Drawing assistance program, drawing assistance device, and drawing assistance method

Abstract

The operation reception unit (111) receives a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components displayed on a screen. The selection order determination unit (112) determines the selection order of the plurality of components on the basis of the selection operation received by the operation reception unit (111) and the positional relationship of the plurality of components on the screen. A parent-child relationship setting unit (113) sets, for a plurality of components, a parent-child relationship in which a component having a preceding selection order is set as a parent component and a component having a following selection order is set as a child component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drawing assistance program, a drawing assistance device and a drawing assistance method. Background Art

[0002] As one of the known drawing assistance technologies, there is a technique for establishing parent-child relationships between multiple components displayed on a screen. When multiple components are established with parent-child relationships, the parent component's settings are inherited by the child components, thereby facilitating component operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for establishing parent-child relationships between graphics displayed on a screen in an application that creates a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3402350 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology, it is required to be able to more easily set the parent-child relationship for a plurality of components and to reduce the workload required for setting the plurality of components.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drawing support program or the like that can reduce the workload required for setting a plurality of components.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the drawing auxiliary program of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] kick in:

[0008] an operation receiving unit for receiving a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components displayed on the screen;

[0009] a selection order determination unit that determines a selection order of the plurality of components based on the selection operation received by the operation reception unit and a positional relationship between the plurality of components on the screen; and

[0010] The parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship for the plurality of components, wherein the component that is selected first is a parent component and the component that is selected later is a child component.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] In the present invention, the order in which the multiple components are selected is determined based on the selection operation performed on the multiple components displayed on the screen and the positional relationship of the multiple components on the screen. A parent-child relationship is established for the multiple components, with the component selected earlier in the selection order being the parent component and the component selected later in the selection order being the child component. Therefore, the present invention can reduce the workload required to set up multiple components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of components displayed on the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a first example of a selection operation input to the drawing support device according to the first embodiment for drawing a linear trajectory and a parent-child relationship set by the selection operation.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a second example of a selection operation for drawing a linear trajectory input to the drawing support device according to the first embodiment and a parent-child relationship set by the selection operation.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a first example of a selection operation for drawing a rectangular area input to the drawing support device according to the first embodiment and a parent-child relationship set by the selection operation.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a second example of a selection operation for drawing a rectangular area input to the drawing support device according to the first embodiment and a parent-child relationship set by the selection operation.

[0019] Figure 7 This diagram shows an example of a parent-child relationship established by a selection operation of drawing a linear trajectory when the shapes of a plurality of components displayed in the drawing support device according to the first embodiment are shapes other than rectangles.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of selection order information generated in the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of parent-child relationship information generated in the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of applying settings to a plurality of components having a parent-child relationship in the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a flowchart showing the flow of parent-child relationship setting processing executed by the drawing support device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a flowchart showing the flow of setting application processing executed by the drawing assistance device according to the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing an example of a parent-child relationship set in the drawing support device according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 14 This figure shows an example of changing edges to which a parent-child relationship is set in the drawing support device according to the third embodiment.

[0027] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing an example of changing components to which a parent-child relationship is set in the drawing support device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0028] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of changing components to which a parent-child relationship is set in the drawing support device according to the fifth embodiment.

[0029] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing an example in which the parent-child relationship set between components is reversed in the drawing support device according to the sixth embodiment.

[0030] Figure 18 This is a diagram showing an example of parent-child relationship information generated in the drawing support device according to the sixth embodiment.

[0031] Figure 19 This is a flowchart showing the flow of setting application processing executed by the drawing assistance device according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Below, with reference to the attached Figure 1 In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0033] (Implementation Method 1)

[0034] Figure 1 The following shows the configuration of a drawing assistance device 10 according to Embodiment 1. The drawing assistance device 10 is a device in which drawing software is installed, and has a function of assisting a user's operation related to drawing.

[0035] Drawing software, as used herein, refers to HMI (Human Machine Interface) screen design software used to design the appearance and internal behavior of screens within an HMI. Drawing software is GUI application software that has the ability to organize and edit multiple components configured on a screen. For example, drawing software is used to draw screens displayed on programmable displays, which display the status of devices such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and sensors and receive operations directed to those devices.

[0036] The drawing assisting device 10 is a terminal device operated by a user. The drawing assisting device 10 may be any device as long as it is a terminal device that can be operated by a user, such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. Figure 1 As shown, the drawing assisting device 10 includes a control unit 11 , a storage unit 12 , an operation unit 13 , a display unit 14 , and a communication unit 15 .

[0037] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU, also known as a central processing unit, central computing unit, processor, microprocessor, or microcomputer, functions as a processing unit that executes processes and calculations related to the control of the drawing assistance device 10. Within the control unit 11, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the storage unit 12 and operates to centrally control the drawing assistance device 10.

[0038] The storage unit 12 includes ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, and the like. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to perform various processes. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 as it performs various processes. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores selection order information 121 and parent-child relationship information 122.

[0039] The operation unit 13 includes input devices such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a keyboard, a mouse, and physical buttons, and receives operation input from the user. The user can input various instructions to the drawing support device 10 by operating the operation unit 13 .

[0040] The display unit 14 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, etc. The display unit 14 is driven by a display driving circuit (not shown) to display various images.

[0041] The communication unit 15 includes a communication interface for communicating with devices external to the drawing assistance apparatus 10. For example, the communication unit 15 communicates with devices external to the drawing assistance apparatus 10 in accordance with a known communication standard such as LAN (Local Area Network) or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0042] The control unit 11 functionally includes an operation receiving unit 111 as an example of an operation receiving unit, a selection order determination unit 112 as an example of a selection order determination unit, a parent-child relationship setting unit 113 as an example of a parent-child relationship setting unit, and a setting application unit 114 as an example of a setting application unit.

[0043] The above functions are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 realizes each function by executing the program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0044] <Select the receiving operation>

[0045] The operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components displayed on the screen. Here, a component is an element included as an image on the display screen. More specifically, a component corresponds to a GUI component, graphics, etc. used for HMI operations. Examples of components include components representing specific items such as a table placed in a room or parts that constitute a product, components representing specific functions such as switches and meters, and components representing data such as text and graphics.

[0046] Figure 2 , as an example, illustrates a case where five parts A to E are displayed on the screen of display unit 14. The user operates operation unit 13 to input a selection operation for selecting a plurality of parts to be grouped from the five parts A to E displayed on the screen. Operation reception unit 111 receives the operation of selecting a plurality of parts from the five parts A to E displayed on the screen in accordance with the user's input selection operation.

[0047] In addition, Figure 2 In the figure, for ease of understanding, components A to E are each a quadrilateral of the same size. However, the multiple components displayed on the screen are not limited to quadrilaterals, and may be other shapes including polygons, circles, ellipses, etc., and may have different sizes.

[0048] Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation will be described. The selection operation is from Figure 2 Select three components A to C from the five components A to E shown. The operation receiving unit 111 can receive a selection operation in the following two selection methods: (1) inputting a linear trajectory to a position on the screen that crosses multiple components; and (2) inputting a rectangular area to a position on the screen that overlaps multiple components.

[0049] (1) As a first selection method, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation for inputting a linear trajectory to a position on the screen that crosses a plurality of components. Here, the linear trajectory is a linear trajectory drawn by the user on the screen, and may be a straight trajectory or a curved trajectory.

