Piping data management system, piping data management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of more easily managing data of a piping system.SOLUTION: A piping data management system records type information (cheese, elbow, or the like), position information (X, Y, Z, or the like) and hierarchy information ("At1", "CAB", or the like) of each joint in a piping system 2 in a data table and manages data of the piping system 2. For example, the hierarchy information is symbolized by using two symbol sets ("At"="A"+"t"), and is information that represents a hierarchical level with the number of symbol sets.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piping data management system and related technologies.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, piping diagrams and the like of piping systems are generally drawn using CAD systems. In other words, the data of piping systems is often managed using CAD systems. In CAD system data (CAD data), piping systems are mainly represented by diagrams.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] By the way, at a construction site or the like, the route of pipes in a piping system may be changed. For example, there are unexpected obstacles at a construction site, and in order to avoid the obstacles, the route of the pipes (piping route) is changed based on on-site judgment or the like.

[0004] However, it is not always easy to operate a CAD system on-site. Therefore, there are cases where the CAD data has not been updated after the route change and the piping state after the route change is not reflected in the CAD data. In that case, situations such as the piping state (the state of the piping route) being unknown during subsequent maintenance or when a failure occurs may occur.

[0005] Such problems are due to the fact that it is not always easy to manage the data of piping systems using CAD systems.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can more easily manage the data of piping systems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the piping data management system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising control means for recording piping data including type information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint in the piping system in a data table to manage the data of the piping system.

[0008] The hierarchical information may be symbolized using a single or a plurality of symbol sets, and may be information expressing the hierarchical level by the number of the symbol sets.

[0009] The hierarchical information may be symbolized using a single or a plurality of symbol sets including characters, and may be information expressing the order of branch joints in the same hierarchy by the order of characters in each symbol set.

[0010] The hierarchical information of a non-branching joint is symbolized by adding an auxiliary symbol composed of a symbol of a type different from the characters used in the symbol set to the hierarchical information of the branching joint immediately before the non-branching joint, and may be information expressing the order from the immediately preceding branching joint by the order of the auxiliary symbols.

[0011] The hierarchical information may be symbolized using a single or a plurality of symbol sets including numbers, and may be information expressing the order of joints in the same hierarchy by the order of numbers in each symbol set.

[0012] The piping data management system may further comprise acquisition means for acquiring the type information and the position information of each joint and connection information indicating the connection relationship of each joint, and the control means may generate the hierarchical information based on the connection information and the type information of each joint, and record the hierarchical information, the type information, and the position information in the data table.

[0013] The control means may determine whether each joint is a branching joint and whether the joint immediately before each joint belongs to the same hierarchy as each joint based on the type information and the connection information, and generate the hierarchical information of each joint according to the determination result.

[0014] The acquisition means may acquire the position information of each joint in the piping data based on the position of each joint in the CAD data of the piping system, and may also acquire the connection information of each joint based on the positional relationship of each joint in the CAD data.

[0015] When one joint among a plurality of joints included in the piping system is designated, the control means may specify, based on the hierarchical information, a piping route including joints on the lower-rank side within the hierarchy to which the designated joint belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the designated joint, in the piping system.

[0016] When the failure position in the piping system is known, the control means may specify, based on the hierarchical information, a piping route including joints on the lower-rank side within the hierarchy to which the failure position belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the failure position as an affected-range route.

[0017] When a normal terminal device and an abnormal terminal device in the piping system are designated, the control means may estimate a normal route for the normal terminal device and may also estimate an abnormal route for the abnormal terminal device based on the normal route, based on the hierarchical information.

[0018] In order to solve the above problems, the piping data management method according to the present invention includes: a) a step of recording piping data including type information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint in a piping system in a data table.

[0019] The hierarchical information may be symbolized using a single or a plurality of symbol sets, and may be information expressing the hierarchical level by the number of the symbol sets.

[0020] The hierarchical information is encoded using one or more symbol sets composed of characters, and may be information expressing the order of branch joints within the same hierarchy in the order of characters within each symbol set.

[0021] The hierarchical information of a non-branch joint is encoded by adding auxiliary symbols composed of a different type of symbol from the characters used in the symbol set to the hierarchical information of the branch joint immediately preceding the non-branch joint, and may be information expressing the order from the immediately preceding branch joint in the order of the auxiliary symbols.

[0022] The hierarchical information is encoded using one or more symbol sets composed of numbers, and may be information expressing the order of joints within the same hierarchy in the order of numbers within each symbol set.

[0023] The piping data management method further includes: b) obtaining the type information and the position information of each joint and connection information indicating the connection relationship of each joint, and step a) includes: a-1) generating the hierarchical information based on the connection information and the type information of each joint; and a-2) recording the hierarchical information, the type information, and the position information in the data table.

[0024] In step a-1), whether each joint is a branch joint and whether the joint immediately preceding each joint belongs to the same hierarchy as each joint are determined based on the type information and the connection information, and the hierarchical information of each joint may be generated according to the determination result.

[0025] Step b) may include: b-1) obtaining the position information of each joint in the piping data based on the position of each joint in the CAD data of the piping system; and b-2) obtaining the connection information of each joint based on the positional relationship of each joint in the CAD data.

[0026] The piping data management method may include: c) when one joint among a plurality of joints included in the piping system is specified, identifying, in the piping system based on the hierarchical information, a piping route including joints on the lower-order side within the hierarchy to which the specified joint belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the specified joint.

[0027] The piping data management method may include: d) when the failure location in the piping system is known, identifying, based on the hierarchical information, a piping route including joints on the lower-order side within the hierarchy to which the failure location belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the failure location as an affected-range route.

[0028] The piping data management method may include: e) receiving a designation of normal terminal devices and abnormal terminal devices in the piping system; and f) estimating a normal route for the normal terminal devices and estimating an abnormal route for the abnormal terminal devices based on the normal route, both based on the hierarchical information.

[0029] To solve the above problems, the piping data management method according to the present invention is characterized by including: a) obtaining piping data including type information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint in the piping system; and b) converting the piping data into data for a CAD system and drawing, in the CAD system, each joint and a route connecting the joints.

[0030] To solve the above problems, the program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the piping data management method according to any one of the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention, it is possible to more simply manage the data of the piping system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0034] <1. System Overview> FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a piping data management system 1. The piping data management system 1 is a system for managing data related to the piping system 2. Hereinafter, as the piping system 2, a water supply piping system is mainly exemplified.

[0035] The piping system 2 includes a pipe 3 and a joint (also referred to as a pipe joint) 5. As the joint 5, there are various joints such as a direction-changing joint (such as an elbow) that changes the flow direction of a fluid (here, water), a branch joint (such as a tee) that branches the flow, and an extension joint (such as a socket) that connects pipes and extends the length of the pipe (see FIG. 4).

[0036] The piping system 2 (also simply referred to as piping) is configured by repeating the connection of a plurality of pipes 3 with joints 5.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the piping data management system 1 includes a management device (terminal device) 10 and a management server 30. The management device 10 and the management server 30 can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet.

[0038] <2. Management Device 10 and Management Server 30> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management device 10. The management device 10 is configured as, for example, a tablet-type terminal or the like. The management device 10 is preferably a computer device suitable for portability.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 10 includes a controller 11 (also referred to as a control unit), a storage unit (storage section) 12, a communication unit 14, and an operation unit 15.

[0040] The controller 11 is a control device built into the management device 10 and controls the operation of the management device 10.

[0041] The controller 11 is configured as a computer system including one or more hardware processors (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) or the like. The controller 11 realizes various processes by executing a predetermined software program (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a program) stored in the storage unit 12 (a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM and / or a hard disk) in a CPU or the like. The program (specifically, a program module group) (also referred to as a “program product”) may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a USB memory, read from the recording medium, and installed in the management device 10. Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a communication network or the like and installed in the management device 10. An application program for managing piping data 200 (data related to the piping system 2) or the like is installed in the management device 10 as the program.

[0042] Using the program, the controller 11 executes processes such as storing the piping data 200, inputting / outputting the piping data 200, changing the piping data 200, drawing the piping layout diagram of the piping system 2, and performing data conversion processing between the piping data 200 and CAD data.

[0043] The storage unit 12 is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 12 stores the piping data 200 and the like.

[0044] The communication unit 14 can perform network communication via a network. In this network communication, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used. By using this network communication, the management device 10 can exchange various data (such as photographed image data) with a desired counterpart (such as the management server 30) either wired or wirelessly.

[0045] The operation unit 15 includes an operation input unit 15a that receives operation inputs to the management device 10, and a display unit 15b that performs display output of various information (such as a display (such as a liquid crystal display)). Here, a touch panel 15c (see FIG. 1) that also functions as a part of the operation input unit 15a and also functions as a part of the display unit 15b is provided. Alternatively, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like may be used as the operation input unit 15a.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 30. The management server 30 is a device that exchanges data with the management device 10 and the like. The management server 30 also functions as a CAD device (CAD system) and the like. Note that the management server 30 is also expressed as a cooperation device that cooperates with the management device 10.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 30 includes a controller 31 (also referred to as a control unit), a storage unit 32, a communication unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

[0048] The controller 31 is a control device built into the management server 30 that controls the operation of the management server 30.

[0049] The controller 31 has the same hardware configuration as the above-described controller 11. The controller 31 realizes various processes by executing a predetermined program stored in the storage unit (non-volatile storage unit such as ROM and / or hard disk) 32 in a CPU or the like. Note that the program may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a USB memory, read from the recording medium, and installed in the management server 30. Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a communication network or the like and installed in the management server 30. In the management server 30, a program for cooperation with the management device 10, a CAD program (also referred to as CAD software), and the like are also installed as the program.

[0050] The controller 31 uses the program to execute various processes related to CAD and various cooperation processes with the management device 10.

[0051] The storage unit 32 is composed of a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 32 stores CAD data and the like related to the piping system 2.

[0052] The communication unit 34 is capable of performing network communication via a network. In this network communication, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used, for example. By using the network communication, the management server 30 can exchange various data (such as captured image data) with a desired partner (such as the management device 10, etc.) either wired or wirelessly.

[0053] The operation unit 35 includes an operation input unit 35a that receives operation inputs to the management server 30 and a display unit 35b that performs display output of various information. As the operation input unit 35a, a mouse, a keyboard, etc. are used, and as the display unit 35b, a display (such as a liquid crystal display) is used. Also, a touch panel that functions as part of the operation input unit 35a and also functions as part of the display unit 35b may be provided.

[0054] <3. Pipe System> As described above, the pipe system 2 is configured to include a pipe (also referred to as a tube) 3 and a joint 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing typical joints (specifically, an elbow, a socket, and a tee).

[0055] An elbow (direction-changing joint) is shown in the uppermost row of FIG. 4, a socket (extension joint) is shown in the middle row of FIG. 4, and a tee (also referred to as a tee) (branch joint) is shown in the lowermost row of FIG. 4.

[0056] An elbow is a direction-changing joint (direction-changing joint) that changes (converts) the traveling direction of a fluid flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side by a predetermined angle (such as 90 degrees).

[0057] A socket is an extension joint that joins pipes to extend the length of the pipe. In addition to the function of joining pipes to extend the length of the pipe, there are also sockets that have the function of reducing (increasing) the size (pipe diameter) of the pipe (the function of changing the pipe diameter before and after the joint) (also called a reducer or a reducing socket, etc.). The said reducing socket is both an extension joint and a pipe diameter changing joint. For example, in the socket (reducing socket) in the middle of Figure 4, in the flow path (route) flowing from left to right across the joint (reducing socket), the diameter of the pipe on the left side of the joint is different from the diameter of the pipe on the right side (specifically, the diameter of the pipe on the right side is smaller than the diameter of the pipe on the left side). Here, sockets including reducing sockets (reducers) with the latter function (pipe diameter changing function) are collectively referred to as "sockets".

[0058] A cheese is a branch joint that branches off a part (a shunt) of the fluid flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side in a different direction (for example, at a 90-degree angle to the direction of the main flow). There are also reducing cheeses (specifically, cheeses in which the pipe diameter in the branch path (sub-path) (the pipe diameter after branching) is different from the pipe diameter in the main path (the pipe diameter before branching)) where the pipe diameter changes before and after the branch. For example, in the reducing cheese at the bottom of Figure 4, the pipe diameter in the path (main path) flowing from left to right across the joint (cheese) is different from the pipe diameter in the path (sub-path (branch path)) branching from left to bottom across the joint. Specifically, the diameter of the lower pipe in the branch path is smaller than the diameter of the pipe on the left (and right) side. Here, cheeses including same-diameter cheeses and reducing cheeses (reducing tees) are collectively referred to as "cheeses".

