JP3635174B2 - Support device for graphic input work - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a graphic input work support apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for supporting a work of inputting graphic information on a design drawing such as a lead frame for a semiconductor integrated circuit to a computer such as a CAD apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In designing various products including a semiconductor integrated circuit, it is becoming common to use a CAD apparatus. In this case, various design information must be input as digital data to a computer constituting the CAD apparatus. When designing work is performed using a CAD device from the beginning, when the designing work is completed, necessary design information is already prepared in the CAD device in the form of digital data. When a paper drawing is used, the operator needs to input design information on the paper drawing into the CAD device. Also, in the field of semiconductor integrated circuits and the like, there is often a division of labor such that a company A creates a design drawing and another company B creates a mask pattern based on the design drawing. In such a case, even if A company designed from the beginning using a CAD device, if the CAD devices used by both companies require different data formats, the design is made using paper drawings as a medium. Information is often exchanged.
[0003]
When inputting design information expressed on a paper drawing to a CAD apparatus, it is usually necessary to input graphic information with correct dimensions. More specifically, it is essential to input individual points constituting the figure together with their coordinate values. For this reason, on the paper drawing, the coordinate value of a predetermined point on the graphic is described together with the graphic. The operator inputs the individual points on the figure described in the paper drawing while recognizing the coordinate values one by one and converting them into the data format required by the CAD device.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the graphic input work based on the paper drawing described above imposes a great work burden on the operator. In particular, an enormous number of figures are densely arranged in a design drawing of a semiconductor integrated circuit or the like, and the number of points to be input is enormous. Moreover, the coordinate value of each point is described outside the drawing, and in order to confirm the coordinate value for the predetermined point, the work of tracing the leader line connected to the predetermined point to the outside is necessary. I need it. However, if a large number of leader lines are arranged at a considerably high density, a mistake that causes confusion with an adjacent leader line occurs as the line is traced to the outside, and there is a risk of erroneous recognition of coordinate values. For this reason, the actual situation is that the operator is paying close attention to the coordinate values while applying a ruler on the drawing, and much effort and time have been spent on the input work.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention has an object to provide a graphic input work support device that can reduce the work burden of an operator when performing a work of inputting a graphic to a computer based on a drawing in which coordinate values are described. And
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  (1) The first aspect of the present invention is:It was written in the figure description column to show the figure used for the integrated circuit.A figure and a predetermined point on the figureIt was written in the marginal area of the graphic description column to show the coordinatesIn order to associate the coordinate value with the predetermined point and the coordinate value, a figure is input to the computer based on the drawing in which one end is connected to the predetermined point and the other end extends to the vicinity of the coordinate value. In the support device for supporting this figure input work when performing work,
  Image input means for capturing information on the drawing as image data;
  Storage means for storing the captured image data;
  Image display means for displaying information on the drawing based on the image data stored in the storage means;
  Based on operator instruction input,Instruction means for instructing a predetermined point on the graphic displayed by the image display means;
  By analyzing the image data,Processes that follow the pixels that make up the figure or leader line in the upward, downward, leftward, or rightward direction starting from the pixel in the vicinity of the point indicated by the instruction means. Until the end point is reached, it recognizes the position of the pixel as the end point of the leader line,A reference area specifying means for specifying the reference area;
  Of the images displayed by the image display means, the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means is displayed in a display mode different from other areas.Thereby, on the image display means, the visibility of the coordinate value corresponding to the point indicated by the instruction means is improved.Display mode changing means;
  Is provided.
[0007]
(2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the graphic input work support device according to the first aspect described above, the display mode changing means enlarges and displays the specified reference area, so that it is different from other areas. A function for displaying in different display modes is provided.
[0008]
(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the graphic input work support apparatus according to the first or second aspect described above, the reference area is moved based on a scroll instruction from the operator. It has a function.
[0009]
(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is the graphic input work support apparatus according to the first aspect described above,
Pattern recognition is performed on the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means, the coordinate value described in the reference area is read as a digital code, and the digital code is output to the computer that is the input target of the figure. Coordinate value recognition means is provided in place of the display mode changing means.
[0010]
  (5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the graphic input work support device according to the first to fourth aspects described above, the function of instructing a predetermined point on the graphic to the instruction means and the coordinates of the predetermined point Added a function to indicate the direction in which the value is describedIn addition, the reference area specifying means performs a process of tracing pixels only in the designated direction.Is.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
§1. General drawing to be input
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. Here, the function of the support apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case of performing an operation of inputting a figure on a paper drawing as shown in FIG.
[0012]
The paper drawing shown in FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a part of a lead frame for a semiconductor integrated circuit, and a portion indicated by a thick line in the drawing shows a figure to be input, and a thin straight line is Is also a leader line. One end of each leader line is connected to a predetermined point on the figure, and the other end extends to the outside of the field. Predetermined coordinate values are described outside this field. In the example shown in FIG. 1, as shown in the figure, the X axis is defined in the horizontal direction and the Y axis is defined in the vertical direction, and the coordinate values described in the upper column of the figure are the X coordinate values of the respective points. The coordinate values described in the left column of FIG. 6 indicate the Y coordinate values of each point. The correspondence between each point on the figure and the coordinate value is related by the leader line, and if you follow the leader line connected to each point to the outside of the field, the numerical value written near the end point will be the point. It becomes the coordinate value of. For example, in the illustrated example, the X coordinate value for the predetermined point P is “6.50”, and the Y coordinate value is “8.25”.
[0013]
By the way, in the example shown in FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only a part of the drawing composed of relatively simple figures is enlarged and shown, so that the operation of recognizing the coordinate value of a predetermined point is relatively easy and erroneous recognition is performed. However, in the actual drawing of a semiconductor integrated circuit, a huge number of fine figures are arranged at high density, the arrangement density of leader lines is very high, and the numerical values indicating coordinate values are small and difficult to read. It is common. For this reason, the work of checking the coordinate value by tracing the leader line to the outside is very complicated work, and erroneous recognition is likely to occur. In particular, when checking the coordinate values of the points near the center of the drawing, the distance to follow the leader line becomes very long and errors are likely to occur. For this reason, as already described, the current situation is that a straight line ruler is applied to the drawing to carefully recognize the coordinate values. The present invention has been made to reduce the burden of such input work.
[0014]
§2. Basic configuration of support device according to the present invention
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the graphic input work support apparatus according to the present invention. If the main components of this apparatus are classified by paying attention to their functions, they can be divided into image input means 10, storage means 20, image display means 30, instruction means 40, reference area specifying means 50, and display mode changing means 60. it can. Actually, the support device according to the present invention can be realized by incorporating dedicated software into general-purpose computer hardware, but here, for convenience of explanation, the functional aspect of the support device. Focusing on the above, this support apparatus will be considered as a set of the six functional elements described above.
[0015]
The image input means 10 has a function of taking information on the drawing as image data. In the apparatus of the embodiment described here, a so-called scanner device is used as the image input means 10. The graphic information relating to the lead frame on the paper drawing as shown in FIG. 1 is directly taken into the support apparatus in the form of digital data as image information. Here, information on a paper drawing is taken in the form of binary (monochrome) raster image data.
[0016]
The storage unit 20 is a device that stores the image data captured by the image input unit 10. Specifically, general storage means used for computers such as a memory and a magnetic storage device may be used.
[0017]
The image display means 30 is means for displaying information on the captured drawing based on the image data stored in the storage means 20. Specifically, it is configured by a general computer display and a control device for image display, and a desired portion on the drawing is displayed at a desired magnification based on the data in the storage means 20. It has a function to display on the screen. In addition to simply displaying a drawing based on the data in the storage means 20, as will be described later, a function for displaying a pointer such as a mouse cursor in conjunction with the instruction means 40, a display mode changing means 60 Based on the instruction, it has a function of partially changing the display mode.
[0018]
The instruction unit 40 has a function of instructing a predetermined point on the graphic displayed on the display screen by the image display unit 30. Specifically, the pointing means 40 can be configured by a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, and a tablet, and hardware and software for controlling the pointing device. Here, an example in which a mouse is used as the instruction means 40 will be described. When a mouse is used, the image display means 30 executes processing for displaying a mouse pointer at a predetermined position on the display screen based on a signal given from the instruction means 40. The operator can move the mouse pointer to an arbitrary position by operating the mouse, and can specify the position of the mouse pointer at that time by clicking the mouse button. This function allows the operator to indicate a predetermined point on the drawing displayed on the display screen.
[0019]
The reference area specifying means 50 analyzes the image data in the storage means 20, thereby recognizing a leader line extending from the point indicated by the instruction means 40, and specifying a reference area near the end point of the leader line. Execute. For example, when a drawing as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display screen, if the operator operates the instruction means 40 (mouse) to indicate a predetermined point P, the reference area specifying means 50 stores The image data in the means 20 is analyzed, and processing for recognizing a leader line extending from the predetermined point P is executed. And the end point vicinity of this leader line is specified as a reference area. This reference area is an area where numbers indicating coordinate values related to the leader line are expected to be written.
[0020]
As a specific processing method for recognizing a leader line extending from the predetermined point P and tracing it to the end point, a method generally called “chain code method” can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the leader line for indicating the X coordinate value is composed of a straight line substantially parallel to the Y axis, and the leader line for indicating the Y coordinate value is substantially straight from the straight line parallel to the X axis. In such a case, if the pixel is sequentially traced from the pixel corresponding to the position of the predetermined point P to the adjacent pixels in the four directions of + X direction, −X direction, + Y direction, and −Y direction, Good.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing only “black pixels” (pixels constituting a black portion in the drawing of FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the predetermined point P in the drawing shown in FIG. In the case of this example, the hatched pixel in the figure is a pixel corresponding to the position of the predetermined point P. From this pixel, the pixel is traced to the adjacent pixels in the four directions, up, down, left, and right, and finally the coordinates If you reach the out-of-line area where the value is described, the last pixel you reached will be the end point of the leader line. Whether or not it has reached the out-of-line area can be recognized if the coordinate value of the out-of-line area is defined in advance. When this process is executed for the predetermined point P in FIG. 1, it is not possible to immediately follow the downward direction (−Y direction) in the figure, so that the right direction (+ X direction) in the figure is substantially the same as the left side in the figure. A process of tracing adjacent pixels in the three directions of the direction (−X direction) and the upward direction (+ Y direction) in the figure is executed. In either case, when reaching the marginal area, the position of the pixel is recognized as the end point of the leader line, and a predetermined reference area is defined near the end point. In the diagram shown in FIG. 1, there are only two out-of-line areas where the coordinate values are written, that is, the upper out-of-line and the left out-of-line. Therefore, finally, from the predetermined point P to the left (−X direction) in the figure. The end point of the leader line is obtained for each of the two cases, i.e., the case of tracing to and the case of tracing in the upward direction (+ Y direction) in the figure, and two reference areas are specified. Reference areas Ax and Ay shown in FIG. 4 are areas specified in this way.
[0022]
The display mode changing unit 60 has a function of executing a process of changing the display mode of the reference area specified by the reference area specifying unit 50. That is, a process of displaying only the reference area portion of the image displayed by the image display means 30 in a display mode different from the other areas is executed. As described above, since it is expected that coordinate values related to a predetermined point designated by the operator are described in the reference area, if only the display mode in the reference area is changed to a different display mode, the operator This reference area can be focused on the screen, and the coordinate value of a predetermined point can be easily recognized.
[0023]
In short, when the operator performs a figure input operation to the CAD device based on the drawing as shown in FIG. 1, first, the information on the drawing is used as image information by the scanner device constituting the image input means 10, and this support device. It is only necessary to perform an input operation of the CAD apparatus in a state where this drawing is displayed on the display screen. At this time, if it is necessary to recognize the coordinate value of the predetermined point on the drawing, the predetermined point may be clicked with the mouse. Then, since only the coordinate value regarding this predetermined point is displayed conspicuously on the display screen, the recognition of the coordinate value becomes very easy and erroneous recognition is reduced.
