Patent EP0384571A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0384571A2
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EP
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A method of displaying a pattern automatically and a device for carrying out that method
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1990-01-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-01-22
Abstract
Abstract Suppose that a plurality of elements e.g. logic devices are to be arranged in a pattern (array). Then, there are several predetermined relationships between those elements, e.g. interconnection relationships, functional relationships etc. First elements are input (11) and the elements are arranged according to one of one relationships (e.g. interconnection) by a basic arrangement processing part (14). This produces an intermediate pattern. Then the intermediate pattern is investigated by an arrangement modification part (15) and the intermediate pattern is re-arranged according to one or more of the other arrangement relationships (e.g. function). The rules for this re-arrangement may be stored in an arrangement modification rule storing part (16) . The resultant pattern may then be displayed (12) e.g. by printing. In this way, it is possible to generate a pattern in which the relationship between the elements are clearly displayed. Means (154) may also be provided to enable a device according to the present invention to derive one or more further rules from a revised pattern input by a user.
Inventors
- 👤 Noriko Nakatsuaka
- 👤 Takayoshi Yokota
- 👤 Nobuhiro Hamada
- 👤 Kazuhiko Eguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F17/00; G06T; G06T11/00; G06F30/00; G06F30/10; G06F30/18; G06F30/30; G06F30/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of displaying a pattern automatically, said pattern being an arrangement of a plurality of elements, there being at least one predetermined relationship defined between said elements, and at least one pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one predetermined relationship; the method comprising: analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said at least one predetermined relationship; arranging said elements according to the at least one arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one relationship thereby to derive said pattern; and displaying said pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of displaying a pattern automatically, said pattern being an arrangement of a plurality of elements, there being at least one predetermined relationship defined between said elements, and at least one pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one predetermined relationship; the method comprising: analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said at least one predetermined relationship; arranging said elements according to the at least one arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one relationship thereby to derive said pattern; and displaying said pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined relationship is a first predetermined relationship, said at least one pre-defined arrangement rule is a first pre-defined arrangement rule, there is a second predetermined relationship defined between said elements, there is a second pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to the second predetermined relationship, and the pattern defined by said arrangement step is an intermediate pattern, said method further including, prior to the display of the pattern; analysing said intermediate pattern to determine which of said elements are related by said second relationship; and rearranging at least some of said elements according to said second arrangement rule, thereby to derive said pattern, said re-arrangement being such that said first rule is maintained for said elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one relationship or said first predetermined relationship relates to the interconnection of said elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said elements are circuit elements each having at least one input and at least one output and said at least one predetermined relationship or said first predetermined relationship relates to the connection of said at least one output of some of said elements to said at least one input of others of said elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said elements are circuit elements each having at least one input and at least one output and said at least one predetermined relationship or said first predetermined relationship relates to the connection of said at least one output of some of said elements to said at least one input of others of said elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined relationship relates to the function of said elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 5 as dependent on claim 2, wherein said second predetermined relationship relates to the function of said elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined relationship relates to the size of said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 5 as dependent on claim 2, wherein said second predetermined relationship relates to the size of said elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined relationship relates to the shape of said elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3 to 5 as dependent on claim 2, wherein said second predetermined relationship relates to the shape of said elements.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
40 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of rearranging at least some of said elements comprises arranging said at least some of said elements in at least one group having a linear relative position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
55 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are further pre-defined relationships defined between said elements, and further pre-defined arrangement rules correspond to said further pre-defined relationships, and said step of re-arranging at least some of said elements involves application to said elements of at least some of said further rules.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 13 as dependent on claim 2, further including the steps of storing said second rule and said further rules in a rule memory, and selecting said second rule and at least some of said further rules in dependence on said elements priorito said rearranging step.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
59 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps of analysing a further pattern of elements, said further pattern differing from said pattern by a change in the arrangement of at least some of said elements; and deriving a further rule defining the change in arrangement of said at least some of said elements.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
55 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is a change in only some of said elements and the method further includes the steps of re-arranging at least some other elements of said plurality of elements according to said further rule to derive a further pattern, and re-drawing said further pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 15 further including: storing said further rule; and subsequently re-arranging at least some elements of a further pattern of elements according to at least said further rules.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for displaying a pattern automatically said pattern being an arrangement of a plurality of elements, there being at least one predetermined relationship defined between said elements, and at least one pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one predetermined relationship; said device comprising: means for analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said at least one predetermined relationship; means for arranging said elements according to said at least one arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one relationship and for deriving said pattern; and means for displaying said pattern.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for displaying a pattern automatically said pattern being an arrangement of a plurality of elements, there being at least one predetermined relationship defined between said elements, and at least one pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one predetermined relationship; said device comprising: means for analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said at least one predetermined relationship; means for arranging said elements according to said at least one arrangement rule corresponding to said at least one relationship and for deriving said pattern; and means for displaying said pattern.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for displaying a pattern automatically, said pattern being an arrangment of a plurality of elements, there being at least a first and a second predetermined relationship defined between said elements and a first and a second pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said first and second predetermined relationships, respectively; said device comprising: means for analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said first relationship; means for arranging said elements according to said first rule, and for deriving an intermediate pattern; means for analysing said intermediate pattern to determined which of said elements are related by said second relationship; means for re-arranging at least some of said elements according to said second rule, and for deriving said pattern, such that said first rule is maintained for said element; and means for displaying said pattern.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for displaying a pattern automatically, said pattern being an arrangment of a plurality of elements, there being at least a first and a second predetermined relationship defined between said elements and a first and a second pre-defined arrangement rule corresponding to said first and second predetermined relationships, respectively; said device comprising: means for analysing said elements to determine which of said elements are related by said first relationship; means for arranging said elements according to said first rule, and for deriving an intermediate pattern; means for analysing said intermediate pattern to determined which of said elements are related by said second relationship; means for re-arranging at least some of said elements according to said second rule, and for deriving said pattern, such that said first rule is maintained for said element; and means for displaying said pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 19, having a rule memory for storing said first and second rules.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of automatic graphical analysis, comprising: analysing a first pattern of elements; analysing a second pattern of said elements, said second pattern differing from said first pattern by a change in arrangement of at least some of said elements; and deriving a rule defining the change in arrangement of said at least some of said elements.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of automatic graphical analysis, comprising: analysing a first pattern of elements; analysing a second pattern of said elements, said second pattern differing from said first pattern by a change in arrangement of at least some of said elements; and deriving a rule defining the change in arrangement of said at least some of said elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein there is a change in only some of said elements and the method further includes re-arranging at least some other elements of said plurality of elements according to said rule.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 21 further including: storing said rule; and subsequently re-arranging at least some elements of a third pattern of elements according to said rule.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A drawing produced by an automated display device according to any one of claims 18 to 20.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of designing an array of interconnected electronic components, said array being an arrangement of said electronic components, comprising drawing the array by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, with said pre-defined arrangement rule(s) including at least one interconnection arrangement rule so that representations of said electronic components are drawn in an array, with said representations of said electronic components being interconnected according to said at least one interconnection arrangement rule.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of investigating a list of related elements, wherein a pattern of the components of the list are drawn by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, and said drawn pattern is investigated.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of revising a list of elements comprising: investigating the list by the method of claim 26, to detect errors in the pattern; revising the list to generate a new list; and repeating the investigation until no errors are detected, thereby to obtain a correct list.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method of correcting errors in a drawing prepared from a list of related elements, comprising: investigating the list by the method of claim 26 to detect errors in the pattern; revising the drawing to remove said error and generate a revised drawing; automatically deriving a new list of said elements from said revised drawing; and repeating the investigation of the new list, until no errors are detected in the array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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