[0059] <4. Piping Data 200> <Overview of Piping Data 200> In this embodiment, the piping data 200 (data related to the piping system 2) (see FIGS. 8 to 11, etc.) mainly includes various information (type information, pipe diameter information, position information, hierarchical information, etc.) of the joints constituting the piping system 2. The piping data 200 represents the type information, pipe diameter information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint of the piping system 2 in a table format. The piping data 200 represents the piping route (piping layout) of the piping system 2 based on the information of a plurality of joints constituting the piping system 2. However, the piping data 200 is configured as data different from the CAD data 400 that represents the piping route of the piping system 2 in a diagram.

[0060] The type information of the joint is information indicating which type of joint among a plurality of types such as "L: elbow", "T: tee", and "S: socket".

[0061] The pipe diameter information of the joint is information related to the diameter (size) of the pipe (connected pipe) connected by the joint. For example, the pipe diameter information is information indicating which size determined by JIS standards or the like, and more specifically, it may be expressed by the A designation (A series nominal diameter) indicating the pipe diameter. In addition, for a reducing joint (reducing tee, reducing socket, and reducing elbow, etc.) in which the pipe diameters on the upstream side (main path side) and the downstream side (especially the sub-path side) of the joint are different from each other, both pipe diameters (main size and sub-size) are managed as pipe diameter information.

[0062] The position information of the joint is information indicating the position of the representative point of the joint (a point where the center lines of the pipes to be connected (the pipes before and after the direction change, or the pipes before and after the branch) intersect in the case of an elbow or a tee). The position information is indicated by, for example, coordinate values (X, Y, Z) with a predetermined reference position (a reference position in a building or a site) as the origin. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the position information may be indicated by the relative movement distance (also referred to as the increment or displacement amount) (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ) from the immediately preceding (or immediately following) joint among the joints sequentially connected (by pipes).

[0063] The hierarchical information of a joint is information indicating in which of a plurality of hierarchically structured paths (flow paths, also referred to as flow hierarchies) the joint exists (the path (hierarchical path) to which the joint belongs), etc. In other words, the hierarchical information of a joint is information indicating the hierarchical level (rank within the piping system 2) to which the joint belongs, etc. The hierarchical information of a joint is also referred to as main flow branch information (main flow tributary information) indicating in which of the hierarchically structured flows (main flow and each branch flow) the joint belongs. This hierarchical information is information that can distinguish a joint on the path before branching by a branch joint (such as a tee) and a joint on the path after branching by the branch joint as joints belonging to paths of different hierarchies (upper hierarchical path and lower hierarchical path).

[0064] Here, the hierarchical information is symbolically represented. Specifically, the hierarchical information is represented as a hierarchical symbol. For example, in FIG. 5, "A", "A1", "Bt1", "BA", "BA1", "CAA", "CAAt1", etc. are shown as the hierarchical information (hierarchical symbols) of each joint.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows an example of a piping layout diagram (piping route diagram) of the piping system 2 drawn based on the piping data 200. In the piping layout diagram of FIG. 5, the hierarchical information of each joint is shown. In FIG. 5 (and FIG. 6, etc.), the thickness of the pipes in the piping system 2 is emphasized (deformed) with respect to the pipe length and shown.

[0066] Hereinafter, the hierarchical information (hierarchical symbol) will be described based on FIG. 5 and the like.

[0067] In the main path (represented by the thickest pipe in FIG. 5), the first branch joint (tee) existing at the position moved toward the right side (+X side, also the downstream side) from the starting point SP is given the hierarchical information "A". Note that this "A" is also an identification symbol that uniquely identifies the branch joint (branch point). The representative point of the branch joint is also expressed as the branch point "A".

[0068] The second joint (elbow (non-branching joint)) located at a position further to the right has the hierarchical information "A1" assigned to it. Further, in the main path, the next joint (the third joint) located at a position shifted downward (-Y side) (downstream side) this time has the hierarchical information "A2" assigned to it. After that, the hierarchical information "B", "B1", "C", "C1",... is sequentially assigned to each joint on the downstream side.

[0069] Here, in the main path (also referred to as the top-level path or the first-level path), every time a branching joint (tee) appears, the next character (alphabet) (specifically, a capital letter) in alphabetical order (for example, "A", "B", "C",...) is assigned as hierarchical information (hierarchical symbol). For example, "A" is assigned to the first tee, "B" is assigned to the second tee, and "C" is assigned to the third tee. In this way, "A", "B", "C",... are also identification symbols that uniquely identify the branching joints (branching points).

[0070] Also, for non-branching joints (joints that are not branching joints) in the first-level path, numbers (Arabic numerals) are added as hierarchical information. Specifically, every time a non-branching joint (elbow, socket, etc.) appears, information in which the next-order number (for example, "1" or "2", etc.) is added to the right of the hierarchical information (for example, "A") of the immediately preceding branching joint (such as "A1" or "A2", etc.) is assigned as the hierarchical information for each non-branching joint. Similarly, "B1" etc. are assigned to the non-branching joints between "B" and "C", and "C1", "C2", etc. are assigned to the non-branching joints between "C" and "D". In this way, "A1", "A2", "B1", "C1",... are also identification symbols that uniquely identify the non-branching joints.

[0071] In this way, for joints (first-level joints) in the first-level path, hierarchical information expressed by one letter of the alphabet (including expressions in which a number is added to the right of one letter of the alphabet) is assigned.

[0072] Also, regarding the joints (second-level joints) in the paths (second-level paths) branching from each branching joint at the first level, the second alphabet letter is added to the right side (right adjacent) of the first alphabet letter. In other words, a joint having hierarchical information represented by two alphabet letters (a combination of "At", "Bt", "BA", etc.) means that it is a joint in the second-level path. Here, as the second alphabet letter, "t" (specifically, lowercase t) representing a distributary or tributary is first assigned. Thereafter, each time a branching joint appears, the next uppercase alphabet letter in alphabetical order ("A", "B", "C",...) is sequentially assigned as the second alphabet letter in place of "t". In other words, uppercase alphabet letters are added (in order from "A") to the branching joints within a distributary, and "t" is added to the non-branching joints existing up to the first branching joint within a distributary.

[0073] Also, for the non-branching joints (elbows) in the second-level paths, information in which the next sequential number is added to the right side of the alphabet letter representing the immediately preceding branching joint is assigned as the hierarchical information for each non-branching joint. For example, for non-branching joints such as immediately after the branching joint "BA", information in which the next sequential number (for example, "1" or "2") is added to the right side of the alphabet letter "BA" representing the immediately preceding branching joint ("BA1" or "BA2", etc.) is assigned as the hierarchical information for each non-branching joint. Similarly, for non-branching joints such as immediately after the 0th branching joint "At0" (= A) (described later) in the second-level path, information in which the next sequential number (for example, "1" or "2") is added to the right side of the alphabet letter "At" representing the immediately preceding branching joint ("At1" or "At2", etc.) is assigned as the hierarchical information for each non-branching joint.

[0074] Also, regarding the joints (third-level joints) in the paths (third-level paths) branched from each of the second-level branch joints, the third alphabet letter is added to the right of the second alphabet letter. In other words, a joint having hierarchical information represented by three alphabet letters means a joint in the third-level path. Here, as the third alphabet letter, "t" (specifically, the lowercase letter t) is first assigned, and then, each time a branch joint appears, the next letter (uppercase alphabet letter) in the alphabet order is sequentially assigned in place of "t" and so on. Also, for the non-branch joints in the third-level path, information in which the next-order number (for example, "1") is added to the right of the alphabet letter representing the immediately preceding branch joint (for example, "CAt") (such as "CAt1" etc.) is assigned as the hierarchical information of each non-branch joint.

[0075] The same applies to the joints (fourth-level joints) in the paths (fourth-level paths) branched from each of the third-level branch joints, and also to the joints in further lower-level paths and so on.

[0076] Note that the sub-flow (sub-path) branched from the branch point "A" (lower level) is also expressed as "sub-flow At". In other words, "At" is used as a symbol for identifying (expressing) the branch point and also as a symbol for identifying (expressing) the sub-flow (itself). The same applies to other "Bt", "BAt", "Ct", etc.

[0077] As described above, alphabets are sequentially assigned to the branch joints within the same hierarchy (the same hierarchical flow), and as the hierarchy increases (as the level becomes lower), the number of alphabet characters increases. In other words, for the "branch joint" at the i-th level, a unit symbol set (also simply referred to as a symbol set) with one alphabet character as a unit is assigned i consecutive hierarchical symbols. For example, for the branch joint at the first level, a hierarchical symbol (such as "B", "C", etc.) represented by a single (only one) symbol set (composed of one alphabet character unit) is assigned. Also, for the branch joint at the second level, a hierarchical symbol (such as "At", "CA", etc.) with two consecutive symbol sets (one alphabet character unit) is assigned. Similarly, for the branch joint at the third level, a hierarchical symbol (such as "CAt", "CAB", etc.) with three consecutive symbol sets (one alphabet character unit) is assigned.

[0078] In this way, the number of symbol sets represents (defines) the hierarchical level. For example, the number of the symbol set "B" is one, and the symbol set "B" represents the first level (the first hierarchy). Similarly, the number of the symbol set "At" is two, and the symbol set "At" represents the second level (the second hierarchy). Also, the number of the symbol set "CAB" is three, and the symbol set "CAB" represents the third level (the third hierarchy).

[0079] In addition, each alphabet within the hierarchical symbol (the alphabet of the i-th symbol set) represents the rank (the order of the branch point (branch joint) in the path (flow) at the i-th level (the rank of the branch point from the start point of the i-th level path)). However, the alphabet "t" represents "the 0-th".

[0080] For example, among "BA" composed of two symbol sets, the first symbol set "B" indicates that it is the second (B) branch point within the first-level path (main flow). The second symbol set "A" indicates that it is the first (the "A") branch point within the second-level path branched from the branch point "A". Therefore, the hierarchical symbol "BA" indicates that it is the first branch point within the second-level path branched from the branch point B within the first-level path.

[0081] Also, among "At" composed of two symbol sets, the first symbol set "A" indicates that it is the first (A) branch point within the first-level path (main flow). The second symbol set "t" indicates that it is the 0th (t) branch point (branch joint) within the second-level path branched from the branch point "A". In other words, the hierarchical symbol "At" indicates that it is a joint (branch joint or non-branch joint) existing before (upstream side) the first (the 1st) branch joint (such as a cheese) within the second-level path. Note that the hierarchical symbol "At0" indicates that it is the 0th joint within the second-level path branched from the branch point "A" within the first-level path (the joint immediately before the first joint (At1 etc.) within the second-level path). The 0th joint within the second-level path is also the starting point of the second-level path and corresponds to the branch joint (branch point) A of the branch source existing in the directly upper hierarchical path (the first-level path). Therefore, the symbol "At0" is also the starting point of the second-level path and also means the branch joint (branch point) "A" of the branch source (within the first-level path). Also, the starting point (the 0th joint) "At0" of the second-level path is simply expressed as "At".

[0082] Similarly, among the "CAB" composed of three symbol sets, the first symbol set "C" of "CAB" indicates that it is the third (C) branch point within the first-level path (main flow). The second symbol set "A" of the hierarchical symbol "CAB" indicates that it is the first (A) branch point within the second-level path branched from the branch point C. The last (third) "B" of the hierarchical symbol "CAB" indicates that it is the second (B) branch point within the third-level path branched from the branch point CA. Therefore, the joint "CAB" indicates that it is the second branch joint within the third-level path branched from the first (A) branch point CA within a specific second-level path. The specific second-level path is the path branched from the third (C) branch point C within the first-level path (main flow).

[0083] Thus, the order of the characters within each symbol set (specifically, alphabetical order, etc.) represents the order within the same hierarchy (specifically, the order of branch joints).

[0084] Also, for the "non-branch joint" at the i-th level, a hierarchical symbol with an auxiliary symbol (a symbol that aids the symbol set and is a different type of symbol from the characters used in the symbol set) added to the hierarchical symbol (alphabetical part) of the "branch joint" immediately before the non-branch joint is assigned. Note that the "immediately preceding joint" of a joint means the joint on the higher-order side within the hierarchy to which the one joint belongs.

[0085] More specifically, for the non-branch joint, a hierarchical symbol with an auxiliary symbol (here, a number) added to the hierarchical symbol with i consecutive symbol sets (for example, "At", "BA") (for example, "At2", "BA1") is assigned. The number within the auxiliary symbol represents the order (sequence) of the non-branch point (non-branch joint) within the i-th level path (flow) (specifically, the order from the immediately preceding branch point within the i-th level path).

[0086] For example, "BA1" (two symbol sets "BA" + auxiliary symbol "1") indicates that it is the first non-branching point (location of non-branching joint) from the immediate previous branching point BA within the second-level path in the second-level path. Similarly, "At2" (two symbol sets "At" + auxiliary symbol "2") indicates that it is the second non-branching point (location of non-branching joint) from the immediate previous branching point At0 (= "At" = "A") within the second-level path (flow) in the second-level path.

