Patent ID: 6449520
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: G06Q,H01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for transferring one or more wafers in a wafer processing facility having a plurality of process chambers for implementing one or more processes, the method comprising the steps of:(1) assigning one of a plurality of priority levels to each of a plurality of wafers received in the wafer processing facility according to a processing stage to which each respective wafer has progressed through the process chambers; (2) monitoring the process chambers to determine the amount of time remaining to complete the process being implemented in each of the process chambers; (3) identifying which of the plurality of wafers, of those wafers located in a process chamber whose process is either completed or substantially completed as determined by the step (2) of monitoring, has a highest priority level, wherein where more than one wafer has been assigned said highest priority level, further identifying which of said more than one wafer had its process completed or substantially completed first; and (4) initiating a wafer transfer between two of the process chambers for the wafer identified in the step (3) of identifying.