JP2007272926A - Monitoring device for industrial equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring device for industrial equipment attaining rapid maintenance even if the equipment is installed in a remote place. <P>SOLUTION: The monitoring device 107 connected to the industrial equipment 106 through an LAN 109 to monitor the industrial equipment is configured to acquire status information that shows the trouble condition of the industrial equipment through the LAN, to transmit the status information to a management device 108 for performing centralized control of maintenance of the industrial equipment through the Internet, to receive response information transmitted through the Internet from the management device in response to the notice and to correct the software of the industrial equipment based on the response information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an industrial equipment monitoring apparatus used for remote maintenance of industrial equipment.

  Conventionally, maintenance of industrial equipment that requires maintenance, such as equipment for semiconductor device manufacturing, and maintenance such as periodic maintenance, are handled by maintenance personnel by telephone or facsimile when trouble occurs, or regularly or urgently. Personnel visited the equipment installation factory for maintenance.

  However, the rapid increase in investment in semiconductor production in recent years is creating a chronic shortage of maintenance personnel as the number of production equipment installed increases. In addition, with the global expansion of the production system, production bases are scattered in remote areas in Japan and overseas with the aim of lower cost regions. Due to such changes in the situation, it is becoming more difficult to quickly deal with troubles and regular maintenance than in the past, and how to solve this has become a major issue. In addition, with the spread of production bases, there is a problem that maintenance information remains at each production base and information sharing across production bases becomes less common, making it difficult to make use of past trouble experiences.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring device for industrial equipment that enables quick maintenance even for equipment installed in a remote place.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a monitoring device connected to an industrial device via a LAN for monitoring the industrial device,
Obtaining status information indicating symptoms of trouble of the industrial equipment via the LAN;
The status information is transmitted to the management device that centrally manages maintenance of the industrial equipment via the Internet,
Receiving response information transmitted from the management apparatus via the Internet in response to the transmission;
Based on the response information, the software of the industrial device is corrected.
It is the monitoring apparatus characterized by this.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is the apparatus installed in the remote place, the monitoring apparatus of industrial equipment which enables quick maintenance can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment of Industrial Equipment Remote Maintenance System>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a remote maintenance system for industrial equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 101 denotes a business office of a vendor (apparatus supply manufacturer) that provides industrial equipment. In this embodiment, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus used in a semiconductor manufacturing factory as an industrial apparatus, for example, a pre-process apparatus (exposure apparatus, coating and developing apparatus, heat treatment apparatus, etc.) or a post-process apparatus (assembly apparatus, inspection apparatus) Etc.).

  102 to 104 are production factories of semiconductor manufacturers as users of industrial equipment. The production factories 102 to 104 may be factories belonging to different manufacturers, or may belong to the same manufacturer (for example, a factory for a pre-process, a factory for a post-process, etc.).

  Each factory 102-104 is provided with a plurality of industrial devices 106, a LAN (intranet) 109 connecting them, and a host computer 107 as a monitoring device for monitoring the operating status of each industrial device 106. ing.

  A host computer 107 provided in each of the factories 102 to 104 is connected to a host computer 108 which is a management apparatus on the vendor 101 side via the Internet 105 which is a communication means spread on a global scale. The host computer 107 notifies status information indicating the operating status of each industrial device 106 (for example, the symptoms of the industrial device in which the trouble has occurred) from the factory side to the vendor side via the Internet 105, as well as the notification. Response information (for example, information for instructing a coping method for a trouble, a coping program or data) can be received from the vendor side. In the following, status information and / or response information is referred to as maintenance information.

  A packet communication protocol (TCP / IP) generally used in the Internet is used for communication between the factories 102 to 104 and the vendor 101 and communication in the LAN in each factory.

  The host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side can grasp the operating status of the industrial equipment 106 in each factory 102 to 104 of the user from time to time via the Internet 105. Further, the maintenance information indicating the operation status and the maintenance status can be referred to from each department of the vendor 101, for example, the computer 110 of the manufacturing department and the development department in addition to the maintenance department. Provide feedback to manufacturing and development departments.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer 107 installed in each factory. The host computer 107 periodically monitors the operation status of a plurality (n) of industrial devices 106 connected via the LAN 109 by periodically executing the processing shown in this flowchart. If a trouble has occurred, the host computer 107 acquires the symptom of the trouble and other status information related to the trouble, and notifies the vendor 101 via the Internet 105 of the status information.

