Design support apparatus and design support system

Abstract

To provide a design support technology for obtaining a mutually rational design among a plurality of designs when the design of the whole plan is constituted of the plurality of designs.SOLUTION: A design support device according to the present invention includes a virtual space creation unit that creates image data of a three dimensional virtual space simulating a site of a design target, a communication unit that is communicably connected to a plurality of external devices respectively used by a plurality of users, and an object control unit that has a function of creating an object simulating a facility of the design target in the virtual space, creates image data of a predetermined object when information of a creation operation of the predetermined object performed by a predetermined user in the virtual space is input, creates attribute information of the predetermined object that can be referred to by other users, and outputs the image data and the attribute information of the predetermined object to the plurality of external devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support device and a design support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques related to the design work of power plants have been proposed in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a three-dimensional layout adjustment CAD (Computer Aided Design) data creation device for easily and quickly creating three-dimensional layout adjustment CAD data for the placement route of cable housing components during the initial planning stage of plant design. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-211652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional plant design work, design and planning work, such as system design, equipment design, construction design, and on-site construction planning, is often carried out in a waterfall fashion. While this method has the advantage of clarifying the roles of each design department, it also has the disadvantage of encouraging vertical division of design departments and hindering collaboration between them. Therefore, this method can lead to problems such as a lack of feedback from downstream design, such as on-site construction planning, to upstream design, such as system design and construction design, resulting in a lack of rational design between the downstream and upstream sides.

[0005] Specifically, because system design begins before other design work, it is difficult to reflect construction design and on-site information in the system design, which can lead to irrational design content, for example, in terms of the amount of construction work on-site. Furthermore, for example, in construction design, a lack of understanding of the on-site situation can lead to backtracking due to interference (disturbances) with installed equipment, or design revisions from the perspective of equipment delivery and removal. Furthermore, downstream design departments may not necessarily be aware of the upstream design content, which can lead to problems such as time-consuming collection of upstream design information.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a design support technology that enables a mutually rational design to be obtained among multiple designs when the overall design of a plan is composed of multiple designs, such as in the design work of a power plant or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the design support device of the present invention includes a virtual space creation unit, a communication unit, and an object control unit. The virtual space creation unit creates image data of a three-dimensional virtual space simulating a site to be designed. The communication unit is communicably connected to multiple external devices used by multiple users. The communication unit also transmits image data of the virtual space created by the virtual space creation unit to the multiple external devices and receives information on predetermined design operations performed on the virtual space by each of the multiple users on their own external devices. The object control unit has a function of creating an object simulating the facility to be designed in the virtual space. When information on a creation operation of a predetermined object performed by a predetermined user among the multiple users in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, the object control unit creates image data of the predetermined object. The object control unit also creates attribute information of the predetermined object that can be referenced by other users and outputs the image data and attribute information of the predetermined object to the multiple external devices via the communication unit.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a design support system according to the present invention includes a plurality of information processing devices used by a plurality of users, and the design support device according to the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention having the above configuration, when the design of the entire project is composed of a plurality of designs, it is possible to obtain a mutually rational design among the plurality of designs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer device applicable as a design support device and a designer terminal included in a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a functional block diagram of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of a designer terminal included in the design support system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object creation unit of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object creation unit of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object combining unit of the design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object combining unit of the design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object combining unit of the design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a cable route calculation unit of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of a cable route calculation unit of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an object placement determination unit of the design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of an object movement determination unit of the design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation of an information search unit of the design support apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a concurrent design support task (object modification task) using a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a concurrent design support task (search task for object-related information) using a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a concurrent design support task (object placement determination task) using a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A design support device and a design support system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following describes, as an example, a design support device and a design support system that can be used in the design work of a power plant.

[0012] [Configuration of the design support system] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a design support system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the design support system 1 includes a design support device 2 and a plurality of designer terminals 3 (external devices). The design support device 2 is connected to each of the plurality of designer terminals 3 via a communication network 4 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0013] The design support device 2 is configured with an information processing device such as a computer device 10 (see FIG. 2) described below. The design support device 2 has a function for creating a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates the interior and exterior of a facility (site), such as a building of a power plant to be designed. The design support device 2 provides various functions that enable all designers involved in the plant design work, both upstream and downstream, to access the virtual space and perform design work in the virtual space. In other words, the design support device 2 is a device that supports concurrent design work by all designers involved in the plant design work in a virtual space that simulates the interior and exterior of a facility, such as a building of a power plant. The various functions of the design support device 2 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Each designer terminal 3 is an information processing device used by each designer (user) involved in plant design work, for example, by a person in charge of each design work such as system design, equipment design, construction design, and on-site construction planning, and is configured with an information processing device such as a computer device 10 (see FIG. 2 described below). Specifically, each designer terminal 3 can be configured with an information processing device equipped with a calculation function and a communication function, such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Note that, although an example in which the multiple designer terminals 3 have the same configuration will be described in this embodiment, some of the multiple designer terminals 3 may have different configurations, or the multiple designer terminals 3 may all have different configurations.

[0015] The designer terminal 3 receives image data of the virtual space created by the design support device 2, and displays the image data of the virtual space on a display unit 34, which will be described later. The designer terminal 3 also acquires operation information related to the designer's access operations to the virtual space created by the design support device 2 and the designer's work operations in the virtual space, and transmits the operation information to the design support device 2 via the communication network 4.

