JPH01206464A - Hierarchy designing method in computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To immediately transfer editing to an arbitrary hierarchy by displaying the whole hierarchical design drawing on a graphic display and designating the name of the arbitrary hierarchy by a coordinates input device. CONSTITUTION:The device consists of a computer 20 and a graphic display 10 having a keyboard 30, a tablet 40 as a coordinates input device and a software to support design. First, by inputting an instruction to display a hierarchical structure chart to the computer, the hierarchical structure chart is displayed on the graphic display. Next, by moving a cursor 41 on the tablet, a cross cursor 51 on the graphic display also moves on its screen. By moving this cursor onto the name of the hierarchy desired to edit next and there, pushing a cursor switch, the control of the system displays its hierarchical drawing and transfers to an editing mode.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] E (Computer Aided Engine
eering) field, floor F! This is a change in the design method.

In recent years, floor F! has been attracting attention in the design of electronic circuits. This is a method called design. This hierarchical design does not involve writing out the design target on the same page, but by proceeding with the design in stages from a combination of simple items to more complex items, and by modularizing the lower level. The aim is to further improve design efficiency (see Figure 2).

The design method in this case is called bottom-up design, but it is also possible to create blocks at the upper level and realize the details of the blocks at the lower level (Ω level design). This method is
This is called a top-down design method.

By adopting the N-stage x 7 method, design efficiency has been significantly improved, but operation on an actual Fi CA E system cannot be said to be good.For example, a circuit diagram with a hierarchical structure as shown in Figure 3 If you want to edit the
Furthermore, if you are in the REG of lJt and want to transfer the processing to the DEC, you will have to manually go back to the upper hierarchy, such as RALU/DEC, and then go down to the specified hierarchy.

As the scale of circuits increases, the structure of this hierarchy is becoming deeper and more complex.

In the existing CAE system, this layer's UP/Do\V
N was all done by inputting the hierarchy name from the keyboard. However, this is a cumbersome operation for circuit designers who are not familiar with keyboards, and is a major factor in making CAE systems difficult to get used to.

(Structure) In the present invention, in order to eliminate this troublesome operation, the hierarchical structure diagram itself is displayed on a graphic display. Furthermore, the hierarchy of lI:, t can be specified using a coordinate human device that corresponds to the graphic display surface, and by hitting it, the system can automatically edit that hierarchy. This situation is shown in Figure 1. Explain in detail using . The system consists of a computer 20 with a keyboard 30 and a graphic display 1.
0, and consists of a tablet 40 as a human-powered device and software that supports design.

First, by inputting the floor PIII graphical display into the computer, the hierarchical structure diagram will be displayed on the graphic display in Figure 1.Next, by moving the cursor 41 on the tablet, press the button (not shown). By doing so, the system control displays the hierarchical drawing on the screen and moves to editing mode.

(Effects) In this way, it is possible to enter the editing work of any r;'a layer with a one-touch operation, regardless of the depth of the hierarchy. This t*PI' not only eliminates the troublesome input operations on the keyboard, but also eliminates the need for designers to be aware of which level they are currently in and where they want to move to, allowing designers to Now I can concentrate only on

In the example, a tablet was used as the coordinate input device, but of course a mouse or any device that can input coordinates manually may be used.The method for specifying this hierarchy is as follows.
Although the present invention has been mainly described with reference to electronic circuit design, it is applicable not only to electronic circuit design but also to all fields in which designs are performed with a hierarchical structure.

However, by adopting the method of the present invention for processing such directories, the operability can be significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

11th! 1 is a graphic display, 20 is a computer, and 40 is a tablet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In the hierarchical design method using a computer, the hierarchical design is performed by displaying the entire hierarchical design drawing on a graphic display, and by specifying an arbitrary hierarchical name from there using a coordinate input device, that hierarchical design can be edited immediately. A hierarchical design method for computers that allows for transfer.