Patents by Inventor Brian C. Barker

Brian C. Barker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8634949
    Abstract: A solution for managing a manufacturing environment using operating data for each of a plurality of tools in the manufacturing environment. The operating data can include actual resource consumption data and/or actual exhaust generation data for a tool while the tool implements at least a portion of a recipe to manufacture one of a plurality of types of products manufactured in the manufacturing environment. Operation of the manufacturing environment can be configured to optimize one or more aspects of resource consumption and/or exhaust generation during the manufacture of desired quantities of the plurality of types of products within a desired time frame using the operating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Edward P. Higgins, Richard L. Kleinhenz, Gary R. Moore, Mark L. Reath, Justin W. Wong, Horst Zisgen
  • Publication number: 20110288668
    Abstract: A solution for managing a manufacturing environment using operating data for each of a plurality of tools in the manufacturing environment. The operating data can include actual resource consumption data and/or actual exhaust generation data for a tool while the tool implements at least a portion of a recipe to manufacture one of a plurality of types of products manufactured in the manufacturing environment. Operation of the manufacturing environment can be configured to optimize one or more aspects of resource consumption and/or exhaust generation during the manufacture of desired quantities of the plurality of types of products within a desired time frame using the operating data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Edward P. Higgins, Richard L. Kleinhenz, Gary R. Moore, Mark L. Reath, Justin W. Wong, Horst Zisgen
  • Patent number: 7007855
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer including a plurality of pits in the semiconductor wafer. The pits are arranged in an information-providing pattern and are readable after completion of processing on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Raymond J. Bunkofske, John Z. Colt, Jr., Perry G. Hartswick, John W. Lewis, Nancy T. Pascoe
  • Patent number: 6424878
    Abstract: A manufacturing control system used in the manufacture of semiconductor products. The system has a custom business logic controller which can be used to define and implement custom business logic that departs from the conventional business logic associated with the several elements of the manufacturing control system both rapidly and in real time. The custom business logic controller is implemented by defining desired business logic within the definitional environment of the controller. Where custom business logic is required, the manufacturing control system operates to activate the custom business logic controller, which then proceeds to execute the desired (custom) series of business logic units. Within this series, the custom business logic controller can execute a continuous series of business logic units, or certain business logic units can be executed conditionally, based on the success or failure of a prior business logic unit or units, or based on some other environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Perry G. Hartswick, Keith D. Newton
  • Patent number: 6334215
    Abstract: A method for migrating legacy applications into a new software product architecture using a functional conversion module located within a system controller. The functional conversion module comprises a migration plan shut off. The functional conversion module further comprises three paths or branches through which a functional request can be routed. Functional requests which are not identified in the migration plan are routed through the first path and the functional request is sent to the pre-existing software and executed as requested. Functional requests identified in the migration plan for which the pre-existing software is in control are routed through the second path, and the functional request is sent to the pre-existing software and executed as received. In the background, the functional request is translated for the new software and sent to the new software and executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Perry G. Hartswick
  • Patent number: 6182049
    Abstract: In a manufacturing line having a plurality of production jobs performed on a plurality of production units in a plurality of processing areas, a method and related system for selecting a number of production units to be sent to a designated process area other than the plurality of processing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, Lawrence R. Bauer, Susan E. Chaloux, John T. Federico, Perry G. Hartswick
  • Patent number: 6021360
    Abstract: A system monitors usage of a tool in a tool set and warns an operator and/or prevents usage of a tool chosen by an operator, subject to possible override by the operator, if permitted, in order to balance usage among tools of the tool set and verify operational conditions of tools of the tool set through usage. The system and method are entirely transparent to the operator and the operator is permitted full flexibility of tool choice unless tool usage becomes unbalanced. The system and method preferably limits usage based on length of consecutive usage and percentage of product processed by each tool. Use of new, modified or repaired tools is also prevented until the tool is certified for a particular process and defined to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Barker, John T. Federico, George R. Goth, Perry G. Hartswick