Fluoroware, Inc.

Alexander N Rossi

Lynn Milbrett

Mario N Sancen

A method and system for monitoring the process of a plurality of batches or semiconductor wafers or memory disks through a series of process operations and process carriers for use therein. Each batch is placed in a carrier in which it is transported to the locations where the processing operations are performed. Each carrier is provided with a transponder tag coded to be responsive to within reading range of a reader unit which transmits a radio frequency signal to the transponder tag and reads and decodes a phase modulated signal returned by the transponder tag to uniquely identify the carrier that is positioned within the range of the reader unit. Further control apparatus receives information from the reader units to permit the monitoring process of semiconductor wafer or memory disk batches through multiple processing operations. The carriers are specially designed to protect the transponder tag from the effects of the harsh chemical environments to which the carriers and disks are normally exposed during processing operations. A separate encapsulated transponder tag is also provided for attachment to existing carriers, so that they may be tracked by this monitoring system.

Wafer disk location monitoring system and tagged process carriers for

A method and system for monitoring the process of a plurality of batches of semiconductor wafers or memory disks through a series of processing operations. Each batch is placed in a carrier in which it is transported to the locations where the processing operations are performed. Each carrier is provided with a transponder tag coded to be responsive to within reading range of a reader unit which transmits a radio frequency signal to the transponder tag and reads and decodes a phase modulated signal returned by the transponder tag to uniquely identify the carrier that is positioned within range of the reader unit. Further control apparatus receives information from the reader units to permit the monitoring process of semiconductor wafer or memory disk batches through multiple processing operations.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the location of wafer disks

A disk shipper is configured so as to allow the disk contents to be handled either by their internal diameter or by their external diameter. The bottom of the disk shipper is further configured so as to be compatible with certain existing disk carriers in transferring the disk contents to the particular disk carrier and vice versa. Since the particular disk carrier with which the bottom of the disk shipper is compatible prohibits external diameter handling, the novel disk shipper bottom facilitates transposing the disks into a configuration that permits both external and internal diameter handling. Supporting members inside the disk shipper maintain the disks in axial alignment preventing relative motion of the disks during handling.

Disk shipper

A disk shipper and transfer tray are configured so as to allow the disk contents to be handled either by their internal diameter or by their external diameter. The transfer tray and the bottom of the disk shipper are further configured so as to be compatible with certain existing disk carriers in transferring the disk contents of the transfer tray or the bottom of the disk shipper to the particular disk carrier and vice versa. Since the particular disk carrier with which the transfer tray and the bottom of the disk shipper are compatible prohibits external diameter handling, the novel disk shipper bottom and transfer tray facilitate transposing the disks into a configuration that permits both external and internal diameter handling.

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Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Alexander N Rossi