US6205439B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optimization of simulation run-times based on fuzzy-controlled input values
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1998-07-15
•
Granted: 2001-03-20
•
Expires: 2018-07-15
Abstract
Abstract An adaptive run-time controller is used to adjust the run-time of a fabrication and assembly process simulation model based on inputs generated by outside forces. The run-time controller utilizes fuzzy logic to evaluate the outside forces against existing control rules to determine new simulation run-times based upon this evaluation. The run-time controller then analyzes and adjusts the existing control rules based on current, historical and trend data. The new rules are integrated into the run-time controller to accurately reflect the current status of the fabrication and assembly process for subsequent simulation runs. As such, the run-time controller inputs and evaluates outside forces that were impossible or impracticable to integrate in the simulation model.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris D. Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:48
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B17/00; G05B17/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of optimizing a run-time of a simulation model, said run-time defining a time when said simulation model is to be initiated, said method comprising the steps of: inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of optimizing a run-time of a simulation model, said run-time defining a time when said simulation model is to be initiated, said method comprising the steps of: inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model is performed by a center of gravity method.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said simulation model simulates an integrated circuit fabrication and assembly process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein a number of said at least one variable representing a factor is two and wherein said method generates a respective output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data, said method further comprising the step of combining said output solution regions to form a combined output solution region, and wherein said combined output solution region is used to calculate said change in run-time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein said step of generating a combined output solution region is performed by a standard additive method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: inputting modification data respectively representing a trend of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; calculating respective differences between said modification data and said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; converting said respective differences into respective fuzzy logic modification input data; applying respective modification rules to said fuzzy logic modification input data to generate respective fuzzy logic modification output data, said fuzzy logic modification output data representing a change in said run-time control rules; generating respective modification output solution regions for said fuzzy logic modification output data; and calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules from said modification output solution regions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of: storing said change in each of said run-time control rules; and repeating said steps of inputting at least one variable representing a factor to said step of calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said modification data comprises respective mean averages of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein a number of said at least one variable representing a factor is two and wherein said method generates a respective output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data, said method further comprising the step of combining said output solution regions to form a combined output solution region, and wherein said combined output solution region is used to calculate said change in run-time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule and one of said modification data is a mean average of said number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down and one of said modification data is a mean average of said change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said step of calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules is performed by a center of gravity method.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of generating additional modification rules prior to the step of applying said modification rules to said fuzzy logic modification input data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of generating additional run-time control rules prior to the step of applying said run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a computer readable code for operating a computer to perform a method of optimizing a run-time of a simulation model, said run-time defining a time when said simulation model is to be initiated, said method comprising the steps of: inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a computer readable code for operating a computer to perform a method of optimizing a run-time of a simulation model, said run-time defining a time when said simulation model is to be initiated, said method comprising the steps of: inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 wherein said method performs said of calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model by a center of gravity method.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 wherein said simulation model simulates an integrated circuit fabrication and assembly process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 19 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 19 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 19 wherein a number of said at least one variable representing a factor is two and wherein said method generates a respective output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data, said method further comprising the step of combining said output solution regions to form a combined output solution region, and wherein said combined output solution region is used to calculate said change in run-time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 22 wherein said method performs said step of generating a combined output solution region by a standard additive method.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein said method further comprises the steps of: inputting modification data respectively representing a trend of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; calculating respective differences between said modification data and said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; converting said respective differences into respective fuzzy logic modification input data; applying respective modification rules to said fuzzy logic modification input data to generate respective fuzzy logic modification output data, said fuzzy logic modification output data representing a change in said run-time control rules; generating respective modification output solution regions for said fuzzy logic modification output data; and calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules from said modification output solution regions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24 wherein said method further comprises the steps of: storing said change in each of said run-time control rules; and repeating said steps of inputting at least one variable representing a factor to said step of calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 25 further comprising the step of generating additional modification rules prior to the step of applying said modification rules to said fuzzy logic modification input data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24 wherein said modification data comprises respective mean averages of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule and one of said modification data is a mean average of said number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down and one of said modification data is a mean average of said change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24 wherein said method performs said step of calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules by a center of gravity method.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable storage medium according to claim 17 further comprising the step of generating additional run-time control rules prior to the step of applying said run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
139 words
A programmed computer simulation model run-time optimization system comprising: means for inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; means for converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; means for applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; means for generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and means for calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said run-time defines a time when said simulation model is to be initiated and said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
139 words
A programmed computer simulation model run-time optimization system comprising: means for inputting at least one variable representing a factor, said factor affecting an output of said simulation model; means for converting said at least one variable into respective fuzzy logic input data; means for applying respective run-time control rules to said fuzzy logic input data to generate respective fuzzy logic output data, said fuzzy logic output data representing a change in said run-time of said simulation model; means for generating an output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data; and means for calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model from said output solution region, wherein said run-time defines a time when said simulation model is to be initiated and said change in said run-time causes said simulation model to be initiated at a new run-time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 32 wherein said means for calculating a change in said run-time for said simulation model uses a center of gravity method to perform said calculation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 32 wherein said simulation model simulates an integrated circuit fabrication and assembly process.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein a number of said at least one variable representing a factor is two and wherein said means for generating an output solution region generates a respective output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data, wherein said system further comprises: means for combining said output solution regions to form a combined output solution region, wherein said combined output solution region is used to calculate said change in run-time.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
24 words
The system according to 37 wherein said means for generating a combined output solution region uses a standard additive method to perform said combination.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
24 words
The system according to 37 wherein said means for generating a combined output solution region uses a standard additive method to perform said combination.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
132 words
The system according to claim 32 further comprising: means for inputting modification data respectively representing a trend of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; means for calculating respective differences between said modification data and said at least one variable and said change in said run-time; means for converting said respective differences into respective fuzzy logic modification input data; means for applying respective modification rules to said fuzzy logic modification input data to generate respective fuzzy logic modification output data, said fuzzy logic modification output data representing a change in said run-time control rules; means for generating respective modification output solution regions for said fuzzy logic modification output data; and means for calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules from said modification output solution regions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 39 further comprising means for storing said change in each of said run-time control rules.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
25 words
The system according to 39 wherein said modification data comprises respective mean averages of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
25 words
The system according to 39 wherein said modification data comprises respective mean averages of said at least one variable and said change in said run-time.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein a number of said at least one variable representing a factor is two and wherein said means for generating an output solution region generates a respective output solution region for said fuzzy logic output data, wherein said system further comprising: means for combining said output solution regions to form a combined output solution region, wherein said combined output solution region is used to calculate said change in run-time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule and one of said modification data is a mean average of said number of products being manufactured which are ahead or behind schedule.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein one of said at least one variable represents a change in a number of processing machines up or down and one of said modification data is a mean average of said change in a number of processing machines up or down.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein said means for calculating a change in each of said run-time control rules uses a center of gravity method to perform said calculation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 39 further comprising the step of means for generating additional modification rules to be applied to said fuzzy logic modification input data.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 32 further comprising: means for generating additional run-time control rules to be applied to said fuzzy logic input data.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5285376A
Cited
US5299759A
Cited
US5549152A
Cited
US5751908A
Cited
US5830135A
Cited
US5720005A
Cited
US5768479A
Cited
US5806055A
Cited
US5755378A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |