Machine schedule generation method and system
OwnerDionysios XENOS, Ioannis KONSTANTELOS +2inventors
InventorsDionysios XENOS, Ioannis KONSTANTELOS, Robert MOSS, Ruaridh WILLIAMSON
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Abstract
A method and system for generating a schedule of tasks for a group of machines to perform in a factory. The method and system are particularly applicable in semiconductor manufacturing in manufacturing semiconductor wafers. A first method is used to generate a schedule for the group of machines comprising allocating one task or a time-ordered list of several tasks to each machine in a group of machines. The schedule is then optimised using a second method.
Claims21
1-26. (canceled)
A system for providing a schedule for a group of machines in a factory, the system comprising a computer system for generating the schedule for the group of machines, and a communication means for providing the schedule to the group of machines in the factory, wherein the computer system is configured to generate the schedule for the group of machines by performing the steps of:
- receiving a plurality of tasks to be performed by the group of machines;
- using a first method to generate the schedule for the group of machines, comprising allocating one task of the plurality of tasks or a time-ordered list of some of the plurality of tasks to each machine of the group of machines;
- and
- using a second method to optimise the schedule generated by the first method;
- and wherein the computer system is further configured to provide the schedule for the group of machines to the group of machines in the factory via the communication means.
A method of providing a schedule for a group of machines, the method comprising generating the schedule for the group of machines by performing the steps of:
- receiving a plurality of tasks to be performed by the group of machines;
- using a first method to generate the schedule for the group of machines, comprising allocating one task of the plurality of tasks or a time-ordered list of some of the plurality of tasks to each machine of the group of machines;
- and
- using a second method to optimise the schedule generated by the first method, and wherein the method further comprises providing the schedule for the group of machines to the group of machines in a factory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.