JPH08194733A - Function block arranging device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To variably change respective function blocks by displaying the arrangement of slave function blocks on a circuit board based on slave function block information showing positions and forms. CONSTITUTION: When a master function blocks are inputted in a function block arrangement processing, a processing for arranging the slave function blocks in the master function blocks is executed in a subsequent processing. The connection relation of the function blocks and a connection relation (connection degree) between the fixing parts of connectors and the function blocks are calculated. The connection relation between the function blocks is calculated by extracting signal lines which are connected by straddling the function blocks by parts information stored in a parts information storage area 10 and connection information stored in a connection information storage area 12. Thus, arrangement information on the function blocks is displayed on the screen of a display part based on the area of the function blocks and the connection relation of the function blocks, which are thus calculated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a functional block arranging apparatus and method, and more particularly to a function for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board. The present invention relates to a block arrangement device and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When designing a printed circuit board, first, referring to a circuit diagram, a functional block schematic layout design is performed to determine a schematic layout of functional blocks on the printed circuit board. Here, the functional block is a group of electric components that are divided into functional units of a circuit. Then, a detailed layout of each electric component and a component layout design such as determination of a wiring route are performed. In the functional block schematic layout design, normally, the printed circuit board designer refers to the functional block by referring to the positional relationship between fixed parts such as connectors and the functional blocks whose layout on the printed circuit board is predetermined and the circuit diagram. Understands the connection relationship from the above, and determines the rough position and shape of the functional block from this information.

After the rough positions of the functional blocks are determined, a printed circuit board designing device is used to carry out a design for automatically or interactively determining the layout and wiring route of each electric component. A device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-251106 is known as a device for determining the approximate position of this functional block. In this block rough position determination device, when the electric components are classified into the functional blocks in advance, the area of each functional block is calculated based on the classified electric component information, the connection information between the electric components, and the functional block information. Then, the connection degree of each functional block is calculated based on the component information, the connection information, and the block information. Then, the arrangement of the functional blocks is determined according to the results of these two calculations, and this is displayed on the display. This rough position determination device easily determines the rough position of the functional block, eliminates the need to repeat the layout of the functional block, and improves the efficiency of the layout determination of the functional block.

[0004]

In the above general position determining device, the work of classifying each electric component into functional blocks is performed manually. For example, after classifying each electric component into functional blocks based on a circuit diagram, the designer inputs the classification result into the device for each electric component. Also,
Recently, functional blocks are hierarchized and a parent functional block directly arranged on a substrate is further classified into a plurality of child functional blocks. Similarly, when classifying into the child functional blocks, the designer similarly classifies each electric component into the child functional blocks based on the circuit diagram, and inputs the classification result to the device for each electric component. . Therefore, it takes a long time to sort each electric component into parent and child functional blocks,
The classification work is complicated.

On the other hand, even if the arrangement of the functional blocks is decided,
There are times when it is desired to make various changes such as changes in the positions and shapes of functional blocks depending on factors such as design changes. In such a case, there is a problem that various changes cannot be sufficiently performed in the conventional rough position determining device. The purpose of the present invention is to
It is to make it easy to classify each electric component into functional blocks.

Another object of the present invention is to enable various changes in each functional block.

[0007]

A functional block arranging device according to the present invention is a device for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged in a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board. There is a means for determining child attribute information,
The information storage unit, the area calculation unit, the connection degree calculation unit, the child functional block information generation unit, and the display unit are provided. The child attribute information determination means determines child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electrical component belongs to.
The information storage means stores area information of electric components to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information determined by the child attribute information determination means, and connection information of each electric component. The area calculation means calculates the occupied area for each child functional block based on the area information and child attribute information stored in the information storage means. The connection degree calculation means calculates the connection degree between the respective child functional blocks based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage means. The child function block information generation means generates child function block information indicating the position and shape of each child function block on the circuit board based on the calculation results of the area calculation means and the connection degree calculation means. The display means displays the arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board based on the child functional block information generated by the child functional block information generating means.

The child attribute information determining means obtains a component code of an electric component to which a component code is previously associated with the child function block, and a component code obtained by the component code acquiring means. It is preferable to provide a first classification unit that determines the child attribute information by referring to. Further, the child attribute information determining means is an information receiving means for receiving connection information of each electric component created by the circuit diagram creation and display device, symbol pattern information of each electrical part, and display position information of the symbol pattern information. A circuit diagram display means for displaying the circuit diagram on the display means based on the connection information, the symbol pattern information and the display position information received by the information receiving means, and an input for dividing the circuit diagram displayed on the display means. A division input reception means for receiving, a division information display means for displaying division information on the circuit diagram displayed on the display means in accordance with the division input received by the division input reception means, and a division displayed by the division information display means A second classifying unit that determines the child attribute information of the electric component according to the information may be provided.

