JPH0816654A - Communication system between graphics display device and text file display device for cad system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten time for collation and to reduce retrieving work error by changing elements corresponding to a character string designated by a text file display device and graphics data and on a graphics display device and displaying them. CONSTITUTION:A graphic is displayed, inputted and edited on a graphics editor window by a graphics display device 20a based on the graphics data stored in a magnetic disk 22 and as a result, various text files are outputted from a CAD system and stored in the magnetic disk 22. Based on these text files, the CAD system displays the character string on a text display window by a text file display device 20b and designates its display picture or icon by manipulating a mouse 18 so that the condition of the graphic displayed in the graphics editor window can be changed corresponding to the row or column of the character string in the text display window.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system, and more particularly to a functional design in electronic / electrical design, circuit design or printing. CA that supports the design work of a board design or a machine (case or assembly) design by a computer using a graphics display device.
The present invention relates to a communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system for more effectively supporting the design work when the D system is used.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, a CAD system that uses a graphics display device to support design work by a computer is used to, for example, electronic and electrical systems such as functional design, circuit design or printed circuit board design. In designing, an operator inputs and edits a circuit diagram (logical connection information) and a board layout diagram (physical information such as layout and wiring) using an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

Then, as a result of the above-mentioned input and editing, a collection of text data which is a digitized character string for human reading (hereinafter referred to as "text file").
Called. ), Various text files such as a net list, a parts table, an electrical rule error table, a design rule error table, database information, and a design change list are output from the CAD system.

That is, conventionally, a graphic is displayed by a graphics display device on the basis of graphics data which is controlled by a computer and indicates circuit symbols or elements or parts (hereinafter collectively referred to as "elements"). Can be displayed for input and editing, and as a result of such input and editing, a text file composed of text data indicating a character string corresponding to graphics data is output, and the output text is output. There is known a CAD system capable of displaying a character string represented by text data by a text file display device based on a file.

However, since various text files output from such a CAD system are text data independent of the database of graphics data of the CAD system, they can be displayed on the screen using a text file display device. Although it was possible to check or print it on a printer and check it on the paper, the original circuit diagram or board layout diagram displayed on the screen of the graphics display device and the text files of various text files were displayed. In order to check the correspondence with the data, the operator had to visually recognize each.

That is, in the conventional CAD system, there is a gap between the graphics display device or the drawing on the paper which is output from the graphics display device and the text file display device or various text files on the paper. , There was no relationship. Therefore, there is a problem that the operator has to memorize the circuit symbol or the name of the element such as the element or the part when the both are collated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a text even if the operator does not accurately store the name of the element. A text file display device and a graphics device are provided so that the file display device can very easily instruct the graphics display device to display graphics data corresponding to an element and change the display mode of the element. A graphic in a CAD system that significantly reduces the time required for collation with the display device and significantly reduces the burden on the operator in the collation work between the text file display device and the graphics display device. To provide a communication system between a text display and a text file display A.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system according to the present invention is controlled by a computer, and the graphics system A graphic display device can be used to input and edit graphics by displaying data based on the data, and as a result of the input and edit, the data is composed of text data indicating a character string corresponding to the graphics data. A text file is output, and the above-mentioned text file is displayed by the text file display device based on the output text file.
C that can display the character string indicated by the data
Designating means for designating a desired character string in the character string displayed by the text file display device in the AD system, and display of the character string designated by the designating means in the text file display device. A command character string that can be recognized by the graphics display device from the character string designated by the first changing means and the designating means (hereinafter, this command character string is referred to as "command" as appropriate). And a communication means for communicating the generated command from the text file display device to the graphics display device, and for receiving, in the graphics display device, the command communicated by the communication means. A second changing means for changing the display mode of the graphics data indicated by the command. It is obtained by way.

[0009]

The graphic data corresponding to the element corresponding to the character string designated by the designating means in the text file display device is changed in the graphics display device, for example, highlight display, zoom display or bit map. Is displayed.

