Patents by Inventor John G. Ferguson

John G. Ferguson 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: 10929590
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for the use of layout-versus-schematic (LVS) design tools to validate photonic integrated circuit designs. Various implementations employ alternate analysis techniques with LVS analysis tools to perform one or more LVS analysis processes on photonic integrated circuits. These analysis processes may include curvilinear design validation and the associated flow implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Ruping Cao, John G. Ferguson, John D. Cayo, Alexandre Arriordaz
  • Publication number: 20190114384
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for the use of layout-versus-schematic (LVS) design tools to validate photonic integrated circuit designs. Various implementations employ alternate analysis techniques with LVS analysis tools to perform one or more LVS analysis processes on photonic integrated circuits. These analysis processes may include curvilinear design validation and the associated flow implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Ruping Cao, John G. Ferguson, John D. Cayo, Alexandre Arriordaz
  • Patent number: 10185799
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for the use of layout-versus-schematic (LVS) design tools to validate photonic integrated circuit designs. Various implementations employ alternate analysis techniques with LVS analysis tools to perform one or more LVS analysis processes on photonic integrated circuits. These analysis processes may include curvilinear design validation and the associated flow implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Ruping Cao, John G. Ferguson, John D. Cayo, Alexandre Arriordaz
  • Patent number: 10089432
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer. A designer may also designate a waiver region based on pattern matching, cell names or layout markers in which layout region one or more verification rules may be inapplicable. A waiver region identification item for the waiver region may be associated with a waiver geometric element and the one or more verification rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Jonathan J. Muirhead, Bikram Garg
  • Publication number: 20180260511
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer. A designer may also designate a waiver region based on pattern matching, cell names or layout markers in which layout region one or more verification rules may be inapplicable. A waiver region identification item for the waiver region may be associated with a waiver geometric element and the one or more verification rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Jonathan J. Muirhead, Bikram Garg
  • Publication number: 20160055289
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for the use of layout-versus-schematic (LVS) design tools to validate photonic integrated circuit designs. Various implementations employ alternate analysis techniques with LVS analysis tools to perform one or more LVS analysis processes on photonic integrated circuits. These analysis processes may include curvilinear design validation and the associated flow implementations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Ruping Cao, John G. Ferguson, John D. Cayo, Alexandre Arriordaz
  • Patent number: 8572533
    Abstract: Waiver regions may be identified by waiver identification items. The waiver identification items may be determined based on conducting a density check process. Additionally or alternatively, reference patterns for pattern matching, cell names or markers may serve as the waiver identification items. Waiver geometric items may be created for the waiver regions and added to the layout design. Based on an overlap of a density check window with the waiver geometric items and waiving threshold information, a density violation in that density check window is determined to be reported as a density violation or a waived density violation with some implementations of the invention. With some other implementations of the invention, pattern density of a density check window may not be checked if an overlap of the density check window with the waiver geometric items is above a waiving threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Bikram Garg
  • Patent number: 8555212
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for modifying an existing microdevice design to improve its manufacturability. With these techniques, a designer receives manufacturing criteria associated with data in a design. The associated design data then is identified and provided to the microdevice designer, who may choose to modify the design based upon the manufacturing criteria. In this manner, the designer can directly incorporate manufacturing criteria from the foundry in the original design of the microdevice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D Sawicki, Laurence W Grodd, John G Ferguson, Sanjay Dhar
  • Publication number: 20130263074
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8516399
    Abstract: A collaborative environment for performing physical verification processes on integrated circuit designs. Multiple physical verification results may be stored in a “unified” results database/directory (e.g., unified at least from a user's perspective), where results from various verification processes, such as Design-Rule-Check (DRC) processes, Layout-Versus-Schematic comparison (LVS) processes, Design-For-Manufacturing (DFM) processes Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) processes, and Optical Rule Check (ORC) processes are accessible from the same style of user interface, which may be a graphical user interface. The basic abilities for design team-based interactions can be equally available to each process involved in the physical verification of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Paris, William M. Hogan, John G. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20130132918
    Abstract: Waiver regions may be identified by waiver identification items. The waiver identification items may be determined based on conducting a density check process. Additionally or alternatively, reference patterns for pattern matching, cell names or markers may serve as the waiver identification items. Waiver geometric items may be created for the waiver regions and added to the layout design. Based on an overlap of a density check window with the waiver geometric items and waiving threshold information, a density violation in that density check window is determined to be reported as a density violation or a waived density violation with some implementations of the invention. With some other implementations of the invention, pattern density of a density check window may not be checked if an overlap of the density check window with the waiver geometric items is above a waiving threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Bikram Garg
  • Patent number: 8375337