[0016] Upon receiving operation information from the designer terminal 3, the design support device 2 performs image control processing so that the designer's operation corresponding to the operation information is reflected in the virtual space, and transmits image data of the virtual space subjected to the image control processing and objects described below to the multiple designer terminals 3. As a result, an image reflecting the designer's operation is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 described below of the designer terminal 3. The various functions of the designer terminal 3 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The communication network 4 can be configured, for example, as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, and can communicate via wired or wireless. When the design support device 2 and multiple designer terminals 3 are located in close proximity (for example, in the same room), the communication network 4 may use a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi (registered trademark).

[0018] [Hardware configuration of the design support device and designer terminal] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer device 10 that can be used as the design support device 2 and the designer terminal 3.

[0019] 2, the computer device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, all connected to a bus line 18. The computer device 10 also includes a network I / F (Interface) 14, an operation device 15, a display device 16, and a non-volatile storage 17, all connected to the bus line 18. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the computer device 10 also includes various interfaces used when executing input / output processing of various data (various information) between the computer device 10 and external devices.

[0020] The CPU 11 reads out from the ROM 12 to the RAM 13 and executes the program code of the software for realizing the various processing functions of the design support device 2 and the designer terminal 3. At this time, various data such as variables and parameters generated during the calculation process are temporarily written to the RAM 13.

[0021] The network I / F 14 is configured by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from each device connected via wireless communication.

[0022] The operation device 15 is configured with, for example, keys and buttons, and generates an operation signal according to the operation content input by an operator (designer, etc.), and supplies the operation signal to the CPU 11. The display device 16 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays characters, images, etc. on the screen. The display device 16 may also be configured with a touch panel, in which case the display device 16 and the operation device 15 are configured as an integrated unit.

[0023] In the design support system 1 of this embodiment, the designer operates an operation device 15, such as a key, button, mouse, or touch panel, provided on the designer terminal 3 to perform various operations in the virtual space displayed on the display screen of the display device 16.

[0024] Furthermore, in the design support system 1 of this embodiment, the designer can perform various operations in the virtual space using an HMD (Head Mounted Display) and a controller that is held in his / her hand or worn on his / her body. In this case, in the designer terminal 3, the HMD that displays the virtual space serves as the display device 16, and the controller for performing various operations in the virtual space displayed on the HMD serves as the operation device 15. In this case, in the designer terminal 3, the HMD (display device 16) and the controller (operation device 15) may be communicatively connected to the CPU 11 using, for example, a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth or WiFi.

[0025] The nonvolatile storage 17 can be configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disc (CD)-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory, etc. The nonvolatile storage 17 stores an operating system (OS), various parameters, and various programs for causing the computer device 10 to function as the design support device 2 and the designer terminal 3. Note that information (data) such as programs, tables, and files for realizing the functions of the design support device 2 and the designer terminal 3 may be stored in a recording medium other than the ROM 12 or the nonvolatile storage 17, such as an integrated circuit (IC) card, an SD card, or a digital versatile disc (DVD).

[0026] When the design support device 2 is configured as a server device, the design support device 2 may not include the operation device 15 and / or the display device 16 described above.

[0027] [Functional configuration of the design support system] 3 is a functional block diagram of a design support device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the design support device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

[0028] The control unit 21 is included in the CPU 11 in Fig. 2, and reads program code from the ROM 12 in Fig. 2 to the RAM 13 in Fig. 2 to execute the program code for realizing various functions described below that can be executed by the design support device 2. The storage unit 22 is included in the non-volatile storage 17 and / or the RAM 13 in Fig. 2, and is configured by a memory from which data can be read and written, and stores various information used in processing to realize the various functional units included in the control unit 21. The communication unit 23 is included in the network I / F 14 in Fig. 2, and transmits and receives various information (data) to and from multiple designer terminals 3 that can be connected via the communication network 4.

[0029] (Control unit) As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 functionally comprises a virtual space creation unit 211 and an object control unit 212.

[0030] The virtual space creation unit 211 creates image data of a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates the interior and exterior of a facility (site), such as a building of a power plant to be designed. Specifically, the virtual space creation unit 211 creates the image data of the three-dimensional virtual space using point cloud data and / or three-dimensional CAD data of the actual site of the power plant to be designed, which is stored in a site information storage unit 221 (described later) in the memory unit 22. Note that existing technology can be used as a method for creating the image data of the three-dimensional virtual space.

[0031] Furthermore, the virtual space creation unit 211 outputs image data of the created virtual space of the power plant to the communication unit 23. As a result, the image data of the virtual space of the power plant is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and the image of the virtual space is displayed on a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or an HMD) described below of each designer terminal 3.

[0032] The object control unit 212 acquires, via the communication network 4, operation information corresponding to object creation operations and various editing operations performed by the designer on the virtual space at the designer terminal 3, and performs image processing of the object according to the operation information. Then, the object control unit 212 outputs image data of the object that has been subjected to image processing corresponding to the operation information to the communication unit 23. As a result, the image data of the object after image processing is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4 and displayed on a display unit 34 (e.g., a liquid crystal panel or an HMD) described later of each designer terminal 3. That is, an image reflecting the operations performed by the designer on the virtual space is displayed on the display unit 34 described later of each designer terminal 3.

[0033] The term "object" as used herein refers to equipment such as pipes, electrical conduits, connection boxes, valves, panels, racks, and devices that are installed in spaces or on the exterior walls of facilities such as a power plant building. The image data of the objects created by the object creation unit 213 is image data that simulates equipment such as pipes, electrical conduits, connection boxes, valves, panels, racks, and devices. Image data of such objects for each type of equipment to be designed is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described later) in the storage unit 22.

