Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of fabrication facilities comprises the steps of: identifying a proposed new or modified fabrication method, evaluating the fabrication method against decision criteria based on use of the fabrication method to fabricate a first product at a first one of the fabrication facilities, verifying the fabrication method against the decision criteria, based on using the fabrication method to fabricate a second product at a second one of the fabrication facilities, and adopting the fabrication method as a best known method among the plurality of fabrication facilities, if the fabrication method satisfies the decision criteria.

Abstract: A computer-based information search method comprises the steps of: receiving a search query, the search query comprising at least one term; receiving a network resource list, the list comprising at least one web site selected from a predetermined web site list; semantically analyzing the search query; and searching the network resource list for a response to the search query using a search engine. A computer-based citation search method comprises the steps of: receiving a search query, the search query comprising an patent identification condition; receiving a list of patent databases; searching the list of patent databases to collect at least one reference patent that cites patents or is cited by patents satisfying the condition of the search query; and producing a citation list, the list comprising at least an owner of the reference patent.

Abstract: A method of managing a project comprises: receiving data representing attributes of a project from a project manager; receiving data identifying attributes of the task; assigning a task to a task-responsible person; automatically providing a notice to the task-responsible person, the notice identifying the assignment of the task; receiving at least one task report from the corresponding task-responsible person; providing the corresponding task-responsible person and the project manager read-write access to the task report; and providing at least one other person read-only access to the task report. A computer-implemented information integration system comprises: a database for receiving a plurality of patent data; the database for receiving a plurality of entity data; the database for receiving a plurality of evidence data; the database associating the patent data, the entity data, and the evidence data to each other and storing the patent data, the entity data, and the evidence data.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a claim in a patent or patent application is disclosed, comprising retrieving a patent claim which has been rendered into a format parsable by a computer program into a computer memory; parsing the claim into a set of discrete elements; categorizing each element in the set of elements according to a predetermined rule; and storing a set of categorized elements in a data store. A parsing program executable in a computer may be used to parse the patent claim and, optionally, to identify one or more keyword sets in the parsed claim. A rating program may also be used to assign a rating weight to each categorized element. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: System and method for controlling and propagating engineering changes in integrated circuit manufacturing. A preferred embodiment comprises a technical board (T/B, for example, T/B 220) and a technical database (TTD, for example, TTD 225). The T/B 220 gives permission to an IC fab (for example, IC fab A 205) prior to the IC fab making any changes to a fabrication process. The IC fab then makes an experimental run and reports the results to the T/B 220. The results may then be verified by additional experimental runs at other IC fabs. If the results are acceptable to the T/B 220, a new best known method is created and stored in the TTD 225 and is propagated to other IC fabs if these IC fabs uses the technology relevant to the best known method.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of fabrication facilities comprises the steps of: identifying a proposed new or modified fabrication method, evaluating the fabrication method against decision criteria based on use of the fabrication method to fabricate a first product at a first one of the fabrication facilities, verifying the fabrication method against the decision criteria, based on using the fabrication method to fabricate a second product at a second one of the fabrication facilities, and adopting the fabrication method as a best known method among the plurality of fabrication facilities, if the fabrication method satisfies the decision criteria.