Further, it may further include grandchild attribute information determining means for determining grandchild attribute information indicating which one of the grandchild functional blocks arranged in the child functional block the electric component belongs to. Further, the grandchild attribute information determining means, an input receiving means for receiving an input for selecting a main electric component on the child functional block, and connection information of each electric component to the main electric component received by the input receiving means, A third classification means for determining grandchild attribute information of a plurality of electric components included in the child functional block based on the child attribute information of the electric component that is directly and indirectly connected to the main electric component. You may have it.

Further, it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises editing means for editing the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means. A functional block arranging device according to another invention of the present invention is a device for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks in which a plurality of electric components are arranged in a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, The storage unit, the area calculation unit, the connection degree calculation unit, the child functional block information generation unit, the display unit, and the editing unit are provided. The information storage means stores area information of electric components to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electric component belongs to, and connection information of each electric component.
The area calculation means calculates the occupied area for each child functional block based on the area information and child attribute information stored in the information storage means. The connection degree calculation means calculates the connection degree between the respective child functional blocks based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage means. The child function block information generation means generates child function block information indicating the position and occupied area of each child function block on the circuit board based on the calculation results of the area calculation means and the connection degree calculation means. The display means displays the arrangement state of the child functional blocks on the circuit board based on the child functional block information generated by the child functional block information generating means. The editing means edits the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means.

The editing means includes child function block selection means for receiving an input for selecting one or more child function blocks from the plurality of child function blocks displayed on the display means, and the selected child function block is included. It is preferable to edit the arrangement state of. Further, the editing means may have attribute changing means for changing the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information.

Further, the editing means may have an attribute generating means for generating the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information. Further, the editing means may have attribute erasing means for erasing the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information. Also, the editing means is
Area changing means for changing the area of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block may be provided.

Further, the editing means may have a position changing means for changing the position of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block. Further, the editing means may have shape changing means for changing the shape of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block. Further, the editing means may have block information confirmation means for confirming information of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block.

A functional block arranging method according to the present invention is a method for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric parts are arranged in a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, and child attribute information. Determination step, information storage step,
An area calculation step, a connection degree calculation step, a child functional block information generation step, and a display step are included. In the child attribute information determination step, child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electrical component belongs to is determined. In the information storing step, area information of the electric component to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information determined in the child attribute information determining step, and connection information of each electric component are stored. In the area calculation step, based on the area information and the child attribute information stored in the information storage step,
The occupied area of each child functional block is calculated. In the connection degree calculation step, the connection degree between the child functional blocks is calculated based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage step. In the child function block information generation step, child function block information indicating the position and shape of each child function block on the circuit board is generated based on the calculation results of the area calculation step and the connection degree calculation step. In the display step, the arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board is displayed based on the child functional block information generated in the child functional block information generating step.

A functional block arranging method according to another invention of the present invention is a method for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board. The information storage step, the area calculation step, the connection degree calculation step, the child functional block information generation step, the display step, and the editing step. In the information storage step, area information of the electric component to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electric component belongs to, and connection information of each electric component are stored.
In the area calculation step, the occupied area for each child functional block is calculated based on the area information and the child attribute information stored in the information storage step. In the connection degree calculation step, the connection degree between the child functional blocks is calculated based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage step. In the child function block information generation step, child function block information indicating the position and occupied area of each child function block on the circuit board is generated based on the calculation results of the area calculation step and the connection degree calculation step. In the display step, the arrangement state of the child function blocks on the circuit board is displayed based on the child function block information generated in the child function block information generation step. In the editing process, the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed in the displaying process is edited.

[0016]

In the functional block arranging apparatus and method according to the present invention, when the child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electric component belongs to is decided, the decided child attribute is stored in the information storing means. The information storage means also stores area information of electric components to be arranged on the circuit board and connection information of each electric component. When these pieces of information are stored in the information storage means, the occupied area of each child functional block is calculated based on the area information and the child attribute information stored in the information storage means. Further, the degree of connection between the child functional blocks is calculated based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage means. Then, based on the area calculation result and the connection degree calculation result, child functional block information indicating the position and shape of each child functional block on the circuit board is generated. The arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board is displayed based on the child functional block information. Here, since the child attribute of the electric component is automatically determined, the labor of inputting the attribute can be saved.

When the child attribute information determining means includes the part code acquiring means and the first classifying means, the child attribute information determining means pre-assigns the part code in association with the child function block. When you get the part code of an electric part,
The child attribute information is determined by the first classifying means with reference to the acquired part code. Here, it is possible to easily classify the electric components into functional blocks simply by acquiring the component codes of the electric components.

If the child attribute information determining means includes the information receiving means, the circuit diagram displaying means, the division input receiving means, the division information displaying means, and the second classifying means, it is created by the circuit diagram creating and displaying device. When the information reception means receives the connection information of each electric component, the symbol pattern information of each electric component, and the display position information of the symbol pattern information, the received connection information, the symbol pattern information, and the display position information are received. Based on this, the circuit diagram is displayed on the display unit by the circuit diagram display unit. When the circuit diagram is displayed, the split input receiving unit receives an input for splitting the circuit diagram displayed on the display unit. Then, the division information display means displays the division information on the circuit diagram displayed on the display means in accordance with the division input accepted by the division input acceptance means. The classifying unit determines the child attribute information of the electric component according to the displayed division information. here,
It is possible to easily classify the electrical components into functional blocks simply by performing division input on the displayed circuit diagram.

