JPS608982A - Automatic searching method of path - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To search automatically at a high speed a practical path by executing a temporary wiring between a designated source and target by using a computer, applying and connecting a prescribed pattern, and using a mesh just before an obstacle, as a new source, when the obstacles exists. CONSTITUTION:When an operator designates a source S1 and a target T1 which are two points to be connected, a computer applies a pattern P1 between these two points and executes a temporary wiring. As for the pattern P1, however, in case an obstacle O3 exists on the way, a mesh just before the obstacle O3 is used as a new source S2, and a pattern for connecting this source S2 and the target T1 is searched in the next time. Subsequently, a pattern P8 is applied. Since an obstacle O1 exsits on the way of this line l2, a mesh just before the obstacle O1 is used as a new source S3, and a pattern for connecting the source S3 and the target T1 is searched. Next, the computer uses the S3 as a source, applies the pattern P1, and fetches the pattern P8 from a source S4 of a mesh just before an obstacle O2 in the same way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a method for automatically searching for a route between two points. More specifically, the present invention is mainly used in the field of so-called CAD devices, such as automatic wiring for creating circuit diagrams and automatic design of printed board patterns. In the field of automatic design described above, when connecting two points, if there is an obstacle along the way, a route is searched to avoid this and connect the two points. However, the present invention relates to a route searching method used in such cases.

[Description of Prior Art] Although the present invention is used in various CAD devices, it is thought that it will be easier to understand the present invention if it is explained using a specific example. , circuit diagram creation CA
The following explanation will be given using device D as a specific example.

A circuit diagram creation CAD device draws a circuit diagram that looks like a one-race trace using a ruler and a compass according to input information. For example, when manufacturing electrical equipment, an electrical circuit designer first conducts experiments and designs the circuit. Although the circuit diagrams drawn at this stage of design are usually drawn freehand or using a ruler, the circuit diagrams at this stage cannot be saved as official documents, or Or it cannot be submitted to the customer. Therefore, normally, a designed circuit diagram is redrawn by a professional tracer to create an official drawing.

A circuit diagram creation CAD device is a conventional circuit diagram creation CAD device that can automatically draw this official circuit diagram with the help of a computer instead of a professional tracer.
The following is well known as a method for automatically searching for a route connecting two points that has been used in the D device.

(1) Maze method (11) Line search method 5- (IIL) Parametric pattern router method To briefly explain the operation of these route search methods, each of the above three methods searches sequentially from connectable routes. The idea is that the route will be completed in the end. However, each of the conventional methods shown above has the following drawbacks.

(1) The maze method is a method that can always connect two points if there is a connecting route, but it has drawbacks such as route searching takes too much time and requires a large amount of memory. .

(11) The line search method has the advantage of being able to search for connection paths between two points at high speed and using less memory capacity than the maze method. It has the disadvantage that even if it exists, the route may not be overlooked.

(Il+) The parametric pattern router method is
It has the advantage of being able to search for a route between two points at high speed, and if a route exists, it can be connected reliably, but there is a limit to the number of bends in the connection pattern (for example, one pattern can be bent up to four times). ), but it has the disadvantage that it is not always possible to connect.

The above is a good thing (it is a known drawback, but the basic problem is that the above methods (1) to (till) all search for possible routes for wiring). Because the route is fixed and lined up, the circuit diagram created using this method may have a lot of strange bends.

For this reason, drawings drawn using conventional methods are difficult to balance as a whole, such as by drawing line segments that would not normally be drawn in circuit diagrams drawn manually by humans, and by concentrating wiring in one place. It was bad.

[Objective of the present invention] The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, and its purpose is: ◇ If a route exists between two points, they can be reliably connected;
And the search time is equivalent to the line search method ◇ The memory capacity required for automatic route search is the line search method.
Less than the search method ◇ It must be able to draw well-balanced drawings (without any unnaturalness) that look like they were drawn manually by a human.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic route search method that can realize the following.

