JP2005242721A - Gui programming support system and state chart preparation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically prepare a state chart for regulating GUI action specification by preparing a functional relation diagram from function request items for product planning. <P>SOLUTION: When the functional relation diagram is prepared from the function request items for the product planning and input in the GUI programming support system, a functional relation diagram interpretation part 3 in the system interprets functional relation such as hierarchical relation, exclusive relation, parallel relation, and local functional relation with other functions in each function and a state chart preparation part 4 automatically prepares a state chart by reading out a template of the applicable functional relation from a template database 5 on the basis of the interpretation result of the functional relation and writing an applicable function name in a prescribed position previously prepared in the template. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a GUI programming support system and a state chart creation program that automatically create a state chart based on a functional relationship diagram created from a functional specification.

  In recent years, the product life of portable electronic devices such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones, digital cameras, and silicon recorders has been short-lived. As a result, the new product development period has been shortened, and the product development process has become more efficient. Required by the development department. In addition, the software has become larger due to the multi-functionality of products, and the efficiency of the software development process is also required. In addition, the development side is required to improve the efficiency of the development process using the GUI.

  On the other hand, new product development starts with product planning, creates a GUI behavior specification according to this, creates a prototype based on this specification, conducts behavior evaluation and usability evaluation, and feeds back to product planning. Therefore, it is desired to improve the efficiency of creating the GUI behavior specification.

  However, in the conventional product development, the functional requirement items are given only as documents from the product planning, and the GUI behavior specification design work based on this is done manually by the GUI designer using graphic software on the computer. It was work. In the manual work of this GUI designer, it is difficult to directly design the enlarged software as described above, it is also difficult to manage the correspondence between each required function item and the behavior specification, and it corresponds to the addition and change of functions. Addition and modification of GUI behavior specifications for this purpose has been difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional technical problem, and it is possible to create a state chart that automatically defines a GUI behavior specification by creating a function relationship diagram from function request items of product planning. An object of the present invention is to provide a GUI programming support technology that can be used.

  The GUI programming support system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a template database that holds a functional relationship template necessary for expressing a functional relationship of a functional relationship diagram by a state chart, and a function input for each data input of the functional relationship diagram. A functional relationship diagram interpreting unit that interprets a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local functional relationship with other functions, and a template of a corresponding functional relationship from the template database based on the interpretation result of the functional relationship And a statechart creation unit that creates a statechart by writing a corresponding function name in a predetermined location prepared in advance in the template.

  In the GUI program support system according to the first aspect of the present invention, for the data input of the function relationship diagram, for each function, the hierarchical relationship, the exclusive relationship, the parallel relationship, and the local function relationship with other functions are interpreted. Based on the interpretation result of the functional relationship, the corresponding functional relationship template is read from the template database that stores the functional relationship template necessary for expressing the functional relationship of the functional relationship diagram in the statechart. The state chart is automatically created by writing the corresponding function name in a predetermined location prepared in advance.

  The GUI programming support system according to the second aspect of the present invention inputs data of a functional relationship diagram in a predetermined format that defines a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local functional relationship with other functions for each function. In the function relationship diagram data input section and the corresponding node in the function relationship diagram, the function selection operation, the function determination operation, and the transition destination function to the original function for function transition from one function to another function. An operation element data input unit for inputting operation element data for specifying an operation element for performing a function return operation and an operation method, a state chart template for each operation element, and a function relation of the function relation diagram are represented by a state chart. A template database that holds functional relationship templates necessary for the above, and other functions for each function with respect to the data input of the functional relationship diagram. Interpret the functional relationship of layer relationship, exclusive relationship, parallel relationship, local functional relationship, link with the selection / operation of the operation element that brings about the transition between each function, take out the corresponding template group from the template database, and function at the corresponding location A statechart creation unit that creates a function selection statechart by writing on the transition line information on the operation name and operation result that causes a transition between functions and a name is inserted.