[0024]
§3. More practical embodiments
As described above, in §2, the basic configuration and basic operation of the support device according to the present invention have been described. Here, a more practical embodiment of this support apparatus will be described.
[0025]
In the drawing shown in FIG. 1, the X coordinate value of each point is written outside the upper column, the Y coordinate value of each point is written outside the left column, and no coordinate value is written outside the lower column and right column. Even in the case of tracing in four directions, up, down, left and right, only the two directions can reach the margin. However, in the case of a drawing in which coordinate values are written in four locations, the upper margin, the lower margin, the left margin, and the right margin, if all four directions are followed, there is a possibility that all will reach the margin area. It is possible that the display mode is changed for one reference region. In this case, of the four coordinate values written in the four reference areas, only two coordinate values correspond to the predetermined point P, and the remaining two become irrelevant coordinate values. Therefore, the operator needs to select two correct coordinate values from the four coordinate values.
[0026]
Such a selection can actually be performed intuitively. This is because there is usually no problem in recognizing a coordinate value written near the predetermined point P as a correct coordinate value. However, it is useless and inefficient to perform a search process in four directions where originally two directions are acceptable. Therefore, more practically, in addition to the function of indicating the predetermined point P on the figure to the instruction means 40, the direction in which the ordinate value and the abscissa value of the predetermined point P are described are displayed. It is preferable to provide an instruction function.
[0027]
Specifically, the mouse may be configured to indicate three points. The concept of an embodiment in which such a three-point instruction is given will be described with reference to FIG. Consider a case where it is desired to recognize the X coordinate value and the Y coordinate value for a predetermined point P on the display screen. In this case, the operator first moves the mouse pointer over the predetermined point P and clicks the mouse button. Thereby, the position of the predetermined point P is input. Subsequently, the mouse pointer is moved over the point Q and the mouse button is clicked, and further, the mouse pointer is moved over the point R and the mouse button is clicked. Eventually, the positions of the three points P, Q, and R are designated. Here, the point Q is a point indicating the direction in which the Y coordinate value (ordinate value) of the predetermined point P is described. That is, by designating the point Q located on the left side of the point P, the support device is informed of the information that “the Y coordinate value for the predetermined point P is described outside the left column”. . Similarly, the point R is a point indicating the direction in which the X coordinate value (abscissa value) of the predetermined point P is described. By designating the point R located above the point P, “this predetermined point This support apparatus is informed of the information that “the X coordinate value of P is described outside the upper column”.
[0028]
As described above, when the operator gives additional information to the support device, useless calculation processing can be omitted in the support device. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the reference area specifying means 50 first searches in the -X direction (left direction in the figure) from the point P toward the point Q, and recognizes the end point QQ of the leader line. Then, the reference area Ay in the vicinity of the end point QQ (the area where the Y coordinate value of the predetermined point P is expected to be written) is specified. Similarly, a search is performed in the + Y direction (upward in the figure) from the point P to the point R, the end point RR of the leader line is recognized, and the reference area Ax (X of the predetermined point P in the vicinity of the end point RR) is recognized. Specify the area where the coordinate values are expected to be written). Subsequently, the display mode of the specified reference areas Ax and Ay is changed by the display mode changing means 60.
[0029]
It should be noted that which region is set as the reference region is set in advance in consideration of the description format of coordinate values on the drawing. For example, in this embodiment, the size and shape of the reference area are defined as a rectangle having a predetermined dimension that is large enough to contain a digit string (decimal point and three numbers) indicating coordinate values. ing. Further, the position where such a rectangular reference area Ay is arranged is defined as a position where the center point is separated from the end point QQ of the leader line by a predetermined distance to the left of the drawing. As for the position where the reference area Ax is arranged, this rectangle is defined as a position whose center point is separated from the end point RR of the leader line by a predetermined distance upward.
[0030]
As the display mode changing method executed by the display mode changing means 60, various methods are possible such as changing the display color of the character strings in the reference areas Ax and Ay, increasing the display brightness, and performing blink display. However, in this embodiment, only the portion in the reference area is enlarged and displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the reference areas Ax and Ay are specified in relation to the predetermined point P, the reference area Ax is set as the enlarged area AAx, the reference area Ay is set as the enlarged area AAy, and on the display screen. The display form as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Such an enlarged display is a very effective method with excellent visual discrimination. The operator can easily recognize that the X coordinate value for the predetermined point P is “6.50” and the Y coordinate value is “8.25”.
