Design support system, design support method, and storage medium

Abstract

The server (10) has a structure information master file (170) that reflects structure information files output from a plurality of engineering design devices, a filter file (180) that contains extraction conditions for extracting desired device information, and an extraction section (142) that extracts device information from the structure information files output by the engineering design devices or the structure information master file (170) using the filter file (180). In addition, the server (10) has a reflection section (143) that reflects the device information extracted from the structure information files output by the engineering design devices by the extraction section (142) using the filter file (180) to the structure information master file (170), and an output section (144) that outputs the device information extracted from the structure information master file (170) by the extraction section (142) using the filter file (180) to the engineering design devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a design assistance system, design assistance method, and design assistance program for assisting system design. Background Technology

[0002] When designing Factory Automation (FA) systems, engineering design devices are used. Different engineering design devices are used at each stage of the FA system design process, including mechanical design, electrical design, and control design. However, some tasks are repetitive between different design stages. That is, some tasks are repeated between different engineering design devices. The design work in the engineering design devices is performed through manual input. Therefore, sometimes due to input errors, the results of these repetitive tasks in different engineering design devices may deviate from those results across different devices.

[0003] As a collaborative technology among engineering design tools, Patent Document 1 describes an engineering design tool collaboration device that can absorb differences in data formats and other aspects of engineering design tools and enable workshop control devices to operate collaboratively.

[0004] On the other hand, as a function to omit repetitive tasks in different engineering design devices, there exists a function for exchanging Extensible Markup Language (XML) files. By using this XML file exchange function, information stored in the upstream stage of the design process can be reflected in the downstream stage without deviation. Furthermore, changes made in the downstream stage can also be reflected in the upstream stage. Similarly, by using this XML file exchange function, information stored in the downstream stage of the design process can be reflected in the upstream stage without deviation.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-73055 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, in order to exchange XML files containing equipment information between engineering design units, only equipment information of devices that can be handled by the engineering design unit can be processed. Therefore, equipment information is often missing during the exchange of equipment information between engineering design units. The equipment that can be handled by the engineering design unit is the equipment that can be configured in the system design of the engineering design unit.

[0007] For example, consider the following scenario: there exist downstream engineering design devices—one manufactured by Company A and the other by Company B—used for the downstream stage of the system design process, i.e., the same stage of system design. Both Company A and Company B have functional limitations in the system design. Company A's engineering design device cannot configure Company B's equipment in the system design. Similarly, Company B's engineering design device cannot configure Company A's equipment in the system design.

[0008] On the other hand, the upstream engineering design device used for the upstream stage of the design process has a wide range of equipment that can be set in the system design, and can set any equipment of both Company A and Company B. Therefore, when the engineering design device of Company A or Company B imports equipment information output from the engineering design device of the upstream process, if there is equipment information other than the processing object in each engineering design device, the equipment information other than the processing object will not be imported and will be missing.

[0009] Furthermore, when the modified equipment information obtained through the engineering design equipment of Company A or Company B is reflected to the equipment information stored in the upstream engineering design equipment, a portion of the equipment information output by the engineering design equipment of Company A or Company B is missing. Therefore, there is a problem that the originally necessary equipment information is not saved in the upstream engineering design equipment.

[0010] The present invention is proposed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a design aid system that enables the transmission and reception of information between different engineering design devices that can be set in the system design without information loss.

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues and achieve the objectives, the design assistance system of this invention comprises multiple engineering design devices for assisting in system design and a server capable of communicating with the multiple engineering design devices. Equipment information can be sent and received between the multiple engineering design devices and the server, and this equipment information determines the equipment specified in the equipment structure designed in the system design. Each of the multiple engineering design devices can configure different equipment in the system design and save a structure information file containing information about the equipment structure created using the equipment information, i.e., structure information. The server comprises: a structure information master file reflecting the structure information files output from the multiple engineering design devices; a filter file containing extraction conditions for extracting desired equipment information; and an extraction unit that uses the filter file to extract equipment information from the structure information files or the structure information master file output by the engineering design devices. Furthermore, the server comprises: a reflection unit that reflects the equipment information extracted from the structure information files output by the engineering design devices using the filter file and the extraction unit to the structure information master file; and an output unit that outputs the equipment information extracted from the structure information master file using the filter file and the extraction unit to the engineering design devices.

[0012] The effects of the invention

[0013] The design assistance system involved in this invention has the following effect: it can carry out the transmission and reception of information between different engineering design devices that can be set in the system design without information loss. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of the design support system involved in Implementation Method 1.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the server of the design assistance system involved in Implementation Method 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the details of the filter file involved in Implementation 1.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the engineering design device of the design assistance system involved in Implementation 1.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the first action in the server of the design assistance system according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a response dialog box displayed on the display unit of the server of the design assistance system according to Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the second action of the server in the design assistance system described in Implementation 1.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of an output dialog box displayed on the display unit of the server of the design assistance system according to Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the outline of the processing of the structural information master file reflecting the structural information file in the design assistance system involved in Implementation 1.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file is reflected in the main structure information file using a filter file with filter information style A in the design assistance system according to Implementation 1.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file is reflected in the main structure information file using a filter file with filter information style B in the design assistance system according to Implementation 1.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file is reflected in the main structure information file using a filter file with filter information style C in the design assistance system according to Implementation 1.

[0026] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the outline of the process of outputting a structural information file from a structural information master file in the design assistance system according to Embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The design assistance system, design assistance method, and design assistance procedure involved in the embodiments will now be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Implementation method 1.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The design assistance system 100 is an FA system design assistance system that assists in the system design of an FA system composed of multiple FA devices.

[0030] The design assistance system 100 connects the server 10 and multiple engineering design devices 20 via a network 30.

[0031] Server 10 is a device that exchanges and stores device information between itself and multiple engineering design devices 20 regarding the equipment used in the system design of the FA system. The device information exchanged between server 10 and the engineering design devices 20 is device information contained within the structural information, representing the device structure. The device structure is the structure of an assembly device, which is a second device, formed by combining and configuring multiple individual devices designated as first devices in the system design. Individual devices are the components that constitute the assembly device. The device structure is created using device information that defines the individual devices designated in the system design. Hereinafter, individual devices will sometimes be simply referred to as devices. Therefore, the following device information defines the individual devices designated as first devices for constituting the assembly device designed as second devices in the system design.

