Dynamic Visual Cues for Schematic Circuit Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic design automation tools face usability issues due to graphical saturation, over-cluttering, and the inability to effectively navigate between parent circuit objects and associated circuitry, hindering design efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that maintain dynamic visual cues for associated circuitry in electronic circuit designs, using a circuit editing tool with a graphic user interface to render schematic representations, capture associated circuitry, and generate adaptive graphic indicia for concurrent display, allowing for selective navigation and manipulation between parent and associated circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If comprehensive circuit design information is displayed to provide complete design visibility, then design completeness is improved, but graphical saturation and clutter increase making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit design is segmented into parent circuit objects and associated circuitry. The display is divided into multiple schematic pages, each showing a subset of circuit objects. Navigation mechanisms allow users to switch between pages and between parent objects and their associated circuitry, reducing graphical saturation while maintaining complete design information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A visual cue management system acts as an intermediary between the complete circuit design data and the user interface. This system dynamically generates visual cues that represent associated circuitry without displaying all details simultaneously, enabling users to navigate between parent objects and associated circuitry through controlled visual representations.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed associated circuitry is displayed alongside parent circuit objects, then design accuracy is improved, but graphical clutter increases reducing usability
Solution Approach 1:
Different levels of detail are applied to different parts of the circuit design display. Parent circuit objects display at one level of detail while associated circuitry can be displayed at a different level. Users can selectively expand or collapse associated circuitry to reveal detailed information only when needed, maintaining design accuracy without constant graphical clutter.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual representation of circuit design elements is made dynamic rather than static. Associated circuitry can be dynamically displayed, hidden, or highlighted based on user interaction and contextual needs. The visual cue management system adapts the display in real-time to balance detail visibility with overall usability.
3Loss of information
If all circuit objects are displayed on a single schematic page, then design overview is improved, but navigation between specific components becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The schematic is divided into multiple pages, each displaying a specific subset of circuit objects. This segmentation allows users to overview the complete design across multiple pages while enabling efficient navigation to specific components through page-switching mechanisms and direct access to associated circuitry without viewing the entire schematic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for maintaining dynamic visual cues/graphic indicia for associated circuitry of a schematic object. The dynamic visual cues or graphic indicia indicate a number of states of the parent circuit object and its associated circuitry. The visibility, placement status, and other attributes of the parent or associated circuitry may be quickly discerned by inspection of the visual indicia. Navigation, including manipulations of one or both of the parent and associated circuitry are available through actuation of the visual cue or a selectable button proximately disposed thereto.