JP2006344044A - Device, method, and program for supporting design, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for supporting design for allowing a designer of any level of an experience to easily verify a timing chart, and for automatically changing a whole design content and the timing chart with simple operation even when a change occurs in design and in design conditions. <P>SOLUTION: A method for supporting design for generating a timing chart to indicate operation timing of each unit on the basis of unit design information of target equipment, comprises a setting step of setting verification conditions; a verification step of verifying the generated timing chart on the basis of the verification conditions set in the setting step; and a display step of displaying the verification result in the verification step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly, to a design support apparatus, method, and program that can support design by automatic design verification.

  Conventionally, in a process design for designing a mechanism operation related to an electrophotographic process, a mechanism operation simulation result has been displayed as a time chart in order to facilitate work when changing the mechanism operation and timing conditions. It has been known that the time chart after the simulation result is changed on the display screen, and the drive function data is changed based on the changed time chart (for example, see Patent Document 1). That is, after the simulation result, whether or not to change the mechanism operation is verified by the designer's own eyes, and when changing, it is performed manually by the designer.

JP 09-081600 A

  As described above, in the prior art, the time chart that is the result of the mechanism operation simulation is verified by the designer's own eyes to determine whether to change the design condition. Further, when making a design change or design condition change, the designer manually changes the time chart in consideration of each timing affected by the change.

  Therefore, it is difficult to perform verification, design changes on the time chart, and change of design conditions unless it is a skilled designer, and because of visual verification work and manual change work, oversight and work time There is a problem that it takes.

  The object of the present invention is that any level of designer can easily verify the timing chart regardless of experience, and even if a design change or a change in design conditions occurs, the work can be done easily. To provide a design support apparatus, method, and program in which all design contents and timing charts are automatically changed.

  The design support apparatus of the present invention is a design support apparatus that generates a timing chart indicating the operation timing of each unit based on unit design information of a target device, the setting means for setting a verification condition, and the setting The apparatus includes verification means for verifying the generated timing chart based on a verification condition set by the means, and display means for displaying a verification result by the verification means.

  Further, the design support method of the present invention is a design support method for generating a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit based on unit design information of a target device, a setting step for setting a verification condition, The method includes a verification step for verifying the generated timing chart based on the verification condition set in the setting step, and a display step for displaying a verification result in the verification step.

  Regardless of experience, any level of designer can easily verify timing charts, and even if design changes or design conditions change, all design contents and timings can be easily done The chart can be changed automatically.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration for explaining a preferred example of the design support apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 17 is a central processing unit (CPU), 18 is a display device, 19 is an input device, and 20 is a storage device.

  In the design support apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the central processing unit (CPU) 17 executes processing for various parameter settings and shape input of the input unit to be designed in accordance with an instruction input from the input device 19. Further, the display device (display) 18 displays a three-dimensional shape (3D model) of a target device unit, displays input information (various parameters, route information), displays a process in the middle of processing, and the like according to the processing. I do. The input device 19 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, and the like, and is used to input designation information necessary for operation, input of information, a selection instruction on a menu, or other instructions. The storage device 20 stores a computer program for executing processing and information related to the 3D model. The central processing unit 17 performs the processing of this embodiment by reading and executing the computer program.

  The information processing system includes each of the above devices as its main part. The storage device 20 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and various external storage devices provided separately.

  In this system, a printer (not shown) may be connected to the central processing unit 17 in order to output information displayed on the display device 18 to paper, and other peripheral devices may be connected if necessary. May be. Note that these hardware configurations need not be dedicated devices, and a general computer system such as a personal computer can be used.

(Overall view of the system)
A preferred example of the process design support method in the present embodiment will be described with reference to an operation processing flowchart executed by the design support apparatus of FIG. Here, the process design means creating an operation sequence of all signals related to the electrophotographic process.

  First, the central processing unit 17 is a cross-section corresponding to each unit of the electronic target device necessary for process design, such as the drum diameter and the distance from the charger to the exposure, stored in the storage device 20 in advance. The information (design information) of the shape 3D model is taken in (step ST0).

  Next, the central processing unit 17 detects that process conditions such as process speed and paper size have been input (step ST1). At this stage, the time corresponding to the cross-sectional shape information of the mechanism taken in step ST0, such as one round of the drum and from the charger to exposure, is calculated and displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 as a time table between the mechanical elements. .

  Next, the central processing unit 17 detects that an element of the button part of the button input type screen, which is a process signal operation time setting screen, has been selected (step ST2). Specifically, when the parameters necessary for calculating the operation time of each process signal such as drum driving / exposure are selected from the process conditions set in step ST1 by the user and the inter-element time table, The selected parameter is reflected in the button part of the button input screen.

Next, this button input type screen is launched (step ST3).
The operation time of each process signal such as drum driving / exposure is sequentially set according to the user's designation on the button input type screen (step ST4).

  Next, based on the data set in step ST4, the central processing unit 17 draws timing charts of all the set process signals (step ST5). That is, the operation time of the process signal is calculated based on the cross-sectional shape information and the process condition of the mechanism, and the timing chart is drawn based on the operation time.

  Next, the central processing unit 17 reads the verification condition file when verifying the data set in step ST4 (step ST6). Here, the verification condition refers to a combination of process signal operations that cause a phenomenon that affects parts and images such as leak discharge in the course of the process.

  Further, when a new verification condition is set on the condition editing screen without reading and using previous data, the verification condition is set according to the user's specification (step ST7), and the verification condition set as a csv file is set. Can be stored (step ST8).

  Next, the central processing unit 17 verifies the above timing chart based on the set verification condition (step ST9). Automatic verification is performed using the operation time of the signal set in step ST4. If a combination corresponding to the set condition has occurred as a result of the verification in step ST9, the contents of the verification condition and the time zone when the condition is satisfied are displayed on the result display screen. You can check the location.

  As a result of the verification in step ST9, when changing the operation time of the process signal, the central processing unit 17 returns to step ST3 and corrects the process signal operation time according to the user's designation (step ST10). If the operation time of the process signal is not changed as a result of the verification in step ST9, the process ends.

  Further, in the mechanical design, when the design change of the 3D model occurs, all the process signal operation time values that have already been set are automatically changed by taking in the 3D model information again (step ST0). If the timing chart is automatically drawn again in this state (step ST5), the change is reflected in the chart.

  When performing verification, the process from step ST6 to step ST10 is performed as usual.

(Condition input)
First, input of process conditions set in step ST1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a table displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 in which process specifications are summarized.

  In FIG. 3, an item name such as process speed and paper size is entered in the item name entry column 41, and a numeric value is entered in the numeric entry column 42. The paper size is selected from the paper size selection field 43 and set.

  Next, the mechanical inter-element time table created after the process condition input in step ST1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 that summarizes the required time between each element of the mechanism. In step ST0 in FIG. 1, the mechanical cross-sectional shape information necessary for the design is taken in. After inputting the process conditions in step ST1 in FIG. 1, the mechanism displayed on the section display unit 39 such as one round of the drum and from the charger to the exposure. The required time between each element is automatically calculated and displayed on the time display unit 40.

(Signal time setting)
Next, creation of an operation time setting screen for process signals will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a button part of a button input type screen which is a process signal operation time setting screen. Parameters necessary for calculating the operation time of each process signal such as drum driving / exposure are checked by checking the check column 49 in the table summarizing the process conditions in FIG. 3 and the inter-element time table in FIG. select.

  When the button input type screen is started up in this state, the parameters selected in advance are reflected in the button part of the button input type screen as shown in FIG. That is, for each designer, it is possible to perform design by displaying only the parameters used for the design on the operation time setting screen of the process signal.

  Next, a method for setting the operation time of the process signal in step ST4 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 when setting the operation time of each process signal. First, a process signal name to be set is selected in a signal name selection field 22 configured by a signal option 50 and an ON / OFF option 52. The signals constituting the signal option 50 are managed as a database. If the signal selected in the signal name selection field 22 has already been defined, the setting content is displayed on the calculation formula display unit 21. Next, the rise or fall time value of the process signal to be set is input to the rise or fall time value setting field 23. From here, the calculation function of the signal operation time value is defined.

  First, a trigger signal or sensor is selected in the trigger setting field 24 configured by a trigger option 51 and an ON / OFF option 52. The trigger option 51 includes a mechanical sensor and a process signal.

  In the case of a signal that does not require a trigger, the setting in the trigger setting column 24 is not performed. Next, a calculation function is defined using the button unit 25 configured by the parameters selected in step ST2 of FIG. 1 and the button unit 26 configured by numerical values and calculation symbols. Here, when a specific design value is not yet determined, a provisional value is input using the α button 27. These series of definition contents are all displayed on the calculation formula display unit 21 as in a general calculator.

  For example, when setting the specification that “the drum starts rotating after having a margin of 100 ms after the start button is pressed (the rise time of the signal is 0)”, first, “Drum driving ON” is set as the signal name. The selection is made in the selection field 22, and then the “start button” that is the trigger is selected in the trigger setting field 24. Next, “0” is manually entered in the rise or fall time value setting field 23. Thereafter, “+” and “margin 100” are sequentially selected using the button unit 25 configured by the parameters selected in step ST2 of FIG. 1 and the button unit 26 configured by numerical values and calculation symbols. . At this time, the calculation formula display unit 21 displays “Drum drive ON = start button + margin 100”.

(Signal time table)
Subsequently, the display of the operation time setting contents of the process signal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of a table displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 that summarizes the results of setting the operation time of the process signal in step ST4 of FIG. For example, the specification that “the drum starts rotating after having a margin of 100 ms after the start button is pressed (the rise time of the signal is 0)” on the button input type screen of FIG. It is assumed that “start button + margin 100” is set (step ST4 in FIG. 1). After the setting, when the calculation and result display button 29 in FIG. 5 is pressed, the set contents are displayed in the table in FIG. Specifically, “Drum drive ON” is displayed on the signal name display section 44, “0” is displayed on the rise or fall time display section 45, and “Start button + margin 100” is displayed on the calculation function display section 47. The calculation of “start button + margin 100” is automatically performed, and the calculation result is displayed on the signal time display unit 46 as the operation time of “drum driving ON”. The calculation function can be set based on the process conditions shown in FIG. 3 and the time table between elements of the mechanism shown in FIG.

  Further, when the button input type screen of FIG. 5 is launched in a state where the signal name whose setting contents are already displayed in the table of FIG. 7 is selected (step ST3 of FIG. 1), the setting contents of the selected signal are shown in FIG. Is displayed on the calculation formula display unit 21. Therefore, when changing the signal setting, the setting is changed from this state in the same manner as in step ST4 of FIG. Also in the case of signal deletion, when the delete button 28 in FIG. 5 is pressed while the signal setting content is displayed on the calculation formula display unit 21 in FIG. 5, the signal name, rise or fall time, All signal time and calculation function information is deleted.

(Timing chart)
Next, the operation timing display of the process signal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process signal timing chart drawn in step ST5 of FIG. In this timing chart, the operation timing of each unit is drawn based on the operation time value of the process signal displayed on the signal time display unit 46 of FIG. In this timing chart, High indicates that the corresponding unit is ON during operation, and Low indicates that it is OFF during stop.

  In addition, a trigger signal or an arrow from the sensor can be drawn on the timing chart. For example, when “drum drive ON = start button + margin 100” is set in step ST4 in FIG. 1, an arrow is drawn from “start button” as a trigger to “drum drive ON”.

(Verification condition setting)
Next, an example of setting / editing verification conditions when automatic verification is performed on the designed contents will be described with reference to FIG. 9 shows a verification condition edit screen displayed on the display screen of the display device 18 when the verification condition is read out in step ST6 of FIG. 1 and when a new verification condition is set in step ST7 of FIG. It is an example. When the verification condition is read out in step ST6 in FIG. 1, the read verification condition is displayed in the condition list 30. When a new condition is added to the condition list 30, the new creation button 31 is pressed to start setting.

  Next, the user inputs a condition name in the condition name setting field 35, and a unit name selection field composed of an option 53 for selecting a corresponding unit name and an ON / OFF option 54 for selecting operation information. In 36, it is detected that the unit name has been selected. By repeating this operation, after one condition is set, the condition is additionally registered in the condition list 30 in accordance with the selection of the add button 32. This verification condition is a condition regarding whether or not the operation between the set units may be simultaneously established. When this condition is satisfied, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

  When editing and rewriting the already set conditions, the selection of the condition to be edited is detected on the condition list 30, and the contents are displayed in the condition name setting field 35 and the signal name selection field 36 for editing. I do. When selection of the change button 33 is detected after editing, the new condition is overwritten on the original condition in the condition list 30. If it is desired to delete a condition that has already been set, the condition to be deleted is selected on the condition list 30 and executed with the delete button 34.

  The verification condition mentioned here indicates operation information between certain units at an arbitrary timing. Specifically, it refers to a combination of process signal operations in each unit that causes a phenomenon that affects parts and images such as leak discharge in the process.

  For example, if “only a DC bias is applied to the charger at a certain timing, there is a possibility of discharging”. To verify this, first manually input “discharge (1)” in the condition name setting field 35. Then, “charger DC ON” and “charger AC OFF” are selected in the unit name selection field 36. Then, by detecting that the add button 32 is selected, “discharge (1) / charger DC ON & charger AC OFF” is additionally displayed in the condition list 30 as a verification condition.

  In the present embodiment, a period for performing verification may be specified among periods during which simulation is executed.

(inspection result)
Next, the display of the result of verifying the designed contents will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of a verification result display screen displayed after verification is performed in step ST9. As a result of the verification in step ST9, if a combination corresponding to the set condition has occurred, the contents of the verification condition and the time zone in which the condition is satisfied are displayed on the error screen 48. For example, when the condition “Discharge (1) / Charger DC ON & Charger AC OFF” is satisfied in the time zone of 500 ms to 584 ms, the error screen 48 displays “Discharge (1) / Charger DC ON & Charger AC OFF”. / 500-584 ”is displayed. In the figure, it is clearly shown that the problems about “discharge” and “toner waste” have occurred.

