JPH09128437A - Difference display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Problem] The contents of design changes and difference information of logic information before and after revision are displayed on a design drawing or a figure showing a net list in which the contents of design changes and logic information before and after revision are reflected. Enables intuitive and simple recognition and shortens design time. SOLUTION: Storage means for storing graphic information and logic information, information reading means for reading graphic information and logic information from the storage means, and information editing means for editing the graphic information and logic information read by the information reading means, Information storing means for reflecting the edited result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means on the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means, and the graphic information and logical information before and after editing by the information editing means And a display means for displaying the graphic information by changing the display attribute of the difference on the basis of the difference obtained by the difference obtaining means. .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a difference display device, and more particularly to a difference display device suitable for use in a graphic editing device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, in electronic / electrical design such as functional design, circuit design or printed circuit board design, or mechanical design such as housing design or assembly design, a graphic (graphic A CAD system that supports a design work by computer control is often used by using a graphic editing device (graphics display device) capable of displaying a graphic and editing the graphic.

By the way, C in conventional electronic / electrical design, etc.
In the AD system, for example, when a design change causes a change from a circuit diagram to a printed circuit board layout diagram or vice versa, a change from a printed circuit board layout diagram to a circuit diagram causes a circuit diagram or print. The CAD system has been designed to automatically reflect the changes to the board layout diagram all at once.

The confirmation of the change result processed by the CAD system is performed by displaying the changed circuit diagram or the figure showing the printed circuit board layout diagram on the display of the graphics display device after the completion of the change process, and the CAD system operator. This is performed by a method in which the (designer) visually confirms the changed portion of the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram (hereinafter, referred to as “first conventional method”).

However, in the above-mentioned first conventional method, when the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram is complicated, which information is displayed on the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram? There is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to accurately recognize in a short time whether the change has been made.
It has been pointed out that it takes time to make a decision as to whether or not the change processed by the system should be accepted.

In addition to the above-mentioned first conventional method, for example, the following method has been proposed as a method of confirming the change result processed by the CAD system.

That is, in addition to the data showing the changed circuit diagram and the printed circuit board layout diagram, the operator is provided with text data which is information showing only the changed portion in the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram in a sentence. Created separately, output this text data, and the operator visually confirms the changed part in the figure showing the circuit diagram or printed circuit board layout diagram while referring to the output contents. (Less than,
This is called the "second conventional method". ).

However, according to this second conventional method, it is necessary for the operator to separately create and output the text data indicating only the changed portion in the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram. However, there is a problem in that the operation by the operator for that purpose becomes complicated.

Further, also in the second conventional method, the operator must search for the changed portion in the figure showing the circuit diagram or the printed circuit board layout diagram while referring to the output contents. When the figure showing the printed circuit board layout diagram is complicated, it is still difficult for the operator to find the changed portion in the figure showing the circuit diagram or printed circuit board layout diagram in a short time. Therefore, to determine whether or not to accept the change result processed by the CAD system,
It was pointed out that it would take time.

Further, a functional design using a CAD system,
In electronic / electrical design such as circuit design or printed circuit board design and mechanical design such as housing design or assembly design, revision work of the completed design drawing is often used or a completely different new design is diverted. In some cases, a diversion design for creating a diagram is performed.

For example, as a method for an operator to confirm whether or not there is a change in logic information between a circuit diagram of the first version and a circuit diagram of the first version or later when performing revision work or diversion design of a circuit diagram or the like. , A method of extracting a net list from each of the first version of the circuit diagram and the first version of the circuit diagram, and displaying a graphic showing these two net lists on the display of the graphics display device to visually check (hereinafter,
This is called the "conventional third method". )It has been known.

However, according to this third conventional method, the operator needs to visually check the graphic showing the two net lists displayed on the display of the graphics display device. In a complicated case, it is difficult for the operator to accurately recognize the difference between the two netlists on the display of the graphics display device in a short time. It has been pointed out that it takes time to determine whether or not the logic information is changed between the diagram and the circuit diagrams after the first edition.

As a method for the operator to confirm whether or not the logic information is changed between the circuit diagram of the first edition and the circuit diagrams of the first and subsequent editions, in addition to the above-mentioned conventional third method, for example, the first edition is used. The netlist is extracted from each of the circuit diagrams of the above and the first and subsequent editions, and the information indicating the difference between these two netlists in text is separately created as text data, and this text data is output. Then
A method in which the operator confirms the change in the logic information between the first version of the circuit diagram and the first version of the circuit diagram while referring to the output contents (hereinafter referred to as "conventional fourth method").
Called. )It has been known.

However, according to the fourth conventional method, it is necessary for the operator to separately create and output the text data indicating the difference between the two netlists, which makes the operation for the operator complicated. There was a problem.

That is, in the conventional methods such as the first to fourth conventional methods described above, the contents of the design change and the difference information of the logical information before and after the revision are displayed on the display of the graphics display device. There is a problem that the operator cannot easily confirm the displayed circuit diagram or the figure showing the net list.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned various problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide information on design changes and difference information between logical information before and after revision. Enables operators to intuitively and easily recognize on the figure showing the design drawing or net list that reflects the contents of design changes and the logical information before and after revision, reducing design time. The present invention is intended to provide a difference display device that can be realized.