Further, when the grandchild attribute information determining means is further provided, the electric parts arranged in the child functional blocks can be classified into the grandchild functional blocks, so that the electric parts can be easily classified into hierarchical functional blocks. You can do it. Further, when the input receiving means and the third classifying means are provided, when the input receiving means receives the input for selecting the main electric component on the child functional block, the information is stored in the information storing means. , The child functional block based on the received connection information of each electric component to the main electric component and the child attribute information of the electric component directly and indirectly connected to the main electric component by the classifying unit. The grandchild attribute information of the plurality of electric components included in is determined. Here, since the grandchild attribute information of the electrical component is determined only by designating the main electrical component, it is possible to easily classify the electrical component into functional blocks.

Further, in the case of further comprising editing means for editing the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means, the arranged functional blocks can be edited and various changes can be made to each functional block. Will be able to. In a functional block placement device and method according to another aspect of the present invention, information storage means stores predetermined child attribute information, area information of electrical components to be placed on a circuit board, and connection information of each electrical component. Is stored. When these pieces of information are stored in the information storage means, the occupied area of each child functional block is calculated based on the area information and the child attribute information stored in the information storage means. Further, the degree of connection between the child functional blocks is calculated based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage means. Then, based on the area calculation result and the connection degree calculation result, child functional block information indicating the position and shape of each child functional block on the circuit board is generated. The arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board is displayed based on the child functional block information. Then, the arrangement state of the child functional blocks is edited. Here, the arranged functional blocks can be edited, and various changes can be made to each functional block.

When the editing means includes the child function block selecting means, the input for selecting one or a plurality of child function blocks from the plurality of child function blocks displayed on the display means can be accepted, so that the editing target Can be easily selected. If the editing means has an attribute changing means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be changed.

If the editing means has an attribute generating means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be generated. Further, when the editing means has an attribute erasing means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be erased. Further, when the editing means has the area changing means, the area of the child function block or the grandchild function block can be changed, and when the editing means has the position changing means, the child function block. Alternatively, the position of the grandchild functional block can be changed.

When the editing means has a shape changing means, the shape of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block can be changed. When the editing means has the block information confirmation means, the information of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block can be confirmed.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printed circuit board design support device as an electrical component classification device that employs an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the printed circuit board design support device includes an arithmetic processing unit 1 including a computer system including an MPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an I / O interface. The arithmetic processing unit 1 calculates the area of the functional block, calculates the connection relation of the functional block, displays the functional block information, and determines the functional block position. A display unit 2 including a CRT display, a database unit 3 including a hard disk device or a magneto-optical disk device, a printer 4, and a plotter 5 are connected to the arithmetic processing unit 1. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 as input means, and a circuit diagram CA.
A communication interface 8 for communicating with an external device such as a D device and other input / output units are connected.

In the database unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2, a parts information storage area 10, a function block information storage area 11, a connection information storage area 12, a parts master storage area 13, a part number and a function block. There is provided a functional block / part number storage area 14 indicating the relationship with the other data storage area 15. In the component information storage area 10, component number information of electrical components, component master code, component name information, surface changeable flag,
An arrangement flag, data indicating display coordinates on the display unit 2, and attribute information indicating to which functional block the electrical component belongs are stored. The part numbers are, for example, "IC100" to "IC99" for semiconductor ICs.
9 ", and the resistance is represented by a symbol indicating the type of component and a three-digit number following it, such as" R100 "to" R999 ". The surface changeable flag is a flag indicating whether or not the arrangement surface can be changed (YES, NO), and the arrangement flag indicates whether or not the component is already arranged on the board (P.
Laced, UNplaced).

In the functional block information storage area 11, functional block name information, upper functional block information indicating the storage address of the upper functional block of the functional block in the functional block information storage area 11, and lower functional of the functional block. Stored is lower-level functional block information indicating the storage address of the block, area information indicating the shape and position of the functional block, and prohibition information indicating what shape and position of the prohibition area the functional block has. There is. The connection information storage area 12 stores information on signal line names, information on electric components connected to the signal lines, and information on terminal numbers thereof. The component master storage area 13 stores a component master code, information about pins (terminals) of electric components, area information of electric components, prohibition information of electric components, and other information. The functional block / part number storage area 14 stores information indicating the relationship between the upper one digit of the three-digit number of the part number and the functional block. For example, information such as the A functional block is stored in the 100s of the part numbers and the B functional block is stored in the 200s.