[0032] Server 10 is connected to multiple engineering design devices 20 via network 30 and can communicate with the multiple engineering design devices 20 via wired means. Alternatively, communication between server 10 and the multiple engineering design devices 20 can also be wireless. Furthermore, server 10 only connects to the multiple engineering design devices 20 when necessary.

[0033] The engineering design device 20 is a device that assists in various designs used to construct an FA system, such as mechanical design, electrical design, and control design. In this embodiment 1, the design assistance system 100 includes a first engineering design device 20a and a second engineering design device 20b, which assist in system design at different stages during the design of the FA system. Furthermore, the design assistance system 100 may also have three or more engineering design devices 20 that assist in system design at the same stage or at different stages.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the server 10 of the design assistance system 100 involved in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a filter file 180 of the design assistance system 100 involved in Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the functional structure of the engineering design device 20 of the design assistance system 100 involved in Embodiment 1.

[0035] Server 10 includes: an input unit 11 for inputting information; a communication unit 12 for communicating with multiple engineering design devices 20; a display unit 13 for displaying information; a processor 14 for performing various processes; and a memory 15 for storing information. The input unit 11, communication unit 12, display unit 13, processor 14, and memory 15 are connected via a bus 16.

[0036] Input unit 11 receives various types of information from outside the server 10. Examples of input units 11 include devices such as keyboards, mice, or touch panels, through which information is input by user operations. Communication unit 12 performs bidirectional communication with multiple engineering design devices 20. Display unit 13 displays information on a screen.

[0037] Processor 14 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0038] The memory 15 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as an external storage device, or SSD (Solid State Drive) as an external storage device. Various data and the processing programs of server 10, i.e., design auxiliary programs 150, are stored in the memory 15. The processor 14 executes the design auxiliary programs 150 stored in the memory 15.

[0039] The design assistance program 150, which contains the processing flow and is executed by the processor 14, is loaded into RAM. Additionally, data used by the processor 14 is temporarily stored. The design assistance program 150 is a design assistance program that enables the computer to execute a design assistance method for sending and receiving device information between the computer and the engineering design device 20. This device information is determined by the server 10 for devices specified in the system design. The ROM stores programs for basic computer control, namely BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). The design assistance program 150 and various data are stored in external storage devices. Alternatively, the design assistance program 150 may also be stored in ROM.

[0040] The program stored in ROM and external storage devices is loaded into RAM. The processor 14 loads the design assistance program 150 into RAM and performs various processes. In Embodiment 1, the processor 14 executes the design assistance program 150 to realize the functions of each processing unit of the server control unit 140 described later.

[0041] The design assistance program 150 can also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The server 10 can also store the design assistance program 150 stored on the storage medium to an external storage device. The storage medium can be a portable storage medium as a floppy disk or flash memory as semiconductor memory. The design assistance program 150 can also be installed from other computers or server devices via a network to the computer that becomes the server 10.

[0042] The memory 15 has a database 160 that stores a main structure information file 170 and a filter file 180. The database 160 stores the main structure information file 170, which is updated by the reflection unit 143 as described later. Additionally, the database 160 stores the filter file 180, which is used by the extraction unit 142 during device information extraction as described later.

[0043] The structural information master file 170 is the destination file for the structural information file 250, which will be described later, output by the engineering design device 20. Furthermore, the structural information master file 170 serves as the base file for the structural information file 250 output from the server 10 to the engineering design device 20 via the filter file 180.

[0044] The main structural information file 170 imports the equipment information from the structural information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20 through the filter file 180, thereby saving the latest structural information stored in the engineering design device 20. That is, the main structural information file 170 saves the equipment information of the equipment used in the latest equipment structure stored in the engineering design device 20. The main structural information file 170 reflects the structural information file 250 output by the engineering design device 20, and therefore records the information of the latest structural information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20. In other words, the main structural information file 170 records the latest structural information designed in the engineering design device 20. Therefore, by sending and receiving equipment information between the engineering design device 20 and the server 10, the content of the structural information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20 and the content of the main structural information file 170 become identical.

[0045] Equipment information is information used to determine the individual equipment that can be used in the system design of the engineering design device 20. In the system design of the engineering design device 20, the equipment that can be used, i.e., the equipment that can be configured, differs for each design stage and for each engineering design device 20. Therefore, for each engineering design device 20 used in each design stage of the system design, the equipment that can be used, i.e., the equipment that can be configured, differs in the system design.

[0046] That is, in the design assistance system 100, the devices used in the system design are different in the first engineering design device 20a and the second engineering design device 20b. However, the devices used in the first engineering design device 20a and the devices used in the second engineering design device 20b are not completely different. Therefore, there are also devices that are used in both the first engineering design device 20a and the second engineering design device 20b.

[0047] Therefore, there exist devices that can be set in the system design of the first engineering design device 20a, but cannot be set in the system design of the second engineering design device 20b. Additionally, there exist devices that cannot be set in the system design of the first engineering design device 20a, but can be set in the system design of the second engineering design device 20b. Furthermore, there exist devices that can be set in both the system designs of the first engineering design device 20a and the system design of the second engineering design device 20b.

[0048] Filter file 180 is a filter file that describes extraction conditions for extracting equipment information from the main structure information file 170 or the structure information file 250. When the structure information file 250 output by the engineering design device 20 is reflected to the main structure information file 170 stored in the database 160, filter file 180 is used to extract the desired equipment information that is to be reflected in the database 160. Furthermore, when only the equipment information required by the user is output from the main structure information file 170 stored in the database 160 to the engineering design device 20 specified by the user as the output target, filter file 180 is used to extract only the equipment information required by the user from the main structure information file 170.

[0049] Therefore, the filter file 180 used when outputting device information from server 10 to engineering design device 20 describes extraction conditions that do not extract device information of devices that cannot be set in the system design of engineering design device 20, which is the output target of the device information.

[0050] The structure information file 250 is an XML file output by the engineering design device 20. The structure information file 250 is obtained by documenting the equipment information of the devices that can be configured using the engineering design device 20, i.e., the equipment structure information created by the user in the engineering design device 20. That is, the structure information file 250 records the equipment information of individual devices used in the equipment structure created in the system design of the engineering design device 20 of the design assistance system 100. The structure information file 250 also contains equipment information that is repeated in multiple engineering design devices 20, but includes equipment information that is different for each engineering design device 20.

[0051] Furthermore, the filter file 180 uses a filter file 180 that is inherent to the engineering design device 20, which is the output target of the device information from the structural information master file 170. For example, if the engineering design device 20, which is the output target of the device information from the structural information master file 170, is the first engineering design device 20a, the filter file 180 inherent to the first engineering design device 20a is used.

