Abstract:
A method of generating parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog of a product includes inputting data of a part of the product either as three-dimensional data or as a data combination of two-dimensional data and position information of the part in a three-dimensional model of the product.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is based on and claims priority to Japanese patent application No. JP 2006-135220 filed on May 15, 2006 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a method, a data generator, and a program to generate parts catalog data and a parts catalog display, for example, to a method, a data generator, and a program to generate parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog of a product and a display to display the parts catalog.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In general, parts catalogs, parts lists, and operation manuals of products include illustrations, such as exploded diagrams and perspective diagrams. It is a common practice to use three dimensional (3D) data generated by a CAD system to easily create such illustrations.  
         [0004]     Generally, a product includes a plurality of component parts. A customer may use a parts catalog and/or a parts list to order spares of the component parts. The parts catalog and the parts list include part names, part numbers, and illustrations to show the shape and the location of the component part. In the parts catalogs, respective parts are generally shown in assemblies (unit) constituting the product.  
         [0005]     However, 3D data of some parts may not be generated when designing a product with a 3D CAD system. For example, a designer may omit to generate data of electric cables, harnesses, screws, nuts, etc., to make the designing work easier. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement image data of those parts when creating a parts catalog using 3D CAD data.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Various embodiments disclosed herein describe a method, a data generator, and a program to generate parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog and a display to display the parts catalog. In one embodiment, a method of generating parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog of a product includes inputting data of a part of the product as three-dimensional data or a data combination of two-dimensional data and position information of the part in a three-dimensional model of the product.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, a data generator to generate parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog of a product includes a data input device configured to input data of a part of the product as three-dimensional data or a data combination of two-dimensional data and position information of the part in a three-dimensional model of the product.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a program for a data generator to generate parts catalog data for a visually three-dimensional parts catalog of a product includes inputting data of a part of the product as three-dimensional data of the part or a data combination of two-dimensional data and position information of the part in a three-dimensional model of the product.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a display to display data of a parts catalog is configured to display an image of a part corresponding to three-dimensional data when data of the part is the three-dimensional data and to display two-dimensional data at a position corresponding to the position information when data of the part is the data combination. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processor according to an embodiment;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a function block to generate a parts catalog;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of parts catalog data;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an example assembly diagram;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an example single part diagram;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5A and 5B  are example assembly diagrams;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6A and 6B  are example assembly diagrams;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an illustration to explain a region of position information;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example operation screen;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example operation screen when “main body” is selected;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates an example operation screen when “option 1” is selected;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is an illustration to explain a process to select a supplement image;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is an example indication of the supplement image;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is an illustration to explain a position of the supplement image;  
         [0025]      FIGS. 14A  to  14 F are illustrations to explain a procedure to input position information; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an example procedure by a catalog generator. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, particularly to  FIG. 1 , data processor  100  according to an embodiment is described.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of the data processor  100 . The data processor  100  may includes a CPU (central processing unit)  1 , a ROM (read only memory)  2 , a RAM (random access memory)  3 , a character generator  4 , a clock circuit  5 , a network transmission controller  7 , a magnetic disk device  8 , an optical medium driver  9 , a display controller  12 , an input controller  15 , and an internal bus  16 .  
         [0029]     The CPU  1 , the ROM  2 , the RAM  3 , the character generator  4 , the clock circuit  5 , the network transmission controller  7 , the magnetic disk device  8 , the optical medium driver  9 , the display controller  12 , and the input controller  15  exchange data with each other via the internal bus  16 . The data processor  100  may further include a network interface (I/F) circuit  6 , a CRT (cathode-ray tube) screen display  11 , a keyboard  13 , and a screen indicator  14 .  
         [0030]     The CPU  1  controls an operation of the data processor  100 . The ROM  2  stores data and a program that the CPU  1  executes on start-up. The RAM  3  constitutes a work area for the CPU  1 .  
         [0031]     The character generator  4  may generate data to indicate a graphic character. The clock circuit  5  may output a current date and time. The network I/F circuit  6  may connect the data processor  100  to a network such as a local area network (not shown). The network transmission controller  7  may control communication of respective predetermined protocol suites to exchange data with another data processor via a network.  
         [0032]     The magnetic disk device  8  may store various data files, for example, an application program, work data, and file data. The optical medium driver  9  may access an exchangeable optical recording medium  10  (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD).  
         [0033]     The CRT screen display  11  may provide an operation screen for the data processor  100 . The display controller  12  may control the display contents of the CRT screen display  11 . The keyboard  13  includes various keys to be used by a user to operate the data processor  100 . The screen indicator  14  may be used to indicate an arbitrary point on the CRT screen display  11 . The input controller  15  may load information input from the keyboard  13  and/or the display indicator  14 .  
         [0034]     The data processor  100  includes a function to create a parts catalog using 3D data generated with a 3D CAD system (3D data).  FIG. 2  is an example diagram illustrating a function block to create the parts catalog.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the data processor  100  includes a catalog generator  20 , a 3D data storage  21 , a parts list storage  22 , a catalog storage  23 , an image data storage  24 , an image compensator  25 , a position information compensator  26 , and a catalog browser  27 . The 3D data storage  21  and the parts list storage  22  may be provided in the magnetic disk device  8 .  
         [0036]     The catalog generator  20  may generate parts catalog data, based on the data stored in the 3D data storage  21  and the parts list storage  22 , and may store the parts catalog data in the catalog storage  23 .  
         [0037]     The 3D data storage  21  is a database storing 3D data to be used to create a parts catalog and may store shape information of respective component parts constituting a product. The 3D data storage  21  may further store information of a state in which respect parts are assembled as the product.  
         [0038]     The parts list storage  22  is a database storing a list of parts (exchangeable parts) to be included in the parts catalog. In the parts list, a name of a part, a part identification number to order the part (part order number), etc., may be listed for each unit.  
         [0039]     If the 3D data of a part listed in the parts list is not available, its image taken by a digital still camera or generated from an illustration is stored in the image data storage  24  as the two-dimensional image data (2D data). The image compensator  25  may specify the image data (image file) in the image data storage  24  and send the image data to the catalog generator  20 .  
         [0040]     The user may specify a location to attach the part in a product with the screen indicator  14  and/or the keyboard  13 , when 3D data of the part is not available. The position information compensator  26  may send information specifying the location of the part in the product as the position information to the catalog generator  20 .  
         [0041]     For the part whose 3D data is stored in the 3D data storage  21 , the catalog generator  20  refers thereto to obtain the 3D data. For the part whose 3D data is not stored in the 3D storage  21 , the catalog generator  20  may obtain the 2D data compensated by the image compensator  25  and may use the position information compensated by the position information compensator  26  as position of the part in the product.  
         [0042]     The catalog storage  23  stores a list of parts included in the parts catalog, the image of a single part, assembly diagrams from different viewpoints, and the position information indicating the location of the part in the product. The list of parts includes the names and part order number. The assembly diagram is an image to show the location of the part in the product. The catalog storage  23  may store a plurality of assembly diagrams from different viewpoints and the position information corresponding to the plurality of viewpoints for each part.  
         [0043]     The catalog browser  27  browses the parts catalog data stored in the catalog storage  23 . The user may search a part by its name and by specifying a region on its assembly diagram.  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is an example of the parts catalog data generated for each part. The parts catalog data may include the single part images, the assembly diagrams, the enlarged assembly diagrams, the position information, the part names, the part order numbers, and the unit names.  
         [0045]     The single part image is an image of the target part generated on the scale to show the entire target part as large as possible. The scale of the single part image may differ depending on the part.  
         [0046]     The assembly diagram is an image of the product or unit to which the target part belongs and is generated for each part. In the assembly diagrams, the target part is highlighted to show the location of the part and other parts in the unit or product may be illustrated as semi-transparent models or wire models.  
         [0047]     In case of the assembly diagram based on the 3D image, an area enclosed by the outline of the target part may be highlighted. Alternatively, a rectangular region showing the location of the target part or a rectangular solid enclosing the target part is highlighted in the assembly diagrams.  
         [0048]     A plurality of assembly diagrams with different viewpoints may be generated for each part as required. The scale may be substantially the same through the diagrams with similar viewpoints. The assembly diagrams may be generated on the scale to show the entire product or unit as large as possible.  