  In the example shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, the host computer 107 identifies and manages a plurality of industrial devices 106 to be monitored as first to nth industrial devices. Then, while sequentially incrementing the parameter i (steps S207 and S208), the operation status of the i-th industrial device is monitored (step S203). If a trouble has occurred, from the corresponding industrial device, Status information relating to the operating state is acquired (step S204), and the status information is reported to the vendor 101 via the Internet 105 (step S205). Then, based on the response information sent from the vendor 101 in response to the status information report, if possible (for example, if the trouble can be solved by software update, etc.), the trouble will occur via the LAN 109. The industrial equipment concerned is automatically maintained (step S206). When automatic maintenance of trouble cannot be performed, a message to that effect is displayed on a display, for example.

  In response to a request from the host computer 107, each industrial device 106 notifies the host computer 107 of the occurrence of a trouble (corresponding to step S203), further identifies the content of the trouble, and identifies the identified content. (For example, an error code indicating the content of a trouble) is notified to the host computer 107 (corresponding to step S204).

  In step S205, the status information notified by the host computer 107 to the vendor 101 includes, for example, the model of the industrial device in which the trouble has occurred, the serial number, the error code, the time in which the trouble has occurred, and the like. The correspondence between the error code and the content of the trouble can be updated as needed from the host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side via the Internet 105, for example.

  If the trouble content is not registered in advance, an error code indicating that may be included in the status information. In this case, the operator informs the vendor side of detailed information by means such as telephone, facsimile, and e-mail.

  On the other hand, the host computer 108 which is the management apparatus on the vendor 101 side stands by for 24 hours, for example, for communication from the host computer 107 installed in each factory. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side.

  The host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side monitors the operating status of the industrial equipment 106 in each factory 102 to 104 by periodically executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the host computer 108 monitors whether there is a trouble report (notification of status information) (step S302), and if there is a report, obtains status information related to the report (step S303). . Based on this status information, the host computer 108 refers to a trouble database (DB) for managing the maintenance of industrial equipment in each factory, and the same symptom is past in the industrial equipment related to the report. Whether or not the same symptom has been registered in a trouble database (501 described later) (step S304).

  As a result, when it is registered (“yes” in step S304), it is further determined whether or not a countermeasure for the symptom is registered in the trouble database (step S306). Responds via the Internet 105 to the host computer 107 of the factory related to the trouble report of response information (for example, code information or message indicating the countermeasure, a program or data for the countermeasure) indicating the registered countermeasure. (Step S307).

  The host computer 107 on the factory side that has received the notification of the response information automatically restores the corresponding industrial equipment to a normal state based on the response information, if possible, and if this is not possible Outputs a message to the operator of the industrial equipment on a display or the like, for example.

  Next, the host computer 108 informs the person in charge on the vendor 101 side of the fact that the trouble has occurred, the content of the trouble (status information), the presence or absence of notification of the countermeasure (response information), the current state, and other related information. Report. For example, this report is displayed on the display of the computer 110 and automatically sent from the host computer 108 to the email address of the vendor staff.

  If it is determined in step S304 that the same symptom related to the trouble is not registered in the trouble database, step S308 is executed after the symptom is newly registered in the trouble database.

  When the report to the operator (step S308) is completed, the host computer 108 updates the trouble database (step S309). By this update, for example, the presence / absence of transmission of countermeasures (response information), the time of receiving a trouble report, and the like are registered in the trouble database.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of measures that can be taken by the person in charge of the maintenance department that has received the report in step S308. First, the person in charge refers to the trouble database, grasps the content of the trouble, and determines whether or not countermeasures are necessary (step S402). If no countermeasure is required (for example, if the appropriate countermeasure is notified to the corresponding factory in step S307), the corresponding industrial device 106 is prepared via the Internet 105 in preparation for the reproduction of the trouble, for example. Is monitored (step S404).

  On the other hand, when a countermeasure is required (“Y” in step S403), the person in charge selects an optimum countermeasure policy with reference to information stored in the trouble database (step S403).

  As a countermeasure policy, first, it is conceivable to solve the trouble online via the Internet 105 (step S407). As an example of this, there is a case where the cause of the trouble is caused by a software error. In this case, parameters and programs in the memory of the corresponding industrial device can be corrected online via the Internet 105 and the host computer 107 on the factory side.

  As another countermeasure policy, it is conceivable to instruct a factory operator how to solve the trouble by means of e-mail, facsimile, telephone or the like (step S406).

  In the case of a serious trouble that cannot be dealt with by any of the methods in steps S405 and S406, the factory is visited and dealt with (step S405).

  When the countermeasure is completed, the person in charge updates the trouble database based on the information related to the trouble by operating the host computer 108 or the computer 110 (step S408).

