Patent Publication Number: US-2020302091-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-49398, filed on Mar. 18, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The embodiments discussed herein are related to an information processing apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the drawing creation process performed at the time of manufacturing various products, the drawing notation using a geometric tolerance method has recently attracted attention to reduce the ambiguity of interpretation in drawing notation using a dimensional tolerance method familiar in Japan, and to ensure the uniqueness of interpretation of design information. The drawing notation using the geometric tolerance method is more internationally common than the drawing notation using the dimensional tolerance method. 
     On the other hand, in 3D computer-aided design (CAD) technology, a 3D annotated model (3DA) is known, which is drawing data obtained by adding design information directly to a 3D model, In order to operate the 3DA efficiently, the drawing notation using the geometric tolerance method has been increasingly utilized, Along with this technical trend, the Japanese industrial standards (JIS) are being revised from the drawing notation using the dimensional tolerance method to the drawing notation using the geometric tolerance method. 
     Examples of the related art include Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-324094. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the embodiments, an information processing apparatus includes: a memory configured to store correspondence information, the correspondence information including a word explaining each of a plurality of types of geometric tolerances using a dimensional tolerance method; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to: extract geometric tolerance information from drawing data in which the shape or structure of an article is defined by a geometric tolerance method, the geometric tolerance information including one or more of parameters thus set for the article, the one or more of parameters including at least any of a geometric tolerance type, a tolerance range, and a datum symbol; generate a word corresponding to the geometric tolerance information based on the correspondence information by referring to the memory; and output conversion result information including the generated word. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware example of the information processing apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a functional example of the information processing apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a conversion table (Part 1). 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a conversion table (Part 2). 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a conversion table (Part 3). 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of an article whose shape or structure is defined by a geometric tolerance method. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion into a word describing geometric tolerance information using a dimensional tolerance method. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a storage example of a geometric tolerance DB. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is flatness. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary lo of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is squareness. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is positional tolerance. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a display example of conversion result information displayed on a display. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a group of selection buttons for selecting information to be displayed on the display. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example of displaying information on a measurement method together with the conversion result information. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an example of simultaneously displaying some geometric tolerance information and the conversion result information on the display. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary flow of processing for converting dimensional tolerance information into geometric tolerance information. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an example in which a part of a certain article is defined by a dimensional tolerance method. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a display example of candidates for a notation of a geometric tolerance method. 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where each candidate is applied. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) 
     However, in actual sites (design sites, manufacturing sites, inspection sites, and the like), users of drawing data may be unfamiliar with the geometric tolerance method, and there are variations in interpretation of drawing data created using the geometric tolerance method, leading to a situation where the drawing data could not be used properly. 
     In one aspect, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program and an information processing apparatus capable of suppressing variations in user interpretation of drawing data created using a geometric tolerance method. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure enables suppression of variations in user interpretation of drawing data created using a geometric tolerance method. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. 
     An information processing apparatus  10  includes a storage unit  11  and a processing unit  12 . 
     The storage unit  11  includes drawing data  11   a , a geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program (hereinafter abbreviated as a conversion program)  11   b , and correspondence information  11   c , The storage unit  11  is a volatile storage device such as a random-access memory (RAM a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory, or a combination thereof. 
     The drawing data  11   a  includes, for example, data representing an article to be designed, manufactured, or inspected in 2D or 3D. In the drawing data  11   a , the shape or structure of the article is defined by a geometric tolerance method. Information on the shape or structure of the article defined by the geometric tolerance method (hereinafter referred to as geometric tolerance information) is included in additional information created in association with the shape or structure of the article. 
     The drawing data  11   a  may be stored in another device (for example, an external storage device) coupled to the information processing apparatus  10 . 
     The conversion program  11   b  is a program for converting (replacing) the geometric tolerance information into a word described using a dimensional tolerance method. 
     The correspondence information  11   c  includes a word describing each of a plurality of types of geometric tolerances using a dimensional tolerance method. Among the types of geometric tolerance methods, the types related to the shape include straightness, flatness, roundness, cylindricity, line contour, and circle contour, The types related to posture include parallelism, squareness, and inclination, the types related to position include positional tolerance, coaxiality, concentricity, and symmetry, and the types related to run-out include circumferential run-out and total run-out, The correspondence information  11   c  may include information indicating a calculation procedure (calculation method) for calculating a dimensional tolerance defined by the dimensional tolerance method using a tolerance range defined by the geometric tolerance method. 
     The drawing data  11   a , the conversion program  11   b , and the correspondence information  11   c  may be stored in different storage units. 
     The processing unit  12  may be a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The processing unit  12  may include an application-specific electronic circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). A set of the plurality of processors may be referred to as a “multiprocessor” or simply a “processor”. 
     The processing unit  12  performs the following processing by executing the conversion program lib stored in the storage unit  11 . The processing unit  12  extracts geometric tolerance information including a geometric tolerance type, a tolerance range, and a datum symbol if any from the drawing data  11   a , Then, the processing unit  12  generates a word corresponding to the extracted geometric tolerance information based on the correspondence information  11   c  by referring to the storage unit  11 , and outputs conversion result information including the generated word. For example, the processing unit  12  outputs the conversion result information to a display device  12   a  coupled to the information processing apparatus  10 , and displays the generated word on the display device  12   a . The processing unit  12  may output the conversion result information to the storage unit  11  and store the conversion result information in the storage unit  11 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of processing performed by the processing unit  12 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of the drawing data  11   a  in which the position of a cylindrical opening  15   o  of an article  15  is defined using the positional tolerance of the geometric tolerance method. 
