JP2000020559A - Conversation type graphic editor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute the setting/change/retrieval of attributes by providing a graphic editor with an auxiliary panel for setting up an attribute inputted to a target or a target area pointed out on a main display part. SOLUTION: Attribute setting/changing/retrieving processing 1502 is executed by using an auxiliary panel 231 displayed on the same screen as a circuit diagram 1501 displayed on a display device (CRT) as an interface. At the time, an attribute table TBL is referred to and the validity/invalidity of setting for every target sort is judged. The processing 1502 is successively executed by reading out a program stored in a storage device STR by a central processing unit(CPU). The processing 1502 can execute edition work such as the segmentation, copying and sticking of an attribute by using a buffer set up in the storage device STR. The panel 231 is used as an interface for the edition work.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the design of a logic circuit of a computer, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to a graphic editor for setting attributes of nets and components (logical blocks).

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional editor for designing this type of interactive circuit diagram or logic diagram, first, a target symbol or net is specified, and then an attribute setting menu is opened to open an attribute setting menu such as balance or net code. Setting, searching, deleting, and even copying attributes.

There are attributes that can be set depending on the type of net or component, and attributes that cannot be set. For example, there are attributes that are meaningless for power supply nets, and general signals that have meaning.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional editor, it is necessary to individually set attributes from a large number of attributes prepared for symbols and nets. There was a problem that work efficiency was poor.

Further, in order to set an attribute for each part,
There was a high possibility that an error such as a setting omission would occur.

In addition, when there are many pieces of attribute information, it is difficult to determine whether the attribute can be set for each net or component, and there is a possibility that an erroneous attribute may be set due to this.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an interface technology in an interactive graphic editor that facilitates attribute setting for a net or a component and enables efficient and accurate attribute setting. It is in.

[0008]

A first means of the present invention is as follows.
It is provided with at least a main display unit for displaying a circuit diagram, and a configuration capable of displaying an auxiliary panel.
An input field for inputting an attribute of the object in the circuit diagram is provided, so that the attribute input as described above can be set in the object or the target area specified on the main display unit.

[0009] This makes it possible to set interactive attributes for a complicated circuit diagram using the auxiliary panel as an input interface.

[0010] The second means is the first means,
A configuration is provided that includes a buffer for holding input attributes input through the auxiliary panel.

By holding the input attribute in the buffer, the auxiliary panel can be used as an interface of the buffer to cut, copy, and paste the attribute.

The third means is configured to include a table in which the attribute inputted from the auxiliary panel is associated with whether or not the setting of the attribute is permitted for each object.

An attribute that can be set for each object can be determined by referring to the table.

The fourth means is the first means,
The auxiliary panel is provided with a deletion instruction unit, and after the deletion instruction unit instructs the deletion, the object displayed on the main display unit is specified, so that the attribute of the object is deleted. I did it.

This makes it easy to delete the attribute through the auxiliary panel.

The fifth means is the first means,
The auxiliary panel is provided with search condition designating means, and an object on the main display unit that matches the search result is displayed in a different display form from other parts.

Here, the display mode means, for example, a case where an object that matches a search result is displayed in different colors or blinks (blinks). Thereby, the search result can be visually grasped.

The sixth means is the fifth means,
The display condition is displayed differently for an object that partially matches the search conditions input through the search condition instruction means and for an object that entirely matches the search conditions.

Thus, the degree of matching of the search condition can be easily grasped visually on the circuit diagram.

In a seventh means, the auxiliary panel is provided with a copy instructing means, and the attribute copied by the copy instructing means is held in the buffer.

As described above, since the auxiliary panel serves as an interface of the buffer, the attribute can be easily copied.

According to an eighth means, the buffer stores a plurality of flags set for each object, and the flag is set by referring to the attributes inputted from the auxiliary panel with reference to the plurality of flags. Copy to all objects.

As a result, a specific attribute can be copied to a plurality of objects at once.

According to a ninth means, the buffer stores a plurality of flags set for each object, and refers to the plurality of flags to delete attributes of all objects for which the flags are set. I made it.

This makes it possible to collectively delete the attributes set for a plurality of objects.

In a tenth aspect, the attribute of the target object or the target area designated on the main display portion is displayed by also using the auxiliary panel as a display means.

