JPH10171859A - Device for supporting graphic inputting work - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support an operation for inputting a graphic on a design drawing to a CAD device. SOLUTION: A design drawing in which the coordinate values of each point are described in a margin by leader lines is prepared, and the design drawing is fetched as image data in a computer by a scanner, and displayed on a display screen, At the time of recognizing the coordinate values of a prescribed point P, the prescribed point P is indicated by a mouse, and a point Q indicating the direction of a left margin in which a Y coordinate value is described and a point R indicating the direction of an upper margin in which an X coordinate value is described are instructed. In the computer, picture elements linked from the point P to the direction of the point Q are searched so that an end point QQ and be specified, and picture elements linked from the point P to the direction of the point R are selected so that an end point RR can be specified, and reference areas Ax and Ay are defined in the neighborhood of each end point. Then, pictures in those reference area Ax and Ay are enlarged and displayed so that the coordinate value can be easily recognized. Also, the reference areas are pattern recognized so that the automatic input of the coordinate values can be attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a graphic input operation, and more particularly, to an operation for 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. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A CAD device is generally used for designing various products including a semiconductor integrated circuit. In this case, various types of design information must be input as digital data to a computer constituting the CAD apparatus. If the design work was performed using the CAD device from the beginning, the necessary design information was already prepared in the CAD device in the form of digital data when the design work was completed. If a paper drawing is used, the design information on the paper drawing is CAD
Work to input to the device is required. In the field of semiconductor integrated circuits and the like, division of labor is often performed in which 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 Company A has designed using a CAD device from the beginning, if the CAD devices used by both companies require different data formats, the design will be made through paper drawings. Information is often passed.

[0003] The design information represented on a paper drawing is converted into CAD data.
When inputting to a device, it is usually necessary to input graphic information with correct dimensions. More specifically, it is necessary to input individual points constituting the figure together with their coordinate values. For this reason, on paper drawings,
The coordinate value of a predetermined point on the figure is described. The operator inputs each point on the graphic described in the paper drawing while recognizing the coordinate values one by one and converting the data into the data format required by the CAD apparatus.

[0004]

However, the above-described graphic input operation based on a paper drawing imposes a heavy work load on an 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 values of the individual points are described in the margins of the drawing, and in order to confirm the coordinate values of a predetermined point, it is necessary to follow a leader line connected to the predetermined point to the margin. Will be needed. However, if a large number of leader lines are arranged at a considerably high density, there is a possibility that an error may occur during the tracing to the margin and the leader lines may be confused with an adjacent leader line, and erroneous recognition of coordinate values may occur. For this reason, the operator actually pays close attention to the coordinate values while placing a ruler on the drawing, and the input work requires a great deal of labor and time.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a graphic input work support apparatus that can reduce the work load on an operator when performing the work of inputting a graphic into a computer based on a drawing in which coordinate values are described. The purpose is to:

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, one end is connected to a predetermined point and the other end is a coordinate value in order to associate a predetermined figure, a coordinate value of a predetermined point on the figure, and the predetermined point with the coordinate value. When performing a work of inputting a graphic to a computer based on a drawing on which a leader line extending to the vicinity of the drawing is described, information on the drawing is converted into image data by a support device for supporting the drawing input work. Image input means to be captured as image data, storage means for storing captured image data, image display means for displaying information on a drawing based on the image data stored in the storage means, and display by the image display means. Instructing means for indicating a predetermined point on the figure being drawn, and analyzing image data to recognize a leader extending from the point designated by the indicating means, and to specify a reference area near an end point of the leader. What provided reference area specifying means and display mode changing means for displaying a reference area specified by the reference area specifying apparatus in a display mode different from other areas among images displayed by the image display means It is.

(2) The second aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the graphic input work support device according to the aspect, the display mode changing means has a function of enlarging and displaying the specified reference area so as to display the reference area in a display mode different from other areas.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention is the above-described first aspect.
Alternatively, in the graphic input work support apparatus according to the second aspect, the reference area specifying means has a function of moving the reference area based on a scroll instruction from an operator.

