JP2009181391A - Size determination method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tool for obtaining a series of continuous lines for sizes by readable size texts not overlapping each other. <P>SOLUTION: An object whose size is to be determined may be too small to write the size text in a space defined by extension lines. In this size determination method, the extension line 24 for the small size is expanded, and the size text is stored inside the space between the extension lines 24, 25 of size lines without changing the size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to computer-aided modeling, and more particularly to dimensional text and associated lines in drawings.

  Modeling refers to creating a model that describes an object to be manufactured from the object being designed. With the development of data processing systems and computers, modeling has been transformed into computer control processes, but drawings are also made from models. Typically, sizing is done by drawing an extension line from the base point (the point to be scaled), and by drawing a dimension line between the extension lines at regular intervals from the object to be dimensioned, Parallel to this dimension line, above the dimension line, or by cutting out the dimension line and adding it to the dimension line.

  However, sometimes the dimensions are small and the dimension text may not fit within the space between the extension lines. When dimension text is placed in this space, the dimension text may overlap with other dimension text, and it may not be known where one dimension text ends and the next begins. Placing the dimensional text sideways is one solution, but the dimensional text can get mixed with the others, making it difficult to read the dimensional text in any case. Another solution is to place dimensional text that does not fit above other dimensional text. Even in such a case, the dimension indicated by the dimension text may be unclear.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention is to provide a sizing method and apparatus for clearly displaying what is to be dimensioned, especially in the case of an extremely small dimension. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool that obtains a continuous line for a series of dimensions with readable text that does not overlap each other.

  The invention relates to a method, a program product and an apparatus characterized by what is stated in the independent claims.

  The present invention is based on exaggerating at least one of the short dimension extensions and expanding the space for the dimension text without changing the dimension itself. The term “dimension text” refers to a column that includes one or more numbers and / or one or more symbols and / or one or more characters. The dimension text is typically a scale value (dimension number, index).

  An advantage of the present invention is that it clearly displays what is being dimensioned, especially in the case of ultimately small dimensions. Further in accordance with the present invention, a tool is provided for obtaining a continuous line for a series of dimensions with dimension text that is readable and non-overlapping.

  Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The following examples are illustrative. In several places throughout this specification, reference has been made to “single”, “one”, or “several” examples, as each such designation is not necessarily referring to the same example. It does not mean that the features are applicable to only one embodiment.

  The present invention is applicable to any computer-aided modeling system that can generate sized drawings or diagrams.

  In the following, the present invention will be described using an exemplary system that allows a computer to execute the program of the present invention by utilizing a runtime database that should be stored in a disk memory of a personal computer or that contains information already stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment of the present invention, for example, an object-oriented database or a relational database is used, and can be used on a network from, for example, one or more terminals. Various programming techniques, data storage in memory, and database implementation methods are constantly evolving. This may require further modifications to the present invention. Accordingly, all terms and expressions are to be interpreted broadly and are intended to describe the invention without limiting it.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a simplified modeling system with only operational connections describing only a few logic devices, the implementation may deviate from what is presented. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system may include other functions and structures that need not be described in detail here. The more detailed structure of the system is not relevant to the present invention.

  A modeling system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a personal computer including a user interface 11, a sizing device 12 according to an embodiment, a memory 13, and output means 14.

  The user interface 11 is an interface device of a user to the modeling system, that is, a model handler. A user can create a model, modify the model, study it, print the desired drawing and report, display the drawing in advance, enter information into the model, and so on. However, the details of the user interface are irrelevant to the present invention and are therefore not described in detail here.

  The memory 13 includes, for example, program elements that are defined as a part of a program and constitute a “program library”, and data that is stored / to be stored during modeling, such as information about extension exaggeration. In this exemplary system, data is stored as files, for example in memory, and during processing, the data constitutes a “runtime database” in central memory, and the data can be read from disk memory and processed at high speed. When the processing is finished, the database runtime data, or at least the modified data, is stored in the disk memory. For example, a drawing can first be created based on a model and stored in the form of a drawing file in a memory by a “runtime database”. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, data may be stored in one or more files and / or stored / processed in other forms and / or using other memory.

