Wafer disk location monitoring system and tagged process carriers for use therewith
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the progress of a plurality of batches of disks through a multiplicity of operations atsseveral locations comprising the steps of:
- inserting each batch of disks into a carrier constructed and arranged for supporting the disks in a parallel, axially arranged spaced array;
providing each carrier with a transponder tag constructed, arranged and coded for uniquely identifying the carrier and the batch inserted therein, said transponder tag encapsulated for protection from harsh chemical environments to which the disks and carrier are normally exposed and said transponder tag maintained encapsulated in precise relationship for correct identification by a reader unit constructed and arranged for determining the identification of any transponder tag within its detection range;
detecting the presence of each carrier at one of the several locations by operating a multiplicity of limited range reader units, each of which is positioned adjacent to one of the locations; and
monitoring the progress of at least one batch of disks through various locations by updating and storing location information received from the reader units.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for monitoring the process of a plurality of batches or semiconductor wafers or memory disks through a series of process operations and process carriers for use therein. Each batch is placed in a carrier in which it is transported to the locations where the processing operations are performed. Each carrier is provided with a transponder tag coded to be responsive to within reading range of a reader unit which transmits a radio frequency signal to the transponder tag and reads and decodes a phase modulated signal returned by the transponder tag to uniquely identify the carrier that is positioned within the range of the reader unit. Further control apparatus receives information from the reader units to permit the monitoring process of semiconductor wafer or memory disk batches through multiple processing operations. The carriers are specially designed to protect the transponder tag from the effects of the harsh chemical environments to which the carriers and disks are normally exposed during processing operations. A separate encapsulated transponder tag is also provided for attachment to existing carriers, so that they may be tracked by this monitoring system.
-
Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring the progress of a plurality of batches of disks through a multiplicity of operations atsseveral locations comprising the steps of:
-
inserting each batch of disks into a carrier constructed and arranged for supporting the disks in a parallel, axially arranged spaced array; providing each carrier with a transponder tag constructed, arranged and coded for uniquely identifying the carrier and the batch inserted therein, said transponder tag encapsulated for protection from harsh chemical environments to which the disks and carrier are normally exposed and said transponder tag maintained encapsulated in precise relationship for correct identification by a reader unit constructed and arranged for determining the identification of any transponder tag within its detection range; detecting the presence of each carrier at one of the several locations by operating a multiplicity of limited range reader units, each of which is positioned adjacent to one of the locations; and monitoring the progress of at least one batch of disks through various locations by updating and storing location information received from the reader units.
-
-
2. A system for tracking batches of disks through a plurality of operations comprising:
-
a plurality of carriers, each of which is adapted for carrying a batch of at least one disk; a plurality of transponder tags encapsulated for protection from harsh chemical environments to which the disks and carriers are normally exposed, each tag maintained encapsulated in precise relationship for correct identification by a remote recognition reader unit; said remote recognition reader unit constructed and arranged for transmitting an RF signal to the transponder tag and receiving a coded RF response therefrom indicative of the identity of a particular batch of disks and providing an output signal characteristic thereof; and control means for receiving the output from the reader units and providing a control signal indicative of which carrier is within the range of which reader. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
- 12. A transponder tagged process carrier constructed and arranged for supporting a batch of at least one disk in a parallel, axially arranged spaced array and having attached thereto a transponder tag constructed, arranged and coded for uniquely identifying the carrier and the batch inserted therein.
- 29. An encapsulated transponder tag, constructed and arranged to be attached to a process carrier, said carrier constructed and arranged for supporting a batch of at least one disk in a parallel, axially arranged spaced array, said tag arranged and coded for uniquely identifying the carrier and the batch inserted therein.
Specification