Therefore, when the graphics data corresponding to the element displayed on the graphics display device is searched (matched) from the character string displayed on the text file display device, the search (matching) work itself is performed. The time can be shortened, and the occurrence of mistakes in the search (collation) work can be reduced. Further, in the search (collation) work, the degree of visual recognition is significantly reduced, so that the stress on the operator can be significantly reduced.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Communication between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The system will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a CAD according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Graphics display and text in the system
A block diagram of a CAD system with a communication system to and from a file display device is shown, which is controlled by a computer and is based on the graphics data representing the elements A graphic can be displayed for input and editing, and as a result of such input and editing, a text file composed of text data indicating a character string corresponding to graphics data corresponding to an element is output. The text file display device can display a character string represented by text data based on the output text file.

The CAD system is constructed so that the control of the entire operation is controlled by using a central processing unit (CPU) 10. The CPU 10 is provided with a control of the entire operation via a bus. Read-only memory (ROM) 12 in which a predetermined program for executing the program and a program for executing software shown in a flowchart described later are stored, and a register or a flag for storing various data necessary for the execution of the program by the CPU 10. And a random access memory (RAM) 14 as a working area in which an area for storing graphics data and a text file read from a magnetic disk 22 to be described later is set, and implementation of the present invention to be described later. Keyboard with various controls to give instructions related to 16, a mouse 18 for performing appropriate operations related to the implementation of the present invention on the display screen like a keyboard, a display device 20 having a multi-window function including a CRT display device, and a graphic And a magnetic disk 22 serving as an external storage device that stores a text file output from the CAD system.

Here, the display device 20 is a graphics display device 20 for controlling a graphics editor window which is a window for displaying graphics based on graphics data stored in the magnetic disk 22.
a and a text file display device 20b for controlling a text display window for displaying a character string based on the text file stored in the magnetic disk 22, and these graphics display device 20a and the text file display device are provided. The device 20b has a communication function, receives data from the text file display device 20b and transmits data to the graphics display device 20a in response to the operation of the CPU 10 by executing software shown in a flowchart described later, and the graphics display device Two
0a is adapted to receive and process the transmitted data.

Then, the graphics display device 20a
Is a magnified display, highlight display, and bit display of graphics in the graphics editor window.
The map can be displayed. The database handled by the graphics display device 20a has a structure in which 0 or 1 name corresponds to each figure, and the name is assigned to each figure corresponding to the name. By designating, it is possible to magnify, highlight or search the database.

On the other hand, the text file display device 20b
Is capable of changing the character color and background color of the character string row or the character string itself displayed in the text display window, as well as the character size. .

That is, in this CAD system, graphics are displayed on the graphics editor window by the graphics display device 20a based on the graphics data stored in the magnetic disk 22 for inputting and editing. As a result of inputting and editing the above, various text files such as net list, parts table, electrical rule error table, design rule error table, database information, and design change list are output from the CAD system. Being a magnetic disk 2
2 is stored.

The CAD system can display the character string of the text file on the text display window by the text file display device 20b based on the text file stored in the magnetic disk 22. By specifying the display screen of the text display window or the icon (see FIGS. 4 to 6) by operating the mouse 18, the mouse 18 can be displayed as described later.
Depending on the character string line or the character string itself in the text display window specified by, the character string line or the character string itself displayed in the text display window, and a graphics editor corresponding to the character string line or the character string itself -Change the mode of the figure displayed in the window.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, as icons, "zoom on / zoom off", "search", "bit map", "highlight", "reset", "Print" and "End" are set, and each functions as follows.

1. Zoom on / Zoom off By specifying "Zoom on" with the mouse 18,
In order to perform a zoom search for a graphic in the graphics editor window, the part containing the graphic in the graphic editor window corresponding to the character string line or the character string itself specified in the text display window is specified. It will be enlarged and displayed in the size of. Further, by specifying "zoom off" with the mouse 18, the enlarged display by "zoom on" is returned to the original size.

