JPH10222549A - Method and device for displaying inter-part connection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for displaying an inter-part connection which do not simply nor conventionally show the display of the inter-part connection with a straight line between pins, but shows a wiring path in an image that resembles a wiring pattern and allows a designer to visually and easily to understand the inter-part connection state. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a connection path search processing process which searches a connection path between parts and an inter-part connection display processing process which shows a searched connection path with a straight line that has a bent part. The connection path search processing process selects any of plural path searching methods that include a line segment searching method and a labyrinth method and searches and decides the connection path through the selected path searching method.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying connections between components in a board design, for example, connections between components for displaying connections between electronic components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a board design, the connection state between pins of components is an important clue in arranging components. In general, in a wiring design having net information, the connection information between components is expressed on a CAD. The layout of components and the design of wiring between components are performed while displaying the connections to be wired. Normally, the connection displayed on the CAD is displayed by connecting a pin to be connected between components with a straight line. The designer arranges components and designs wiring between components while referring to the connection of the net.

[0003]

When arranging and arranging the substrates as described above, it is effective to be able to display the connections between the pins of the components to be wired from now on on the CAD. However, if the number of components to be arranged on the board is increased and the mounting density of the components on the board is increased, the display density of the connections is also increased, and the number of intersections of the connections is extremely increased. In such a display state, there is a problem that the arrangement of the components and the wiring between the components are rather difficult, and the design efficiency is greatly reduced. For example, FIG.
As shown by 0, when there are many components around the IC, displaying a straight line connecting the pins with respect to all the pins is very difficult to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to display a wiring path in an image close to a wiring pattern instead of simply displaying a straight line between pins in the conventional method of displaying connections between components. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for displaying a connection between components, which makes it easier to visually understand the connection state between components.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is configured as follows to solve the above-mentioned problems. According to the method for displaying the connection between components according to the first aspect of the present invention, the connection connecting the plurality of components arranged on the circuit board is displayed as a straight line having a bent portion. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a connection route search processing step of searching for a route of the connection between the components, and a component displaying the searched connection route as a straight line having a bent portion An inter-connection display processing step may be provided. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, in the connection route search processing step, one of a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method is selected, and the selection is made. The route of the connection may be searched for and determined by the route search method that has been performed. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the connection route search processing step uses a plurality of route search methods simultaneously among a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method. Then, the search for the connection route may be started, and the connection route may be determined based on the route search method that has been searched the earliest. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the inter-component connection display processing step includes:
When displaying the connection, vary the width of the connection,
It is also possible to provide a connection display control processing step of controlling to select and display any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as changing the color of the connection or blinking the connection. it can. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the part-to-part connection display processing step is performed when the connection path is not found in the connection path search processing step. A connection display control processing step of controlling any one of the connection display methods such as blinking the connection width, the connection color, and the connection to be displayed. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the part-to-part connection display processing step displays a part of the searched route even if all of the routes are not found. For a part where the route is not searched, control is performed so as to select and display any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as blinking the connection width, the connection color, and the connection. A connection display control processing step may be provided. According to the display device for connection between components according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for displaying a connection connecting components arranged on a circuit board with a straight line having a bent portion, Connection path search processing means for searching for the path of the connection, inter-component connection display processing means for displaying the searched path, and blinking the width of the connection, the color of the connection, and the connection for the connection that could not be searched. And a connection display control processing means for controlling so as to select and display any one of the plurality of connection display methods. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the connection route search processing means selects one of a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method, and selects the selected route search method. The route of the connection may be searched for and determined by a route search method. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the connection route search processing means comprises:
A plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method are simultaneously used to start searching for the connection route using a plurality of route search methods, and the connection search is performed based on the earliest searched route search method. The route may be determined. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the connection display control processing means of the component connection display processing means, when displaying the connection, if the width of the connection is different. Make the connection colors different,
Alternatively, control may be performed so as to select and display any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as whether to blink the connection. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the connection display control processing means of the component connection display processing means may include:
If the connection route search processing means does not find the connection route, any one of the connection display methods such as blinking the connection width, connection color, and connection at that location is selected and displayed. You can also. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, the connection display control processing means of the inter-parts connection display processing means may perform the search even if all of the paths are not found. For the part where the route is not searched for, the route is displayed halfway, and one of a plurality of connection display methods, such as partially blinking the connection width, the connection color, or the connection, is selected. It can also be controlled to be displayed.

[0006]

In the method and apparatus for displaying connections between components according to the present invention, a connection route between a pin belonging to a component and a pin of another component connected to the pin is calculated and searched by a connection route search processing step or means. Is done. Further, the calculated and searched connection path is displayed on a display unit or the like by the connection connection display processing step or means between parts. In the display here, the connection between the pins to be connected between the components arranged on the board is displayed as a straight line having at least one bent portion, so that the number of locations where the connection paths intersect is reduced as a result. Is displayed as follows. Therefore, the wiring path can be displayed in an image close to the wiring pattern, which makes it easier for the designer to visually understand the connection state between the parts at the time of the layout design, such as determining which parts need to be sufficiently studied. The determination can be visually performed easily, and the design efficiency can be improved.

When the connection route searching step or means searches for a connection route between pins, any one of a plurality of route search methods such as a line segment search method and a maze method or an optimum method or a plurality of methods is simultaneously performed. By determining the route of connection by adopting the one that finds the route the first time by executing it, the route search rate between components is improved, and the wiring route can be displayed with an image closer to the wiring pattern This makes it easier for the designer to visually understand the connection state between the parts, thereby improving design efficiency and quality.

[0008] Further, the connection display control processing step or means includes:
When the connection route search processing step or means does not find a connection route, the connection display method such as blinking the connection width, connection color, and connection indicating that the route was not found is appropriately selected and displayed. By making control so that the designers can understand visually what kind of connection state it is now, it becomes easier to understand, for example, the positional relationship of parts having important paths during layout design. It is possible to sufficiently study and improve design efficiency and quality.