Next, the classification process of the above-described embodiment and the functional block and electrical component placement process based on it will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The arithmetic processing unit 1 first performs initial setting in step S1. At the time of this initial setting, various flags and various information are set to initial values (default values). In step S2,
The circuit diagram CAD apparatus receives connection information and component information of the circuit diagram resulting from designing the circuit diagram from, for example, the communication interface 8, converts the information, and stores the converted information in the database unit 3 to construct a database. In step S3, it is determined whether an attribute determination processing command has been issued. This attribute determination process determines to which functional block each electric component stored in the database unit 3 belongs.
In step S4, it is determined whether a functional block layout command has been issued. In step S5, it is determined whether or not a component placement command has been issued. A step S6 decides whether or not an edit command processing instruction has been issued. Step S7
Then, it is determined whether or not another processing instruction has been issued. If the determination in step S7 is "No", the process returns to step S3.

When it is determined that the attribute determination processing command has been issued, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S11. In step S11, an attribute determination process described later is executed. If it is determined that the functional block placement command has been issued, step S4
To step S12. In step S12, a functional block arrangement process described later is executed. If it is determined that the component placement command has been issued, steps S5 to S1
Move to 3. In step S13, component placement processing is executed. If it is determined that the edit command processing command has been issued, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S14. Step S
At 14, the edit command processing is executed. When it is determined that another processing instruction has been issued, steps S7 to S1
Go to 5. In step S15, another process according to the input instruction is executed.

In the attribute determination process of step S11, the process shown in FIG.
In step S20, it is determined whether the parent attribute has already been determined. Here, the parent attribute means an attribute of a functional block directly arranged on the board. That is, when each electric component is not classified into the functional block directly arranged on the board, this determination is “No”. This judgment is "N
If “o”, the process proceeds to step S21. Step S
In step 21, one piece of part number information is read from the part information storage area 10. In step S22, the upper one digit of the number of the called part number, that is, the number is in the 100s to 90s.
It is determined whether it is in the 0s, and it is collated with the data stored in the functional block / part number storage area 14. Then, for example, if the number of the part number is in the 100s, it is classified into the functional block A, and if it is in the 200s, it is classified into the functional block B. In step S23, the attribute information based on the classification result is written in the attribute information column of the component information storage area 10. For example, "A" is written as attribute information for parts in the 100s. However, the storage address in the functional block information storage area 11 of the functional block A may be written here. In step S24, it is determined whether reading of all part numbers has been completed. If the reading has not been completed, the process returns to step S21 to read the next part number information. When collation, classification and writing for all the part number information are completed, the process returns to the main routine.

If the parent attribute has already been determined, step S
The procedure moves from 20 to step S31. In the processing from step S31, processing is performed to classify each electric component in the parent function block whose attribute has already been determined into a plurality of child function blocks. In step S31, the input of the block name of the parent functional block (upper functional block) for which the classification process is to be performed is accepted. For example, when classifying the electrical components arranged in the parent functional block A into a plurality of child functional blocks, the operator inputs "A" and accepts this "A" in step S31. In step S32, the input of the main electrical component name of the parent functional block (upper functional block) input in step S31 is accepted. For example, if "IC110" is the main electric component in the parent function block A, the operator may select "IC11" here.
"0" is input, and in step S32, this "IC11
"0" is accepted. In step S33, the input of the child functional block name is accepted. The child function block name is "SUB
In the case of "A", the operator inputs "SUBA", and in step S33, this "SUBA" is accepted,
Furthermore, a child functional block “SUBA” is generated, and “SBA” is entered in the functional block name field of the functional block information storage area 11.
UBA ”is written, and the storage address of the functional block A is written in the column of the upper functional block.

In step S34, one terminal of the electric component is extracted by referring to the pin information stored in the component master storage area 13 from the component master code of the main electric component "IC110" stored in the component information storage area 10. To do. In step S35, the information stored in the connection information storage area 12 is referred to, and the counterpart electrical component connected to the signal line connected to the extracted terminal of the component number "IC110" is extracted. In step S36, the attribute information of the connected electric component of the partner is read. In step S37, it is determined from the read attribute information whether or not the connected partner component belongs to another higher-level functional block. That is, if the attribute information is different from the attribute information of the higher-level functional block name input in step S31, the determination here is "Yes". If they are the same, the determination is “No” here. In this case, the process proceeds from step S37 to step S38. Step S38
Then, the child functional block name input in step S32 is written in the component information storage area 10 as the attribute information of the connected electric component of the partner, and the process returns to step S35. Then, the same processing as described above is repeatedly executed. That is, the electrical component connected next is extracted in step S35, and the attribute information is read in step S36. Such processing is continued until the attribute information read in step S36 becomes a higher functional block different from the higher functional block input in step S31.

If the determination in step S37 is "Yes", it means that the connected electrical component of the other party belongs to another parent functional block, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S39. In step S39, it is determined whether or not the extraction of all the terminals of the component name input in step S32 has been completed. If this determination is "No", the process returns to step S33, the input of the next child functional block name is accepted, and the processing of classifying the electrical components into the next child functional block is performed by the same processing as described above. If the determination is “Yes”, the classification of the electrical components in the parent block into the child functional blocks is completed, and the process returns to the main routine.