As described above, since the auxiliary panel also serves as a display unit for displaying the reference result or the search result, the attribute can be copied immediately after the reference without opening many unnecessary windows on the screen. became.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of the graphic editor of the present embodiment. This system can be constituted by a workstation or a personal computer, and a central processing unit (CPU), a display device (CRT), a storage device (STR), a keyboard (KBD), an auxiliary input device centering on a bus (BUS). (Mouse: MOU) and the like. Storage device (ST
In R), an attribute table (TBL), a temporary storage file (TMP) functioning as a buffer, a component library (LIB), and the like are set.

FIG. 15 shows the concept of operation of the graphic editor.

As shown in the figure, the display device (C
RT), an attribute setting / change / search process 1502 is performed using the auxiliary panel 231 also displayed on the screen as an interface. At this time, the attribute table ( TB
L) is referred to to determine whether setting is possible or not for each target type. The attribute setting / change / retrieval processing 1502 at this time is sequentially executed by the central processing unit (CPU) reading the program stored in the storage device (STR).

The attribute setting / change / retrieval processing 15
In 02, a buffer set in a storage device (STR) is used, and editing operations such as cut, copy, and paste of the attribute can be performed. An interface for these editing operations is an auxiliary panel 231 described later.

Such a process will be described with reference to a specific screen.

FIG. 2 shows a screen configuration of the graphic editor of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, operation buttons are arranged at the top of the screen, and these are
By specifying the coordinates by U), the function defined for the button is activated. Hereinafter, each button will be described.

The QUIT button 201 is a button for ending the page editing screen, and when ending, an alert is displayed on the screen.

A DRC button 202 is used for a design rule check program (DRC).
m) is started, and when this button is instructed and the check program is started, it is checked whether or not the circuit complies with the rules.

The P-SEARCH button 203 is a component search start button, and when specified, a component search program is started.

The design rule check program (DRC) and the part search program are both registered in the storage device (STR).

The UNDO button 204 is so-called undo processing, and is a button for returning to the screen before one processing operation.

The ZOOM button 205 is a button for enlarging / reducing a specified range.

The REDISP button 206 is a button for redisplaying the screen.

A BROWSE button 207 is a button for opening a panel (small menu window) for referring to another drawing.

The CHANGE PAGE button 208 is
A button for moving between pages of the editing screen.

A BUS LINE button 209 is a button for changing to a bus main input mode.

The OTHER CMD button 210 is a button for opening a lower hierarchical menu prepared as an input command. Specifically, it is possible to input a display attribute instruction of the edit screen, a setting of a processing mode, a comment attribute, and the like.

The OTHER PART button 211 is a button for displaying a component editing command menu of a lower hierarchy. In this lower hierarchy, a display of a board input panel and a display of a component registration panel can be instructed. Has become.

An auxiliary screen 221 is provided on the left side of the screen, and a range of the editing screen is displayed here.

An input type selection button 222 is provided below the auxiliary screen 221 so that component specifications, empty portion numbers, symbols, comment input types, and the like can be selected.

Below the input type selection button 222,
A component specification name / symbol input field is provided, and component specifications and symbol names can be directly input from a keyboard (KBD).

On the list screen 224, a list of input objects is displayed, and component specifications such as "TA46001-5002" are displayed.

The auxiliary panel 231 displayed at the lower right of the screen in FIG. 2 is for inputting setting conditions and search conditions.
2: “AB005” is designated in the figure, and a signal line division (NETCODE 233: “HAB $” in the figure)
−50 ＠ 0 ”) and signal characteristics (PIN
_TECHNOLOGY 234: not specified in the figure).

In the lower part of the auxiliary panel 231, an area designation button (Area 235), an object designation button (Object 236), and a reference button (Refer 23) are provided.
7) and a search start button (Find 238) are arranged.

Next, attribute setting using the auxiliary panel 231 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the O provided at the top of the display screen
By pointing to the THER CMD button 210,
A corresponding submenu 301 is displayed. When a Net Layout Utility is selected from the submenu 301, the auxiliary panel 231 described above is displayed.