[0031]
As described above, the shape, size, and position of the reference area (relative position with respect to the end point of the leader line) are set in advance in consideration of the coordinate value description format on the drawing. Depending on the case, the character string indicating the coordinate value may not fit well in the reference area, and a part of the character string may protrude from the reference area. In order to cope with such a situation, it is preferable to add a function to the reference area specifying means 50 to move the reference area based on a scroll instruction from the operator.
[0032]
Specifically, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, when the display mode changing unit 60 performs an enlarged display, scroll bars Sx and Sy are provided around the enlarged area AAy as shown in FIG. The left and right arrows in the scroll bar Sx are clicked with the mouse to scroll left and right, and the up and down arrows in the scroll bar Sy are clicked with the mouse to scroll up and down. Yes. If such a scroll function is used, even if the coordinate values are displayed in a biased manner in the enlarged area AAy as shown in FIG. 6A, the operation of the scroll bars Sx and Sy causes the operation shown in FIG. As shown in b), the correction can be made so that the coordinate value is displayed at the center in the enlarged area AAy. Therefore, even if a part of the numerical value indicating the coordinate value protrudes and cannot be recognized, it can be recognized by appropriately scrolling.
[0033]
§4. An embodiment to which a function for automatically inputting coordinate values is added
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of another embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by replacing the display mode changing means 60 in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with a coordinate value recognizing means 70, and the other components are exactly the same. The display mode changing means 60 only has a function of displaying the display area in a different manner, such as enlarging the image in the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means 50. It has a function of performing pattern recognition on an image in the image, reading a coordinate value described in the reference area as a digital code, and outputting the digital code to a computer (CAD device) which is a graphic input target.
[0034]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the reference areas Ax and Ay are specified by designating the predetermined point P, the coordinate value recognition means 70 performs pattern recognition on the character string in the reference area Ax, The digital code “6.50” is recognized. Similarly, the pattern recognition for the character string in the reference area Ay is performed, and the digital code “8.25” is recognized. For the character pattern recognition processing, software used in a general OCR apparatus may be used. The digital code recognized in this way is output from the coordinate value recognition means 70 to the outside. Therefore, if the support apparatus and the CAD apparatus are connected so that the output signal is input to the CAD apparatus, the coordinate value can be automatically input. That is, it is not necessary to perform an operation of inputting coordinate values from a keyboard or the like on the CAD device, and the work burden on the operator is further reduced.
[0035]
【Example】
Finally, a specific example of the end point search process executed in the reference area specifying unit 50 of the support apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Here, a case is considered where three points P, Q, and R are designated when “black pixels” are arranged as shown in FIG. Here, the point P is a predetermined point whose coordinates are to be recognized, the point Q is a point indicating the direction in which the Y coordinate value of the predetermined point P is described, and the point R is the predetermined point P. This is a point indicating the direction in which the X coordinate value is described. In this example, the Y coordinate value is written outside the right column of the drawing, and the X coordinate value is written outside the upper column of the drawing. Therefore, the search for the Y coordinate value is performed in the right direction of the figure, and the search for the X coordinate value is performed in the upward direction of the figure.
[0036]
The search method shown here is a method based on an algorithm generally called “chain code method”, and proceeds in order from a pixel P as a starting point to an adjacent pixel in a predetermined search direction. This is to obtain a new reaching pixel. In general, with respect to a certain target pixel, the traveling direction to eight adjacent pixels from (1) to (8) can be considered as shown in FIG. Here, of the eight traveling directions, it is determined in advance which traveling direction is allowed, and when a plurality of traveling directions are permitted, the priority order is determined. To leave. Here, the information defined in this way is referred to as “priority traveling direction”. Then, based on the preferential traveling direction, the pixel P is sequentially advanced from the starting pixel P to the adjacent pixel, and the final reaching pixel is obtained.