[0052] For each type of engineering design device 20, one or more filter files 180 are stored in the database 160. That is, essentially one filter file 180 is stored in the database 160 for each type of engineering design device 20. However, if it is desired to use multiple filter files 180 separately for each type of engineering design device 20, multiple filter files 180 can be stored in the database 160 for each type of engineering design device 20. The filter files 180 are registered in the database 160 by the user via the input unit 11. Figure 3 As shown, filter file 180 has filter information 181, for example.

[0053] Filter information 181 is information indicating extraction conditions for extracting only desired device information from the device information contained in the main structure information file 170 or for extracting only desired device information from the device information contained in the structure information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20 and sent to the server 10.

[0054] like Figure 3As shown, filter information 181 includes (1) information about the supplier to be extracted, (2) information about the equipment to be extracted, and (3) information about the elements to be extracted as extraction conditions. The supplier information refers to the information of suppliers of equipment that can be used in the system design of the engineering design device 20, such as company name. The equipment information refers to the information of equipment that can be used in the system design of the engineering design device 20, such as equipment name or product number. The element information is the information of the elements recorded in the format of the method for describing equipment information.

[0055] As an extraction condition, filter file 180 has all the information of (1) to (3) of the three pieces of information contained in filter information 181: (1) information of the supplier to be extracted, (2) information of the device to be extracted, and (3) information of the element to be extracted, or information of (1) and (3), or information of (2) and (3).

[0056] Device information that satisfies all the extraction information of filter information 181 contained in filter file 180, which is contained in structure information file 250, becomes the device information that is extracted by filter file 180.

[0057] exist Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the functional structure of a server 10 implemented using a processor 14. The server 10 has a server control unit 140 that controls the overall processing of the server 10. The server control unit 140 includes an information acquisition unit 141, an extraction unit 142, a response unit 143, an output unit 144, and a display processing unit 145.

[0058] The information acquisition unit 141 sends the filename specified by the user in the response dialog box 300 (described later) to the response unit 143. Additionally, the information acquisition unit 141 sends the filename specified by the user in the output dialog box 400 to the output unit 144.

[0059] Extraction unit 142 extracts desired equipment information from the main structure information file 170 or the structure information file 250 that matches the filter information 181 described in the filter file 180. When the structure information file 250 output by the engineering design device 20 is reflected in the main structure information file 170 stored in the database 160, extraction unit 142 extracts only the desired equipment information that is to be reflected in the database 160 from the structure information file 250. Furthermore, when the extraction unit 142 outputs only the equipment information required by the user from the main structure information file 170 stored in the database 160 to the engineering design device 20 specified by the user as the output target, extraction unit 142 extracts only the desired equipment information required by the user from the main structure information file 170. Hereinafter, the equipment information extracted by extraction unit 142 will sometimes be referred to as extracted equipment information.

[0060] The reflection unit 143 reflects the extracted equipment information extracted from the structure information file 250 sent by the engineering design device 20 based on the filter information 181 recorded in the filter file 180 to the structure information master file 170 of the server 10 via the extraction unit 142.

[0061] The output unit 144 outputs the extracted device information extracted from the structure information master file 170 by the extraction unit 142 based on the filter information 181 described in the filter file 180 to the engineering design device 20.

[0062] The display processing unit 145 performs processing for display on the display unit 13. Under the control of the information acquisition unit 141, the display processing unit 145 performs processing to display either the output dialog box 400 (described later) or the response dialog box 300 (described later) on the display unit 13. Specifically, when the display processing unit 145 reflects the device information from the structural information file 250 sent from the engineering design device 20 to the structural information master file 170, it performs processing to display the response dialog box 300 (described later) on the display unit 13. Furthermore, when the display processing unit 145 outputs the device information from the structural information master file 170 to the engineering design device 20, it performs processing to display the output dialog box 400 (described later) on the display unit 13.

[0063] In addition, the display processing unit 145 displays the information received from the engineering design device 20 on the display unit 13.

[0064] Next, the structure of the engineering design device 20 will be described. The engineering design device 20 is as follows... Figure 4As shown, the device includes: an input unit 21 for inputting information; a communication unit 22 for communicating with multiple engineering design devices 20; a display unit 23 for displaying information; a processor 24 for performing various processes; and a memory 25 for storing information. The input unit 21, communication unit 22, display unit 23, processor 24, and memory 25 are connected via a bus 26.

[0065] Input unit 21 receives various types of information from outside the engineering design device 20. Examples of input units 21 include devices such as keyboards, mice, or touch panels, through which information is input by user operations. Communication unit 22 maintains bidirectional communication with server 10. Display unit 23 displays information via a screen.

[0066] Processor 24 is a CPU, processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP.

[0067] Memory 25 stores structural information file 250. Memory 25 includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM or EEPROM, HDD or SSD. The processing program of engineering design device 20, i.e., the engineering design program, is stored in memory 25. Processor 24 executes the engineering design program stored in memory 25. The engineering design program is a program that enables the computer to execute the system design in engineering design device 20.

[0068] The first engineering design device 20a stores the structural information file 250, i.e., the first structural information file 250a, in the memory 25. The second engineering design device 20b stores the structural information file 250, i.e., the second structural information file 250b, in the memory 25. The first structural information file 250a and the second structural information file 250b are created using the same language, namely XML.

[0069] exist Figure 4 The functional structure of the engineering design device 20 implemented using processor 24 is shown. The engineering design device 20 has a control unit 240 that controls the overall processing of the engineering design device 20. The control unit 240 includes an editor unit 241, an output unit 242, and a display processing unit 243.

[0070] The editor unit 241 displays the system design screen on the display unit 23 and performs processing for creating or editing the system design document in accordance with user operations performed on the input unit 21. The editor unit 241 stores the created or edited system design document in the memory 25. The functions for creating and editing the system design document in the editor unit 241 are the same as those of a typical engineering design tool editor. As part of the system design document creation process, the editor unit 241 creates a structure information file 250 that documents the structure information containing device information.

[0071] The output unit 242 outputs the structure information file 250 created by the editor unit 241 to the server 10. In addition, in order to exchange between engineering design devices 20, the output unit 242 outputs the structure information file 250 created by the editor unit 241.

[0072] Next, the operation of the design assistance system 100 will be explained. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the first action of the server 10 in the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The first action is to upload the structural information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20 to the server 10 and reflect it to the structural information master file 170. More specifically, it is the action of reflecting the equipment information contained in the structural information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20 to the structural information master file 170.

[0073] In step S10, the display processing unit 145 of the server 10 displays the response dialog box 300 on the display unit 13. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a response dialog box 300 displayed on the display unit 13 of the server 10 of the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0074] The reflection dialog box 300 is a screen used to specify files when reflecting the structure information file 250 to the structure information master file 170. Specifically, the reflection dialog box 300 specifies the reflection target master file, the reflection source structure information file, and the filter file. The reflection dialog box 300 has: a reflection target master file input area 311, which inputs the reflection target master file name 310; a reflection source structure information file input area 321, which inputs the reflection source structure information file name 320; and a filter file input area 331, which inputs the filter file name 330.

[0075] Here, the target master file is the structure information master file 170 that the user wants to reflect as the target, specifically the structure information file 250. The target master file name 310 is the filename of the target master file.

[0076] The source structure information file is the structure information file 250 that the user wants to reflect to the main structure information file 170. The source structure information file name 320 is the file name of the source structure information file.

[0077] The filter file 180 is used when the structure information file 250 reflects the structure information main file 170. The filter file name 330 is the file name of the filter file.

[0078] Next, in step S20, the file is specified in the display dialog box 300. Specifically, the display processing unit 145 receives information from the input items in the display dialog box 300, such as the filename 320, which reflects source structure information, and displays the received information in the display dialog box 300. The information from the input items in the display dialog box 300 is input from the input unit 11 through user operation.

[0079] The target main file is specified by entering the target main file name 310 in the target main file input area 311. Similarly, the source structure information file is specified by entering the source structure information file name 320 in the source structure information file input area 321. Finally, the filter file is specified by entering the filter file name 330 in the filter file input area 331.

[0080] Here, as an input item to the reflection dialog box 300, the filename 320 of the reflection source structure information must be entered. Additionally, when the filename 310 of the reflection target main file is entered into the reflection target main file input area 311, the filename 330 of the filter file in the filter file input area 331 must also be entered.

[0081] After inputting information for each item into the response dialog box 300, the server control unit 140, upon receiving a response instruction, switches to response processing in the structure information file 250. That is, the information acquisition unit 141 obtains the input item information entered into the response dialog box 300 from the display processing unit 145. Furthermore, after inputting information for each item into the response dialog box 300, the server control unit 140, upon receiving a cancellation instruction, terminates the process. That is, the display processing unit 145 closes the response dialog box 300, ending the series of processes.

[0082] In the feedback dialog box 300, the user selects the feedback button 340, thereby inputting feedback instruction information to the server 10. Additionally, in the feedback dialog box 300, the user selects the cancel button 350, thereby inputting cancellation instruction information to the server 10.

[0083] Next, in step S30, the information acquisition unit 141 determines whether the target file name 310 has been input into the target file name input area 311. If the target file name 310 has not been input into the target file name input area 311, the result in "No" in step S30, and the process proceeds to step S40. If the target file name 310 has been input into the target file name input area 311, the result in "Yes" in step S30, and the process proceeds to step S50.

[0084] In step S40, the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20 is registered as a new structural information master file 170 and stored in the database 160. Specifically, the reflection unit 143 creates a new structural information master file 170 containing the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20. Here, the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20 is the structural information file 250 whose source structural information file name 320 was input into the source structural information file input area 321. The reflection unit 143 registers the newly created structural information master file 170 and stores it in the database 160.

[0085] Furthermore, the response unit 143 will notify the user that a new structure information master file 170 has been registered in the database 160, thus ending a series of response processes. Specifically, the response unit 143 will output new registration information indicating that a new structure information master file 170 has been registered in the database 160 to the display processing unit 145. If the display processing unit 145 receives the new registration information, it will display the fact that a new structure information master file 170 has been registered in the database 160 on the display unit 13 and notify the user based on the new registration information.

[0086] In step S50, the information acquisition unit 141 determines whether the structure information master file 170 specified through the reflection dialog box 300 exists in the database 160. That is, the information acquisition unit 141 determines whether the structure information master file 170 corresponding to the reflection target master file name 310 input to the reflection target master file input area 311 exists in the database 160. If it is determined that the structure information master file 170 specified through the reflection dialog box 300 exists in the database 160, the result in "Yes" in step S50, and the process proceeds to step S60. If it is determined that the structure information master file 170 specified through the reflection dialog box 300 does not exist in the database 160, the result in "No" in step S50, and the process proceeds to step S80.

[0087] In step S60, equipment information is extracted. Specifically, the extraction unit 142 obtains the source structure information file name 320 and filter file name 330 specified by the reflection dialog box 300 from the information acquisition unit 141. Next, the extraction unit 142 obtains the structure information file 250 corresponding to the obtained source structure information file name 320 from the engineering design device 20. In addition, the extraction unit 142 obtains the filter file 180 corresponding to the obtained filter file name 330 from the database 160.

[0088] Furthermore, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information from the structure information file 250 that matches the extraction conditions, i.e., the filter information 181, contained in the filter file 180. The extraction unit 142 discards device information in the structure information file 250 that does not match the filter information 181.

[0089] Next, in step S70, the device information extracted by the extraction unit 142 from the structure information file 250 is reflected in the structure information master file 170. Specifically, the reflection unit 143 obtains the device information extracted by the extraction unit 142 from the structure information file 250, reflects the obtained device information to the structure information master file 170 specified in the reflection target master file through the reflection dialog box 300, and ends a series of reflection processes. That is, the reflection unit 143 updates the structure information master file 170 using the obtained device information.

[0090] Each device contains its own unique identification information. If the identification information is consistent with both the device information extracted from the structure information file 250 and the device information contained in the structure information master file 170, the response unit 143 updates the device information contained in the structure information master file 170 to the device information extracted from the structure information file 250.

[0091] Furthermore, if the identification information is inconsistent and there is device information that only exists in the structure information file 250, the reflection unit 143 will reflect this device information as new device information in the structure information master file 170. That is, the reflection unit 143 will add device information extracted from the structure information file 250 that is not yet included in the structure information master file 170 as new device information to the structure information master file 170.

[0092] Furthermore, if the identification information is inconsistent, and there is device information that exists only in the main structure information file 170 and matches the filter information 181 contained in the filter file 180, the reflection unit 143 determines that the device information has been deleted from the structure information file 250 stored in the engineering design device 20. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 deletes the device information from the main structure information file 170. The reflection unit 143 performs any of the above-described processes on all the device information obtained from the extraction unit 142, thereby ending the reflection process.