     A tolerance entry frame  16  indicates, from the left, a symbol indicating the positional tolerance, a tolerance range “φ0.3” indicating that a run-out tolerance from the central axis is 0.3 mm or less, and datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C”. The datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” represent dimensional references (hereinafter simply referred to as references) when defining the posture of the shape. In  FIG. 1 , a triangular symbol representing a datum is omitted, but “A” is a datum symbol indicating a face  15   a , “B” is a datum symbol indicating a face  15   b , and “C” is a datum symbol indicating a face  15   c . When the datum symbols are arranged in the order of “A”, “B”, and “C” in the tolerance entry frame  16 , “A” has the highest priority and “C” has the lowest priority. The dimension (diameter) of the opening “φ10±0.1” is indicated as an additional symbol on the tolerance entry frame  16 . Information as described above is extracted as geometric tolerance information. 
     The drawing data  11   a  further includes dimensional values “25” and “30” representing the distances from the faces  15   b  and  15   c  of the opening  15   o  as additional information. 
     The correspondence information  11   c  includes, for example, “posture instruction from the reference &lt;Y&gt; and a central axis run-out of &lt;P 1 &gt; mm or less not to deviate from an angular tolerance range” as an explanation of the positional tolerance related to the cylindrical opening  15   o  as described above. Based on the extracted geometric tolerance information, the processing unit  12  substitutes the datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” for &lt;Y&gt; in the above words, and substitutes “0.3” of the tolerance range “φ0.3” for &lt;P 1 &gt;. Thus, the words “posture instruction from references A, B, and C, and central axis run-out of 0.3 mm or less not to deviate from angular tolerance range” are generated as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The processing unit  12  calculates dimensional tolerances sing the information indicating the calculation procedure for calculating the dimensional tolerance defined by the dimensional tolerance method using the tolerance range defined by the geometric tolerance method, which is included in the correspondence information  11   c .  FIG. 1  illustrates an example where the dimensional tolerance “±0.15” from the faces  15   b  and  15   c  to the central axis of the opening  15   o  is calculated based on the tolerance range “φ0.3”. The processing unit  12  acquires the maximum length (here, 10 mm) in the direction perpendicular to the face  15   a  in the opening  15   o  from additional information, for example, and calculates±(tan −1  (0.3/10)/2))=±0.859 as an angular tolerance range that is a dimensional tolerance. The processing unit  12  outputs conversion result information including dimensional information with the calculated dimensional tolerance added to the dimensional value. 
     As described above, the information processing apparatus  10  according to the first embodiment extracts geometric tolerance information from the drawing data  11   a , and generates words describing the geometric tolerance information using the dimensional tolerance method based on the correspondence information  11   c . Thus, even a user who is unfamiliar with the geometric tolerance method may easily understand the drawing data  11   a  created by using the geometric tolerance method, thus enabling suppression of variations in user interpretation. 
     For example, since variations in user interpretation of the drawing data  11   a  may be suppressed at the manufacturing site, interpretation errors of important items such as how much accuracy to be secured may be reduced, and manufacturing defects and yield deterioration may be suppressed. Since variations in user interpretation of the drawing data  11   a  may also be suppressed at the inspection site, the possibility of adopting an erroneous inspection method may be reduced, and an increase in inspection man hours due to unknown inspection method may be suppressed. It becomes easier at the design site to check if the intended design information is included when a designer uses the geometric tolerance method to create the drawing data  11   a , and thus the quality of the drawing data  11   a  may be improved. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware example of the information processing apparatus. 
     The information processing apparatus  20  includes a CPU  21 , a RAM  22 , an HDD  23 , an image signal processing unit  24 , an input signal processing unit  25 , a medium reader  26 , and a communication interface  27 . The above units are coupled to a bus. 
     The CPU  21  is a processor including an arithmetic circuit that executes program instructions. The CPU  21  loads at least a part of a program and data stored in the HDD  23  into the RAM  22  and executes the program. The CPU  21  may include a plurality of processor cores, the information processing apparatus  20  may include a plurality of processors, and the processes described below may be executed in parallel using a plurality of processors or processor cores, A set of the plurality of processors may be referred to as a “multiprocessor” or simply a “processor”. 
     The RAM  22  is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily stores a program executed by the CPU  21  and data used for computation by the CPU  21 . The information processing apparatus  20  may include a type of memory other than the RAM, and may include a plurality of memories. 
     The HDD  23  is a non-volatile storage device that stores software programs such as an operating system (OS), middleware, and application software, and data. The program includes, for example, a conversion program that causes the information processing apparatus  20  to execute processing for converting (replacing) geometric tolerance information included in the drawing data into the words described using the dimensional tolerance method. The information processing apparatus  20  may include other types of storage devices such as a flash memory and a solid state drive (SSD), and may include a plurality of non-volatile storage devices. 
     The image signal processing unit  24  outputs an image to a display  24   a  coupled to the information processing apparatus  20  in accordance with a command from the CPU  21 . As the display  24   a , a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic EL (organic electro-luminescence: OEL) display, or the like may be used. 
     The input signal processing unit  25  acquires an input signal from an input device  25   a  coupled to the information processing apparatus  20  and outputs the input signal to the CPU  21 . As the input device  25   a , a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel, or a trackball, a keyboard, a remote controller, a button switch, and the like may be used, A plurality of types of input devices may be coupled to the information processing apparatus  20 . 
