The present invention relates generally to an automated manufacturing
system and method for manufacturing photomasks wherein information provided by a customer at a remote location is interfaced, via a network, to a
photomask manufacturer's computer
system and automatically processes data for manufacturing a
photomask and automatically formats and routes data to
processing equipment. The present invention reduces the need for manual intervention, thereby avoiding costly delays and transcription errors associated therewith. The
software of the present invention provides for automatic generation of data arrays, which can be used to process and monitor the status of a
photomask during manufacture. Further, the
software is capable of automatically modifying
design data provided by a photomask user. Additionally, the
software of the present invention includes an automatic messaging
system which can notify users of the system, of status and errors in manufacture of photomasks. The present invention also includes a real time
monitoring system capable of notifying users of the status and errors in the
processing of the photomask during manufacture.