As a result of such processing, as shown in FIG. 15, for the functional block A, "IC110" is input as the main electric component of the functional block A, and the step S32 is executed.
When "SUBA" is input as the child functional block name in 33, first, for example, the terminal 5 is extracted in step S34. Then, in step S35, the connection information storage area 1
2, the name of the signal line connected to the terminal 5 of the "IC110" is called. Then, the electric component connected to this signal line name is read, and the terminal number of the electric component is read. In this way, as shown in FIG.
2 ”and“ IC103 ”are extracted, and when“ IC201 ”is extracted, the determination in step S37 is“ Yes ”.
Becomes Then, the process returns to step S33, the input of the next child block name is accepted, and in step S34, "IC11
The electric component connected to the terminal next to "0" is extracted, and the same process as described above is repeated until the electric components connected to all the terminals are extracted.

In the functional block layout process of step S12, the input of the higher-level functional block name to be the layout target in step S41 of FIG. 5 is accepted. Here, when the board is input as the higher-level functional block name, the processing of arranging the functional blocks on the board is executed in the subsequent processing. Further, when the parent functional block is input, the processing of arranging the child functional block in the parent functional block is executed in the subsequent processing. In step S42, by referring to the attribute information of the part information storage area 10, all the parts belonging to the higher-level functional block input in step S41 are called, and based on the area information and the prohibition information stored in the part master code, All areas of the parts belonging to the functional block are calculated. However, when the area area of the functional block is calculated, it is calculated separately for the front surface of the substrate and the back surface of the substrate. That is, the surface area of the functional block is calculated by considering the surface on which the component is to be arranged for the surface mounting component and occupying both the front surface and the back surface of the penetrating component.

In step S43, the connection relation between the function blocks and the connection relation (connection degree) between the fixed parts such as the connector and the function block are calculated. The calculation of the connection relation between the functional blocks is performed by using the component information stored in the component information storage area 10 and the connection information stored in the connection information storage area 12 to determine the signal line connected across the functional blocks. It is done by extracting. The connection information between the functional blocks is the number of connections and the type of one connection signal line, for example, the signal line between front surface parts, the signal line between back surface parts, or the signal line between front surface parts and back surface parts. Such information is calculated.

In step S44, the layout information of the functional blocks is displayed on the screen of the display unit 2 based on the calculated area of the functional blocks and the connection relation of the functional blocks. An example of this screen display is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, each of the displayed functional blocks A to C is displayed in a form in which the area is smaller by the functional block C. At this stage, since each functional block is not arranged on the board, it is displayed on the outside of the board and the connector CT which is a fixed part is provided inside the board.
Is arranged. The numbers written between the functional blocks indicate the number of signal lines connected between the functional blocks. By this display, the functional block A and the functional block B
It can be seen that there are 10 connections between and, and there are 6 connections between the functional block B and the functional block C.
Further, between the connector CT and the functional block B, three signal lines showing the connection relationship between each pin of the connector CT and the functional block B are displayed.

In step S45, the arrangement positions of the unarranged functional blocks A to C are determined. This procedure will be described based on the example shown in FIG. First, paying attention to the connection relationship between the connector CT whose position is determined and the functional block that is not arranged,
Select a functional block that has many connection relationships with the fixed connector CT. In this case, connect the functional block B to the connector CT.
Place it near. Next, paying attention to the connection relationship between the functional block B and the remaining functional blocks, a functional block with a large number of connections is selected. Since the functional block A has ten connections with the functional block B, the functional block A is arranged near the functional block B. Finally, since the functional block C has six connections with the functional block B, the functional block C is arranged near the functional block B. The result of such position determination is shown in FIG.

The display unit 2 is provided with a command display unit 21 for displaying various commands and commands and a layout display unit 22 for displaying the layout state. In addition to this, the undisplayed parts and the like are also displayed on the placement display unit 22. Step S1
In the component placement processing of No. 3, in step S51 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not there is a functional block that is a placement target of a component that has not been placed yet. This decision can be
The determination is made by referring to the arrangement flags of the component information storage area 10 of all the electrical components classified into the functional blocks. If this determination is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S52.
In step S52, it is determined whether or not there is an unplaced component to be arranged in the functional block. This determination is similarly made by referring to the placement flag. If there are unplaced parts, the process moves from step S52 to step S53. In step S53, an optimum component is selected based on an algorithm that employs automatic component placement processing (for example, the algorithm disclosed in the component placement device of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-205974). In step S54, the optimum position of the selected optimum component is determined based on the same automatic component arrangement process. When the position of the component is determined, the process returns to step S52, and it is determined whether there is a next unplaced component. If there are unplaced parts, the process proceeds to step S53. When all the parts are arranged in one child function block, the process proceeds from step S52 to step S55.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not the arrangement of parts is optimum. This determination may be made automatically or manually. When the determination in step S55 is "No", the process proceeds to step S56. In step S56, all the components in the functional block are placed in a non-arranged state. In other words, the allocation flag is set to "unallocated (UN)".
To In step S57, the arrangement condition is changed. In changing the arrangement condition, the size of the grid of the arrangement grid of the component is changed, or the arrangement offset of the component is changed. When the arrangement condition changing process ends, the process returns to step S52. If it is determined that the position is optimum, the process returns from step S55 to the main routine.

