Patent ID: 7707523

Claim:
A method of generating a mask pattern, comprising: a first step for inputting a layout pattern and dividing the layout pattern into a plurality of regions based on a predetermined rule; a second step for generating a first inverted pattern by inverting the layout pattern based on the predetermined rule in a first region which is a given one of the plurality of the divided regions; a third step for generating a second inverted pattern by inverting the layout pattern based on the predetermined rule in a second region which is another one of a plurality of the divided regions different from the first region to form at least one or more opening portions; a fourth step for generating a combined pattern by combining the first inverted pattern with the second inverted pattern; a fifth step for obtaining a surface misalignment by conducting a simulation by utilizing a simulator with respect to the combined pattern and collating the surface misalignment with the predetermined rule to judge whether or not the collate result satisfies a condition; and a sixth step for outputting the combined pattern to a storage device when the condition is satisfied.