     The medium reader  26  is a reading device that reads a program or data recorded on a recording medium  26   a . As the recording medium  26   a , for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a semiconductor memory, and the like may be used. The magnetic disk includes a flexible disk (FD) and an HDD. The optical disk includes a compact disc (CD) and a digital versatile disc (DVD). 
     The medium reader  26  copies a program or data read from the recording medium  26   a  to another recording medium such as the RAM  22  or the HDD  23 , for example. The read program is executed by the CPU  21 , for example. The recording medium  26   a  may be a portable recording medium or may be used to distribute the program or data. The recording medium  26   a  and the HOD  23  may be referred to as computer-readable recording media. 
     The communication interface  27  is coupled to a network  27   a  and communicates with another information processing apparatus via the network  27   a . The communication interface  27  may be a wired communication interface coupled to a communication device such as a switch via a cable, or may be a wireless communication interface coupled to a base station via a wireless link. 
     Next, functions and processing procedures of the information processing apparatus  20  will be described. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a functional example of the information processing apparatus. 
     The information processing apparatus  20  includes an input unit  20   a , an extraction unit  20   b , a translation processing unit  20   c , an output unit  20   d , a geometric tolerance database (DB)  20   e , and a conversion table storage unit  20   f . The input unit  20   a , the extraction unit  20   b , the translation processing unit  20   c , and the output unit  20   d  may be mounted using, for example, a program module executed by the CPU  21 . The geometric tolerance DB  20   e  and the conversion table storage unit  20   f  may be mounted using a storage area secured in the RAM  22  or the HDD  23 , for examples. 
     For example, the input unit  20   a  reads drawing data  30  from the outside of the information processing apparatus  20  (for example, a device coupled to the recording medium  26   a  or the network  27   a ) and stores the drawing data  30  in the RAM  22  or the HDD  23 . The drawing data  30  may be stored in the HDD  23  in advance. The input unit  20   a  may acquire an input signal generated by the user operating the input device  25   a.    
     The extraction unit  20   b  extracts information including the lead lines (additional information) from the drawing data  30 , and extracts geometric tolerance information from the additional information. The extraction unit  20   b  stores the extracted geometric tolerance information in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e.    
     The translation processing unit  20   c  refers to the conversion table storage unit  20   f  and generates words corresponding to the geometric tolerance information stored in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  based on the conversion table. 
     The output unit  20   d  outputs the conversion result information including the words generated by the translation processing unit  20   c  to the display  24   a , for example, to display the conversion result information. 
     The geometric tolerance DB  20   e  stores the geometric tolerance information extracted by the extraction unit  20   b . A storage example of the geometric tolerance information will be described later. 
     The conversion table is stored in advance in the conversion table storage unit  20   f . The conversion table is an example of the correspondence information described above, and includes words describing each of a plurality of types of geometric tolerances using a dimensional tolerance method. The conversion table also includes information indicating a calculation procedure for calculating a dimensional tolerance defined by the dimensional tolerance method using a tolerance range defined by the geometric tolerance method. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  illustrate an exemplary conversion table. 
     Index=1 ( FIG. 4 ) in the conversion table represents a calculation procedure and explanatory text for flatness, and Index=2 ( FIG. 5 ) represents a calculation procedure and explanatory text for squareness. Index=3 ( FIG. 6 ) represents a calculation procedure and explanatory text for positional tolerance, The calculation procedure and explanatory text in each Index will be described later. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of an article whose shape or structure is defined by the geometric tolerance method. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the shape or structure of an article  31  is defined by the geometric tolerance method. 
     A tolerance entry frame  32   a  represents, from the left, a symbol representing flatness and a tolerance range “0.2” indicating that a run-out tolerance within the plane is 0.2 mm or less. In the tolerance entry frame  32   a , a datum symbol “A” indicating a face  31   a  serving as a dimensional reference is added to the triangular symbol representing the datum. 
     A tolerance entry frame  32   b  represents, from the left, a symbol representing a squareness, a tolerance range “0.2” indicating that the run-out tolerance within the plane is 0.2 mm or less, and a datum symbol “A” representing the shape posture reference. A datum symbol “B” indicating a face  31   b  (lower surface of the article  31  in  FIG. 7 ) serving as a dimensional reference is added to the triangular symbol representing the datum. 
     A tolerance entry frame  32   c  represents, from the left, a symbol indicating the positional tolerance, a tolerance range “0.2” indicating that the run-out tolerance within the plane is 0.2 mm or less, and the datum symbols “A” and “B” indicating the shape posture references. A datum symbol “C” indicating a face  31   c  serving as a dimensional reference is added to the triangular symbol representing the datum. 
     Each of tolerance entry frames  32   d  and  32   e  represents, from the left, a symbol indicating the positional tolerance, a tolerance range “φ0.3” indicating that a run-out tolerance from the central axis of the cylindrical openings  31   d  and  31   e  is 0.3 mm or less”, and the datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” representing the shape posture references. The dimension (diameter) “φ10±0.1” of the opening is indicated as an additional symbol on the tolerance entry frames  32   d  and  32   e.    
     Besides the above, in  FIG. 7 , dimensional values “25”, “30”, and “80” representing the positions of the openings  31   d  and  31   e  are defined. 