[0037]
Specifically, when searching in the right direction in FIG. 8, for example, direction (5) is set as the first priority direction, and direction (3) and direction (8) are set as the second priority direction (this example Then, both are given the same priority, and if it is possible to proceed in either direction (3) or direction (8), either direction can be arbitrarily selected). Then, for a certain pixel of interest, first, if it can proceed in the first priority direction, it proceeds in that direction. That is, if a “black pixel” is adjacent in that direction, a process of setting the adjacent pixel as a new target pixel is performed. If it is impossible to proceed in the first priority direction, it is determined whether or not it is possible to proceed in the second priority direction. If possible, proceed in the second priority direction. If it is impossible to proceed in the second priority direction, the search ends there, and the current pixel of interest becomes the final pixel reached.
[0038]
Based on such an algorithm, when the search process using the pixel P shown in FIG. 8 as the first pixel of interest is performed, the search is performed along the route indicated by the arrow in the figure, and finally the pixel QQ is determined as the arrival pixel. This pixel QQ will be recognized as the end point of the leader line. However, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, there may be a case where the original leader line is discontinuous due to so-called “pixel missing”. In order to cope with such a case, it is preferable to define such that the progression is permitted even if a predetermined number of blank pixels are present. If such a definition is made, in the example shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to proceed further to the right from the pixel QQ, and finally the pixel QQ.^*Is recognized as a reaching pixel.
[0039]
In the case of performing an upward search in FIG. 8, for example, direction (2) may be determined as the first priority direction, and directions (1) and (3) may be determined as the second priority direction. As a result, the pixel RR is finally recognized as a reaching pixel.
[0040]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from searching for such an algorithm to recognizing the end point QQ and the end point RR of the leader line. First, in step S1, three points P, Q, and R are input. Subsequently, in step S2, the priority traveling direction is defined based on the positional relationship between the points P and Q. In the case of the above example, since the point Q is located on the right side of the point P, the direction (5) is defined as the first priority direction, and the directions (3) and (8) are defined as the second priority direction. Then, using point P as the starting pixel, it is determined in step S3 whether or not it is possible to proceed to an adjacent pixel. If possible, the process proceeds to the next pixel based on the priority traveling direction in step S4, and returns to step S3 again. Thus, the progression to the adjacent pixels is continued as much as possible. If the advancement becomes impossible, the current position is recognized as the end point QQ in step S5.
[0041]
Subsequently, in step S6, the priority traveling direction is defined based on the positional relationship between the points P and R. In the case of the above example, since the point R is located above the point P, the direction (2) is defined as the first priority direction, and the directions (1) and (3) are defined as the second priority direction. Then, using point P as the starting pixel, it is determined in step S7 whether or not it is possible to proceed to an adjacent pixel. If possible, the process proceeds to the next pixel in step S8 based on the priority traveling direction, and returns to step S7 again. Thus, the progression to the adjacent pixels is continued as much as possible. If the advancement becomes impossible, the current position is recognized as the end point RR in step S9.
[0042]
Of course, the end point recognition using such a simple algorithm does not always recognize the correct end point of the leader line. In some cases, a line constituting a figure is erroneously recognized as a leader line, and an unexpected recognition result may be obtained. However, this device is only a device that functions as a support device, and a 100% recognition result is not necessarily required. For example, even if a predetermined point P is clicked with the mouse, even if the display mode of the corresponding coordinate value does not change, it is sufficient to recognize the coordinate value for the point by a conventional method. Does not occur. Even if the recognition result by the support device is 90%, if the coordinate values of 900 points can be easily recognized using the support device in the operation of inputting 1000 points, The function as a support device can be fulfilled sufficiently.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the graphic input work support device according to the present invention, the coordinate value related to the predetermined point on the drawing is displayed on the display screen in an easily recognizable manner, so that the graphic is input to the computer. The operator's work burden can be greatly reduced when performing the work to be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of information on a paper drawing to be input to a CAD device.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a graphic input work support apparatus according to the present invention.