  In the GUI programming support system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the function relation diagram data and functions in a predetermined format that define the functional relation of the hierarchical relation, exclusive relation, parallel relation, and local functional relation with other functions for each function, Operation element and operation method for performing function selection operation, function determination operation, function return operation from transition destination function to original function at a corresponding node in the relationship diagram If the operation element data that designates is input, the hierarchical relationship, exclusive relationship, parallel relationship, and local function relationship with other functions are interpreted for each function with respect to the input data in the function relationship diagram. Functions necessary to express the functional relationship between the state chart template and the functional relationship diagram for each operational element in the state chart, linked to the selection and operation of operational elements that cause transitions between functions The corresponding template group is taken out from the template database holding the relation template, and the function name is inserted into the corresponding part of the template group, and the operation name and the operation result information for causing the transition between functions are written on the transition line. This automatically creates a function selection state chart.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the GUI programming support system according to the second aspect, the template database holds a template for a state chart for each display element, and the state chart creation unit starts from a certain display state for a certain display element. In response to an instruction for transitioning to another display state and an input for specifying the execution result of the instruction, a corresponding display element template is taken out, and an instruction for transitioning the display state and a display content corresponding to the execution result of the instruction are displayed. It is characterized by writing in the corresponding part.

  In the GUI programming support system according to the third aspect of the present invention, an instruction for causing the template database of the second aspect to be stored in a template for a state chart for each display element and causing a display element to transition from one display state to another display state, and Accepts an input that specifies the execution result of an instruction, extracts a template of a corresponding display element for the input, and writes an instruction for changing the display state and a display content corresponding to the execution result of the instruction to the corresponding location. Thus, the state chart of the GUI output component is automatically created.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for creating a statechart, a step of receiving data input of a function relationship diagram, and a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, and a parallel relationship with other functions for each function with respect to data input of the function relationship diagram A function corresponding to a template database that holds a functional relationship template necessary for expressing the functional relationship of the functional relationship diagram in a statechart based on the step of interpreting the functional relationship of the local functional relationship and the interpretation result of the functional relationship Causing a computer to execute a step of reading a relationship template, and a step of creating a state chart by writing a corresponding function name in a predetermined location prepared in advance for the read function relationship template It is a feature.

  In the state chart creating program of the invention of claim 4, the GUI programming support system of the invention of claim 1 is constructed by incorporating this in a computer.

  The state chart creating program according to the invention of claim 5 inputs data of a functional relationship diagram in a predetermined format that defines a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local functional relationship with other functions for each function. In the receiving step, and at the corresponding node in the function relationship diagram, a function selection operation, a function determination operation for a function transition from one function to another function, a function return operation from the transition destination function to the original function A step of accepting input of operation element data for specifying an operation element and an operation method to be performed, and a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local function relationship with other functions for each function with respect to the data input of the function relationship diagram A step of interpreting the functional relationship of the operation element and linking with the selection / operation of the operation element that causes the transition between the functions, a state chart template and a function relationship diagram for each operation element A step of extracting a corresponding template group from a template database holding functional relationship templates necessary for expressing the functional relationship in a statechart; and inserting a function name into the corresponding portion of the template group, and The computer is caused to execute a step of creating a function selection state chart by writing out an operation name that causes a transition and information on an operation result on a transition line.

  In the state chart creation program of the invention of claim 5, the GUI programming support system of claim 2 is constructed by incorporating it into a computer.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the state chart creating program according to the fifth aspect, the template database is held in a template for a state chart for each display element, and a transition is made from one display state to another display state for a certain display element. Accepts an input that specifies an instruction and the execution result of the instruction, takes out the template of the corresponding display element for the input, and displays the instruction to change the display state and the display content corresponding to the execution result of the instruction The step of writing to

  In the state chart creating program of the invention of claim 6, the GUI programming support system of claim 3 is constructed by incorporating it into a computer.

  According to the present invention, a function selection state chart and a behavior state chart can be automatically created on the system side by inputting data expressing a function relation diagram in a predetermined format created based on the contents of the specification plan. It is possible for the user to easily confirm the correctness / error of the functional relationship diagram and the behavior of the product in the GUI environment, which can contribute to the efficiency of product development.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of a GUI programming support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The GUI programming support system according to the present embodiment is realized by incorporating a software program for executing various functions described below into a computer system. The functional configuration includes a function relationship diagram data input unit 1 and a function. A selection operation scenario input unit 2, a functional relationship diagram interpretation unit 3, a state chart creation unit 4, a template database 5, and a state chart output unit 6 are configured.

  The function relationship diagram data input unit 1 is a portion that captures data of a function relationship diagram created based on a plan specification. The operation scenario input unit 2 performs the function selection element, selection decision, and selection return created based on the planning specification by which operation of which button, and the operation result in which area of which display means and what content. This is a part for inputting the contents of an operation scenario indicating whether to perform display as data. The functional relationship diagram interpretation unit 3 is a part that interprets the contents of the function relationship diagram and the contents of the operation scenario based on the data from the function relationship diagram data input unit 1 and the operation scenario input unit 2 and outputs the result. The statechart creation unit 4 calls the template of the corresponding statechart from the template database 5 with respect to the interpretation result of the functional relationship diagram of the functional relationship diagram interpretation unit 3, and writes the necessary information in the corresponding location to obtain the functional relationship. A state chart corresponding to the figure is automatically created, and the state chart output unit 6 is a part for displaying the state chart created by the state chart creating unit 4 and outputting it by other methods. In the template database 5, templates of various supplies necessary for creating a state chart are registered.

  FIG. 2 shows a digital camera 50 that is a software design target by the GUI programming support system of the present embodiment. Buttons (0) 51, buttons (1) 52, and buttons (2) that are push buttons are used as operation means. 53, and a seesaw-type button 54 that can be pressed to the right (Right push) and left (Left push), can be jog rotated by rotating clockwise (CWturn), counterclockwise (CCWturn), and has stopped rotating. A state-holding type jog dial 55 that can hold the selection state at the position is provided, and an LCD 56 as an output means for displaying selection items for the selection operation using the operation buttons, operation results, function execution results, warnings, etc. A lamp 57 is provided. The state on the camera side is changed by performing a function selection or operation command by operating the corresponding operation button of these operation buttons, and the display mode of the LCD 56 and the lighting state of the lamp 57 are also controlled by the operation buttons and the shooting / playback operation. It changes according to.

  In product planning, the digital camera 50 is provided with various functions, how to select those functions, how to operate according to the selected functions, and how the results of the operation are determined. A specification plan that describes whether or not to display it is created.

  On the other hand, the software designer creates a function relationship diagram in a predetermined format, which will be described later, by the GUI programming support system, and converts the contents into digital data. The GUI programming support system according to the present embodiment will be described assuming that if a function relation diagram is created in the system, a state chart is automatically created in conjunction with the data contents. If you create a separate system and import the digital data into this system, you can automatically create a state chart as well. In the following description, software design of the digital camera shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example.

[Functional relationship diagram]
In this GUI programming support system, by creating a functional relationship diagram based on the contents of a functional specification of a certain product, a state chart is created simultaneously with the creation of the functional relationship diagram on the computer. First, the functional relationship diagram will be described.

  For the contents of the functional specification 10 as shown in FIG. 3A, “hierarchical function relationship”, “parallel function relationship”, “exclusive function relationship”, and “function” are defined as follows. A function relationship diagram 20 as shown in FIG.

  <Function> Each function is indicated by a “Func” box, and a function name is assigned to the Func box.

  <Hierarchical Function Relationship> As shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower hierarchical relationships between function groups or functions are connected by a “-” line.

  <Parallel function relationship> As shown in FIG. 5, a function group in the same hierarchy that can simultaneously act by selecting a plurality of functions at the same time is defined as a function group in "parallel relationship", and each function is grouped with an "AND" box. And, the name of the function group is attached to the AND box as necessary.

  <Exclusive Function Relationship> As shown in FIG. 6, a function group that can operate only in one of the function groups in the same hierarchy is defined as a function group in an “exclusive relationship”, and each function is enclosed in an “XOR” box, and The name of the function group is attached to the XOR box as necessary.