(4) The fourth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the figure input work support device according to the aspect, pattern recognition is performed on the reference area specified by the reference area specifying means, and the coordinate values described in the reference area are read as digital codes, and the input of the figure is performed. A coordinate value recognizing means for outputting a digital code to a target computer is provided instead of the display mode changing means.

(5) The fifth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the graphic input work support device according to the fourth aspect,
Along with the function of designating a predetermined point on the graphic,
A function for specifying a direction in which the coordinate value of a predetermined point is described is added.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS §1. General Drawings to be Input Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments illustrating the present invention.
Here, the function of the support device according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case where an operation of inputting a graphic on a paper drawing as shown in FIG. 1 to a CAD device is performed.

The paper drawing shown in FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a part of a lead frame for a semiconductor integrated circuit. A portion shown by a thick line in FIG. Each straight line is a leader line. One end of each lead line is connected to a predetermined point on the figure, and the other end extends to the margin. Predetermined coordinate values are described outside these columns. In the example shown in FIG. 1, an X-axis is defined in the horizontal direction and a Y-axis is defined in the vertical direction, as shown in the drawing.
The coordinate values and the coordinate values described outside the left column of the figure are Y of each point.
Shows coordinate values. The correspondence between each point on the figure and the coordinate value is related by a leader line, and if the leader line connected to each point is traced to the margin, the numerical value written near the end point of that point will be the point. Coordinates. For example,
In the illustrated example, the X coordinate value of the predetermined point P is “6.
50 "and the Y coordinate value is" 8.25 ".

By the way, in the example shown in FIG. 1, for 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. Although the possibility of misrecognition is low, in the actual drawing of the semiconductor integrated circuit, a huge number of fine figures are densely arranged, the arrangement density of the leader lines is very high, and the numerical value indicating the coordinate value is It is generally small and difficult to read. For this reason, the operation of checking the coordinate values by tracing the leader line to the margin is a very complicated operation, and erroneous recognition is likely to occur. In particular, when checking the coordinate value of a point near the center of the drawing, the distance along the leader line becomes very long, and errors are likely to occur. For this reason, as described above, at present, an operation of carefully recognizing coordinate values by applying a straight line ruler to a drawing is performed. The present invention has been made to reduce the burden of such an input operation.

§2. Basic Configuration FIG. 2 support apparatus according to the present invention is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the support device of figure input operation according to the present invention. The main components of this device are classified by focusing on their functions.
0, storage means 20, image display means 30, instruction means 40,
It can be divided into a reference area specifying unit 50 and a display mode changing unit 60. 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 aspects of this support device are described. Focusing on, this support device will be considered as a set of the above six functional elements.

The image input means 10 has a function of taking in 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 1.
0 is used. 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 captured in the form of binary (monochrome) raster image data.

The storage means 20 is a device for storing the image data captured by the image input means 10. In particular,
A general storage means used for a computer, such as a memory or a magnetic storage device, may be used.

The image display means 30 is a means for displaying the acquired information on the drawing based on the image data stored in the storage means 20. More specifically, it is constituted by a general computer display and a control device for image display. Based on the data in the storage means 20, a desired portion on the drawing is displayed at a desired magnification. Has a function of displaying on the screen. In addition to simply displaying a drawing based on the data in the storage unit 20, a function of displaying a pointer such as a mouse cursor in conjunction with the instruction unit 40, as described later, It has a function of displaying a partially changed mode based on an instruction.

The instruction means 40 has a function of instructing a predetermined point on a graphic displayed on the display screen by the image display means 30. Specifically, the pointing device 40 can be constituted 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 unit 30 executes a process of displaying a mouse pointer at a predetermined position on the display screen based on a signal given from the instruction unit 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. With this function, the operator can specify a predetermined point on the drawing displayed on the display screen.

The reference area specifying means 50 analyzes the image data in the storage means 20 to recognize a leader extending from the point designated by the indicating means 40, and specifies a reference area near the end point of the leader. Execute the processing to be performed. For example, if the drawing as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display screen and the operator operates the indicating means 40 (mouse) to indicate the predetermined point P, the reference area specifying means 50 The image data in the means 20 is analyzed, and a process of recognizing a leader extending from the predetermined point P is executed. Then, the vicinity of the end point of the leader line is specified as a reference area. The reference area is an area in which a numeral indicating a coordinate value related to the leader line is expected to be written.

