Automated material handling system and method

An automated material handling method, comprising:

• respectively assigning first and second virtual stocker codes to first and second conveyer stocker controllers of an over-head conveyer using a material control system;
• moving a front opening unified pod (FOUP) to and loading the FOUP in the first conveyer stocker controller based on the first virtual stocker code using a transport system controller;
• loading the FOUP in a track of the over-head conveyer and assigning a virtual vehicle code to the FOUP using the over-head conveyer;
• moving the FOUP, along the track, to the second conveyer stocker controller and loading the FOUP in the second conveyer stocker controller;
• removing the virtual vehicle code;
• and
• taking away the FOUP therefrom according to the second virtual stocker code using the transport system controller.

An automated material handling method, comprising:

• respectively assigning first and second virtual stocker codes to first and second conveyer stocker controllers, wherein the first conveyer stocker controller comprises an input/output (I/O) port and a first track and the first track provides plural storage locations;
• moving a front opening unified pod (FOUP) to and loading the FOUP in the first conveyer stocker controller based on the first virtual stocker code using a transport system controller;
• transmitting the FOUP from an input port of the first conveyer stocker controller to an output port thereof using a material control system;
• loading the FOUP from the output port of the first conveyer stocker controller in a second track of an over-head conveyer;
• assigning a virtual vehicle code to the FOUP when the FOUP is loaded in the second track;
• moving the FOUP, along the second track of the over-head conveyer, to the second conveyer stocker controller and loading the FOUP in the second conveyer stocker controller;
• removing the virtual vehicle code from the FOUP;
• and
• taking the FOUP away from the second conveyer stocker controller according to the second virtual stocker code using the transport system controller.

An automated material handling method, comprising:

• assigning a first virtual stocker code to a first conveyer stocker controller, wherein the first conveyer stocker controller comprises at least a first input/output (I/O) port and a second I/O port and a first track connecting the first I/O port to the second I/O port and providing plural storage locations;
• moving a front opening unified pod (FOUP) to and loading the FOUP in the first I/O port of the first conveyer stocker controller based on the first virtual stocker code using a transport system controller, wherein the first I/O port serves as an input port of the first conveyer stocker controller;
• transmitting the FOUP from the first I/O port of the first conveyer stocker controller to the second I/O port thereof using a material control system, wherein the second I/O port serves as an output port of the first conveyer stocker controller;
• and
• taking the FOUP away from the second I/O port of the second conveyer stocker controller using the transport system controller.

An automated material handling method, comprising:

• assigning a first virtual stocker code to a first conveyer stocker controller, wherein the first conveyer stocker controller comprises at least a first input/output (I/O) port and a second I/O port and a first track connecting the first I/O port to the second I/O port, provides plural storage locations;
• moving a front opening unified pod (FOUP) to and loading the FOUP in the first or second I/O port of the first conveyer stocker controller based on the first virtual stocker code using a transport system controller;
• and
• taking the FOUP away from the first or second I/O port of the first conveyer stocker controller using the transport system controller and moving the FOUP to and loading the FOUP in a second conveyer stocker controller, wherein the second conveyer stocker controller comprises a second virtual stocker code and provides at least a third I/O port and a second track connecting the third I/O port and the second track provides plural storage locations.