  <Local Function Relationship> As shown in FIG. 7, a function specific to a certain function “Func”, that is, a function having a local relationship with a certain function, and a function group having a lower hierarchy with respect to the function, Or it represents as a parallel function group and an exclusive function group.

  FIG. 3 shows a creation example of the functional relationship diagram 20 of the digital camera 50 shown in FIG. In this case, on the basis of the contents of the functional specification 10, the first layer (the highest layer) is composed of a function group called “digital camera function”, and various functions of the digital camera include “photographing function group” and “image reproduction function group”. Are in the second hierarchy. Since only one of these function groups can be selected from these second layer function groups, they are in an exclusive relationship and are enclosed in an “XOR” box.

  As for the “shooting function group” in the second layer, there are “zoom function”, “flash function”, and XOR function groups such as normal shooting function, continuous shooting function, and timer shooting function that operate together with these zoom function and flash function. Since these zoom function, flash function, and XOR function groups can be operated simultaneously, the third hierarchy is arranged in a parallel function group in an AND box.

  As a function group in the fourth layer, a func box for a normal shooting function, a continuous shooting function, and a timer shooting function is connected to the XOR box in the third layer as a parallel function group that can operate only one of the functions.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the exposure correction function and the shutter speed correction function are provided as local functions with respect to the normal shooting function which is one of the function groups of the fourth layer (can be applied in other shooting modes). Is possible as a parallel relation function, these are grouped in an AND box as a function group in a lower hierarchy with respect to the Func box.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the image reproduction function group in the second layer has only a single function “image reproduction function”, and is represented by a Func box.

  In the GUI programming support system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, by creating such a functional relationship diagram 20, a state chart 30 showing a state hierarchical structure is automatically created. 9 and 10 show an AND-related template 301 and an XOR-related template 302 registered in the template database 5.

  That is, in FIG. 9, a function relationship diagram 201 representing a function group of Func boxes B, C, and D (functions B, C, and D) in a lower hierarchy divided by an AND box A (parallel function relation) in an upper hierarchy is shown. Then, the functional relationship interpreting unit 3 interprets the functional relationship, and the statechart creation unit 4 reads the corresponding parallel functional relationship template from the template database 5 and the number of parallel functions is 3, so three parallel function boxes are prepared. A state chart 301 is configured. The function name “A” of the AND box is written in the heading of the parallel function relationship template 301, and the function names “B”, “C”, and “D” are written in the heading of each function box of the parallel function group.

  First, FIG. 10 shows a function relation diagram 202 representing a function group of FuncB, C, and D (functions B, C, and D) in the lower hierarchy, which is divided by the XOR box A (exclusive function relation) in the upper hierarchy. The relationship interpreting unit 3 interprets the functional relationship, and the statechart creation unit 4 reads the corresponding exclusive function related template from the template database 5, and the number of exclusive functions is 3, so that three functional products are arranged in the function box. A nested state chart 302 is formed. Then, the function name “A” of the XOR box is written in the headline of the exclusive function relation template 302, and the function names “B” and “C” are written in the headings of the function templates of the exclusive function groups prepared in the function box. , “D” is written.

  Thus, in the system according to the present embodiment, when the user creates a functional relationship diagram 20 having a hierarchical structure below the AND box of the photographing function, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the state chart 30 showing the state hierarchical structure is automatically generated. Can be created. As shown in the functional relationship diagram 20 from the functional specification 10, the Func box “zoom function”, the Func box “flash function” and the XOR box, which are combined with the AND box “shooting function”, and the XOR box. State chart showing the state hierarchy automatically on the system side by creating the Func box “Normal shooting function”, Func box “Continuous shooting function”, and Func box “Timer shooting function” that are related to the exclusive function of the lower hierarchy. 30 can be created.