[0093] On the other hand, in step S80, the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20 is registered as a new structural information master file 170 and stored in the database 160. Specifically, the reflection unit 143 creates a new structural information master file 170 that includes the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20. Here, the structural information file 250 output from the engineering design device 20 is the structural information file 250 whose source structural information file name 320 was input into the source structural information file input area 321. The reflection unit 143 registers and stores the newly created structural information master file 170 in the database 160.

[0094] Furthermore, the feedback unit 143 will notify the user that a new structural information master file 170 has been registered in the database 160, thus ending a series of feedback processes.

[0095] Next, the other actions of the design assistance system 100 will be explained. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the second action in the server 10 of the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The second action is to output only the equipment information required by the user from the main structure information file 170 stored on the server 10 to the engineering design device 20.

[0096] In step S110, the display processing unit 145 of the server 10 displays the output dialog box 400 on the display unit 13. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of an output dialog box 400 displayed on the display unit 13 of the server 10 of the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0097] The output dialog box 400 is a screen used to specify the files used when only the equipment information required by the user is output from the main structure information file 170 to the engineering design device 20. Specifically, the output dialog box 400 specifies the main output source file and the filter file. The output dialog box 400 has: an output source main file input area 411, which inputs the output source main file name 410; and a filter file input area 421, which inputs the filter file name 420.

[0098] Here, the main output source file is the main structural information file 170 that the user wants to output to the engineering design device 20 as the output source. The main output source file name 410 is the file name of the main output source file.

[0099] The filter file 180 is used when outputting only the equipment information required by the user from the main structure information file 170 to the engineering design device 20. The filter file name 420 is the file name of the filter file.

[0100] Next, in step S120, the file is specified in the output dialog box 400. Specifically, the display processing unit 145 receives information from the input items in the output dialog box 400, such as the main filename 410 of the output source, and displays the received information in the output dialog box 400. The information from the input items in the output dialog box 400 is input from the input unit 11 through user operation.

[0101] The output source main file is specified by inputting the output source main file name 410 into the output source main file input area 411. Similarly, the filter file is specified by inputting the filter file name 420 into the filter file input area 421. Here, the filter file uses a filter file 180 specific to the engineering design device 20, which is the output target of the device information from the structural information main file 170. For example, if the engineering design device 20, which is the output target of the device information from the structural information main file 170, is a first engineering design device 20a, the filter file 180 specific to the first engineering design device 20a is used.

[0102] Specifically, the inherent filter file 180, which corresponds specifically to the engineering design device 20 as the output target, has filter information 181. This filter information 181 is used to extract only the structural information of devices that can be used in the system design of the engineering design device 20 as the output target. That is, the inherent filter file 180, which corresponds specifically to the engineering design device 20 as the output target, has information indicating extraction conditions used to extract only the structural information of devices that can be used in the system design of the engineering design device 20 as the output target.

[0103] After the information for each input item is entered into the output dialog box 400, the server control unit 140, upon receiving an output instruction, switches to output processing for the structure information master file 170. That is, the information acquisition unit 141 obtains the information of the input items entered into the output dialog box 400 from the display processing unit 145. Furthermore, after the information for each input item is entered into the output dialog box 400, the server control unit 140, upon receiving a cancellation instruction, stops processing. That is, the display processing unit 145 closes the output dialog box 400, ending the series of processes.

[0104] In the output dialog box 400, the user selects the output button 430, thereby inputting output instruction information to the server 10. Additionally, in the output dialog box 400, the user selects the cancel button 440, thereby inputting cancel instruction information to the server 10.

[0105] In step S130, device information is extracted. Specifically, the extraction unit 142 obtains the output source main file name 410 and filter file name 420 specified by the output dialog box 400 from the information acquisition unit 141. Next, the extraction unit 142 obtains the structure information main file 170 corresponding to the obtained output source main file name 410 from the database 160. In addition, the extraction unit 142 obtains the filter file 180 corresponding to the obtained filter file name 420 from the database 160.

[0106] Furthermore, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information from the structure information master file 170 that matches the extraction conditions, i.e., the filter information 181, contained in the filter file 180. The extraction unit 142 discards device information from the device information contained in the structure information master file 170 that does not match the filter information 181.

[0107] In step S140, a new structure information file 250 is created based on the device information extracted by the extraction unit 142. Specifically, the output unit 144 obtains the device information extracted by the extraction unit 142. Furthermore, the output unit 144 creates a new structure information file 250 that includes the obtained device information.

[0108] In step S150, the output unit 144 outputs the newly created structural information file 250 to the engineering design device 20, which is the output target. The output unit 144 performs the above-described output processing on all the equipment information obtained from the extraction unit 142, thereby ending a series of output processes.

[0109] Next, the processing in the design assistance system 100 will be explained with reference to specific examples. Figure 9This diagram illustrates the outline of the process of reflecting the structural information file 250 to the structural information master file 170 in the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the case where the design assistance system 100 includes a first engineering design device 20a, a second engineering design device 20b, and a third engineering design device 20c will be described here.

[0110] exist Figure 9 In the document, the tree structure describing "device," the "deviceitem label" configured below "device," and the "sample label" corresponds to the device structure. Furthermore, the information described in the tree structure corresponds to the structural information. "device" is the name of the device structure.

[0111] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file 250 is reflected to the structure information master file 170 using a filter file 180 with style A of filter information 181 in the design assistance system 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file 250 is reflected to the structure information master file 170 using a filter file 180 with style B of filter information 181 in the design assistance system 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the reflection result when the structure information file 250 is reflected to the structure information master file 170 using a filter file 180 with style C of filter information 181 in the design assistance system 100 according to embodiment 1.

[0112] (Style 1)

[0113] First, the case where the first structural information file 250a output by the first engineering design device 20a is reflected in the structural information main file 170 will be explained. When the first filter file 180a containing the first filter information 181a describing style A is selected in the aforementioned reflection dialog box 300, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information from the first structural information file 250a where the supplier is "Company A" and the element is "device" or "deviceitem". The element is the information of the element extracted in (3) above.

[0114] Therefore, equipment information for "Company A - Equipment A", "Company A - Equipment X", and "Company A - Equipment Z" that matches the supplier and element conditions is extracted from the first structure information file 250a. Furthermore, the extracted equipment information is reflected by the reflection unit 143 to the structure information master file 170.