         [0049]     The enlarged assembly diagram is an enlarged display of an assembly diagram. The scale of enlargement may be changeable from the scale to show all the parts in the product or unit as large as possible to the scale to show the whole of the target part as large as possible. The entire target part is shown in the enlarged assembly diagrams regardless of scale.  
         [0050]     The position information designates the position and the region of the target part on the screen, to designate the position of the target part in an assembly diagram or an enlarged assembly diagram. The position information is coordinates of a rectangle enclosing the entire target part. The position information is a combination of the coordinates of its upper left apex and lower right apex, when the coordinates of the upper left edge of the screen is the origin of coordinates (X=0, Y=0) and x-coordinates positively increase to the right and y-coordinates positively increase to the bottom.  
         [0051]     The part name is a name of the target part. The part number (part order number) is an identification number for each part. The same part number is applied to the parts having substantially the same configuration. The unit name is a name of unit as an assembly of parts to which the target part belongs. Each part belongs to a unit (e.g., sheet feeder, sheet ejector, etc.)  
         [0052]      FIG. 4A  is an example display image of a unit including a part PK whose 3D data is stored in the 3D data storage  21 .  FIG. 4B  is an example single part image of the part PK.  
         [0053]      FIG. 5A  is an example assembly diagram of a part PP whose 3D data is stored in the 3D data storage  21 . The catalog browser  27  may highlight the part PK and show other parts in unit as semi-transparent models. The catalog browser  27  may shade the part PK and/or color a wire frame for the part PK differently (e.g., red) to clearly indicate its location.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 5B, 6A , and  6 B are example assembly diagrams of the part PP from different viewpoints. In an embodiment, four versions of an assembly diagram are generated as above. The user may quickly view the parts catalog with the catalog browser  27  because a plurality of assembly diagrams with different viewpoints are preliminary generated.  
         [0055]     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the position information is generated as a rectangle enclosing the single part image.  
         [0056]     Next, processes to supplement an image of a part whose 3D image is not stored in the 3D data storage  21  to the parts catalog are described.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example operation screen by the CRT screen display  11  for the data processor  100 . The operation screen includes a parts list field DDa, a single part image field DDb, and a catalog display field DDc. A list of parts appears in the parts list field DDa. The parts list includes the name of product or unit (ABC) on top and names of its components (MAIN BODY, OPTION 1, OPTION 2, and OPTION 3) under the name of product or unit. A currently selected part is enclosed with a frame in the list.  
         [0057]     The single part image of the selected part appears in the single part image field DDb. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , an image of entire product (ABC) may be initially displayed. When the 3D data storage  21  stores 3D data of the selected part, the data processor  100  may display 2D image rendered from a stereoscopic image based on the 3D data, in the single part image field DDb. The catalog display field DDc displays the entire product or unit.  
         [0058]     When the user selects “MAIN BODY” in the parts list field DDa in  FIG. 8 , the CRT screen display  11  renews its screen as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Because the 3D data storage  21  stores the 3D data of the main body, an image corresponding to the 3D CAD data appears in the single part image field DDb. The main body is highlighted in the catalog display field DDc.  
         [0059]     When the user selects “OPTION  1 ” whose 3D data is not stored in the 3D data storage  21  in the parts list field DDa, the CRT screen display  11  displays the screen illustrated in  FIG. 10  in which no image appears in the single part image field DDb and no part is highlighted in the catalog display field DDc.  
         [0060]     The user may choose to supplement an image of OPTION 1. For example, the CRT screen display  11  may display an image choice field DDd illustrated in  FIG. 11 . When the user chooses one of the images stored in the image data storage  24 , its display frame is highlighted.  
         [0061]     After the user chooses the image, the chosen image appears in the single part image field DDb as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Next, the CRT screen display  11  may display a part position input window DDe illustrated in  FIG. 13 . When the user inputs the position of OPTION 1, a highlighted rectangle PF corresponding to the input position appears in the catalog display field DDc. The rectangle PF is a rendered 2D image of a rectangular solid.  
         [0062]     The procedure to input the position information is described with reference to  FIGS. 14A  to  14 F.  FIGS. 14A  to  14 F show that the assembly diagram in the catalog display field DDc changes according to the input by the user.  FIG. 14A  is an initial image in the catalog display field DDc, and no rectangle indicating the location of OPTION 1 is shown therein because no position information is available.  