The function relationship diagram is not limited to the above state hierarchical structure, but the GUI component is associated with the function relationship diagram 20 above, and what function is selected by operating which button and what operation is displayed, and the operation result is displayed. It must be possible to express how the function is displayed by the means, that is, the function selection operation and the result as a state chart.
Next, an operation for automatically creating a state chart from the creation of a function relationship diagram with GUI components by the GUI programming support system will be described. The digital camera 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes an operation button (0) 51, an operation button (1) 52, an operation button (2) 53, a seesaw type button 54, and a state holding type jog dial 55 for operation input. An LCD 56 and a lamp 57 are provided as output means for displaying selection items for selection operations by buttons and displaying the results of button operations. The state on the camera side is changed by performing a function selection or operation command by operating the corresponding operation button of these operation buttons, and the display mode of the LCD 56 and the lighting state of the lamp 57 are also controlled by the operation buttons and the shooting / playback operation. It changes according to. Therefore, in the creation of the function relationship diagram, GUI component elements are associated with the function relationship diagram representing the state hierarchical structure.

  FIG. 11 shows the association of GUI components to the functional relationship diagram 20 representing the state hierarchical structure. With respect to the functional relationship diagram 20, in the XOR box which is a node in the first layer, either the second-layer AND box “shooting function” or the Func box “image reproduction function” in the exclusive relationship is selected. . In the plan specification, if this selection is based on the rotation operation of the state maintaining jog dial 55, the state maintaining jog dial 55 is associated with the XOR box. The state-holding type jog dial 55 is an operation means that selects and sets a function corresponding to the position when the position is rotated to the reference mark, and therefore does not require a function determination and a function return operation. Therefore, when the state holding jog dial 55 is associated with the XOR box, the association 21 is set.

  Similarly, in the XOR box, which is a third layer node in the functional relationship diagram 20, “exclusive-related shooting function selection” is performed every time the button (0) is pushed, “normal shooting function” → “continuous shooting function” → “timer”. To select a function in the order of “shooting function” → “normal shooting function”, push the operation button (1), and to return the function to the determined function, press the operation button (2). Is set as an association 22 for performing a push operation. The function relation diagram with GUI components shown in FIG. 11 is created in this way.

  In the GUI programming support system, templates 305 to 311 are registered in the database 5 for the GUI components of the button groups 51 to 55, the LCD 56, and the lamp 57 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a GUI component state chart template 305 and a GUI controller function selection state chart template 315 are prepared for the push buttons (0) to (2). The identification of the buttons (0) to (2) is based on the button name. The GUI component template 305 indicates that a push operation signal is input when the button is pushed in the waiting state. “Push button / PUSH event” means that a button operation is performed and an operation signal corresponding thereto is input.

  In FIG. 13, a function selection template 315 of the GUI controller is a function selection state chart template assigned to a set of push buttons (0) to (2). The functions f1 to f4 (the number of functions varies depending on the design target) can be sequentially toggled, and if the button (1) 52 assigned to the function determination is pushed in a selected state of the function, it is applicable. In addition, when the function selection is determined and the button (2) 53 assigned to the function return is pushed while the function selection is determined, the function selection state before the determination is returned.

  As shown in FIG. 14, for the seesaw-type button 54, a GUI component state chart template 308 and a GUI controller function selection state chart template 316 are also prepared. The GUI component template 308 is normally in a waiting state, and a right push event (RIGHTEvent) for setting a function assigned to right push by a right push operation (Push RIGHT) is input, and a left push operation (Push LEFT). Indicates that a left push event (LEFTEvent) for setting a function assigned to left push is input.

  14, in the function selection state chart template 316 assigned to the seesaw-type button 54, for example, the functions f1 → f2 → f3... In ascending order from the position of the currently selected function by the right push operation of the button 54. → fn → f1 (the number of functions n varies depending on the design target) in order, and the left push operation reversely toggles the selection function in descending order from the position of the current selection function. As in the case of FIG. 13, when the button (1) 52 assigned to the function determination is pushed in the selection state of a certain function, the selection of the corresponding function is determined, and the reverse function selection is determined. In this state, if the button (2) 53 assigned to the function return is pushed, the function selection state before the determination is returned.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the state holding type jog dial 55 is also provided with a GUI component state chart template 309 and a GUI controller function selection state chart template 317. The GUI component template 309 is in a waiting state at a selected position, inputs a clockwise event (CEvent) by a clockwise operation (Turn CW), and inputs a counterclockwise event (CCEvent) by a counterclockwise operation (Turn CCW). Indicates that it is input.