In the auxiliary panel 231 displayed in FIG.
BALANCE232, NETCODE233 and PI
All check boxes of N_TECHNOLOGY 234 (square box placed at the top of each item)
Is checked, and it is expected that all of these conditions will be entered.

Next, a condition to be input to each item is input through a keyboard (KBD). In FIG. 4, BALAN
"PAIR2" as CE232, NETCODE2
33 as “CLOCK” and PIN_TECHNOL
“E2” is input as OGY234.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, an area designation mode (Area 235) is designated to enter an area designation mode.

In the area designation mode, as shown in FIG. 6, a certain range of the display screen can be designated by the coordinates of the mouse. The auxiliary panel 231,
Each set value set in is set.

Next, a search procedure by the auxiliary panel 231 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIGS. First, in order to set a search condition (step 701), as shown in FIG. 8, an OTHER CMD button 210 is instructed to display a corresponding submenu 301.

Next, a net layout utility (NetLayout Utility) is selected from the submenu 301, and the auxiliary panel 231 is displayed.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The search target is determined by clicking the check box in 1 and specifying the coordinates with the mouse. Here, BALA
NCE 232 and NETCODE 233 are specified as search targets.

Then, a condition to be input to each item is input to these search targets through a keyboard (KBD). In FIG. 9, “PAIR”
"1" and "DCAA" as NETCODE 233.

The search is started by designating the search start button (Find 238) in the state thus input.

In this search execution, specifically, a process of searching for an object having the same condition from the circuit diagram is performed (step 702).

When an object that matches the search condition is found (703), the search result display window 1001 is displayed.
Is displayed and the search results are displayed in a list. In this search result display window 1001, the total number searched out (“Re
sult No.:1351 ”).

If there is a corresponding location on the display screen, the location is highlighted (704).

When only a part of the search condition matches (705), for example, BALANCE 232 or NE
Similarly, when only TCODE 233 matches, it is highlighted (706). At this time, the mode of the highlight display may be changed between the case of all matching (704) and the case of partial matching (706). For example, it is conceivable to change the display color of highlight or to change the interval of blinking (blinking) in the case of all matches and partial matches.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show a procedure for referring to design conditions using the auxiliary panel 231 as an interface.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, by instructing an OTHER CMD button 210 provided at the top of the display screen, a submenu 30 corresponding to this is displayed.
1 is displayed. By selecting a Net Layout Utility from the submenu 301, the auxiliary panel 231 described above is displayed.

Next, on the auxiliary panel 231, a check box of an item to be referred to is indicated by coordinates with a mouse (MOU) and clicked, whereby a check mark is written in the check box. In FIG. 11, BALANCE 232 and NETCODE 23 of the auxiliary panel 231 are shown.
3 and all check boxes of PIN_TECHNOLOGY 234 (square boxes arranged at the head of each item) are checked, indicating that all of these attributes are referred to.

Next, a reference button (Refer 237) in the auxiliary panel 231 is indicated by coordinates with a mouse (MOU) and clicked. Thereby, the reference program in the storage device (STR) is activated. The reference program waits for a coordinate point in the circuit diagram to be input by a mouse (MOU). Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the target coordinates are specified, the reference program specifies the target object from the coordinate values and reads out the attribute of the target object by referring to the table (TBL). This attribute is displayed in the auxiliary panel 23
1 is displayed for each item. FIG. 14 shows this displayed state. In the auxiliary panel 231 shown in FIG.
"DATA_BUS" as ETCODE 233
“K2” is displayed as IN_TECHNOLOGY234.

As described above, the auxiliary panel 231
Function as an input interface for attribute setting and a display interface for attribute display. further,
The auxiliary panel 231 includes an attribute cutout (CUT),
It also functions as a buffer interface for copying (COPY) or pasting (PASTE).
For example, a cut (CUT) button, a copy (COPY) button, or a paste (PASTE) button of these attributes are arranged on the auxiliary panel 231 and the mouse (M)
The attributes in the frame whose range is specified by OU) may be cut or copied, or those attributes may be pasted to another object.

Further, a plurality of objects can be designated in advance by the Object button, and these can be collectively deleted by using the auxiliary panel 231 as an interface.

FIG. 16 shows that a deletion flag is set in advance for each object of the circuit, and this is set to the auxiliary panel 231.
The example which deletes all at once is shown.