[0017]

To achieve the above object, a difference display device according to the present invention stores graphic information and logical information in the difference display device in a graphic editing device that handles graphic information having logical information. Storage means, information reading means for reading graphic information and logical information from the storage means, information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, graphic information edited by the information editing means, Information storing means for reflecting the edited result of the logical information on the graphic information and the logical information stored in the storage means, the graphic information and the logical information before the editing by the information editing means, and the graphic information and the logical information after the editing. Difference acquisition means for acquiring the difference of
Display means for displaying the graphic information by changing the display attribute of the difference based on the difference obtained by the difference acquisition means.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A difference display device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a CAD system including an example of an embodiment of a difference display device according to the present invention.

This CAD system has a central processing unit (C
The PU 10 controls the overall operation. The CPU 10 has a read-only memory (ROM) 1 via a bus line, which stores a program to be executed by the CPU 10 for performing various processes described below.
2 and a random area as a working area when the CPU 10 executes a program stored in the ROM 12.
An access memory (RAM) 14, a magnetic disk 16 as an external storage device which stores logical information and graphic information showing a circuit diagram and logical information and graphic information showing a printed circuit board layout diagram as a database, and a CP.
A first graphics display device 18 having a display for displaying a figure showing a circuit diagram under the control of U10
A second graphics display device 20 having a display for displaying a figure showing a printed circuit board layout diagram based on the control of the CPU 10, and a display content of the first graphics display device 18 and the second graphics display device 20. A keyboard 22 and a mouse 24 as operators for performing selection and editing instructions are connected.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the database stored on the magnetic disk 16 includes a database A1 for storing logical information indicating a connection relation in a circuit diagram displayed by the first graphics display device 18, and a database A1 for storing logical information. The database A2 that stores the graphic information indicating the shape of the graphic of the circuit diagram displayed by the first graphics display device 18, and the database that stores the logical information indicating the connection relationship in the board layout diagram displayed by the second graphics display device 20. B
1 and a database B2 that stores graphic information indicating the shape of the graphic of the board layout drawing displayed by the second graphics display device 18.

In other words, the first graphics display device 18 displays a circuit diagram based on the logical information stored in the database A1 and the graphic information stored in the database A2, and the second graphics display device 20 Displays a printed circuit board layout diagram based on the logical information stored in the database B1 and the graphic information stored in the database B2. That is, in this embodiment, the CP
Under the control of U10, the first graphics display device 18 is used as a circuit diagram graphic editing device (circuit diagram graphics editor), and the second graphics display device 20 is used as a printed circuit board layout diagram graphic editing device. (Graphics editor for PCB layout diagram)
Is used as

The logical information stored in the database A1 and the graphic information stored in the database A2 indicate that one object has a unique identification number (ID), and that the object has a unique ID. It has a structure in which logical information and graphic information are related.

In the logical information stored in the database B1 and the graphic information stored in the database A2, as with the logical information stored in the database A1 and the graphic information stored in the database A2, one object Have a unique identification number (ID), and have a structure in which the logical information and the graphic information of the object are related by the unique ID of the object.

The operation of the CAD system will be described. First, when the operator turns on the power to start the CAD system, the CPU 10 operates as a program for creating a circuit diagram of the first graphics display device 18. , Activates the circuit diagram data manager, which is a program for managing the tool and managing the circuit diagram data (logic information and graphic information of the circuit diagram) stored in the database A1 and the database A2, and activates the first graphics display device 18. The schematic data managed by the schematic data manager is displayed on the display (see FIG. 4).

Next, the operator selects a desired circuit diagram data as a processing target from the circuit diagram data managed by the circuit diagram data manager displayed on the display of the first graphics display device 18. . In this selection operation, the mouse 24 is operated to move the cursor to a file in which desired circuit diagram data is stored, and the mouse 2
Do this by double-clicking on 4. Then, when this selection operation is performed, the CPU 10 activates a program for controlling the first graphics display device 18, and causes the first graphics display device 18 to function as a circuit diagram graphics editor.

In order to facilitate understanding, in this embodiment, the file "A" (hereinafter referred to as "file A") is selected as the file storing the circuit diagram data. However, this file A is circuit diagram data composed of logic information and graphic information as described above.

When the above selection operation is performed, the CPU 10
When a program that controls the first graphics display device 18 is activated to cause the first graphics display device 18 to function as a circuit diagram graphics editor, a process based on the circuit diagram graphics editor is executed. Under the control of the CPU 10, the circuit diagram data of the file A is read from the magnetic disk 16 into the RAM 14, and is displayed in the circuit design graphics editor window which is the area for displaying the circuit diagram on the display of the first graphics display device 18. , A circuit diagram (graphic) based on the circuit diagram data of the file A read into the RAM 14 is displayed (see FIG. 2A).

Next, the operator activates the program for controlling the second graphics display device 20 so that the second graphics display device 20 functions as the graphics editor for the printed circuit board layout diagram.

