System and Technique of Pattern Matching and Pattern Replacement
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- reading a description file comprising a plurality of pattern definitions, each described using a sequence of tokens of a pattern description language;
storing the plurality of pattern definitions in a memory of a computer; and
using the computer, checking a layout feature against the plurality of pattern definitions to find any pattern matches.
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Abstract
A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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reading a description file comprising a plurality of pattern definitions, each described using a sequence of tokens of a pattern description language;
storing the plurality of pattern definitions in a memory of a computer; and
using the computer, checking a layout feature against the plurality of pattern definitions to find any pattern matches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 29, 30)
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11. A computer-readable medium storing a plurality of data structures, each data structure comprising:
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a pattern definition section comprising a description of a pattern to be searched for in circuit layout database; and
a pattern proposal section comprising a description of at least one proposed replacement pattern for the pattern described in the pattern definition section. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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a storage device;
a memory; and
a processor, wherein the processor is programmed to read a description file, stored on the storage device, comprising a plurality of pattern definitions, each described using a sequence of tokens of a pattern description language, load the plurality of pattern definitions into the memory, and check a circuit layout feature against each of the pattern definitions to find any pattern matches. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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23. A graphical user interface having windowing capability comprising:
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first windowing means for editing a description file comprising a plurality of pattern definitions, each described using a sequence of tokens of a pattern description language, and at least one pattern replacement proposal description; and
second windowing means for displaying results of a check of a layout feature against the plurality of pattern definitions to find any pattern matches. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method comprising:
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permitting editing of a description file to add a new pattern definition to a plurality of preexisting pattern definitions; and
providing a software program to read the description file, after a new pattern definition has been added, wherein the software program checks a circuit layout feature against each of the preexisting pattern definitions and the new pattern definition to find any pattern matches. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification