JP3307790B2 - Flow diagram creation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow diagram creating apparatus for creating a flow diagram comprising a plurality of nodes and links for connecting the nodes, and more particularly, to a flow for creating a flow diagram comprising a large number of nodes and links. The present invention relates to a technology that is effective when applied to a diagram creation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique relating to the editing of a flow chart and other documents having a large number of nodes and links and having a size that is difficult to display and edit the entire screen of a display device, There is a technique for editing by using a combination of partial display of a target and change of a display area.

[0003] This is called [GNU EMACS MANU].
AL, Sixth Edition "Free Software Foundation
Publications P23-P25.

According to this technique, when a part to be edited is displayed and another part is edited, the display area is changed by scrolling or designating a position (line number, page, coordinate, etc.) to change the display area. The entire document was edited, such as displaying the area on the screen and editing it.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a result of studying the above prior art, the present inventor has found the following problems.

In the prior art, when a flow diagram having a size that is difficult to display and edit on the entire screen of the display device is edited, when the portions to be edited and referenced are dispersed, However, it is necessary to perform the work of scrolling and switching the screen as many times as necessary, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily editing a flow diagram having a size that makes it difficult to display and edit the entire screen of a display device. It is in.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

[0010] Connection between a plurality of nodes and each node
Create a flow diagram composed of links and display the flow diagram
Storage device for storing related information between the plurality of nodes.
Node-related information storage means to perform
Read the related information stored in the storage means and distribute it in the flow diagram.
From the placed nodes, it is important for placement in the flow diagram
Important node determining means for determining an important node having a high degree;
Of the important node determined by the important node determining means.
Arrangement information storage means for storing node names, and the flow chart
And a plurality of important nodes stored in the arrangement information storage means
And the important node displayed
Flow chart for the operation to specify any of the node names
Is changed to the area containing the important node of the node name.
Display means for further displaying.

Further , the important node determining means includes a link
Multiple nodes associated over multiple rows
When arranging in line units by tracing sequentially, first place on a new line.
The node to be placed is determined as an important node.

[0012]

According to the above-described means, a plurality of nodes and each node are provided.
Create a flow diagram consisting of links that connect
In the flow diagram creation device to be displayed, the plurality of nodes
Node related information storage means for storing related information between
Reading related information stored in the node related information storage means
From the nodes arranged in the flow diagram.
-Important to determine important nodes with high importance for placement in the diagram
Determined by the node determining means and the important node determining means
For storing the placement information that stores the node names of the important nodes
Tiers, stored in the flow diagram and the arrangement information storage means.
Display the node names of multiple important nodes
An operation to specify one of the node names of the indicated important node
For the operation, the display area of the flow diagram
Display means for changing and displaying the area including the code
So, by specifying the displayed important node name,
The area including the important node can be displayed,
Since it is not necessary to scroll and switch the screen many times as in the related art, it is possible to easily edit a flow diagram having a size that makes it difficult to display and edit the entire screen of the display device. It becomes possible.

[0013]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples.

In all the drawings for describing the embodiments, those having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a flow diagram creating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a flow diagram creating apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a node related information storage device 2 storing a list of names of nodes and their preceding nodes, and an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device. The device 3 is connected to a display device 4 such as a display or a printer.

Further, the flow diagram creating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
Flow diagram layout determining section (layout / area information determining means) 5, node information storing section 6, link information storing section 7, display area candidate information storing section 8, current display area information storing section (display area information storing means) 9, It comprises a flow diagram editing unit (editing means) 10 and a flow diagram display unit (flow diagram display means) 11.

In the node related information storage device 2, when the flow diagram shown in FIG.
A set of a node name 301 and a preceding node name 302 of the node as shown in FIG.

In this node related information table 300,
For example, information such as a node name A, no preceding node name, or a node name B, preceding node name A, etc., is stored.

In the flow diagram arrangement determining unit 5, the node related information table 30 stored in the node related information storage device 2 is stored.
0, the arrangement of the nodes on the flow diagram and the arrangement of the links on the flow diagram are determined based on the relationship between the nodes at 0.
Node information storage unit 6 and link information storage unit 7
To be stored.

In addition, together with these, a list of coordinates of nodes having high importance in the layout of the flow diagram (a display area candidate information table 600 described later) is generated and stored in the display area candidate information storage unit 8.

The node information storage unit 6 stores a node number 401, a node name 402, and a row 403 and a digit 404 of coordinates at which the nodes are arranged as shown in FIG.
Stored as 0.

In the node information table 400, for example, node number 1, node name A, arrangement row 0, arrangement digit 0,
Is stored.

The link information storage unit 7 stores a link number 501, a link source node 502, and a link destination node 505 as shown in FIG. 5 and the arranged coordinates (an original node row 503, an original node digit 504, Destination node row 5
06, first node digit 507) is the link information table 500
Is stored as

In the link information table 500, for example, information such as link number 0, original node name A, original node row 0, original node digit 0, destination node name B, destination node row 0, destination node digit 1, and the like are stored. Is stored.

The display area candidate information storage section 8 stores nodes having high importance in the layout of the flow diagram and center coordinates of an area for displaying nodes edited in the past (nodes having high importance in editing). The coordinates (center line 601, center column 602) at the center of the region as shown in FIG. 6 and the node name 603 arranged there are stored as the display region candidate information table 600. In the display area candidate information table 600, for example, information such as center row 0, center digit 0, and node name A is stored.

The current display area information storage section 9 stores the coordinates of the center of the area currently displayed on the display device 4, and the coordinates of the center of the current display area as shown in FIG. line 701, the center girder 702) is stored as the current display territory Ikijo report table 700. In the currently displayed territory Ikijo paper table 700, for example, the center line 3, information such as the center digit 8 is stored.

The flow diagram editing unit 10 corrects the node information table 400 and the link information table 500 stored in the node information storage unit 6 and the link information storage unit 7 according to the editing request from the input device 3, or corrects the current state. The coordinates stored in the display area information storage unit 9 are changed.

Further, this change is accompanied by a change in the display area candidate information table 600 of the display area candidate information storage unit 8 in some cases. This is to add to the display area candidate information table 600 a node that is important in editing in the past edited node.

In the flow diagram display section 11, the node information table 400 stored in the node information storage section 6 and the link information table 500 stored in the link information storage section 7 and the coordinates stored in the current display area information storage section 9 are used. The display device 4 displays a flow diagram in which a plurality of nodes are connected by links.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a display device 4 of a flow chart created based on the association between the nodes shown in FIG.
FIG. At this time, the entire flow chart is not displayed on the display device 4.

Therefore, when it is desired to view a portion that is not displayed, the display area is changed as necessary.

The display area can be changed by displaying the display area candidate information stored in the display area candidate information storage section 8 on the display device 4 together with a flow chart, and displaying the node name or the coordinates thereof on the input device. 3, the display area is changed.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show two display screens (flow diagram display screen 80 and display area candidate list screen 81) having different display methods of the contents of display area candidate information storage unit 8, respectively. This is an example. FIG. 8A shows a display area candidate list screen 81 displaying a list of display area candidates as coordinates and nodes, and FIG. 8B shows a display area candidate list screen 81 showing display area candidates as a flow chart layout. It is displayed inside.

Then, referring to the display of the candidates on the display area candidate list screen 81 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a node name or coordinates indicating an area to be displayed is input to the input device 3. Enter from.

As described above, in the flow diagram creating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when generating a flow diagram or changing a display region, the display region candidate information storage unit 8 stores a node having high importance in the layout of the flow diagram, Stores the information of the previously edited node (the node having a high degree of importance in editing), and stores the flow diagram display unit 1
In step 1, a flow chart and a list of display area candidates are simultaneously displayed on the display device 4, and based on the display, a display area candidate is selected from the input device 3 connected to the flow chart editing unit 10, and the selected area is displayed. indicate.

Next, the processing of the above-described flow diagram arrangement determining unit 5 of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram arrangement determining unit 5 according to this embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining the arrangement of nodes and links on the flow diagram and generating a list of coordinates of nodes having high importance.

The flow diagram layout determining unit 5 of this embodiment first initializes a link counter and starts a node layout process (step 901).

If there is no more unprocessed node-related information in the node-related information table 300 of the node-related information storage device 2 (YES in step 902), the flow diagram arrangement determination processing ends.

If there is unprocessed node-related information (NO in step 902), one data set indicating the relation is extracted from the head of the node-related information (step 903).

Here, if the node indicated by the related node name 301 (hereinafter, referred to as the node) has been allocated (NO in step 904), the preceding node 302 is further checked, and if there is any unallocated node, (Step 905: YES), a procedure for arranging them is called (the processing contents of the arrangement procedure will be described later).

In this case, the arrangement position is the digit immediately before the position of the node, and the arrangement is performed in order from the closest blank line below the same line (step 906).

Then, link registration processing (step 90)
Proceed to 7).

On the other hand, if there is no unplaced node in the preceding node 302 (NO in step 905), the process directly proceeds to link registration processing (step 907).

If the node has not been arranged (YES in step 904), the preceding node 302 is further checked, and if there is an already arranged node (YE in step 908).
S), a procedure for arranging the node is called.

The position to be arranged at that time is the digit immediately after the position of the arranged preceding node 302, and is arranged on the closest blank line below the same line (step 909).

Then, the process proceeds to the placement processing of the preceding node 302 (step 905).

On the other hand, if the predecessor node 302 does not have an already arranged one (NO in step 908), the state of the preceding node 302 is further checked. If there is an undeployed one (YES in step 910), the node concerned And a procedure for arranging the preceding node 302 are called.

At this time, the position to be arranged is determined by the preceding node 30.
2 is the first digit, and the node is the second digit, starting from the row with the smallest row number among the rows in which no node is arranged yet, and has the smallest row number among the preceding nodes 302 arranged here. (Step 911).

Then, link registration processing (step 90)
Proceed to 7). On the other hand, if there is no unarranged node in the preceding node 302 (NO in step 910), a procedure for arranging the node is called.

In this case, the arrangement position is the first digit, and the node is arranged on the line having the smallest line number among the lines where no nodes are arranged yet (step 912).

Then, link registration processing (step 90)
Proceed to 7).

In the link registration process (step 907), the link information table 500 of the link information storage unit 7 sets the preceding node 302 as the link source node 502 and the node as the link destination node 505 for each pair of the preceding node 302 and the node. Register with.

At this time, the value of the link counter is used as the link number 501. After each registration, 1 is added to the value of the link counter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next arrangement determination processing (step 902).

FIG. 10 shows the flow diagram arrangement determining section 5 described above.
7 is a flowchart of a node arrangement procedure called during the processing of FIG.

In the node placement procedure of the flow diagram placement determining unit 5 of this embodiment, first, it is checked whether or not there is a node whose placement has been instructed. If there is no node (NO in step 1001), the placement processing ends.

If there is still a node for which placement has been instructed (YES in step 1001), the designated placement position of the node is checked, and if there is no node-placed row at that time (YES in step 1002). The center row and center digit are registered in the display area candidate information table 600 of the display area candidate information storage unit 8 as the coordinates of the arrangement position, and the node name is registered as the node name of the node designated to be arranged (step 100).
3).

Then, the process proceeds to node registration processing (step 1004). On the other hand, if the row has nodes already arranged (NO in step 1002), the process directly proceeds to the node registration processing (step 1004).

In the node registration process (step 1004), the arrangement row and the arrangement digit are registered in the node information storage unit 6 as a node information table 300 including the coordinates of the arrangement position and the node name of the node designated to be arranged. I do.

At this time, the value of the node counter is used for the node number 401. Then, 1 is added to the value of the node counter after registration. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next node arrangement processing (step 1001).

In the display area candidate information registration processing (step 1003) in the node arrangement procedure shown here, the node to be firstly arranged on a new line is set as the node with the higher importance.

Various methods can be considered for setting the importance. Depending on the nature of the flow chart, the display area candidate information is registered using the importance set from another viewpoint and more suitable for the target. It may be.

Next, the processing of the flow diagram editing section 5 of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a flow diagram editing process in the flow diagram editing section 5.

The flow diagram editing section 5 of this embodiment sets the coordinates of the current display area information table 700 of the current display area information storage section 9 to the initial position (step 1101), and performs the editing process input from the input device 3. The request is accepted (step 1102).

Here, if the edit processing request is a correction request for the flow diagram (YES in step 1103), the node information storage unit 6, the link information storage unit 7, and the display area candidate information storage unit for the nodes and links indicated by the correction request. The information of each information table stored in No. 8 (node name portion) is corrected (step 1104). Then, the process returns to the receiving process of the editing process request (step 1102).

If the edit processing request is not a flow diagram correction request (NO in step 1103), but is a display area change request by designating a display area candidate (step 110)
(YES at 5), the coordinates indicated by the center row and center digit of the designated display area candidate are stored in the current display area information table 700 of the current display area information storage unit 9 (step 110).
6). Then, the reception processing of the editing processing request (step 11)
Return to 02).

Further, the editing processing request is not a request for changing the display area by designating a display area candidate (step 110).
5 is NO), if it is a request to change the display area by another method such as scrolling or coordinate designation (YE in step 1107)
S), the coordinates stored in the current display area information table 700 of the current display area information storage unit 9 are compared with the respective coordinates of the display area candidate information table 600 of the display area candidate information storage unit 8, and the coordinates are not yet determined. If it is not included in the display area candidate information table 600 (N in step 1108)
O), the coordinates are added to the display area candidate information table 600 (Step 1109), and the process proceeds to the current display area update processing (Step 1110).

Update processing of the current display area (step 111)
In 0), the coordinates indicating the designated change destination area are stored in the current display area information table 700 of the current display area information storage unit 9.
To be stored. afterwards. The process returns to the receiving process of the editing process request (step 1102).

If the edit processing request is not a request for changing the display area by a method other than the method of designating the display area candidate (NO in step 1107), but is a request to end the edit processing (YES in step 1111), the edit processing ends. I do. On the other hand, if it is not a request to end the editing process (step 1111)
NO), an editing process request receiving process (step 110)
Return to 2).

Therefore, as described above, the flow diagram creating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the flow diagram and important node information in the flow diagram (a node having a high degree of importance in the layout of the flow diagram, a node edited in the past, and a node edited in the past). ) Is displayed, and at the time of editing, the screen of the flow diagram can be switched simply by instructing the necessary portion of the important node information with the input device. In addition, it is possible to easily perform a flow diagram editing operation having a size that makes it difficult to display and edit the entire screen of the display device.

Further, by displaying important node information together with the flow diagram, it is easy to grasp the whole image of a large flow diagram which cannot be displayed on one screen.

Further, the flow diagram editing unit 10 adds the information of the display region displayed in the past to the display region candidate information table 600 and displays it together with the flow diagram, thereby confirming the edited portion and replaying it. Editing can be facilitated.

In the flow diagram creating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the nodes having high importance in the layout of the flow diagram and the nodes edited in the past (the nodes having high importance in editing) are displayed in the display area candidate list screen. At this time, the storage format of the display area candidate information table 600 is changed by changing the storage format of the display area candidate information table 600 so that nodes having high importance in the layout of the flow diagram and nodes edited in the past can be distinguished. Each display format and display color may be changed and displayed.

At the time of editing, only the previously edited portion may be displayed on the display area candidate list screen 81.

As described above, the invention made by the present inventor is:
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0079]

The effects obtained by the representative ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

The important node information in the flow diagram is displayed together with the flow diagram. At the time of editing, the screen of the flow diagram can be switched by simply designating a necessary portion of the important node information with the input device. Since there is no need to scroll and switch the screen again and again, it is possible to easily edit a flow diagram having a size that makes it difficult to display and edit the entire screen of the display device. .

Further, by displaying important node information together with the flow diagram, it is easy to grasp the whole image of the flow diagram that cannot be displayed on one screen.

[0082]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flow diagram creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a node related information table 300 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a node information table 400 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a link information table 500 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display area candidate information table 600 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a current display area candidate information table 70 according to the present embodiment.
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a flow chart in the flow chart creation device 1 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of determining the arrangement of nodes and links on the flowchart and generating a list of coordinates of nodes having high importance in the flowchart arrangement determination unit 5 of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a node arrangement procedure called during processing of the arrangement decision unit 5 of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a flow diagram editing process in a flow diagram editing unit 5 according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Flow diagram creation device, 2 ... Node related information storage device,
3 input device, 4 display device, 5 flow diagram arrangement determination unit, 6 node information storage unit, 7 link information storage unit, 8
... display area candidate information storage unit, 9 ... current display area information storage unit, 10 ... flow diagram editing unit, 11 ... flow diagram display unit.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flow diagram for creating and displaying a flow diagram including a plurality of nodes and links for connecting the nodes .
In forming apparatus, a node related information to store related information between said plurality of nodes
Report storage means and related information stored in the node related information storage means.
From the nodes arranged in the flow diagram.
The importance of determining important nodes with high
A node required determining means, and an important node determined by the important node determining means.
Arrangement information storage means for storing a node name, and a plurality of information stored in the flow diagram and the arrangement information storage means
Displays the node names of important nodes
Operation to specify one of the important node names
And change the display area of the flow diagram to the important node of the node name.
Display means for changing and displaying in the area including
Characteristic flow diagram creation device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the important node determining means includes a link.
Multiple nodes associated over multiple rows
When tracing and arranging by line, first place on a new line
Is determined as an important node
The flow diagram creation device according to claim 1.