# US 12,223,244 B1 · System and method for interactive visualization of placement of objects in an electronic design

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,223,244 B1
- Document ID: US12223244B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/483,349
- Filed: 2021-09-23
- Granted: 2025-02-11
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-23
- Assignees: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Nikita Saini; Tapan Kumar Singh; Devendra Ramakant Deshpande
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12223244B1

## CPC

- G06F 30/31: Design entry, e.g. editors specifically adapted for circuit design
- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence)
- G06F 3/04845: for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
- G06F 30/392: Floor-planning or layout, e.g. partitioning or placement
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)

## Abstract

Embodiments included herein are directed towards a method for visualizing an electronic circuit design. Embodiments may include causing a display of a portion of an electronic design at a graphical user interface and receiving, at the graphical user interface, a selection of an object to be moved, wherein the object is displayed in a first color. In response to a user input, embodiments may include moving the object at the graphical user interface nearer a target location, displaying at least one target type in a second color and snapping the object to the target location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computer-implemented method comprising:
causing a display of a portion of an electronic design at a graphical user interface;
receiving, at the graphical user interface, a selection of an object to be moved, wherein the object is displayed in a first color;
in response to a user input, moving the object at in the graphical user interface near a target at a target location;
displaying at least one target type in a second color; and
snapping the object to the target at the target location, wherein the snapping includes causing a display of a potential target having a first line style matching a second line style of the object.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of a shape, a boundary, an instance, a row, a via, or a composite object.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the target is at least one of a local snap pattern grid, a global snap pattern grid, a local width spacing pattern region, a global width spacing pattern grid, a placement grid, a manufacturing grid, or an XY grid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the at least one target type includes a plurality of target types, wherein each target type is displayed in a distinct color.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the object is assigned a distinct line style based upon, at least in part, one or more grids.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein displaying at least one target type includes displaying a plurality of target types in distinct colors simultaneously.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The computer-implemented method claim 1, wherein the target is a row.

### Claim 8

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in following operations:
causing a display of a portion of an electronic design at a graphical user interface;
receiving, at the graphical user interface, a selection of an object to be moved, wherein the object is displayed in a first color;
in response to a user input, moving the object at in the graphical user interface near a target at a target location;
displaying at least one target type in a second color; and
snapping the object to the target at the target location, wherein the snapping includes highlighting a potential target and the object with a same line style.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the object is at least one of a shape, a boundary, an instance, a row, a via, or a composite object.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the target is at least one of a local snap pattern grid, a global snap pattern grid, a local width spacing pattern region, a global width spacing pattern grid, a placement grid, a manufacturing grid, or an XY grid.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the at least one target type includes a plurality of target types, wherein each target type is displayed in a distinct color.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the object is assigned a distinct line style based upon, at least in part, one or more grids.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein displaying at least one target type includes displaying a plurality of target types in distinct colors simultaneously.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the target is a row.

### Claim 15

A system comprising:
a memory; and
at least one processor configured to cause a display of a portion of an electronic design at a graphical user interface, the at least one processor configured to receive, at the graphical user interface, a selection of an object to be moved, wherein the object is displayed in a first color, wherein in response to a user input, the at least one processor is further configured to move the object at the graphical user interface near a target at a target location, the at least one processor further configured to display at least one target type in a second color and to snap the object to the target at the target location, wherein the snapping includes highlighting a potential target and the object with a same line style.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the object is at least one of a shape, a boundary, an instance, a row, a via, or a composite object.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the target is at least one of a local snap pattern grid, a global snap pattern grid, a local width spacing pattern region, a global width spacing pattern grid, a placement grid, a manufacturing grid, or an XY grid.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one target type includes a plurality of target types, wherein each target type is displayed in a distinct color.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein the object is assigned a distinct line style based upon, at least in part, one or more grids.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The system of claim 15, wherein displaying at least one target type includes displaying a plurality of target types in distinct colors simultaneously.