As a specific processing method for recognizing a leader line extending from a predetermined point P and tracing to an end point thereof, a method generally called a "chain code method" can be used. For example, as shown in the drawing of FIG. 1, the leader line for indicating the X coordinate value is constituted by a straight line substantially parallel to the Y axis, and the leader line for indicating the Y coordinate value is substantially X-axis.
In the case where the pixel is composed of a straight line parallel to the axis, the pixel corresponding to the position of the predetermined point P is shifted from the + X direction, the −X direction, +
A method of sequentially tracing pixels to adjacent pixels in four directions of the Y direction and the −Y direction may be adopted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a predetermined point P in the drawing shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating only nearby “black pixels” (pixels forming a black portion in the drawing of FIG. 1). 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 adjacent pixels in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and finally, coordinates If the user reaches the margin area in which the value is described, the last pixel reached is the end point of the leader line. Whether or not the user has reached the margin area can be recognized by defining coordinate values of the margin area in advance. When this processing is executed for the predetermined point P in FIG. 1, it is immediately impossible to trace downward (−Y direction) in the figure, so that it is substantially rightward in the figure (+ X direction) and left in the figure. The process of tracing adjacent pixels in three directions, ie, the direction (−X direction) and the upward direction (+ Y direction) in the drawing, is executed. In any case, when the pixel reaches the margin area, the position of the pixel is recognized as an end point of the leader line, and a predetermined reference area is defined near the end point. FIG.
In the diagram shown in FIG. 5, there are only two marginal areas in which coordinate values are written, that is, the upper margin and the left margin, and therefore, it follows from the predetermined point P to the left (−X direction) in the figure. In each of the two cases, that is, the case of tracing in the upward direction (+ Y direction) and the case of drawing, the end points of the leader lines are obtained, and two reference regions are specified. Reference areas Ax and Ay shown in FIG.
Is the area specified in this way.

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 the reference area describes the coordinate values related to the predetermined point designated by the operator, if only the display mode in this reference area is changed to a different display mode, the operator will be able to display on the display area. This reference area can be focused on the screen, and the coordinate value of the predetermined point can be easily recognized.

In short, when an operator performs a graphic input operation on a CAD device based on a drawing as shown in FIG. 1, first, the information on this drawing is converted into image information by a scanner device constituting the image input means 10. What is necessary is just to carry out the work of taking in the support device and perform the input operation of the CAD device 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 a predetermined point on the drawing, the predetermined point may be clicked with the mouse. Then, since only the coordinate values related to the predetermined point are prominently displayed on the display screen, recognition of the coordinate values becomes very easy, and erroneous recognition is reduced.

§3. More practical embodiments 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 the support device will be described.

In the drawing shown in FIG. 1, the X coordinate value of each point is described outside the upper column, the Y coordinate value of each point is described outside the left column, and the coordinate values are not described outside the lower column and the right column. Even if the user traces from a predetermined point in four directions, up, down, left and right, only two directions reach the margin. However, in the case of a drawing in which coordinate values are written in four places of the upper margin, the lower margin, the left margin, and the right margin, when tracing in all four directions, all of them may reach the margin area. The display mode may be changed for one reference area. In this case, of the four coordinate values written in the four reference areas,
There are only two coordinate values corresponding to the predetermined point P, and the remaining 2
One is an irrelevant coordinate value. Therefore, the operator needs to select two correct coordinate values from the four coordinate values.

Such a selection can be made intuitively in practice. 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 two directions are originally good. Therefore, more practically, in addition to the function of designating the predetermined point P on the graphic to the designating means 40, the direction in which the ordinate value and the abscissa value of the predetermined point P are described is changed. It is preferable to provide an instruction function.

