Abstract: A method includes transforming, based on a first transform, a first markup language document associated with a first version of a schema to generate a second markup language document associated with a second version of the schema. The second markup language document is representative of a third markup language document associated with the second version of the schema and the first transform represents a transform from the first version of the schema to the second version of the schema. The method further includes comparing the second markup language document to the third markup language document to identify whether at least one discrepancy exists between the second markup language document and the third markup language document. The method additionally includes determining a suitability of the first transform based on the comparison of the second markup language document to the third markup language document.

Abstract: A method includes generating a plurality of bid requests for processing a workpiece. Each bid request is associated with one of a plurality of resources capable of processing the workpiece. For each of the bid requests, a commitment window including a kernel specifying a time period required for processing the workpiece is generated. A first committed capacity of the associated resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements compatible with the processing required for the workpiece. A second committed capacity of the associated resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements not compatible with the processing required for the workpiece. A first rate function specifying a processing cost for the associated resource as a function of the first and second committed capacities is provided. The first and second committed capacities and the first rate function are combined to generate a basic cost function associated with the associated resource.

Abstract: An automated, computer-implemented method for managing test wafers in an integrated, automated semiconductor manufacturing environment includes: managing a test wafer inventory; consuming inventoried test wafers in the automated process flow; and distributing the consumed test wafers according to their level of usage after an evaluation thereof. An automated, computer-implemented method for use in semiconductor manufacturing includes: monitoring test wafer utilization in an automated process flow; maintaining an inventory of test wafers of a plurality of different types responsive to the monitored utilization; and managing the test wafer utilization of the test wafer inventory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling appointments in a manufacturing process flow are disclosed. The method and apparatus include a number of aspects including appointments in which processing windows float within commitment windows; appointments in which the processing windows include consumption and processing intervals and in which the processing windows can overlap with the processing interval of other appointments; the use of different kinds of calendars including different types of appointments maintained in a variety of states; a calendaring system in which appointments are constrained by the implicit constraints not represented by booked appointments as well as the explicit constraints represented by booked appointments; calendar manipulation techniques used in managing the calendars; and corresponding appointments maintained over multiple calendars in a synchronized manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in an automated manufacturing environment are disclosed. The method includes autonomously scheduling a consumer manufacturing domain entity for the consumption of services provided by a plurality of provider manufacturing domain entities in an automated process flow; and constraining the autonomous scheduling to lessen queue time violations in the process flow. The apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, performs such a method; a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method, and an automated process flow implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling ahead in a process flow for a manufacturing domain entity are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a triggering event defined for a current process operation on the manufacturing domain entity; and scheduling the target process operation upon expiration of a timed offset from the detection of the triggering event responsive to the detection thereof, the timed offset being defined for the target process operation scheduling. In various aspects, the apparatus includes a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, perform such a method and a computer programmed to perform such a method. In still other aspects, the apparatus includes a process flow implementing such a method.

Abstract: A method for generating a cost function includes providing a resource for processing a workpiece. A plurality of cost function parameters is provided. A library of parameterized cost function components is acessed based on the plurality of cost function parameters to generate a cost function for processing the workpiece using the resource. A system includes a resource for processing a workpiece and at least one scheduling agent. The scheduling agent is configured to provide a plurality of cost function parameters and access a library of parameterized cost function components based on the plurality of cost function parameters to generate a cost function for processing the workpiece using the resource.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring work in process (“WIP”) in a manufacturing facility. The system and method utilize software objects to identify a bottleneck workstation and calculate a WIP value representing the amount of work approaching the bottleneck workstation. If it is determined that the WIP value for a bottleneck workstation is projected to fall below a control limit during the evaluation period, an additional amount of work is released into the manufacturing line. In this manner, new work is introduced to a bottleneck station in order to prevent bottleneck starvation. Various embodiments provide for multiple products and multiple bottleneck workstations.

Abstract: A method includes providing a schedule of engagements for a resource. Each engagement has a working window and an associated engagement density function. The engagement density functions of the scheduled engagements are combined to generate a committed capacity function for the resource. A region of violation in the committed capacity function is identified where the committed capacity of the resource exceeds a capacity threshold. An area of a region of overlap between the working window of a selected one of the engagements and the region of violation is determined. An area reduction amount for the selected engagement is determined based on a portion of the area of the region of overlap. The working window of the selected engagement is changed based on the area reduction amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for calculating a plurality of bottleneck delta virtual work in process time (“VWIP”) values. Each of the bottleneck delta VWIP values represents the time until one of n bottleneck workstations begins to risk starvation.

Abstract: An automated system is provided in a facility that manufactures m products, where m>0. The system comprises a software object that provides for calculation of one or more bottleneck delta virtual work in process time (“VWIP”) values. Each of the bottleneck delta VWIP values represents the amount of time until one of n bottleneck workstations begins to risk starvation, where n>0. VWIP is the amount of time a bottleneck will stay busy processing WIP that will reach the bottleneck in less time than new lot starts will reach the same bottleneck. In at least one embodiment, each of the bottleneck delta VWIP values is calculated as a mathematical function of virtual WIP time for the corresponding bottleneck workstation and a lower control limit for the corresponding bottleneck workstation. In at least one other embodiment, n>2 and the software object provides for calculation of a plurality of bottleneck delta VWIP values.

Abstract: The invention is a technique by which a manufacturing process flow determines when to begin processing a batch of lots. The invention includes a method for determining whether to begin processing a batch in one aspect and a manufacturing process flow in a second aspect. The method comprises: ascertaining a respective time at which each of a plurality of additional lots will be received into the batch, the batch including a plurality of present lots; assessing a cost for a machine, each additional lot, and each present lot for each respective time at which each additional lot will be received should the machine begin processing the batch at the respective time; and determining the respective time at which the total cost borne by the machine, each additional lot, and each present lot will be at a minimum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling in an automated manufacturing environment, comprising are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event in a process flow; notifying a software scheduling agent of the occurrence; and reactively scheduling an action from the software scheduling agent responsive to the detection of the predetermined event. The apparatus is automated manufacturing environment including a process flow and a computing system. The computing system further includes a plurality of software scheduling agents residing thereon, the software scheduling agents being capable of reactively scheduling appointments for activities in the process flow responsive to a plurality of predetermined events.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling in an automated manufacturing environment, comprising are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event in a process flow; notifying a software scheduling agent of the occurrence; and reactively scheduling an action from the software scheduling agent responsive to the detection of the predetermined event. The apparatus is automated manufacturing environment including a process flow and a computing system. The computing system further includes a plurality of software scheduling agents residing thereon, the software scheduling agents being capable of reactively scheduling appointments for activities in the process flow responsive to a plurality of predetermined events.

Abstract: A method for generating a cost function for processing a candidate workpiece using a resource includes identifying processing requirements for the candidate workpiece. A first committed capacity of the resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements associated with other workpieces having processing requirements compatible with the processing requirements of the candidate workpiece. A second committed capacity of the resource is determined based on a schedule of engagements associated with other workpieces having processing requirements not compatible with the processing requirements of the candidate workpiece. The cost function is generated based on the first and second committed capacities. A system includes a resource for processing a candidate workpiece and at least one scheduling agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling in an automated manufacturing environment, comprising are disclosed. The method includes detecting an occurrence of a predetermined event in a process flow; notifying a software scheduling agent of the occurrence; and reactively scheduling an action from the software scheduling agent responsive to the detection of the predetermined event. The apparatus is automated manufacturing environment including a process flow and a computing system. The computing system further includes a plurality of software scheduling agents residing thereon, the software scheduling agents being capable of reactively scheduling appointments for activities in the process flow responsive to a plurality of predetermined events.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a resource for processing a workpiece includes defining a commitment window having a kernel specifying a time period required for processing the workpiece. A plurality of candidate bids having candidate commitment windows within the commitment window with varying start times, end times and candidate commitment window sizes is generated. A cost for each of the plurality of candidate bids is determined. A flexibility discount is applied to the cost of the candidate bid. Each candidate bid is evaluated in accordance with an objective function. A candidate bid is selected for scheduling the resource based on the objective function evaluation. A system includes a resource for processing a workpiece and at least one scheduling agent.

Abstract: A method for processing workpieces using a resource includes generating a plurality of engagements for processing the workpieces by the resource. Each engagement is associated with one of the workpieces and has associated processing requirements. A first one of the plurality of engagements is designated as a seed engagement. A set of candidate engagements from the plurality of engagements having associated processing requirements compatible with the processing requirements of the seed engagement is identified. A combined engagement is generated including the seed engagement and at least one of the candidate engagements.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for calculating a plurality of bottleneck delta virtual work in process time (“VWIP”) values. Each of the bottleneck delta VWIP values represents the time until one of n bottleneck workstations begins to risk starvation. The calculating includes deriving one or more baseline cycle times based on an X-factors method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing an automated processing environment employing specialized, autonomous, active software agents are disclosed. The software agents are specialized by the type of entity they represent and the function they perform in the process flow. The apparatus includes a process flow comprising a plurality of manufacturing domain entities and a plurality of such software agents for scheduling a first subset of the manufacturing domain entities for consuming the process resources provided by a second subset of the manufacturing domain entities. The method includes instantiating such software agents and then permitting them to operate as programmed.