[0087] For non-branching joints (non-branching points) up to the first branching joint (branching point) within the i-th level path, the symbol "t" is assigned as the i-th symbol set in the hierarchical symbol. Here, the symbol "t" can be assigned not only to joints within the branch flow but also to joints within the main flow. For example, in FIG. 5, if there are non-branching joints (such as elbows) between the starting point SP of the main flow and the first branching joint "A", hierarchical symbols such as "t1", "t2",... are assigned. In this case, "t" means a non-branching joint existing from the starting point SP of the main flow to the first branching point ("A"), and the numbers following "t" ("1", "2", etc.) indicate the rank (order) from the starting point SP. Also, the starting point SP may be denoted as "t0".

[0088] According to the above, by symbolizing and expressing the hierarchical information, both machines (computers) and humans can easily understand the hierarchical information (specifically, the rank (hierarchical level) of the joints and the order within the same hierarchy). As a result, it is possible to obtain the advantage of easily understanding the hierarchical structure of the piping system 2.

[0089] Also, according to the above hierarchical symbol attached to a certain joint, it is also possible to easily determine whether the joint is a branching joint or a non-branching joint. Specifically, a joint whose hierarchical symbol ends with an alphabet is a branching joint, and a joint whose hierarchical symbol ends with a number is a non-branching joint.

[0090] Note that the sub-flow (sub-path) branched from the branch point "A" is also expressed as "sub-flow At". In other words, "At" is used as a symbol to identify (represent) the branch point (joint) and also as a symbol to uniquely identify (represent) the sub-flow.

[0091] <Example of implementation of piping data 200> Figures 8 to 11 are diagrams showing an example of the implementation of piping data 200 (database). In the piping data 200 of Figures 8 to 11, the information of each joint is recorded as one data record. Also, the data records indicating the information of each joint are arranged (in the vertical direction in Figure 8, etc.) according to the connection order of the respective joints. Here, in Figures 8 to 11, the joint information is shown as separate data tables for each hierarchical level (in a separate figure), and the joint information within the same hierarchical level is shown as separate data tables for each sub-flow. However, it is not limited to this, and the joint information may be configured as a continuous data table (a data table including a plurality of data records belonging to a plurality of levels).

[0092] Figure 8 is a diagram showing various information of a plurality of joints belonging to the first hierarchical level ("hierarchical level 1 (first level)"). The data table in Figure 8 (also referred to as the first hierarchical level data 210) includes information of the joints in the main flow.

[0093] Figure 9 is a diagram showing various information of a plurality of joints belonging to the second hierarchical level ("hierarchical level 2 (second level)"). The data in Figure 9 (also referred to as the second hierarchical level data 220) includes information of the joints in each of the sub-flows At, Bt, and Ct of the second hierarchical level (see data tables 220a, 220b, and 220c).

[0094] Figure 10 is a diagram showing various information of a plurality of joints belonging to the third hierarchical level ("hierarchical level 3"). The data in Figure 10 (also referred to as the third hierarchical level data 230) includes information of the joints in each of the sub-flows BAt, CAt, and CBt of the third hierarchical level (see data tables 230a, 230b, and 230c).

[0095] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing various information of a plurality of joints belonging to the fourth layer (“layer level 4”). The data in FIG. 11 (also referred to as the fourth layer data 240) includes joint information (see data tables 240a and 240b) for each of the branch flows CAAt and CABt in the fourth layer.

[0096] Note that at the uppermost row of each data table, information on the start point of each flow (main flow or each branch flow) is described, and below the second row, information on the joints (data records) belonging to each of the flows (starting from the first one) is arranged in the order from upstream to downstream.

[0097] Also, each data record has a plurality of data fields. The plurality of data fields include items such as the type of joint, pipe diameters (main, sub), hierarchical information (hierarchical symbol), increment position (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ), and coordinate position (X, Y, Z).

[0098] The “type” of the joint is information representing joint types such as “T” (tee), “L” (elbow), “S” (socket), etc. Also, “SP” indicates the start point (starting end), and “V” indicates a valve (such as a faucet) connected at the end of the flow path.

[0099] The direction change angle of the elbow “L” is basically 90 degrees. Here, for an elbow having a 90 - degree direction change angle, the angle is not additionally noted. On the other hand, elbows having other direction change angles are indicated by names such as “L: elbow (45 degrees)” with the angle additionally noted. The same applies to the branch angle of the tee “T”.

[0100] Note that here, information such as the type of elements other than joints (for example, the starting end (start point), end - point fixture (valve, etc.)) is also stored in the “type” column (the “type” field). However, it is not limited to this, and information on elements other than joints may be stored in an item column (data field) provided separately from the “(joint) type”.

[0101] The "pipe diameter" of the joint is information indicating the diameter (size) of the pipe (pipe to be connected) connected by the joint. Here, in order to correspond to a reducing joint, two items, namely "main (size)" and "sub (size)", are provided as pipe diameter information (pipe diameter size).

[0102] The "hierarchical information" of the joint is information indicating the hierarchy of the path to which the joint belongs. Here, the hierarchical information is expressed by a hierarchical symbol (see Fig. 5 etc.).

[0103] Also, as the position information of the joint, two items of position information (increment amount and coordinate value) are provided. The "increment amount" is information indicating the increment amount (increment position) from the immediately preceding joint (or starting point). Specifically, it is composed of increment amounts (increment values) ΔX, ΔY, and ΔZ in each of the three directions of the X, Y, and Z directions. The "coordinate value" is indicated by coordinate values X, Y, and Z with a predetermined reference position (such as a reference position in a building) as the origin. Here, although two items regarding two types of position information (increment amount and coordinate value) are provided, it is not limited to this, and only one of the two types of position information may be provided.

[0104] Note that the type and pipe diameter of the joint are information representing the basic configuration (physical configuration) of the joint, and are also expressed as "basic joint information" etc. On the other hand, the hierarchical information and position information of the joint are auxiliary information regarding the joint, and are also expressed as "auxiliary joint information" etc.

[0105] Also, in each of Figs. 8 to 11, the information of a plurality of joints within the same layer is stored as vertically continuous data records in accordance with the connection order of the plurality of joints. Therefore, the information of the immediately preceding joint of a certain joint within the same layer is obtained by referring to the data record immediately above (preceding) the certain joint. For example, the information of the immediately preceding joint of joint A2 in the first layer is obtained (as the data record of the immediately preceding joint A1) by referring to the data record immediately above (preceding) the joint A2 (the third row from the top) (see Fig. 8).

[0106] In addition, information on the paths (lower-layer paths) that branch (diverge) from each branch joint in each layer is obtained by specifying the paths starting from each of these branch joints from among the level information of the relevant lower layer. For example, information on the lower-layer path (path of one lower layer (child layer)) that branches (diverges) from branch joint C in the first layer is obtained by specifying the path starting from this branch joint C (Ct0) (path related to the diverging flow Ct) from among the level information of the relevant lower layer (second layer) (see Fig. 9). Similarly, information on the lower-layer path that branches from branch joint CB in the second layer is obtained by specifying the path starting from this branch joint CB (CBt0) (path related to the diverging flow CBt) from among the level information of the relevant lower layer (third layer) (see Fig. 10).

[0107] In the above, piping data 200 as shown in Figs. 8 to 11 was exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. For example, in the data tables constituting the above-described piping data 200, other field information may be further provided for each data record. Examples of such other field information include "hierarchical level" ("hierarchical level 1", "hierarchical level 2", etc.), "adjacent joint information" (hierarchical information of the immediately preceding joint), and "presence or absence of a lower-layer table (sub-table)".

[0108] <Example of expression of joint information> In addition, the type information and pipe diameter information of each joint may be combined with each other and expressed as follows.

[0109] For example, the information of joint 501 (see Fig. 5) (joint "A") is expressed as "50×20T". Here, "T" in "50×20T" indicates that "type of joint = cheese", and "50×20" indicates that "pipe diameter in the main direction = 50 (nominal diameter)" and "pipe diameter in the sub-direction (diverging flow direction) = 20 (nominal diameter)".

[0110] Furthermore, the type information and pipe diameter information of each joint may be combined with the hierarchical information of the joint and expressed as follows.

[0111] For example, the information of joint 501 (see Fig. 5) is expressed as "50×20T:A" (see Fig. 6). Here, the "A" following "50×20T" indicates the hierarchical information of joint 501 (it is the first branch joint in the first-level path). Note that ":" is a delimiter that connects (associates) and separates both "50×20T" and "A". However, it is not limited to this, and the delimiter may be a symbol other than ":" (such as " / ", "-", etc.).

[0112] In Figs. 6 and 7, the information of each joint and the like is shown using such an expression method. Note that Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an enlarged part (the part surrounded by a dashed line) of Fig. 6. Also, for the sake of illustration, in Fig. 6, this part is shown in the same expression as Fig. 5.

[0113] Also, the information of each joint may be further expressed as follows in combination with the position information. For example, the information of joint 501 is expressed as "50×20T:A:(X0+ΔX1,Y0,Z0)". "(X0+ΔX1,Y0,Z0)" is a value indicating the coordinate values (X, Y, Z) with a predetermined reference position as the origin (for example, (0, 6000, 0)). The position indicated by the coordinate values is also the position moved +ΔX1 in the X direction with respect to the coordinate values (X0, Y0, Z0) of the starting point SP. Note that the position information of joint 501 may also be indicated by the relative movement distance (increment) (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ) from the immediately preceding joint as described above. The information of joint 501 may be expressed, for example, as "50×20T:A:ΔX=+2000". "ΔX=2000" indicates that it is the position moved +2000 (mm: millimeter) in the X direction with respect to the coordinate values of the immediately preceding joint.

[0114] In addition, the information on the pipes connected by the joints is generated from the joint information. For example, the actual length of the pipe for connecting the joints "A(=At0)" and "At1" is calculated by subtracting a predetermined length (for example, several tens of mm) determined for each joint from the distance between the positions of the joints At0 and At1 (for example, the increment ΔY in the Y direction). Also, the pipe diameter is determined based on the pipe diameter information (sub-size) of the joint At0 (=AB) or the pipe diameter information (main size) of the joint At1.

[0115] <5. Generation Process of Pipe Data 200 (User Input, etc.)> Next, the generation process of the pipe data 200 in the pipe data management system 1 (data generation process according to user input) will be described. Here, it is assumed that the coordinate values of the start point SP and the coordinate values of the plurality of terminal devices (valves V1 to V8) are already registered in the pipe data 200. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which a pipe layout diagram (pipe route diagram) is generated based on such registered information and the pipe layout diagram is first displayed in the display area 300 of the display unit 15b (15c). In FIG. 12, only the start point SP and the end points V1 to V8 are arranged at positions corresponding to their respective coordinate values.

[0116] The operator long-taps (or right-clicks the right mouse button, also simply referred to as a right-click) on the start point SP (shown as a circle here) displayed on the display unit 15b (display area 300) to display a pop-up menu. The pop-up menu includes options such as "Add next joint information at the same level", "Add joint information at the lower level", "Change joint information", "Delete joint information", etc. When "Add next joint information at the same level" is selected from the pop-up menu, the dialog (screen) 320 in FIG. 13 is displayed.

[0117] Dialog 320 has an input field 321 for "information of the joint to be input", an input field 322 for "rank (flow level)", an input field 323 for "adjacent joint information (hierarchical information of the previous joint)", and a button 325. Also, in input fields 322 and 323, information automatically obtained based on the previous joint of the additional joint (here the starting point SP) is already displayed. Input field 321 is still blank (not input). Button 325 is a button for calling a sub-dialog 330 (see Fig. 14) for inputting joint information (described later).

[0118] Also, dialog 320 has radio buttons 326 and 327 for selecting an input method for position information (incremental input method / coordinate value input method). Further, dialog 320 has incremental fields 326X, 326Y, and 326Z for inputting each incremental amount in the X, Y, and Z directions, and coordinate value fields 327X, 327Y, and 327Z for inputting each coordinate value in the X, Y, and Z directions.

[0119] Furthermore, dialog 320 has an OK button 328 and a cancel button 329.

[0120] In the display state of Fig. 13, when button 325 is pressed, sub-dialog 330 (Fig. 14) is displayed.

[0121] Sub-dialog 330 has an input field 331 for "type of joint", an input field 332 for "pipe diameter size (main size)", an input field 333 for "pipe diameter size (sub size)", an OK button 338, and a cancel button 339. Input field 331 is configured as a list box.