Then, the operator corresponds to the circuit diagram based on the file A as a processing target to be displayed in the board layout graphics editor window which is an area for displaying the printed board layout diagram on the display of the second graphics display device 20. The file name storing the data of the printed circuit board layout diagram is input by the keyboard 22.

In order to facilitate understanding, in this embodiment, "file PCB" is input as the file name storing the data of the printed circuit board layout diagram corresponding to the circuit diagram based on the file A. However, the printed circuit board layout diagram data specified by the file PCB is data including the logical information and the graphic information of the printed circuit board layout diagram as described above.

When the operator finishes the input process of the file name storing the data of the printed circuit board layout diagram, the process based on the printed circuit board layout graphics editor is executed under the control of the CPU 10, and the magnetic disk 16 is used. The printed circuit board layout diagram data of the file PCB is read into the RAM 14, and the printed circuit board layout diagram data (graphics) based on the printed circuit board layout diagram data of the file PCB read into the RAM 14 is displayed in the substrate layout graphics editor window of the second graphics display device 20. ) Is displayed (see FIG. 2C). 2. Forward Annotation (Process that reflects changes in schematic data to PCB layout diagram data) Here, when the operator executes the process by the graphics editor for the schematic to edit (change) the schematic, etc. A case will be described in which the circuit diagram changing process is performed so that the logical connection information is changed.

In order to facilitate understanding, FIG.
From the "state A" of the circuit diagram displayed by the file A shown in (a) to the "state B" shown in FIG. 2B, that is, from the "state A" of the circuit diagram displayed by the file A to the component "R1".
Is deleted, and the pin “A” of the component “IC1” and the component “IC
A case will be described in which the circuit diagram is changed to "state B" in the display in which the pin "B" of "2" is connected to the net of the same potential.

When the circuit diagram change processing by the file A as described above is performed, the operator is informed of the CPU.
Design change that occurred in file A by 10
The operation for instructing the execution of the process to be reflected in the file PCB of the printed circuit board layout diagram corresponding to the circuit diagram of FIG. Such an operation may be set in advance on the CAD system by pressing a predetermined key on the keyboard, for example.

Further, when the CPU 10 executes the process of reflecting the design change generated in the file A in the file PCB, the method of displaying the difference information described later is also set by the control of the CPU 10.

Here, the display method of the difference information includes, for example, an "annotation display method" (FIG. 2D) and a "difference information display method" (FIG. 2E), as described later. Any of these may be automatically set, or the operator may be allowed to select a desired method.

Next, the CPU 10 executes a process of extracting a netlist and an attribute value list, which are text data, from the file A and the file PCB, respectively (see FIG. 3).

Here, all the connection information between each object (in this embodiment, "part") is described in the netlist, and each object (in this embodiment) is described in the attribute value list. In form,
They are "parts" and "net". ) Owns various attribute values (in this embodiment, for example, "component placement restriction information", "group name", "maximum wiring length of net", "minimum impedance", etc.) Is described.

The netlist has a format such as "net name: net type (power supply / ground / normal): element name: function name: component ID: pin number: schematic symbol ID: pin name;". Has been done.

As described above, when the netlist and the attribute value list, which are text data, are extracted from the file A and the file PCB by the control of the CPU 10, the CPU 10 causes the netlist 1 of the file A and the file PCB to be extracted. The difference information list is generated by performing a process (logical information difference extraction process) of extracting a “difference in logical connection information” generated between the file A and the file PCB by comparing it with the netlist 2 of FIG. (See Figure 3).

The CPU 10 will be described below with reference to FIG.
The "logical information difference extraction process" executed under the control of will be described in detail.

First, from the "state A" of the circuit diagram displayed by the file A shown in FIG. 2A to the "state B" shown in FIG. 2B, that is, the "state of the circuit diagram displayed by the file A. The circuit diagram is shown as "state B" of the display in which the component "R1" is deleted from "A" and the pin "A" of the component "IC1" and the pin "B" of the component "IC2" are connected by a net of the same potential. A case where the netlist 1 is set to “old information” and the netlist 2 is set to “new information” so as to change

In the "logical information difference extraction process" which is executed under the control of the CPU 10, first, a comparison is made for each component in the netlist. That is, the component “R1” and the symbol “1.cmp2” exist in the netlist 1, but do not exist in the netlist 2.
Judged as "deleted part", "unassigned part",
The “part net disconnection” and the “part deletion” are output to the difference information list 1 as difference information.

Next, a comparison is made for each pin in the netlist. That is, the symbol "1.cmp3 (IC2)"
Pin “B” exists in both netlist 1 and netlist 2, and the connected net is “NET2” in netlist 1 and “NET1” in netlist 2.
Therefore, it is determined that the "NET connection is changed" from "NET2" to "NET1", and is output to the difference information list 1.

Contrary to the above case, the case where the netlist 1 is "new information" and the netlist 2 is "old information" will be described. The "logical information difference extraction" executed by the control of the CPU 10 will be described. In the “processing”, similarly to the case where the netlist 1 is set to “old information” and the netlist 2 is set to “new information”, first, the component units in the netlist are compared. That is, the part “R1” and the symbol “1.cmp2” are present in the netlist 1 but not in the netlist 2, so that it is determined to be “addition of component” and “addition of component”. , "Component allocation" and "component net connection" are output to the difference information list 2 as difference information.

Next, a comparison is made for each pin in the netlist. That is, the symbol "1.cmp3 (IC2)"
Pin “B” exists in both netlist 1 and netlist 2, and the connected net is “NET2” in netlist 1 and “NET1” in netlist 2.
Therefore, it is determined that the “NET connection is changed” from “NET1” to “NET2” and is output to the difference information list 2.

Further, as in the case of the netlist 1 and the netlist 2 described above, the file A and the file PC are
By comparing the two attribute value lists with B, the “difference in attribute value information” generated between the file A and the file PCB is extracted, and a difference information list is created.

Then, the CPU 10 refers to the difference information list created from the net list and the attribute value list as described above, and by the preset method of displaying the difference information, the second graphics display device 20. The difference of the logical connection information is displayed on the printed board layout diagram displayed in the board layout graphics editor window.

Here, a process (difference information transmission process) of transmitting the difference information shown in the difference information list obtained as described above to the first graphics display device 18 or the second graphics display device 20. explain. The object that has changed is the part "R1".
And the pin "B" of the component "IC2 (1.cmp3)".

First, the netlist 1 is set to "old information",
Explaining the case where the netlist 2 is “new information”, the CPU 10 executes “deletion of component R1” and “component IC”.
2 change the net of pin B (change from NET2 to NET1) "and send a command to the board layout graphics editor by inter-tool communication. Then, the board layout graphics editor receives the transmitted command and executes the command.

Also, the netlist 1 is set as "new information",
Explaining the case where the netlist 2 is "old information", the CPU 10 "adds the component R1" and "component IC"
2 change the net of pin B (change from NET1 to NET2) ", and send a command to the graphic editor for circuit diagram by inter-tool communication. Then, the circuit diagram graphics editor receives the transmitted command and executes the command.

As a method for transmitting the difference information shown in the difference information list obtained as described above to the first graphics display device 18 or the second graphics display device 20, the inter-tool communication described above is used. In addition to the method of transmitting a command to the board layout graphics editor or the circuit diagram graphics editor for processing, a batch batch processing method of directly updating the database can also be used.

Next, the method of displaying the difference information will be described. As the method of displaying the difference information, for example, the “annotation display method” (FIG. 2D) and the “difference information display method” (FIG. 2).
(E)).

Here, the "annotation display method" is to reflect the difference information in the database B1 and the database B2, generate the annotation information at that time, and reflect it in the database 2. Therefore, in this "annotation display method", the difference information is a character string (in the example shown in FIG. 2D, "deleted part [R1]" and "net change [NE
T1] ”. ) Will be displayed.

On the other hand, in the "difference information display method",
The difference information is reflected in the database B1 and the database B2, the difference information of the graphic information is generated at that time, and reflected in the database 2. Therefore, in this "difference information display method", the difference information is displayed as a graphic.

Further, in this case, before the difference information is definitely reflected, the display mode of the changed object is changed, for example, by changing the display color, blinking (blinking), or displaying the change information in a balloon. For example, change to temporary by prompting the operator to confirm the changed part, and after confirming the operator, the difference information is deterministically confirmed to the database B1 (database A1) and the database B.
2 (database A2).

When the difference information is reflected in the database B1 (database A1) and the database B2 (database A2) after confirmation by the operator as described above, a message is generated and the board layout graphics are generated by inter-tool communication. The command may be transmitted to the editor or the graphic editor for the schematic.

As described above, the difference contents, that is, the changed contents are displayed on the first graphics display device 18 or the second graphics display device 20, but when this change does not suit the operator. , The operator performs an operation to instruct the cancellation of the change, and the CPU
10 executes a process of canceling the change. Since such an instruction cancellation process is a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, when the difference contents displayed on the first graphics display device 18 or the second graphics display device 20, that is, the changed contents are appropriate, an operation for instructing the reflection of the changes is performed, and As described above, the processing for definitively reflecting the change in the predetermined database is performed. That is, the CPU 1
0 reflects "difference in logical connection information" in a predetermined database by referring to the difference information list.

When a component is added, an alignment process is automatically performed as an unplaced component outside the board area. Then, the operator will instruct the parts and determine the actual arrangement.

On the contrary, when a component is added in the backward annotation described later, an extension page (area) for the backward annotation is prepared in the circuit diagram data, and the additional component is added like the forward annotation. With respect to, the unaligned symbols are automatically aligned on the extended page. Then, the operator will specify the symbol and decide the actual placement page and placement position. 3. Backward Annotation (Process for Reflecting Changes in Printed Circuit Board Layout Diagram Data in Circuit Diagram Data) Next, the backward annotation will be described. Normally, when designing a single printed circuit board, the circuit diagram must be from multiple pages. Often composed. In addition, a circuit diagram page may have circuit diagram data of a lower hierarchy. FIG. 4A shows an example of the above case, that is, the “file A” of the circuit diagram data is “001”, “002” and “003”.
It consists of pages. Then, "file B" is included as the circuit diagram data of the lower hierarchy. This "file B" is circuit diagram data composed of two pages, "001" and "002".

Here, in the process of the board layout graphic editor, some editing is performed on the printed board layout diagram, and the difference information generated by the change of the board layout data is processed by the circuit diagram graphics editor. When performing backward annotation on the schematic data, an example of displaying so that it is possible to visually recognize which data has been changed in the page constituting the schematic data of the file A or in the lower layer schematic, It is shown in FIG.

That is, when the operator modifies the printed circuit board layout diagram such that the logical connection information is modified in the process of the graphic editor for circuit board layout, the operator operates the file P by the CPU 10.
An operation is instructed to execute a process of reflecting the design change generated in the CB in the file A of the circuit diagram corresponding to the printed circuit board layout diagram of the file PCB. Such an operation may be set in advance on the CAD system by pressing a predetermined key on the keyboard, for example. Here, it is assumed that the circuit diagram data manager prepares all information necessary for backward annotation on the file A. That is, the schematic data manager
It is possible to generate a single database by flatly expanding different databases having a hierarchical relationship of a file A and a file B. This is not displayed in the display area of the schematic data manager,
It is held inside the CAD system and is referenced during backward annotation. Then, in this database (hereinafter referred to as "instance database"), information is stored on which page of which hierarchical data the parts such as "IC1" and "R1" in the above example are. ing.

By referring to the instance database and the difference information list, it is possible to detect which page or hierarchy actually changes.

In the inside of the instance database, "component identifier: circuit diagram data name and page number in which the component exists: upper circuit diagram data name and its page number ...: highest circuit diagram data name and its Page number; Net identifier: Schematic data name and page number in which the net exists, ...: Schematic data name and page number in which the net exists ".

Specifically, as in "IC1: fileB.002: fileA.001; R1: fileC.001: fileB.001: fileA.001; NET1: fileB.001, fileB.002, fileA.001". be written.

In the above example, the file A (fileA) is used.
For one instance database "insA"
And includes all the information of the lower hierarchy.

For example, when the component "IC1" is changed, the corresponding information is retrieved by the component identifier,
The data in which the parts exist is the circuit diagram data “File B (f
ile B) ”page“ 002 ”.

At this time, it is determined that the display state should be changed to "fileA", "fileB", and "002", and the picture information (in the display area of the circuit diagram data manager corresponding to these data ( The display of the icon as the user interface object) may be changed.

Further, when backward annotation is performed on "fileA", the data whose change occurs is page "001" and page "00" of "fileB".
2 ".

In this case, the modified data is detected by the processing of the circuit diagram data manager, and the circuit diagram data "fileA", its page "001", and the circuit diagram data "fileB" are displayed on the display area of the circuit diagram data manager. And the page "002" are changed (for example, the display color is changed), and the operator can easily visually recognize the change.

At this time, by changing the display state and linking each data with the contents of the difference information list, the operator can use the first graphics display device 18 or the second graphics display device 20 to draw a graphic. It is also possible to confirm only the difference information regarding the data as text data by operating the menu without displaying. 4. Application of the Present Invention to a Documentation Editing Apparatus Next, a case where the present invention is applied to a documentation editing apparatus will be described.

In the following description, the example shown in FIG. 5 will be used. FIG. 5 shows an example in the case of creating the original data for sending the invitation letter for the "20th anniversary party" by e-mail or the like.

This documentation editing device can handle data such as sentences, hypertexts, figures, images, etc., and these data are internally composed of physical information and logical information.

Here, the logical information is composed of “information identifier: contents: reference file name”, and the information identifier is of the type of logical information (text, image, hypertext, etc.) and its type. It is composed of the ID.

The content indicates information displayed on the screen such as the content of the sentence.

The reference file name indicates the location (directory) and file name where various files used in images, hypertext, etc. exist. Things.

For example, "high 1: lottery ticket: / text /
party_20 / chizu1. In "bmp", the character string displayed in the first data of the hypertext information is "lottery ticket", and when the character string is selected with an operator such as a mouse, the displayed data is "/ text / par".
ty — 20 / chizu1. bmp ”.

The physical information is composed of "information identifier: x-direction display position: y-direction display position: display attribute", and the information identifier is the same as the logical information type ( (Text, image, hypertext, etc.) and an ID in its type, and the information identifier connects the logical information and the physical information.

The x-direction display position and the y-direction display position are
When the target is a character string, it is represented by a character coordinate system (row, column), and when the target is a figure or image, it is represented by an xy coordinate system.

The display attributes represent modification information for characters (emphasis, italics, font, etc.) and modification information for figures (line width, color, line type, etc.). Things.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the data of the file 1 and the data of the file 2 obtained by modifying the data of the file 1 are compared. Then, the difference extraction method is executed by the procedure of the following processing 1 to processing 3.

First, when the difference is checked under the condition of only the logical information: In process 1, the difference is checked as a noun, but in the example shown in FIG. 5, there is no data deleted or added as a noun. There is no data to be extracted as a difference by the process 1.

Next, when the process 2 is performed and the attribute is checked, a difference is found between the reference file name of the image 1 and the reference file name of the hypertext "lottery ticket". Will be.

Then, the coordinate positions of the image 1 and the high 1 are obtained from the physical information, and that portion is highlighted.

Further, when the condition including physical information is checked: In process 3, a difference between the date display position portion of the sentence 8 and the line width of the circle 1 is detected. Therefore, the sentence 8 and the portion of the circle 1 are also highlighted.

It should be noted that in FIG. 5, the difference between circles 1 is the difference in line width, which is very small and therefore difficult to judge visually, but according to the present invention, it can be easily checked. become.

Further, unlike the above-mentioned documentation editing device, even a text-only editing device,
The physical information and the logical information are represented by “Physical information: = information identifier: x position: y position: display position logical information: = information identifier: contents (“ content ”is a character value, that is, one character information such as“ a ”) Is entered.) " To When the above is changed (the character "6" and the character "7" are added in the middle), in the conventional method of performing line-by-line comparison (simple character string comparison), all the character strings are changed as shown in FIG. Since it is displayed in the same font, the corrected part becomes difficult to understand, but if the present invention is applied and a difference is searched for only on the condition of logical information and the difference font is displayed differently from other character strings As shown in FIG. 7, the difference can be easily checked.

That is, the present invention can be applied effectively when only character string data is handled. 5. Application of the Present Invention to User Interface Object Furthermore, when the present invention is applied as a user interface object to, for example, an icon, in the case of an icon, the physical information is “icon identifier: icon display x coordinate: icon. The display y-coordinates "and the logical information are" icon identifier: icon shape: execution command character string ".- The icon shape is the figure information of the displayed icon (bitmap data in the case of a personal computer). The storage location (directory) and its file name are shown.

The execution command character string indicates the storage location (directory) of the command or the like to be activated when that icon is selected and its file name. Shall be.

Then, for example, if the present invention is applied assuming that a certain system is updated (the latest program, environment, etc. are changed and overwritten):-The added / deleted files are "addition of noun / You can find it easily with the "Check for Deletion" process.

The modified / edited file can be found by checking the execution command character string, which is one of the attributes of the icon, in the "check attribute" process (check the execution command character Check the difference in the columns themselves, the file size indicated by the execution command character string, the difference in the update date, etc.). Is performed.

By executing the above-described processing, the icon whose execution command character string has been changed can be highlighted.

Recently, the above-mentioned upgrade is performed by the operation of one button, and it is very difficult to check which part of the CAD system is actually changed. By applying the present invention, it is possible to easily visually check the difference between the two.

Further, when a program is updated on a personal computer or the like, it becomes easy to check whether the update has been normally executed.

Further, as described in the above CAD system, in a personal computer / workstation,
Although a tool called a file manager is used as a file management tool, the present invention can be applied to the processing of such a file manager.

FIG. 8 shows a general display example by the file manager. In this case, the file icon means a figure including file * / dir * in FIG.

In this case, the physical information is "file icon identifier: file icon shape: file icon display x coordinate: file icon display y coordinate", and the logical information is "file icon identifier: file name character string: file icon identifier". , ..., File icon identifier "to check the difference in file size / update date. If" file7 "is changed in FIG.
Not only is “file7” highlighted, but also “di7
Since there is a file icon identifier of “file7” in the logical information of “r1”, it is considered that “dir1” has been changed easily, “dir1” is also highlighted, and “di1” is highlighted.
Similarly, "r0" is highlighted.

Further, in addition to such processing, by adding the processing described in the documentation editing apparatus, it is possible to display only the different portion inside the file.

That is, when the contents of the file have been changed, the modified file can be specified first by using the present invention. After that, when the present invention is applied to the inside of the file as described in the documentation editing device, it becomes possible to display only the characters of the changed portion inside the file.

In the above description, the icon has been described as the user interface object which is the picture information displayed on the screen, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the user interface object other than the icon is displayed on the screen, for example. Of course, the present invention may be applied to user interface objects such as buttons and scroll bars.

For example, in the case where the user interface object is a button and this button is operated using an operator such as a keyboard or a mouse, the physical information is "button identifier: button display x coordinate: button display y coordinate". By defining the logical information as "button identifier: button shape file name: execution command character string", the present invention can be applied.

The same applies to other user interface objects as for the buttons described above.

Generally, many installation tools for personal computers and the like automatically rewrite system files without considering the user's intention. When moving the directories to the tools, a lot of knowledge about the personal computer is required. However, by applying the present invention to the file manager in this way, it becomes possible to easily understand the reorganization of the file.

[0104]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is configured as described above, the contents of design change and the difference information of the logical information before and after the revision are reflected in the contents of the design change and the logical information before and after the revision. The operator can intuitively and easily recognize the design drawing or the figure showing the net list, which is an excellent effect that the design time can be significantly shortened.

That is, according to the present invention, in a CAD system or the like which handles graphic information having a logical connection relationship such as a circuit diagram and a printed circuit board layout diagram, (1) it is easy to make a difference in logic information caused by a design change. It can be confirmed intuitively in a short time.

(2) Errors in design change work can be reduced.

(3) It is possible to easily and intuitively confirm the difference in logical information in the revision work in a short time.

(4) When the editing work is performed by utilizing the past design data in the diversion design or the like, the information changed in the circuit design or the information changed in the board editing is printed on the circuit diagram or the board layout. Therefore, it is possible to easily and intuitively confirm in a short time. In addition to the above, the operating system that manages files and tools by user interface objects that are pictorial information such as icons, buttons, scroll bars, etc. (1) Various word processors, spreadsheets, etc. When installing the application software, the changed file and its contents can be easily confirmed, and troubles on the operating system that occur during installation can be prevented.

(2) When setting / changing the environment by updating various application software, etc., it becomes possible to easily confirm the file in which the setting / change has occurred and its contents. / It is possible to prevent troubles on the operating system that occur when changing. And so on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a CAD system including a difference display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a case of award annotation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of logical information difference extraction processing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a case of back annotation.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a documentation editing device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example by a conventional text-only editing device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example by a text-only editing device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a general display example by a file manager.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 12 ROM 14 RAM 16 Magnetic Disk 18 First Graphics Display Device 20 Second Graphics Display Device 22 Keyboard 24 Mouse

