Patent ID: 7231599

Claim:
A computer-readable media causing a computer processor to operate a layout system, comprising: a template production function that determines a structure of a plurality of layout samples, each of the plurality of layout samples including at least one layout element laid in a layout frame, and that produces a layout template by combining selected layout samples and having a layout position for the at least one layout element, and having a layout likelihood for an element-laying area that is based on a statistical probability and that corresponds to a position of the at least one layout element in the layout samples combined to produce the layout template; and a layout function that generates a new layout having at least one new layout element in a template layout frame in accordance with the layout template produced by the template production function, wherein the layout function generates the at least one new layout element by performing a process including dividing the layout template into a plurality of cells; calculating, for each cell, mean values of vertical and horizontal lengths of each layout element that contains the cell and the layout likelihood of each layout element; calculating a sum of the layout likelihood of all cells included in an element-laying area placed so as to extend, from a cell taken as an extension start point, in a vertical direction by a length equal to the calculated mean vertical length and in a horizontal direction by a length equal to the calculated mean horizontal length, for each possible location of the extension start point; and selecting an extension start point that results in a greatest sum of the layout likelihood and laying a corresponding new layout element in the element-laying area extending from the selected extension start point.