[0122] The operator selects a desired option from a plurality of options (including "T: Cheese", "L: Elbow", "S: Socket", etc.) in the input field 331 (list box). In FIG. 14, the state where "T: Cheese" is selected is shown. Also, the operator inputs the main size of the pipe diameter (for example, "50") into the input field 332 and inputs the sub-size of the pipe diameter (for example, "20") into the input field 333. Note that the pipe diameter (main size) of the immediately preceding joint (for example, "50") may be automatically displayed in advance in the input field 332.

[0123] After that, when the OK button 338 is pressed, the input content in the sub-dialog 330 is reflected in the input field 321 of the dialog 320 (see FIG. 15). At this time, according to the input of the joint type information, based on the type information and the hierarchical information of the immediately preceding joint (here the starting point SP), the hierarchical information of the joint (here the hierarchical symbol "A") is automatically obtained. Specifically, based on the fact that the joint is at the same level (the first level) as the starting point SP and is the first branch joint (branch point), the hierarchical information of the joint (hierarchical symbol "A") is obtained. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, "50×25T:A" is displayed in the input field 321. As described above, "50×25T:A" indicates that the type of the joint is cheese (T), the pipe diameter (nominal diameter) in the main direction is "50", the pipe diameter (nominal diameter) in the sub-direction is "20", and the hierarchical symbol of the joint is "A".

[0124] Here, although the information corresponding to "50×25T:A" is input using the sub-dialog 330, it is not limited to this, and the character string "50×25T:A" may be directly input into the input field 321 of the dialog 320. In this case, the joint type ("T: Cheese") and the pipe diameter information ("main = 50", "sub = 25") may be automatically obtained by the management device 10 based on the input character string "50×25T:A".

[0125] Furthermore, the operator inputs the position information of the joint. For example, the operator presses the radio button 326 to select the incremental input method, and inputs "2000" (ΔX = +2000 (mm)) into the increment column 326X. In response to the input of the increment amounts (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ), the management device 10 updates (calculates) the coordinate values (X, Y, Z) and automatically updates the display contents of the coordinate value columns 327X, 327Y, 327Z. For example, the coordinate values (X, Y, Z) are changed from (-2000, 6000, 0) to (0, 6000, 0), and the display content of the coordinate value column 327X changes from "-2000" (Figure 13) to "0" (Figure 15). Note that the operator may press the radio button 327 to select the coordinate value input method and input appropriate contents into each of the coordinate value columns 327X, 327Y, 327Z. In this case, in response to the input of the coordinate values (X, Y, Z), the increment amounts (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ) are updated (calculated), and the display contents of the increment columns 326X, 326Y, 326Z are automatically updated.

[0126] When the input is completed, the operator presses the OK button 328. In response to the pressing of the OK button 328, the input information is confirmed (the content of the piping data 200 is updated). Specifically, in the piping data 200, the information of the first joint ("A") at the first hierarchical level is registered (updated) (refer to the data record in the second row from the top in Figure 8). Also, in the data of the second hierarchical level (second hierarchical data) 210 (refer to Figure 9) of the piping data 200, a data table 220a regarding the branch flow At branching from the joint "A" is created. And at the topmost row of the data table 220a, the information (data record) of the joint "A" is registered as the information of the 0th joint (starting point of the branch flow At) of the branch flow At. Note that when the cancel button 329 is pressed, the information input using the dialog 320 is cancelled, and the piping data 200 is not updated.

[0127] Furthermore, in the display area 300 (also referred to as the screen 300), a state where cheese (T) is placed at a position +2000 in the X direction from the starting point SP is drawn in response to the pressing of the OK button 328 (see FIG. 16). More specifically, a state where the starting point SP and the cheese are connected by a pipe with a pipe diameter of "50" (main size) is drawn. Also, "A" is displayed as the hierarchical information of the cheese (near the cheese). Here, the cheese is drawn in a temporarily arranged state in a predetermined direction (for example, a direction branching upward (+Y direction)). The direction of the cheese is appropriately corrected according to subsequent input (input of the joint information at the second hierarchical level (shunt At)). For example, when the position of the next joint At1 is below (-Y side) the branch joint A, the direction of the cheese is corrected (changed) to a direction branching downward (-Y direction). Note that, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, "50×25T:A" (including not only "A" but also "50×25T") may be displayed as the information of the cheese (near the cheese).

[0128] Similarly, when information on a plurality of joints (A1, A2, B, B1, C, C1) at the first hierarchical level is sequentially input, accordingly, the data 210 at the first hierarchical level (see FIG. 8) in the piping data 200 is registered. Also, on the screen 300, the piping route (the first-level piping route) passing through a plurality of joints from the starting point SP is sequentially updated and drawn (see FIG. 17).

[0129] Next, the input process for information on joints at the lower hierarchical level will be described.

[0130] For example, the joint At1 (see FIG. 5) of the lower hierarchical level path (second-level path) branching from the branch joint "A" to the +Y side is input as follows.

[0131] Specifically, in the display state of FIG. 17, the operator can display a pop-up menu by long-tapping (or right-clicking) on the branch point "A" (shown as a circle here) displayed on the display unit 15b (display area 300). When "Add Input of Lower-Level Joint Information" is selected from the pop-up menu, the dialog 320 in FIG. 18 is displayed.

[0132] In the input fields 322 and 323 of the dialog 320, information automatically generated based on the immediate predecessor "A" of the additional joint is already displayed. Specifically, since the joint to be newly created (additional joint) is one level lower than the immediate predecessor "A" (first layer), the level of the additional joint is specified as "second layer", and "second layer" is displayed in the input field 322. Also, the joint "A" is specified as the information of the immediate predecessor of the joint to be newly created (additional joint), and "A" is displayed in the input field 323.

[0133] In the display state of FIG. 18, when the button 325 is pressed, the sub-dialog 330 (see FIG. 14) is displayed. However, in the input field 332 of the sub-dialog 330, the pipe diameter (main size) of the joint to be input (for example, "20") is (automatically) displayed. Specifically, the process related to the sub-dialog 330 is an input process for the joint in one level lower (second layer) than the joint "A". Based on this, the secondary size (for example, "20") of the pipe diameter of the original joint (the joint in the level immediately above the joint to be input) "A" is specified as the pipe diameter (main size) of the joint to be input. Then, the specified pipe diameter (main size) is displayed in the input field 332. Note that the same size as the input field 332 (for example, "20") is displayed in the input field 333 as the initial state (or as a blank), and it can be changed as needed.

[0134] In sub-dialog 330, when "L: elbow" is selected from multiple options in input field 331 (list box) and OK button 338 is pressed, accordingly, the input content in sub-dialog 330 is reflected in input field 321 of dialog 320. Specifically, based on the type information of the additional joint "L: elbow" (non-branching joint) and the hierarchical information of the previous joint ("A"), the hierarchical information (here, hierarchical symbol "At1") of the additional joint and the branch flow to which the additional joint belongs ("At") are automatically obtained. Specifically, based on the fact that the additional joint is a joint at the next lower level (second level) of joint "A" and is the first non-branching joint (branch point), the hierarchical information (hierarchical symbol "At1") of the additional joint and the branch flow to which the additional joint belongs ("At") are obtained. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, "20L:At1" is displayed in input field 321. "20L:At1" indicates that the type of the joint is elbow (L), the pipe diameter (nominal diameter) is "20", and the hierarchical symbol of the joint is "At1".

[0135] Furthermore, the operator inputs the position information of the joint. For example, the operator inputs "3000" (ΔY = +3000 (mm)) in increment field 326Y. In response to the input of the increment values (ΔX, ΔY, ΔZ), the coordinate values (X, Y, Z) are changed from (0, 6000, 0) to (0, 9000, 0), and coordinate value fields 327X, 327Y, 327Z are automatically updated.

[0136] When the input is completed, the operator presses OK button 328. In response to the pressing of OK button 328, the input information is confirmed (the content of piping data 200 is updated). Specifically, in data table 220a (refer to the uppermost row in FIG. 9) regarding branch flow At of the second-level data 220, the information of the first joint At1 at the second-level below the joint "A" is registered (updated) (refer to the data record in the second row from the top).

[0137] Furthermore, on screen 300, a state where an elbow (L) is arranged at a position +3000 in the Y direction from branch point "A" is drawn (see FIG. 19). More specifically, a state where branch point "A" and the elbow are connected by a pipe with a pipe diameter of "20" is drawn. Also, "At1" is displayed (near the elbow) as the hierarchical information of the elbow. Here, the elbow is temporarily arranged in the rightward direction (the direction in which the flow direction is changed to the +X direction). However, the direction of the elbow is appropriately corrected according to subsequent input (input of information on the next joint in the branch At). As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, "20L:At1" etc. (including not only "At1" but also "20L") may be displayed (near the elbow) as the information of the elbow.

[0138] Thereafter, when information on the remaining joints etc. (At2, At3) of the second hierarchical level regarding branch At is sequentially input according to their connection order, accordingly, information regarding branch At in the second hierarchical data 220 (see FIG. 9) of the piping data 200 is (completely) registered. Also, on screen 300, the second hierarchical piping route (the piping route of branch At) starting from branch point "A" is sequentially updated and drawn.

[0139] In addition, when inputting information on the joint At3 (specifically, valve V1) at the end of branch At, "valve" is selected in sub-dialog 330 as the type of joint (although a valve is not strictly a joint, it is treated here as a kind of "joint" for convenience). Also, when coordinate values (or increment values) are input as position information in dialog 320, valve V1 having the same coordinate value as the coordinate value (the input coordinate value itself or the coordinate value calculated according to the increment value input) is automatically identified (based on the preset information of valve V1). If there is no valve connectable by joint At2, a warning display is performed (after pressing the OK button 328 etc.), and the change of input information etc. is prompted.

[0140] Similarly, when information on a plurality of joints (Bt1, Bt2, BA, BA1, BA2) at the second hierarchical level regarding the branch flow Bt is sequentially input in accordance with their connection order, information regarding the branch flow Bt among the second hierarchical data 220 (see FIG. 9) is (completely) registered. Also, on the screen 300, the second hierarchical piping route starting from the branch point B (the piping route of the branch flow Bt) is sequentially updated and drawn. The same applies to other branch flows Ct and the like.

[0141] Furthermore, similar input processing and the like are also performed for the third hierarchical level and the fourth hierarchical level. As a result, the piping data 200 in FIGS. 8 to 11 is completed, and a piping layout diagram (piping route diagram) such as in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is drawn.

[0142] As described above, the management device 10 acquires, by input from the operator, the type information of each joint (the joint of interest) and connection information indicating the connection relationship of each joint (information on the immediately preceding joint of each joint (information including the connection order between adjacent joints) and the hierarchical relationship between adjacent joints, etc.).

[0143] For example, when inputting information of a joint to be added (the target joint), an operation such as tapping (long-tapping) the joint immediately before the target joint (the previous joint) corresponds to a process of inputting (designating) which joint the previous joint of the target joint is (information on the previous joint of the target joint). Also, whether the joint immediately before the target joint belongs to the same hierarchy as the target joint (in other words, the hierarchical relationship between adjacent joints) is determined according to the option selected in the above pop-up menu. Specifically, when "Add input of joint information at the next level of the same level" is selected, it is determined that the target joint and the joint immediately before the target joint belong to the same hierarchy. On the other hand, when "Add input of joint information at a lower level" is selected, it is determined that the target joint and the joint immediately before the target joint do not belong to the same hierarchy (the target joint belongs to a hierarchy one level lower than the joint immediately before the target joint). Furthermore, whether a certain joint (the target joint) to be processed is a branching joint or not is determined based on the information input in the input field 331 (or 321). For example, when "cheese" or the like is input as the type information of the target joint, it is determined that the target joint is a branching joint. On the other hand, when "elbow" (direction-changing joint), "socket" (extension joint), or the like is input as the type information of the target joint, it is determined that the target joint is not a branching joint (is a non-branching joint).

[0144] Then, the management device 10 automatically generates "hierarchical information" of each joint based on the type information (whether it is a branching joint or not) of each joint (the target joint) and the connection information of each joint (which joint is the previous joint, whether it belongs to the same hierarchy as the previous joint, etc.).

[0145] Specifically, the management device 10 determines whether a certain joint (the target joint) to be processed is a branching joint or not based on the input (acquired) type information, and determines whether the joint immediately before the target joint belongs to the same hierarchy as the target joint or not based on the input (acquired) connection information. The management device 10 automatically generates the hierarchical information of the target joint according to the determination result.

[0146] When the joint of interest belongs to the same hierarchy as the joint immediately preceding the joint of interest, the number of symbol sets is maintained. When the joint of interest is a branch joint, no auxiliary symbol is assigned, and the alphabetical rank of the last symbol set is incremented (+1). On the other hand, when the joint of interest is a non-branch joint, an auxiliary symbol is assigned and the numerical rank of the auxiliary symbol is incremented (+1).