[0050] The user operates the operation unit 13 to input a selection operation. This selection operation involves drawing a straight or curved line on the screen so that it at least partially overlaps with the multiple components to be selected. Specifically, the user moves a finger, a touch pen, or the like on the touch panel, or drags a mouse or pointing device, etc., to trace the multiple components to be selected. The operation receiving unit 111 receives the selection operation input in this manner.

[0051] For example, in Figure 3 As shown in the upper layer of , the user has input a selection operation, selecting three parts A to C. This selection operation draws a linear trajectory L1 across three of the five parts A to E. Linear trajectory L1 runs from a starting point above part A to an end point below part C, crossing part A from its top to its bottom, part B from its top to its left, and part C from its top to its right.

[0052] Or, in Figure 4 As shown in the upper layer of , the user has selected three components B through D by inputting a selection operation. This selection operation draws a linear trajectory L2 across three components C, B, and D among the five components A through E. Linear trajectory L2 runs from a starting point below component C to an end point to the right of component D, crossing component C from its bottom to its top, crossing component B from its bottom to its top, and crossing component D from its left to its right.

[0053] As described above, the user inputs a linear trajectory on the screen so as to cross the plurality of components to be selected. By selecting components in this way, it is possible to select a plurality of components intuitively and with a small number of operations.

[0054] (2) As a second selection method, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation of inputting a rectangular area at a position overlapping with a plurality of components on the screen. Here, the rectangular area refers to a rectangular area created by the user on the screen.

[0055] The user operates the operation unit 13 to input a selection operation, which draws a two-dimensional area on the screen so that it at least partially overlaps multiple components to be selected. Specifically, the user moves a finger, stylus, or the like on the touch panel from a starting point to an end point, or drags a pointer displayed on the screen from a starting point to an end point, so that the multiple components to be selected are overlapped. The operation receiving unit 111 receives the selection operation input in this manner.

[0056] For example, in Figure 5 As shown in the upper layer of FIG, the user has input a selection operation to select three parts A to C. This selection operation draws a rectangular region R1 at positions overlapping three parts A to C among the five parts A to E. Rectangular region R1 extends from the upper left starting point of part A to the lower right end point of part C, covering the range with the start and end points as opposing vertices.

[0057] Or, in Figure 6 As shown in the upper layer of , the user has input a selection operation, selecting three parts: B, C, and E. This selection operation draws a rectangular area R2 at a position overlapping three of the five parts A to E: B, C, and E. Rectangular area R2 extends from the starting point at the upper left of part B to the end point at the lower right of part E, covering the range with the starting point and the end point as opposing vertices.

[0058] As described above, the user inputs a rectangular area on the screen so as to overlap the plurality of components to be selected. By selecting components in this way, it is possible to select a plurality of components intuitively and with a small number of operations.

[0059] <Determination of the order of selecting parts>

[0060] return Figure 1 The selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of the plurality of components selected based on the selection operation received by the operation receiving unit 111 and the positional relationship between the plurality of components selected on the screen. Specifically, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of the plurality of components based on the selection method of the plurality of components in the received selection operation and the positional relationship between the plurality of components on the screen.

[0061] (1) When the operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation inputting a linear trajectory, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of the components, starting from the component crossed by the linear trajectory among the selected components.

[0062] For example, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input such as Figure 3In the case of a selection operation of the linear track L1 shown in the upper layer of the , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of component selection as the order in which the linear track L1 crosses, that is, the order of component A, component B, and component C. The selection order of components determined in this way is Figure 3 The lower layers are represented by numbers surrounded by quadrilaterals.

[0063] Alternatively, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input such as Figure 4 In the case of a selection operation of the linear track L2 shown in the upper layer of the , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of component selection as the order in which the linear track L2 crosses, that is, the order of component C, component B, and component D. The selection order of the components determined in this way is Figure 4 The lower layers are represented by numbers surrounded by quadrilaterals.

[0064] As described above, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the plurality of components existing at positions overlapping the linear trajectory input as the selection operation in the order in which the linear trajectory crosses.

[0065] (2) When the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input operation for selecting a rectangular area, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of the components starting from the component closest to the starting point of the rectangular area among the selected components.

[0066] More specifically, if the rectangular area is vertically elongated, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the components, starting with the component with the smallest absolute value of the difference between its longitudinal coordinate and the starting point of the rectangular area. If multiple components with the same longitudinal coordinate exist within the rectangular area, the selection order determination unit 112 prioritizes the component with the smallest absolute value of the difference between its transverse coordinate and the starting point of the rectangular area. Furthermore, if multiple components with both the same longitudinal and transverse coordinates exist within the rectangular area, the selection order determination unit 112 prioritizes the component located on the back of the component.

[0067] In contrast, if the rectangular area is horizontally long, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the components, starting with the component with the smallest absolute value of the difference between its horizontal coordinate and the starting point of the rectangular area. If there are multiple components with the same horizontal coordinate within the rectangular area, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the component with the smallest absolute value of the difference between its vertical coordinate and the starting point of the rectangular area to be higher in the selection order. Furthermore, if there are multiple components with the same vertical and horizontal coordinates within the rectangular area, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the component located on the back side to be higher in the selection order.

[0068] For example, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 5 In the case of a selection operation of the vertically long rectangular area R1 shown in the upper layer of FIG, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of component selection as the order of components A, component B, and component C, which are closer to the starting point of the rectangular area R1 in the comparison of the vertical coordinates. Figure 5 The lower layers are represented by numbers surrounded by quadrilaterals.

[0069] Alternatively, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 6 In the case of a selection operation for the horizontally long rectangular area R2 shown in the upper layer of FIG, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of component selection as the order of components C, component B, and component E, which are closer to the starting point of the rectangular area R1 in the comparison of the horizontal coordinates. The selection order of the components determined as above is Figure 6 The lower layers are represented by numbers surrounded by quadrilaterals.

[0070] As described above, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the plurality of components existing at positions overlapping the rectangular area based on the positions of the start and end points of the rectangular area input as a selection operation and the aspect ratio of the rectangular area.

[0071] <Determination of the order of edge selection>

[0072] In addition to determining the selection order of the components as described above, the selection order determination unit 112 also determines the selection order of the edges of the components whose selection order has been determined. The selection order determination unit 112 determines the edge selection order from the four edges of the quadrilateral circumscribing each component whose selection order has been determined, based on a predetermined criterion.

[0073] (1) When the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input operation for selecting a linear trajectory, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the order of the side of the quadrilateral circumscribed to the component with the highest selection order among the selected multiple components that intersects the linear trajectory last, as the first one. Next, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the order of the two sides of the circumscribed quadrilateral that intersect the linear trajectory first and last, starting from the second one, for each of at least one component other than the components with the highest selection order and the components with the lowest selection order among the selected multiple components. Furthermore, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the order of the side that intersects the linear trajectory first among the four sides of the quadrilateral circumscribed to the component with the lowest selection order among the selected multiple components, as the last one.

[0074] For example, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 3In the case of a selection operation of the linear track L1 shown in the upper layer of , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of edge selection as the lower edge of component A, the upper edge of component B, the left side of component B, and the upper edge of component C. The edge selection order determined in this manner is Figure 3 The lower layers are represented by numbers enclosed by circles.

[0075] Alternatively, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 4 In the case of a selection operation of the linear track L2 shown in the upper layer of , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of edge selection as the upper edge of component C, the lower edge of component B, the upper edge of component B, and the left side of component D. The edge selection order determined in this manner is Figure 4 The lower layers are represented by numbers enclosed by circles.

[0076] (2) When the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input operation for selecting a rectangular area, the selection order determining unit 112 selects, for each group of two consecutive components in the selected plurality of components, a group of sides that are closest to each other in a group consisting of any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed by the component with the earlier selection order and any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed by the component with the later selection order. Furthermore, the selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of the two sides of the group selected from each group of two consecutive components in the selection order, in the order of the side of the component with the earlier selection order and the side of the component with the later selection order.

[0077] Here, as an example, the distance between sides is the Euclidean distance between the midpoint of one side and the midpoint of another side. If there are multiple groups with equal distances, the selection order determination unit 112 selects any one of the multiple groups with equal distances according to a predetermined rule. Specifically, if the rectangular area is vertically elongated, the group with the smallest absolute value of the difference between the longitudinal coordinates of the midpoint of the side of the component with the higher selection order and the starting point of the rectangular area is selected. Even so, if there are multiple groups with equal distances, the selection order determination unit 112 selects the group with the smallest absolute value of the difference between the transverse coordinates of the midpoint of the side of the component with the higher selection order and the starting point of the rectangular area. On the other hand, if the rectangular area is horizontally elongated, the group with the smallest absolute value of the difference between the transverse coordinates of the midpoint of the side of the component with the higher selection order and the starting point of the rectangular area is selected. Even so, when there are multiple groups with equal distances, the selection order determination unit 112 selects the group with the smaller absolute value of the difference between the longitudinal coordinates of the midpoint of the side on the component side with the highest selection order and the starting point of the rectangular area.

[0078] For example, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 5 In the case of a selection operation for the rectangular area R1 shown in the upper layer of FIG, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of side selection as the lower side of component A, the upper side of component B, the lower side of component B, and the upper side of component C. The side selection order determined in this manner is Figure 5 The lower layers are represented by numbers enclosed by circles.

[0079] Alternatively, when the operation receiving unit 111 receives an input Figure 6 In the case of a selection operation for the rectangular area R2 shown in the upper layer of FIG, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the order of edge selection as the upper edge of component C, the lower edge of component B, the right edge of component B, and the left edge of component E. The edge selection order determined in this manner is Figure 6 The lower layers are represented by numbers enclosed by circles.

[0080] In addition, the quadrilateral circumscribing the component is Figures 2 to 6 If the shape of the component is rectangular, it is consistent with the side forming the perimeter of the component. Therefore, the expressions "the lower side of component A" and "the upper side of component B" in the above and subsequent descriptions have the same meaning as "the lower side of the quadrilateral circumscribing component A" and "the upper side of the quadrilateral circumscribing component B". In contrast, for example, Figure 7 As shown, the shapes of the multiple components displayed on the screen can also be shapes other than rectangles. In the case where the shape of the component is a shape other than a rectangle, the quadrilateral circumscribed with the component is as shown in Figure 7 The lower layer is located outside the periphery of the component as shown by the dotted line. In this case, the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the sides of the virtual quadrilateral located outside the periphery of the component.

[0081] For ease of understanding, the following assumes that the component is rectangular. Therefore, expressions such as "sides of the component" can be rewritten as "sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component." Similarly, for components other than rectangular shapes, expressions such as "sides of the component" can be rewritten as "sides of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component" to provide a similar explanation.

[0082] After the selection order of the components and edges is determined as described above, the selection order determination unit 112 stores the determined selection order in the selection order information 121. The selection order information 121 is data that temporarily stores the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112.

[0083] Specifically, if Figure 8As shown, the selection order information 121 specifies the order in which components and edges are selected. For example, the selection order information 121 stores the order in which components are selected: component A, component B, and component C. The selection order in which edges are selected: the bottom edge of component A, the top edge of component B, the left edge of component B, and the top edge of component C.

[0084] <Determination of the parent-child relationship of components>

[0085] return Figure 1 The parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship between the selected components based on the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112. Here, a parent-child relationship refers to a subordinate relationship established between multiple components. In conventional grouping, the relationship between multiple components is equal, but in a parent-child relationship, a subordinate relationship is established between multiple components. By establishing a parent-child relationship between multiple components, advanced component operations can be performed by automatically changing the settings of child components in response to changes in the parent component's settings.

[0086] More specifically, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the selected multiple components, with the component that appears earlier in the selection order being the parent component and the component that appears later in the selection order being the child component. In this case, if the selected multiple components consist of only two components, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of the two selected components, with the component that appears earlier in the selection order being the parent component and the component that appears later in the selection order being the child component. On the other hand, if the selected multiple components consist of at least three components, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for each of a plurality of combinations, each of which is a combination of two components whose selection order, as determined by the selection order determination unit 112, is continuous.

[0087] For example, Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 7 As shown, when the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of component A, component B, and component C, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component A and component B, in which component A is the parent component and component B is the child component. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component B and component C, in which component B is the parent component and component C is the child component.

[0088] Or, as Figure 4As shown, when the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of component C, component B, and component D, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component C and component B, in which component C is the parent component and component B is the child component. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component B and component D, in which component B is the parent component and component D is the child component.

[0089] In addition, if Figure 6 As shown, when the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of component C, component B, and component E, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component C and component B, in which component C is the parent component and component B is the child component. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the combination of component B and component E, in which component B is the parent component and component E is the child component.

[0090] <Setting the parent-child relationship of edges>

[0091] In addition to the parent-child relationships of components described above, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 also sets parent-child relationships for edges. Here, the parent-child relationship of edges corresponds to the corresponding relationship between the edges of two components for which the parent-child relationship is set. When a parent-child relationship is set between an edge of a parent component and an edge of a child component, the parent component and the child component are arranged in a layout of multiple components including them so that the edges with the parent-child relationship set face each other or are connected to each other.

[0092] For example, if each component represents a table in a room, the components with parent-child relationships are arranged so that their parent-child edges face each other. Alternatively, if each component represents a separate part used to assemble a product, the components with parent-child relationships are combined so that their parent-child edges are connected.

[0093] For each of the plurality of combinations for which a parent-child relationship is set, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship between one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the parent component and one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the child component. More specifically, based on the edge selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship in which the earlier edge is the parent and the later edge is the child for a combination of two edges whose selection order is continuous, with the earlier edge on the parent side and the later edge on the child side.

[0094] (1) When a selection operation of an input linear trajectory is received through the operation receiving unit 111, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship between the side of the quadrilateral circumscribing the parent component that intersects the linear trajectory last and the side of the quadrilateral circumscribing the child component that intersects the linear trajectory first, for each combination of two components for which a parent-child relationship is set.

[0095] For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the selection order of the edges determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of the lower edge of component A, the upper edge of component B, the left edge of component B, and the upper edge of component C, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the lower edge of component A is the parent and the upper edge of component B is the child. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the left edge of component B is the parent and the upper edge of component C is the child.

[0096] Or, as Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the selection order of the edges determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of the upper edge of component C, the lower edge of component B, the upper edge of component B, and the left side of component D, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the upper edge of component C is the parent and the lower edge of component B is the child. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the upper edge of component B is the parent and the left side of component D is the child.

[0097] (2) When the operation receiving unit 111 receives a selection operation for an input rectangular area, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for each combination of two components for which a parent-child relationship is set, for a combination of any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed with the parent component and any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed with the child component, in which the distance between the sides is the shortest.

[0098] For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the selection order of the edges determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of the lower edge of component A, the upper edge of component B, the lower edge of component B, and the upper edge of component C, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the lower edge of component A is the parent and the upper edge of component B is the child. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the lower edge of component B is the parent and the upper edge of component C is the child.

[0099] Or, as Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , when the selection order of the edges determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is the order of the upper edge of component C, the lower edge of component B, the right side of component B, and the left side of component E, the first parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the upper edge of component C is the parent and the lower edge of component B is the child. Furthermore, the second parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship for the edges in which the right side of component B is the parent and the left side of component E is the child.

[0100] In addition, Figures 3 to 7 In the lower layer of , the arrows from the parent component to the child component are shown as follows Figures 3 to 7 The parent-child relationship is set when multiple components are selected, as in the upper layer of the parent component. As described above, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 displays an arrow from the parent component toward the child component on the screen as a symbol indicating the parent-child relationship of the components. In this case, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 displays the arrow from the parent component toward the child component so that the midpoints of the pair of edges for which the parent-child relationship is set are connected. The arrow is an example of a symbol indicating a parent-child relationship, and a symbol other than an arrow may also be used to indicate a parent-child relationship.

[0101] As described above, parent-child relationship setting unit 113 performs a process of establishing a parent-child relationship for each group of two consecutively selected components included in the three or more components selected by the selection operation. Furthermore, parent-child relationship setting unit 113 also establishes a parent-child relationship for the edges of the components for which a parent-child relationship has been established. Hereinafter, a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been established by parent-child relationship setting unit 113 is referred to as a "parent-child relationship established component."

[0102] Once the parent-child relationship between components and edges is set as described above, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 stores information indicating the set parent-child relationship in the parent-child relationship information 122. The parent-child relationship information 122 stores the parent-child relationship set by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 between components and edges.

[0103] In order to facilitate the modification of settings for each component with a parent-child relationship, the parent-child relationship information 122 is not stored separately for each component, but is stored collectively in a parent-child relationship setting component. The settings stored in the parent-child relationship information 122 are recursively applied from the parent component to the child components.

[0104] Specifically, if Figure 9As shown, parent-child relationship information 122 includes information such as a component list, a root component, an edge list, and a setting list. The component list includes information on a plurality of components stored in selection order information 121, in the same selection order as selection order information 121. The edge list includes information on a plurality of edges stored in selection order information 121, in the same selection order as selection order information 121. As described above, parent-child relationship information 122 stores references to components and edges for which parent-child relationships are established, in the selection order determined by selection order determination unit 112.

[0105] A root component is a component without a parent among multiple components for which a parent-child relationship is established, and corresponds to the highest-order component in the parent-child relationship. For example, if the selection order of components determined by the selection order determination unit 112 is component A, component B, and component C, the root component is component A. The parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets the highest-order component among the multiple components for which a parent-child relationship is established as the root component.

[0106] The settings list specifies the settings that are applied recursively to the components that have a parent-child relationship. Specifically, the settings list stores information such as settings, setting values, and forward offsets.

[0107] Settings are information related to the configuration, arrangement, and properties of components. Here, the configuration of components is, for example, the X coordinate and Y coordinate of the components on the screen. The arrangement of components is, for example, the width of the components on the screen, the height of the components, the spacing between adjacent components, etc. The properties of components are, for example, the color of the components, the line width of the components, the character strings related to the components, the memory address, etc. The configuration, arrangement, and properties of components are collectively referred to as "settings". Figure 9 In the example, the setting list stores information such as the part color and the part Y coordinate as settings.

[0108] The setting value is the specific value when the setting is applied to the root component. The positive offset is the value added to the parent component's setting value to derive the setting value of the child component. The positive offset is used to arrange multiple components at fixed intervals or to set continuous values for multiple components. Figure 9 In the example shown in FIG, the setting list stores RGB (Red, Green, Blue) brightness values as positive offsets for coloring, and stores a value corresponding to the difference in Y coordinates between the parent and child components as positive offsets for Y coordinates. The user can operate the operation unit 13 to input the setting value and positive offset for each setting in the setting list.

[0109] <Application of settings>

[0110] The setting application unit 114 applies the settings of the parent component to the child component settings for each of the plurality of combinations for which a parent-child relationship has been set by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113. The user operates the operation unit 13 to input an operation to apply the settings from the operation screen of the parent-child relationship information 122. In response to this operation, the setting application unit 114 recursively applies the settings specified in the setting list of the parent-child relationship information 122 to the component groups for which a parent-child relationship has been set.

[0111] To be specific, the setting application unit 114 sets the setting value of the child component to a value obtained by adding an offset to the setting value of the parent component for each of the multiple combinations in which a parent-child relationship is set. First, the setting application unit 114 applies the setting values of each setting specified in the setting list to the root component. Second, the setting application unit 114 applies the value obtained by adding a positive offset to the setting value of each setting applied to the root component to the child component having the root component as its parent. Third, the setting application unit 114 applies the value obtained by further adding a positive offset to the setting value of each setting to the child component having the above-mentioned child component to which the setting is applied as its parent. The setting application unit 114 recursively applies the setting to each combination of two components in which a parent-child relationship is set by repeating the above-mentioned process.

[0112] Specifically, refer to Figure 10 , shows an example in which the setting application unit 114 applies settings to multiple components. Figure 10 As shown in the upper layer of FIG, in the state where the components A to C with the parent-child relationship are set independently, the setting application unit 114 applies Figure 9 In the case of the settings shown in the settings list, as Figure 10 The settings are applied to components A to C as shown in the lower layer of .

[0113] Specifically, the application unit 114 sets the color of the root component, component A, to blue and the Y coordinate of component A to 10. Next, the application unit 114 sets the color of component B, a child of component A, to blue and the Y coordinate of component B to 40, which is obtained by adding 30 to the Y coordinate of component A, using a positive offset of 30 for no color. Furthermore, the application unit 114 sets the color of component C, a child of component B, to blue and the Y coordinate of component C to 70, which is obtained by adding 30 to the Y coordinate of component B. This allows for setting changes that conform to a certain rule to be made to multiple components in a relatively small number of steps.

[0114] Next, refer to Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 The flowchart shown here will explain the flow of the drawing assistance process executed by the drawing assistance device 10 . Figure 11The parent-child relationship information processing shown and Figure 12 The setting application process shown is an example of a drawing assistance method.

[0115] Figure 11 The parent-child relationship setting process shown is started when the user activates pre-installed drawing software in the drawing support device 10 and displays a plurality of components on the screen of the display unit 14 .

[0116] When the parent-child relationship setting process is started, the control unit 11 functions as the operation receiving unit 111 and receives a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components to be selected from a plurality of components displayed on the screen (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 11 receives the following selection operation as the first selection method, that is, Figure 3 、 Figure 4 or Figure 7 Alternatively, the control unit 11 receives the following selection operation as the second selection method, that is, Figure 5 or Figure 6 As shown, the selection operation of the rectangular areas R1 and R2 is input to the position overlapping with the plurality of components to be selected.

[0117] Upon receiving the selection operation, the control unit 11 functions as the selection order determination unit 112 to determine the selection order of the selected components (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines the selection order of the selected components based on the order in which the input linear trajectory crosses, or based on the starting point and aspect ratio of the input rectangular area.

[0118] Once the order of selecting the components is determined, the control unit 11 determines the order of selecting the sides (step S3). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines the order of selecting the sides from the four sides of the quadrilateral circumscribing the components whose selection order is determined, based on a predetermined criterion.

[0119] When the selection order of components and sides is determined, the control unit 11 updates the selection order information 121 (step S4 ). Specifically, the control unit 11 stores the determined selection order of components and sides in the selection order information 121 .

[0120] Once the selection order information 121 has been updated, the control unit 11 functions as the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 to set the parent-child relationship of the components (step S5). Specifically, the control unit 11 sets a parent-child relationship for each combination of two components whose selection order is consecutive in step S2, among the plurality of components selected in step S1, with the component with the earlier selection order being the parent component and the component with the later selection order being the child component.

[0121] Once the parent-child relationship of the components is set, the control unit 11 sets the parent-child relationship of the edges (step S6). Specifically, for each combination of two components for which a parent-child relationship has been set, the control unit 11 sets a parent-child relationship in which one side of the quadrilateral circumscribing the parent component is the parent and one side of the quadrilateral circumscribing the child component is the child.

[0122] Once the parent-child relationships of the components and edges are set, the control unit 11 updates the parent-child relationship information 122 (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 11 updates the component list, edge list, and root component information in the parent-child relationship information 122 based on the set parent-child relationships of the components and edges.

[0123] If the parent-child relationship information 122 is updated, the control unit 11 releases the selection order of components and edges from the memory (step S8). Figure 11 The parent-child relationship setting process shown is completed.

[0124] Figure 12 The settings shown are applied to the Figure 11 The parent-child relationship setting process shown in the figure starts when a plurality of components that have set parent-child relationships input an operation to set an application setting list. Figure 12 In the setting application process shown, the control unit 11 functions as the setting application unit 114 .

[0125] When the setting application process starts, the control unit 11 obtains one setting from the setting list of the parent-child relationship information 122 (step S11). Figure 9 In the example of the parent-child relationship information 122 shown, the control unit 11 obtains one setting such as coloring, Y coordinate, etc. specified in the setting list.

[0126] If one setting is acquired, the control unit 11 applies the setting value of the acquired setting to the root component (step S12). Figure 9 In the example of , when the coloring setting is acquired, the control unit 11 sets the coloring of the root component, component A, to "blue" as the set value.

[0127] When the setting value is applied to the root component, the control unit 11 adds a positive offset specified in the acquired setting to the setting value applied to the root component (step S13).

[0128] If the positive offset is added to the set value, the control unit 11 applies the set value to which the positive offset is added to the next component in the positive direction in the component list (step S14). Figure 9In the example of , there are components B and C in the positive direction of the root component A. Therefore, the control unit 11 applies the set value to which the positive offset is added to the component B next to the root component.

[0129] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether there are further components in the forward direction in the parts list (step S15). If there are further components in the forward direction (step S15: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S13. The control unit 11 then adds a forward offset to the current set value and applies the added set value to the next component in the forward direction in the parts list. As described above, the control unit 11 applies the set value, after the forward offset has been added, to each component in the forward direction in the parts list.

[0130] In contrast, if no further components exist in the forward direction (step S15: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether any unapplied settings remain in the settings list (step S16). If any unapplied settings remain (step S16: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S11 and retrieves one unapplied setting from the settings list. The control unit 11 then executes the processes of steps S12 through S15, applying the settings of the retrieved settings to each of the multiple components that have a parent-child relationship. As described above, the control unit 11 applies the settings of each setting included in the settings list to each of the multiple components that have a parent-child relationship.

[0131] If there are no unapplied settings left (step S16: NO), the control unit 11 ends Figure 12 The settings shown are applied.

[0132] As described above, the drawing assistance device 10 according to Embodiment 1 determines the selection order of multiple components based on the selection operation for selecting multiple components displayed on the screen and the positional relationship between the multiple components. It then establishes a parent-child relationship for the multiple components, with the component selected earlier in the selection order serving as the parent component and the component selected later in the selection order serving as the child component. Since the selection order is determined based on the positional relationship of the multiple components on the screen, parent-child relationships can be established between multiple components through intuitive and easy operations such as inputting a linear trajectory or a rectangular area. As a result, the workload required to establish multiple components can be reduced. In particular, when establishing parent-child relationships for at least three components, multiple levels of parent-child relationships can be established with a single operation, eliminating the need for the user to repeatedly select components one by one and then establish parent-child relationships. Consequently, the workload for users with a large number of components can be significantly reduced.

[0133] Furthermore, the drawing assistance device 10 according to the first embodiment applies settings based on the parent component's settings to the child component settings. This allows for centralized and recursive configuration and modification of settings for multiple components with established parent-child relationships, thereby reducing the workload required to configure multiple components. This significantly reduces user workload when the number of components is large.

[0134] (Implementation Method 2)

[0135] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The description of the same configuration and function as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0136] The drawing support device 10 according to the second embodiment further sets parent-child relationships with other components for a component group for which a parent-child relationship has been set. In other words, the drawing support device 10 according to the second embodiment can set multiple parent-child relationships.

[0137] exist Figure 13 The upper layer shows an example of a screen displaying components A and B, and a different component C, on the display unit 14. Components A and B are a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been established by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113. In this screen, as an example of a new selection operation for selecting components A to C, the user inputs a selection operation of drawing a rectangular area R3 from the lower right side of component C to the upper left side of component A. The new selection operation is not limited to drawing rectangular area R3; it can also be an operation of drawing a linear trajectory. In this case, in the second embodiment, the group of components A and B is treated identically to a single component, namely, the parent-child relationship setting component AB.

[0138] If specified, Figure 13 As shown in the upper layer, when the user inputs a new selection operation, the operation receiving unit 111 receives the new selection operation, wherein the new selection operation is to select the component group of components A and B with parent-child relationship set, namely, the parent-child relationship setting component AB and component C.

[0139] The selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the parent-child relationship setting components AB and C based on the new selection operation received by the operation reception unit 111. Figure 13 In the example of , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order of the component C close to the starting point of the rectangular region R3 to be the first, and determines the selection order of the parent-child relationship setting component AB to be the second.

[0140] The parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a new parent-child relationship between the parent-child relationship setting component AB and the component C based on the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112. Figure 13In the example shown in FIG, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship in which component C is the parent component and component AB is the child component. Thus, a parent-child relationship setting component ABC having component AB and component C in the component list is generated.

[0141] In addition, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship between one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the parent-child relationship setting component AB and one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component C. Here, the quadrilateral circumscribing the parent-child relationship setting component AB is as shown in FIG. Figure 13 The lower layer of is shown with a thick solid line, which corresponds to the smallest quadrilateral containing part A and part B.

[0142] When a parent-child relationship is established, with component C as the parent component and component AB as the child component, the setting application unit 114 applies the settings of component C, the parent component, to the settings of component AB, the child component. Specifically, as in the first embodiment, the setting application unit 114 sets the setting value of component AB to a value obtained by adding a positive offset to the setting value of component C. In this case, the setting application unit 114 treats component AB as a single component having a quadrilateral shape circumscribing component AB, and performs the setting of component AB.

[0143] As described above, in the second embodiment, a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been established can be treated as a single component, and further parent-child relationships can be established with other components. Thus, for example, if a parent-child relationship setting component ABC is generated in a component list that has a parent-child relationship setting component AB at a higher level, the parent-child relationship setting component AB can be set based on the settings of the parent-child relationship setting component ABC.

[0144] (Implementation 3)

[0145] Next, a description will be given of Embodiment 3. The description of the same configurations and functions as those of Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0146] The drawing support device 10 according to the third embodiment changes at least one side of a pair of sides having a parent-child relationship to a different side in the same component in response to a user operation.

[0147] exist Figure 14 The upper layer shows an example of components A to C displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. These components A to C are a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been set by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113. More specifically, an edge parent-child relationship is set between the lower edge of component A and the upper edge of component B, and an edge parent-child relationship is set between the lower edge of component B and the upper edge of component C.

[0148] In the above-described screen, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a change operation to change one of a pair of edges for which a parent-child relationship has been established by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 to a different edge within the same component. Specifically, a user can drag one end of an arrow, an example of a symbol indicating a parent-child relationship displayed on the screen, to a different edge within the same component. This allows the user to input a change operation to change one of a pair of edges for which a parent-child relationship has been established to a different edge.

[0149] When the operation receiving unit 111 receives the change operation, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 changes the parent-child relationship set between a pair of sides to a parent-child relationship between a different side in the same component and the other side of the pair.

[0150] For example, as in Figure 14 As shown by the dotted line on the upper layer of the component A, the user moves one end of the arrow connecting the lower side of component A and the upper side of component B from one of the pair of sides, that is, the lower side of component A, to the right side, that is, a different side of the same component A. In this case, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 moves as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown in the lower layer of , the parent-child relationship set for a pair of edges between parts A and B is changed to a parent-child relationship between the right side of part A and the other edge of the pair, that is, the upper edge of part B.

[0151] As described above, in Embodiment 3, the parent-child relationship of an edge already set between a parent component and a child component can be changed to a parent-child relationship between an edge that is the same as or different from the parent component and an edge that is the same as or different from the child component. This allows the parent-child relationship of an edge to be changed with a simple operation, without having to reconfigure the parent-child relationship.

[0152] (Implementation 4)

[0153] Next, a description will be given of Embodiment 4. The description of the same configurations and functions as those of Embodiments 1 to 3 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0154] The drawing support device 10 according to the fourth embodiment changes at least one component of a pair of components having a parent-child relationship to another component in response to a user operation.

[0155] exist Figure 15 The upper layer shows an example of components A and B, which are a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been established by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113, and component C, for which a parent-child relationship has not been established, displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. More specifically, a parent-child relationship is established between the lower edge of component A and the upper edge of component B.

[0156] In the above screen, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a change operation to change one of a pair of components that have been set up as a parent-child relationship by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 to a component different from the components displayed on the screen. Specifically, a user can drag one end of an arrow (an example of a symbol indicating a parent-child relationship) displayed on the screen to another component that has not been set up as a parent-child relationship. This allows the user to input a change operation to change one of a pair of components that have been set up as a parent-child relationship to another component.

[0157] When the operation receiving unit 111 receives the above-mentioned change operation, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 changes the parent-child relationship set between a pair of components with a parent-child relationship set to a parent-child relationship between the other component in the pair and another component with no parent-child relationship set.

[0158] For example, as in Figure 15 The upper layer of the parent-child relationship is shown as a dotted line. The user moves one end of the arrow connecting the pair of components A and B, which have been set up with a parent-child relationship, from the upper side of one of the components, component B, to the left side of the other component C, which has not been set up with a parent-child relationship. In this case, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 moves as shown in FIG. Figure 15 As shown in the lower layer of , the parent-child relationship of components set between components A and B is changed to a parent-child relationship in which component A, the other component of the pair, is the parent component and component C is the child component. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 changes the parent-child relationship of the edge set between components A and B to a parent-child relationship in which the bottom edge of component A is the parent and the left edge of component C is the child.

[0159] In addition to the above-mentioned changes in the parent-child relationship, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 also sets a parent-child relationship between the above-mentioned other components and one of the above-mentioned pair of components. Specifically, Figure 15 As shown in the lower layer of , the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship in which the other component, component C, is the parent component and component B, one of the pair of components, is the child component. Furthermore, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets a parent-child relationship in which the right side of component C is the parent and the bottom side of component B is the child.

[0160] Here, the child of the parent-child relationship for the edge between components A and C is the left side of component C. Therefore, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets the parent of the parent-child relationship for the edge between components C and B to the opposite edge, that is, the right side of component C. However, this is merely an example, and the edge that serves as the parent of the parent-child relationship for the edge between components C and B may be set using any criteria.

[0161] As described above, in Embodiment 4, the parent or child component of a pair of components with a parent-child relationship already set can be changed. This eliminates the need to re-set the parent-child relationship and allows the parent-child relationship of components to be changed with a simple operation.

[0162] (Implementation 5)

[0163] Next, a description will be given of Embodiment 5. The description of the same configurations and functions as those of Embodiments 1 to 4 will be appropriately omitted.

[0164] The drawing support device 10 according to the fifth embodiment can reselect components constituting the component group after the setting application unit 114 applies the setting to the component group for which the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 has set the parent-child relationship.

[0165] Figure 16 The following example shows a screen display of the display unit 14 showing components A through C, which are a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been established by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113, and component D, for which no parent-child relationship has been established. More specifically, the setting application unit 114 sets the color of the root component, component A, to (0, 0, 0) and the positive offset to (64, 0, 0).

[0166] On the above screen, the user can input a reselection operation to reselect the components of the component group of components A to C. This allows the components of the component group to which the parent-child relationship has been set and to which the setting has been applied, or their selection order to be changed.

[0167] As an example, the user selects "Reselect Components" - "Rectangular Selection" from the operation screen for setting parent-child relationship components A to C. Figure 16 As shown in the upper layer of FIG, a reselection operation is input to reselect components A to D as components of the component group of components A to C. For example, the user inputs a selection operation to draw a rectangular area R4 from the lower right side of component D to the upper left side of component A. The reselection operation is not limited to drawing a rectangular area R4; it can also be an operation to draw a linear trajectory.

[0168] When the user inputs a reselection operation to select components A to D, the operation receiving unit 111 receives the reselection operation. The selection order determining unit 112 determines the selection order of components A to D based on the reselection operation received by the operation receiving unit 111. Figure 16 In the example of , the selection order determination unit 112 determines the selection order in the order of component D, component C, component B, and component A from near to far from the starting point of the rectangular region R4.

[0169] Based on the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit 112, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets parent-child relationships between components D and C, between components C and B, and between components B and A. In this case, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets component D, which has the highest selection order, as the root component. This generates parent-child relationship-set components A through D in the component list.

[0170] The setting application unit 114 reapplies the settings applied to the component group of components A to C before the reselection operation to the component group of components A to D after the component group is reselected by the reselection operation. Specifically, Figure 16 As shown in the lower layer of , the setting application unit 114 sets the color of the root component, component D, to (0, 0, 0). Furthermore, the setting application unit 114 sets the colors of components C, B, and A according to the setting value of the positive offset (64, 0, 0).

[0171] As described above, the drawing assistance device 10 according to the fifth embodiment receives a reselection of a component of a component group for which a parent-child relationship has been established, and reapplies the same settings as before the reselection operation to the component group after the component group has been reselected. This eliminates the need for the user to re-enter settings such as set values and offsets, and allows the user to reselect components and edges for which parent-child relationships have been established with a simple operation.

[0172] (Implementation 6)

[0173] Next, a description will be given of Embodiment 6. The description of the same configurations and functions as those of Embodiments 1 to 5 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0174] The drawing support device 10 according to the sixth embodiment reverses the parent-child relationship of a plurality of components that have been set to have a parent-child relationship midway or reverses all parent-child relationships.

[0175] exist Figure 17 The upper layer shows an example of components A to C displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. Components A to C are a group of components for which a parent-child relationship has been set by the parent-child relationship setting unit 113. More specifically, an edge parent-child relationship is set between the lower edge of component A and the upper edge of component B, and an edge parent-child relationship is set between the lower edge of component B and the upper edge of component C.

[0176] In the above screen, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a reversal operation for reversing the parent-child relationship in at least one of the plurality of combinations for which the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 has set the parent-child relationship.

[0177] The user can reverse the start and end points of an arrow, an example of a symbol representing a parent-child relationship displayed on the screen, by dragging the arrow. For example, the user reverses the arrow extending from component A to component B and changes it to an arrow extending from component B to component A. Alternatively, the user can also reverse the parent-child relationship in the combination of components A and B by opening the operation screen of the parent-child relationship setting component ABC and changing the root component of the parent-child relationship setting component ABC from component A to component B. As described above, the user can input a reversal operation that reverses the parent-child relationship in at least one combination for which the parent-child relationship has been set. In addition, in more detail, as described below, the reversal of the parent-child relationship is performed by changing the root component, so the root component needs to be included in at least one combination for which the parent-child relationship is reversed.

[0178] The parent-child relationship setting unit 113 reverses the parent-child relationship of at least one of the plurality of combinations for which the parent-child relationship is set, based on a user operation. For example, when a reversal operation is received to reverse the parent-child relationship of a combination of a component A that is both a parent component and a root component and a component B that is a child component, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 performs the following operations: Figure 17 As shown in the lower layer of , the parent-child relationship in the combination of component A and component B is changed to a parent-child relationship in which component B is the parent component and the root component, and component A is the child component.

[0179] If the parent-child relationship is changed, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 updates the parent-child relationship information 122 . Figure 18 An example of the parent-child relationship information 122 in which the parent-child relationship between the components AB is reversed is shown. Figure 18 In the example, the initial selection order of parts A, B, and C in the parts list remains unchanged, while the root part is changed to part B as the parent-child relationship between parts AB is reversed.

[0180] Furthermore, the parent-child relationship information 122 stores information on reverse offsets in addition to forward offsets in the setting list. The reverse offset is a second offset prepared separately from the first forward offset and is used between components with reversed parent-child relationships.

[0181] As an example, Figure 18 As shown in FIG, the reverse offset is set to a value obtained by multiplying the value of the forward offset by -1. However, the reverse offset is not limited thereto, and an arbitrary value may be set independently of the forward offset.

[0182] More specifically, a positive offset is applied to a child component positioned below the parent component in the component list, that is, a child component whose selection order is determined to be later than the parent component by the selection order determination unit 112. In contrast, a negative offset is applied to a child component positioned above the parent component in the component list, that is, a child component whose selection order is determined to be earlier than the parent component by the selection order determination unit 112.

[0183] The setting application unit 114 applies the settings based on the parent component settings to the child component settings for each of the plurality of combinations for which the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 has set the parent-child relationship, based on the parent-child relationship information 122 including the reverse offset.

[0184] Specifically, the setting application unit 114 sets the child component's setting value to a value obtained by adding a positive offset to the parent component's setting value, for each of the multiple combinations for which a parent-child relationship is established, except for at least one combination for which the parent-child relationship has been reversed by the inversion operation. In other words, the setting application unit 114 applies the setting based on the positive offset, similar to the first embodiment, for the at least one combination for which the parent-child relationship has not been reversed.

[0185] In contrast, the setting application unit 114 sets the setting value of the child component to a value obtained by adding a reverse offset to the setting value of the parent component for at least one combination in which the parent-child relationship is reversed by the reversal operation among the plurality of combinations in which the parent-child relationship is set.

[0186] Reference Figure 19 The flow of the setting application process executed by the setting application unit 114 will be described in more detail.

[0187] Figure 19 The setting application process shown starts when an operation is input for the Figure 11 The parent-child relationship setting process shown here sets the parent-child relationship of multiple components and applies the setting list setting operation. Figure 19 In the setting application process shown, the control unit 11 functions as the setting application unit 114 .

[0188] When the setting application process is started, the control unit 11 executes the Figure 12 The processing of steps S11 to S15 described above is performed. Thus, the control unit 11 executes processing for applying the setting based on the positive offset to the setting acquired from the setting list.

[0189] After step S15 , the control unit 11 returns the set value to which the positive offset has been added to the root component to the initial value set in step S12 (step S21 ).

[0190] When the setting value is restored to the initial value, the control unit 11 adds the reverse offset specified in the acquired setting to the setting value applied to the root component (step S22).

[0191] If the reverse offset is added to the set value, the control unit 11 applies the set value to which the reverse offset is added to the next component in the reverse direction in the component list (step S23). Figure 18 In the example of , there is a component A in the reverse direction of the root component B. Therefore, the control unit 11 applies the set value to which the reverse offset is added to the component A next to the root component.

[0192] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether there are further components in the reverse direction in the parts list (step S24). If there are further components in the reverse direction (step S24: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S22. The control unit 11 then adds the reverse offset to the current set value and applies the added set value to the next component in the reverse direction in the parts list. As described above, the control unit 11 applies the set value obtained by sequentially adding the reverse offset to each component in the parts list that is in the reverse direction.

[0193] In contrast, if no further components exist in the reverse direction (step S24: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether any unapplied settings remain in the settings list (step S25). If any unapplied settings remain (step S25: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S11 and retrieves one unapplied setting from the settings list. The control unit 11 then executes steps S12 to S15 and S21 to S24, applying the settings of the retrieved settings to each of the multiple components with a parent-child relationship. As described above, the control unit 11 applies the settings of each setting included in the settings list to each of the multiple components with a parent-child relationship.

[0194] If there are no unapplied settings left (step S25: NO), the control unit 11 ends Figure 19 The settings shown are applied.

[0195] As described above, in Embodiment 6, for multiple components with established parent-child relationships, the parent-child relationship can be reversed midway or completely reversed. This eliminates the need for the user to reconfigure the parent-child relationship and allows the user to change the root component that serves as the reference for the setting with a simple operation. Furthermore, different offset values can be set for the forward and reverse directions, enhancing setting flexibility.

[0196] (Variation)

[0197] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments can be combined, and the embodiments can be modified or omitted as appropriate.

[0198] For example, in the above embodiment, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 sets parent-child relationships between edges in addition to parent-child relationships between components. However, the parent-child relationship setting unit 113 does not need to set parent-child relationships between edges. Even without setting parent-child relationships between edges, by setting parent-child relationships between components, settings based on the parent component's settings can be applied to child component settings, thereby achieving the effect of efficiently editing the settings of multiple components.

