Patent ID: 8165704
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: G05B,G06Q,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: selecting a set of sequential operations, said set of sequential operations consisting two or more operations from a first operation to a last operation; partitioning lots of semiconductor product wafers into designated lots and non-designated lots, said designated lots containing product known to increase in yield if a target time through said set of sequential operations is not exceeded compared to designated lots that exceed said target time, said target amount of time measured from completion of said first operation to start of said last operation, said non-designated lots containing product known not to substantially decrease in yield if said target amount of time is exceeded or not exceeded; generating a release schedule for each of said non-designated lots into one or more operations of said set of sequential operations; and generating a release schedule for each of said designated lots into each operation of said set of sequential operations such that for each designated lot a total amount of time measured from completion of said first operation through a start of said last operation does not exceed said target amount of time, said target amount of time based on a yield target for said designated lots.