Patent ID: 6842881

Claim:
A rule-based system for generating photomask orders in a specified format comprising: at least one template for the entry and storage of photomask order data, wherein said template is created based upon requirements of a specified photomask format; at least one first set of rules corresponding to said at least one template, wherein said first set of rules is stored separately from said at least one template and includes instructions which ensure that a user enters complete information into said template as required by the specified format; at least one second set of rules which corresponds to said at least one template, wherein said second set of rules is stored separately from said at least one template and includes instructions which ensure that the user enters accurate information to said template as required by the specified format; and a graphical user interface associated with at least one said template, wherein the user can access said at least one template to enter photomask order data and create an order in the specified format.