     The drawing data  30  includes, for example, information defining the shape or structure of the article  31  as additional information in addition to the 3D data of the article  31  as described above. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary processing flow of conversion into a word describing geometric tolerance information using a dimensional tolerance method. 
     (S 1 ) The input unit  20   a  reads the drawing data  30  from the outside of the information processing apparatus  20 , for example. The extraction unit  20   b  stores the read drawing data  30  in the RAM  22  or the HDD  23 , for example. 
     (S 2 ) The extraction unit  20   b  extracts additional information for one lead line from the drawing data  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , additional information about the lead line coupled to the face  31   a  is first extracted, for example, from the drawing data  30  including the additional information defining the article  31 . 
     (S 3 ) The extraction unit  20   b  determines whether or not the extracted additional information includes geometric tolerance information. When the extracted additional information includes no geometric tolerance information, the processing of Step S 2  is repeated for another lead line. When the extracted additional information includes geometric tolerance information, the processing of Step S 4  is performed. In the above example, since the additional information includes geometric tolerance information including an operator representing flatness, which is a type of geometric tolerance, a tolerance range, and a datum symbol, the processing of Step S 4  is performed. 
     (S 4 ) The extraction unit  20   b  extracts the ID of the shape coupled to the lead line from the drawing data  30 . In the above example, the ID of the face  31   a  is extracted. 
     (S 5 ) The extraction unit  20   b  extracts the operator and range information as geometric tolerance information from the additional information. The operator indicates the type of geometric tolerance or datum. In the following, operator symbols representing operators include datum and each type of geometric tolerance, and these are separate geometric tolerance information. When the operator symbol is a datum, the range information is a datum symbol of the datum. When the operator symbol is a geometric tolerance type, the range information includes information other than the symbol indicating the geometric tolerance type (tolerance range and datum symbol) among the information indicated in the tolerance entry frame as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In the following description, an additional symbol (for example, “φ10±0.1” in  FIG. 7 ) is also one of operators different from each type of datum and geometric tolerance, but is extracted as range information without any operator symbol. 
     (S 6 ) The extraction unit  20   b  stores the shape ID, operator, and range information extracted in the processing of Steps S 4  and S 5  in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . For example, the ID of the face  31   a  of the article  31  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the datum as the operator symbol, and the datum symbol “A” as the range information are first stored in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e.    
     (S 7 ) The extraction unit  20   b  determines whether or not the additional information about one lead line includes other geometric tolerance information. When there is other geometric tolerance information, the processing from Step S 4  is repeated, and when there is no other geometric tolerance information, the processing of Step S 8  is performed. 
     (S 8 ) The extraction unit  20   b  determines whether or not there is another lead line (for which no additional information is extracted). When there is another lead line, the processing from Step S 2  is repeated, and when there is no other lead line, the processing of Step S 9  is performed. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a storage example of a geometric tolerance D. 
     For Index=1 in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , “face 001” as the ID (written as coupling destination ID) of the face  31   a  of the article  31  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a datum as an operator symbol, the datum symbol “A” as range information are registered as geometric tolerance information. For Index=2, “face 001”, flatness as an operator symbol, and a tolerance range “0.2” as range information are registered as other geometric tolerance information about the lead line coupled to the face  31   a.    
     The same operator group ID is assigned to the geometric tolerance information for the same lead line, and different operator numbers are assigned to different geometric tolerance information for the same lead line. 
     For Index=3 in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , “face 002” as the ID of the face  31   b  of the article  31  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the datum as the operator symbol, and the datum symbol “B” as the range information” are registered as the geometric tolerance information, For Index=4, “face 002”, squareness as an operator symbol, a tolerance range “0.2” as range information, and the datum symbol “A” are registered as other geometric tolerance information about the lead line coupled to the face  31   b.    
     For Index=5 in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , “face 003” as the ID of the face  31   c  of the article  31  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the datum that is the operator symbol, and the datum symbol “C” as the range information” are registered as the geometric tolerance information, For Index=6, “face 003”, the positional tolerance as an operator symbol, a tolerance range “0.2” as range information, and the datum symbols “A” and “B” are registered as other geometric tolerance information about the lead line coupled to the face  31   c.    
     For Index=7 in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , “cylinder 001” as the ID of the cylindrical opening  31   d  of the article  31  illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 10  ±0.1 as the range information are registered as geometric tolerance information (no operator symbol). For Index=8, “cylinder 001”, positional tolerance as an operator symbol, a tolerance range “φ0.3” as range information, and the datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” are registered as other geometric tolerance information about the lead line coupled to the opening  31   d.    
     (S 9 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  determines whether or not a datum is included (registered) as an operator symbol in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , When there is no datum, the processing of Step S 10  is performed, and when there is a datum, the processing of Step S 11  is performed. 
     (S 10 ) When there is no datum, there is a possibility of mistake made by the designer in creating the drawing data  30 , and therefore, the input unit  20   a  accepts the setting of the datum by the user. In this event, for example, the translation processing unit  20   c  generates a message indicating that the drawing data  30  includes no datum, and causes the output unit  20   d  to output the message to the display  24   a  together with the 3D image of the article  31 . For example, the user refers to the 3D image of the article  31  displayed on the display  24   a  to select a shape to be set as a datum using the input device  25   a . The set datum Information (datum symbol and shape ID set as the datum) is inputted to the input unit  20   a  and registered in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . The inputted datum information may be registered to the geometric tolerance information of the drawing data  30  stored in the RAM  22  or the HDD  23 . 
