Patents by Inventor Dan Beale

Dan Beale has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7234129
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that calculates etch proximity-correction during an OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) process. During operation, the system receives a layout for an integrated circuit. Next, the system selects a target point on an edge in the layout. The system then creates a list of edges within an ambit of the target point. Next, the system removes edges from the list that are not visible from the target point. The system then computes a line integral of a statistical function over the remaining edges in the list, wherein the line integral of the statistical function models the etch proximity effects correlated with positions of the edges visible from the target point. Next, the calculated etch proximity-correction is applied to an area in proximity to the target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Beale, Jim Shiely, John Stirniman
  • Patent number: 7207029
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that calculates etch proximity-correction during an OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) process. During operation, the system receives a layout for an integrated circuit. Next, the system selects a target point on an edge in the layout. The system then casts a plurality of rays from the target point, and constructs a plurality of pie-wedges based on the cast rays. The system then computes a surface integral of a statistical function over the pie-wedges, wherein the surface integral of the statistical function models the etch bias at the target point. Next, the calculated etch proximity-correction is applied to an area in proximity to the target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Beale, Jim Shiely, John Stirniman
  • Publication number: 20060075378
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that calculates etch proximity-correction during an OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) process. During operation, the system receives a layout for an integrated circuit. Next, the system selects a target point on an edge in the layout. The system then casts a plurality of rays from the target point, and constructs a plurality of pie-wedges based on the cast rays. The system then computes a surface integral of a statistical function over the pie-wedges, wherein the surface integral of the statistical function models the etch bias at the target point. Next, the calculated etch proximity-correction is applied to an area in proximity to the target point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Dan Beale, Jim Shiely, John Stirniman
  • Publication number: 20060075380
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that calculates etch proximity-correction during an OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) process. During operation, the system receives a layout for an integrated circuit. Next, the system selects a target point on an edge in the layout. The system then creates a list of edges within an ambit of the target point. Next, the system removes edges from the list that are not visible from the target point. The system then computes a line integral of a statistical function over the remaining edges in the list, wherein the line integral of the statistical function models the etch proximity effects correlated with positions of the edges visible from the target point. Next, the calculated etch proximity-correction is applied to an area in proximity to the target point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Dan Beale, Jim Shiely, John Stirniman