[0009] The connection display control processing step or means may include:
Even if the connection route search processing step or means does not find all of the connection routes, it displays up to the middle of the searched route, and blinks the connection width, connection color and connection for the part where the route was not found By controlling the connection display method to select and display the connection display method, it becomes easier for the designer to visually understand what kind of connection state is now, and to improve the design efficiency. Can be. Thus, for example, at the time of layout design, it is possible to make the designer aware of a place where wiring is inevitably difficult at an early stage by a special display method such as the above-mentioned blinking and the like, When designing the
The necessity of the jumper component can be estimated at an early stage, the design efficiency can be improved, and the design cost can be greatly reduced.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method and apparatus for displaying a connection between components according to an embodiment of the present invention are for disposing electronic components on a substrate. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a board design support apparatus for an electronic component as a display device for connection between components that can execute the method for displaying connection between components according to the embodiment. In FIG.
The board design support device includes MPU, RAM, ROM, I / O
An arithmetic processing unit 1 including a computer system including an interface is provided. The arithmetic processing unit 1 performs arithmetic processing such as calculation of a connection route search. The arithmetic processing unit 1 includes:
A display unit 2 composed of a CRT display and a database unit 3 composed of a hard disk device or a magneto-optical disk device
, A printer 4 and a plotter 5 are connected. The arithmetic processing unit 1 is connected with a mouse 6 and a keyboard 7 as input devices, a communication interface 8 for performing communication with an external device such as a circuit diagram CAD device, and another input / output unit 9. I have. This board design support apparatus is for selecting a component to be arranged on a board and displaying a connection between the selected component and another component.
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a database construction unit 1a, a component position control unit 1b for determining and arranging the position of the component with respect to the board based on the constructed database, and a connection path. A search processing unit 1c, a route search unit 1d, and a component connection display processing unit 1e are provided. The component position control means 1b receives information from a mouse 6 or a keyboard 7, communication with the outside via a communication interface 8, or information input from another input / output unit 9, etc., that is, a database to be constructed. Equivalent information, for example, connection information and component information of a circuit diagram as a result of circuit design by a circuit diagram CAD device, specifically,
Information such as a component to be placed on the board, the position of the component, the orientation of the component, the number and position of the connection pin of the component, the connection pin of the component and the connection pin of the component to be connected, and the like are stored in the database construction unit 1a. Connection route search processing means 1c
And what to enter. Database construction means 1a
Constructs a desired database based on the input information from the component position control means 1b and stores it in the database unit 3, and updates the database stored in the database unit 3 based on the input. The constructed database includes, for example, connection information and component information of a circuit diagram as a result of circuit design by a circuit diagram CAD device, specifically, components to be arranged on a board, positions of the components, and component orientations. , The number and position of the connection pins of the part, the connection pins of the part to be connected to the connection pins of the part, and the position thereof. The connection route search processing unit 1c performs various searches such as a line segment search method and a maze method stored in the route search unit 1d based on the position information of the component on the board input from the component position control unit 1b. Perform a route search based on the law. The component connection display processing means 1e displays the connection path searched by the connection path search processing means 1c on the display unit 2 or the printer 4
Or, when outputting with the plotter 5, how to display or output is determined. Based on the input information of the display parameter from the mouse 6 or the keyboard 7, the display of each path is performed via the display parameter operation unit 1 g. The method is determined, and information on the display method of each route is output to the display control means 1h. The display control unit 1h controls the display unit 2 to display the route according to the input display method, or controls the printer 4 or the plotter 5 to output the route.
The display parameter operating section 1g and the display control means 1h constitute a connection display control processing means for performing a connection display control processing step described later.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying a connection path between components performed by the above configuration will be described. Here, a description will be given of a processing flow in which a component to be arranged on a board is selected and a connection between components between the selected component and another component is displayed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow of the entire processing of the display method is as follows. First, a database construction process is performed in step S1, then a component position control process is performed in step S2, and a connection route search process is performed in step S3. ,
In step S4, a component connection display process including a connection display control process is performed. These processes will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 4, a database construction process and a component position control process are performed. That is, in step S1, the database construction means 1a of the arithmetic processing unit 1 receives connection information and component information of a circuit diagram as a result of circuit design performed by the circuit diagram CAD device, for example, from the communication interface 8, and converts it. The data is stored in the database unit 3 to construct a database. Hereinafter, the component position control processing of steps S2-1 to S2-6 is performed, and if the component position is within the board, step S3 is performed.
The process of searching for a connection route between components and the process of displaying connection between components in step S4 are performed. In the component position control process, first, in step S2-1, the mouse 6 or the keyboard 7
A component to be connected is selected from an input device such as
Next, in step S2-2, it is determined whether or not the selected component is a component already placed on the board.
If it is determined that the component is a placed component, step S2-3 is performed.
In step S2, after deleting the connection already connected and displayed to the pins of the other component with respect to the arranged component,
Go to -4. If it is determined in step S2-2 that the component is not a placed component, the process proceeds to step S2-4. In step S2-4, the selected component is moved, for example, from coordinates A outside the board to coordinates B inside the board. Here, the coordinate means, for example, when the origin is (0, 0) at the lower left corner of the board outline when the board is viewed from above, the relative positional relationship from the origin is (x, y). ), Each component has information of a reference point, and the coordinates A and B here (x, y) indicate the position of the reference point. Step S2-
In 5, it is determined whether or not the destination of the component is within the board. That is, it is determined whether or not the position of the component located at the coordinate B is within the board. If the destination of the component is within the board, the process proceeds to step S2-6 after performing the connection route search process between components in step S3 and the component connection display process in step S4. If the destination of the component is outside the board, the process proceeds to step S2-6 without performing the connection route search process and the connection display process between the components. Details of the inter-parts connection path search processing and the inter-parts connection display processing will be described later. In step S2-6, the component position control process for the component selected in step S2-1 is completed, and it is determined whether there is a component to be selected. If there is a part to be selected, the process returns to step S2-1. If there is no component to be selected, the above-described component position control processing ends.