     (S 11 ) When it is determined in Step S 9  that there is a datum, or after the processing of Step S 10 , the translation processing unit  20   c  uses the ID of the shape set as the datum, refers to the drawing data  30  to detect the direction of the datum, and stores the direction in the RAM  22 , for example. When the datum is a face, the direction is the normal direction of the face defined in the drawing data  30 . 
     (S 12 ) Next, the translation processing unit  20   c  extracts one operator symbol from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . The operator symbols are extracted in the order of Index in the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , for example. 
     (S 13 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  refers to the conversion table storage unit  20   f  to determine whether or not an operator symbol corresponding to the extracted operator symbol is included in the conversion table. When the corresponding operator symbol is included in the conversion table, the processing of Step S 14  is performed, and when the corresponding operator symbol is not included in the conversion table, the processing of Step S 15  is performed. 
     (S 14 ) When the corresponding operator symbol is included in the conversion table, the translation processing unit  20   c  uses the conversion table to perform conversion processing corresponding to the type of geometric tolerance indicated by the operator symbol. An example of the processing in Step S 14  will be described later. 
     (S 15 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  determines whether or not all operator symbols have been extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . When all the operator symbols have not been extracted, the processing from Step S 12  is repeated, and when all the operator symbols have been extracted, the processing of Step S 16  is performed. 
     (S 16 ) The output unit  20   d  outputs the conversion result information including the words generated by the translation processing unit  20   c  to the display  24   a , for example, to display the conversion result information. The output unit  20   d  may output the conversion result information as input data of a measuring instrument used during inspection process, for example. 
     A processing example of Step S 14  will be described below. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is flatness. 
     When the operator symbol extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  in Step S 12  represents flatness, the translation processing unit  20   c  performs the following processing based on the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     (S 20 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , the datum symbol of the operator whose operator symbol is a datum in the same operator group (having the same operator group ID) as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=2 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the operator symbol of the operator of Index=1 with the same operator group ID=1 is the datum. Therefore, the datum symbol “A” registered as the range information about the operator is extracted. 
     (S 21 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , a tolerance range registered as range information in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=2 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the tolerance range “0.2” registered as the range information is extracted. 
     (S 22 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , the ID (coupling destination ID) of the shape registered in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=2 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the coupling destination ID “face 001” is extracted. 
     (S 23 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an explanatory text using a fixed phrase indicated in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and terminates the conversion processing for flatness. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the fixed phrase for flatness is “dimensional reference &lt;X&gt; (&lt;X&gt; priority), with shape instruction within plane, run-out within plane is &lt;Y&gt; mm or less”, The translation processing unit  20   c  substitutes the datum symbol extracted in Step S 20  for &lt;X&gt;, and substitutes the tolerance range extracted in Step S 21  for &lt;Y&gt;. 
     As described above, the conversion table includes a word indicating that the shape corresponding to the datum symbol is set as a reference (dimensional reference) in the dimensional tolerance method, and a word indicating the priority order of the references, The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an explanatory text using the above words, so that the user may easily understand the meaning of the datum symbol, A tolerance range that is not expressed by the dimensional tolerance method, such as a run-out tolerance within a plane, may be expressed by the words (note information) as described above. 
     The shape ID extracted in Step S 22  is associated with the explanatory text created in Step S 23 , and is held in the RAM  22 , for example. Then, in the processing of Step S 16  described above, the explanatory text is displayed in association with the face indicated by the ID. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is squareness. 
     When the operator symbol extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  in Step S 12  represents squareness, the translation processing unit  20   c  performs the following processing based on the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     (S 30 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , a datum symbol of an operator whose operator symbol is a datum in the same operator group as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=4 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the operator symbol of Index=3 having the same operator group ID=2 is a datum, and thus the datum symbol “B” registered as the range information is extracted. 
     (S 31 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts range information (tolerance range and datum symbol) registered in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . For example, when the operator symbol of Index= 4  is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the tolerance range “0.2” and the datum symbol “A” registered as range information are Extracted. 
     (S 32 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , the ID (coupling destination ID) of the shape registered in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=4 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the coupling destination ID “face 002” is extracted. 
     (S 33 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  acquires the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the shape corresponding to the datum symbol extracted in Step S 31  in the shape indicated by the ID extracted in Step S 32 . For example, as described above, it is assumed that the datum symbol “A” is extracted in Step S 31 , and the coupling destination ID “face 002” is extracted in Step S 32 . In that case, the translation processing unit  20   c  acquires, from the additional information, the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the face  31   a  on the face  31   b  (lower face of the article  31 ) illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     (S 34 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates the allowable angle based on the calculation procedure indicated in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The allowable angle may be calculated by calculating tan −1 (&lt;P 1 &gt;/&lt;P 2 &gt;)/2. The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates the allowable angle by substituting the numerical value of the tolerance range extracted in Step S 31  for &lt;P 1 &gt; and substituting the length acquired in Step S 33  for &lt;P 2 &gt;. For example, when the tolerance range is “0.2” and the length is 10 mm, the allowable angle is tan −1 (0.2/10)/2=0.573° with respect to both the positive and negative directions. In other words, in the case of adopting the center distribution, which is a method of expressing the dimensional tolerance of the dimensional tolerance method, the allowable angle is “±0.573°”. 
     (S 35 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an explanatory text using the fixed phrase indicated in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the fixed phrase for squareness is “dimensional reference &lt;X&gt; (&lt;X&gt; priority)”, posture instruction from reference &lt;Y&gt;, run-out within plane is &lt;P 1 &gt; mm or less not to deviate from the angle tolerance range when coupling destination of lead line is face. The translation processing unit  20   c  substitutes the datum symbol extracted in Step S 30  for &lt;X&gt;, substitutes the datum symbol extracted in Step S 31  for &lt;Y&gt;, and substitutes the tolerance range extracted in Step S 31  for &lt;P 1 &gt;. 
     (S 36 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  changes the geometric tolerance information for the same operator group as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12  to the explanatory text created in Step S 35  (the original geometric tolerance information may be left separately). 
     (S 37 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts the shape ID corresponding to the datum symbol extracted in Step S 30  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e.    
     (S 38 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts the shape ID corresponding to the datum symbol extracted in Step S 31  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e.    
     (S 39 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an angular dimension between the two shapes from the shape IDs extracted in Steps S 37  and S 38 . For example, it is assumed that the shape ID extracted in Step S 37  is “face 002” and the shape ID extracted in. Step S 38  is “face 001”. In that case, the translation processing unit  20   c  creates an angular dimension that represents an angle between the normal direction of the face  31   a  and the normal direction of the face  31   b , using the direction of the datum stored in advance. The translation processing unit  20   c  may perform processing of moving the starting point of the dimension line of the angular dimension to the ends of the faces  31   a  and  31   b.    
     (S 40 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  generates dimensional information in which the allowable angle (dimensional tolerance) calculated in S 34  is added to the angular dimension created in Step S 39 , and terminates the conversion processing for squareness. 
     The shape ID extracted in Step S 32  is held in the RAM  22 , for example, in association with the explanatory text created in Step S 33  and the dimensional information obtained in Step S 40 . Then, in the processing of Step S 16  described above, the explanatory text and dimensional information are displayed in association with the shape indicated by the ID. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of conversion processing when a geometric tolerance type is positional tolerance. 
     When the operator symbol extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  in Step S 12  represents the positional tolerance, the translation processing unit  20   c  performs the following processing based on the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     (S 50 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , a datum symbol of an operator whose operator symbol is a datum in the same operator group as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12 . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=6 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the operator symbol of Index=5 having the same operator group ID=3 is a datum, and thus the datum symbol “C” registered as the range information is extracted. On the other hand, when an operator symbol of Index=8 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , no datum symbol is extracted because there is no operator whose operator symbol is a datum with the same operator group ID=4. 
     (S 51 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts range information (tolerance range and datum symbol) registered in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . For example, when the operator symbol of Index=6 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the tolerance range “0.2” and the datum symbols “A”, “B” registered as the range information are extracted. When the operator symbol of Index=8 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the tolerance range “φ0.3” and the datum symbols “A”, “B”, “C” registered as the range information are extracted. 
     (S 52 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts the ID (coupling destination ID) of the shape registered in the same Index as the operator symbol extracted in the processing of Step S 12  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e . For example, when the operator symbol of Index= 6  is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9  in the processing of Step S 12 , the coupling destination ID “face 003” is extracted. When the operator symbol of Index=8 is extracted from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e  illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the coupling destination ID “cylinder 001” is extracted. 
     (S 53 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  acquires the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the shape corresponding to the datum symbol (highest priority datum symbol) extracted in Step S 51  in the shape indicated by the ID extracted in Step S 52 . For example, as described above, it is assumed that the datum symbols “A” and “B” are extracted in Step S 51  and the coupling destination ID “face 003” is extracted in Step S 52 . In that case, the translation processing unit  20   c  acquires, from the additional information, the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the face  31   a  corresponding to the highest priority datum symbol “A” on the face  31   c  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . On the other hand, it is assumed that the datum symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” are extracted in Step S 51  and the coupling destination ID “cylinder 001” is extracted in Step S 52 . In that case, the translation processing unit  20   c  acquires, from the additional information, the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the face  31   a  corresponding to the highest priority datum symbol “A” in the opening  31   d  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     (S 54 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates an allowable angle based on the calculation procedure depicted in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The allowable angle may be calculated by calculating tan −1 (&lt;P 1 &gt;/&lt;P 2 &gt;)/2. The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates the allowable angle by substituting the numerical value of the tolerance range extracted in Step S 51  for &lt;P 1 &gt; and substitutes the length acquired in Step S 53  for &lt;P 2 &gt;. For example, when the tolerance range is “φ0.3” and the length is 10 mm, the allowable angle is tan −1 (0.3/16)/2=0.859° with respect to both positive and negative directions. In other words, in the case of adopting the center distribution, which is a method of expressing the dimensional tolerance of the dimensional tolerance method, the allowable angle is “±0.859°”. 
     (S 55 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates the allowable range of the positional dimension based on the calculation procedure indicated in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The allowable range of the positional dimension may be calculated by calculating &lt;P 1 &gt;/2. The translation processing unit  20   c  calculates the allowable range of the positional dimension by substituting the numerical value of the tolerance range extracted in Step S 51  for &lt;P 1 &gt;. For example, when the tolerance range is “φ0.3”, the allowable range of the positional dimension is 0.3/2=0.15 in both the positive and negative directions. That is, in the case of adopting the center distribution, which is a method of expressing the dimensional tolerance of the dimensional tolerance method, the positional dimension is “±0.15”. 