[0199] In the above embodiment, for Figure 3 The linear trajectory L1 and Figure 4 The linear trajectory L2 shown has its starting point and end point located outside the components, and will completely cross from the first component to the last component. However, the linear trajectory input as a selection operation may also start from the middle of the first component and end at the middle of the last component. In other words, the components crossed by the linear trajectory include not only the components completely crossed by the linear trajectory, but also the components partially crossed by the linear trajectory. Furthermore, the operation receiving unit 111 may select only the components completely crossed by the linear trajectory, or may select all components that exist at a position overlapping with the linear trajectory, including the components partially crossed by the linear trajectory. As described above, the setting of the components selected by the linear trajectory can be appropriately changed.

[0200] In the above embodiment, for Figure 5 The rectangular area R1 and Figure 6 The rectangular area R2 shown has its starting and ending points outside the components and completely encompasses the selected components. Operation receiving unit 111 may also select only the components completely encompassed by the rectangular area, excluding components that only partially overlap with the rectangular area. Alternatively, operation receiving unit 111 may select not only components completely encompassed by the rectangular area, but also components that only partially overlap with the rectangular area. As described above, the settings for components selected by the rectangular area can be modified as appropriate.

[0201] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 of the drawing assistance device 10 functions as an operation receiving unit 111, a selection order determining unit 112, a parent-child relationship setting unit 113, and a setting application unit 114 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or storage unit 12. However, the control unit 11 may also be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware refers to, for example, a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. If the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be implemented by separate hardware, or the functions of each unit may be integrated and implemented by a single hardware unit.

[0202] In addition, part of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other part may be realized by software or firmware. As described above, the control unit 11 can realize the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0203] Alternatively, by applying an operating program that defines the operation of the drawing support device 10 to an existing computer such as a personal computer or an information terminal device, the computer can be made to function as the drawing support device 10. The above-described program is an example of a drawing support program.

[0204] In addition, the distribution method of the above-mentioned program is arbitrary. For example, it can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a memory card, etc., or it can be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0205] The present invention can be implemented in various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is not defined by the embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, any variations implemented within the scope of the claims and within the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0206] Industrial Applicability

[0207] The present invention can be suitably used for drawing assisting technology.

[0208] Description of the label

[0209] 10 Drawing support device, 11 Control unit, 12 Storage unit, 13 Operation unit, 14 Display unit, 15 Communication unit, 111 Operation receiving unit, 112 Selection order determination unit, 113 Parent-child relationship setting unit, 114 Setting application unit, 121 Selection order information, 122 Parent-child relationship information, L1, L2 Linear trajectories, R1, R2, R3, R4 Rectangular areas

Claims

1. A drawing aid program that causes a computer to function as: an operation receiving unit for receiving a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components displayed on the screen; a selection order determination unit that determines a selection order of the plurality of components based on the selection operation received by the operation reception unit and a positional relationship between the plurality of components on the screen; and The parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship for the plurality of components, wherein the component that is selected first is a parent component and the component that is selected later is a child component.

2. The drawing assisting program according to claim 1, wherein: When the plurality of components are at least three components, the parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship for each of a plurality of combinations in which the component that comes earlier in the selection order is the parent component and the component that comes later in the selection order is the child component, wherein the plurality of combinations are combinations of two components, among the at least three components, whose selection order is continuous as determined by the selection order determination unit.

3. The drawing assisting program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The parent-child relationship setting unit further sets a parent-child relationship between one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component with the earlier selection order and one side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component with the later selection order.

4. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives, as the selection operation, an operation of inputting a linear trajectory to a position in the screen that crosses the plurality of components, The selection order determination unit determines the selection order in order from the component crossed by the linear trajectory among the plurality of components.

5. The drawing assisting program according to claim 4, wherein: The parent-child relationship setting unit further sets a parent-child relationship between a side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component with the earlier selection order that intersects the linear trajectory last and a side of a quadrilateral circumscribing the component with the later selection order that intersects the linear trajectory first.

6. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives, as the selection operation, an operation of inputting a rectangular area to a position on the screen that overlaps with the plurality of components. The selection order determination unit determines the selection order in order from a component close to a starting point of the rectangular area among the plurality of components.

7. The drawing assisting program according to claim 6, wherein: The parent-child relationship setting unit further sets a parent-child relationship for a combination of any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed with the component in the earlier selection order and any one side of a quadrilateral circumscribed with the component in the later selection order, the combination having the shortest distance between the sides.

8. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives a new selection operation for selecting a component group for which a parent-child relationship is set by the parent-child relationship setting unit and a component displayed on the screen that is different from the component group. The selection order determination unit determines the selection order of the component group and the different components based on the new selection operation received by the operation reception unit, The parent-child relationship setting unit sets a new parent-child relationship between the component group and the different component based on the selection order determined by the selection order determination unit.

9. The drawing assistance program according to claim 3, 5 or 7, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives a change operation, wherein the change operation is to change one of a pair of edges for which a parent-child relationship is set by the parent-child relationship setting unit to a different edge in the same component. The parent-child relationship setting unit changes the parent-child relationship set between the pair of edges to a parent-child relationship between the different edge and the other edge of the pair of edges when the operation receiving unit receives the change operation.

10. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives a change operation for changing one of a pair of components whose parent-child relationship is set by the parent-child relationship setting unit to a component different from the pair of components displayed on the screen, The parent-child relationship setting unit changes the parent-child relationship set between the pair of components to a parent-child relationship between the other component of the pair of components and the different component when the operation receiving unit receives the change operation.

11. The drawing assisting program according to claim 10, wherein: The parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship between the different component and the one component of the pair of components when the operation receiving unit receives the change operation.

12. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The drawing support program further causes the computer to function as a setting application unit that applies settings based on settings of the parent component to settings of the child component.

13. The drawing assisting program according to claim 12, wherein: The setting application unit sets the setting value of the child component to a value obtained by adding an offset to the setting value of the parent component.

14. The drawing assisting program according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The operation receiving unit receives a reselection operation for reselecting a component of the component group after the setting application unit applies the setting to the component group for which the parent-child relationship setting unit has set the parent-child relationship. The setting application unit reapplies the setting to the component group after the constituent components are reselected by the reselection operation.

15. The drawing assistance program according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: When the plurality of components are at least three components, the parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship in which the component that is earlier in the selection order is the parent component and the component that is later in the selection order is the child component for each of a plurality of combinations, wherein the plurality of combinations are combinations of two components whose selection order is continuous as determined by the selection order determination unit among the at least three components. The parent-child relationship setting unit reverses the parent-child relationship of at least one of the plurality of combinations for which the parent-child relationship is set, according to a user operation.

16. The drawing assisting program according to claim 15, wherein: The setting application unit sets the setting value of the child component to a value obtained by adding a first offset to the setting value of the parent component for combinations other than the at least one combination among the multiple combinations, and sets the setting value of the child component to a value obtained by adding a second offset to the setting value of the parent component for the at least one combination among the multiple combinations.

17. A drawing assisting device comprising: an operation receiving unit for receiving a selection operation for selecting a plurality of components displayed on the screen; a selection order determination unit that determines a selection order of the plurality of components based on the selection operation received by the operation reception unit and a positional relationship between the plurality of components on the screen; as well as The parent-child relationship setting unit sets a parent-child relationship for the plurality of components, wherein the component that is selected first is a parent component and the component that is selected later is a child component.

18. A drawing assistance method, wherein: determining a selection order of the plurality of components based on a selection operation for selecting the plurality of components displayed on the screen and a positional relationship between the plurality of components on the screen, A parent-child relationship is established for the plurality of components, in which the component that is selected earlier is the parent component and the component that is selected later is the child component.

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