Patent ID: 7259835

Claim:
A reticle-processing system comprising: a reticle-carrying container for storing a reticle; transfer means for transferring the reticle-carrying container; a light exposure apparatus for printing a circuit pattern onto a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer through a use of the reticle; a reticle stocker for keeping a plurality of the reticles; and orientation means for detecting an orientation of the reticle-carrying container and for changing the orientation of the reticle-carrying container, in a path from the reticle stocker to a printing position in the light exposure apparatus, the orientation means comprising: a rotary drive for rotating the reticle-carrying container; a radio transmitter for transmitting radio waves; a wireless tag, on the reticle-carrying container, for receiving and reflecting the transmitted radio waves; and a controller for receiving the reflected radio waves and for, on the basis of the received reflected radio waves determining whether or not the orientation of the contained is proper and for, when the orientation is rotated 180 degrees, controlling the rotary drive so as to rotate the reticle-carrying container to a proper orientation.