Patent ID: 8599217
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a computing device, a layout configured to specify at least a set of rectangular components within a container rectangle, wherein each rectangular component of the set of rectangular components has at least one size in at least one dimension; the computing device determining a plurality of grid lines from the layout, wherein each rectangular component of the set of rectangular components is associated with at least two grid lines of the plurality of grid lines, the at least two grid lines based on the at least one size of the rectangular component; the computing device generating a system of constraints comprising one or more normal-order constraints, wherein each constraint of the system of constraints is related to at least two grid lines of the plurality of grid lines, and wherein the one or more normal-order constraints specify a normal order for the plurality of grid lines; the computing device solving the system of constraints to determine, for each grid line of the plurality of grid lines, a first location of the grid line; the computing device identifying at least one relaxable normal-order constraint of the one or more normal-order constraints; the computing device solving the system of constraints based on relaxing the at least one relaxable normal-order constraint to determine, for each grid line in the plurality of grid lines, a second location for the grid line, wherein the second location differs from the first location for at least one relaxed grid line in the plurality of grid lines; the computing device generating a display of at least some of the set of rectangular components based on the second locations of the grid lines; and the computing device displaying the display.