Patent ID: 8473223

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, made by a computer having a processor and a storage device, for utilizing fabrication defect of an article, executed by the processor, the method comprising steps of: obtaining a defect image from a fabrication process for fabricating the article, wherein the defect image comprises a defect and fabricated circuit patterns around the defect; obtaining coordinates of the defect; retrieving a layout of the article comprising design circuit patterns; extracting a contour of the defect from the defect image by cutting defect contour from the defect image file; superposing the contour of the defect on the layout according to the coordinates of the defect; and determining whether the defect causes an open failure or a short failure on the layout by analyzing overlaps between the contour of the defect and the design circuit patterns, wherein the defect causes the open failure when the contour of the defect intercepts one of the design circuit patterns; the defect causes the short failure when the contour of the defect bridges two of the design circuit patterns.