Proprietary Circuit Layout Identification via Physical Feature Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking the usage of proprietary circuit layouts are ineffective due to the potential removal of embedded tagging data or watermarks, making it difficult for circuit designers to gather royalty payments.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a characteristic pattern file based on the relative locations of predetermined physical features within the circuit layout, allowing for identification without the need for additional tagging or watermarking, utilizing a layout database file to extract and compare these features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tagging data or watermarks are embedded in proprietary circuit layouts to enable identification, then identification capability is improved, but the tagging data can be removed either accidentally or intentionally, causing loss of identification ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts identification capability from removable tagging data and relocates it to inherent physical features of the circuit layout that cannot be removed. By analyzing and comparing physical characteristics such as transistor arrangements, interconnect patterns, and device geometries, the system creates identification based on the circuit's fundamental structure rather than附加信息.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding external identification markers to the circuit, the patent inverts the approach by using the circuit's own physical features as the identification basis. The inherent layout characteristics that define the circuit's functionality are repurposed as identification markers, eliminating the need for separate tagging systems.
2Reliability
If tagging data is embedded to identify proprietary circuit layouts, then identification is enabled, but the complexity of modern circuit designs makes tracking usage difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified representations or models of the physical features from complex circuit layouts. By extracting and comparing key geometric and topological characteristics rather than analyzing entire complex designs, the system enables efficient identification without being overwhelmed by design complexity.
3Reliability
If additional tagging information is added to circuit layouts for identification, then identification capability is improved, but modification of the circuit layout is required
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit layout's physical features serve their dual purpose: defining circuit functionality and providing identification capability. The same transistors, interconnects, and devices that make the circuit work also serve as the identification markers, eliminating the need for separate tagging elements and avoiding additional manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for identifying use of a proprietary circuit layout. A representation of a layout of a circuit is input and the locations of a set of predetermined physical features of the circuit are identified. This set of locations is then compared with a previously generated characteristic pattern file, the characteristic pattern file comprising a representation of relative locations of a set of these predetermined physical features in the proprietary circuit layout. If the set of locations matches the relative locations of the characteristic pattern file, then an output is generated indicating that use of the proprietary circuit design has been found.