     (S 56 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an explanatory text by using the fixed phrase indicated in the conversion table illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the coupling destination of the lead line is a cylindrical shape (including the cylindrical openings  31   d  and  31   e  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), the fixed phrase for the positional tolerance is as follows, “Dimensional reference &lt;X&gt; (&lt;X&gt; priority), posture instruction from reference &lt;Y&gt;, central axis run-out is &lt;P 1 &gt; mm or less not to deviate from angular tolerance range”. The translation processing unit  20   c  substitutes the datum symbol extracted in Step S 50  (if there is any datum symbol extracted) for &lt;X&gt;, substitutes the datum symbol extracted in Step S 51  for &lt;Y&gt;, and substitutes the tolerance range extracted in Step S 51  for &lt;P 1 &gt;. 
     (S 57 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  changes the geometric tolerance information about the same operator group as the operator symbol extracted in Step S 12  to the explanatory text created in Step S 56  (the original geometric tolerance information may be left separately). 
     (S 58 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts, from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e , the shape ID registered in the same Index as the operator whose operator symbol is the positional tolerance. 
     (S 59 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  extracts the shape ID corresponding to the datum symbol extracted in Step S 51  from the geometric tolerance DB  20   e.    
     (S 60 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  creates an angular dimension and a positional dimension between the two shapes from the shape IDs extracted in Steps S 58  and  559 . For example, it is assumed that the shape ID extracted in Step S 58  is “cylinder 001” and the shape ID extracted in Step S 59  is “face 001”. In that case, the translation processing unit  20   c  uses the datum direction stored in advance, for example, to create an angular dimension representing the angle between the central axis direction of the opening  31   d  and the normal direction of the faces  31   a ,  31   b ,  31   c . The translation processing unit  20   c  creates a positional dimension that represents the distance between the central axis of the opening  31   d  and the faces  15   b  and  15   c , for example, based on the additional information. 
     (S 61 ) The translation processing unit  20   c  generates dimensional information in which the dimensional tolerance (allowable angle or allowable range of the positional dimension) calculated in Steps S 54  and S 55  is added to the angular dimension and the positional dimension created in Step S 60 , and then terminates the conversion processing for the positional tolerance. 
     The shape ID extracted in Step S 52  is held in the RAM  22 , for example, in association with the explanatory text created in Step S 57  and the dimensional information obtained in Step S 61 . Then, in the processing of Step S 16  described above, the explanatory text and dimensional information are displayed in association with the shape indicated by the ID. 
     The order of the processes described above is not limited to the order illustrated in  FIGS. 8, 10, 11, and 12 , but may be accordingly changed. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a display example of conversion result information displayed on a display. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a result of converting the geometric tolerance information of the drawing data  30  for the article  31  whose shape or structure is defined by the geometric tolerance method as illustrated in  FIG. 7  into conversion result information including a word described using the dimensional tolerance method based on the conversion table. 
     By referring to such conversion result information, even users who are unfamiliar with the geometric tolerance method may easily understand the drawing data  30  created using the geometric tolerance method, thus enabling suppression of variations in user interpretation. 
     Although the above description is given of the conversion processing when the types of geometric tolerance included in the extracted geometric tolerance information are flatness, squareness, and positional tolerance, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For other types of geometric tolerances, the conversion processing may be applied in the same manner by preparing a conversion table including words to be described using the dimensional tolerance method. 
     The output unit  20   d  may display a part of the information instead of displaying all the conversion result information as illustrated in  FIG. 13  on the display  24   a.    
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a group of selection buttons for selecting information to be displayed on the display. 
     The example of  FIG. 14  illustrates a selection button group  40  for selectively displaying four types of information, including reference, position, shape, and posture, among the conversion result information. For example, when the input unit  20   a  detects the user clicking a selection button for specific information in the selection button group  40  with a mouse or the like, the output unit  20   d  switches whether to output the specific information to the display  24   a . In the example of  FIG. 14 , the display of information related to the position is turned on and the display of other information is turned off among the conversion result information. 
     By adopting such a function, the user may easily confirm desired information in the conversion result information. 
     When such a function is used, the conversion result information is classified into respective types (four types in the above example) in advance by the translation processing unit  20   c  or the output unit  20   d.    
     Alternatively, the output unit  20   d  may highlight the information selected by the user instead of switching whether to output the specific information to the display  24   a.    
     The output unit  20   d  may display information about a measurement method on the display  24   a  together with the conversion result information as described below. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an example of displaying information on a measurement method together with the conversion result information. 
     In the example of  FIG. 15 , the image represents how the measurement is performed by the measuring instrument together with the image of the measuring instrument. 
     Thus, in the inspection process, the measurer may easily grasp the measurement method. 
     The output unit  20   d  may display the geometric tolerance information held corresponding to the conversion result information on the display  24   a  together with the conversion result information or by switching to the conversion result information. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an example of simultaneously displaying some geometric tolerance information and the conversion result information on the display. 
     In the example of  FIG. 16 , the geometric tolerance information about the flatness and the conversion result information are simultaneously displayed on the display  24   a.    
     By adopting such a function, it is possible to encourage a user who is unfamiliar with the geometric tolerance method to learn the geometric tolerance method. 
     The output unit  20   d  may alternately switch the stored geometric tolerance information and the conversion result information obtained by converting the geometric tolerance information on the display  24   a  based on an instruction from the user. 