  Next, the display of the result of verifying the designed contents will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example of a verification result display screen and an example of a timing chart that are displayed after the verification is performed in step ST9. As a result of the verification in step ST9, if a combination corresponding to the set condition has occurred, the contents of the verification condition and the time zone in which the condition is satisfied are displayed on the error screen 48 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, by selecting the verification condition in the display screen (the portion 61 selected in the verification result display screen of FIG. 11), the condition location is indicated on the timing chart (in FIG. 11, In the display part 62), the figure clearly indicates that a problem with “discharge” has occurred, and the condition part in question can be confirmed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, verification can be performed quickly and reliably regardless of the level of the designer, and only the numerical value of the changed portion can be obtained when the design change or the design condition is changed. Since the change contents are reflected in all the design contents and the timing chart is also automatically changed, the change work can be greatly reduced and it can contribute to the realization of an efficient process design. It is possible to realize an automatic verification function that allows any level of designer to easily verify the timing chart regardless of experience. Moreover, even when a design change or a change in design conditions occurs, all design contents and timing charts can be automatically changed with a simple operation.

  In addition, since the mechanical cross-sectional shape information necessary for the design is captured electronically, even if a design change occurs, by importing the mechanical cross-sectional shape information again, the change is reflected in all design contents, Work time for changes can be greatly reduced, and correction errors can be reduced.

  In addition, since the process signal operating time is set and calculated on a screen having a button portion configured by the cross-sectional shape information of the fetched mechanism and process design conditions, it leads to reduction of errors.

  In addition, since the timing chart is automatically created based on the set process signal operating time data, it is possible to draw more accurately and instantaneously than the timing charts that have been created manually.

  In addition, since it is possible to save and read the verification conditions defined when performing automatic verification on the created timing chart, it is possible to store conditional expressions necessary for verification. Furthermore, by sharing it among designers, stable and high-quality design verification can be performed instantaneously regardless of the level of the designer. In addition, since design verification can be performed at the design stage, operation troubles in the actual machine are reduced, and the startup period is shortened.

  This embodiment can be realized by the computer of FIG. 2 executing a program. Also, means for supplying a program to a computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM recording such a program, or a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting such a program is also applied as an embodiment of the present invention. Can do. A computer program product such as a computer-readable recording medium in which the above program is recorded can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and computer program product are included in the scope of the present invention. As the recording medium, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

It is a flowchart which shows the outline of operation | movement of the design assistance method in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the information processing system as a paper conveyance design assistance apparatus applied by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table | surface which put together the specification of the process. It is a figure which shows an example of the table | surface which put together the required time between each element of a mechanism calculated by the cross-sectional shape information of a mechanism, and the specification of a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen for demonstrating the setting method of process signal operation time. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the button part of the button input type | formula screen which is a setting screen of process signal operation time. It is a figure which shows a part of table | surface which put together the result which performed the operation time setting of the process signal. It is a figure showing an example of a mode that the timing chart of the process signal was drawn. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting / editing of verification conditions when automatic verification is performed on the designed contents. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the case of displaying the result of automatic verification. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the case of displaying the result of automatic verification on a timing chart.

Explanation of symbols

17 Central processing unit 18 Display device 19 Input device 20 Storage device 21 Calculation formula display unit 22 Signal name setting column 23 Rise or fall time value setting column 24 Trigger setting column 25 Button input type screen button unit 26 Button input type screen button unit (Consisting of numerical values and operation symbols)
27 provisional value input button 28 signal delete button 29 calculation and result display button 30 condition list 31 new creation button 32 add button 33 change button 34 delete button 35 condition name setting column 36 signal name selection column 39 section display unit 40 time display unit 41 Item name entry field 42 Numerical value entry field 43 Paper size selection field 44 Signal name display part 45 Rise or fall time display part 46 Signal time display part 47 Calculation function display part 48 Error screen 49 Check field 50 Signal option 51 Trigger option 52 ON / OFF option 53 Signal option 54 ON / OFF option

Claims (6)

A design support device that generates a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit based on unit design information of a target device,
A setting means for setting verification conditions;
Verification means for verifying the generated timing chart based on the verification condition set by the setting means;
Display means for displaying a verification result by the verification means;
A design support apparatus comprising:   The setting means sets whether the ON / OFF information indicating the operation information of the first unit and the ON / OFF information indicating the operation information of the second unit are simultaneously established as verification conditions. The design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A design support method for generating a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit based on unit design information of a target device,
A setting step for setting verification conditions;
A verification step of performing verification on the generated timing chart based on the verification condition set in the setting step;
A display step for displaying a verification result in the verification step;
A design support method characterized by comprising:   In the setting step, whether or not ON / OFF information indicating the operation information of the first unit and ON / OFF information indicating the operation information of the second unit are simultaneously established at an arbitrary timing as verification conditions. The design support method according to claim 3, wherein the design support method is set.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the design support method according to claim 3 or 4.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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