Method of checking the layout integrity

1. A method of checking layout integrity, performed on a computer system having a processor and a memory coupled with the processor, the method comprising:

receiving inputs defining a plurality of devices for a layout,

generating a signature for each device in the layout, when the layout is created, from one or more parameters of the device in the processor, wherein the signature is generated from a commutative mathematical operation of one or more parameters of each shape of the respective device, the signature further generated from the coordinates of polygon vertices, perimeter and areas of each of the shapes of the respective device,

storing the generated signatures for the layout with the layout in the memory,

receiving the stored layout and generated signatures from the memory,

regenerating each signature for each device in the stored layout after receiving the stored layout and the generated signatures,

comparing each regenerated signature with the corresponding stored signature, and

providing an output for each regenerated signature that does not match the corresponding stored signature.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each device in the layout includes a plurality of shapes and the process of generating the signature for each device in the layout comprises generating a numerical representation of the shapes of the respective device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generated signature is a string forming a part of the layout of each device.

4. A system for checking integrity of a layout, the system comprising:

a computer system including a processor and a memory coupled with the processor, the computer system arranged to:

receive inputs defining a plurality of devices for the layout,

generate a signature for each device in the layout, when the layout is created, from one or more parameters of the device, wherein the signature is generated from a commutative mathematical operation of one or more parameters of each shape of the respective device, the signature further generated from the coordinates of polygon vertices, perimeter and areas of each of the shapes of the respective device,

store the generated signatures for the layout with the layout,

receive the stored layout and generated signatures,

regenerate each signature for each device in the stored layout after receiving the stored layout and the generated signatures,

compare each regenerated signature with the corresponding stored signature, and

provide an output for each regenerated signature that does not match the corresponding stored signature.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein each device in the layout comprises a plurality of shapes and the processor is arranged, when generating the signature for each device in the layout, to generate a numerical representation of the shapes of the respective device.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the generated signature is a string forming a part of the layout of each device.

7. A non-transitory storage device readable by a machine for checking layout integrity, includes instructions that when executed by the machine, cause the machine to perform actions comprising:

receiving inputs defining a plurality of devices for a layout,

generating a signature for each device in the layout, when the layout is created, from one or more parameters of the device, wherein the signature is generated from a commutative mathematical operation of one or more parameters of each shape of the respective device, the signature further generated from the coordinates of polygon vertices, perimeter and areas of each of the shapes of the respective device,

storing the generated signatures for the layout with the layout,

receiving the stored layout and generated signatures,

regenerating each signature for each device in the stored layout after receiving the stored layout and the generated signatures,

comparing each regenerated signature with the corresponding stored signature, and

providing an output for each regenerated signature that does not match the corresponding stored signature.

8. The non-transitory storage device according to claim 7 , wherein each device in the layout comprises a plurality of shapes and the instructions for generating the signature for each device in the layout comprise instructions for generating a numerical representation of the shapes of the respective device.

9. The non-transitory storage device of claim 7 , wherein the generated signature is a string forming a part of the layout of each device.