  15, in the function selection state chart template 317 assigned to the state-holding type jog dial 55, for example, the function Function1 → Function2 → Function3... In order from the position of the currently selected function by turning the jog dial 55 clockwise. → Function (n) → Function 1 (the number n of functions varies depending on the design target) in order, toggle function selection, and counterclockwise by reverse operation from the position of the current selection function The selection is indicated.

  In this GUI programming support system, templates 310 and 311 for the liquid crystal display LCD 56 and the lamp 57 as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B are registered in the template database 5 as templates for output GUI components. The LCD 56 has display fields 1 and 2. For the field 1, the display state transitions to the “Play” display state “Showing“ Playing ”” from the non-display state “Showing Noting” by a “Play” display command (event). . There is also a reverse display state transition. In addition, the actual time ““ Time ”” is displayed by the command “Get Show“ Time ”” to acquire and display the time from the non-display state “Showing Noting” or the display state “Showing“ Playing ””. This represents a transition to the “Showing Time” state. There is also a reverse display state transition. Similarly, the lighting state of the lamp 57 also represents a transition to the lighting state “ON” by the lighting command “Get light turn OFF”, and a transition to the lighting state “OFF” in response to the lighting command “Get light OFF”. .

  In the GUI programming support system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, if a function relation diagram 20 and further a function relation diagram 23 with GUI components are created from the function specification plan 10, In conjunction with this, a state chart 30 as shown in FIG. 22 is automatically created on the system side. The procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in the GUI programming support system of this embodiment, the function relationship diagram interpreting unit 3 creates a state for the data of the function relationship diagram 20 by creating the function relationship diagram 20 of the state hierarchical structure. By applying a hierarchical structure generation rule, the statechart creation unit 4 extracts a statechart template corresponding to the interpretation result from the template database 5 and writes a necessary item in the corresponding portion to write the state hierarchy structure statechart. 30 is automatically created (step A1).

  The functional relationship diagram interpreter 3 also performs the above processing on the functional relationship diagram 20 of the state hierarchical structure when the functional relationship diagram 23 with GUI component is input, and the state chart 30 of the state hierarchical structure Is created (step A1). Furthermore, with respect to the functional relationship diagram 23 of the GUI component, the GUI component is interpreted by the function relationship diagram interpreting unit 3 and the state chart creating unit 4, and the state chart template of the necessary GUI component is extracted from the template database 5 and necessary. The state chart 31 of the function selection unit is created by combining the state chart 30 with the underlying state hierarchical structure by writing the items in the corresponding locations (step A2). Further, the function relationship diagram interpreting unit 3 and the state chart creating unit 4 interpret the function relationship diagram 23 with GUI components, and write the function decision and function return transitions in the corresponding portions of the state chart 31 to function the GUI controller. The selection state chart 31 is completed (step A3).

  The processing of steps A2 and A3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. By assigning a GUI component 21 to the hierarchical functional relationship diagram 20 shown in FIG. 6A and creating a functional relationship diagram 23 with a GUI component, the state of the hierarchical structure is generated on the GUI programming support system side. The function of the GUI controller shown in FIG. 6C is created by automatically creating the chart 30 and further writing the function name and operation name in the corresponding location using the GUI component template 315 of the push button shown in FIG. A selection state chart 31 is created.

  In this way, according to the GUI programming support system of the present embodiment, the software designer creates the function relationship diagram 20 and the function relationship diagram 23 with GUI components based on the specification plan, so that the system side Automatically interprets its contents, calls a necessary template, writes a function name, operation name, event name, etc. in the corresponding location, and a state chart 31 for a GUI controller and a state chart for a GUI component as shown in FIG. 32 can be created, and if such a state chart can be created, specification verification using this can be performed by a computer system. Therefore, it is easy to modify the software design by feeding back the verification result. The efficiency of programming development can be improved.