First, the object in the circuit diagram is a mouse (MO
The coordinates are designated by U) (1601). Next, the central processing unit (CPU) checks all setting attributes of the object. At this time, if the deletion flag is set as the setting attribute of the object (1603), the attribute is deleted (1604). As a result, the corresponding attribute of the object is blank. Also, there is no delete flag,
If there is a setting attribute stored in the buffer in advance (1605), the attribute is set (1).
606). Then, the attribute deleted in step 1604 and the attribute set in step 1606 are highlighted in the circuit diagram.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which attribute information is copied in a buffer in advance, and is copied to an object or a field using the interface of the auxiliary panel 231.

In the figure, first, an object in a circuit diagram is designated by coordinates with a mouse (MOU) (1701).
Next, the central processing unit (CPU) checks all setting attributes related to the object (1702). If there is a setting attribute (information) stored in the buffer in advance (1703), the attribute is copied to the setting attribute field (1704). Step 1 above
At 704, the attribute table (TBL) is referenced,
If copying of the attribute is not permitted, the setting is interrupted.

[0078]

According to the present invention, setting / changing / retrieval of attributes can be performed very easily by using the auxiliary panel as an interface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen configuration of an interactive graphic editor according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram (1) showing a procedure for performing attribute setting in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram (2) showing a procedure for setting attributes in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram (3) showing a procedure for performing attribute setting in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a screen configuration diagram (4) showing a procedure for performing attribute setting in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a search procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a screen configuration diagram showing a procedure for performing a setting condition search in the embodiment (1).

FIG. 9 is a screen configuration diagram (2) showing a procedure for performing a setting condition search in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a screen configuration diagram (3) showing a procedure for performing a setting condition search in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a screen configuration diagram (1) showing a procedure for referring to setting conditions in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a screen configuration diagram (2) showing a procedure for referring to setting conditions in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a screen configuration diagram (3) showing a procedure for referring to setting conditions in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a screen configuration diagram (4) showing a procedure for referring to setting conditions in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation concept of the graphic editor in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of batch deletion of attributes in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of batch copying of attributes in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 CPU Central processing unit CRT Display unit STR Storage unit TMP Primary storage file (buffer) KBD Keyboard MOU Mouse 231 Auxiliary input panel

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Kato 3-28-1, Joto, Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture F-term in Fujitsu Cadtech Co., Ltd. 5B046 AA08 BA03 CA04 DA05 FA06 GA01 HA03 HA09

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A main display unit for displaying at least a circuit diagram, and an input box capable of inputting an attribute of an object in the circuit diagram, wherein an object or a target area designated on the main display unit is provided. An interactive graphic editor comprising: an auxiliary panel for setting the attributes input in the above. 2. The interactive graphic editor according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer for holding an input attribute input through the auxiliary panel. 3. An attribute input from the auxiliary panel,
2. The interactive graphic editor according to claim 1, further comprising a table corresponding to whether or not setting of the attribute is permitted for each object. 4. The auxiliary panel has a deletion instruction means, and after the deletion instruction means instructs deletion,
2. The interactive graphic editor according to claim 1, wherein an attribute of the target object is deleted by specifying a target object displayed on the main display unit. 5. The interactive system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary panel includes a search condition designating means, and displays an object on the main display unit that matches the search result in a display mode different from that of other parts. Graphic editor. 6. The interactive graphic according to claim 5, wherein a display mode is changed between an object that partially matches the search condition input through the search condition instruction means and an object that entirely matches the search condition. editor. 7. The interactive graphic editor according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary panel includes copy instructing means, and the attribute copied by the copy instructing means is held in the buffer. 8. The buffer stores a plurality of flags set for each object, and refers to an attribute input from the auxiliary panel to all objects for which the flags are set by referring to the plurality of flags. 3. An interactive graphic editor according to claim 2, wherein the editor is copied. 9. The buffer according to claim 2, wherein the buffer stores a plurality of flags set for each object, and refers to the plurality of flags to delete attributes of all objects for which the flags are set. Interactive graphic editor. 10. The interactive graphic editor according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary panel also serves as a display means, and displays an attribute of a target object or a target area specified by a main display unit.