3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of “black pixels” in the vicinity of a predetermined point P in the drawing shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a reference area specified by a three-point instruction for recognizing a coordinate value of a predetermined point P.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the reference area specified in FIG. 4 is enlarged and displayed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a scroll function is provided in the enlarged reference area.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of another embodiment of the graphic input work support apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a process of searching for end points QQ and RR of a leader line starting from a predetermined point P.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing eight adjacent pixels that can proceed with respect to a certain target pixel;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from the predetermined point P as a starting point until the end points QQ and RR of the leader line are recognized.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Image input means
20: Storage means
30. Image display means
40. Instruction means
50. Reference area specifying means
60: Display mode changing means
70: Coordinate value recognition means
Ax, Ay ... Reference area
AAx, AAy ... Enlarged area
P: Predetermined point where the coordinate value needs to be recognized
Q: Point indicating the direction in which the Y coordinate value of the predetermined point P is described
R: Point indicating the direction in which the X coordinate value of the predetermined point P is described
QQ, QQ^*... End point of leader line
RR: Leader end point
Sx, Sy ... Scroll bar

Claims (5)

A graphic described in a graphic description column for indicating a graphic used for an integrated circuit, a coordinate value described in a marginal area of the graphic description column to indicate the coordinates of a predetermined point on the graphic, and the predetermined point In order to associate the coordinate values with each other, an operation for inputting the figure to the computer is performed based on a drawing in which one end is connected to the predetermined point and the other end extends to the vicinity of the coordinate value. A device for supporting the graphic input work,
Image input means for capturing information on the drawing as image data;
Storage means for storing the image data;
Image display means for displaying information on the drawing based on image data stored in the storage means;
Instruction means for instructing a predetermined point on the graphic displayed by the image display means based on an instruction input by an operator ;
A process of tracing pixels constituting a figure or a leader line in an upward direction, a downward direction, a left direction, or a right direction, starting from a pixel in the vicinity of the point indicated by the indication unit, by analyzing the image data As a result, when reaching the pixel in the out-of-line region, a reference region specifying means for recognizing the position of the pixel as an end point of the leader line and specifying a reference region at a predetermined position near the end point ;
Of the images displayed by the image display means, the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means is displayed in a display mode different from other areas, so that the instruction means on the image display means Display mode changing means for improving the visibility of the coordinate value corresponding to the instructed point ;
A graphic input work support apparatus comprising: 2. The graphic input work support device according to claim 1, wherein the display mode changing means enlarges and displays the specified reference area. 3. A support apparatus for graphic input work according to claim 1, wherein the reference area specifying means has a function of moving the reference area based on a scroll instruction from an operator. A graphic described in a graphic description column for indicating a graphic used for an integrated circuit, a coordinate value described in a marginal area of the graphic description column to indicate the coordinates of a predetermined point on the graphic, and the predetermined point In order to associate the coordinate values with each other, an operation for inputting the figure to the computer is performed based on a drawing in which one end is connected to the predetermined point and the other end extends to the vicinity of the coordinate value. A device for supporting the graphic input work,
Image input means for capturing information on the drawing as image data;
Storage means for storing the image data;
Image display means for displaying information on the drawing based on image data stored in the storage means;
Instruction means for instructing a predetermined point on the graphic displayed by the image display means based on an instruction input by an operator ;
A process of tracing pixels constituting a figure or a leader line in an upward direction, a downward direction, a left direction, or a right direction, starting from a pixel in the vicinity of the point indicated by the indication unit, by analyzing the image data As a result, when reaching the pixel in the out-of-line region, a reference region specifying means for recognizing the position of the pixel as an end point of the leader line and specifying a reference region at a predetermined position near the end point ;
Pattern recognition is performed on the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means, the coordinate value described in the reference area is read as a digital code, and the digital code is input to a computer to which a figure is to be input. Output coordinate value recognition means;
A graphic input work support apparatus comprising: In support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, indicating means, together with the ability to instruct a predetermined point on the figure, have a function of specifying a direction coordinate value of the predetermined point it is described, A graphic input work support apparatus, characterized in that the reference area specifying means performs a process of tracing pixels only in the designated direction .

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