Abstract: In a stocker entry task control method employed in a semiconductor wafer cassette transportation apparatus that has high transportation ability of a semiconductor wafer cassette, a host computer sends an interrogation to a stocker in which a semiconductor wafer cassette is to be stored whether there is an available storage site therein. The stocker ascertains the storage site if available. Then, the host computer sends a transportation task instruction to an inter-stocker transport device or an automatic carrier. Alternatively, an entry task instruction is sent to the stocker.

Abstract: According to a collation method of stocker storage in a semiconductor wafer cassette transportation apparatus having high semiconductor wafer cassette transportation ability, a host computer responds to an instruction from an operator to interrogate a stocker controller about storage of a semiconductor wafer cassette in a stocker. The stocker controller receiving the interrogation reports storage of a semiconductor wafer cassette in a stocker to the host computer. When the storage information retained by the host computer differs from the storage information reported from the stocker controller, the host computer provides a display of the discrepancy in storage information on an operator's terminal.

Abstract: A stocker used in a semiconductor wafer cassette transportation apparatus comprises a plurality of stockers for storing a plurality of semiconductor wafer cassettes. Each stocker comprises manual output and input ports for exit and entry of semiconductor wafer cassettes by an operator, in which each port has an ID card reader/writer arranged lower than the bottom surface of the cassette and facing a communication arrangement at the bottom surface of an ID card attached on the side surface of a cassette. An automatic carrier transports cassettes between stockers and a processing apparatus, and an inter-stocker transport device transports cassettes between stockers. The number of semiconductor wafer cassettes that can be mounted on the manual output port is determined according to the maximum number of semiconductor wafer cassettes requested to be loaded by the processing apparatus. An embodiment of the invention includes automatic carrier input and output ports.

Abstract: According to an automatic carrier control method of a semiconductor wafer cassette transportation apparatus having high semiconductor wafer cassette transportation ability, an automatic carrier carries a semiconductor wafer cassette to an automatic carrier related inlet port of a stocker under control of a host computer. The automatic carrier confirms whether a semiconductor wafer cassette is left on the inlet port. If there is no preceding semiconductor wafer cassette, a semiconductor wafer cassette is placed on the inlet port. If there is a preceding semiconductor wafer cassette, the automatic carrier waits for a predetermined time at inlet port for the preceding semiconductor wafer cassette to be removed. When the preceding semiconductor wafer cassette is not removed at an elapse of a predetermined time, an error is issued to the automatic carrier.