Patent ID: 7878882

Claim:
A system for processing a workpiece comprising: at least one planarizing apparatus “A” for a planarizing operation; at least one piece of workpiece fabrication machinery “B” other than said planarizing apparatus “A”; at least one piece of metrology equipment; at least one processor; at least one processor readable memory device; at least one operative computerized network connecting said processor, said processor readable memory device, said planarizing apparatus “A”, said workpiece fabrication machinery “B”, and said metrology equipment; at least one operative sensor for sensing an item of in situ planarizing information; and wherein said processor readable memory device includes stored information comprising: (i) at least one cost of manufacture model which includes an item of cost information related to the planarizing operation, (ii) said item of in situ planarizing information, (iii) at least one process model related to the planarizing operation, (iv) an item of information from the metrology equipment related to the planarizing operation, and (v) an item of information related to the workpiece fabrication machinery “B” and the planarizing operation; and at least one operative controller for controlling a manufacturing operation operatively connected to the stored information.