  In the description of the above embodiment, the software design of the digital camera has been described as an example. However, this system prepares a state chart template corresponding to various devices, thereby enabling a mobile phone, a silicon music recording / reproducing device, a PDA. The present invention can equally be used for software design of various digital devices.

  The software design of the MP3 player by the GUI programming support system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. For the MP3 player specification plan as shown in FIG. 21A, a hierarchical functional relationship diagram shown in FIG. 21B is created. In this example, the MP3 player function is a parallel function of the clock function and the MP3 player function. Among the MP3 player functions, an MP3 file playback function, an external sound recording / playback function, and an MP3 file upload / download function are provided. Exclusive function. In the MP3 file playback function, the equalizer function and the volume control function work as local functions as parallel functions. In the external sound recording / playback function, either the external sound recording function or the external sound playback function operates in an exclusive relationship. When the software designer creates such a hierarchical functional relationship diagram, the present system automatically creates a hierarchical state chart 30 shown in FIG.

  Next, we will also design software for functional scenarios. In this example, it is assumed that the MP3 player to be designed includes input buttons button1 to button4 shown in FIG. 23 and LCD1 to LCD4 as output components as GUI components. As a function scenario, for example, in the external sound recording / playback function, the date is displayed in the standby state, and if “button1” is pressed, “PLAY” is displayed on the LCD 1 and the playback function is changed. It is assumed that a scenario is set in which the function is canceled and the standby state is returned by pressing and holding button 1 for 2 seconds. In the standby state of the external sound recording / playback function, if “button 2” is pressed, “REC” is displayed on the LCD 1 and the recording function is entered. If “button” is pressed for 2 seconds in the “REC” state, the function is canceled and the standby state is set. Let's also set a scenario to return to. If such a scenario is set for the external sound recording / playback function in the hierarchical function relationship diagram, the system automatically creates a state scenario chart for each function shown in FIG.

  Then, by combining the hierarchical state chart of FIG. 21 and the function scenario state chart for each function of FIG. 24, a state chart as shown in FIG. 25 can be automatically created.

The functional block diagram of the GUI programming assistance system of one embodiment of this invention. The rear view of the digital camera made into the design object by the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the functional relationship figure produced from the plan specification of the digital camera which is the said design object. Explanatory drawing of the example of a notation of the hierarchy function relationship used with the said function relationship diagram. Explanatory drawing of the notation example of the parallel function relationship used with the said function relationship diagram. Explanatory drawing of the notation example of the exclusive function relationship used with the said function relationship diagram. Explanatory drawing of the notation example of the local functional relationship used with the said functional relationship diagram. Explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which creates the state chart of a hierarchical structure from a functional relationship figure by the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state chart template of the parallel function relationship used with the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state chart template of the exclusive function relationship used with the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the function related figure with a GUI functional element which linked | related the GUI structural element with the functional relation figure of the said hierarchical structure. Explanatory drawing of the state chart template for every GUI component of the said digital camera. Explanatory drawing of the state chart template for GUI components with respect to the push button of the said digital camera, and the state chart template for GUI controller function selection. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a GUI component element state chart template and a GUI controller function selection state chart template for a seesaw type button of the digital camera. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a state chart template for GUI components and a state chart template for selecting GUI controller functions for the state-holding type jog dial of the digital camera. Explanatory drawing of the template of the state chart for the output GUI components of the digital camera. The flowchart of the state chart preparation process by the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing according to the process step of the state chart preparation process by the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process which produces the state chart for function selection of a GUI controller using the state-chart template for GUI components from the functional relationship diagram with a GUI component by the system of the said embodiment. The whole figure of the state chart for digital cameras created by the system of the above-mentioned embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the functional relationship figure of the hierarchical structure created from the plan specification of the MP3 player with the system of the said embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state chart of the hierarchical structure automatically created from the functional relationship figure of the said hierarchical structure by the system of the said embodiment. FIG. 3 is an arrangement diagram of GUI components of an MP3 player that is a software design target of the system according to the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state chart of the functional scenario by the GUI component created with the system of the said embodiment. The whole figure of the state chart of the MP3 player created with the system of the above-mentioned embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 function relationship diagram data input unit 2 function scenario input unit 3 function relationship diagram interpretation unit 4 state chart creation unit 5 template database 6 state chart output unit

