

40 processor 42 data entry device

44: display 46: indicator

Prior to describing various aspects of the present invention in detail, the present invention includes a flow chart system that simplifies the process for performing diagnostics and protocols and new combinations of components and / or processes that satisfactorily and easily satisfy the need for passdown. Thus, it should be recognized that when multiple individuals must complete a diagnosis and perform a protocol, the information is readily available so that a transition can occur without defects between the individuals. Accordingly, these components / processes are represented by generic elements in the drawings, and in particular, only those parts related to the present invention are described in more detail, for reasons of structural details or operational interrelationships that will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. To clarify the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the present invention is applicable to machines, parts of equipment, systems and / or processes.

The invention can be implemented in the form of a computer-implemented process and an apparatus for executing the process. The invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code comprising computer readable instructions embodied on a tangible medium such as a floppy disk, CD-ROMS, DVD, hard drive or any other computer readable storage medium. When computer program code is loaded into a computer and executed, the computer becomes an apparatus for implementing the present invention. If implemented on a computer, the computer program code segment configures the computer to generate a specific logic circuit or processing module.

1 is an exemplary pass down database entry of the present invention as can be observed on a computer screen. Such a database may be created by any database software program, such as Microsoft Access. However, this database can also be maintained in spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel. This database or database table 10 may be configured and stored in various areas to allow an operator to determine which machine, system or process has a problem and the date of a particular problem and the identification of a problem associated with the system. As illustrated, the first column 12 identifies the machine having a problem. The second column 13 identifies the date on which the problem occurred. The time of the problem may also be included. Third column 18 identifies the type of problem that occurred according to any comment that the previous operator may decide to include in the description of the problem. The fourth column 16 identifies whether the entry is a pass down or a flowchart entry. All of this data is actually stored in a database, which is integrated into a processor or computer to display the data in table format. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the data may include, but is not limited to, comments, numbers, charts, drawings, any type of multimedia, and the like.

2 is an exemplary embodiment of a flow chart tab and pass down database table of the present invention. Background programs, such as Microsoft Access, have a number of troubleshooting flowcharts stored in memory, where each flowchart is associated with a particular type of machine, process, or system. The background program runs on a computer or processor that also maintains the database software program described above. In another preferred embodiment, the database software program is run on the second computer and the resulting database is only displayed on the computer or processor running the background program.

When an operator enters a fault associated with a type of machine, piece of equipment, system or process, the background program retrieves the associated flowchart 20 from memory and associates the flowchart to the particular machine having the problem. In one embodiment, the representation of the flow chart is represented by a split screen showing the flow path corresponding to the modified pass down database table 22 specified in the flow chart and the protocol for correcting the problem. In another embodiment, although not shown, a modified pass down database table is not provided.

In the step in which the operator enters a defect associated with a particular machine and the program automatically provides a flowchart for that particular machine, a correlation is created between the database entry screen and the flowchart. In one preferred embodiment, whenever node 24 is selected in the flowchart, a form 26 is provided on the database screen to allow the operator to fill in the information or to select default information for the particular test being run. In another preferred embodiment, the background program is run through a flow diagram and present the results in a second format, such as a drop down table known in the art. This information is stored in the database and appears automatically, and at the same time particular areas of the flowchart are particularly highlighted (step 28), allowing the operator to quickly observe the flowchart and visually determine if the program is in a diagnostic or test process. can do.

In a preferred embodiment, the response at the node is yes / no or pass / fail. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms of representation may be given to indicate a response. The response may be highlighted in some color, such as red for failure or yellow for passing. Therefore, when the initiating operator or a new operator observes the flowchart, the operator can quickly determine whether the machine has passed through a particular node. Once all the conditions are met and the last node is highlighted, the flow chart ends and the machine is requalified to produce the product until the next regular process check is needed or until the next fault is detected.

3 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary components that make up the present invention. A memory 30 is provided that stores data representing a number of process flow diagrams 32. Each process flow diagram 32 may include a number of process steps 33. Each process step 33 is associated with a representative entry 36 of the table 35. There are therefore a number of tables 35, each associated with a process flow chart 32. In another preferred embodiment, memory 30 may be a number of memory devices, where various flowcharts 32 and tables 35 may reside on different memory devices. Processor 40 is coupled to memory 30 and performs programmed instructions to select process flow chart 32 and / or associated table 35. A data entry device 42 is provided which writes data to the selected table 35 in response to the operation of implementing the process step 33 of the selected process flowchart 32. In a preferred embodiment, a data entry device 42 is provided for the user to write data. In another preferred embodiment, data entry device 42 facilitates data writing by selecting another predetermined data entry or by residing default data in the data area. Display 44 is connected to processor 40 displaying at least a portion of selected process flow chart 32 and / or associated table 35. Display 44 also has an indicator 46 that informs the user of the status of process step 33 of flowchart 32 associated with data entry 36 selected from table 35. In one preferred embodiment, an acoustic indicator is provided.