  The output means 14 is configured to output the drawing to a printer. However, details of the method for outputting data such as drawings are not related to the present invention and will not be described in detail here.

  Although a personal computer illustrating an apparatus according to an embodiment is illustrated as a single unit, various apparatuses, modules, and memories can be implemented with one or more physical or logical devices. Various examples of such devices, or more precisely various examples of functionality of the sizing device 12, are described in detail below.

  The device may include other devices or modules used during modeling or for modeling. However, they are not relevant to the present invention and need not be described in detail here.

  Each device, such as a personal computer and / or other similar devices, that implements the functionality of similar devices described by way of example includes not only prior art means, but also means for exaggerating extension lines, for example. In more detail, they have means for realizing the functionality of similar devices as described by way of example, each of which may comprise a separate means for each distinct function, or means for more than one function. It may be configured to accomplish. The apparatus is configured as a computer or microprocessor, such as a single-chip computer element, including at least one memory that provides at least a storage area used for arithmetic operations and an arithmetic processing unit that performs arithmetic operations. Can do. The apparatus includes a processing device and a memory that can be used in the embodiments. The memory may be a removable memory that can be detachably connected to the apparatus. For example, the sizing device 12 may be a software application or module, or a unit configured as an arithmetic operation or program (including added or updated software routines) executed on a processing unit such as a central processing unit. But you can. In an embodiment, a computer program implemented as a distribution / data storage medium readable by a user terminal, which includes program instructions that configure the sizing device 12 when loaded into the device. A program, also called a program product, includes software routines, applets and macros, and can be stored on any medium and downloaded to a device. That is, all modifications and configurations necessary to implement the functionality of the embodiments can be implemented as added or updated software routines, application circuits (ASICs) and / or programmable circuits.

  The modeling system shown in FIG. 1 represents the simplest modeling system. In a large modeling system, the user interface may be a terminal, and the memory may be a database with which the terminal communicates via a server. The server may perform the function of the sizing device of the exemplary system, or at least some of these functions, and the terminal may also perform the function of the sizing device of the exemplary system. There may be one or more networks between the terminal and the server. These include a server having a plurality of terminals and databases, preferably they are integrated so that they appear to the modeler as a database and a database server. The functions of the system described below are executed on the terminal or on the database server, or some of these are on the terminal and some on the database server, ie where sizing takes place. It is irrelevant to the present invention.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the basic principle of the present invention, which uses a rectangle 21 as an example of an object to be dimensioned. When creating the drawings, the user can at the same time give the dimensions or a part of the dimensions to be shown in each drawing or individual drawing, for example by indicating the base points 22,23. The base points 22 and 23 describe the points to be scaled, and the dimensions describe the distance between the two base points. During sizing, the sizing device draws extension lines 24, 25 from the base point, the extension lines being perpendicular to the dimensioning direction. The dimension line 26 is drawn to a predetermined distance from the object to be dimensioned, and the points 27 and 28 where the extension line intersects the dimension line are called dimension points. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, one of the extension lines, line 25, is exaggerated by an exaggerated amount 293 so that the dimension text (ie, the space 294 required for the dimension text) fits within the space between the dimension points. The exaggerated area is preferably located between the object and the dimension line and has a preset height 291 at the preset position 292. The manner in which the height, position and various distances are preset is not critical to the present invention. In one embodiment, the user can set the value of the exaggerated amount 283 (amount value), the value of the preset height 291 (height value), and can set the position 292 (position value). In other embodiments, the user can set one or two of these values, and the sizing device can determine one of these values based on a predetermined rule, for example, depending on the scale of the drawing. Calculate more than one. In yet another embodiment, the sizing device calculates all of these values. Depending on how they are implemented, these values can each be set for a separate dimension or are common to the sizing objects. An advantage of the embodiment that allows the user to set the value is that the user can thus adjust the appearance of the drawing.

  Limits may be used to determine whether dimension text fits between dimension points. A limit is a dimension that is shorter than the limit and defines a “boundary” so that the dimension text is unlikely to fit within the space defined by that dimension. The actual size of the dimension, i.e. the size of the dimension when printed on paper or output on the screen, can be used to determine whether the dimension text fits in space. The limits can be set by the user, can be determined for each dimension, for each object, or for each drawing, or can use default values. In addition, for each dimension, the sizing device calculates whether or not the corresponding text fits within the dimension point. At this time, the dimension text is surely fit within the space between the extension lines of the dimension line. Possible margins can also be taken into account. It is also possible for the user to select whether to use a calculated limit, a limit determined by the user, or a preset limit.

  FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example, where the exaggeration is done in only one direction, using the same preset limits and preset deltas for all dimensions. Delta corresponds to the exaggerated amount shown in FIG. By using the same delta for all dimensions, you get a visual consistency and a more pleasing drawing that better displays what you are sizing.

  For the sake of clarity, FIG. 3 shows only the steps in which data is present in the runtime database, storing dimensions in the computer's memory, or retrieving a model or part of a model with relevant information from the memory, as well as limits, deltas. The height value and position value settings are not shown separately.

  The illustrated example is started when the auxiliary variables n and m are initialized at step 301 and n becomes 0 and m becomes 1. Next, base points specified by the user are collected in step 302 and corresponding dimensions are calculated in step 303. Thereafter, the base point at the left end is taken in step 304, and an extension line is drawn from the base point in step 305.

  Therefore, the next base point is taken at step 306 and the calculated dimension between the two base points is compared with the limit at step 307. If the dimension is less than the limit (step 307), the dimension text will not fit within the dimension. Therefore, the auxiliary variable n is updated in step 308 to the value n + 1, and in step 309, the extension line is exaggerated by the exaggerated amount of the value of n times the delta (delta * n) by subtracting the extension line from the base point. (In the exaggerated area).

  Next, it is checked in step 310 whether all the base points have been processed, and if not, the process continues from step 306 and takes the next base point.

  In step 307, if the dimension is not smaller than the limit, it is checked in step 311 whether or not the value of n is 0. If the value is 0, exaggeration is not considered and the process continues to step 309 and draws an extension line (without exaggeration).

  If this value is not zero (step 311), there is at least one exaggeration that needs to be taken into account. If exaggeration is not taken into account, due to the exaggeration, the dimension text may not fit within the space left from the exaggerated dimension. In order to avoid this, in step 311, it is checked whether or not the dimension obtained by subtracting m times the delta is larger than the limit using another cofactor m. If so, the value of n is set to the value n-1 in step 313, the value of m is updated to the value m + 1 in step 313, and until the value of n becomes 0 (step 311), or the delta m Steps 311, 312 and 313 are repeated until the size is subtracted from the limit (step 312). If the dimensions are not wide enough to “absorb” the previous exaggeration, ie if the answer is no in step 312, m is set to an initial value of 1 in step 314, after which the process continues from step 309, The extension line is drawn with an exaggeration of n times the delta.

  When all the base points have been processed (step 310), a dimension line is drawn at step 315 and the dimension text is written at step 316. The corresponding respective line dimensions can then be saved to a runtime database, displayed to the user, and / or printed as a drawing.

  FIG. 4 shows how the dimensions created by the above embodiment can be seen. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the limit is 60 (not shown), ie, dimensions smaller than 60 are exaggerated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment in which the exaggeration is performed only in one direction, using a preset limit called esum whose exaggeration amount changes, and the limit is the same for all dimensions. The advantage of having a variable exaggeration amount is that this minimizes the total exaggeration amount and the size of the exaggeration better fits the dimensional text.

  Like FIG. 3, FIG. 5 also shows only steps where the data is in the runtime database, storing dimensions in the computer's memory, or retrieving a model or part of a model with relevant information from the memory, as well as limits, The setting of the value of the height and the value of the position is not shown separately.

  The illustrated example begins when esum is initialized to 0 in step 501. Next, base points instructed by the user are collected in step 502, and dimensions corresponding to these are calculated in step 503. Next, the base point at the left end is taken in step 504, and an extension line is drawn from the base point in step 505.

  The next base point is then taken at step 506 and the calculated dimension between the two base points is compared to the limit at step 507.

  If this dimension is greater than the limit, the limit is subtracted from the dimension, the result is subtracted from the esum, and the result is set as the new esum value at step 508. Next, in step 509, it is checked whether this esum is 0 or less. If below, this dimension is wide enough to “absorb” any previous exaggeration, esum is set to 0 in step 510, and esum (value) in step 511. An exaggerated extension line is drawn from the base point. In the specific case where this esum is 0, no exaggeration is performed.

  Next, in step 512, it is checked whether all the base points have been processed. If not, the process continues at step 506 and takes the next base point.

  If esum is equal to or greater than 0 (step 509), the process continues from step 511, and an extension line is drawn with exum exaggeration.

  If the dimension is not greater than the limit (step 507), the dimension will not fit within the space defined by the dimension point, and in step 513, the esum is updated to subtract it from the limit. Result value is added. Thereafter, the process continues from step 511, and an extension line is drawn with an exum exaggeration.

  When all the base points have been processed (step 512), a dimension line is drawn at step 514 and a dimension text is written at step 515. The dimensions with the corresponding lines can then be saved to the runtime database, displayed to the user, and / or printed as a drawing.

  Other embodiments of the present invention do not use wide dimensions that "absorb" previous exaggerations, but exaggerate all remaining extensions after the first exaggeration. In other words, if the dimension is smaller than the limit, the process described in FIG. 3 proceeds directly to step 309, and an extension line is drawn by exaggeration. Then, the steps 311 to 314 are jumped, or the steps 508 to 510 are jumped in the process shown in FIG.

  In the above description, the sizing starts from the basic point at the left end, but can also be started from the basic point at the right end. In addition, other ways include a central base point, a user-specified base point, or a point between the base points, in which case the process can be configured to exaggerate in both directions. That is, the present invention does not limit the selection of the exaggeration starting point and / or direction.

  FIG. 6 shows the sizing according to another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7 shows the sizing results shown in FIG. For clarity, FIG. 6 again shows only the steps where the data is in the runtime database, saving dimensions in the computer's memory, retrieving a model or part of a model with relevant information from the memory is shown separately. Not.

  The illustrated example starts when the base point specified by the user is collected in step 601, and in step 602 the corresponding dimension is calculated. Thereafter, the cluster is determined in step 603. Referring to FIG. 7, clusters 7-1, 7-1 ', 7-1 "have dimensions smaller than the limit or a group of adjacent dimensions, and dimensions 7-2, 7-2', 7 wider than the limit. -2 ", 7-2" 'in between. These dimensions are referred to as sub-wide dimensions, or between start / end and wide dimensions. One or more wide between two adjacent clusters It is understood that there may be dimensions.

  Once the clusters are determined, in step 604, each cluster is derived from the central origin of the cluster if the cluster has an even number of dimensions, or the center of the central dimension if the cluster has an odd number of dimensions. The exaggeration starts by exaggerating in both directions. This exaggeration may be performed as described above with respect to FIG. 3 or FIG. 5 (except that the exaggeration is different in both directions).

  Once all clusters are exaggerated, in step 605, adjacent wide dimensions that do not belong to the cluster can “absorb” the exaggeration of the clusters, or the exaggeration of two clusters if there is a wide dimension between the two clusters. Check whether or not.

  If there is a wide dimension that cannot “absorb” the exaggeration, then in step 606 the wide dimension is combined with a corresponding cluster having an exaggeration that the wide dimension cannot absorb. The extension line in each new cluster thus formed is, in step 607, as described above, from the center point of the cluster if it has an even number of dimensions, and if the cluster has an odd number of dimensions, as described above. It is exaggerated by starting the exaggeration from the center of the central dimension and exaggerating in both directions. Thereafter, the process continues from step 605 to check whether the adjacent wide dimension can be exaggerated.

  If the adjacent wide dimension can absorb the exaggeration (step 605), or if there is only one cluster with no wide dimension, step 608 draws the dimension line and step 609 writes the dimension text.

  The dimensions with corresponding lines can then be saved to a runtime database, displayed to the user, and / or printed as a drawing.

  In some embodiments, it is not checked whether wide dimension lines can be absorbed. That is, steps 605, 606 and 607 are omitted.