[0147] When the joint of interest belongs to a hierarchy one level lower than the joint immediately preceding the joint of interest, the number of symbol sets is increased by one, and the alphabet (the last alphabet) of the added symbol set is set to the initial state "t". When the joint of interest is a branch joint, no auxiliary symbol is assigned. On the other hand, when the joint of interest is a non-branch joint, an auxiliary symbol is assigned and the number of the auxiliary symbol is set to the initial state "1".

[0148] In other words, for a branch joint (branch point), a hierarchy symbol obtained by incrementing the last alphabet of the hierarchy symbol of the branch point immediately preceding the branch point (or a hierarchy symbol with one more alphabet in the initial state (t)) may be generated. On the other hand, for a non-branch joint (non-branch point), a hierarchy symbol obtained by adding a number representing the rank from the hierarchy symbol of the branch point immediately preceding the non-branch point may be generated.

[0149] In particular, it is preferable that the hierarchical information (hierarchy symbol) is automatically generated based on the connection information and type information of each joint as described above. According to this, the hierarchical information (hierarchy symbol) is generated while suppressing the labor of the operator.

[0150] Also, in the above aspect, based on the piping data 200, each joint and the path (pipe line) connected to each joint are drawn. Therefore, it is possible to visually grasp (in the illustrated state) the piping route (piping layout) of the piping system 2 without requiring CAD data.

[0151] <6. Partial Route Change Processing Using Piping Data 200> Moreover, by using the above-described piping data 200, it is possible to easily manage the piping route. In particular, when partially changing the piping route (such as during a design change), the above piping data 200 is very useful.

[0152] <Change in the position of the joint> For example, when changing the positions of joints At1 and At2 (refer to the left side of FIG. 20), the following processing may be performed. Note that FIG. 20 is a diagram showing how the piping layout is updated in response to a change in the position of a part of the joints (At1). The situation before the change is shown on the left side of FIG. 20, and the situation after the change is shown on the right side of FIG. 20.

[0153] Specifically, in the data table 220a regarding the branch At in the second-layer data 220 (refer to FIG. 9), a process is performed to change the value in the ΔY column of the data record in the second row from the value before the change ("3000") to the value after the change (for example, "4000").

[0154] Specifically, in the display state of FIG. 5 (or FIG. 6, etc.), the operator long-taps on joint At1 displayed on the display unit 15b (15c) to display a pop-up menu. When "Change joint information" is selected from the pop-up menu, a dialog 320 similar to FIG. 18 (refer to FIG. 18, etc.) is displayed. Here, the information of joint At1 (before the change) is displayed in the dialog 320. The operator performs an operation to change the content in the increment column 326Y from the value before the change ("3000") to the value after the change (for example, "4000") in the dialog 320.

[0155] In response to this operation, the management device 10 (controller 11) changes the value in the Y column of the second data record from the top in the data table 220a from the value before the change ("3000") to the value after the change (for example, "4000"). Further, the management device 10 updates the coordinate values of the joints after joint At1. Specifically, the coordinate value of joint At1 is updated ((0, 9000, 0) → (0, 10000, 0)), and the coordinate value of joint At2 is updated ((1000, 9000, 0) → (1000, 10000, 0)). Also, the management device 10 updates the value in the ΔY column of the next valve V1 after joint At2 (ΔY: 2000 → 1000). Here, it is assumed that "fixed (non-changeable)" is preset as the attribute information of the position information (coordinate value) of valve V1. When such a setting is made, the coordinate value of valve V1 is not changed, and the distance information (increment information) between valve V1 and the previous joint At2 is adjusted.

[0156] Furthermore, the screen 300 is updated. Specifically, the display positions of joints At1 and At2 in the screen 300 are changed (see the right side of FIG. 20). Specifically, joints At1 and At2 (elbow (L)) are arranged at a position where ΔY = +4000 from joint "A", and a state is drawn in which the pipe connecting joint At1 and joint At2 is appropriately moved by the difference amount (+1000) in the Y direction (upward in the figure) before and after the change. Also, the length of the pipe connecting joint "A" and joint At1 is appropriately adjusted (so as to extend by "1000"), and the length of the pipe connecting joint At2 and valve V1 (At3) is also appropriately changed (so as to shorten by "1000").

[0157] According to such processing, it is possible to easily change the piping layout by a very simple operation by the operator. Specifically, for example, by only the "change operation of the increment amount ΔY of joint At1", it is possible to generate a piping layout (and a diagram representing the piping layout) (see the right side of FIG. 20) in which the length of the pipe from joint A to joint At1 is changed. Also, it is possible to automatically change the position of joint At2 together with joint At1.

[0158] When implementing the above change process in a CAD system, relatively cumbersome operations are required. Specifically, operations such as moving the joints At1 and At2 and the pipe (the pipe connecting the joints At1 and At2) on the CAD drawing by (+1000 in the +Y direction) and changing the length of the pipes (the pipe up to the joint At1 and the pipe from the joint At2) are required. Compared with such operations (CAD operations), the above change operations (change operations related to the piping data 200) can be completed with easier operations (only the change operation of the increment ΔY) at each stage.

[0159] <Addition (insertion) of a new joint> Also, it is possible to add (insert) a new joint. In Fig. 21, a situation where the piping route is changed to avoid an obstacle is assumed. More specifically, a situation where the position of the joint At2 (see Fig. 21) is changed and the joints At3 and At4 are added (inserted between the joint At2 and the valve V1) is assumed. In this case, the following processing may be performed. Note that the situation before the piping route change is shown on the left side of Fig. 21, and the situation after the piping route change is shown on the right side of Fig. 21. Also, the situation during the change (at a certain point in time) is shown in the center of Fig. 21.

[0160] First, the position change of the joint At2 is executed in the same manner as described above. For example, the change from "ΔX = +4000" to "ΔX = +2000" is made. At this time, since the direction from the joint At1 to the joint At2 and the direction from the (changed) joint At2 to the valve V1 are not orthogonal, when the joint At2 is an elbow (90 degrees), the joint At1 and the valve V1 cannot be connected. Therefore, the pipe connecting the joint At2 and the valve V1 is not displayed, and instead, a warning display (thick dotted line in Fig. 21) is displayed (see the central column of Fig. 21).

[0161] Next, a process of adding the next joint (new At3) of the joint At2 is performed. Specifically, the operator long-taps the joint At2 displayed on the display unit 15b (15c) or the like to display a pop-up menu. Then, when "Add input of the next joint information at the same level" is selected from the pop-up menu, a dialog 320 is displayed. Thereafter, in the same manner as above, information such as that of the new joint At3 (elbow) is input, and data of the new joint At3 is added. Specifically, in the data table 220b, a data record of the new joint At3 is inserted between the data record of the joint At2 and the data record of the original joint At3. Also, the display content on the screen 300 is updated, and the joint At3 etc. are also displayed. However, the pipeline connecting between the joint At3 and the valve V1 is not displayed, and instead a warning display is shown.

[0162] Furthermore, a process of adding a new joint (At4) next to the joint At3 is performed in the same manner. Thereby, data of the new joint At4 is added. Also, the display content on the screen 300 is updated, and the new joint At4 etc. are also displayed. At this time, on the condition that the new joint At4 is arranged at an appropriate position, the warning display is erased, and a pipeline connecting between the new joint At4 and the valve V1 is also displayed (refer to the right column of FIG. 21).

[0163] <Deletion of existing joint> Similarly, it is also possible to delete an existing joint. For example, (in the reverse direction of the above), a process of changing the piping route from the right side to the left side of FIG. 21, more specifically, a process of deleting the joints At3 and At4 (accompanied by removal of obstacles etc.) and changing the position of the joint At2 (refer to FIG. 21) may be performed.

[0164] For example, first, a process of deleting joint At4 is performed. Specifically, the operator long-taps joint At4 displayed on display unit 15b (15c) or the like to display a pop-up menu. Then, when "Delete joint information" is selected from the pop-up menu, the data record of joint At4 is deleted. Also, the display content on screen 300 is updated, and joint At4 (its image) is deleted from screen 300. However, the pipeline connecting between joint At3 and valve V1 is not displayed, and instead, a warning display is shown.

[0165] Next, similarly, a process of deleting joint At3 is performed. In response to the operator's operation (such as the selection operation of "Delete joint information"), the data record of joint At3 is deleted. Also, the display content on screen 300 is updated, and joint At3 (its image) is deleted from screen 300. However, the pipeline connecting between joint At2 and valve V1 is not displayed, and instead, a warning display is shown.

[0166] Finally, a process of changing the position of joint At2 is performed. In response to the operator's operation, the data record of joint At2 is updated. Also, the display content on screen 300 is updated. At this time, on the condition that joint At2 is arranged at an appropriate position, the warning display is erased, and the pipeline connecting between joint At2 and valve V1 is also displayed (refer to the left column of Fig. 21).

[0167] In addition, in the above embodiments, etc., when a joint is added, the hierarchical symbol may be changed at any time. For example, when a new joint is added between joints "B" and "C", a process may be performed to assign "C" to the new joint and re-assign "D" to the original joint "C". Similarly, a shifted symbol may be assigned to the subsequent joints after the original joint "D". However, it is not limited to this. For example, without performing a process of re-assigning the hierarchical symbol to the existing joints, an unassigned alphabet (such as the alphabet next to the alphabet assigned to the last joint (for example, "E"), such as "F") may be assigned to the new joint.

[0168] The same applies when a joint is deleted. A process of reassigning hierarchical symbols to joints other than the deleted joint may be performed, or conversely, the process of reassigning hierarchical symbols may not be performed.

[0169] <7.Extraction of Partial Routes Based on Piping Data 200> As described above, the hierarchical information is information that can distinguish joints on the path before the branch of a branch joint and joints on the path after the branch as joints belonging to different hierarchical paths (upper hierarchical path and lower hierarchical path). According to such hierarchical information, it is possible to easily extract only the paths of a predetermined hierarchy (paths on the downstream side of a predetermined branch joint) (partial path information) from all the paths of the piping system 2.

[0170] Specifically, the management device 10 can partially extract from the piping system 2 (specify in the piping system 2) a piping path including joints on the lower-order side (lower-order side) within the hierarchy to which a specific joint belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the specific joint. Examples of the specific joint include one joint (designated joint) designated by an operator (such as a manager) among a plurality of joints included in the piping system 2.

[0171] For example, by using the hierarchical information as described above, when a failure occurs in the piping system 2 and the failure location is known, it is possible to easily identify the affected range of the failure (the path within the affected range) (see FIG. 22).

[0172] In FIG. 22, a situation is assumed where a failure (such as water leakage) has occurred between both the joint CAt1 and the joint CAA. The relatively upper joint CAt1 of the two is designated as the reference joint (designated joint). Then, a piping path including joints (CAA, CAB, CAB1) on the lower rank side than the joint CAt1 and joints (CAAt1 to CAAt4, CABt1, CABt2) on the lower hierarchy side than the joint CAt1 within the same hierarchy as the joint (reference joint) CAt1 is specified as the in - influence - range path. Note that the joints on the lower rank side than the joint CAt1 within the same hierarchy as the joint CAt1 are also referred to as the joints on the lower rank side within the hierarchy to which the failure position belongs (or the joints on the lower rank side within the same hierarchy).

[0173] Specifically, the piping data management system 1 first acquires the failure position in the piping system 2 by means of an input from an operator or the like.

[0174] Next, the piping data management system 1 identifies the in - scope path based on the piping data 200 (especially the hierarchical information) and the like. Specifically, first, it is determined, by searching for "CAt1" in the piping data 200 (or based on the hierarchical symbol CAt), that "the reference joint CAt1 exists in the branch CAt of the third - level path". Then, based on the data table for the branch CAt in the third - level data 230, the joints at the same level (CAA, CAB, CAB1) after the first joint CAt1 of the branch CAt are identified as the joints on the lower - order side within the same hierarchy. Also, among the joints on the lower - order side within the same hierarchy, the branch joints (CAA, CAB) are identified, and the joints belonging to the branches (CAAt, CABt) starting from the branch joints are identified. The joints (CAAt1 - CAAt4, CABt1, CABt2) belonging to the branches (CAAt, CABt) are identified as the joints on the lower - hierarchy side than the fault location. Specifically, these joints are identified based on the data table 240a for the branch CAAt and the data table 240b for the branch CABt in the fourth - level data 240 (Figure 11). In addition, if there are joints on an even lower - hierarchy side than the joints belonging to these branches (CAAt, CABt), those joints on the even lower - hierarchy side are also identified as the joints on the lower - hierarchy side than the fault location.

[0175] Then, the piping path including the joints on the lower - order side (CAA, CAB) within the hierarchy to which the fault location belongs and the joints on the lower - hierarchy side (CAAt1 - CAAt4, CABt1, CABt2) than the fault location is identified as the in - scope path (in - scope path).