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A difference display device in a graphic editing device for handling graphic information having logical information, comprising: storage means for storing the graphic information and the logical information; and information reading means for reading the graphic information and the logical information from the storage means. Information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, and the editing result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means, into the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means. Information storage means to reflect, difference acquisition means for acquiring the difference between the graphic information and logical information before editing by the information editing means and the graphic information and logical information after editing, and the difference obtained by the difference acquiring means And a display means for displaying the graphic information by changing the display attribute of the difference based on the graphic information. Difference display device in collecting device. 2. A difference display device in a graphic editing device for handling graphic information having logical information, comprising: storage means for storing the graphic information and the logical information; and information reading means for reading the graphic information and the logical information from the storage means. Information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, and the editing result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means, into the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means. Information storage means to reflect, difference acquisition means for acquiring the difference between the logical information before editing by the information editing means and the logical information after editing by the information editing means, and based on the difference obtained by the difference acquiring means, A difference display device in a graphic editing device, comprising: display means for changing display attributes and displaying graphic information. 3. A difference display device in a graphic editing device that handles graphic information having logical information, storage means for storing the graphic information and the logical information, and information reading means for reading the graphic information and the logical information from the storage means. Information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, and the editing result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means, into the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means. Information storing means to be reflected, and a reference selecting means for selecting whether to obtain logical information or logical information and graphic information as a reference for obtaining a difference before and after editing by the information editing means. A difference between before and after editing by the information editing means is obtained according to the criterion selected by the criterion selecting means. A difference display device in a graphic editing device, comprising: difference acquisition means; and display means for changing the display attribute of the difference and displaying graphic information based on the difference obtained by the difference acquisition means. 4. A difference display device in a graphic editing device that handles graphic information having logical information configured by including a first system and a second system, wherein the graphic information and the logical information in the first system and Storage means for storing graphic information and logic information in the second system, first system information reading means for reading graphic information and logic information in the first system from the storage means, and second system from the storage means The second system information reading means for reading the graphic information and the logical information in, the graphic information and the logical information in the first system read by the first system information reading means, and the second system information reading means. A comparison comparing graphic and logical information in a loaded second system And a display attribute of a portion different from the graphic information and the logical information in the second system in the graphic information and the logical information in the first system, based on the comparison result obtained by the comparing means, A difference display device in a graphic editing device, comprising: display means for displaying graphic information in one system. 5. A difference display device in a CAD system that handles graphic information having logic information, storage means for storing graphic information and logic information, information reading means for reading graphic information and logic information from the storage means, Information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, and the editing result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means is reflected in the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means. Based on the difference obtained by the difference obtaining means; and an information storing means for obtaining the difference between the graphic information and logical information before editing by the information editing means and the difference between the graphic information and logical information after editing And a display means for displaying the graphic information by changing the display attribute of the difference. Difference display device in D system. 6. A difference display device in a CAD system for handling graphic information having logical information configured by including a first system and a second system, wherein the graphic information and the logical information in the first system and the Storage means for storing graphic information and logic information in the second system; first system information reading means for reading graphic information and logic information in the first system from the storage means; and storage means in the second system from the storage means. Second system information reading means for reading graphic information and logical information, graphic information and logical information in the first system read by the first system information reading means, and read by the second system information reading means Ratio comparing graphical and logical information in a second system And a display attribute of a portion different from the graphic information and the logical information in the second system in the graphic information and the logical information in the first system, based on the comparison result obtained by the comparing means, A display means for displaying graphic information in one system.
Difference display device in AD system. 7. A difference display device in a document editing device that handles texts and graphics, storage means for storing text information, graphic information and respective attribute information, and text information, graphic information and respective attribute information from the storage means. Information reading means for reading the text information read by the information reading means, information editing means for editing graphic information and respective attribute information, and text information edited by the information editing means, graphic information and respective attribute information An information storage unit for reflecting the edited result in the text information, graphic information and respective attribute information stored in the storage unit; and text information before editing by the information editing unit, graphic information and respective attribute information and after editing Differences between text information, graphic information, and attribute information Difference display in a documentation editing apparatus, characterized by having acquisition means and display means for displaying sentence information and graphic information by changing the display attribute of the difference based on the difference obtained by the difference acquisition means. apparatus. 8. A difference display device in a CAD system that handles circuit diagrams and printed circuit board layout diagrams, storage means for storing graphic information and logic information, and information reading means for reading graphic information and logic information from the storage means. Information editing means for editing the graphic information and logical information read by the information reading means, and the editing result of the graphic information and logical information edited by the information editing means, into the graphic information and logical information stored in the storage means. Information storage means for reflecting the information, difference acquisition means for acquiring the difference between the graphic information and logical information before editing by the information editing means, and the graphic information and logical information after editing by the information editing means, and the difference obtained by the difference acquiring means. And a display means for changing the display attribute of the difference and displaying the graphic information. A difference display device in a CAD system that handles a characteristic circuit diagram and a printed circuit board layout diagram. 9. A CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram and a CA capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram.
In the differential display device in the D system, from a CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram, a circuit diagram information reading means for reading circuit diagram information including logical information and graphic information, and a CAD system capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram Printed circuit board layout diagram information reading means for reading printed circuit board layout diagram information consisting of logical information and graphic information, circuit diagram information read by the circuit diagram information reading means, and read by the printed circuit board layout diagram information reading means. Comparing means for comparing the printed circuit board layout diagram information with the printed circuit board layout diagram information, and changing the display attribute of the portion of the printed circuit board layout diagram information different from the circuit diagram information based on the comparison result obtained by the comparing circuit. Display graphic information in layout diagram information A differential display device in a CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram and a CAD system capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram, characterized in that it has a display means as shown. 10. A CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram and a C capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram.
In a differential display device in an AD system, a circuit diagram information reading means for reading circuit diagram information including logic information and graphic information from a CAD system capable of circuit diagram creation / editing, and a CAD system capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram , Printed circuit board layout diagram information reading means for reading printed circuit board layout diagram information consisting of logic information and graphic information, circuit diagram information read by the circuit diagram information reading means, and read by the printed circuit board layout diagram information reading means Comparing means for comparing the printed circuit board layout diagram information with the printed circuit board layout diagram information, and changing the display attribute of a portion of the circuit diagram information different from the printed circuit board layout diagram information based on the comparison result obtained by the comparing means. Display means for displaying graphic information in information A CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram and a difference display device in a CAD system capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram, characterized in that 11. A CAD system capable of creating / editing a circuit diagram and a C capable of creating / editing a printed circuit board layout diagram.
In a difference display device in an AD system, a circuit diagram information reading means for reading circuit diagram information including logical information and graphic information from a CAD system capable of circuit diagram creation / editing, and a hierarchy in the circuit diagram creating / editing CAD system Hierarchical design data managing / displaying means for expressing designed circuit diagram information, and circuit diagram information managing / representing means for expressing circuit diagram information composed of a plurality of pages in a CAD system capable of creating / editing circuit diagrams. Display means, and a printed circuit board layout diagram information reading means for reading printed circuit board layout diagram information consisting of logical information and graphic information from a CAD system capable of creating / editing the printed circuit board layout diagram and the circuit diagram information reading means. Read circuit diagram information and printed circuit board layout diagram information Comparing means for comparing the printed circuit board layout diagram information read by the embedding means and the display attribute of the circuit diagram information different from the printed circuit board layout diagram information based on the comparison result obtained by the comparing means. And a display means for displaying graphic information in the circuit diagram information, and a change for displaying in which hierarchy, in the case of the circuit diagram information having a hierarchical design when displaying on the display means. A circuit characterized by having a hierarchical display means and a changed page display means for displaying on which page, in the case of circuit diagram information composed of a plurality of pages, which page has been changed CAD system capable of drawing / editing and difference display device in CAD system capable of creating / editing printed circuit board layout 12. An icon representing a file and a tool when setting / changing an environment by installing or updating various application software in a difference display device in an operating system for performing file management and tool management by icons. When there is a change in the logical information related to, the difference management means that extracts and saves the difference information and history information due to the change, and the change of the display attribute of the icon A differential display device in an operating system for performing file management and tool management by icons, which has a display unit for displaying. 13. A differential display device in an operating system that operates a user interface object displayed on a screen using an operator to operate tools such as file management and tool management, and installs or updates various application software. A difference management means for extracting and saving difference information and history information due to the change when the logical information related to the user interface object is changed when the environment is set / changed by A user interface object displayed on the screen, which has a display means for changing the display attribute of the user interface object and displaying the change on the user interface object. Stomach and operation, file management, differential display device in the operating system to perform the operation of the tool, such as tool management.