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for modifying an existing microdevice design to improve its manufacturability. With these techniques, a designer receives manufacturing criteria associated with data in a design. The associated design data then is identified and provided to the microdevice designer, who may choose to modify the design based upon the manufacturing criteria. In this manner, the designer can directly incorporate manufacturing criteria from the foundry in the original design of the microdevice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D Sawicki, Laurence W Grodd, John G Ferguson, Sanjay Dhar
  • Patent number: 8302039
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for secure exchange of information related to electronic design automation. Information deemed sensitive and otherwise worthy of protection may be secured by methods such as encryption, obfuscation and other security measures. The secured information may be provided to an electronic design automation tool for processing without revealing at least some of the secured information. For instance, rule files related to integrated circuit manufacturability may be selectively annotated to indicate portions thereof deserving of protection. An encryption tool may be used to secure the information so indicated and generate a file comprising secured information related to electronic design automation. An electronic design automation tool may then unlock and use the secured information without revealing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Fedor G. Pikus, Kyohei Sakajiri, Laurence W. Grodd
  • Publication number: 20120167028
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer. A designer may also designate a waiver region based on pattern matching, cell names or layout markers in which layout region one or more verification rules may be inapplicable. A waiver region identification item for the waiver region may be associated with a waiver geometric element and the one or more verification rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Jonathan J. Muirhead, Bikram Garg
  • Publication number: 20120047479
    Abstract: Techniques for incrementally analyzing layout design data are disclose. With various implementations, a subsequent incremental analysis can be made for only portions of layout design data, using a subset of available analysis criteria, or some combination of both. For example, the analysis can be limited to errors identified in a previous analysis process, to changes in the layout design data made after a previous analysis process, to particular areas specified by a designer, or some combination thereof. Still further, the analysis process may be performed using only a subset of analysis criteria relevant to the portions of the design data being analyzed, a subset of the initial analysis criteria that the design data failed in a previous analysis process, a subset of the initial analysis criteria selected by the designer, or some combination thereof. Further, such an incremental analysis process can be initiated before a previous analysis process has completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: James M. Paris, Brian Marshall, John G. Ferguson, Anant S. Adke
  • Publication number: 20110265054
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Sandeep Koranne
  • Publication number: 20110016444
    Abstract: A collaborative environment for performing physical verification processes on integrated circuit designs. Multiple physical verification results may be stored in a “unified” results database/directory (e.g., unified at least from a user's perspective), where results from various verification processes, such as Design-Rule-Check (DRC) processes, Layout-Versus-Schematic comparison (LVS) processes, Design-For-Manufacturing (DFM) processes Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) processes, and Optical Rule Check (ORC) processes are accessible from the same style of user interface, which may be a graphical user interface. The basic abilities for design team-based interactions can be equally available to each process involved in the physical verification of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Paris, William M. Hogan, John G. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20100257496
    Abstract: When a designer designates one or more errors identified in layout design data as false errors, waiver geometric elements corresponding to the designated false errors are created and added to the design. The waiver geometric element may be associated with a verification rule that generated its corresponding false error. When the design is subsequently analyzed using those verification rules in another verification rule check process, the waiver geometric elements are examined, and used to mask those errors associated with a waiver geometric element that would otherwise be displayed to the designer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Sandeep Koranne
  • Publication number: 20100199107
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for secure exchange of information related to electronic design automation. Information deemed sensitive and otherwise worthy of protection may be secured by methods such as encryption, obfuscation and other security measures. The secured information may be provided to an electronic design automation tool for processing without revealing at least some of the secured information. For instance, rule files related to integrated circuit manufacturability may be selectively annotated to indicate portions thereof deserving of protection. An encryption tool may be used to secure the information so indicated and generate a file comprising secured information related to electronic design automation. An electronic design automation tool may then unlock and use the secured information without revealing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Fedor G. Pikus, Kyohei Sakajiri, Laurence W. Grodd
  • Patent number: 7698664
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for secure exchange of information related to electronic design automation. Information deemed sensitive and otherwise worthy of protection may be secured by methods such as encryption, obfuscation and other security measures. The secured information may be provided to an electronic design automation tool for processing without revealing at least some of the secured information. For instance, rule files related to integrated circuit manufacturability may be selectively annotated to indicate portions thereof deserving of protection. An encryption tool may be used to secure the information so indicated and generate a file comprising secured information related to electronic design automation. An electronic design automation tool may then unlock and use the secured information without revealing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: John G. Ferguson, Fedor G. Pikus, Kyohei Sakajiri, Laurence W. Grodd