Patent ID: 8196732

Claim:
A transport mechanism configured to transport a work piece carrier within a buffer in a fabrication facility, comprising: a transporter configured to travel on two rails, wherein the transporter comprises (i) a hoist mechanism configured to lift and to lower the work piece carrier, and (ii) a gripper mechanism configured to capture and to release the work piece carrier; a work piece container configured to store one or more work pieces; an enclosed frame comprising: one or more storage shelves configured to hold the work piece container and configured for work piece container exchange with an overhead transport vehicle; one or more frame rails mounted (i) above at least one of the one or more storage shelves, and (ii) at a base above a load port on which the transporter is configured to travel; and an elevator configured to move the transporter between a first level and a second level of the buffer; a carriage with one or more carriage rails configured to support the transporter; an alignment device configured to align the one or more carriage rails with at least one of the one or more frame rails; a frame support configured to elevate the enclosed frame above one or more load ports of a process tool in the fabrication facility; and a control mechanism configured to: direct the transporter to move between one of the one or more storage shelves and a load port location; direct the elevator to move between the first level and the second level of the buffer; synchronize movement of two or more of the elevator, the transporter, and the work piece container; and exchange commands with a work piece container movement system that is configured to manage movement of the work piece container within the fabrication facility.