Methods and apparatus for transferring a substrate carrier...

Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor arrangement for selecting among plural sources or... – Condition responsive control means including sensing...

Reexamination Certificate

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C198S349000, C198S349600

Reexamination Certificate

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07413069

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.

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