Next, FIG. 5 shows details of the process for searching for a connection path between components in step S3. This processing is performed by the connection route search processing means 1c. First, in step S3-1, initial settings such as parameters for automatic wiring and construction of a wiring route database are performed. This wiring route database constructs a database based on information held by the wiring route database unit 1j in FIG. The parameters here are for automatic wiring.For example, when actually connecting the pins of a part with copper foil, by setting the settings such as the foil width and the distance between the foils sufficiently smaller than the actual values,
It is possible to increase the route search rate when performing automatic wiring. Next, in step S3-2, the number of pins of the selected component is searched in the database constructed in step S3-1. In step S3-3, a pin to be connected is selected from the searched component pins. Step S3-4
Then, another pin connected to the selected pin of the component is searched in the database constructed in step S3-1. As a result, when the pin to be connected and the pin are selected, the automatic routing algorithm stored in the route search unit 1d is called in order to find the route to be searched in step S3-5. In the route search unit 1d, a plurality of algorithms such as a maze method and a line segment search method are stored as automatic wiring algorithms. Here, it is assumed that n algorithms from algorithm 1 to n are prepared.

Conventionally, various automatic wiring algorithms have been used for automatic wiring for automatically determining the wiring path. Here, an outline of two typical known algorithms, such as a line segment search method and a maze method, will be briefly described. (1) Line segment search method When obtaining a wiring route from the terminal A to the terminal B, first, a horizontal line segment is drawn from each of the terminal A and the terminal B until it hits an obstacle. If the tentative line segments (level 0) do not overlap, a temporary tentative line segment (level 1) is generated from all points of the tentative line segment. If such operations are repeated and the tentative line segments generated from the respective points of the terminal A and the terminal B intersect, they can be traced in reverse to determine the route. Although the line segment search method can find a path with few bends, the processing becomes complicated as the number of levels increases. (2) Maze method When the wiring route from the terminal A to the terminal B is obtained, the entire wiring area is divided into a grid shape, and labels are sequentially attached to the grid from the terminal A toward the outside in the order of 1, 2, 3,. After arriving at the terminal B, the route is traced in the opposite direction (the direction in which the label is reduced) to determine the path between the terminal A and the terminal B. The maze method can always find the shortest path as long as there is a path connecting two points, but has disadvantages such as a long processing time and a large storage capacity.

Here, the description returns to the flow of the connection route search processing. In step S3-6, the route search unit 1
First, the algorithm 1 in d is adopted. as a result,
In step S3-7, it is determined whether a route has been found. If a route is found, the process proceeds to step S3-11 to update the wiring route database. If the route is not found, the process proceeds to step S3-8, and the algorithm 2 in the route search unit 1d is adopted. As a result, in step S3-9, it is determined whether or not a route has been found. As described above, if a route is found, the process proceeds to step S3-11 to update the wiring route database. If no route is found, the process proceeds to the next step and algorithm 3 is adopted. The algorithm n is adopted in this procedure, and if a route is found, step S
The wiring route database is updated in 3-11. If a route is not found even in the last algorithm n, the data of the route that has been found halfway is stored in step S3-10, and the wiring in step S3-11 is stored. Update the route database.

The above algorithm selection procedure depends on the set order, so that an optimal algorithm is not always selected. Therefore, in order to select an optimal route, that is, to select an optimal algorithm, the following ideas can be considered. (1) A plurality of n algorithms are simultaneously executed, a route search is performed at the same time, and an algorithm that finds a route in the shortest time is adopted. (2) By learning past patterns, an optimal algorithm is selected according to the state of component placement. These procedures are performed from step S3-5 to step S3.
If it is added between 3 and 11, processing that can always find the optimum route can be realized.

Next, in step S3-12, it is determined whether or not there is still another pin connected to the selected pin of the component. If there is another pin, the process returns to step S3-4. If there is no other pin, the process proceeds to the next step S3-13. In step S3-13, it is determined whether there is no unprocessed pin other than the selected pin in the component. If there is an unprocessed pin, the process returns to step S3-3. If there are no unprocessed pins, the connection route search processing ends.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of the inter-parts connection display processing in step S4. This process is performed by the component connection display processing means 1e. In this process, the route to which the component is to be connected is displayed on the display unit 3 or the like using the information in the wiring route database. First, step S4
At -1, the number of pins of the selected component is searched in the wiring route database. Next, in step S4-2, an arbitrary pin is selected from the searched pins of the component.
In step S4-3, a net of the selected pin is searched in the wiring route database. Next, in step S4-4, the display parameter operation unit 1f sets default values for the display attribute flags and their values. The setting method is specifically as follows. The attribute related to the width of the connection display is flat when the width is not considered.
g (width) = 0, and when considering the width, flag
(Width) = 1. Considering the width, when the width value is set to, for example, 1.0 μm, flag (width). value
= 1.0. The initial value of the attribute for width is flag
(width). Expressed as value = 0.1. When the color is white, flag (color) = 0,
When a color other than white is desired, flag (color) = 1.
When the color is other than white, for example, red, flag (color). v
It is assumed that “alue = 2” (red). The initial value of the attribute relating to color is flag (color). It is assumed that value = 0 (white). The attribute related to blinking is set to flag (blinking) = 0 when not blinking. Flag (blink) when blinking
= 1. The initial value of the attribute related to blinking is flag
(Flashing) = 0. Next, in step S4-5, path information including the selected pin is extracted from the wiring path database. In step S4-6, it is determined whether the extracted route has been searched to the end. If the route has not been searched to the end, it is determined in step S4-7 whether to set the display attribute flag / value. If so, the process proceeds to step S4-8, where the display attribute flags and values are set, and then the process proceeds to step S4-9. If not, the process proceeds to step S4-9. Display attribute flag
The detailed flow of setting the values will be described later with reference to FIG. In step S4-6, if the extracted route has been searched to the end, the process proceeds to step S4-9. Step S
In step 4-9, the connection is displayed by looking at the display attribute flag / value under the control of the display control means 1g. Then, step S4-
At 10, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed pin in the selected component. If there is, the process returns to S4-2. If there is no unprocessed pin, the part connection display processing ends.

Next, the flow of setting display attribute flags and values will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, step S5
At -1, it is determined whether to change the connection width. If the width is to be changed, the setting of the width change flag and the value of the width to be changed are set via the display parameter operation unit 1f in step S5-2. Specifically, if you want to change the width to 1.0 from the initial state where the width is not considered,
From the above initial value, flag (width) = 1, flag (width).
Change the setting to value = 1.0. Next, step S
In 5-3, it is determined whether or not to change the connection color. If the color is to be changed, the setting of the color change flag and the value of the color to be changed are set via the display parameter operation unit 1f in step S5-4. Specifically, if the user wants to change the color from white in the initial state to red (2), from the initial value, flag (color) = 1, flag (color). value = 2
Change the setting to (red). Finally, in step S5-5,
It is determined whether or not the blinking display of the connection is designated. If the blinking display is designated, the setting of the blinking display flag is performed in step S5-6 via the display parameter operation section 1f. Specifically, if it is desired to change from the initial state, which is not blinking, to blinking, flag (blinking) =
Change the setting to 1. Thus, the display attribute flag / value setting process is completed.

An example in which the connection is actually displayed by the processing method described above will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a discrete component group around component IC01, that is, capacitors C01 to C
2 shows a state in which the display method of the present embodiment is connected and displayed for the resistor 02 and the resistors R01 to R07. The hatched area in FIG. 8 is a wiring prohibited area. When displaying the searched connection path, the connection between the pins to be connected between the components arranged on the board is displayed as a straight line having at least one bent portion, and as a result, the connection path is changed. The display is made so that the number of intersections is reduced. In FIG. 8, the component selected in the description of each processing step is a component IC01. The component IC01 is an IC component having 12 pins,
The connection route of the net connected to the pin of the component IC01 is searched in order and displayed by a straight line having a bent portion.
A connection path to one pin of the resistor R01 connected to the first pin of the component IC01 is searched for and displayed. In this case, since the connection route has been searched to the end, the route is displayed. Next, the components connected to the 2nd and 3rd pins of the component IC01 are the respective pins of the capacitor C01, and the route is displayed for these pins as well, since the connection route has been searched to the end. Since the fourth pin of the component IC01 is an empty pin, nothing is processed and nothing is displayed. Part I
The fifth pin of C01 is connected to one pin of the resistor R02, but this component is also displayed because the connection path has been searched to the end. It is also connected to the sixth pin of the component IC01 and one pin of the resistor R03, and is displayed because the connection path has been searched to the end. next,
Since the 7th pin of the component IC01 is an empty pin, nothing is processed and nothing is displayed. One pin of the resistor R04 is connected to the eighth pin of the component IC01, but the connection route cannot be found because of the wiring prohibited area. here,
If the route is not found, the display attribute is a connection width of 1.0.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a connection having a width of 1.0 and a thickness larger than usual is displayed. Next, 9 of component IC01
For the 10th, 10th, and 11th pins, one pin of the resistor R05, one pin of the resistor R06,
02 is connected to one pin, but in any of the nets, a connection route is found only halfway. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the display is made up to the connection route in the middle, and from there to the pin of the part to be connected, a straight line is displayed by blinking display (however, it is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 8). ing. For example, in the case of a single-sided board, the necessity of a jumper component can be estimated at an early stage by such a display. This is an example in which no connection path was found for the twelfth pin of the component IC01 because the wiring was prohibited near the twelfth pin. here,
Since the display attribute is set by changing the color (red), the twelfth pin of the component IC01 and the pin of the resistor R07 are displayed in a red straight line (however, indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 8) as shown in FIG. . For comparison, FIG. 9 shows a connection when the connection displayed on the conventional display screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed by the display method according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 9, at least one bent portion is used for the connection between the pins of the components so as not to cross the connection between the other components. In this example,
Pin 1 of capacitor C01 and pin 7 of component IC01 are connected only on one side of the board and cannot be connected on one side.
Connection between pin 1, pin 1 of resistor R01 and component IC
The connection between the 11th pin of No. 01, the 2nd pin of the resistor R02 and the 9th pin of the component IC01, and the connection between the 2nd pin of the resistor R03 and the 4th pin of the component IC01 are indicated by dotted lines. To do. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the pins of the components are connected by a straight line having no bent portion,
Although many intersections are displayed and are difficult to see, as shown in FIG. 9, there is no intersection with a solid line, so that it is easy to see. In other words, instead of simply displaying a straight line between the conventional pins, the wiring path between the parts can be displayed with an image close to the wiring pattern, and for the designer, the connection between the parts can be displayed. The state can be easily understood visually.

In the method and apparatus for displaying connections between components according to the present embodiment, when a component is selected and moved to coordinates on the board, the connection between the pins belonging to the component and the pins of other components connected to the pin is determined. The route is calculated and searched by the connection route search processing step S3 or the connection route search processing means 1c. The calculated and searched connection route is displayed on the display unit 2 or the like by the component connection display processing step S4 or the component connection display processing means 1e. In the display here, the connection between the pins to be connected between the components arranged on the board is displayed as a straight line having at least one bent portion, so that the number of locations where the connection paths intersect is reduced as a result. Is displayed as follows. Therefore, the wiring path can be displayed in an image close to the wiring pattern, which makes it easier for the designer to visually understand the connection state between the parts at the time of the layout design, such as determining which parts need to be sufficiently studied. The determination can be visually performed easily, and the design efficiency can be improved.

The connection route search processing step S3
Alternatively, when the connection path search processing means 1c searches for a connection path between pins, one of a plurality of path search methods such as a line segment search method and a maze method or an optimum method or a plurality of methods is simultaneously executed, and the fastest method is performed. If the route of the connection is determined by adopting the one that finds the route, the route search rate between the parts is improved, and the wiring route can be displayed with an image closer to the wiring pattern, and for the designer It is easy to visually understand the connection state between components, and it is possible to improve design efficiency and quality.

Also, the connection display control processing step or means 1
f and 1g are the connection route search processing step S3 or the connection such as blinking the connection width, the connection color or the connection indicating that the route was not found when the connection route was not found by the means 1c or the means 1c. By controlling the display method by selecting the display method as appropriate, it is easier for the designer to visually understand the current connection state. It is possible to fully consider the positional relationship of parts having a route,
Design efficiency and quality can be improved.

Also, the connection display control processing step or means 1
f and 1g are displayed up to the middle of the searched route even if the connection route search processing step S3 or the means 1c does not find all of the connected routes, and the width of the connection is found for the portion where the route was not searched. If you control the display to select and display the connection display method such as blinking the connection color and the connection, it is easier for the designer to visually understand the connection status now Thus, the design efficiency can be improved. Thus, for example, at the time of layout design, it is possible to make the designer aware of a place where wiring is inevitably difficult at an early stage by a special display method such as the above-mentioned blinking and the like, At the time of designing, the necessity of the jumper component can be estimated at an early stage, and the design efficiency can be improved, which can greatly contribute to the reduction of the design cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a board design support apparatus as an electronic component connection display device that employs a display device for performing a method for displaying a component connection path according to an embodiment of the present invention. is there.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of the display method.

FIG. 4 is an overall flowchart of a process of selecting a component on a board and displaying a connection between components, and a process of editing the displayed connection in the display method.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a connection route search process in the display method.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a connection display process between components in the display method.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing setting of a display attribute flag / value in the display method.

FIG. 8 is a display screen diagram showing a connection display state in the display method.

FIG. 9 is a display screen diagram showing a connection display state of another example in the display method.

FIG. 10 is a display screen diagram when the same connection as that of FIG. 9 is displayed by a conventional connection method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Calculation processing part, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Database part, 4
... Printer, 5 ... Plotter, 6 ... Mouse, 7 ... Keyboard, 8 ... Communication interface, 9 ... Other input / output unit, 1
a: database construction means, 1b: component position control means,
1c: connection route search processing means, 1d: route search unit, 1e
... Display processing means for connection between components, 1f. Display parameter operation unit, 1g.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A method for displaying a connection between components, wherein a connection connecting a plurality of components arranged on a circuit board is displayed as a straight line having a bent portion. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a connection path search processing step of searching for a path of the connection between the components, and a component connection display processing step of displaying the searched connection path by a straight line having a bent portion. 2. A method for displaying a connection between components according to claim 1. 3. The connection route search processing step includes selecting one of a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method, and searching for the connection route using the selected route search method. 3. The method for displaying component-to-part connections according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination is made by the following method. 4. The connection route search processing step starts a search for the connection route by simultaneously using a plurality of route search methods among a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method, 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the route of the connection is determined based on a route search method that is searched first. 5. The process for displaying connections between components includes displaying a plurality of connections such as changing the width of the connections, changing the color of the connections, or blinking the connections when displaying the connections. 5. The method for displaying connections between components according to claim 1, further comprising a connection display control processing step of controlling one of the display methods to be displayed. 6. The connection display process between components, wherein, when the connection route is not found in the connection route search process, the connection width, the color of the connection, and the connection are blinked. 6. The method for displaying connections between components according to claim 1, further comprising a connection display control processing step of selecting and displaying any one of the methods. 7. The part-to-part connection display processing step displays the route up to the middle of the searched route even if all of the routes are not found, and partially connects the route where the route was not searched. 7. A connection display control processing step of controlling to select and display any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as the width of the connection, the color of the connection, and the blinking of the connection. Display method of the connection between parts described in any of them. 8. A device for displaying a connection connecting components arranged on a circuit board with a straight line having a bent portion, wherein a connection route search processing means for searching for a route of the connection between the components. 1c) and a component connection display processing means (1) for displaying the searched route.
e) wherein the part connection display processing means selects and displays any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as blinking the connection width, the connection color, and the connection for the connection that could not be searched. Connection display control processing means (1f,
1g). A display device for connection between components, comprising: 9. The connection route search processing means selects any one of a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method, and searches for the connection route using the selected route search method. The display device for connection between components according to claim 8, wherein the display is determined by the following. 10. The connection route search processing means starts a search for a route of the connection by simultaneously using a plurality of route search methods among a plurality of route search methods including a line segment search method and a maze method, 9. The display device for connection between components according to claim 8, wherein the connection route is determined based on a route search method that is searched first. 11. The connection display control processing means of the component connection display processing means, when displaying the connection, changes the width of the connection, changes the color of the connection, or blinks the connection. The display device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein control is performed to select and display one of a plurality of connection display methods such as whether or not the connection is displayed. 12. The connection display control processing means of the component connection display processing means, if the connection path is not found by the connection path search processing means, the connection width, the color of the connection, or the like. The display device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein any one of connection display methods, such as blinking a connection, is selected and displayed. 13. The connection display control processing means of the component connection display processing means displays a part of the searched route even if not all of the routes are found, and displays the part where the route was not searched. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the control is performed so that any one of a plurality of connection display methods such as blinking the connection width, the connection color, and the connection is selected and displayed. A display device for connection between components according to any one of the above.