Patent ID: 6961635

Claim:
A method of yield improvement for manufactured products, comprising: A) providing an identification plan for parts, whereby each part is given unique and traceable identification data by assigning numbers to batches of parts and further assigning data related to positions within said batch of parts; B) providing an identification plan for processing equipment by which each piece of equipment is given unique and traceable identification data; C) providing a database into which said parts identification data and said processing equipment identification data are stored, and related; D) processing said parts in at least one processing stage by said processing equipment to yield processed parts; E) testing said processed parts for defects and performance characteristics; F) identifying problems through said testing of said processed parts; G) retrieving said related parts identification data and said processing equipment identification data from said database; H) analyzing said data to trace said parts to said processing equipment and to determine what corrections and repairs to said processing equipment may be necessary; I) making corrections and repairs to processing equipment to correct said problems; and J) confirming improvement to yield of said manufactured products.