Patents by Inventor Kyle Brown

Kyle Brown 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).

  • Publication number: 20040122892
    Abstract: An “event registration service” that enables unrelated and “uncoordinated” systems (i.e. systems that have not planned advance to work together by using the same prerequisite software) to be linked together to facilitate event notification is disclosed. The event registration service links these unrelated systems (e.g., those that have declared events with those that have registered an interest in those events) to facilitate event notification between the unrelated systems. The event registration system functions by combining the functionality of the Web Services Inspection Language (WSIL) and XML style sheets (XSLT). In accordance with the present invention, WSIL hierarchies are built to represent event declarations ane event registrations. XSLT is used as an adapter, converting from one API (represented, for example, as a SOAP message) to another (e.g., another SOAP message representing a different data structure, such as that derived from a COBOL copybook).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Peter J. Brittenham, Kyle Brown, Stephen Graham, Mark D. Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20040115843
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro defects and overlay of a specimen. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Wack, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20040092045
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro and micro defects. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Gary Bultman, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20040073398
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, critical dimension and a thin film characteristic. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Patent number: 6694284
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, at least four properties of a specimen such as critical dimension, overlay, a presence of macro defects, and thin film characteristics. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Patent number: 6689519
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy, Suresh Lakkapragada
  • Publication number: 20040005507
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy, Ibrahim Abdul-Halim
  • Patent number: 6673637
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro defects and overlay of a specimen. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies
    Inventors: Dan Wack, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, John Fielden
  • Patent number: 6633831
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, critical dimension and a thin film characteristic. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: KLA Tencor Technologies
    Inventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20030148198
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating and controlling a lithography process are provided. For example, a method for reducing within wafer variation of a critical metric of a lithography process may include measuring at least one property of a resist disposed upon a wafer during the lithography process. A critical metric of a lithography process may include, but may not be limited to, a critical dimension of a feature formed during the lithography process. The method may also include altering at least one parameter of a process module configured to perform a step of the lithography process to reduce within wafer variation of the critical metric. The parameter of the process module may be altered in response to at least the one measured property of the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Suresh Lakkapragada, Kyle A. Brown, Matt Hankinson, Ady Levy
  • Publication number: 20030131316
    Abstract: A method for modifying files for display on a browser. The method includes identifying a file having a section marked with an identifier, receiving an indicator, and filtering the file to modify the section based on the indicator. The files are filtered such that the identifier is removed if the indicator is a default indicator and the identifier and marked section are replaced with a replacement section correspondence to the indicator if the indicator is not the default indicator. In addition, the present invention encompasses a system and computer program product for carrying out the inventive method. The method, system, and computer program product may be used to internationalize files for display on browsers over the Internet such that the files are displayed in a language indicated by the browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, Francis DiNardo, Julie Strong, Robert Thimsen, Skyler Thomas
  • Patent number: 6551174
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a slurry to a polishing surface has a slurry source, a slurry supply line, and a slurry return line. The slurry supply line and slurry return line are configured so that slurry may be directed from the outlet of the slurry supply line onto the polishing surface during a chemical mechanical polishing operation, or into an inlet of the slurry return line after the polishing operation is stopped. This permits continuous circulation of slurry through the slurry supply line to prevent coagulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, Brian J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030011786
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, overlay and flatness. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Gary Bultman, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020190207
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, an implant characteristic and a presence of defects. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020188417
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a property of a specimen prior to, during, or subsequent to an etch process. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Dan Wack, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020179867
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, flatness, a presence of defects, and a thin film characteristic. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: John Fielden, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Dan Wack
  • Publication number: 20020180985
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, at least one characteristic of defects on at least two sides of a specimen. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Dan Wack, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Rodney Smedt, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020182760
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, a presence of macro defects and overlay of a specimen. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Dan Wack, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020180961
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, an adhesion characteristic and a thickness. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Dan Wack, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Mehrdad Nikoonahad, John Fielden
  • Publication number: 20020180986
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes are provided. A system may include a stage configured to support a specimen and coupled to a measurement device. The measurement device may include an illumination system and a detection system. The illumination system and the detection system may be configured such that the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of the specimen. For example, the system may be configured to determine multiple properties of a specimen including, but not limited to, critical dimension, a presence of defects, and a thin film characteristic. In this manner, a measurement device may perform multiple optical and/or non-optical metrology and/or inspection techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Mehrdad Nikoonahad, Ady Levy, Kyle A. Brown, Gary Bultman, Dan Wack, John Fielden