Method for circulating a report in a semiconductor manufacturing environment

• US 20050256928A1
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Wan, Mabel, Yuan, Chiu-Chien, Tai, Chuang Ming, Leu, Jennifer
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system, method, and computer-implemented method for circulating a file associated with the manufacture of a semiconductor product. The computer-implemented method may include choosing at least one input file, choosing an output file format, choosing a mode for circulation, extracting file information to the output file, and circulating the output file to at least one recipient.

Claims

1. In a semiconductor manufacturing environment with a plurality of separate entities, a computer-implemented method for circulating a file between the entities comprising:

choosing at least one input file;

choosing an output file format;

choosing a mode for circulation;

extracting file information to the output file; and

circulating the output file to at least one recipient entity.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one input file comprises a product manufacturing report from a semiconductor foundry.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising converting the at least one input file to a different file format.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mode for circulation comprises e-mail.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mode for circulation comprises facsimile.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mode for circulation comprises a wireless device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one input file comprises at least two input files.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mode for circulation comprises sending an e-mail to at least two different entities, the at least two different entities having different e-mail systems.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the mode for circulation comprises sending an e-mail to at least one entity, and sending a facsimile to at least one other entity, the at least one other entity being at a different location than the at least one entity.

10. A computer-implemented method for circulating a file associated with the manufacture or sale of semiconductor devices, the method comprising:

closing an application file responsive to a user request;

querying the user if the application file is to be circulated;

if the application file is to be circulated, checking and determining the application file type;

preparing the application file for circulation; and

circulating the output file to at least one recipient.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the application file comprises a product manufacturing report from a semiconductor foundry.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein preparing the application file comprises converting the application file to a different file format.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein a mode for circulating comprises e-mail.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein a mode for circulating comprises facsimile.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein a mode for circulating comprises a wireless device.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the application file comprises at least two separate application files.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein circulating comprises sending an e-mail to at least two different users, the at least two different users having different e-mail systems.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein circulating comprises sending an e-mail to at least one user, and sending a facsimile to at least one other user, the at least one other user at a different location than the at least one user.

19. A system for circulating a file, the system comprising:

a virtual fabrication system comprising a plurality of components located at at least two different locations, the components connected by a network;

a memory system connected to the network configured to store files regarding the operation of the virtual fabrication system;

a communication system connected to the network, and configured to circulate one or more of the files to a plurality of recipients.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the files comprises a product manufacturing report from a semiconductor foundry.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to convert the files to a different file format.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to send emails.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to send facsimiles.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to send the files to a wireless device.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to send emails and facsimiles.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the communication system is adapted to send emails, facsimiles, and files to a wireless device.