As shown in Fig. 4, in step 50, in operation, the present invention will implement a process having multiple steps represented by a process flow diagram. In step 52 a table is created that records data associated with each of the plurality of steps of the process. For a given process step, in step 54, data is written to the table in response to the actions associated with the process step as the process implementation proceeds. In step 56, a display is used to show at least a portion of the process flow chart and / or at least a portion of the table. The amount of flowcharts and / or tables displayed is determined by the size of the display and the complexity of the flowcharts and / or tables. In step 58, an indication is provided on the display informing the user of the status of the process. In another preferred embodiment, this indication is an auditory indicator, such as repeated sound and voice, that describes the progress of the process.

5 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, in step 62, the present invention performs a diagnostic process. In step 64, a table is created in which each table entry has a plurality of table entries corresponding to process steps. In step 66, at least a portion of the process flow chart and / or table is displayed. In step 68, the status of the diagnostic process is displayed to the user, where the display method is a visual display and / or an audio display.

While the present invention has been described as being presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited to the specific exemplary embodiments, but should be construed in the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates to a method and system for diagnosing and tracking a problem associated with an equipment or mechanical part, system, or process, wherein the diagnostic and tracking procedure can occur after a defect is discovered or before a defect is detected. Because it can be a routine preventive maintenance procedure, it can be diagnosed, tracked, and prevented even if a problem occurs.

Claims (18)

In the method of monitoring multi-step process, (a) implementing a process comprising a plurality of steps represented by a process flow diagram, (b) creating a table for recording data associated with each of the plurality of steps; (c) writing data to the table in response to an action associated with each of the plurality of steps as the process implementation proceeds; (d) providing a display of at least a portion of the process flow chart and at least a portion of the table; (e) processing the flow diagram and providing an indication on the display of associated data entries from the table. How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Providing a data entry to the table by selection of another predetermined data entry; How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Providing a data entry to the table by resident in the table with default data for the creation of a data entry; How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Providing a data entry to the table by residing data manually written by a user in the table; How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Providing a display further includes simultaneously displaying both the process flow diagram and the table on the display. How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Providing an indication further comprises providing a visual indication of the status of the step of the process flow diagram. How to monitor multilevel processes. The method of claim 1, Further providing an audio indication of the status of the step in the process flow diagram. How to monitor multilevel processes. In systems that monitor multi-step processes, (a) a memory that represents a plurality of process flow diagrams each comprising a plurality of process steps and stores information representing a plurality of tables, each associated with a plurality of process flow diagrams, respectively; (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes a programmed instruction to select one of the process flow diagrams and the associated table; (c) a data entry device coupled to the processor for writing data to the selected table in response to implementing the process steps of the selected process flowchart; (d) a display coupled to the processor for displaying at least a portion of the selected process flow diagram and associated table; System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, The data entry device is a user operable device. System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, The data entry device provides data entry to the selected table by selection of another predetermined data entry. System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, The data entry device provides a data entry by residing in the selected table default data for creation of a data entry. System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, Further comprising an indication of completed steps of the process flow diagram on the display. System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, The indication is an audio indication of the completed stage of the process flow diagram. System for monitoring multi-step processes. The method of claim 8, The memory includes a plurality of memories and data representing a process flow diagram resides in a first memory and a table associated with the process flow diagram resides in a second memory. System for monitoring multi-step processes. In a method for monitoring a multi-step diagnostic process, (a) performing a diagnostic process comprising a plurality of steps represented by a process flow diagram, (b) generating a table comprising a plurality of table entries, each table entry corresponding to an operation associated with a process step; (c) displaying at least a portion of one of said process flow diagram and said table to indicate said status of said diagnostic process; How to monitor a multi-step diagnostic process. The method of claim 15, Residing another predetermined data entry in the table, residing default data in the table, writing data in the table by at least one, or writing a manual entry by a user. How to monitor a multi-step diagnostic process. The method of claim 15, Simultaneously displaying the process flow diagram and the table. How to monitor a multi-step diagnostic process. The method of claim 15, Providing an auditory indication of the status of the step of the diagnostic process. How to monitor a multi-step diagnostic process.