Abstract: An adaptively configurable user interface to facilitate a common user experience across two or more databases and an extensible common query structure to allow expansion of a query language to meet the demands of new file types. An exemplary embodiment includes a discovery mechanism for determining query properties of search providers, thereby facilitating adaptive configuring of a user interface to expose the determined query properties. An exemplary embodiment of the user interface includes a portion which remains relatively constant across two or more search providers to reduce user disorientation.

Abstract: Systems, clients, servers, methods, and computer-readable media of varying scope are described that maintain versions of associations between project management objects such as source cod files, bug data, development issue data, and software specifications. One aspect of the system is that the project association data is stored in a relational database. A link set data structure provides a link to objects that are to be associated together. A link content data structure describes an individual project management object that is linked with other objects in the link set. As a software development project progresses through its life cycle, changes to the associations occur. The changes are captured and stored in the database. Previous versions of the associations are maintained in the project database, thereby allowing a user to query for the state of the project associations as they existed at any particular point in time.

Abstract: A specially adapted SMIF pod (20) receives and holds one particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) selected from among dozens of different configurations thereof. The SMIF pod (20) may be interrogated to determine the particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) carried therein. A reticle transfer system (50) receives a pair of such SMIF pods (20), interrogates each of the SMIF pods (20) to ascertain which type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) the SMIF pod (20) carries, and automatically moves reticles (42) through a controlled environment from one reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (32) to another reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132). A reticle reorienter (56) includable in the system (50) also permits automatically exchanging reticles (42) between a reticle carrier (144) and a reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132).

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence or absence of wafers in a cassette, i.e. a wafer mapper, is integrated with a door assembly in a load port interface that separates a process environment from an operator environment. In one orientation, a port cover plate seals an opening that pierces a bulkhead, while a door panel rests horizontally on the operator environment side of the bulkhead. In this position, a cassette of wafers may be placed on an inside surface of the door panel, with the top of the stack being open. As the door rotates to a vertical position, the wafer stack moves through the bulkhead opening thereby entering the process environment. A moveable trolley, connected to or within the door, moves parallel to the wafer stack detecting the presence of wafers by sensing light scattered from wafer edges through a window in a cover plate of the door panel. In this way the apparatus determines each wafer's location and may provide that information to subsequent wafer manufacturing operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence or absence of wafers in a cassette, i.e. a wafer mapper, is integrated with a door assembly in a load port interface separating a process environment from an operator environment. A port cover plate and a door are arranged in an L-shape, with both members being able to seal the port in a bulkhead of the load port interface. In one configuration, the port cover plate seals the port, while door panel members rest horizontally on the operator side of the bulkhead. In this position, a wafer stack inside of a cassette may be placed on the inside door panel, with the top of the stack being open. As the door is raised from the horizontal position to a vertical position, the wafer stack is rotated through an opening in the bulkhead so that the wafer stack is now on the process side. The wafer mapper features a moveable trolley connected to, or within, the door.

Abstract: A load port interface for determining the presence or absence of wafers in a cassette, i.e. a wafer mapper, is integrated with a port closure assembly in a load port interface separating a process environment from an operator environment. A cover plate and a door are arranged in an L-shape, with both members being able to seal the port in a bulkhead of the load port interface. In one configuration, the cover plate seals the port, while door panel members rest horizontally on the operator side of the bulkhead. In this position, a wafer stack, W, inside of a cassette may be placed on the inside door panel, with the top of the wafer stack, W, being open. As the door is raised from the horizontal position to a vertical position, the wafer stack, W, is rotated through an opening in the bulkhead so that the wafer stack, W, is now on the process side. The wafer mapper features a moveable trolley connected to, or within, the door.

Abstract: A load port interface (20) receives, opens and closes a wafer carrier (22). A bulkhead (24) carries a changeable mating plate (92) that is pierced by a window (94). Changing the mating plate (92) adapts the load port interface (20) for use with different sizes of carriers(22). A table (32) of the load port interface (20) receives the carrier (22), advances the carrier (22) until it abuts and seals to the bulkhead (24). An end-effector (42), located on an opposite side of the bulkhead (24) from the carrier (22), actuates latch keys (54) to unlatch a door (48) from the carrier (22). The load port interface (20) then moves the unlatched door (48) rectilinearly, first horizontally away from the bulkhead (24) and then vertically downward, to expose semiconductor wafers (48) present within the carrier (22). The end-effector (42) includes sensors (86, 104) for collecting data about wafers (82) within the carrier (22) by detecting edges (118) thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for growing plants comprises a tubular member enclosed on both ends by vertically oriented fittings to retain liquid therein. The tubular member has openings through a wall sized to receive a plant vine and positioned to retain liquid in said tubular member. The tubular member is preferably a transparent, plastic pipe.