Design process recording method and a design process recorder

• US 5,784,286 A
• Filed: 11/14/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Cannon, David M., Hirose, Atsushi, Leifer, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOUIS JACQUES, JACQUES H
• Application Number:
  US08/749,068
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500, 395/601, 395/702, 395/615, 395/456, 395/480, 395/683, 395/703, 395/710, 364/488, 364/468, 364/474.22, 364/474.24, 364/468.03, 364/578, 364/468.15, 707/1, 707/102
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

The design process recorder of the invention includes a data collector for inputting a query; a data storage and management unit for storing a design record including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of arcs, one of the plurality of nodes corresponding to design information; and a story teller for tracing back and forth the nodes and the arcs from a node indicated by the query, and for presenting design information related to a traced node as a story-board.

Claims

1. A design process recorder comprising:

first storage means for storing information generated or acquired during a progress of design, wherein said information extends beyond the design itself and involves the evolution of the design;

second storage means for storing management information including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of arcs each connecting a pair of said nodes;

correlation means for correlating one of said plurality of nodes stored in said second storage means to at least a portion of said information stored in said first storage means;

input means for allowing a user to indicate a node where a design process playback will be started;

trace means for tracing back and forth said nodes and said arcs from said node indicated by said user; and

presentation means for presenting said information correlated to nodes traced by said trace means in the order traced.

2. A design process recorder according to claim 1, wherein said trace means selectively traces back and forth said nodes and said arcs in accordance with a predetermined rule.

3. A design process recorder according to claim 1, further comprising:

edit means for editing said management information interactively.

4. A design process recorder as recited in claim 1, wherein the information includes at least one of documents with text data, sketches, calculation memos, comments, photographs and video data.

5. A design process recording method comprising the steps of:

a) storing information generated or acquired during a progress of design, wherein said information extends beyond the design itself and involves the evolution of the design;

b) storing management information including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of arcs each connecting a pair of said nodes;

c) correlating one of said plurality of nodes provided in said storing step b) to at least a portion of said information provided in storing step a);

d) indicating a node where a design process playback will be started;

e) tracing back and forth said nodes and said arcs provided in said storing step b) from said node indicated in said step d); and

f) presenting said information correlated to nodes traced in said tracing step e) in the order traced.

6. A design process recording method according to claim 5, wherein step e) includes a step of selectively tracing back and forth said nodes and said arcs in accordance with a predetermined rule.

7. A design process recording method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of editing said management information interactively.

8. A design process recording method as recited in claim 5, wherein the information includes at least one of documents with text data, sketches, calculation memos, comments, photographs and video data.