[0176] Furthermore, the piping data management system 1 draws (specifically, highlights) the in-scope path on the screen 300 (see FIG. 22). In FIG. 22, the in-scope path (especially the pipe) is hatched, and the in-scope path is highlighted. Note that the highlighting is not limited to the hatched display, and may be other displays such as a display with a specific color (a display that can distinguish the in-scope path from other paths (paths outside the in-scope path)). Also, the "highlighting" of the in-scope path may be any display that can identify the path. All elements (including joints) within the in-scope path may be highlighted, or elements (mainly pipes) excluding joints (such as tees and elbows) as shown in FIG. 22 may be highlighted.

[0177] According to such an aspect, the affected range (in-scope path) of the failure can be easily identified. Also, since the in-scope path is highlighted within the piping route of the piping system 2, it is possible to easily grasp the range within the entire piping system 2 that is affected.

[0178] <8. Estimation of Abnormal Paths Based on Piping Data 200, etc.> Also, by using the hierarchical information as described above, it is possible to estimate abnormal paths (paths including the location where the abnormality occurred) for abnormal terminal devices (devices for which an abnormality has been confirmed). Specifically, when a normal terminal device (such as a normal valve) and an abnormal terminal device (such as an abnormal valve) in the piping system 2 are specified, based on the hierarchical information of the piping data 200, it is possible to estimate the normal path for the normal terminal device (a device that has been confirmed to be normal) and the abnormal path for the abnormal terminal device.

[0179] In Fig. 23, among the terminal devices (valves) V1 to V8, valves V5 and V7 are abnormal terminal devices, valve V6 is a normal terminal device, and the other valves V1 to V4 and V8 are devices of unknown status (devices whose normality is unknown). More specifically, for example, it is known that water does not come out from valves V5 and V7 (abnormalities have occurred) and water is supplied normally to valve V6. In this case, the path from joint CAA to valve V5 via joint CAB and the path from joint CAB to valve V7 via joint CABt1 are estimated as abnormal paths (specifically, paths with the possibility of abnormalities).

[0180] Specifically, the piping data management system 1 first acquires designation information of normal terminal devices (such as normal valves) and abnormal terminal devices in the piping system 2. For example, the said designation information is acquired (accepted) by an input by an operator (designation input of an abnormal device etc. using an appliance status input screen). More specifically, valves V5 and V7 are designated as abnormal devices, and valve V6 is designated as a normal device.

[0181] Next, based on the hierarchical information of the piping data 200, the piping data management system 1 estimates a normal path for the normal terminal device and estimates an abnormal path for the abnormal terminal device (from paths other than the normal path).

[0182] Specifically, first, a normal path is estimated based on the information of the normal terminal device. Since valve V6 is a normal device, the path leading from the starting point SP to valve V6 is estimated to be a normal path. More specifically, based on the piping data 200, the paths traced from valve V6 to the higher-ranked side (higher-order side) and the higher-hierarchy side within the same hierarchy are specified as normal paths.

[0183] Specifically, first, based on the data table 240a (the data table including valve V6) regarding the shunt CAAt of the fourth-layer data 240 (see FIG. 11), it is determined that the path from valve V6 to the branch point CAA is a normal path. Specifically, in the data table 240a, the path from the lowermost CAAt4 (=V6), passing through CAAt3 to CAAt1, and returning to the uppermost CAAt0 (=CAA) is determined to be normal.

[0184] Next, based on the data table 230b (the upstream data table including the branch point CAA) regarding the shunt CAt of the third-layer data 230 (see FIG. 10), among the third-level paths (shunt CAt), which are the parent-level paths (one level above) of the shunt CAAt, the path from the branch point CAA to its upstream joint CA is also determined to be a normal path. Specifically, in the data table 230b, the path from the CAA at the third row from the bottom, passing through CAt1, and returning to the uppermost CAt0 (=CA) is determined to be normal.

[0185] Furthermore, based on the data table 220c (the upstream data table including the branch point CA) regarding the shunt Ct of the second-layer data 220 (see FIG. 9), among the second-level paths (shunt Ct), which are the parent-level paths of the shunt CAt, the path from the branch point CA to its upstream joint C is also determined to be a normal path.

[0186] Finally, based on the first-layer data 210 (see FIG. 8) (the upstream (main flow) data table including the branch point C), among the first-level paths (main flow), which are the parent-level paths of the shunt Ct, the path from the branch point C to its upstream starting point SP is also determined to be a normal path.

[0187] In this way, the path (see Fig. 5 etc.) from valve V6 to the starting point SP via the branch points CAA, CA, and C (and back) is determined as the normal path. At this time, each of the branch points CAA, CA, and C is determined to be a normal point (also simply referred to as a "normal point") at least until immediately before its branch (up to the upstream path of that branch point), and the determination result is recorded. For example, in each data record of the piping data 200, a flag column indicating whether it is a normal point may be further provided. Then, data of "1" (on = normal) is assigned to the flag column of the branch point (specifically, its data record) for which it is determined to be a normal point, and data of "0" (off) is assigned to the flag columns of the other branch points.

[0188] In addition, when there are other normal terminal devices, in the same way, based on the information of the other normal terminal devices and the piping data 200, the path from the other normal terminal device to the starting point SP is specified as the normal path.

[0189] Next, an abnormal path is estimated based on the information of the abnormal terminal device.

[0190] First, the abnormal path estimation process for valve V5 is executed.

[0191] Since valve V5 is an abnormal terminal device, it is estimated that an abnormality has occurred in any of the paths returning upstream (to the higher-rank side and / or the higher-hierarchy side) from valve V5. However, it is estimated that no abnormality has occurred in the normal path among the upstream paths of the abnormal terminal device. That is, after excluding the above-mentioned normal path (from the abnormal path), the abnormal path is estimated. The estimation process of the abnormal path is performed using the piping data 200. Specifically, while returning upstream from the abnormal terminal device, a "normal point" (described above) is searched for, and the path from the normal point reached (by the search) to the abnormal terminal device (this time going downstream in the reverse direction) is estimated as the abnormal path.

[0192] Specifically, first, based on the data table 230b regarding the shunt CAt of the third-layer data 230 (see FIG. 10), it is determined that the branch point one before (one higher-ranked side) the valve V5 is the branch point CAB. It is determined that the branch point CAB is not determined to be a normal point (based on the above flag column (= off) of the branch point CAB), and the search goes further upstream from the branch point CAB. Specifically, based on the same data table 230b, it is determined that the branch point one before the branch point CAB is the branch point CAA. In the above-described normal path determination process, it is determined that the branch point CAA is a normal point (that the path returning from the branch point CAA to its upper side is a normal path). Based on this, the path from the branch point CAA via the branch point CAB to the valve V5 is estimated as an abnormal path.

[0193] Next, the abnormal path estimation process regarding the valve V7 is executed.

[0194] Similarly, based on the fact that the valve V7 is an abnormal terminal device, after excluding the normal path from the path returning upstream from the valve V7, the abnormal path is estimated. Specifically, while returning upstream from the valve V7, the "normal point" (described above) is searched, and the path from the reached normal point to the abnormal terminal device is estimated as the abnormal path. Specifically, the search process for the normal point is performed based on the data tables 240b and 230b, and the path from the valve V7 via the branch point CAB to reach the normal point CAA is searched. Based on this search result, the path from the branch point CAA (normal point) via the branch point CAB (and the non-branching joint CABt1) to the valve V7 is estimated as the abnormal path.

[0195] Thereafter, on the screen 300, the path from the branch point CAA via the branch point CAB to the valve V5 (especially the pipe) and the path from the branch point CAA via the branch point CAB to the valve V7 (especially the pipe) are drawn (highlighted (such as hatching addition display, etc.)) as abnormal paths (see FIG. 23). Although not shown in FIG. 23, the normal path may also be highlighted in other types of manners. Note that the highlighting of the abnormal path (and the normal path) may be performed in various manners similar to the highlighting of the paths within the influence range (described above).

[0196] According to such processing, it is possible to determine the normal path for normal terminal devices based on the hierarchical information of the piping data 200, and also to accurately estimate the abnormal path for abnormal terminal devices based on the information regarding the normal path (information on normal points). Further, if the abnormal path or the like related to the determination result is drawn on the piping layout diagram, the operator can easily grasp the abnormal path or the like.

[0197] <9. Effects of Embodiment, etc.> As described above, the piping data management system 1 records the piping data 200 including the type information (such as "T", "L", etc.), pipe diameter information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint (pipe joint) in the piping system 2 in a data table to manage the data of the piping system 2. According to this, it is possible to relatively easily manage the piping route of the piping system 2.

[0198] In a conventional CAD system, an operation to change CAD data requires an operation such as drawing a diagram on the screen. However, in an environment such as a construction site, it is not easy to execute an operation to change CAD data (an operation to change the diagram). Due to such circumstances, the change in the piping route may not be reflected in the CAD data.

[0199] On the one hand, in the above-described embodiment, the piping system 2 is managed by piping data 200 expressed in a relatively simple data table (briefly speaking, in tabular form). Therefore, it is possible to manage the piping route of the piping system 2 relatively easily. For example, when changing the piping route, it is not necessary to operate the CAD system on-site (operate CAD software to redraw the drawing). Since the change operation for the piping data 200 can be performed relatively easily, the change operation of the piping data 200 and the like can be easily executed even at a construction site or the like. For example, even when the piping route is changed on-site, the operation of changing the piping data 200 can be easily performed on-site. Therefore, it becomes easier for the change of the piping route to be appropriately reflected in the piping data 200. As a result, the data of the piping system 2 can be easily managed appropriately.

[0200] Moreover, according to the piping data management system 1 in the present embodiment, it is possible to manage the data (piping data) of the piping system 2 with a data table having a simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to manage the data of the piping system relatively easily (more easily than the conventional CAD system). For example, the piping data 200 has a smaller size compared to CAD data, so it is easy to handle. Also, a device (computer) for running software for changing CAD data and the like requires relatively high CPU performance and drawing performance. In contrast, a device for running an application program for changing the piping data 200 does not require such high CPU performance (even a device having lower hardware performance than the CAD system is sufficient). For example, even a smartphone or a tablet terminal can run the program (an application program for changing the piping data 200) smoothly.

[0201] Also, it is possible to manage the piping route of the piping system more simply compared to the case of grasping the piping route of the piping system 2 based only on a piping layout diagram (CAD drawing, etc.) drawn in a diagram.

[0202] In particular, conventionally, an administrator or the like (a human) grasped the hierarchical structure of a piping system by looking at drawings (CAD drawings) drawn with CAD. Specifically, it was necessary for the administrator (a human) to construct the hierarchical structure of the piping system 2 in his / her head while performing operations such as sequentially tracing joints (and pipes) while looking at the piping layout drawing.

[0203] On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment, the piping data 200 includes hierarchical information (hierarchical symbols) of each joint of the piping system 2. In other words, in the piping data 200, the piping route hierarchical structure of the piping system 2 is also digitized. According to the hierarchical information (hierarchical symbols), it is possible to easily grasp the hierarchical structure of the piping system 2. Therefore, an administrator or the like can manage the piping system 2 while easily grasping the hierarchical structure of the piping system 2 by using the piping data 200.

[0204] Moreover, in particular, by using the above-described piping data 200, it is possible to easily realize partial changes to the piping route (such as changing the position of a joint, adding and / or deleting a joint, etc.). If only a CAD system is used to draw the piping route, the operations when changing the route are complicated. On the other hand, by using the above piping data 200, it is possible to change the piping route relatively easily. Such a change to the piping route can be easily made during the construction and / or design of a new building. Also, it can be easily made during the renovation or maintenance of the piping route.

[0205] Also, the hierarchical information of each joint is symbolized. According to this, it is possible to easily grasp the hierarchical structure of each joint.

[0206] In particular, the hierarchical information of each joint expresses the hierarchical level by the number of symbol sets (in the above embodiment, a symbol set represented by a single alphabet letter) (to put it simply, the number of alphabet letters). According to this, it is possible to easily grasp the hierarchical level of each joint.

[0207] Also, each symbol set indicates branch points and the like in the flow of each layer. In particular, the ranking of branch joints within the same layer (the i-th layer) is represented by the ranking of the alphabets within each symbol set. For example, among the two-letter alphabet (symbol set) "CA", the first letter "C" (i = 1) means the third branch point in the first layer (i = 1). Also, the second letter "A" following the letter "C" (i = 2) means the first branch point in the downstream flow Ct of the lower layer (the second layer (i = 2)) branched from the branch point C. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the path to a certain joint (which branch points are passed through to reach the certain joint).

