Todd J Brill

US Patent:

7413069, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/067460

Inventors:

Todd J. Brill - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Teferra - Los Gatos CA, US
Amitabh Puri - San Jose CA, US
Daniel R. Jessop - Eagle Mountain UT, US
Glade L. Warner - Sandy UT, US
David C. Duffin - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

Applied Materials, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

B65G 47/46

US Classification:

198358, 198349, 1983496

Abstract:

In a first aspect, a first method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a request to transfer a carrier from a first substrate loading station to a second substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility including a plurality of substrate loading stations, wherein the facility further includes a plurality of carrier supports coupled to a conveyor system adapted to move the carrier within the facility; (2) assigning one of the plurality of carrier supports to transfer the carrier from the first substrate loading station to the second substrate loading station such that at least one of a time required for the transfer is reduced and balance of the conveyor system is maintained; (3) moving the carrier from the first substrate loading station; and (4) moving the carrier to the second substrate loading station. Numerous other aspects are provided.

US Patent:

7434676, Oct 14, 2008

Filed:

Aug 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/838163

Inventors:

Todd J. Brill - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Teferra - Los Gatos CA, US
Amitabh Puri - San Jose CA, US
Daniel R. Jessop - Eagle Mountain UT, US
Glade L. Warner - Sandy UT, US
David C. Duffin - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

Applied Materials, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

B65G 47/10

US Classification:

198358, 198357, 1983495

Abstract:

In a first aspect, a first method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a request to transfer a carrier from a first substrate loading station to a second substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility including a plurality of substrate loading stations, wherein the facility further includes a plurality of carrier supports coupled to a conveyor system adapted to move the carrier within the facility; (2) assigning one of the plurality of carrier supports to transfer the carrier from the first substrate loading station to the second substrate loading station such that at least one of a time required for the transfer is reduced and balance of the conveyor system is maintained; (3) moving the carrier from the first substrate loading station; and (4) moving the carrier to the second substrate loading station. Numerous other aspects are provided.

US Patent:

8024065, Sep 20, 2011

Filed:

Oct 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/244004

Inventors:

Todd J. Brill - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Teferra - Los Gatos CA, US
Amitabh Puri - San Jose CA, US
Daniel R. Jessop - Eagle Mountain UT, US
Glade L. Warner - Sandy UT, US
David C. Duffin - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

Applied Materials, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
B65G 47/10

US Classification:

700230, 198358

Abstract:

In one aspect, a method is provided for electronic device manufacturing. The method includes receiving a request to transfer a carrier to or from a first substrate loading station of an electronic device manufacturing facility, and assigning one of a plurality of carrier supports to carry out the transfer based on a spacing on either side of the assigned carrier being greater than an acceptable spacing. Numerous other aspects are provided.

US Patent:

20050228525, Oct 13, 2005

Filed:

Feb 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/067303

Inventors:

Todd Brill - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Teferra - Los Gatos CA, US
Jeffrey Hudgens - San Francisco CA, US
Amitabh Puri - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

700112000, 700230000

Abstract:

In a first aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a medium readable by a computer. The computer readable medium has computer program code adapted to (1) create a band map that indicates an expected status of one or more positions along a band of a continuously moving conveyor system, each position adapted to receive a carrier support adapted to transport at least one substrate carrier around an electronic device manufacturing facility; (2) monitor status of the one or more positions included in the continuously moving conveyor system; and (3) control operation of the continuously moving conveyor system based on the status of the one or more positions. Numerous other aspects are provided.

US Patent:

20070288115, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

Aug 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/838584

Inventors:

Todd Brill - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Teferra - Los Gatos CA, US
Jeffrey Hudgens - San Francisco CA, US
Amitabh Puri - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

B65G 43/00
G01R 31/26
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700110000, 198341010, 700114000, 438014000

Abstract:

In a first aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a medium readable by a computer. The computer readable medium has computer program code adapted to (1) create a band map that indicates an expected status of one or more positions along a band of a continuously moving conveyor system, each position adapted to receive a carrier support adapted to transport at least one substrate carrier around an electronic device manufacturing facility; (2) monitor status of the one or more positions included in the continuously moving conveyor system; and (3) control operation of the continuously moving conveyor system based on the status of the one or more positions. Numerous other aspects are provided.