     (Method for converting Dimensional Tolerance Information Into Geometric Tolerance Information) 
     The processing of converting dimensional tolerance information into geometric tolerance information may also be implemented using the information processing apparatus  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The procedures will be described below. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary flow of processing for converting dimensional tolerance information into geometric tolerance information. 
     (S 70 ) The information processing apparatus  20  reads from the outside drawing data in which the shape or structure of the article are defined by a dimensional tolerance method, for example. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an example in which a part of a certain article is defined by the dimensional tolerance method. 
     In  FIG. 18 , it is defined that the distance between the faces  51  and  52  of the article  50  is 2θ±0.2 mm. Dimensional tolerance information related to such dimensions is included in the additional information of the drawing data. 
     (S 71 ) The information processing apparatus  20  displays a 2D image or a 3D image (including dimensional values and lead lines of dimensions) of an article based on the drawing data on the display  24   a , and receives dimensional designation using the input device  25   a  such as a mouse by the user. 
     (S 72 ) The information processing apparatus  20  extracts the shape coupled to the lead line having the designated dimension from the drawing data. 
     (S 73 ) The information processing apparatus  20  performs processing of creating a geometric tolerance notation candidate based on the extracted shape. 
     Hereinafter, description is given of a processing example when the extracted shape is two faces. 
     (S 73   a ) The information processing apparatus  20  extracts from the drawing data the two types (planar or non-planar) coupled to each lead line of dimensions. 
     (S 73   b ) The information processing apparatus  20  determines whether or not the type of the two faces is a plane. When the type of the two faces is a plane, the processing of Step S 73   c  is performed, and when one face is a plane and the other face is not a plane, the processing of Step S 73   d  is performed. 
     (S 73   c ) The information processing apparatus  20  creates the following three as candidates for the notation of the geometric tolerance method. The first candidate is a notation in which the first face of the two planar faces is a datum with a datum symbol “A” and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the second face. The second candidate is a notation in which the second face of the two planar faces is a datum with a datum symbol “A” and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the first face. The third candidate is a notation in which no datum is set and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the two faces. 
     ( 573   d ) The information processing apparatus  20  creates the following two as candidates for the notation of the geometric tolerance method. The first candidate is a notation in which a face determined as a plane is a datum with a datum symbol “A” and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the other face. The second candidate is a notation in which no datum is set and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the two faces. 
     (S 74 ) The information processing apparatus  20  displays the notation candidates created in Step S 73  on the display  24   a.    
       FIG. 19  illustrates a display example of candidates for notation using the geometric tolerance method. 
     The example of  FIG. 19  illustrates three geometric tolerance method notation candidates for the dimensional tolerance method notation illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
     The first candidate is a notation in which the face  51  of the two planar faces is a datum of the datum symbol “A” and the face  52  is associated with geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance. The geometric tolerance information is represented in a tolerance entry frame  53   a . The tolerance entry frame  53   a  represents, from the left, a symbol representing the positional tolerance, a tolerance range “0.4”, and the datum symbol “A” as the geometric tolerance information. 
     The second candidate is a notation in which the face  52  of the two planar faces is a datum with a datum symbol “A” and the face  51  is associated with geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance. The notation of the tolerance entry frame  53   b  is the same as that of the first candidate tolerance entry frame  53   a.    
     The third candidate is a notation in which no datum is set and geometric tolerance information about the positional tolerance is associated with the faces  51  and  52 . The tolerance entry frame  53   c  represents, from the left, a symbol representing the positional tolerance and a tolerance range “0.4 CZ” as geometric tolerance information. “CZ” means a common zone, and is a symbol used when one tolerance range is applied to a plurality of distant shapes. 
     The information processing apparatus  20  receives selection of a candidate using the input device  25   a  such as a mouse by the user. 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where each candidate is applied. 
     Each face of the article  50  may include shaking as illustrated in  FIG. 20  after manufacturing, and the vertical portion in the drawing data may be slightly inclined after manufacturing. 
     For example, when focusing on the length in the horizontal direction such as the dimensions a 1 , a 2 , and a 3 , the “candidate  3 ” illustrated in  FIG. 19  is selected, and when focusing on the length from the face  51  as in the dimensions b 1  and b 2 , “candidate  1 ” illustrated in  FIG. 19  is selected. When focusing on the length from the face  52  as in the dimensions c 1  and c 2 , “candidate  2 ” illustrated in  FIG. 19  is selected. 
     (S 76 ) The information processing apparatus  20  outputs the candidate selected by the user as a conversion result. For example, the information processing apparatus  20  outputs the geometric tolerance information about the selected candidate (deletes the geometric tolerance information about the non-selected candidate) to the outside. The outputted geometric tolerance information is used, for example, as input data for the measuring instrument The information processing apparatus  20  may store the geometric tolerance information about the selected candidate in the HDD  23 . 
     As described above, the above processing contents may be realized by causing the information processing apparatus  20  to execute a program. 
     The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, the recording medium  26   a ). As the recording medium, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), and a semiconductor memory may be used. The magnetic disk includes an FD and an HDD. The optical disk includes a CD, a CD-recordable (R)/rewritable (RW), a DVD, and a DVD-RJRW. The program may be recorded and distributed on a portable recording medium. In that case, the program may be copied from a portable recording medium to another recording medium (for example, HDD  23 ) and executed. 
     Although an aspect of the geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program and the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure have been described above based on the embodiments, the geometric tolerance and dimensional tolerance conversion program and the information processing apparatus are merely examples and the present disclosure is not limited to the description above. 
     All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.