  Next, a trouble database provided in the host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side will be described. Each computer 110 connected to the host computer 108 via the LAN 109 and the console of the industrial device 106 connected to each factory via the Internet incorporates dedicated or general-purpose browser software. A user interface having a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is configured.

  The vendor or the operator of each factory refers to the screen shown in FIG. 5 as an example, and the industrial equipment model (401), serial number (402), trouble subject (403), date of occurrence (404), urgency level Information such as (405), symptom (406), coping method (407), progress (408), etc. can be input. As described above, the input of information to the trouble database may be automatically executed by the host computer 108.

  The browser software related to the screen shown in FIG. 5 has a hyperlink function (410 to 412), so that the staff of each department of the vendor and the operator of the factory can access, for example, more detailed information on each item. The latest version of software can be extracted from the software library, and an operation guide (auxiliary information) for reference by a factory operator can be extracted.

  As described above, personnel in each department on the vendor 101 side, for example, maintenance department, manufacturing department, and development department, can access the trouble database using the computer 110 connected to the host computer 108 via the LAN 109. The trouble database can also be accessed by a mobile terminal or the like via the Internet 105. As a result, the information of each department of the vendor can be managed centrally, and the latest information can always be obtained in each department.

  In addition, by releasing part of the information in the trouble database to the user (factory) side, the user can obtain various maintenance information accumulated in the past via the Internet, and he / she can take appropriate measures against troubles. Can be taken. As described above, in this embodiment, maintenance efficiency is dramatically improved by sharing maintenance information between a vendor and a plurality of users.

  Furthermore, this embodiment includes a communication security system for prohibiting a third party from obtaining confidential information by accessing a trouble database via the Internet.

  In other words, in this system, in addition to password authentication, a computer that permits access is registered in advance with the host computer 108 of the vendor 101 to prohibit access by computers other than the registered computer. Yes.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication security system according to this embodiment. Communication when the user accesses the trouble database 501 of the host computer 108 on the vendor 101 side using the browser 500 is performed by encrypted packet communication. Both host computers 107 and 108 include encryption / decryption devices 502 and 504 and communication controllers 503 and 505, respectively. The encryption / decryption algorithm is provided individually for each factory (user) (the vendor's encryption / decryption device supports multiple algorithms), and the encryption / decryption algorithm is changed periodically. , Can increase security.

  As described above, in the system according to the present embodiment, maintenance information on industrial equipment is communicated by utilizing the existing infrastructure, the Internet, its communication protocol, and software for accessing the Internet. It reduces the burden of laying lines and developing new software, making it possible to build a quick and low-cost remote maintenance system.

  In addition, by connecting multiple factories with industrial equipment and vendor management systems via communication means, centrally managing various maintenance information and sharing information, it is possible to transcend production bases. The experience of past troubles can be utilized, and the troubles can be quickly dealt with. In particular, if maintenance information is shared between different user companies, it can also contribute to improving the efficiency of the entire industry.

<Second Embodiment of Remote Maintenance System for Industrial Equipment>
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an industrial equipment maintenance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the previous embodiment, a plurality of user factories each equipped with industrial equipment and a management system of a vendor of the industrial equipment are connected by communication means, and the industrial equipment of each factory is connected via the communication means. However, in this embodiment, a factory equipped with industrial devices of a plurality of vendors and a management system of each vendor of the plurality of industrial devices are connected to the Internet. It connects with the utilized communication means, and communicates maintenance information of each industrial device via the communication means.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 201 denotes an industrial equipment user (semiconductor device manufacturer) production factory, and an exposure apparatus 202, a coating and developing apparatus 203, and a heat treatment apparatus 204, which are semiconductor device manufacturing apparatuses, are introduced into the factory production line. Has been. In FIG. 7, only one production factory 201 is depicted, but actually, a plurality of factories are similarly networked. Each of these devices is connected via a LAN 206 (intranet), and the line operation is managed by the production management host computer 205. On the other hand, vendors (apparatus supply manufacturers) such as the exposure apparatus manufacturer 210, the coating and developing apparatus manufacturer 220, and the heat treatment apparatus manufacturer 230 have host management systems 211, 211, and 231 for performing remote maintenance of supply devices. I have. The host computer 205 that manages each device in the user's production factory and the vendor management systems 211, 221, and 231 of each device are connected by the Internet 200 as a communication means. Each vendor 210, 220, 230 centrally manages the maintenance of the devices supplied by itself in the factory of a plurality of users, as described in the example of FIG.

