Information processing apparatus and method, and program

An information processing method for displaying models representing shapes to assist design of a device, said information processing method comprising:

• a first extracting step of extracting device identifying data, function identifying data, and core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from configuration information indicating a configuration of functions of said device to be designed, the configuration information including said device identifying data identifying another device already designed, said function identifying data identifying a function of said other device corresponding to each of the functions of said device, and said core part identifying data identifying a core part as a core of a function of said device to be designed;
• a second extracting step of extracting area data corresponding to the extracted said device identifying data and the extracted said function identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from parts information representing information on parts of said other device, the parts information including said area data indicating an area necessary to mount said parts in correspondence with said device identifying data and said function identifying data;
• a third extracting step of extracting part shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of said core part identified by the extracted said core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from a set of part shape data representing three-dimensional shapes of said parts;
• a generating step of generating, for each function of said device to be designed, mounting surface shape data representing a shape of a surface on which said parts of the function of said device are mounted on a basis of the extracted said area data;
• and
• a display controlling step of controlling display of a model representing the three-dimensional shape of said core part and a model representing the shape of the surface on which said parts are mounted on a basis of said part shape data and said mounting surface shape data.

A program for making a computer perform information processing for displaying models representing shapes to assist design of a device, said program comprising:

• a first extracting step of extracting device identifying data, function identifying data, and core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from configuration information indicating a configuration of functions of said device to be designed, the configuration information including said device identifying data identifying another device already designed, said function identifying data identifying a function of said other device corresponding to each of the functions of said device, and said core part identifying data identifying a core part as a core of a function of said device to be designed;
• a second extracting step of extracting area data corresponding to the extracted said device identifying data and the extracted said function identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from parts information representing information on parts of said other device, the parts information including said area data indicating an area necessary to mount said parts in correspondence with said device identifying data and said function identifying data;
• a third extracting step of extracting part shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of said core part identified by the extracted said core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from a set of part shape data representing three-dimensional shapes of said parts;
• a generating step of generating, for each function of said device to be designed, mounting surface shape data representing a shape of a surface on which said parts of the function of said device are mounted on a basis of the extracted said area data;
• and
• a display controlling step of controlling display of a model representing the three-dimensional shape of said core part and a model representing the shape of the surface on which said parts are mounted on a basis of said part shape data and said mounting surface shape data.

An information processing apparatus for displaying models representing shapes to assist design of a device, said information processing apparatus comprising:

• a first extractor extracting device identifying data, function identifying data, and core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from configuration information indicating a configuration of functions of said device to be designed, the configuration information including said device identifying data identifying another device already designed, said function identifying data identifying a function of said other device corresponding to each of the functions of said device, and said core part identifying data identifying a core part as a core of a function of said device to be designed;
• a second extractor extracting area data corresponding to the extracted said device identifying data and the extracted said function identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from parts information representing information on parts of said other device, the parts information including said area data indicating an area necessary to mount said parts in correspondence with said device identifying data and said function identifying data;
• a third extractor extracting part shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of said core part identified by the extracted said core part identifying data for each function of said device to be designed, from a set of part shape data representing three-dimensional shapes of said parts;
• a generator generating, for each function of said device to be designed, mounting surface shape data representing a shape of a surface on which said parts of the function of said device are mounted on a basis of the extracted said area data;
• and
• a display controller controlling display of a model representing the three-dimensional shape of said core part and a model representing the shape of the surface on which said parts are mounted on a basis of said part shape data and said mounting surface shape data.