[Summary of the present invention] An example of the method according to the present invention is to select one from a plurality of preset initial patterns and move an obstacle between two specified points of a source and a target. If there is an obstacle on the route of the temporary wiring, the mesh immediately before the obstacle is set as a new source, and the route to this new source and the target is a step of selecting one of the plurality of types of initial patterns and temporarily wiring between two new points regardless of the presence or absence of an obstacle; a step of repeating the above step until there are no obstacles; This method consists of the steps of sequentially connecting the base source and the new source, and then connecting the final stage source and target 1- to recognize the path between two specified points.

[Explanation based on examples] The present invention will be described in detail below using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a general block configuration of a circuit diagram creation CAD device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard, which is used when inputting data or interacting with a computer. Reference numeral 2 denotes a tablet, on which a stylus (not shown) is used to freely set a cursor or the like on multiple display devices to input or select data. 3 is a computer;
It controls the entire CAD device.

A disk memory 4 stores input data via the computer 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display device that displays the circuit diagram or the like to be drawn on a CRT screen, and also displays the connection status each time the computer makes connections according to input data. In addition,
This display device 5 has a built-in display processor (not shown).

Assuming that the above CAD@il is used, the present invention 9- The operation of the automatic route search method according to the present invention will be explained.

First, the operator inputs component data and connection data into the computer 3 using the keyboard 1, tablet 2, and stylus (not shown).Specifically, using the stylus, the operator inputs the desired data on the CRT. Set the cursor to the position, and set symbol marks for gate circuits, transistors, and various electrical components on the CRT based on the designed circuit diagram, as shown in Figure 2.These symbol marks can be created using a CAD device. Since the information is provided in advance, it can be displayed on the CRT by selecting a predetermined key.

In the manner described above, all the symbol marks of the electrical components constituting the staged circuit are displayed on the CRT. This is the input of component data. These parts data are stored in the disk memory 4 shown in FIG.

Next, the connections between the parts thus displayed on the CRT are input into the computer using a cursor according to the designed circuit diagram.

10- Generally, the wiring lines that make up a circuit diagram are drawn avoiding the symbol marks of electrical components, so if these symbol marks are on the connection between two specified points, the computer will draw this mark. It is necessary to automatically draw the detoured connection line.

According to the method of the present invention, such wiring work can be appropriately performed. The operation of this wiring method will be explained below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing two points to be connected.

In the Suimei IIA book, as shown in Figure 3, the starting point of the wiring is referred to as the source, and the point to which the wiring is placed is referred to as the target.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing all the positional relationships between sources and targets and the combinations of connection paths thereto. In other words, when trying to connect two points on a plane with a straight line or an L-shaped pattern, the route is 1 as shown in Figure 4.
It corresponds to one of two types of patterns. Hereinafter, in this specification, the 12 types of patterns shown in FIG. 4 will be referred to as initial patterns, and will be expressed to distinguish them from other patterns.

In the present invention, one of these 12 types of initial patterns is selected and applied to the route between two points, but if there is an obstacle on the route, the mesh immediately before the obstacle is selected. Stop the route once, use the stopped mesh point as a new source, select one of the 12 initial patterns again for the route immediately after the target, and repeat this operation. By doing this, it attempts to search for a route connecting the source and target.

The present invention will be described in detail below using two specific examples (A) and (B).

(A) When the source and target are not on a horizontal or vertical line as shown in FIG. 5 (when they can be connected in an L-shaped pattern as shown in FIG. 4) The following describes the operation in order.

91- In FIG. 5, 01 to 03 are the symbol marks of electronic components as described above (for example, the IO mark, etc.)
(Hereinafter, the symbol mark will be simply abbreviated as "Mar")
Suppose that Here, the operator uses the cursor to
Specify the two points to be connected, S+ (source) and TI (target).

In addition, before starting the search operation with the CAD device, the operator shall instruct the computer in advance whether the initial pattern selection order should be operated clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW). do. This CW or CCW
Since this is shown in FIG. 4, its explanation will be omitted.

Note that in the explanation of the operation in this specification, it is assumed that CCW is selected.

92- Upon receiving this designation, the computer first applies the initial pattern P1 shown in FIG. 4 between the source S1 and target T1 to perform temporary wiring.

This is shown in FIG. However, since pattern P1 in FIG. 6 has mark 03 on the way, it is not possible to pass beyond mark 03. Therefore, the mesh immediately before the mark 03 is set as a new source S2, and a pattern connecting this source S2 and the target T1 is next searched for -13+-. In this case, the source 8 shown in FIG.
Patterns 1 to S2 are stored in a memory (not shown) provided within the display device, and this pattern 81
~S2 is displayed as a wired pattern (for example, a solid line) on the CRT.

53- Next, the computer fits the initial pattern Pe with S2 as the source and TI as the target (since CCW is selected). This is shown in FIG. However, there is a mark O4 in the middle of the line e2 in the figure. Therefore,
Using the mesh immediately before mark 01 as a new source S3, a pattern is searched for connecting this mesh 83 and target T+.

In this case as well, lines 82 to S3 are displayed on the CRT as a wired pattern.

94- Next, the computer applies the initial pattern P+ with S3 as the source and TI as the target.

This is shown in FIG. However, mark 02 exists in the middle of line 13 in the figure. Therefore, we set the mesh one before mark 14-O2 as a new source S4 and use this $
4 and the target T+. Here, the combi coater applies the initial pattern P day.

In this case, since the mark that is the obstacle no longer exists, the pattern connecting the source S4 and the target T1 may remain the initial pattern P8. As a result of the above search, starting from the first source, newly generated sources S2, S3,
. . , and a route that connects the source and target at the final stage are recognized by the display processor in the display device 5 (or recognized by the computer 3), and this wiring data is stored in the disk memory 4. It is displayed on the CRT simultaneously. Of course, the circuit diagram created in this way can then be drawn on paper using a plotter or the like.

(B) When the source and target are on a horizontal or vertical line The following describes the operation order in the same manner as above.

91- In FIG. 10, 04.05 is a symbol mark of an electronic component. Here, the operator uses a cursor to specify two points to be connected, Sl (source) and TI <target). Upon receiving this designation, the combi coater first applies the initial pattern P9 in FIG. 4 between the source S and target L to perform temporary wiring.

92- This is shown in FIG. However, pattern P in Fig. 11,
Since there is mark 04 on the way, you cannot pass past mark 04. Therefore, the mesh one before mark 04 is set as a new source S2, and this source S2 and target T
Next, a pattern connecting 1 is searched. In this case, similarly to the above, the patterns from sources S to S2 are stored in a memory provided in the display device, and these patterns 81 to $2 are displayed as wired patterns (for example, solid lines) on the CRT. .

93- Next, the computer searches for a route pattern (wiring with S2 as the source and T1 as the target) as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 11 that bypasses the mark 011. In this case, first apply the initial pattern P8 as shown in FIG. Search for the target route.

This is shown in FIG. In Figure 12, in the upward direction (
In some cases, the length of the extension (downward or left/right) is the step width selected by the operator by key operation. This step width can be specified as a length that is usually an integral multiple of the basic mesh size (the minimum search resolution determined by the design of the CAD device). For example, even if the initial pattern P8, which has a shape that extends upward by one step, is applied, the mark 04 still remains.
If this becomes an obstacle, search is performed using an initial pattern that extends upward by one more step. By repeating the above-described operations, a pattern for overcoming the mark 04, which is an obstacle, is searched for. Therefore, if the step width of one stage is too narrow, it will take too much time to search for an appropriate route, and if the step width is too wide, the route will be too long. There is a risk of overlooking the route even though - is available. Operations that will prevent such inconvenience from occurring in the child will be described later.

94- Assume that by repeating the above operations, a route as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 12 is obtained. However, this 12th
Mark 05 exists on the dotted line route in the figure. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 13, the initial pattern P2 is applied to a route with S3 as the source and T1 as the target.

In addition, in the search for the route starting from source S2 explained in FIG. 12, the target was set to T2 (reason: 12
In the initial pattern of the type, S2 and T
1), this target T2 is a temporary target. Therefore, the target to which this source S3 is connected is T again because the above reason disappears.
It becomes 1.

18- Furthermore, search for a route to the target T, using the mesh in front of the obstacle 05 as the source $4.

In this case, since there is no longer any obstacle, the pattern from source 84 to below the target is established.

As a result of the above, a route connection pattern as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained. Then, as explained in (A), the path connecting the source S1 and the target T1 is recognized by the display processor of the computer or display device.

Through the above-described operations, according to the present invention, a wiring route connecting two specified points can be automatically searched and a circuit diagram thereof can be drawn. In some cases, undesirable paths may occur depending on the selection of the basic mesh number. Therefore, the occurrence of such undesirable routes can be prevented by the following operation.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation will be explained using FIGS. 15 to 20.

(a) Operation example 1 (operation based on extension conditions) First, a case where an unfavorable path occurs will be explained. In the present invention, an operation is performed in which the search route extends upward or downward in order to overcome (detour) an obstacle.

In FIG. 15, sI is the source, TI is the target,
0 is an obstacle. In addition, the squares separated by dotted lines are the basic mesh size. If the operator selects to set the basic mesh size number to 1, a pattern as shown in FIG. 16 will be obtained. The pattern shown in FIG. 16 is undesirable because the portion ρ1 is unnecessarily bent.

On the other hand, if the operator chooses to set the basic mesh number of extension to 2, then the pattern shown in FIG. 16 becomes as shown in FIG. 17.

Therefore, it is effective to perform the following operations in order to prevent the occurrence of such undesirable routes as described above. first,"
A route search is performed by specifying a size number longer than the length of the basic mesh as the extension condition °°. By doing this, if a route between two points cannot be found, sequentially "
The number of sizes for the "extension condition" is decreased, and eventually the search is performed using the basic mesh size.In this way, when searching for the first long size, the 17th
Since the wiring is done as shown in the figure, a wiring route like that shown in FIG. 16 does not occur. In addition, narrow routes that could not be found in a long search can be found in the next short search. It should be noted that the reason why the operations are modified as shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 17 is clear from the above explanation, so the explanation of the operation will be omitted.

(b) Operation 2 (operation based on bending conditions) Next °“
An appropriate pattern can be obtained by selecting the bending condition. First, a case in which an unfavorable pattern occurs will be explained. In FIG. 18, SI is the source, TI is the target, and 01 is the obstacle. In addition, the squares separated by dotted lines are used as the basic mesh size.If the operator selects to set the basic mesh number to 1 in the "bending condition", a pattern as shown in FIG. 19 is obtained. The pattern shown in FIG. 19 is undesirable because it has one unnecessary bend 21.

On the other hand, if the operator selects 3 as the basic number of folded meshes, a pattern as shown in FIG. 20 will be obtained.

Therefore, in the same manner as described above, if the search is performed first with a long size, and then the search is sequentially performed with a short size, the path as shown in FIG. 20 will not occur.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned extension conditions and bending conditions are not limited to instructions from the operator, and it is clear that they may be specified by a program or the like.

In addition, the display processor built into the display device generally uses the memory plane etc. to perform the operation of searching for a route between two specified points and recognizing obstacles on the route as described above. Although this is done by the computer 3, it may also be done by the computer 3. The operation of recognizing such obstacles using a processor is already well known and is a technique that would be incomprehensible to those skilled in the art, so its explanation is omitted in this specification.

Further, in the above explanation, specific examples (A) and (B) have been given, but in actual operation, the entire operation does not apply to only one of these two specific examples. In other words, it does not mean that the search route will always be found using either (△) or (B) alone, but there may be cases where a route search is performed using a combination of the operations explained in (A) and (B). Common.

Also, in the above explanation, we have explained an example in which the search direction moves only in the direction where the target is located, but if the route in that direction is closed, the search target is a route that goes in the opposite direction to the target position. It is said that The 21st example of the search order is
As shown in the figure.

Furthermore, in the above description, it has been explained that the computer 3 performs the route search operation, but instead of the computer 3, the display in the display device
It is also possible to have the processor perform search operations for individual routes.

Furthermore, in the above description, the present invention has been explained using an example in which the present invention is applied to a circuit diagram creation CAD device, but the present invention is not limited to this. can be applied to various CAD devices.

[Effects of the Present Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(a) In the present invention, the source and target are first connected regardless of whether or not an obstacle exists, so a route search is immediately performed to determine whether a route exists in the indicated direction. Therefore, operations up to finding a route can be performed at high speed.

Furthermore, since the search direction is clearly specified, the search can be executed as long as there is an area for searching only in that direction, so the memory capacity required for route searching can be very small.

(b) As conditions for route searching, we separate the “extending condition” and the “bending condition°°”, and each can be defined before executing the program. By making the condition ``longer than the basic mesh length, all two points can be connected with a pattern with few folds.Next, we will process only the two points for which a route could not be found and perform the initial process. By defining shorter “extension conditions” and “bending conditions”,
You can discover a route with more bends than at the beginning. In this way, by using the basic mesh length as the extending condition and bending condition, connections can be made if there is a path. By doing as described in (b), the drawing drawn by the present invention can be made into a drawing that is close to the drawing actually drawn by a person (a drawing that is less unnatural).

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a general block configuration of a circuit diagram creation CAD device, Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbol marks of electronic components displayed on the CR7 screen, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing two examples of wiring that you want to connect. Figure 4 is a diagram showing all the positional relationships between the source and target and the combinations of connection paths for them. Figures 5 to 9 and Figures 10 to 14 are for the source. Figure 15 for explaining the operation of searching for a route connecting between
Figures 17 to 17 are diagrams for explaining operations based on extension conditions, Figures 18 to 20 are diagrams for explaining operations based on bending conditions, and Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of the search order. be. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Keyboard, 2...Tablet, 3...Computer, 4...Disk memory, 5...Display device. 26- 9to\, prisoner\, V' anus-483- G. Figure 18 Tail 20 Figure 19 1 'M21 Figure

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A method of searching for a route between two points using the following steps in a CAD device. ■ The process of selecting one from among multiple preset initial patterns and temporarily wiring between the specified source and target two points, regardless of the presence or absence of obstacles. ■ If there is an obstacle on the route of the temporary wiring in (■) above, the mesh immediately before the obstacle is set as a new source, and this new source and the target or a second line on a vertical line or horizontal line passing through this target are connected. target (T
2) A step of selecting one of the plurality of initial patterns for the next route leading to point 2) and temporarily wiring between the two new points regardless of the presence or absence of an obstacle. ■ A step of repeating the step (■) above until there are no obstacles. ■ A step in which the source that becomes the starting point and the new source are connected in order, and then the source and target at the final stage are connected to recognize the route between the specified two points. (2) The plurality of types of initial patterns are a total of 12 types of patterns, including 4 types of horizontal and vertical straight line patterns and 8 types of single-shaped patterns. Automatic search method for the route described. (3) A method of searching for a route between two points using the following steps in a CAD device. ■ A process of selecting one of the horizontal or vertical patterns from a plurality of preset initial patterns and temporarily wiring between the specified source and target points, regardless of the presence or absence of obstacles. ■ If there is an obstacle in the route of the temporary wiring in (■) above, the mesh immediately before the obstacle is used as a new source, and the wiring is routed from this new source up, down, to the left, to the right, according to the specified extension conditions and/or bending conditions. The process of searching for a route that bypasses obstacles by extending or bending the search route. ■ If there is another obstacle on the route to the target after bypassing the obstacle, use the mesh just before that obstacle as a new source and pass through this new source and the target or this target. For the next route to the second target (T2) on the vertical or horizontal line, one of the plurality of initial patterns is selected and obstacles are placed between the new two points. The process of temporarily wiring with or without. ■ A process of repeating the steps (■) and (2) above until there are no obstacles ■ A process in which the source that becomes the starting point in the above (■) is connected to a new source in order, and then the final source and target are connected between the specified two points. The process of recognizing the route. (4) The plurality of types of initial patterns are a total of 12 types of patterns, including 4 types of horizontal and vertical straight line patterns and 8 types of L-shaped patterns. Automatic search method for the route described.