         [0063]     When the user inputs the location and size as the position information of OPTION 1 in part position input window DDe, a highlighted rectangle PFa appears at a position corresponding to the input position information as illustrated in  FIG. 14B . The rectangle PFa is a 2D image of a rectangular solid that is viewed from a predetermined viewpoint and has a size corresponding to the position information input by the user.  
         [0064]     The user may change the size of the region.  FIG. 14C  includes the rectangle PF according to the changed size. The user may change the location as required. When the user changes the input of the position, the rectangle PF is shown at a different position as illustrated in  FIG. 14D .  
         [0065]     The user may change the viewpoint of the assembly diagram to check the location of OPTION 1.  FIGS. 14E and 14F  are assembly diagrams from different viewpoints.  
         [0066]     As described above, four versions of assembly diagram with different viewpoints are generated. Therefore, the user generates rectangles indicating position information corresponding to each of the four versions.  
         [0067]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an example procedure performed by the catalog generator  20 .  
         [0068]     At S 101 , the catalog generator  20  obtains information of a part from the parts list in the parts list storage  22 . The catalog generator  20  may search the 3D data storage  21  for 3D data corresponding to the part at S 102 , and may check whether or not the 3D data of the part is obtained at S 103 . When the 3D data is obtained (YES at S 103 ), the catalog generator  20  may generate catalog data of the part based on the 3D data, and store the catalog data in the catalog storage  23  at S 104 .  
         [0069]     To the contrary, when the 3D data is not obtained (NO at S 103 ), the user may specify 2D data for the part stored in the image data storage  24  with the image compensator  25  at S 105 . The user may input of the part in a product or unit (position information) at S 106 . At S 107 , the catalog generator generates catalog data of the part based on the 2D data and the position information, and stores the catalog data in the catalog storage  23 .  
         [0070]     The catalog generator  20  may check whether or not the catalog data for all the parts on the parts list is generated at S 108 . When the answer at S 108  is NO, the catalog generator  20  may go back to S 101  and generate catalog data for a next part. When the answer at S 108  is YES, the catalog generator  20  completes the procedure.  
         [0071]     As described above, in an embodiment, the user may supplement an image taken by a digital still camera or an illustration image to generate a parts catalog of a product when 3D data of a component part listed on the parts list of the product is not available. The user may further input the location of the part in the product. Therefore, the user may generate catalog data to display a three-dimensional catalog.  
         [0072]     Further, the catalog browser  27  basically displays the contents illustrated in  FIG. 8 . To obtain the information of a part, the user selects a unit including the target part from the parts list field DDa. An image of the selected unit is displayed in the single part image field DDb. Simultaneously, the selected unit is highlighted the assembly diagram of the unit displayed in the catalog display field DDc.  
         [0073]     Further, the parts list field DDa may indicate names of parts included in the unit. The user may select the target part from the parts list field DDa. The location of the target part is highlighted in the catalog display field DDc and an image of target part is displayed in the single part image field DDb. Therefore, its part number may be indicated in the parts list field DDa to help the user to obtain its part number easily.  
         [0074]     In an example procedure, the user basically inputs location and region of a rectangular solid as the compensated position information. Alternatively, the compensated position information may be constituted of a location and a region of an arbitrary three-dimensional solid, for example, a sphere or an ellipsoidal body.  
         [0075]     In an example procedure, the catalog generator  20  may output catalog data for each part after obtaining its 3D data or after the user compensates an image and inputs position information of the part whose 3D data is not available. Alternatively, the catalog generator  20  may output catalog data immediately after the user compensates images and inputs position information for the compensated images for the parts whose 3D data is not available.  
         [0076]     Further, in an embodiment, the user specifies an image file for an image in the image data storage  24 . Alternatively, the data processor  100  may include a system to automatically select an image file from the image data storage  24  according to preliminary named file names, for example, by incorporating the part order names in the file names.  
         [0077]     Further, the image compensator  25  may be configured to supplement an image taken by a digital still camera or an illustration image of a part whose 3D data is available. The user may choose the part whose data is the combination of 2D image data and the position information in the parts catalog displayed on the display, similarly to the part whose data is automatically generated based on the 3D data.  
         [0078]     The 3D data may be generated with an arbitrary 3D CAD system.  
         [0079]     Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patent specification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.