[0115] Here, in the structure information master file 170 before reflection, the devices that match the description of the first filter information 181a of style A are "Company A_Equipment A", "Company A_Equipment B", and "Company A_Equipment C". Device information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" is not present in the reflected device information. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 determines that the device information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" has been deleted from the first structure information file 250a stored in the first engineering design device 20a, and deletes the device information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" reflected in the structure information master file 170. That is, the reflection unit 143 deletes the device information for "Company A_Equipment B" and "Company A_Equipment C" from the structure information master file 170.

[0116] Device A exists in both the first structure information file 250a and the main structure information file 170 before the reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 reflects the device information of device A in the first structure information file 250a to the device information of device A in the main structure information file 170. Device X and Device Z only exist in the first structure information file 250a. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 adds the device information of Device X and Device Z as device information of additional devices to the main structure information file 170.

[0117] The equipment information for equipment other than that supplied by "Company A" does not match the description in the first filter file 180a. Therefore, the equipment information for equipment other than that supplied by "Company A" is not extracted from the first structure information file 250a or reflected in the structure information master file 170. Through these reflection processes, the structure information master file 170 is updated. Figure 10 The reflected structure information master file 170a shown is the description of "Reflected Structure Information Master File: Style A".

[0118] (Style 2)

[0119] Next, the case where the second structural information file 250b output by the second engineering design device 20b is reflected in the structural information main file 170 will be explained. When the second filter file 180b containing the second filter information 181b describing the content of style B is selected in the aforementioned reflection dialog box 300, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information from the second structural information file 250b where the supplier is "Company B" and the element is "device" or "deviceitem".

[0120] Therefore, equipment information for "Company B_Equipment F" and "Company B_Equipment E2" that matches the supplier and element conditions is extracted from the second structure information file 250b. Furthermore, the extracted equipment information is reflected by the reflection unit 143 to the structure information master file 170.

[0121] Here, in the structural information master file 170 before reflection, the devices that match the description in the second filter information 181b of style B are "Company B_Equipment D" and "Company B_Equipment E". However, the device information for "Equipment D" and "Equipment E" is not present in the reflected device information. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 determines that the device information for "Equipment D" and "Equipment E" has been deleted from the second structural information file 250b stored in the second engineering design device 20b, and reflects the deletion of the device information for "Equipment D" and "Equipment E" in the structural information master file 170. That is, the reflection unit 143 deletes the device information for "Company B_Equipment D" and "Company B_Equipment E" from the structural information master file 170.

[0122] "Device F" and "Device E2" only exist in the second structure information file 250b. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 adds the device information of "Device F" and "Device E2" as the device information of the added devices to the main structure information file 170.

[0123] The equipment information for equipment other than that supplied by "Company B" does not match the description in the second filter file 180b. Therefore, the equipment information for equipment other than that supplied by "Company B" is not extracted from the second structure information file 250b or reflected in the structure information master file 170. Through these reflection processes, the structure information master file 170 is updated. Figure 11 The reflected structure information master file 170b shown is the description of "Reflected Structure Information Master File: Style B".

[0124] (Style 3)

[0125] Next, the case where the third structural information file 250c output by the third engineering design device 20c is reflected in the structural information main file 170 will be explained. When the third filter file 180c with the third filter information 181c containing the content of style C is selected in the above-mentioned reflection dialog box 300, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information or device information with the supplier being any of "Company A", "Company B", or "Company C" and the element being "device" from the third structural information file 250c.

[0126] Therefore, equipment information for “Company A_Equipment A”, “Company A_Equipment X”, “Company A_Equipment Z”, “Company B_Equipment D”, “Company B_Equipment E2”, and “Company C_Equipment 1” that matches the supplier and element conditions is extracted from the third structure information file 250c. Moreover, the extracted equipment information is reflected by the reflection unit 143 to the structure information master file 170.

[0127] Here, in the structure information master file 170 before reflection, the equipment of "Company A" that matches the description of the third filter information 181c of style C is "Company A_Equipment A", "Company A_Equipment B", and "Company A_Equipment C". Equipment information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" is not present in the equipment information being reflected. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 determines that the equipment information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" has been deleted from the third structure information file 250c stored in the third engineering design device 20c, and reflects the deletion of the equipment information for "Equipment B" and "Equipment C" in the structure information master file 170. That is, the reflection unit 143 deletes the equipment information for "Company A_Equipment B" and "Company A_Equipment C" from the structure information master file 170.

[0128] Equipment A of "Company A" exists in both the third structural information file 250c and the main structural information file 170 before the reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 reflects the equipment information of equipment A in the third structural information file 250c to the equipment information of equipment A in the main structural information file 170. Equipment X and Equipment Z only exist in the third structural information file 250c. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 adds the equipment information of equipment X and equipment Z as additional equipment information to the main structural information file 170.

[0129] Furthermore, in the structural information master file 170 before the reflection, the equipment of "Company B" that matches the description in the third filter information 181c of style C is "Company B_Equipment D" and "Company B_Equipment E". Equipment information for "Equipment E" is not present in the equipment information being reflected. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 determines that the equipment information for "Equipment E" has been deleted from the third structural information file 250c stored in the third engineering design device 20c, and reflects the deletion of the equipment information for "Equipment E" in the structural information master file 170. That is, the reflection unit 143 deletes the equipment information for "Company B_Equipment E" from the structural information master file 170.

[0130] Device D exists in both the third structure information file 250c and the main structure information file 170 before the reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 reflects the device information of device D in the third structure information file 250c to the device information of device D in the main structure information file 170. "Device E2" only exists in the third structure information file 250c. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 adds the device information of "Device E2" as the device information of an additional device to the main structure information file 170.

[0131] Furthermore, the device for "Company C" that matches the description in the third filter information 181c of style C is "Company C_Device 1". "Company C" only exists in the third structure information file 250c. Therefore, the reflection unit 143 adds the device information of "Company C_Device 1" as the device information of an additional device to the structure information master file 170. Through these reflection processes, the structure information master file 170 is updated. Figure 12 The reflected structure information master file 170c shown is the description of "Reflected Structure Information Master File: Style C".

[0132] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates the outline of the process of outputting a structure information file 250 from a structure information master file 170 in the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1. Here, the case of outputting the fourth structure information file 250d will be described. When the first filter file 180a containing the first filter information 181a describing the content of style A is selected in the output dialog box 400 described above, the extraction unit 142 extracts device information from the structure information master file 170 where the supplier is "Company A" and the element is "device" or "deviceitem".