2. Search By designating "Search" with the mouse 18, a graphic editor corresponding to the character string line or the character string itself specified in the text display window in order to search the graphic in the graphics editor window. -Search the figures on the window sequentially.

3. Bit map By specifying "bit map" with the mouse 18, the graphic in the graphics editor window corresponding to the specified character string line in the text display window or the character string itself is displayed as a bit map. It

4. Highlight By specifying "highlight" with the mouse 18, a graphics editor that supports the specified character string line or the character string itself in the text display window.
The figure on the window is highlighted.

5. Reset By designating "reset" with the mouse 18, the display of the graphic on the graphics editor window is returned to the initial state.

6. Print By specifying "print" with the mouse 18, the text file displayed in the text display window is printed out.

7. End By specifying "end" with the mouse 18, the display in the text display window is ended.

When the character string displayed in the text display window is designated by the mouse 18, the character color of the designated character string is changed and the mouse 18
When the character string line displayed in the text display window is designated by, the character color of the designated character string line is changed.

The operation of the communication system between the graphics display device and the text file display device in the CAD system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the main routine. When the power is turned on in this CAD system, the graphics display device 20a is first activated (step S202).

Next, a message "Please key in the file name" is displayed on the graphics editor window, and the selection of the graphics data file is prompted (step S204).

When the file name is input by operating the keyboard 16 according to the display of the graphics editor window in step S204 (step S206), the graphics data of the file corresponding to the input file name is recorded on the magnetic disk. 22 to RAM
A graphic based on the graphics data read into the RAM 14 and read into the RAM 14 is displayed on the graphics editor window (step S208).

Next, the keyboard 16 is operated to input the file name of the text file and the text file display device 20b is started (step S210), and the text file corresponding to the input file name is the magnetic disk. The character string based on the text file read from RAM 22 into RAM 14 is displayed on the text display window (step S21).
2).

Further, the text file display device 20
The name of the graphics display device 20a to be linked with b is input by the keyboard 16 (step S21).
4).

A "keyword table" for extracting graphic elements from a character string line on the text display window designated by the mouse 18 is read into the RAM 14 (step S216).

Here, "keyword table"
Is set in order to facilitate the search in the text file display device 20b, and as shown in FIG. 3, the name of each element (SigN: signal name, Sy
The mID: symbol name, Pn: pin number) and the format described in the file (the following format is used in this embodiment) are stored together. [Description Format in the Present Embodiment] The signal name is written at the beginning of the line. -The line delimiter is ";". -A plurality of symbol names correspond to one signal name. The delimiter between the signal name and the symbol name is ":". The delimiter between the symbol name and the symbol name is ",". -The correspondence between the symbol name and the pin number is expressed by "()".

When the process of step S216 is completed, the process proceeds to step S217, and the graphics display device 20a
Initialize (zoom off / bit map off / highlight on / search off) the command state used (referenced) when sending to.

When the process of step S217 is completed, the process proceeds to step S218 and waits for an event input by operating the mouse 18 on the text display screen.

Then, the input event is the mouse 1
If the event is the event that specifies the icon "end" by the operation of 8, the process proceeds to step S222, and this main
The routine processing ends.

The input event is the mouse 18
If the event is an event that specifies the icon "zoom on" by the operation of, the process proceeds to step S226, and the command (command character string for transmission to the graphics display device 20a) generation is made for the zoom search. Set the command status.

Furthermore, the input event is the mouse 1
If it is the event for designating the icon "bit map" by the operation of 8, the process proceeds to step S230, and the command state is set so that the command generation is for displaying the bit map.

Furthermore, if the input event is an event for designating the icon "highlight" by operating the mouse 18, the process proceeds to step S234, and the command state is set so that the command generation is for highlight display. To set.

The input event is the mouse 18
If it is an event that specifies the icon "search" by the operation of, the process proceeds to step S238, and the command state is set so that the command generation is for data search.