[0034] 3, the object control unit 212 has an object creation unit 213, an object connection unit 214, a cable route calculation unit 215, an object placement determination unit 216, an object movement determination unit 217, and an information search unit 218. These components are functional units for realizing the various design support functions of the design support device 2, and specific examples of the operation of each component will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0035] 3 shows only some of the main functional units of the object control unit 212, and does not show various functional units for realizing various other design support functions necessary for plant design. For example, although not shown as functional blocks, in addition to the functional units in FIG. 3, the object control unit 212 has a processing function (object selection function) for enabling a designer to select an object in a virtual space displayed on the designer terminal 3 through a selection operation by the designer for the object. The object control unit 212 also has a processing function (object movement function) for moving an object displayed on the designer terminal 3 in the virtual space through a movement operation by the designer for the object. The object control unit 212 also has a processing function (attribute information display function) for displaying attribute information associated with the object on a display unit 34 (described below) of the designer terminal 3 when the designer performs a display (reference) operation for the attribute information (described below). In this embodiment, the object selection function, object movement function, and attribute information display function can operate in common when the functional units in FIG. 3 of the object control unit 212 are executed.

[0036] (Memory unit and communication unit) The storage unit 22 stores, for example, various information necessary for creating a virtual space, image data of the virtual space obtained by various image processing by the control unit 21, image data of objects, attribute information (to be described later), related information of the objects, image data of the avatars of each designer, etc. The internal configuration of the storage unit 22 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0037] The communication unit 23 transmits image data of the virtual space and objects created by the control unit 21, information about the objects (attribute information, etc.), image data of the avatars of each designer, and the like to a plurality of designer terminals 3 that can be connected via the communication network 4. The communication unit 23 also receives various pieces of operation information of each designer with respect to the virtual space transmitted from each of the plurality of designer terminals 3, and outputs the received various pieces of operation information to the control unit 21.

[0038] [Operation details of the functional parts of the object control part] (Object Creation Section) The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function that allows a designer to generate desired objects in a virtual space and freely place them in any position, and the object creation unit 213 realizes this function.

[0039] Specifically, the object creation unit 213 creates image data of the object based on operation information corresponding to the object creation operation performed by the designer in the virtual space, which is input from the designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4 and the communication unit 23. Existing technology can be used as a method for creating the image data of the object. Furthermore, the object creation unit 213 places the created object at a predetermined position in the virtual space based on the operation information.

[0040] Furthermore, when creating image data of an object, object creation unit 213 also creates attribute information of the object. The attribute information is a set of various information, such as the object's management number, name, installation position (coordinates in the virtual space), installation area name, size, type, installation (placement) constraints, creator, creator's comments, creation date and time, etc.

[0041] The designer (object creator) can input (set) the information contained in the attribute information by operating an operation unit 33 (for example, keys, buttons, a mouse, a touch panel, a controller, etc.) described below of his / her own designer terminal 3. The object creation unit 213 then creates attribute information based on the designer's operation to input the attribute information, associates the created attribute information with image data of the corresponding object, and stores the information in an object information storage unit 224 (described below) in the storage unit 22. Note that the information contained in the attribute information differs depending on, for example, the type of object, and can be freely set by the designer.

[0042] Then, the object creation unit 213 outputs the image data and attribute information of the created object to the communication unit 23. As a result, the image data and attribute information of the object are transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and an image of the object is displayed at a predetermined position in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function that allows the designer to change, for example, the shape or placement position of an object displayed in the virtual space, and this function is also realized by the object creation unit 213. When the designer performs a change operation on an object, the object creation unit 213 changes (updates) the image data and attribute information of the object to be changed in accordance with the change operation.

[0044] Specifically, when a designer performs a change operation on an already created object in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of his / her own designer terminal 3, operation information for the change operation is input from the designer terminal 3 to the object creation unit 213 via the communication network 4 and the communication unit 23. Then, the object creation unit 213 changes (updates) the image data and attribute information of the object to be changed based on the input operation information for the object change operation, and transmits the image data and attribute information of the changed object to each designer terminal 3 via the communication unit 23. As a result, an image of the object after the change is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3, reflecting the change operation by the designer. At this time, the object creation unit 213 also updates the image data and attribute information of the object to be changed stored in an object information storage unit 224 (described later) in the storage unit 22.

[0045] As an object modification operation, for example, a method can be used in which a designer modifies the size or layout position, for example, contained in the attribute information of the object, by operating the operation unit 33, which will be described later. Also, as an object modification operation, for example, a method can be used in which a designer modifies the shape of a displayed image of the object in virtual space or moves the displayed image by operating the operation unit 33, which will be described later.

[0046] In this embodiment, modification operations on objects created in a virtual space can be performed not only by the designer who created the object, but also by other designers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only modification operations on objects but also various other operations on objects can be performed not only by the designer who created the object, but also by other designers.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although not shown, an image of an object creation tool that can be operated by the designer is displayed on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3, separately from the image of the virtual space. In this case, the image of the object creation tool may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space depending on the operation performed by the designer when using the creation tool. The object creation tool includes selection buttons for the type of object, etc., an input form for attribute information, etc., and image data of this creation tool is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 described below in the storage unit 22.

[0048] When creating an object, the designer selects the type of object, etc., using an object creation tool in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and then performs a predetermined creation operation at a predetermined position in the virtual space, thereby creating the desired object at that predetermined position (see Figures 5 and 6 (described later)).

[0049] (Object connection part) The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function of combining a plurality of objects of the same type placed in a virtual space to create one object, and the object combining unit 214 realizes this function.

