A method and apparatus are disclosed for evaluating the performance of a Linear Program model of an operation. The significant properties of the current invention include the use of a historical record or operating data as a means to improve the evaluation of the Linear Program model quality. The historical record of operating data also allows a more reliable means for calculating corrected Linear Program model coefficients. Related applications are disclosed for viewing graphically both the unc...

A method of using a run-to-run (R2R) controller to provide wafer-to-wafer (W2W) control in a semiconductor processing system is provided. The R2R controller includes a feed-forward (FF) controller, a process model controller, a feedback (FB) controller, and a process controller. The R2R controller uses feed-forward data, modeling data, feedback data, and process data to update a process recipe on a wafer-to-wafer time frame.

A system and method for enhancing process latitude (tolerances) in the fabrication of devices and integrated circuits. A measuring point is selected corresponding to a feature of critical dimension. Then the pattern is convolved with the model, and its value and rate of change are calculated over a range of corresponding values of a first process parameter. Next, an optimum threshold having the largest rate of change, or contrast, is selected. Finally, proximity correction is performed using rel...

The present invention provides a method for controlling nonlinear control problems within particle accelerators. This method involves first utilizing software tools to identify variable inputs and controlled variables associated with the particle accelerator, wherein at least one variable input parameter is a controlled variable. This software tool is further operable to determine relationships between the variable inputs and controlled variables. A control system that provides variable inputs t...

A method for determining if a proposed color solution, such as paint, pigments, or dye formulations, is acceptable, is provided. The inputs to the system are the actual color values of an item, differential color values, a proposed color solution, and second color values associated with the proposed color solution. The system includes an artificial intelligence model to analyze the inputs and produce an output for communicating whether the proposed color solution is acceptable. The artificial in...

A method is described for the closed-loop control of a time-delayed process having compensation, in particular for temperature control. After a setpoint value step-change, the manipulated variable is set at a first constant value in an open-loop controlled operation, an IT1 model is identified on the basis of the step-change response and a PI controller is parametrized, which closed-loop controls the process into a second steady state. Subsequently, a more exact process model having compensation...

Systems and methods for multi-level optimization of emission levels and efficiency for a boiler system that includes creating both boiler-level models and burner-level models and receiving a plurality of boiler-level system variables. The received system variables are used along with boiler system constraints to optimize boiler-level setpoints. Once the boiler-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner level of a hierarchical control system, where they are used to optimize b...

A system and method for enhancing process latitude (tolerances) in the fabrication of devices and integrated circuits. A measuring point is selected corresponding to a feature of critical dimension. Then the pattern is convolved with the model, and its value and rate of change are calculated over a range of corresponding values of a first process parameter. Next, an optimum threshold having the largest rate of change, or contrast, is selected. Finally, proximity correction is performed using rel...

Installation for production of soft and washed-curd cheeses, including a device for molding washed-curd, consisting of giant molds, each having the section of the final cheese product and capacity corresponding to a multiple of the final cheese volume, said molds being grouped in units; a drainer device including means for turning over the mold units by imparting to them a tilting motion, followed by a pendular one, to drive out the serum; and a device for cutting the molded curd taken out of th...

Catalyst in a slurry phase reactor is rejuvenated and uniformly distributed in said reactor using a substantially vertical draft tube fully immersed in the slurry which utilizes a rejuvenating gas injected substantially near the bottom of the substantially vertical draft tube whereby catalyst near the bottom of the slurry phase reactor is drawn up the draft tube and discharged from the top of the draft tube near the top of the slurry phase in said reactor.