Furthermore, the input event is the mouse 1
If the event is the event of designating the icon "reset" by the operation of 8, the process proceeds to step S242, and a display initialization command is transmitted to the graphics device 20a.
Then, the display screen of the text file display device 20b is cleared.

Furthermore, if the input event is an event for designating the icon "printer" by operating the mouse 18, the process proceeds to step S246, and a text display window is displayed for the preset printer server. Output the text data displayed in
The text data is output to a printer.

The input event is the mouse 18
If the event specifies the character string displayed in the text display window by the operation of step, step S
In step 250, the character color of the character string designated by the mouse 18 is changed. Furthermore, step S217, step S230, step S234 and step S23.
By referring to the command state set in 8, the command is created for the element corresponding to the character string designated by the mouse 18, and the command is transmitted to the graphics display device 20a. At this time, the number of searches for a preset element is set in the “search count table” of the RAM 14.

Furthermore, if the input event is an event that specifies a character string line displayed in the text display window by operating the mouse 18, the process proceeds to step S254, and the character designated by the mouse 18 is input. Change the text color of columns and rows. Further, a plurality of elements are extracted from the character string line designated according to the “keyword table”, the command state set in step S217, step S230, step S234 and step S238 is referred to, and a command is executed for the extracted element. Create and send a command to the graphics display device 20a. At this time, the number of searches for a preset element is set in the “search count table” of the RAM 14.

When an unprocessable event is input, error processing (displaying an error message or sounding an error warning sound) is performed in step S256.

When the processing flow advances to step S256, the process returns to step S218, and step S218.
The subsequent processing is repeated.

Further, in steps S250 and S254, the graphics display device 20a to which the command has been transmitted initializes the display or the display as instructed by the command.

Next, an operation example according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the graphics display device 20a is started by turning on the power (step S202), a message "Please key in the file name" is displayed on the screen of the graphics display device 20a, and the file is displayed. Is prompted (step S204).

Then, when the file G, which is the file name of the graphics data of the circuit diagram to be displayed on the graphics display device 20a, is input by the keyboard 16 (step S206), the graphics data of the file G is read from the magnetic disk 22. Read in RAM14,
Graphics of file G loaded in RAM14
A graphic based on the data is displayed on the graphics display device 20a.
In the graphics editor window (step S208).

Further, the text file display device 20
Input the file T, which is the file name of the text file to be displayed in b, with the keyboard 16
The file display device 20b is activated (step S21
0), the text file of the file T is read from the magnetic disk 22 into the RAM 14, and the character string based on the text file of the file T read into the RAM 14 is
It is displayed in the text display editor window of the text file display device 20b (step S212).

Next, the text file display device 20b
The name of the graphics display device 20a to be associated with
Input with the keyboard 16 (step S2
14), the corresponding "keyword table" in RAM1
4 is read (step S216).

Next, initialization of the command state to be referred to when transmitting to the graphics display device 20a (zoom
Off / bit map off / highlight on / search off).

After the above operation and processing, the icon "zoom on" (step S22) is displayed on the text display window of the text file display device 20b.
6) and the icon "highlight" (step S234) are sequentially designated by the mouse 18.

Next, the text file display device 20b
In the text display window of, the character string "A00
01 ”is designated by the mouse 18 (step S25
0: State E in FIG. Here, the number of searches is set to 1 (FIG. 7).

Then, from the character string "A0001" designated by the mouse 18 and the setting state of the text file display device (highlight: on, zoom: on, number of searches: 1), the graphics display device 20a is displayed. As a command for transmitting by sending, "To: G Sea
rch HighLight In SigName:
A0001 Count: 1 ”is generated and transmitted to the graphics display device 20a.

The graphics display device 20a displays the command "To: G Search HighLight In.
SigName: A0001 Count1 "(state A in FIG. 4), the command is decomposed and displayed as a display command in the graphics display device 20a.
"Search HighLight In SigN
“Ame: A0001 Count: 1”.

