Patent ID: 8645876

Claim:
A computed-implemented method comprising: retrieving, by a processor, an input layout design which comprises data of a plurality of input mask layers; checking, by the processor, whether the layout design of the plurality of the input mask layers complies with predetermined design rules; rectifying, by the processor, the layout design of the input mask layers if any design rule violation is detected; generating, by the processor, a layout design for at least one generated mask layer based on layer generation rules after checking and rectifying of the layout design of the input mask layer; determining, by the processor, whether the relationship between a first geometric element in a first layout pattern comprising one or more of the generated mask layers and a second geometric element in a second layout pattern complies with predetermined rules; and modifying, by the processor, the layout design of at least one of the generated mask layers associated with the first or second layout pattern if the relationship does not comply with the predetermined rules.