Claims (6)

A template database that holds functional relationship templates necessary for expressing the functional relationship of the functional relationship diagram in a state chart;
A functional relationship diagram interpreter that interprets the functional relationship of the hierarchical relationship, exclusive relationship, parallel relationship, local functional relationship with other functions for each function for data input of the functional relationship diagram,
A statechart that creates a statechart by reading a corresponding functional relationship template from the template database and writing a corresponding function name in a predetermined location prepared in advance in the template based on the interpretation result of the functional relationship A GUI programming support system comprising a creation unit. A function relationship diagram data input unit that inputs data of a function relationship diagram in a predetermined format that defines a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local function relationship with other functions for each function;
In a corresponding node of the function relationship diagram, an operation element that performs a function selection operation for function transition from one function to another function, a function determination operation, a function return operation from the transition destination function to the original function, and An operation element data input unit for inputting operation element data for specifying an operation method;
A template database for holding a statechart template for each operation element and a functional relationship template necessary for expressing the functional relationship of the functional relationship diagram in a statechart;
For the data input of the functional relationship diagram, select the operation element that interprets the functional relationship such as hierarchical relationship, exclusive relationship, parallel relationship, local functional relationship with other functions for each function, and brings about the transition between the functions. Create a function selection state chart by extracting the corresponding template group from the template database, inserting the function name at the corresponding location, and writing the operation name and operation result information that causes the transition between functions on the transition line. A GUI programming support system comprising a statechart creation unit that performs the above-described operation. The template database holds a template for a state chart for each display element,
The statechart creation unit takes out a template of a corresponding display element for an instruction designating transition from one display state to another display state for a certain display element and an execution result of the instruction, and displays the display state. 3. The GUI programming support system according to claim 2, wherein an instruction to be changed and a display content corresponding to an execution result of the instruction are written in a corresponding portion. A step of accepting data input of the functional relationship diagram;
Interpreting a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local functional relationship with other functions for each function with respect to data input of the functional relationship diagram;
Based on the interpretation result of the functional relationship, reading a corresponding functional relationship template from a template database that holds a functional relationship template necessary for expressing the functional relationship of the functional relationship diagram in a state chart;
A statechart creation program for causing a computer to execute a step of creating a statechart by writing a corresponding function name in a predetermined location prepared in advance for the read function-related template. A step of accepting input of data of a functional relationship diagram in a predetermined format that defines a functional relationship of a hierarchical relationship, an exclusive relationship, a parallel relationship, and a local functional relationship with other functions for each function;
In a corresponding node of the function relationship diagram, an operation element that performs a function selection operation for function transition from one function to another function, a function determination operation, a function return operation from the transition destination function to the original function, and A step of accepting input of operation element data for specifying an operation method;
For the data input of the functional relationship diagram, select the operation element that interprets the functional relationship such as hierarchical relationship, exclusive relationship, parallel relationship, local functional relationship with other functions for each function, and brings about the transition between the functions. A step to link with the operation,
A step of extracting a corresponding template group from a template database that holds a state chart template for each operation element and a functional relation template necessary for expressing the functional relation of the functional relation diagram in the state chart;
A function selection statechart is created on the computer by inserting a function name at the corresponding location in the template group and writing out an operation name that causes a transition between functions and operation result information on a transition line. Statechart creation program characterized by having The template database is held in a template for a state chart for each display element,
Accepts an instruction for transitioning from one display state to another display state for a certain display element and an input specifying the execution result of the instruction, takes out the template of the corresponding display element for the input, and transitions the display state 6. The statechart creation program according to claim 5, further comprising a step of writing an instruction and display contents corresponding to the execution result of the instruction in a corresponding portion.

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