  As mentioned above, FIG. 7 shows an example of how the dimensions created by this embodiment look. As can be seen from FIG. 7, there are three clusters and four dimensions that can absorb the exaggeration of the clusters. The example of FIG. 7 starts and ends without exaggeration, but this is not always the case, and exaggerates the beginning and / or end extension as necessary. For example, if the dimensioned object does not have a left wide dimension 7-2, the leftmost extension is considered exaggerated.

  The steps shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 are not absolute time series and can be performed in an order other than shown here or simultaneously. Other functions may be performed between or concurrently with the above steps. Furthermore, some of the steps shown in each figure may be omitted, or some of the steps described above may be replaced with steps that produce similar end results. For example, the user may select individual dimensions or set exaggerated dimensions. As another example, there may be an “absorption limit” such as a rule that defines a dimension so that exaggerations of other dimensions can be absorbed by at most half or two thirds of its length.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that as technology advances, the concepts of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may be modified within the scope of the claims.

It is the simplified block diagram which shows the structure of the system used as an example. It is a block diagram which shows some basic definitions. It is a flowchart which shows the dimension determination process by one Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the result of the process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the dimension determination process by an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the dimension determination process by an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the result of the process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Modeling system
11 User interface
12 Dimensioning device
13 memory
14 Output means

Claims (16)

In a method for sizing an object having at least two base points for sizing, the method comprises:
Calculate the dimension between the two base points,
Determine whether the corresponding dimension text fits within the space defined by the two base points;
A dimensioning method comprising: exaggerating at least one of the extension lines to fit the dimensional text in the space when it does not fit.   2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination compares the dimension to a preset limit and determines that the dimension text does not fit within the space if the dimension is less than the limit. How to decide.   3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, in the exaggeration, an extension line is exaggerated by an amount obtained by subtracting the dimension from the preset limit.   4. The method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein in the determination, a space required for the dimensional text is calculated, and the calculated space is compared with a space defined by the two base points. A sizing method characterized by determining whether or not text fits in the space.   5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the exaggeration, an extension line is exaggerated by an amount necessary for the text and is accommodated in the space.   6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the exaggeration, an extension line is exaggerated by a preset value. 7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein if the dimensional text fits within the space, further check whether the dimension can absorb previous exaggerations,
A dimensioning method, wherein the extension line is drawn without exaggeration if the dimension line can absorb all previous exaggerations. 8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:
Determining clusters having dimensional text that includes one or more adjacent dimensions, each of which does not fit within the space, the adjacent clusters having at least one dimension between which the dimensional text fits within the space; And
A dimensioning method characterized by exaggerating an extension line of the cluster. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
After exaggerating the extension of the cluster, check whether the dimension between two adjacent clusters can absorb the exaggeration,
A sizing method characterized by combining the clusters and the dimensions between them as new clusters if they cannot be absorbed and exaggerating the extension of the new clusters.   10. A computer program product comprising computer program code, wherein the computer program product causes the computer to perform the steps of the method according to claim 1 by executing the program code. A calculation unit that calculates a dimension between two base points; a determination unit that determines whether or not a corresponding dimension text fits in a space defined by the two base points;
And an exaggerating means for exaggerating at least one of the extension lines in response to the determining means.   12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the determination means compares the dimension with a preset limit, and determines that the dimension text does not fit in the space if the dimension is smaller than the limit. Device to do.   13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the determination unit calculates a space necessary for the dimensional text, and compares the calculated space with a space defined by the two base points. Device to do.   14. The apparatus according to claim 11, 12, or 13, wherein the exaggerating means calculates an amount of exaggerating the extension line.   15. The device of claim 11, 12, 13, or 14, further comprising a user interface, wherein the user interface includes a limit compared to dimensions, an exaggerated amount that exaggerates an extension, a height of an exaggerated region, The user can set the value of at least one parameter from a group of parameters including a position indicating the distance of the exaggerated region from the dimension line or from the object to be dimensioned, And a device defined by the exaggerated amount. The device according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15,
The apparatus further includes determining means for determining clusters having dimensional text that includes one or more adjacent dimensions, each of which does not fit within the space, the adjacent clusters having dimension text between them in the space. Having at least one dimension that fits within,
The exaggeration means exaggerates an extension line of the cluster.

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