[0208] Furthermore, a hierarchical symbol composed only of alphabets is assigned to the branch joint, and a hierarchical symbol with a number (auxiliary symbol) added at the end is assigned to the non-branch joint. Therefore, it is possible to easily distinguish between the branch joint and the non-branch joint from each other.

[0209] <10. Modification examples, etc.> As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described content.

[0210] <Display device for piping layout diagram based on piping data 200> For example, in the above embodiments and the like, the mode in which the piping layout diagram is drawn (displayed) based on the piping data 200 in the management device 10 has been described, but it is not limited to this, and the piping layout diagram may be drawn (displayed) based on the piping data 200 in the management server 30.

[0211] <Conversion from piping data 200 to CAD data, etc.> In the above-described embodiments and the like, the piping layout diagram is (directly) displayed based on the piping data 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the piping data 200 may be converted into CAD data, and a piping layout diagram (CAD drawing) may be drawn based on the converted CAD data. In other words, the piping data 200 may be converted into data (CAD data) that can be read by a CAD system and is used to draw each joint and the path connecting the joints in the CAD system. Then, a piping layout diagram (CAD drawing) based on the (converted) CAD data may be drawn (displayed) in the CAD system.

[0212] For example, the management device 10 may perform a conversion process from the piping data 200 to the CAD data. Specifically, the controller 11 may function as a data conversion unit that executes a data conversion process between the piping data 200 and the CAD data. Here, in the management device 10, it is assumed that each joint included in the piping data 200 is registered as a component image for each type (grouped (unitized) as an aggregate of diagrams).

[0213] Specifically, the management device 10 generates CAD data for drawing the following diagrams and the like based on the piping data 200. First, the management device 10 acquires type information of a certain joint (target joint) based on the piping data 200, and specifies a component image of the joint corresponding to the type information (for example, a component image of an "elbow"). Then, in the generated CAD data (CAD drawing), the component image (aggregate of diagrams) of the joint is arranged at a position corresponding to the position information of the joint. The orientation of the joint (orientation of the component image) may be determined (adjusted) according to the extension direction of the pipe connected to the joint. Further, based on the position information of the joint and the pipe diameter information of the joint, line segments representing the pipes connected to the joint (two line segments spaced at intervals corresponding to the pipe diameter of the joint, etc.) are arranged at appropriate positions. Similarly, a plurality of joints and the like (a plurality of joints and a plurality of pipes belonging to a plurality of hierarchies) included in the piping data 200 are drawn (toward the lower rank side for each hierarchy). CAD data for drawing such diagrams and the like is generated by converting the piping data 200.

[0214] In this way, after the generation process of CAD data (conversion process to CAD data) based on the piping data 200 is executed by the management device 10, the converted CAD data is transmitted from the management device 10 to the management server 30 via the communication network. In response to this, the management server 30 receives (acquires) the CAD data based on the piping data 200.

[0215] Thereafter, the management server 30 visualizes and displays the drawing (CAD drawing) based on the CAD data. Specifically, the management server 30 draws each joint and the path connecting each joint, etc. in the CAD system.

[0216] According to the above processing, in the field or the like, it is possible to easily manage the piping system 2 using the piping data 200, and it is also possible to display the CAD drawing obtained by converting the piping data 200 in the CAD system as needed.

[0217] Note that the conversion process to CAD data may be executed by the management device 10 (such as the controller 11) as described above, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be executed by the management server 30 (such as the controller 31). In other words, the controller 31 may function as a data conversion unit that executes the data conversion process between the piping data 200 and the CAD data. Specifically, the original piping data 200 is transmitted from the management device 10 to the management server 30 via the communication network, and the management server 30 acquires the piping data 200. Thereafter, the management server 30 may execute the generation process (conversion process to CAD data) of CAD data (data for the CAD system) based on the piping data 200.

[0218] <Generation process of piping data 200 (generation process using CAD system)> In the above-described embodiments and the like, the piping data 200 is generated in response to the operation input of the operator, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the piping data 200 may be generated based on a CAD drawing (CAD data) depicting the piping system 2.

[0219] Here, assume that software (data conversion software) for generating the piping data 200 from the CAD data is installed in the management server 30 as add-in software (function extension software) of the CAD software. When the position information of each joint already exists and is input in the CAD data, the position information of each joint in the CAD data is used. Data that does not exist in the CAD data (for example, joint type information, connection information, etc.) is additionally input by the operator using the above-described function extension software.

[0220] Specifically, in the function extension software, for each flow (main flow or each branch flow), the connection information of each joint may be obtained by performing operations such as tracing from the start point to the end point of each flow (flow).

[0221] Specifically, first, the operator selects "Main Flow Information Input" from the menu. Then, with the CAD drawing of the piping system 2 displayed on the operation screen of the CAD system, the operator sequentially clicks on the reference points (starting point, one or more joints (specifically, the reference points of the joints), and end point (terminal)) of each joint included in the main flow path in the order of fluid passage on the path using the mouse. As a result, information on a plurality of points (starting point, passing points (reference points of joints), end point (valve, etc.)) belonging to the main flow is obtained. More specifically, information on which points (joints, etc.) belong to the main flow, information on the order of the plurality of points belonging to the main flow, and position information of each joint are obtained by the function expansion software. Furthermore, as detailed information for each point, the type information of the joint and the pipe diameter information are input by the operator. Based on these pieces of information (information on the starting point, passing points, and end point of the main flow path, and type information of each point (joint) within the main flow path, etc.), the management server 30 automatically generates hierarchical information for each joint of the main flow path.

[0222] Next, the operator selects "Diverted Flow Information Input" from the menu and then performs the same operations as above. Specifically, the operator sequentially clicks on the reference points (starting point (branch joint), one or more joints (specifically, the reference points of the joints), and end point (terminal)) of each joint included in one diverted flow path in the order of fluid passage on the path. As a result, information on a plurality of points (starting point, passing points (reference points of joints), end point (valve, etc.)) belonging to the one diverted flow is obtained. More specifically, information on which points (joints, etc.) belong to the one diverted flow path, information on the order of the plurality of points belonging to the one diverted flow path, and position information of each joint are obtained by the function expansion software. Furthermore, as detailed information for each point, the type information of the joint and the pipe diameter information are input by the operator. Based on these pieces of information (information on the starting point, passing points, and end point of the one diverted flow path, etc., and type information of each point (joint) within the one diverted flow path, etc.), the management server 30 automatically generates hierarchical information for each joint of the one diverted flow path.

[0223] The operations of the operator and the processing of the management server 30 are similarly executed for other diverted flow paths.

[0224] In this way, the type information, pipe diameter information, position information, and stratification information of each joint in the main flow and all branch flows are acquired by the management server 30 (its function extension software). Then, based on the acquired information, the management server 30 generates the piping data 200.

[0225] As described above, the piping data 200 may be generated based on the CAD drawing (CAD data) depicting the piping system 2. The generated piping data 200 may be used in the management device 10 and the management server 30.

[0226] Note that instead of being input by the operator, the pipe diameter information of the joint (the pipe diameter information of the piping data 200) may be acquired based on the CAD data. Specifically, the pipe diameter information of the piping data 200 may be obtained based on the width (pipe diameter) of the pipe depicted in the CAD data (CAD drawing).

[0227] Regarding the input of the type information of the joint, for only the branch joints among the plurality of branch joints, it may be specified that they are "branch joints (cheese)" (joints for which no specification is made may be determined to be non-branch joints).

[0228] Alternatively, when the CAD data already has the type information of the joint, the type information included in the CAD data may be directly acquired as the type information of the piping data 200.

[0229] Also, the positional relationship of each joint in the CAD data may be automatically read, and a hierarchical structure may be automatically generated. For example, the position information, type information, and pipe diameter information of each joint included in the CAD data are used, and the connection information (the positional relationship between multiple joints) of each joint is automatically acquired (generated) as follows, so that the piping data 200 may be generated.

[0230] Specifically, it is determined that there is a path that sequentially passes through non-branching joints (elbows, sockets) in the direction in which the pipe extends or bends from the starting point of the flow in the same hierarchy (the starting point of the main flow or the branched flow (firstly, the starting point SP of the main flow)) until the branching joint (tee) appears. In other words, until the branching joint appears, a path that basically sequentially connects joints (non-branching joints) is formed, and a data table (piping data 200) representing the path is generated. As the hierarchical information, the hierarchical symbols within the same hierarchical path may be generated (assigned) in the same manner as described above.

[0231] When the path branches at the branching joint, it is automatically determined that the path (flow) in the direction of further straight advancement from the branching joint (along the direction connecting the branching joint and its immediately preceding joint towards the next joint) is the same hierarchical path (the flow at the same level as the level to which the immediately preceding joint belongs). Then, it is determined that the next joint within the same hierarchical path (of the branching joint) is the next-ranked joint within the same hierarchy. On the other hand, it is automatically determined that the path (flow) in the non-straight advancement direction (for example, the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the branching joint and its immediately preceding joint) branching from the branching joint is a lower hierarchical path (the flow at one level lower than the level to which the immediately preceding joint belongs). Then, it is determined that the next joint within the lower hierarchical path (of the branching joint) is the next-ranked joint within the lower hierarchy. In this way, based on the positional relationship of each joint in the CAD data, the connection information of each joint regarding the piping data 200 is obtained.

[0232] Furthermore, based on such determination results (the connection information of each joint), the hierarchical information of each joint is generated. For example, the same hierarchical information (hierarchical symbols) as described above may be assigned. Specifically, different numbers of symbol sets (alphabets) may be assigned to joints in different hierarchies, and alphabets (and numbers) within one symbol set indicating the ranking, etc. within the same hierarchy may be assigned to joints within the same hierarchy.

[0233] According to the above processing, piping data 200 is generated based on the CAD drawing (CAD data) depicting the piping system 2. According to this, in the case where CAD data already exists, etc., it is not necessary to generate the piping data 200 from scratch, and it is possible to easily generate the piping data 200 using the existing CAD data. As a result, it is possible to promote the management by the piping data 200.

[0234] <Hierarchical symbol> In the above-described embodiment, etc., in the case of a branch flow or the like, "t" is given as a symbol representing the 0th branch point, but it is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a branch flow, "A" may be given as a symbol representing the 0th branch point (see FIG. 24). Specifically, "At" in the above-described embodiment may be changed to "AA", "Bt" may be changed to "BA", and "BA" may be changed to "BB". Further, as a symbol representing a branch flow, instead of "t", another symbol (for example, "#") may be used. For example, the branch flow At may be expressed as the branch flow "A#". Note that also in the main flow, "A" may be given as a symbol representing the 0th branch point.

[0235] Also, in the above-described embodiment, etc., a symbol set (such as "B", "CB", "At", "CAB", etc.) using one alphabet letter as a unit is used, but it is not limited to this. For example, a symbol set using two alphabet letters, specifically a combination of a capital letter and a small letter (such as "Ba", "Cf", "Az", etc.) as a unit may be used. Specifically, 26 from Aa, Ba, Ca to Za may be sequentially assigned, and then Ab, Bb, Cb to Zb, Ac to Zc,..., As to Zs, At to Zt, Au to Zu,..., Az to Zz may be sequentially assigned. The order number of the first letter (capital alphabet letter) represents the 0th power position of 26 in hexadecimal, and the order number of the second letter (small alphabet letter) (accurately, the alphabet order number - 1) represents the 1st power position of 26 in hexadecimal. Note that in this case, as a symbol representing a branch flow, instead of "t", another symbol (for example, "#") may be used.

[0236] For example, "Cf7", "CfAcBa8", etc. may be assigned as the hierarchical symbols of the joint.

[0237] "Cf7" is composed of the combination of one symbol set ("Cf") and the auxiliary symbol "7". The "Cf" indicates the 133rd (= 26 * 5 + 3) branched joint (branch point) of "Cf" within the first-level path, and "Cf7" indicates that it is the seventh non-branched joint from the branched joint Cf in the first-level path.

[0238] Similarly, "CfAcBa8" is composed of the combination of three symbol sets ("Cf" + "Ac" + "Ba") and the auxiliary symbol "8". The "CfAc" indicates the 53rd (= 26 * 2 + 1) branched joint (branch point) of "Ac" within the "second-level path" (Cf#) branched from the 133rd branch point Cf within the first-level path. "CfAcBa" indicates the second branched joint (branch point) of "Ba" within the "third-level path" (CfAc#) branched from the branched joint CfAc. Also, "CfAcBa8" indicates that it is the eighth non-branched joint from the branched joint CfAcBa in the third-level path (CfAca#). In this case as well, the hierarchical level is represented by the number of symbol sets, and the ranking within the same hierarchy is represented by the ranking within each symbol set (the ranking related to the combination of two alphabets).

[0239] In a symbol set with one alphabet letter as a unit, it is possible to correspond to a maximum of 26 branch points, while in a symbol set with two alphabet letters as a unit, it is possible to correspond to a larger number (for example, 676 = 26 × 26) of branch points.