If the element designated by the display command is present in the graphics editor window of the currently displayed graphics display device 20a, the graphics corresponding to the element is displayed.
The area including the data is enlarged to 120%, and the graphics data corresponding to the element is highlighted (state B in FIG. 4).

Further, the text file display device 20b
In the text display window of, the character string "A
"0001" is designated by the mouse 18 (step S2
50: State F in FIG. 5). Here, the number of searches is set to 2 (FIG. 8).

Then, from the character string "A0001" designated by the mouse 18 and the setting state of the text file display device (highlight: on, zoom: on, number of searches: 2), the graphics display device 20a is displayed. As a command for transmitting by sending, "To: G Sea
rch HighLight In SigName:
A0001 Count: 2 ”is generated and transmitted to the graphics display device 20a.

The graphics display device 20a sends the command "To: G Search HighLight In".
SigName: A0001 Count: 2 "(state B in FIG. 4), the command is decomposed,
As a display command in the graphics display device 20a, "Search HighLight In Si
gName: A0001 Count: 2 ".

If the second candidate of the element designated by the display command exists in the graphics editor window of the currently displayed graphics display device 20a, the graphics corresponding to the element is present.・ Expand the area containing data to 120%,
The graphics data corresponding to the element is highlighted (state C in FIG. 5).

Then, in the text display window of the text file display device 20b, the character matrix including the character string "A0002" is designated by the mouse 18 (step S254: state G in FIG. 6). Here, the number of searches is set to 1 (FIG. 9).

Then, the character strings of a plurality of elements are extracted from the character string line designated by the mouse 18 based on the keyword table (FIG. 3), and the setting state (highlight: ON) of the text file display device is extracted. , Zoom: on, the number of searches for the character string “A0002”: 1), and a command to send to the graphics display device 20a is “To: G Search HighLi”.
ght In SigName: A0002 SymI
d: IC001 PinNo: 6 SymId: R00
2 PinNo: 1 Count: 1 ”is generated and transmitted to the graphics display device 20a.

The graphics display device 20a displays the command "To: G Search HighLight In".
SigName: A0002 SymId: IC00
1 PinNo: 6 SymId: R002 PinNo:
1 Count: 1 ”(state C in FIG. 5),
The command is disassembled and the graphics display device 20
As a display command in a, "Search High
Light In

SigName: A0002 SymI
d: IC001 PinNo: 6 SymId: R00
2 PinNo: 1 Count: 1 ”is created.

If the first candidate of the element designated by the display command exists in the graphics editor window of the currently displayed graphics display device 20a, the graphics corresponding to the element is displayed.・ Expand the area containing data to 120%,
The graphics data corresponding to the element is highlighted (state D in FIG. 6).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view conceptually showing the outline of the operation of the present invention described above. As can be easily understood from FIG. 10, the present invention provides a graphics display device 2
0a refers to / edits graphics data, and the text file display device 20b refers to a text file for processing. When a character string or character string line is designated by the mouse 18 in the text file display device 20b, a command corresponding to the character string or character string line is created.
The created command is the text file display device 2.
0b to the graphics display device 20a.

When the character string line is designated by the mouse 18, the element is extracted by referring to the keyword table and the processing is performed.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the display device having the multi-window is used for displaying the text file and the graphics data, but the present invention is not limited to this. And the graphics data may be displayed by using a display device that displays them separately.

[0073]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

A character string corresponding to the graphics data can be input and edited by displaying a figure on the graphics display device based on the graphics data, which is controlled by a computer. In a CAD system capable of outputting a text file composed of text data indicating, and displaying a character string indicated by the text data on a text file display device based on the output text file. Designating means for designating a desired character string in the character string displayed by the file display device and first changing means for changing the display mode of the character string designated by the designating means in the text file display device And the character specified by the specifying means A command that can be recognized by the graphics display device from the communication device, and the communication means that communicates the generated command from the text file display device to the graphics display device; and the command that is communicated by the communication device in the graphics display device. However, since the second change means for changing the display mode of the graphics data indicated by the received command is provided, the graphics data corresponding to the character string designated by the designating means in the text file display device is , A graphic element displayed on the graphics display device from a character string displayed on the text file display device, since it is changed on the graphics display device, for example, highlighted display, zoom display, or bit map display. Of the corresponding graphics data Search (verification)
It is possible to reduce the time required for the search (matching) operation itself when performing the search, and to reduce the occurrence of mistakes in the search (matching) operation.

