Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating automated audit recording and tracking of PLC-based interactions. A recording component is provided that interacts with an application that can change or alter one or more characteristics of PLC operations. The recording component can be client-based on the same or associated platform as the application or can be embedded within a control system component. When interactions have been recorded, a tracking component aggregates such interactions in a file or record stored in a local or remote database, wherein audit reports that document control interactions or changes can automatically be generated from such files. Recorded interactions can be stored in a substantially real time manner and include records of all interactions with a control system as opposed to merely saving a final program or resultant image of such interactions, thus facilitating a more controlled and secure auditing environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing graphical objects in an industrial automation environment. According to one aspect of the invention, data is received across a network and is associated with an automated process. A property of a graphical object is updated with the data. Graphical objects are operatively connected to one another such that movement of a representation of one of the graphical objects based on changes of the property being updated correspondingly affects the movement of a representation of another graphical object. According to another aspect of the invention, the graphical objects are associated with industrial automation components connected to the network.

Abstract: An object-oriented computer environment having a pair of graphical objects displayed on a graphical window of a display screen. The graphical objects are positioned relative to one another in a desired orientation through the use of a user interface. The graphical objects are operatively joined at an anchor point so that movement of one of the graphical objects will correspondingly move the other graphical object joined therewith.

Abstract: A graphical object in an object-oriented environment is comprised of a plurality of child graphical objects. The parent graphical object and each of the child graphical objects have a property corresponding to the orientation of a representation of the respective object. A connection tree is formed from the parent graphical object which has the initial values of each property of the child graphical objects. During operation, the value of the property of the graphical object may be altered corresponding to a change in the position of the object's graphical representation. The altered value is broadcast through the connection tree to allow recalculation of each child object's property based upon its initial value so that the parent object and its child objects can be graphically displayed based on the changed position.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for monitoring or controlling a process having a plurality of components. Graphical objects are operatively connected to one another such that movement of a representation of one of the graphical objects correspondingly affects the movement of a representation of the other graphical object. The graphical objects are associated with the plurality of components through data linking. Data received from the process relates to position or state changes of the components. Properties of the graphical objects are updated with the received data causing the representations of the graphical objects to move accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting burnt resist or mask on the surface of a semiconductor integrated circuit wafer during fabrication thereof. A light source and light sensor are utilized to identify the flat matte surface finish of burnt resist or mask and shut down the fabrication process before a large number of semiconductor wafers are ruined. The burnt resist or mask is detected by the lack of reflected light from the surface of the wafer compared with the light reflected from the surface of a known good resist coated wafer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for monitoring a process operating under statistical process control (SPC). The computer displays a "target control chart" to represent SPC data from the process. The target control chart comprises a Specification Limits ball graphically depicting the specifications limits for the process, a Control Limits ball graphically depicting the control limits for the process, and a Data Population ball graphically depicting one or more characteristics of a sample population of the measured data values for the process. Once defined, the Specification Limits ball remains static, and its display is not altered. The Control Limits ball may be static, or may be re-positioned and re-sized as additional measured data values are included in the sample population. The Data Population ball is dynamic and is re-positioned and re-sized as additional measured data values are included in the sample population.