In the edit command processing of step S14,
In step S61 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether a functional block attribute change command has been input. In step S62, it is determined whether a functional block generation command has been input. In step S63, it is determined whether a functional block erase command has been input. In step S64, it is determined whether a functional block area change command has been input. Step S6
At 5, it is determined whether a functional block move command is input. In step S66, it is determined whether a functional block prohibition addition command has been input. In step S67, it is determined whether a functional block information reference command has been input.
In step S68, it is determined whether or not another edit command has been input. If this determination is “No”, the process returns to the main routine.

When it is determined that the functional block attribute changing command is input, the process proceeds from step S61 to step S71, and the functional block attribute changing process shown in FIG. 8 is executed.
If it is determined that the functional block generation command is input, the process proceeds from step S62 to step S72, and the functional block generation process shown in FIG. 9 is executed. When it is determined that the functional block erasing command is input, steps S63 to S
In step 73, the functional block erasing process shown in FIG. 10 is executed. When it is determined that the functional block area change command is input, the process proceeds from step S64 to step S74,
The functional block area changing process shown in FIG. 11 is executed.
When it is determined that the functional block move command is input, the process proceeds from step S65 to step S75, and the functional block move process shown in FIG. 12 is executed. If it is determined that the functional block prohibition addition command is input, the process proceeds from step S66 to step S76, and the functional block prohibition addition process shown in FIG. 13 is executed. If it is determined that the functional block information reference command is input, the process proceeds from step S67 to step S77, and the functional block information reference process shown in FIG. 14 is executed. If it is determined that another edit command has been input, the process proceeds from step S68 to step S78, and the process corresponding to the other input edit command is performed.

In the functional block attribute changing process of step S71, the input of the part number whose attribute is to be changed and the changed functional block name in step S81 of FIG. 8 is accepted.
In step S82, the input electric component is extracted with reference to the component information storage area 10. In step S83, it is determined whether or not the electrical component having the component number input in step S81 is already stored in the component information storage area 10. If the part is already stored, the process proceeds from step S83 to step S84, the attribute information is changed to the function block name input in step S81, and the process returns to the edit command routine of FIG. If no part is stored, the process directly returns to the edit command routine.

In the functional block generation process of step S72, the input of the functional block name to be generated in step S91 of FIG. 9 is accepted. In step S92, it is determined whether or not the input functional block name is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If the input functional block name is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11, the process is terminated as it is, and if it is not stored, the process proceeds to step S93. In step S93, the functional block name input in step S91 is written in the functional block information storage area 11, and the area information and prohibition information are set to default values. Here, as the default value, the area of the entire substrate is written in the area information column, and the information of "none" is written in the prohibition information column.

In the functional block erasing process of step S73, the input of the functional block name to be erased is accepted in step S101 of FIG. In step S102, it is determined whether or not the functional block name input in step S101 is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If the functional block name is already stored, the process proceeds to step S103, and the column of the attribute information of the electrical component classified as the functional block to be erased in the component information storage area 10 is set to the higher-level function of the functional block to be erased. At the same time as rewriting the block name, all the information stored under the function block name in the function block information storage area 11 is erased.

In the functional block area changing process of step S74, the input of the functional block name to be changed in step S111 of FIG. 11 is accepted. In step S112, it is determined whether or not the functional block name input in step S111 is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If it is determined that it is stored, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, the area information and prohibition information of the input functional block are extracted. In step S114, based on the extracted area information and prohibition information, the function block is displayed at the position specified on the display unit 2 in the specified shape (hereinafter, referred to as the functional block size). In step S115, the input of area change information is accepted. When the area change information is input, the process proceeds to step S116. Step S
At 116, the shape information of the area information is changed in accordance with the area change information. In step S117, the changed functional block size is displayed.

In the functional block moving process of step S75, the input of the functional block name to be moved is accepted in step S121 of FIG. In step S122, it is determined whether or not the functional block name input in step S121 is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If it is determined that the data is stored, step S12
Move to 3. In step S123, the area information and the prohibition information of the input functional block are extracted. In step S124, the functional block size before movement is displayed on the display unit 2 based on the extracted area information and prohibition information. In step S125, the input of the position change information is accepted. When the position change information is input, step S1
Move to 26. In step S126, the position information of the area information is changed. In step S127, the functional block size after movement is displayed.