[0050] When combining multiple objects, the designer selects multiple objects arranged in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and performs an operation to combine the multiple objects. As a result, operation information corresponding to the combining operation is input from the designer terminal 3 to the object combining unit 214 (object control unit 212) via the communication network 4 and the communication unit 23.

[0051] Then, the object combining unit 214 combines (integrates) the multiple objects arranged in the virtual space to create a single object based on the operation information corresponding to the input combining operation. Existing technology can be used as a method for combining (integrating) the image data of multiple objects. Note that in this embodiment, multiple types of combining functions are provided as functions for combining multiple objects by the object combining unit 214, and these combining functions will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0052] Furthermore, the object combining unit 214 changes the attribute information of the plurality of objects before the combination, which is stored in the object information storage unit 224 (described later) in the memory unit 22, to the attribute information of the single object after the combination. In this embodiment, the attribute information of the main object (for example, the object with the smallest management number) among the plurality of objects before the combination is basically inherited by the attribute information of the object after the combination.

[0053] Specifically, for information included in the attribute information that is not changed by the combining operation (e.g., control number, name, etc.: first information), the object combining unit 214 inherits the information of the primary object (e.g., the object with the smallest control number) among the multiple objects before the combining into the attribute information of the combined object. On the other hand, for information included in the attribute information that is changed by the combining operation (e.g., size, etc.: second information), the object combining unit 214 changes it using the corresponding information of the multiple objects before the combining. For example, the object combining unit 214 determines the length of the combined object to be the sum of the lengths of each of the multiple objects before the combining.

[0054] That is, in this embodiment, the attribute information of the main object before merging is updated with information (such as size) that will be changed by the merging operation, and this information is used as the attribute information of the object after merging. Note that the attribute information of objects other than the main object among the multiple objects before merging is deleted when the attribute information of the object after merging is created.

[0055] Then, the object combining unit 214 outputs the image data and attribute information of the combined object to the communication unit 23. As a result, the image data and attribute information of the combined object are transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and an image of the combined object is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3, reflecting the combining operation by the designer.

[0056] In this embodiment, although not shown, an image of a tool for combining objects that can be operated by the designer is displayed on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3, separately from the image of the virtual space. In this case, the image of the tool for combining objects may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space when the designer operates the tool for combining objects. The tool for combining objects includes an execution button for the combining function, and image data of this tool for combining objects is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described below) in the storage unit 22.

[0057] When combining objects, the designer selects multiple objects to be combined in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 of his / her designer terminal 3, which will be described later, and then combines the multiple objects by operating the execution button of the object combination tool (see Figures 7 to 9, etc., which will be described later).

[0058] (Cable route calculation section) A cable (e.g., an electric cable, a communication cable, etc.) connecting two facilities (objects) is laid from one facility through a conduit or duct, into a conduit or tray installed on the ceiling of the facility, and then laid and connected to the other facility. The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function to calculate the optimal cable route between two objects when there are multiple cable routing paths (hereinafter referred to as "cable routes") for connecting two objects (facility) with a cable in virtual space. The cable route calculation unit 215 executes the function of calculating (extracting) the optimal cable route.

[0059] In the cable route calculation process by the cable route calculation unit 215, the cable route and its length are basically calculated to provide the shortest cable length to be laid between two objects (facility). The length of the cable route between the two objects is calculated based on the installation position (placement position information) included in the attribute information of each object and the installation positions included in the attribute information of objects such as electric conduits and ducts placed on the cable route. Furthermore, if the uses of some of the multiple electric conduits placed on the cable route (for example, dedicated to communications) are predetermined, the cable route calculation unit 215 calculates the optimal cable route taking into account the use information (use restriction information) included in the attribute information of the objects of those electric conduits.

[0060] The cable route calculation unit 215 outputs information on the calculation results of the optimal cable route to the communication unit 23. As a result, the information on the calculation results of the optimal cable route is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and information on the optimal cable route between two objects (facility) is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3. Note that the manner in which the information on the calculation results of the optimal cable route by the cable route calculation unit 215 is displayed will be described later with reference to the drawings (see FIGS. 10 and 11 (described later)).

[0061] Furthermore, the cable route calculation unit 215 stores information about the optimum cable route between two objects (facilities) in an object information storage unit 224 (described later) in the memory unit 22. The information about the optimum cable route includes, for example, the management number of the cable route, the management numbers of the two objects connected by the cable, the management number of the conduit (object) to be used, the length of the cable route, and the like.

[0062] The above-described function of calculating the optimum cable route by the cable route calculation unit 215 can also be performed when there is only one cable route between two objects (facility). In this case, the one cable route is extracted as the optimum cable route, and its length is calculated. Also in this case, information on the calculation results of the optimum cable route is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4 and displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3.

[0063] In this embodiment, although not shown, an image of a cable route calculation tool that can be operated by the designer is displayed separately from the image of the virtual space on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3. In this case, the image of the cable route calculation tool may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space when the designer operates the cable route calculation tool when using it. The cable route calculation tool includes an execution button for a cable route calculation function, etc., and image data of this calculation tool is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described below) in the storage unit 22.

[0064] When calculating the optimal cable route, the designer selects two objects (equipment) for which the cable route is to be calculated in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 of his / her designer terminal 3 (described later), and then operates the execution button of the cable route calculation tool, whereby the optimal cable route between the two objects is calculated and the information is displayed (see Figures 10 and 11 (described later)).

[0065] (Object placement determination unit) The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function (hereinafter referred to as "placement determination function") that determines whether a predetermined object (facility) created at a predetermined position in a virtual space satisfies the placement conditions of the predetermined object. The object placement determination unit 216 executes the processing of this object placement determination function.

[0066] The placement conditions for an object (facility) include, for example, the temperature conditions, humidity conditions, and radiation conditions under which the facility can be placed, the distance conditions from other objects (facility: interfering objects) that are necessary to suppress the effects of heat and the like generated by those other objects, the conditions for the available space at the placement position, etc. Information on these placement conditions is set by the object creator or the like when the object is created, and is included in the attribute information.

[0067] The object placement determination unit 216 performs a process of determining whether or not the placement conditions of the object (facility) to be subjected to placement determination are satisfied, by referring to information on the placement conditions of the object (facility) and attribute information of other objects (facility) placed around the object. Then, the object placement determination unit 216 outputs the result of the placement determination process to the communication unit 23. As a result, information on the result of the object placement determination process is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and information on the placement determination result of the object to be subjected to placement determination is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3.

[0068] At this time, if the placement determination result is that placement is impossible, an image indicating that placement is impossible is displayed in the virtual space. The manner in which information on the placement determination result of the object by the object placement determination unit 216 is displayed will be described later with reference to the drawings (see Figs. 12 and 17 described later).

[0069] In this embodiment, although not shown, an image of an object placement determination tool that can be operated by the designer is displayed separately from the image of the virtual space on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3. In this case, the image of the object placement determination tool may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space when the designer operates the object placement determination tool when using it. The object placement determination tool includes an execution button for the placement determination function, and image data of this placement determination tool is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described below) in the storage unit 22.

[0070] During object placement determination processing, the designer selects an object (facility) for which placement determination is to be performed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and then operates the execution button of the object placement determination tool, whereby placement determination of the object is performed and information on the determination result is displayed (see FIG. 12 (described later)). Note that the object placement determination function of this embodiment also allows multiple objects to be selected and placement determination of the multiple objects to be performed simultaneously (see FIG. 17 (described later)).

[0071] (Object movement determination unit) The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a function (hereinafter referred to as a "movement determination function") for determining, when a predetermined object (facility) created at a predetermined position in the virtual space is moved in the virtual space, whether other objects (facility: interfering objects) interfere with the movement of the predetermined object. The object movement determination unit 217 executes the processing of this object movement determination function.

[0072] The object movement determination unit 217 performs a process of determining whether or not the object can be moved by referring to attribute information (size, etc.) of the object (facility) to be moved and attribute information (position, size, etc.) of other objects arranged around the movement path of the object. Specifically, when the object is moved, it determines, for example, whether or not movement space is secured along the movement path. Therefore, this object movement determination function can be used, for example, to determine whether or not movement space is secured when actually carrying in or out equipment.

[0073] Then, the object movement determination unit 217 outputs the result of the movement determination process to the communication unit 23. As a result, information on the object placement determination result is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and information on the movement determination result of the object (facility) to be moved is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3. At this time, if the movement determination result is that the object can be moved, an image indicating that the object can be moved is displayed in the virtual space, and if the movement determination result is that the object cannot be moved, an image indicating that the object cannot be moved is displayed in the virtual space.

[0074] In this embodiment, although not shown, an image of an object movement determination tool that can be operated by the designer is displayed separately from the image of the virtual space on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3. In this case, the image of the object movement determination tool may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space when the designer operates the object movement determination tool. The object movement determination tool includes an execution button for the movement determination function, and image data of this movement determination tool is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described below) in the storage unit 22.

[0075] When performing the movement determination process for an object (equipment), the designer operates the execution button of the movement determination tool in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and then moves the object to be determined for movement within the virtual space, whereupon information on the movement determination results for that object is displayed in the virtual space.

[0076] As a method for moving an object, for example, a method may be adopted in which the designer manually moves the image of the object within the virtual space by operating an operation unit 33 (for example, a key, a button, a mouse, a touch panel, a controller, etc.) described below of his / her designer terminal 3. Alternatively, as a method for moving an object, for example, a method may be adopted in which a movement path of the object is set in advance, and by operating an execution button of a movement determination tool, the image of the object automatically moves along the movement path.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the object (facility) movement determination process, a function may be provided in which, after the designer selects an object to be determined for movement in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and then operates the execution button of the movement determination tool, the object operates as the designer's avatar. In this case, the object to be determined for movement is an object that also serves as the designer's avatar (hereinafter referred to as an "avatar object"), and the movement determination process is performed by the movement action of the designer himself / herself (the avatar object) in the virtual space. Therefore, when such a function is used, the designer can more intuitively grasp whether or not the facility can be moved.

[0078] (Information Search Department) The design support device 2 of this embodiment has a search function for various pieces of information related to objects (facility) placed in a virtual space (hereinafter referred to as "object-related information"). The object-related information includes various pieces of information, such as actual appearance images (photographs, exterior drawings, etc.) of the object (facility), design drawings, design specifications, facility specifications, layout specifications, and legal information related to layout. The object-related information may also include information included in the attribute information set (input) when the object was created.

[0079] The information search unit 218 performs a process of searching and collecting object-related information. At this time, the information search unit 218 executes a process of searching for information related to an object (facility) selected by an operation of the designer, based on information such as the name included in the attribute information of the object. At this time, multiple objects may be selected as the information search targets. Furthermore, as a search method, for example, an interactive search method using artificial intelligence (AI) or a search method using keyword input, or other existing search methods, can be used.