  In this system, if a trouble occurs in any of a series of production equipment on the production line, the operation of the production line stops, but remote maintenance via the Internet 200 is received from the vendor of the troubled equipment. Can respond quickly and minimize production line downtime. Each vendor's host management system has a trouble database as described in the first embodiment, and stores maintenance information. In addition, the communication between the production factory and each vendor is equipped with a different communication security system to prevent leakage of confidential information. Since the specific contents and method of maintenance are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in the system of the present embodiment, maintenance information is obtained by connecting a plurality of factories of the same or different users having industrial equipment of a plurality of vendors on a production line and a management system of each vendor by a communication means. Since communication is performed, it is possible to receive quick maintenance from the corresponding vendor even if a trouble occurs in a device in production, and it is possible to increase the production efficiency by minimizing the time that the line stops. In particular, if maintenance information is shared between different user companies or between different vendor companies, it can contribute to improving the efficiency of the entire industry.

<Embodiment of Semiconductor Device Production Method>
Next, an example of a semiconductor device production method in the facility using the remote maintenance system described above will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows the flow of manufacturing a microdevice (semiconductor chip such as IC or LSI, liquid crystal panel, CCD, thin film magnetic head, micromachine, etc.). In step 1 (circuit design), a semiconductor device circuit is designed. In step 2 (mask production), a mask on which the designed circuit pattern is formed is produced. On the other hand, in step 3 (wafer manufacture), a wafer is manufactured using a material such as silicon. Step 4 (wafer process) is called a pre-process, and an actual circuit is formed on the wafer by lithography using the prepared mask and wafer. The next step 5 (assembly) is referred to as a post-process, and is a process for forming a semiconductor chip using the wafer produced in step 4, such as an assembly process (dicing, bonding), a packaging process (chip encapsulation), and the like. including. In step 6 (inspection), inspections such as an operation confirmation test and a durability test of the semiconductor device manufactured in step 5 are performed. Through these steps, the semiconductor device is completed and shipped (step 7). The pre-process and post-process are performed in separate dedicated factories, and maintenance is performed for each of these factories by the remote maintenance system described above.

  FIG. 9 shows a detailed flow of the wafer process. In step 11 (oxidation), the wafer surface is oxidized. In step 12 (CVD), an insulating film is formed on the wafer surface. In step 13 (electrode formation), an electrode is formed on the wafer by vapor deposition. In step 14 (ion implantation), ions are implanted into the wafer. In step 15 (resist process), a photosensitive agent is applied to the wafer. In step 16 (exposure), the circuit pattern of the mask is printed onto the wafer by exposure using an exposure apparatus. In step 17 (development), the exposed wafer is developed. In step 18 (etching), portions other than the developed resist image are removed. In step 19 (resist stripping), unnecessary resist after etching is removed. By repeating these steps, multiple circuit patterns are formed on the wafer. Since the production equipment used in each process is maintained by the remote maintenance system described above, it is possible to prevent troubles in advance and to recover quickly even if trouble occurs. Productivity can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the remote maintenance system of the industrial equipment which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the host computer as a monitoring apparatus installed in the user (factory) side. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the host computer as a management apparatus installed in the vendor side. It is a figure which shows an example of the measure which the person in charge of a maintenance department can take. It is a figure which shows an example of the input image which is a user interface of a trouble database. It is a figure which shows the structure of a communication security system. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the remote maintenance system of the industrial equipment which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the manufacture flow of a semiconductor device. It is a figure which shows a wafer process.

Explanation of symbols

101 Vendor's Office 102-104 User's Production Factory 105 Internet 106 Industrial Equipment 107 Host Computer at Each Factory (User) 108 Vendor's Host Computer 109 LAN
110 Vendor's Department Computer 200 Internet 201 User's Production Factory 202 Exposure Device 203 Coating and Development Device 204 Heat Treatment Device 205 Production Management Host Computer 206 LAN
210 Exposure Equipment Manufacturer Office 211 Host Management System 220 Coating and Development Equipment Manufacturer Office 221 Host Management System 230 Heat Treatment Equipment Manufacturer Office 231 Host Management System

Claims (5)

A monitoring device for monitoring an industrial device connected to the industrial device via a LAN,
Obtaining status information indicating symptoms of trouble of the industrial equipment via the LAN;
Sending the status information to a management device that centrally manages maintenance of the industrial equipment via the Internet;
Receiving response information transmitted from the management apparatus via the Internet in response to the transmission;
Based on the response information, the software of the industrial device is corrected.
A monitoring device characterized by that.   The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a parameter in a memory of the industrial device is corrected based on the response information.   The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a program in a memory of the industrial device is modified based on the response information.   4. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission and the reception are performed according to an encryption / decryption algorithm.   The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the industrial equipment is a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.

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