Method and apparatus for verifying design data

A method of verifying the correctness of external circuit connections to an electronic chip, comprising the steps of:

• interconnecting a verification computer, including a set of pin connection rules for at least one of a plurality of electronic chips, with a second computer having a CAD (computer aided design) program generated circuit design detailing an electronic circuit including said a least one electronic chip;
• comparing the pin connection data for each pin with respect to said rules;
• and
• generating a discrepancy report.

A method of expediting the detection of circuit design deficiencies of an electronic chip customer by a remote party, comprising the steps of:

• sending circuit design data in a standardized format from a customer to the remote party;
• examining said circuit design by checking the connections or lack thereof to each pin of an electronic chip incorporated in the circuit design against a set of rules generated by the supplier of said chip;
• and
• returning circuit design discrepancy data from said remote party to said customer.

Apparatus for detecting electronic component circuit design rule violations in CAD (computer aided design) circuit designs, comprising:

• means for storing rules relating to circuit design for given electronic components;
• means for storing design data relative a given circuit including said given electronic components;
• and
• difference engine means for comparing said design data and said rules and generating discrepancy data when violations of said rules are detected.

Apparatus for expediting the detection of circuit design deficiencies of an electronic chip user by a remote party, comprising:

• CAD (computer aided design) circuit means, at a chip user site, for generating circuit design data;
• means for sending said circuit design data in a standardized format from said chip user site, over a network, to a remote party site for detecting design deficiencies;
• computer means for receiving and examining said circuit design data, at said remote site, by checking the detailed connection design data relative each pin of an electronic chip incorporated in the circuit design against a computer accessible set of rules generated by a manufacturer of said chip;
• means for returning circuit design discrepancy data from said remote party site, over said network, to said chip user site;
• and
• means, at said chip user site, for presenting the discrepancy data to an operator of said CAD circuit means in a user friendly format.

A method of verifying the correctness of component design usage, comprising the steps of:

• generating a set of computer readable design data relative components in a specific design configuration;
• compiling a set of rules for usage of said design components;
• comparing the circuit design data for said design components with respect to said rules;
• and
• generating a discrepancy report.

Apparatus for detecting component design rule violations in CAD (computer aided design) designed apparatus, comprising:

• means for storing rules relating to components included in an apparatus design for given design components;
• means for storing design data relative a given CAD design including said given design components;
• and
• difference engine means for comparing said design data and said rules and generating discrepancy data when violations of said rules are detected.