[0133] Therefore, equipment information for "Company A_Equipment A", "Company A_Equipment B", and "Company A_Equipment C" that matches the supplier and element conditions is extracted from the main structural information file 170. The output unit 144 creates a new fourth structural information file 250d containing the extracted equipment information and outputs it to the engineering design device 20, which is the output target.

[0134] The first filter information 181a of style A does not contain a definition for "Company B", therefore the equipment information for "Company B" is not extracted from the main structure information file 170. Consequently, the output fourth structure information file 250d does not contain equipment information for "Company B". Similarly, the supplier conditions for the equipment information of "Company A_Equipment B" with the element "sample" match those of the first filter information 181a, but the elements are different, therefore it is not extracted and is not included in the fourth structure information file 250d.

[0135] When the second filter file 180b is selected in the output dialog box 400, the fifth structure information file 250e is output to a device outside the server 10 through the same process as described above. Similarly, when the third filter file 180c is selected in the output dialog box 400, the sixth structure information file 250f is output to a device outside the server 10 through the same process as described above.

[0136] Furthermore, the above description shows a case where the server 10 and the engineering design device 20 are implemented by a personal computer, but the server 10 and the engineering design device 20 can also be configured as dedicated devices.

[0137] In the design assistance system 100 configured as described above, the transmission and reception of device information between multiple engineering design devices 20 that can be set in the system design can be carried out via the server 10 without the loss of device information.

[0138] For example, consider the following scenario: there exist downstream engineering design devices (i.e., the first engineering design device 20a, manufactured by Company A) and the second engineering design device 20b, manufactured by Company B, for the downstream stage of the design process (i.e., the same stage of system design), and an upstream engineering design device (i.e., the third engineering design device 20c), for the upstream stage of the design process. The third engineering design device 20c is an engineering design device 20 manufactured by a different equipment manufacturer than Company A, Company B, and Company C, for example, Company D. Both the first and second engineering design devices 20a and 20b have functional limitations in system design. The first engineering design device 20a cannot configure equipment manufactured by Company B in system design. The second engineering design device 20b cannot configure equipment manufactured by Company A in system design. However, the third engineering design device 20c can configure equipment manufactured by Company A, Company B, and Company C in system design. The first engineering design device 20a and the second engineering design device 20b cannot configure the equipment manufactured by Company C in the system design.

[0139] For example, imagine a structured main file 170 containing equipment information for equipment manufactured by Company B and equipment information for equipment manufactured by Company A. The equipment manufactured by Company B cannot be set as a user object in the system design of the first engineering design device 20a, but can be set as a user object in the system design of the second engineering design device 20b.

[0140] When the structural information file 250 output from the first engineering design device 20a is reflected in the main structural information file 170, the equipment information is extracted using the filter file 180 used by the first engineering design device 20a. As a result, the main structural information file 170 is edited only to reflect equipment information that can be used in the system design within the first engineering design device 20a. Therefore, even if the structural information file 250 does not contain equipment information for Company B's equipment that cannot be processed by the first engineering design device 20a, the equipment information for Company B's equipment that can be processed by the second engineering design device 20b will not be missing, and the structural information file 250 output from the first engineering design device 20a can be reflected in the main structural information file 170. That is, in the main structural information file 170, equipment information that can be processed by the second engineering design device 20b is saved and not deleted.

[0141] Furthermore, the same applies to the case where the structural information file 250 output from the second engineering design device 20b is reflected in the main structural information file 170, which contains equipment information for both Company A and Company B. This Company A equipment cannot be used in the system design of the second engineering design device 20b, but can be used in the system design of the first engineering design device 20a. In other words, the design assistance system 100 can reflect the structural information file 250 output from the second engineering design device 20b in the main structural information file 170 without causing the loss of equipment information for Company A equipment that can be processed by the first engineering design device 20a.

[0142] Furthermore, the same applies to the case where the structural information file 250 output from the third engineering design device 20c is reflected in the main structural information file 170, which contains equipment information for equipment manufactured by Company A, Company B, and Company C. That is, the design assistance system 100 can reflect the equipment information for Company C's equipment from the structural information file 250 to the main structural information file 170 without causing any loss of equipment information for equipment manufactured by Company A and Company B.

[0143] Therefore, in the design assistance system 100, the server 10 can save the latest structural and equipment information in the system design of the multiple engineering design devices 20 of the design assistance system 100. Thus, during the exchange of equipment information between the first engineering design device 20a and the second engineering design device 20b, which are downstream engineering design devices, and the third engineering design device 20c, which is an upstream engineering design device, no equipment information is lost. That is, in the design assistance system 100, by using the filter file 180, even if the structural information file 250 is uploaded from each engineering design device 20 to the database 160, no equipment information is lost in the main structural information file 170, and the structural information file 250 can be reflected in the main structural information file 170.

[0144] Therefore, when reflecting the structural information master file 170 stored in database 160 to the third engineering design device 20c, it is also possible to reflect missing equipment information (where no equipment information is available) to the third engineering design device 20c. Furthermore, when outputting necessary equipment information from the third engineering design device 20c to the third engineering design device 20c, it is also possible to output missing equipment information (where no equipment information is available) to the third engineering design device 20c.

[0145] Therefore, in the system design of the first engineering design device 20a, the second engineering design device 20b, and the third engineering design device 20c, the system design can be implemented in parallel in the first engineering design device 20a, the second engineering design device 20b, and the third engineering design device 20c without generating additional processing such as equipment information confirmation operations, and the parallel development of the system becomes easier.

[0146] That is, according to the design assistance system 100, in the transmission and reception of equipment information of structural information between multiple engineering design devices 20 and server 10, the equipment information transmitted and received can be controlled by the filter file 180, and the equipment information of all devices used in the system design of multiple engineering design devices 20 can be reliably managed by the structural information master file 170. Therefore, the loss of equipment information caused by the mutual exchange of files including structural information can be prevented, and the parallel development of the system becomes easier.

[0147] Furthermore, in the design assistance system 100, when it is desired to change the equipment information in the structural information master file 170 in the first engineering design device 20a, by using a filter file 180 dedicated to the first engineering design device 20a, it is possible to extract only the equipment information of the equipment that can be set as a user in the first engineering design device 20a from the structural information master file 170. Moreover, a file containing only the extracted equipment information is created and output to the first engineering design device 20a as a structural information file 250. In other words, in the design assistance system 100, by using the filter file 180, the first engineering design device 20a can obtain only the equipment information needed by the user from the structural information master file 170.

