Remote plotting of integrated circuit layout in a network computer-aided design system

A system for the design, layout and plotting of integrated circuits, comprising:

• a client workstation including a graphical display means and means for creating integrated circuit layout design data;
• a first programmable computer including a means operable to function as a file server;
• a second programmable computer including a means operable to function as a plot server;
• plotting means connected to the plot server for plotting graphic images including integrated circuit layouts;
• and
• computer network means for interconnecting the workstation and the first and second computers to transmit data therebetween;
• the workstation, file server and plot server each having a memory, a processor, a network interface, and an input means including a user-operable means for entering data;
• the workstation including means for generating a design file plot template referencing the layout design data, and a second means for transferring the design file plot template to the file server;
• the file server including means for storing design data and design file plot templates, and a second means for queuing design file plot templates in a raster queue;
• the plot server including means for accessing the raster queue and retrieving a next template present therein;
• means responsive to a reference in the retrieved design file plot template for retrieving corresponding design data;
• and means for rasterizing the retrieved design data pursuant to the retrieved design file plot template.

A method for remote plotting of an integrated circuit layout in an integrated circuit design and layout system which includes a client workstation with a graphical display means, a plotting device for plotting graphical data including integrated circuit layouts, the workstation having a memory, a processor, a network interface, and an input means including a user-operable means for entering data;

• the method comprising:
• providing a first programmable computer including means operable to function as a file or data base server,
• providing a second programmable computer including means operable to function as a plot server, the plot server including a means for generating plot output;
• interconnecting the client workstation, file server, and plot server via a computer network and connecting the plotting device to the plot server;
• creating integrated circuit layout design data in the client workstation and storing said data in the file server;
• creating a design file plot template in the client workstation;
• transferring both the design data from the file server, and the design file plot template from the client workstation to the plot server;
• rasterizing the design data in the plot server according to the design file plot template to produce a rasterized image of the integrated circuit layout;
• and
• transmitting the rasterized image to the plotting device and printing the image of the integrated circuit layout on said plotting device.