Method and apparatus for recording status of shippable goods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9489553-B2
Application number	US-201313917088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 13, 2013
Priority date	Jun 22, 2012
Publication date	Nov 8, 2016
Grant date	Nov 8, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus includes a packaging supporter including a base having a top surface, an imaging device that is oriented and adapted to capture an image of a shipping carrier disposed on the top surface, and an image processing unit operable to extract identification data from the image, create an output file including the image, and index the output file using the extracted identification data.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for capturing the state of a shipping carrier, comprising:
capturing an image of a shipping carrier including a plurality of slots for receiving a plurality of semiconductor wafers and a transparent surface exposing the plurality of semiconductor wafers and a label, wherein said shipping carrier is positioned on a surface when said image is captured;
extracting identification data provided on the label from the image;
creating an output file including the image;
indexing the output file using the extracted identification data;
positioning a shipping sleeve around at least a portion of said shipping carrier while said shipping carrier is positioned on said surface; and
upon need, accessing the image to prove a correct positioning of the semiconductor wafers in the plurality of slots.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein extracting the identification data comprises performing an optical character recognition routine on the captured image.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sealing said shipping sleeve.

4. A method for capturing the state of a shipping carrier, comprising:
capturing an image of a shipping carrier including a transparent surface exposing a plurality of manufactured items therein and identification data displayed on a display unit mounted to said shipping carrier and operatively coupled to an RFID chip storing the identification data;
extracting the identification data provided on the display unit from the image;
creating an output file including the image; and
indexing the output file using the extracted identification data;
wherein said shipping carrier is positioned on a surface when said image is captured and wherein the method further comprises positioning a shipping sleeve around at least a portion of said carrier while said shipping carrier is positioned on said surface.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein extracting the identification data comprises performing an optical character recognition routine on the captured image.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising sealing said shipping sleeve.

7. A system, comprising: a packaging supporter comprising a base having a transparent top surface; a shipping carrier positioned above said transparent top surface of said base, wherein said shipping carrier includes a transparent surface exposing a plurality of manufactured items positioned in said shipping carrier and a display unit that displays identification data and is operatively coupled to an RFID chip storing the identification data;
an imaging device positioned within said base capturing an image of said shipping carrier, said plurality of manufactured items positioned in said shipping carrier and the identification data displayed on said display unit; and
an image processing unit operable to extract the identification data from the image, create an output file including the image, and index the output file using the extracted identification data.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said manufactured items are semiconductor wafers.

9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a monitor that is operatively coupled to said imaging device to display said image.

10. A system, comprising:
a packaging supporter comprising a base having a top surface;
a shipping carrier positioned above said top surface of said base, wherein said shipping carrier includes a transparent surface exposing a plurality of manufactured items positioned in said shipping carrier and a display unit that displays identification data and is operatively coupled to an RFID chip storing the identification data;
an imaging device positioned above said top surface of said base to capture an image of said shipping carrier, said plurality of manufactured items positioned in said shipping carrier and the identification data displayed on said display unit; and
an image processing unit operable to extract identification data from the image, create an output file including the image, and index the output file using the extracted identification data.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein said manufactured items are semiconductor wafers.

12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a monitor that is operatively coupled to said imaging device to display said image.

Assignees

• Globalfoundries Inc

Inventors

• Uebe Sebastian
• Genenncher Tony
• Karst Wolf-Peter

Classifications

• H10P72/0618

  using identification means, e.g. labels on substrates or labels on containers · CPC title

• H10P72/0608 Primary

  of substrates stored in a container, a magazine, a carrier, a boat or the like · CPC title

• G06K7/10544 Primary

  by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum · CPC title

• G06K7/10009

  sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves · CPC title

• G06K7/00

  Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, {e.g. for reading patterns} (methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion G06K1/00; pattern recognition G06F18/00; arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding G06V10/00; character recognition, recognising digital ink or document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00) · CPC title