Patent ID: 7945348
Filing Date: 2011-05-17
Classification: G05B,G06F,G06T,H01L,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: providing a linear semiconductor processing facility for processing workpieces wherein a plurality of robots are configured to handoff the workpiece to one another, the linear semiconductor processing facility being sealable for forming a sealed environment having a first and second load lock where at least one of the plurality of robots is located within the sealed environment, the linear semiconductor processing facility having a mid-entry load lock positioned between the first and second load locks and configured to at least one of add the workpieces to the sealed environment and remove the workpiece from the sealed environment; retrieving the workpiece with a first robot in a first horizontal plane; moving the workpiece to a second horizontal plane; handing the workpiece off to a second robot in the second horizontal plane; and creating a data structure for the workpiece, the data structure including an identity of the workpiece and one or more fields for storing information relating to the workpiece.