[0240] Furthermore, a symbol set with a predetermined number of three or more alphabet letters as a unit may be used.

[0241] Also, when a symbol set using combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters (such as "Ba", "Cf", "Az", etc.) as units is used, first uppercase letters alone (A to Z) may be sequentially assigned, and then combinations of uppercase and lowercase letters (Aa to Za, Ab to Zb,..., Zz) may be sequentially assigned. In other words, the symbol set may represent the 1st to 26th positions with a single alphabet letter and the 27th and subsequent positions with two alphabet letters (Aa to Za, Ab to Zb,..., Zz). Furthermore, a symbol set that sequentially adds subsequent letters (from "A" to "Z", "Aa" to "Zz", "Aaa to Zzz") may also be used.

[0242] Also, in the above-described embodiments, etc., for a branch joint (branch point), "alphabet" is assigned to the end of the hierarchical symbol, and for a non-branch joint (non-branch point), "number" is assigned to the end of the hierarchical symbol, but it is not limited to this. For example, the hierarchical symbol may be a symbol to which a number representing the rank (order) from upstream is assigned for joints within the same hierarchy (regardless of whether it is a branch joint or a non-branch joint). According to this, the rank within the same hierarchy is easily understandable. Also, for a branch joint, an "alphabet" that indicates that it is a branch joint and distinguishes branch joints within the same hierarchy from each other may be assigned immediately after the number. In other words, the symbol set may be composed of numbers (numbers only) or combinations of numbers and alphabets.

[0243] For example, as shown in FIG. 25, hierarchical symbols such as "1A", "2", "3", "4B", "5", "6C",... may be assigned to the joints in the first-level path. The trailing alphabet indicates that it is a branch point (branch joint) (and the order of branch joints within the same level). Similarly, for the joints in the second-level path, hierarchical symbols such as "1A1", "1A2", "1A3",... "4B1", "4B2", "4B3A",...,"6C1", "6C2", "6C3A",... may be assigned. Also, for the joints in the third-level path, hierarchical symbols such as "4B3A1", "4B3A2",...,"6C3A1", "6C3A2A"... may be assigned. In this case, the number of digits represents the number of symbol sets (and thus the hierarchical level). For example, "4B1" (number of digits = 2) represents the second level, and "6C5B1" (number of digits = 3) represents the third level.

[0244] In this way, the hierarchical information may be symbolized using one or more symbol sets composed of numbers (and characters). Also in this case, the hierarchical level is represented by the number of the symbol sets (the symbol set composed of at least one of numbers and alphabets). Further, the order within each symbol set represents the order within the same level. More specifically, the order of numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3,...) within each symbol set represents the order of joints within the same level, and the order of alphabets (alphabet order) within each symbol set represents the order of branch joints within the same level.

[0245] According to such an expression, especially when the number of joints within the same path is large, the order (sequence) of each joint within the same path can be easily grasped by "numbers". For example, it can be easily grasped that the hierarchical symbol "156G" is the 156th joint of the main flow (and the 7th branch joint within the main flow).

[0246] Note that it is also possible to represent the hierarchical information only with the alphabets obtained by removing the numbers (except at the end) from the hierarchical symbols (see FIG. 25) in the modification example. For example, "CAA" obtained by removing the numbers from "6C3A2A" represents the first branch point ("A") of a specific third-level path (CA#). The specific third-level path CA# is a path that branches at point A within the second-level path (C) that branches at point C within the first-level path. Also, "CAA3" obtained by removing the numbers except at the end from "6C3A2A3" means the third joint of the fourth-level path (CAA#) that branches from the first branch point ("A" (= CAA)) within the specific third-level path (CA#). In this case, the total value of the number of alphabets and the number of numbers (the number of symbol sets composed of either alphabets or numbers) represents the number of symbol sets (and thus the hierarchical level). For example, "CAA" (the total value = 3) represents the third level, and "CAA3" (the total value = 4) represents the fourth level.

[0247] Also, although the symbol set in the above embodiment (see FIG. 5 etc.) is mainly represented by alphabets (letters) and the auxiliary symbols are represented by numbers, it is not limited to this. For example, conversely, the symbol set may be mainly represented by numbers and the auxiliary symbols may be represented by alphabets (letters). When a plurality of symbol sets are consecutive (as a combination of numbers), a delimiter symbol (such as " / " or "- ") may be provided between the plurality of symbol sets (the plurality of numbers). For example, "CBt1" (FIG. 5) in the above embodiment may be expressed as "3-2-0A".

[0248] Also, in each of the above embodiments etc., the characters in the symbol set are not limited to alphabets, and may be Greek characters, hiragana, katakana, etc. Also, the numbers in the symbol set are not limited to Arabic numerals, and may be Roman numerals, Chinese numerals, etc.

[0249] <Others> In the above-described embodiments and the like, information on the fitting "immediately before" each fitting is obtained as the connection order between adjacent fittings, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information on the fitting "immediately after" each fitting may be obtained as the connection order (information) between adjacent fittings.

[0250] In the above-described embodiments and the like, in the piping data 200, pipe diameter information is also recorded. By using the pipe diameter information in the piping data 200, it is possible to appropriately manage the diameter of the pipe to be used for the piping. For example, based on the position information and pipe diameter information of each fitting in the piping data 200, it is possible to appropriately calculate the length and pipe diameter of the pipe connecting each fitting and its connected fitting, and it is also possible to appropriately draw the pipe diameter in the piping layout diagram. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in cases where pipe diameter management is not required (for example, when only the position of the piping route is to be grasped), the piping data 200 does not need to have pipe diameter information.

[0251] In cases where pipe diameter information is not required, etc., information on a pipe diameter changing fitting that is not a branch fitting (for example, a reducing socket (and a reducing elbow)) is not necessarily required.

[0252] In the above-described embodiments and the like, the water supply piping system has been mainly described as the piping system 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the piping system 2 may be a drainage piping system, an air conditioning piping system, or a gas piping system, etc. The fluid flowing through the piping may be a liquid other than water (such as oil), or a gas such as gas.

[0253] In the above-described embodiments and the like, in the water supply piping system, a mode in which the main flow gradually branches into branches (from the upper layer to the lower layer) has been mainly exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a drainage piping system or the like, a mode in which the tributaries gradually merge into the main flow (from the lower layer to the upper layer) may be used. In this case, although the direction of the fluid flow is reversed, the same concept as described above may be applied to the hierarchical information and the like.

[0254] In the above-described embodiments and the like, the piping data management system 1 includes the management device 10 and the management server 30, but is not limited thereto. For example, the management device 10 may have the above-described various functions in the management server 30, and the piping data management system 1 may be configured by only the management device 10.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0255] 1 Piping data management system 2 Piping system 3 Pipe 5,501 Joint 10 Management device 30 Management server 200 Piping data 320 Dialog 330 Sub-dialog SP Starting point V1~V8 Valve

Claims

1. Control means for recording pipe data including type information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint in a piping system in a data table to manage the data of the piping system. A piping data management system characterized by comprising the above.

2. In the piping data management system according to Claim 1, the hierarchical information is symbolized using one or a plurality of symbol sets, and is information representing a hierarchical level by the number of the symbol sets. A piping data management system characterized by this.

3. In the piping data management system according to Claim 2, the hierarchical information is symbolized using one or a plurality of symbol sets composed of characters, and is information representing the order of branch joints within the same hierarchy by the order of characters within each symbol set. A piping data management system characterized by this.

4. In the piping data management system according to Claim 3, the hierarchical information of a non-branching joint is symbolized by adding auxiliary symbols composed of symbols of a type different from the characters used in the symbol set to the hierarchical information of the branch joint immediately before the non-branching joint, and is information representing the order from the immediately preceding branch joint by the order of the auxiliary symbols. A piping data management system characterized by this.

5. In the piping data management system according to Claim 2, the hierarchical information is symbolized using one or a plurality of symbol sets composed of numbers, and is information representing the order of joints within the same hierarchy by the order of numbers within each symbol set. A piping data management system characterized by this.

6. In the piping data management system according to Claim 1, acquisition means for acquiring the type information and the position information of each joint, and connection information indicating the connection relationship of each joint. further comprising, the control means generates the hierarchical information based on the connection information and the type information of each joint, and records the hierarchical information, the type information, and the position information in the data table. A piping data management system characterized by this.

7. In the piping data management system according to Claim 6, The control means determines, based on the type information and the connection information, whether each of the joints is a branch joint and whether the joint immediately preceding each of the joints belongs to the same layer as each of the joints, and generates the layering information for each of the joints according to the determination result. A piping data management system characterized by this.

8. In the piping data management system according to claim 6, The acquisition means acquires the position information of each of the joints in the piping data based on the positions of the respective joints in the CAD data of the piping system, and acquires the connection information of each of the joints based on the positional relationship of the respective joints in the CAD data. A piping data management system characterized by this.

9. In the piping data management system according to claim 1, When one of a plurality of joints included in the piping system is designated, the control means determines, based on the layering information, a piping path including joints on the lower order side within the layer to which the designated joint belongs and joints on the lower layer side than the designated joint. A piping data management system characterized by specifying in the piping system.

10. In the piping data management system according to claim 1, When the failure position in the piping system is known, the control means, based on the layering information, specifies a piping path including joints on the lower order side within the layer to which the failure position belongs and joints on the lower layer side than the failure position as an affected range path. A piping data management system characterized by this.

11. In the piping data management system according to claim 1, When a normal terminal device and an abnormal terminal device in the piping system are designated, the control means estimates a normal path for the normal terminal device based on the layering information, and estimates an abnormal path for the abnormal terminal device also based on the normal path. A piping data management system characterized by this.

12. a) A step of recording piping data including type information, position information, and layering information of each joint in a piping system in a data table, A piping data management method characterized by including this.

13. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, The layering information is symbolized using a single or a plurality of symbol sets, and is information expressing the layer level by the number of the symbol sets. A piping data management method characterized by this.

14. In the piping data management method according to claim 13, the hierarchical information is symbolized using one or more symbol sets composed of characters, and is information expressing the rank of branch joints within the same hierarchy in the order of characters within each symbol set. A piping data management method characterized by this.

15. In the piping data management method according to claim 14, the hierarchical information of the non-branch joint is symbolized by adding auxiliary symbols composed of symbols of a type different from the characters used in the symbol set to the hierarchical information of the branch joint immediately before the non-branch joint, and is information expressing the rank from the immediately preceding branch joint in the order of the auxiliary symbols. A piping data management method characterized by this.

16. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, the hierarchical information is symbolized using one or more symbol sets composed of numbers, and is information expressing the rank of joints within the same hierarchy in the order of numbers within each symbol set. A piping data management method characterized by this.

17. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, b) a step of acquiring the type information and position information of each joint and connection information indicating the connection relationship of each joint, further comprising, the step a) is, a-1) a step of generating the hierarchical information based on the connection information and type information of each joint; a-2) a step of recording the hierarchical information, type information, and position information in the data table; A piping data management method characterized by comprising this.

18. In the piping data management method according to claim 17, in the step a-1), whether each joint is a branch joint and whether the joint immediately before each joint belongs to the same hierarchy as each joint are determined based on the type information and connection information, and the hierarchical information of each joint is generated according to the determination result. A piping data management method characterized by this.

19. In the piping data management method according to claim 17, the step b) is, b-1) a step of acquiring the position information of each joint in the piping data based on the position of each joint in the CAD data of the piping system; b-2) a step of acquiring the connection information of each joint based on the positional relationship of each joint in the CAD data; A piping data management method characterized by comprising this.

20. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, c) When one joint among a plurality of joints included in the piping system is specified, a piping path including joints on the lower-rank side within the hierarchy to which the specified joint belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the specified joint is specified in the piping system based on the hierarchical information; The piping data management method characterized by further comprising the above.

21. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, d) When the failure position in the piping system is known, based on the hierarchical information, a piping path including joints on the lower-rank side within the hierarchy to which the failure position belongs and joints on the lower-hierarchy side than the failure position is specified as a path within the influence range; The piping data management method characterized by further comprising the above.

22. In the piping data management method according to claim 12, e) A step of receiving designation of normal terminal devices and abnormal terminal devices in the piping system; f) Based on the hierarchical information, a step of estimating a normal path for the normal terminal device and estimating an abnormal path for the abnormal terminal device also based on the normal path; The piping data management method characterized by further comprising the above.

23. a) A step of acquiring piping data including type information, position information, and hierarchical information of each joint in a piping system; b) A step of converting the piping data into data for a CAD system and drawing each joint and a path connecting the joints in the CAD system; The piping data management method characterized by comprising the above.

24. A program for causing a computer to execute the piping data management method according to any one of claims 12 to 23.

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