Photronics Corp.

Charles E Croke

Edward J Suttile

Peter F Jones

Mary R Spano

Edward Arthur Mills

James P Morrison

Ryan T Vo

Daniel J Cahalane

Anthony Baxter

Nicholas P Ridgway

Nicolas P Ridgway

Nick Ridgway

A system for generating photomask orders in a specified format includes at least one template or order for entry and storage of photomask order data, wherein the at least one template or order is created based upon requirements of a specified photomask order format. The system includes at least one set of rules corresponding to the at least one template or order, wherein the set of rules includes instructions which insure that a user enter complete information into the at least one template or order as required by the specified order format. A graphical user interface is associated with the at least one template or order, wherein the user can access the at least one template or order to enter photomask order data and create an order in a specified format. A data processing mechanism imports electronic information from external media into the at least one template or order.

Rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders by conditioning information from a customer's computer system

A system for generating photomask orders in a specified format includes at least one template or order for entry and storage of photomask order data, wherein the at least one template or order is created based upon requirements of a specified photomask order format. The system includes at least one set of rules corresponding to the at least one template or order, wherein the set of rules includes instructions which insure that a user enter complete information into the at least one template or order as required by the specified order format. The templates or order may be further comprised of components and/or subcomponents which can be stored separately. The data fields in the orders, templates, components, subcomponents, etc. may reference specification grades which can in turn be easily modified to update one or more orders, templates, components, subcomponents, etc. simultaneously.

User-friendly rule-based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders

The present invention relates generally to an automated manufacturing system and method for manufacturing photomasks wherein information provided by a customer at a remote location is interfaced, via a network, to a photomask manufacturer's computer system and automatically processes data for manufacturing a photomask and automatically formats and routes data to processing equipment. The present invention reduces the need for manual intervention, thereby avoiding costly delays and transcription errors associated therewith. The software of the present invention provides for automatic generation of data arrays, which can be used to process and monitor the status of a photomask during manufacture. Further, the software is capable of automatically modifying design data provided by a photomask user. Additionally, the software of the present invention includes an automatic messaging system which can notify users of the system, of status and errors in manufacture of photomasks. The present invention also includes a real time monitoring system capable of notifying users of the status and errors in the processing of the photomask during manufacture.

Automated manufacturing system and method for processing photomasks

The present invention relates generally to a rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders in a specified format, and more particularly, relates to software which includes templates in which photomask order data is entered and rules for guiding the user in entering such data and rules for ensuring that such data is entered accurately. The rules and templates implemented in the present invention are organized and stored in a manner which allows for the software to be easily adapted to meet the criteria of any existing standard (e.g., SEMI P10) or proprietary photomask order format now known or hereinafter developed. Additionally, the software of the present invention provides for the ability to generate new photomask orders using templates and/or existing photomask order data.

Rule based system and method for automatically generating photomask orders in a specified order format

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Oakville, CT, United States of America

Charles E Croke