In the function block prohibition addition processing of step S76, the input of the function block name to which prohibition information should be added is accepted in step S131 of FIG. Step S1
In 32, it is determined whether or not the functional block name input in step S131 is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If it is determined that it is stored, the process proceeds to step S133. In step S133,
The area information and the prohibition information of the input functional block are extracted. In step S134, the function block size before the addition of prohibition is displayed on the display unit 2 based on the extracted area information and prohibition information. This state is shown in FIG. In FIG. 18A, a rectangular functional block A is displayed. In step S135, the input of the additional information of the function block prohibition is accepted. In this state, FIG. 18 (b)
As shown in, a rectangular prohibited area is added to the lower right corner of the functional block A based on the functional block prohibition additional information input. When additional information for prohibiting function block is entered,
Then, the process proceeds to step S136. In step S136,
Change the shape information and the position information of the prohibition information. In step S137, the functional block size after the addition of prohibition is changed is displayed. This state is shown in FIG. FIG.
In (c), the lower right corner of the functional block A is missing due to the prohibited area based on the input additional functional block prohibition information. In this way, the shape of the functional block is changed by adding the prohibition information in the functional block information reference processing of step S77.
In step S141 of 4, the input of the functional block name to be referred to is accepted. In step S142, step S1
It is determined whether or not the functional block name input in 41 is already stored in the functional block information storage area 11. If it is determined that it is stored, the process proceeds to step S143. In step S143, area information and prohibition information are extracted. In step S144, the component information of all the electrical components classified into the input functional block is searched with reference to the attribute information of the component information storage area 10.
In step S145, the shape of the functional block and the parts belonging to the functional block are highlighted and the searched part numbers are displayed in order.

[0048]

In the functional block arranging device and method according to the present invention, the child attribute of an electric component is automatically determined, so that the labor of inputting the attribute can be saved. When the child attribute information determining means includes the part code acquiring means and the first classifying means, the electric parts can be easily classified into functional blocks only by acquiring the part codes of the electric parts.

When the child attribute information determining means includes the information receiving means, the circuit diagram displaying means, the division input receiving means, the division information displaying means, and the second classifying means, the child circuit is divided into the displayed circuit diagrams. It is possible to easily classify electrical components into functional blocks simply by inputting them. Further, when the grandchild attribute information determining unit is further provided, the electric components arranged in the child functional blocks can be classified into the grandchild functional blocks, so that the electric components can be easily classified into the hierarchical functional blocks.

In the case where the input acceptance means and the third classification means are provided, it is only necessary to specify the main electric parts,
Since the grandchild attribute information of the electric component is determined, it is possible to easily classify the electric component into functional blocks. Further, when the editing means for editing the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means is further provided, the arranged functional blocks can be edited and various changes can be made to each functional block. become.

In the functional block placement device and method according to another aspect of the present invention, the placed functional blocks can be edited, and various changes can be made to each functional block. When the editing unit includes the child functional block selection unit, the input for selecting one or a plurality of child functional blocks from the plurality of child functional blocks displayed on the display unit can be accepted, so that the editing target can be easily performed. You can choose.

If the editing means has an attribute changing means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be changed. Further, when the editing means has the attribute generation means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be generated. Further, when the editing means has an attribute erasing means, the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information can be erased.

When the editing means has the area changing means, the area of the child function block or the grandchild function block can be changed. When the editing means has the position changing means, The position of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block can be changed. If the editing means has a shape changing means, the shape of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block can be changed.

When the editing means has the block information confirmation means, the information of the child functional block or the grandchild functional block can be confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram of a printed circuit board design support apparatus adopting an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a data storage state of a database unit 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of an arithmetic processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing attribute determination processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a block arrangement process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a component placement process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing edit command processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing block attribute change processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing block generation processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a block erasing process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a block area changing process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing block movement processing.

FIG. 13 is a control flowchart showing block prohibition change processing.

FIG. 14 is a control flowchart showing block information reference processing.

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a child function block generation procedure.

FIG. 16 is a display screen diagram showing a block layout process.

FIG. 17 is a display screen diagram showing a block arrangement state.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a block inhibition process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 arithmetic processing unit 2 display unit 3 database unit 6 mouse 7 keyboard 8 communication interface