[0080] When the designer performs a search operation for object-related information, the information search unit 218 searches (references) various information stored in an object-related information storage unit 225 (described later) in the memory unit 22, and collects (obtains) related information for the object to be searched from the various information. The information search unit 218 then outputs the collected object-related information to the communication unit 23. As a result, the collected object-related information is transmitted to each designer terminal 3 via the communication network 4, and the object-related information is displayed in the virtual space displayed on a display unit 34 (described later) of each designer terminal 3. A specific display mode of the object-related information will be described later with reference to the drawings (see FIG. 16 (described later)).

[0081] In this embodiment, although not shown, an image of a search tool for object-related information that can be operated by the designer is displayed on the display screen of a display unit 34 (for example, a liquid crystal panel or HMD) described below of the designer terminal 3, separately from the image of the virtual space. In this case, the image of the search tool for object-related information may be configured to be always displayed outside the image of the virtual space, or may be configured to be displayed overlapping the image of the virtual space when the designer operates the search tool for object-related information. The search tool for object-related information includes an execution button for an information search function, and image data of this search tool is stored in advance in a tool information storage unit 223 (described below) in the storage unit 22.

[0082] During the object-related information search process, the designer selects an object (facility) to be searched in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 34 (described later) of his / her designer terminal 3, and then operates the execution button of the search tool to display an image (input form, etc.) indicating the start of a search for object-related information. Next, the designer enters information (terms) that will serve as search keys for the object-related information into the displayed input form, etc., to execute the information search, and the search results are displayed in the virtual space. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and after the image indicating the start of a search for object-related information is displayed in the virtual space, the information search may be automatically executed based on the attribute information of the object. Furthermore, the object-related information search function of this embodiment also allows multiple objects to be selected and the object-related information of the multiple objects to be searched for simultaneously (see FIG. 14 (described later)).

[0083] [Internal structure of memory unit] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 22 functionally includes a site information storage unit 221, a virtual space data storage unit 222, a tool information storage unit 223, an object information storage unit 224, and an object-related information storage unit 225.

[0084] Point cloud data and / or three-dimensional CAD data of the actual site of the power plant to be designed is stored in the site information storage unit 221. This site information is stored in advance in the site information storage unit 221 and is used by the virtual space creation unit 211 when creating image data of a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates the interior and exterior of a facility (site), such as a building of the power plant.

[0085] The virtual space data storage unit 222 stores image data of the three-dimensional virtual space created by the virtual space creation unit 211.

[0086] The tool information storage unit 223 stores image data of objects that are created in the virtual space and that simulate facilities such as pipes, electrical conduits, power supply panels, racks, connection boxes, and valves. That is, in this embodiment, image data of objects having basic shapes that simulate facilities such as pipes, electrical conduits, power supply panels, racks, connection boxes, and valves is stored in the tool information storage unit 223 in the form of a toolbox. The tool information storage unit 223 also stores image data of various operation tools (e.g., object creation tools, connection tools, etc.) that can be operated by the designer when executing the various functions described above, and that are displayed overlapping in the virtual space or at positions different from the virtual space. The tool information storage unit 223 also stores image data of avatars of each designer to be displayed in the virtual space.

[0087] The object information storage unit 224 stores image data of objects created or changed (updated) by the object creation unit 213 and attribute information of objects linked to the image data.

[0088] The object-related information storage unit 225 also stores various types of information related to equipment that will actually be installed in the power plant to be designed. That is, various types of object-related information, such as actual appearance images (photographs, appearance drawings, etc.) of the object (equipment), design drawings, design specifications, equipment specifications, layout specifications, and legal information related to layout, are stored in the object-related information storage unit 225. Then, the object-related information is extracted from the various types of information stored in the object-related information storage unit 225 through a search operation by the information search unit 218. Note that, in this embodiment, an example is described in which the object-related information storage unit 225 is provided within the design support device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the object-related information storage unit 225 may be provided in a database or the like that is provided outside the design support device 2.

[0089] [Designer terminal functional configuration] Fig. 4 is a functional block configuration diagram of the designer terminal 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the designer terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and a communication unit 35. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 shows only the processing function units involved in design support processing using the design support device 2.

[0090] The control unit 31 is included in the CPU 11 in Fig. 2, and reads program code for realizing various functions executable by the designer terminal 3 from the ROM 12 in Fig. 2 to the RAM 13 and executes the program code. The storage unit 32 is included in the nonvolatile storage 17 and / or the RAM 13 in Fig. 2, and is configured from a memory from which data can be read and written.

[0091] The operation unit 33 is included in the operation device 15 in Fig. 2. The display unit 34 is included in the display device 16 in Fig. 2 and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an HMD. Furthermore, the communication unit 35 is included in the network I / F 14 in Fig. 2 and transmits and receives various information (data) to and from the design support device 2 connectable via the communication network 4.

[0092] (Control unit) As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 31 functionally includes an information acquisition processing unit 311, an information display processing unit 312, and an information output processing unit 313.

[0093] The information acquisition processing unit 311 acquires image data of the virtual space created by the design support device 2, image data of various objects (facilities) placed in the virtual space, image data of the avatars of each designer, and attribute information of each object, all of which are received by the communication unit 35. The information acquisition processing unit 311 then outputs the acquired image data of the virtual space, various objects, and avatars of each designer to the information display processing unit 312. The information acquisition processing unit 311 also stores the acquired image data and attribute information of each object in the storage unit 32.

[0094] The information display processing unit 312 outputs image data of the virtual space, various objects (equipment), and avatars of each designer acquired by the information acquisition processing unit 311 to the display unit 34, and controls the display of this image data on the display unit 34.