[0148] Therefore, in the design assistance system 100, when importing the equipment information contained in the structural information master file 170 via the first engineering design device 20a, unnecessary equipment information that cannot be processed by the first engineering design device 20a will not be read. That is, when the first engineering design device 20a imports the structural information file 250, only equipment information that is intended for use can be recorded in the structural information file 250, so there will be no missing equipment information in the first engineering design device 20a regarding the equipment information contained in the structural information file 250.

[0149] Therefore, in the design assistance system 100, errors caused by reading unnecessary equipment information that cannot be processed in the first engineering design device 20a are prevented, so the import process will not be interrupted due to errors, and the system design operation in the first engineering design device 20a will not be hindered.

[0150] Furthermore, the design assistance system 100 prevents the loss of equipment information caused by importing from the first engineering design device 20a. Therefore, the structure information file 250 lacking equipment information is not output from the first engineering design device 20a to the server 10, but is instead imported by the server 10. Thus, the problem that necessary equipment information might be accidentally deleted from the server 10 because the structure information file 250 lacking equipment information, which was output from the first engineering design device 20a, is imported by the server 10 is avoided.

[0151] Furthermore, by preparing filter files for each engineering design device 20, each engineering design device 20 can perform the functions of the server 10 described above for other devices in the design assistance system 100.

[0152] Furthermore, a method has been conceived in which, during the exchange of device information between the first engineering design device 20a and the server 10, device information that the first engineering design device 20a cannot process is also saved by the first engineering design device 20a as an import object. However, if there are changes to the device information in the server 10, unexpected changes may occur.

[0153] Therefore, the design assistance system 100 according to Embodiment 1 has the following effect: it can transmit and receive information between different engineering design devices that can be set in the system design without information loss.

[0154] The structure shown in the above embodiments is an example and can be combined with other known technologies. Parts of the structure can be omitted or changed without departing from the main idea.

[0155] Explanation of the label

[0156] 10 Server, 11, 21 Input Unit, 12, 22 Communication Unit, 13, 23 Display Unit, 14, 24 Processor, 15, 25 Memory, 16, 26 Bus, 20 Engineering Design Device, 20a First Engineering Design Device, 20b Second Engineering Design Device, 20c Third Engineering Design Device, 30 Network, 100 Design Auxiliary System, 140 Server Control Unit, 141 Information Acquisition Unit, 142 Extraction Unit, 143 Reflection Unit, 144 Output Unit, 145 Display Processing Unit, 150 Design Auxiliary Program, 160 Database, 170 Structure Information Master File, 170a, 170b, 170c Reflected Structure Information Master File, 180 Filter File, 180a First Filter File, 180b Second Filter File, 180c Third Filter File, 181 Filter Information, 181a First Filter Information, 181b Second Filter Information Filter information, 181c 3rd filter information, 240 Control unit, 241 Editor unit, 242 Output unit, 243 Display processing unit, 250 Structure information file, 250a 1st structure information file, 250b 2nd structure information file, 250c 3rd structure information file, 250d 4th structure information file, 250e 5th structure information file, 250f 6th structure information file, 300 Reflect dialog box, 310 Reflect target main file name, 311 Reflect target main file input area, 320 Reflect source structure information file name, 321 Reflect source structure information file input area, 330, 420 Filter file name, 331, 421 Filter file input area, 340 Reflect button, 350, 440 Cancel button, 400 Output dialog box, 410 Output source main file name, 411 Output source main file input area, 430 Output button.

Claims

1. A design assistance system comprising multiple engineering design devices for assisting in system design and a server capable of communicating with the multiple engineering design devices, wherein device information can be transmitted and received between the multiple engineering design devices and the server, the device information being used to determine devices specified in a device structure designed through the system design. The design assistance system is characterized by, Each of the multiple engineering design devices can configure different devices in the system design and save a structure information file containing structural information representing the device structure created using the device information. The server has: The structural information master file is the file that reflects the structural information file, and is reflected in the structural information file output from the plurality of engineering design devices; A filter file containing extraction conditions for extracting the desired device information; The extraction unit uses the filter file to extract the equipment information from the structural information file or the main structural information file output by the engineering design device; The output unit outputs the device information extracted from the main structure information file by the extraction unit using the filter file to the engineering design device. as well as The reflection unit reflects the equipment information extracted from the structural information file output by the engineering design device by the extraction unit using the filter file back to the main structural information file.

2. The design assistance system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflection unit uses the filter file to extract the equipment information from the structure information file output by the engineering design device that is not included in the main structure information file, and then appends the equipment information that is not included in the main structure information file to the main structure information file.

3. The design assistance system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The filter file used when outputting the device information from the server to the engineering design device describes extraction conditions that do not extract the device information of a specific device, which is a device that cannot be set in the system design of the engineering design device that is the output target of the device information.

4. A design-aiding method, wherein device information is exchanged between multiple engineering design devices assisting in system design and a server capable of communicating with the multiple engineering design devices, the device information being used to determine devices defined in a device structure designed through the system design. The characteristic of this design-assisted method is that, Each of the multiple engineering design devices can configure different devices in the system design and save a structure information file containing structural information representing the device structure created using the device information. The server performs the following steps: The extraction step involves extracting the device information from a main structure information file reflecting the structure information files output by the plurality of engineering design devices, or from the structure information files output by the engineering design devices, using a filter file containing extraction conditions for extracting the desired device information. The main structural information file is the file that reflects the structural information file; The output step involves outputting the device information extracted from the main structure information file using the filter file to the engineering design device. as well as The reflection step involves reflecting the equipment information extracted from the structural information file output by the engineering design device using the filter file back to the main structural information file.

5. A storage medium readable by a computer, storing a design-aiding program that causes a computer constituting a server to execute a design-aiding method, the design-aiding method transmitting and receiving device information between a plurality of engineering design devices assisting in system design and the server capable of communicating with the plurality of engineering design devices, the device information being used to determine devices defined in a device structure designed through the system design. The storage medium is characterized by, Each of the multiple engineering design devices can configure different devices in the system design and save a structure information file containing structural information representing the device structure created using the device information. The design-aided program enables the computer to perform the following steps: The extraction step involves extracting the device information from a main structure information file reflecting the structure information files output by the plurality of engineering design devices, or from the structure information files output by the engineering design devices, using a filter file containing extraction conditions for extracting the desired device information. The main structural information file is the file that reflects the structural information file; The output step involves outputting the device information extracted from the main structure information file using the filter file to the engineering design device. as well as The reflection step involves reflecting the equipment information extracted from the structural information file output by the engineering design device using the filter file back to the main structural information file.

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