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A functional block arranging device for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, wherein the electric component is a child function block. Child attribute information determining means for determining child attribute information indicating whether it belongs to a block, area information of electric components to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information determined by the child attribute information determining means, and each electrical Information storage means for storing connection information of parts, area calculation means for calculating an occupied area for each child functional block based on area information and child attribute information stored in the information storage means, Based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storage means, the connection degree calculation means for calculating the connection degree between the child functional blocks, and the calculation result of the area calculation means and the connection degree calculation means Based on the child function block information generating means for generating child function block information indicating the position and shape of each child function block on the circuit board, and the child function block information generated by the child function block information generating means. And a display unit for displaying the arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board. 2. The child attribute information deciding means obtains a part code obtaining means for obtaining a part code of the electrical component to which a part code is previously associated with the child function block, and the part code obtaining means. A first classification means for determining the child attribute information by referring to a part code,
The functional block arrangement device according to claim 1. 3. The child attribute information determining means receives connection information of each electric component created by a circuit diagram creation and display device, symbol pattern information of each electrical component, and display position information of the symbol pattern information. Information receiving means, a circuit diagram display means for displaying a circuit diagram on the display means based on the connection information, symbol pattern information and display position information received by the information receiving means, and a circuit diagram displayed on the display means Split input receiving means for receiving an input for splitting, and according to the split input received by the split input receiving means,
Division information display means for displaying division information on the circuit diagram displayed on the display means, and according to the division information displayed by the division information display means,
The functional block placement device according to claim 1, further comprising a second classification unit that determines child attribute information of the electrical component. 4. The grandchild attribute information determining means for deciding grandchild attribute information indicating which of the grandchild functional blocks arranged in the child functional block the electrical component belongs to, further comprising: The described functional block placement device. 5. The grandchild attribute information determining means includes an input receiving means for receiving an input for selecting a main electrical component on the child functional block, and each of the main electrical components received by the input receiving means. Based on the connection information of the electric component and the child attribute information of the electric component that is directly and indirectly connected to the main electric component, the grandchild attribute of the plurality of electric components included in the child function block. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 4, further comprising a third classification unit that determines information. 6. The functional block layout device according to claim 1, further comprising editing means for editing a layout state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means. 7. A functional block arranging device for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, which should be arranged on the circuit board. Area information stored in the information storage unit, information storage unit that stores area information of the electric component, child attribute information indicating which sub-function block the electric component belongs to, and connection information of each electric component, Area calculation means for calculating the occupied area of each child function block based on the information and child attribute information, and between the child function blocks based on the child attribute information and connection information stored in the information storage means Connection degree calculation means for calculating the connection degree of the child function block, and a child function block indicating the position and occupied area of each child function block on the circuit board based on the calculation results of the area calculation means and the connection degree calculation means. And a display for displaying the arrangement state of the child functional blocks on the circuit board, based on the child functional block information generated by the child functional block information generating means. A functional block arranging device comprising: means, editing means for editing the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed on the display means. 8. The editing means comprises child function block selection means for receiving an input for selecting one or more child function blocks from the plurality of child function blocks displayed on the display means, and the selected child function block is selected. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6 or 7, which edits the arrangement state of the functional blocks. 9. The editing means has an attribute changing means for changing the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information.
9. The functional block layout device according to any one of 1 to 8. 10. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6, wherein said editing means has attribute generation means for generating said child attribute information or grandchild attribute information. 11. The editing means includes an attribute erasing means for erasing the child attribute information or the grandchild attribute information.
11. The functional block layout device according to any one of 1 to 10. 12. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6, wherein said editing means has area changing means for changing the area of said child functional block or grandchild functional block. 13. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6, wherein said editing means has a position changing means for changing the position of said child functional block or grandchild functional block. 14. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6, wherein said editing means has a shape changing means for changing the shape of said child functional block or grandchild functional block. 15. The functional block arrangement device according to claim 6, wherein said editing means has block information confirmation means for confirming information of said child functional block or grandchild functional block. . 16. A functional block arranging method for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, wherein the electric component is a child functional block. Child attribute information determining step of determining child attribute information indicating whether it belongs to a block, area information of electrical components to be arranged on the circuit board, child attribute information determined in the child attribute information determining step, and each electrical An information storing step of storing connection information of parts; an area calculating step of calculating an occupied area of each child functional block based on the area information and the child attribute information stored in the information storing step; Based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the storage step, a connection degree calculation step for calculating the connection degree between the child functional blocks, and the calculation result of the area calculation step and the connection degree calculation step A child function block information generation step of generating child function block information indicating the position and shape of each child function block on the circuit board, and the child function block information generated in the child function block information generation step. And a display step of displaying the arrangement of the child functional blocks on the circuit board based on the above. 17. A functional block arranging method for arranging a plurality of child functional blocks on which a plurality of electric components are arranged on a parent functional block arranged on a circuit board, which should be arranged on the circuit board. Area information stored in the information storage step, information storage step of storing area information of the electrical component, child attribute information indicating which child functional block the electrical component belongs to, and connection information of each electrical component, Based on the information and the child attribute information, the area calculation step for calculating the occupied area of each child function block, and between the child function blocks based on the child attribute information and the connection information stored in the information storing step. Connection degree calculating step for calculating the connection degree of the child function block, and a child function block indicating the position and occupied area of each child function block on the circuit board based on the calculation results of the area calculating step and the connection degree calculating step. A child function block information generating step of generating lock information, and a display step of displaying an arrangement state of the child function block on the circuit board based on the child function block information generated in the child function block information generating step. And an editing step of editing the arrangement state of the child functional blocks displayed in the display step, and a functional block arranging method.