Specifically, a configuration may be employed in which three points are designated by a mouse. The concept of an embodiment in which such a three-point instruction is performed will be described with reference to FIG. Now, consider a case where it is desired to recognize an X coordinate value and a Y coordinate value for a predetermined point P on a display screen. In this case, the operator first moves the mouse pointer to a predetermined point P
And click the mouse button. This means that the position of the predetermined point P has been input. Subsequently, the mouse pointer is moved over the point Q and the mouse button is clicked. Further, the mouse pointer is moved over the point R and the mouse button is clicked. After all, the point P,
This means that the positions of the three points Q and R have been 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 information that "the Y coordinate value of this predetermined point P is described outside the left column" is notified to this support device. . 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, and the point R located above the point P
Is designated, the information that "the X coordinate value of this predetermined point P is described in the upper margin" is notified to the support apparatus.

As described above, the operator gives additional information to the support device, so that useless arithmetic processing can be omitted inside the support device. That is,
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the reference area specifying unit 50 first performs a search in the −X direction (leftward in the figure) from the point P to the point Q, and recognizes the end point QQ of the leader line. This end point Q
A reference area Ay near Q (an area where the Y coordinate value of the predetermined point P is expected) 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) near the end point RR is recognized. (Area where the coordinate value is expected to be written) is specified. Subsequently, the display mode of the specified reference areas Ax and Ay is changed by the display mode changing unit 60.

It should be noted that which area is to be set as the reference area is set in advance in consideration of the description format of the coordinate values on the drawing. For example, in this embodiment, the size and shape of the reference area are defined as rectangles having predetermined dimensions large enough to include a numeric string (decimal point and three numbers) indicating coordinate values. ing. Regarding the position where such a rectangular reference area Ay is arranged, this rectangle is defined as a position such that its center point is separated from the end point QQ of the leader line by a predetermined distance to the left of the drawing. The position where the reference area Ax is arranged is defined as a position whose center point is separated from the end point RR of the leader line by a predetermined distance above the drawing.

As a method of changing the display mode executed by the display mode changing means 60, there are various methods such as changing the display color of the character string in the reference areas Ax and Ay, increasing the display brightness, and performing blink display. Although a method is possible, in this embodiment, only the portion within the reference area is enlarged and displayed. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the case where the reference areas Ax and Ay are specified in relation to, the reference area Ax is set as the enlarged area AAx, and the reference area Ay
Is an enlarged area AAy, and on the display screen, FIG.
The following display form is obtained. Such an enlarged display is rich in visual discrimination and is a very effective method. The operator can easily recognize that the X coordinate value of the predetermined point P is “6.50” and the Y coordinate value is “8.25”.

As described above, the shape of the reference area,
The size and position (relative position with respect to the end point of the leader line) must be set in advance in consideration of the description format of the coordinate values on the drawing. However, in some cases, a character string indicating the coordinate values is
It is also conceivable that it does not fit well in this reference area and a part of it goes out of the reference area. In order to cope with such a situation, it is preferable to add a function of moving the reference area based on a scroll instruction from the operator to the reference area specifying means 50.

Specifically, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the display mode changing means 60 performs enlarged display, FIG.
As shown in (a), scroll bars Sx and Sy are provided around the enlarged area AAy, and the scroll bars Sx
By clicking the left and right arrows in the mouse with the mouse, scrolling to the left and right is performed.
Scrolling up and down is performed by clicking the up and down arrows in y with the mouse. By using such a scroll function, as shown in FIG. 6A, even when the coordinate values are displayed in a biased manner in the enlarged area AAy, the operation of the scroll bars Sx and Sy can be performed.
As shown in (b), the correction can be performed so that the coordinate value is displayed at the center in the enlarged area AAy. Therefore, even when a part of the numerical value indicating the coordinate value protrudes and cannot be recognized, the recognition can be performed by appropriately performing scrolling.

§4. Added a function to automatically input coordinate values
Embodiment 7 was is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of another embodiment of a support apparatus according to the present invention. In the device shown in FIG. 7, the display mode changing means 60 in the device shown in FIG. 2 is replaced with a coordinate value recognizing means 70, and other components are exactly the same. The display mode changing unit 60 only has a function of changing the display mode such as enlarging an image in the reference area specified by the reference area specifying unit 50 and displaying the image. It has a function of performing pattern recognition on an image in the area, reading coordinate values described in the reference area as a digital code, and outputting the digital code to a computer (CAD device) to which a graphic is to be input.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the reference area Ax, Ay is specified by designating a predetermined point P, the coordinate value recognizing means 70 performs pattern recognition for a character string in the reference area Ax. Then, the digital code “6.50” is recognized. Similarly, the pattern recognition is performed on the character string in the reference area Ay, and the digital code “8.25” is recognized. For this character pattern recognition processing, software used in a general OCR device may be used. The digital code thus recognized is output from the coordinate value recognition means 70 to the outside. Therefore, if this support device and the CAD device are connected so that this output signal is input to the CAD device, automatic input of coordinate values becomes possible. That is, CA
It is not necessary to perform the operation of inputting coordinate values from the keyboard or the like to the D device, and the work load on the operator is further reduced.

[0035]

[Embodiment] Finally, a specific embodiment of the end point search processing executed by the reference area specifying means 50 of the support apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Here, it is assumed that three points P, Q, and R are specified when the “black pixels” are arranged as shown in FIG. Here, the point P is a predetermined point whose coordinate value is 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 a predetermined point P
Is a point indicating the direction in which the X coordinate value of the. In the case of this example, the Y coordinate value is described in the right margin of the drawing, and the X coordinate value is described in the upper margin 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.

The search method shown here is a method based on an algorithm generally called a "chain code method", and proceeds in order from a pixel P serving as a starting point to an adjacent pixel in a predetermined search direction. , And the final destination pixel is obtained. In general, for a given pixel of interest, as shown in FIG. Here, it is determined in advance which of the eight traveling directions the traveling direction is permitted, and when a plurality of traveling directions are permitted, their priorities are determined. To keep. Here, the information defined in this manner is referred to as a “priority traveling direction”. Then, based on the priority traveling direction, the pixel sequentially proceeds from the pixel P serving as a starting point to an adjacent pixel, and a final destination pixel is obtained.

Specifically, in the case of performing a search in the right direction in FIG. 8, for example, a direction is determined as a first priority direction, and a direction and a direction are determined as second priority directions (in this example, both directions have the same priority). If it is possible to proceed in both directions and directions, either one of the directions can be arbitrarily selected). Then, for a certain pixel of interest, first, if it is possible to 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 pixel of interest is performed. If it is not possible to proceed in the first priority direction, it is determined whether it is possible to proceed in the second priority direction. If possible, proceed in the second priority direction. Second
If it is not possible to proceed in the priority direction, the search ends there, and the current pixel of interest becomes the final destination pixel.

Based on such an algorithm, FIG.
When a search process is performed with the pixel P shown in FIG. 4 as the first pixel of interest, a search is performed along the path shown by the arrow in the figure, and the pixel QQ is finally recognized as the reached pixel. Is recognized as the end point of the leader line. However, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, there may be a case where a so-called “pixel omission” has occurred and the original leader line has a discontinuity. In order to cope with such a case, it is preferable to define such that the progress is permitted even if a predetermined number of blank pixels exist. With such a definition, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to proceed further rightward from the pixel QQ, and finally, the pixel QQ ^* is recognized as a reaching pixel.

In the case of performing an upward search in FIG. 8, for example, a direction is determined as a first priority direction, and a second priority direction is determined.
A direction and a direction may be determined as the priority direction. As a result, the pixel RR is finally recognized as a reaching pixel.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing a search by such an algorithm and recognizing the end points QQ and RR of the leader line. First, step S1
, Three points P, Q, and R are input. Subsequently, in step S2, a preferential 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 is defined as the first priority direction and the direction is defined as the second priority direction. Then, with the point P as the starting pixel, it is determined in step S3 whether or not it is possible to proceed to the adjacent pixel. If possible, proceed to the next pixel based on the preferential traveling direction in step S4, and return to step S3 again. In this way, the progress to the adjacent pixel is continued as much as possible. When it becomes impossible to proceed, in step S5, the current position is recognized as the end point QQ.

Subsequently, at step S6, the points P, R
The priority traveling direction is defined based on the positional relationship described above. In the case of the above example, since the point R is located above the point P, the direction is defined as the first priority direction and the direction is defined as the second priority direction. Then, using the point P as a starting pixel, step S
At 7, it is determined whether it is possible to proceed to an adjacent pixel. If possible, proceed to the next pixel based on the preferential traveling direction in step S8, and return to step S7 again. In this way, the progress to the adjacent pixel is continued as much as possible. When it becomes impossible to proceed, in step S9, the current position is recognized as the end point RR.

Of course, in the end point recognition by such a simple algorithm, it is not always possible to recognize the correct end point of the leader line. In some cases, a line constituting a figure may be erroneously recognized as a leader line, and an unexpected recognition result may be obtained. However, the present device is a device that functions only as a support device, and does not always require a recognition result of 100%. For example, even if the display mode of the corresponding coordinate value does not change even though the predetermined point P is clicked with the mouse, the coordinate value for that point only needs to be recognized in a conventional manner. Does not occur. Even if the recognition result by this support device is 90%, in the operation of inputting 1000 points, if the coordinate values of 900 points can be easily recognized using this support device,
The function as the support device can be sufficiently performed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the apparatus for supporting graphic input according to the present invention, coordinate values related to a predetermined point on the drawing are displayed on the display screen in an easily recognizable manner. When performing the work of inputting a figure into a computer, the work load on the operator can be greatly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing 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 device for supporting a graphic input operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of “black pixels” near 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 illustrating an example in which a scroll function is provided to a reference area that is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of another embodiment of the graphic input work support device 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 advance with respect to a certain target pixel.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from a predetermined point P as a starting point until end points QQ and RR of a leader line are recognized.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image input means 20 ... Storage means 30 ... Image display means 40 ... Instruction means 50 ... Reference area specifying means 60 ... Display mode change means 70 ... Coordinate value recognition means Ax, Ay ... Reference area AAx, AAy ... Enlarged area P ... Predetermined point at which coordinate value needs to be recognized Q: Point indicating direction in which Y coordinate value of predetermined point P is described R: Point indicating direction in which X coordinate value of predetermined point P is described QQ, QQ ^* ... End point of leader line RR ... End point of leader line Sx, Sy ... Scroll bar

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Watanabe 1-1-1 Ichigaya Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A predetermined graphic, a coordinate value of a predetermined point on the graphic, and one end connected to the predetermined point to associate the predetermined point with the coordinate value, and the other end connected to the vicinity of the coordinate value. An apparatus for supporting a graphic input operation when performing an operation of inputting the graphic into a computer based on a drawing on which an extended leader line is drawn, the information on the drawing being image data. An image input unit, a storage unit for storing the image data, an image display unit for displaying information on the drawing based on the image data stored in the storage unit, and a display by the image display unit. Indicating means for indicating a predetermined point on the figure being drawn, and analyzing the image data to recognize a leader extending from the point specified by the indicating means, and determining the vicinity of an end point of the leader. A reference region specifying means for specifying a irradiation area, of the image displayed by said image display means,
A display mode changing unit that displays the reference area specified by the reference area specifying unit in a display mode different from that of the other areas. 2. The support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display mode changing means enlarges and displays the specified reference area. 3. The support apparatus 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. . 4. A predetermined graphic, a coordinate value of a predetermined point on the graphic, and one end connected to the predetermined point for associating the predetermined point with the coordinate value, and the other end extending to the vicinity of the coordinate value. An apparatus for supporting a graphic input operation when performing an operation of inputting the graphic into a computer based on a drawing on which an extended leader line is drawn, the information on the drawing being image data. An image input unit, a storage unit for storing the image data, an image display unit for displaying information on the drawing based on the image data stored in the storage unit, and a display by the image display unit. Indicating means for indicating a predetermined point on the figure being drawn, and analyzing the image data to recognize a leader extending from the point specified by the indicating means, and determining the vicinity of an end point of the leader. A reference region specifying unit for specifying a reference region; performing pattern recognition on the reference region specified by the reference region specifying unit; reading a coordinate value described in the reference region as a digital code; And a coordinate value recognizing means for outputting the digital code to a target computer. 5. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction means has a function of designating a predetermined point on the figure and a direction in which a coordinate value of the predetermined point is described. A figure input work support device having a function.