[0095] Furthermore, the information output processing unit 313 acquires operation signals of, for example, object creation operations, various editing operations (change operations, combination operations, movement operations, etc.), and various determination operations (placement determination operations, movement determination operations, etc.) performed by the designer on the virtual space via the operation unit 33, and outputs operation information corresponding to the operation signals to the communication unit 35. As a result, the various pieces of information about the designer's operations on the virtual space are transmitted to the design support device 2 via the communication network 4.

[0096] (Storage part) The storage unit 32 stores image data of the three-dimensional virtual space to be displayed on the display unit 34, image data of various objects (facilities) arranged in the virtual space, image data of each designer's avatar, and attribute information of each object. In this embodiment, information on operations performed by the designer on the virtual space via the operation unit 33 may also be stored in the storage unit 32. In other words, information on the designer's operation history in the design support work for the power plant may be stored in the storage unit 32.

[0097] (Operation unit) The operation unit 33 is configured with, for example, keys, buttons, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., provided on the designer terminal 3. When the designer performs design support work using an HMD, the operation unit 33 is configured with a controller that the designer holds in his / her hand or wears on his / her body. When the designer performs a predetermined operation in the virtual space using the operation unit 33, such as, for example, keys, buttons, a mouse, a touch panel, or a controller, the operation unit 33 acquires an operation signal corresponding to the predetermined operation and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 31 (information output processing unit 313).

[0098] (Display) The display unit 34 displays the image data of the three-dimensional virtual space input from the control unit 31 (information display processing unit 312), the image data of various objects (facilities) arranged in the virtual space, and the image data of each designer's avatar on a display screen 34a (see FIG. 5, etc., described later) provided on the display unit 34. Furthermore, when the designer performs a display operation for attribute information of a predetermined object displayed on the display screen 34a, the display unit 34 displays the attribute information of the predetermined object on the display screen 34a.

[0099] (Communications Department) The communication unit 35 receives, for example, image data of the three-dimensional virtual space created by the design support device 2, image data of various objects (facilities) arranged in the virtual space, image data of each designer's avatar, attribute information of each object, etc. via the communication network 4. Furthermore, the communication unit 35 transmits, for example, operation information of the designer on the operation unit 33 input from the control unit 31 (information output processing unit 313) to the design support device 2 via the communication network 4.

[0100] [Examples of operation of various functions of the design support system] Next, an example of the operation of each functional unit of the design support device 2 (an example of operation by a designer) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0101] (Object creation function) First, an example of the operation of creating an object (equipment) in a virtual space (an example of a designer's creation operation) executed (controlled) by the object creation unit 213 (see FIG. 3) will be described. As an example, an example of the operation of creating an object (hereinafter referred to as a "long object") of a long facility (e.g., a pipe or an electrical conduit) and an example of the operation of creating an object (hereinafter referred to as a "relay object") of a relay facility of the long facility (e.g., a connection box or a valve) will be described.

[0102] (1) Example of creating a long object Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the creation mode of a long object, such as a pipe or electrical conduit, displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when a designer performs an operation to create a long object in a virtual space.

[0103] Although not shown, when starting to use the long object creation function, designer A first selects a button (not shown) for creating long equipment in an object creation tool (not shown) in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. After that, designer A operates the operation unit 33 (e.g., a key, button, mouse, touch panel, controller, etc.) at a predetermined position (appropriate space) in the virtual space (display screen 34a) to draw a line 102. With this operation, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing designer A's avatar 40 drawing a line 102 (a dashed line) using the long object creation tool 101, as shown in the left diagram in FIG. 5.

[0104] Then, when designer A performs a predetermined decision operation (not shown), an image of a cylindrical long object 103 having the same length as the line 102 is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), as shown in the right diagram in FIG. 5. This operation causes the long object 103 to be created in a predetermined position (appropriate space) in the virtual space. Also, although not shown, at this time, attribute information of the created long object 103 is input (set) by designer A, and the attribute information is stored in the object information storage unit 224.

[0105] The appearance of the long object 103 displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) may be different from the real object as long as it allows the user to understand that the object is, for example, a long facility such as a pipe or an electrical conduit. The appearance of the long object 103 displayed in the virtual space may be changed depending on the type of the long facility, or may be the same regardless of the type of the long facility.

[0106] Furthermore, the designer can freely change the diameter of the long object 103 (information included in the attribute information). For example, the designer may set the diameter of the long object 103 using a creation tool before drawing the line 102 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Alternatively, the designer may create the long object 103 with a predetermined default diameter, and then change the attribute information to set the diameter to a desired value. With this function, even when the placement location of the long object 103 is in a narrow space and the pipe diameter is subject to strict constraints, the designer can freely change the diameter of the long object 103 and easily obtain visual information such as the detailed spatial position and an image of the placement after construction.

[0107] (2) Example of creating a relay object Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the creation mode of an intermediate object displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when a designer performs an operation to create an intermediate object such as a connection box or a valve in a virtual space.

[0108] Although not shown, when starting to use the relay object creation function, designer A first selects a relay facility creation button (not shown) in an object creation tool (not shown) in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. Designer A then operates the operation unit 33 (e.g., a key, button, mouse, touch panel, controller, etc.) at a predetermined position (appropriate space) in the virtual space (display screen 34a) to draw a line 102. With this operation, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing designer A's avatar 40 drawing a line 102 (a dashed dotted line) using the object creation tool 101, similar to the left diagram in FIG. 5.

