The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2009
Brian Reed, San Jose, CA (US);
Michael C. Smayling, Fremont, CA (US);
Joseph N. Hong, Cupertino, CA (US);
Stephen Fairbanks, Queen Creek, AZ (US);
Scott T. Becker, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Brian Reed, San Jose, CA (US);
Michael C. Smayling, Fremont, CA (US);
Joseph N. Hong, Cupertino, CA (US);
Stephen Fairbanks, Queen Creek, AZ (US);
Scott T. Becker, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Tela Innovations, Inc., Los Gatos, CA (US);
Abstract
Regular layout shapes are placed in accordance with a virtual grate. A determination is made as to whether an unoccupied layout space adjacent to a regular layout shape to be reinforced, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the regular layout shape, is large enough to support placement of a sub-resolution shape. Upon determining that the unoccupied layout space is large enough to support placement of the sub-resolution shape, the sub-resolution shape is placed so as to be substantially centered upon a virtual line of the virtual grate within the unoccupied layout space. Also, one or more sub-resolution shapes are placed between and parallel with neighboring regular layout shapes when windows of lithographic reinforcement associated with each of the neighboring regular layout shapes permit. The sub-resolution shapes may be placed according to a virtual grate, or may be placed based on proximity to edges of the neighboring regular layout shapes.