Graphical user interface for a cell router usable by both novice and advanced users

• US 20040255260A1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synopsys Merger Holdings LLC (Synopsys Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Synopsys Incorporated
• Inventors: Drapeau, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,263,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 716/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/394 Routing G06F30/396 takes precedence

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention provides a graphical user interface for configuring parameters that control a cell routing process used to lay out a cell, wherein the graphical user interface is useable by both novice and advanced users. The graphical user interface provides both a scenario section and a parameter section. The scenario section allows a user to select a scenario that sets values for multiple parameters applicable to the cell routing process, while the parameter section allows a user to set and adjust individual routing parameters. The graphical user interface also includes an output that displays the parameters to the user. Note that the scenario section of the graphical user interface is useful for a novice user who does not understand the interrelationships between routing parameters, while the parameter section of the graphical user interface is useful for an advanced user who desires to set individual parameters.

Claims

1. A graphical user interface for controlling a routing process used to lay out a cell within an integrated circuit, comprising:

a scenario section, wherein a user can select a scenario that sets values for a plurality of parameters applicable to the cell routing process;

a parameter section, wherein the user can set and adjust individual parameters in the plurality of parameters; and

an output that provides the plurality of parameters to the cell routing process;

whereby the scenario section is useful for a novice user who does not understand the inter-relationships between routing parameters, while the parameter section is useful for an advanced user who desires to set individual parameters.

2. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters in the parameter section are updated based upon the scenario selected in the scenario section.

3. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the parameter section can be hidden from view.

4. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters includes parameters for routing wiring connections between cells of an integrated circuit device.

5. The graphical user interface of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface can be configured to control other processes related to generating a layout of a cell.

6. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to display a graphical user interface for controlling a routing process used to lay out a cell within an integrated circuit, the graphical user interface comprising:

a scenario section, wherein a user can select a scenario that sets values for a plurality of parameters applicable to the cell routing process;

a parameter section, wherein the user can set and adjust individual parameters in the plurality of parameters; and

an output that provides the plurality of parameters to the cell routing process;

whereby the scenario section is useful for a novice user who does not understand the inter-relationships between routing parameters, while the parameter section is useful for an advanced user who desires to set individual parameters.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the plurality of parameters in the parameter section are updated based upon the scenario selected in the scenario section.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the parameter section can be hidden from view.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the plurality of parameters includes parameters for routing wiring connections between cells of an integrated circuit device.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the graphical user interface can be configured to control other processes related to generating a layout of a cell.

11. A means for presenting a graphical user interface for controlling a routing process used to lay out a cell within an integrated circuit, comprising:

a scenario selection means, wherein a user can select a scenario within a scenario section that sets values for a plurality of parameters within a parameter section applicable to the cell routing process;

a parameter selection means, wherein the user can set and adjust individual parameters in the plurality of parameters; and

an output means that provides the plurality of parameters to the cell routing process;

whereby the scenario section is useful for a novice user who does not understands the inter-relationships between routing parameters, while the parameter section is useful for an advanced user who desires to set individual parameters.

12. The means of claim 11, wherein the plurality of parameters in the parameter section are updated based upon the scenario selected in the scenario section.

13. The means of claim 11, wherein the parameter section can be hidden from view.

14. The means of claim 11, wherein the plurality of parameters includes parameters for routing wiring connections between cells of an integrated circuit device.

15. The means of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface can be configured to control other processes related to generating a layout of a cell.

16. An apparatus for controlling a routing process used to lay out a cell within an integrated circuit using a graphical user interface, comprising:

a selection mechanism configured to select a scenario from a scenario section, wherein a user can select the scenario that sets values for a plurality of parameters applicable to the cell routing process;

a setting mechanism configured to set a parameter within a parameter section, wherein the user can set and adjust individual parameters in the plurality of parameters; and

an output mechanism configured to provide the plurality of parameters to the cell routing process;

whereby the scenario section is useful for a novice user who does not understands the inter-relationships between routing parameters, while the parameter section is useful for an advanced user who desires to set individual parameters.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of parameters in the parameter section are updated based upon the scenario selected in the scenario section.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the parameter section can be hidden from view.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of parameters includes parameters for routing wiring connections between cells of an integrated circuit device.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface can be configured to control other processes related to generating a layout of a cell.