Further, in the search (collation) work, the degree of visual recognition is remarkably reduced.
The operator's stress can be significantly reduced.

That is, according to the present invention, even if the operator does not accurately store the name of the element, the display of the element or the change of the display mode of the element is changed from the text file display device to the graphics display device. Can be specified very easily, the time required for matching between the text file display device and the graphics display device can be significantly reduced, and the text file display device and the graphics display device can be significantly reduced. It is possible to significantly reduce the burden on the operator in the collation work with the device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a CA having a communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block configuration diagram of a D system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a main routine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a keyword table.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example showing a display mode of graphics in the graphics editor window and a display mode of a text file in the text display window.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example showing a display mode of a graphic on the graphics editor window and a display mode of a text file in the text display window.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example showing a display mode of graphics in the graphics editor window and a display mode of a text file in the text display window.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing the names of elements and the number of detections in an operation example.

FIG. 8 is a chart showing the names of elements and the number of detections in an operation example.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing the names of elements and the number of detections in an operation example.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view conceptually showing the outline of the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 12 ROM 14 RAM 16 keyboard 18 mouse 20 display device 20a graphics display device 20b text file display device 22 magnetic disk

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A computer-controlled computer capable of displaying and inputting graphics by a graphics display device based on the graphics data, and inputting and editing the graphics data as a result of the inputting and editing. A text file composed of text data indicating the corresponding character string is output, and a text file is output based on the output text file.
In a CAD system capable of displaying a character string indicated by the text data by a file display device, a specifying means for specifying a desired character string in the character string displayed by the text file display device, In the text file display device, first changing means for changing the display mode of the character string designated by the designating means, and an instruction character which can be recognized by the graphics display device from the character string designated by the designating means. Communication means for generating a sequence and communicating the generated command character string from the text file display device to the graphics display device; and, in the graphics display device, the command character string communicated by the communication means. Display of graphics data received and indicated by the received command string C which has a second changing means for changing the mode.
A communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in an AD system. 2. A computer is controlled, and a graphic display device can display a figure based on the graphics data for inputting and editing, and as a result of the inputting and editing, the graphics data is added to the graphics data. A text file composed of text data indicating the corresponding character string is output, and a text file is output based on the output text file.
In a CAD system capable of displaying a character string indicated by the text data by a file display device, a specifying means for specifying a desired character string in the character string displayed by the text file display device, In the text file display device, first changing means for changing a display mode of the character string designated by the designating means, and an instruction character which can be recognized by the graphics display device from the character string designated by the designating means. Communication means for generating a sequence and communicating the generated command character string from the text file display device to the graphics display device; and, in the graphics display device, the command character string communicated by the communication means. Display of graphics data received and indicated by the received command string When the same command character string is successively designated by the second changing means for changing the mode and the designating means, and if there is a next candidate for the graphics data corresponding to the command character string, the next candidate is selected. A communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system, comprising: a next candidate search means for sequentially searching and displaying on a graphics display device. 3. The first changing means changes attributes such as color and size of characters of the character string or character string line designated by the designating means, or the designated character string or character string line. 3. A communication system between a graphics display device and a text file display device in a CAD system according to claim 1, wherein the background color of the display device is changed. 4. The second changing means is a highlight display such as changing the color of graphics data or a zoom display.
Up display and bit map display for displaying a bit map determined in the vicinity of the graphics data are performed, and when there is no corresponding graphics data in the graphics display device, the graphics data is displayed. The communication between the graphics display device and the text file display device in the CAD system according to claim 1, wherein the search result is displayed on the graphics display device by searching the database. system.