[0109] Next, in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), designer A selects a predetermined position on the line 102. In this operation, an image of an operation in which designer A's avatar 40 selects a predetermined position on the line 102 (dash line) using the relay object creation tool 104 is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), as shown in the left diagram in Fig. 6.

[0110] Then, when designer A performs a predetermined decision operation (not shown), an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) in which a rectangular parallelepiped relay object 105 is provided at a predetermined position on a cylindrical long object having the same length as the line 102, as shown in the right diagram in Fig. 6. That is, an object is created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) in which the long object 106 and the long object 107 are connected by the relay object 105.

[0111] Although not shown in the drawings, at this time, attribute information of the created relay object 105, long object 106, and long object 107 is input (set) by designer A, and this attribute information is stored in the object information storage unit 224. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and at this time, the relay object 105, long object 106, and long object 107 may be treated as an object of a single facility, and the attribute information of this object may be input (set) by designer A.

[0112] The appearance of the relay object 105 displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) may be different from the actual object, as long as it is recognizable that the object is a relay facility such as a connection box or a valve. The appearance of the relay object 105 displayed in the virtual space may be changed depending on the type of relay facility, or may be the same regardless of the type of relay facility.

[0113] Furthermore, the size of the relay object 105 (information included in the attribute information) can be set by the designer as appropriate. For example, the designer may set the size of the relay object 105 to the size of the actual object on a tool before drawing the line 102 in the virtual space. Alternatively, the relay object 105 may be created with a predetermined default size, and then the designer may change the attribute information to set the size of the relay object 105 to the size of the actual object.

[0114] (Object joining function) Next, an example of the combining operation (an example of a creation operation by a designer) of objects (facilities) of the same type arranged in the virtual space, which is executed (controlled) by the object combining unit 214 (see FIG. 3), will be described. The design support device 2 of this embodiment has the following three types of object combining functions. A function for combining objects when the size and shape of each object on the contact surface of two objects in contact with each other are the same (hereinafter referred to as the "first combining function"). A function for combining objects when two objects are placed apart from each other (hereinafter referred to as the "second combining function"). A function for combining objects when the sizes and shapes of two objects in contact with each other are different at the contact surface (hereinafter referred to as the "third combining function").

[0115] In this embodiment, when a designer selects two objects (equipment) to be combined and performs a combining operation, one of the first to third combining functions is automatically selected by referring to the attribute information of the two objects, and the combining operation is executed. Specifically, based on information such as the placement position, size, and shape included in the attribute information of the two objects, the positional relationship (contact / non-contact) between the two objects and the similarity or difference in the size and shape of the contact end faces of each object are determined, and the type of combining function is automatically selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the designer manually selects the type of combining function may also be adopted.

[0116] (1) The first binding function of the object FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the manner in which two objects are combined as displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the first combining function is activated for two objects placed in a virtual space.

[0117] Here, a case will be described in which the two objects to be combined are a long object 110 and a long object 111, and one end face in the longitudinal direction of the long object 111 is in contact with one end face in the longitudinal direction of the long object 110 in the virtual space (see the left diagram in FIG. 7). Also, in this example, the size (diameter) and shape of each long object 110 and the long object 111 are the same at the contact surface between them, and the long object 110 is created before the long object 111. Note that such a situation is generated when, for example, a designer wants to extend the length of the long object 110 and creates the long object 111 in contact with one end face in the longitudinal direction of the long object 110.

[0118] During the operation of combining objects, although not shown, designer A first operates the operation unit 33 to select the long object 110 and the long object 111 to be combined in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. During this operation, although not shown, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the avatar 40 of designer A using a selection tool to select the long object 110 and the long object 111.

[0119] Next, designer A operates an execution button (not shown) of the object combination tool in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33. With this operation, an image (not shown) of designer A's avatar 40 pressing the execution button of the combination tool is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, at the time of this operation, the object combination unit 214 (object control unit 212) selects a first combination function based on the attribute information (positional relationship, size, etc.) of the long object 110 and the long object 111.

[0120] Then, when designer A performs a predetermined decision operation (not shown), a long object 112 is created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by combining the long object 110 and the long object 111, as shown in the right diagram in Figure 7 (an image of the long object 112 is displayed).

[0121] At this time, attribute information for the combined long object 112 is created. In this example, the long object 110 created earlier (with the smaller reference number) is set as the main object, and the attribute information of the long object 110 is inherited as the attribute information of the combined long object 112. Specifically, information included in the attribute information of the long object 110 that is not changed by the combining operation (e.g., reference number, name, diameter, etc.) is inherited by the attribute information of the combined long object 112. On the other hand, with regard to the length of the object that is changed by the combining operation among the information included in the attribute information of the long object 110, the sum of the lengths included in the attribute information of the long object 110 and the long object 111 before the combination is set as the length of the combined long object 112 in the attribute information. Then, the attribute information of the long object 110 (main object) updated as described above is set as the attribute information of the combined long object 112. At this time, the attribute information of the long object 111 before the combination is deleted.

[0122] (2) Secondary object binding function (complementary binding function) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the manner in which two objects are combined as displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the second combining function is activated for two objects placed in a virtual space.

[0123] Here, an example will be described in which the two objects to be combined are a long object 113 and a long object 114, and the long object 113 and the long object 114 are placed apart from each other in the virtual space (see the left diagram in FIG. 8). Also, in this example, the size (diameter) and shape of the end faces of the long object 113 and the long object 114 are the same, and the long object 113 is created before the long object 114.

[0124] During the operation of combining objects, although not shown, designer A first operates the operation unit 33 to select the long object 113 and the long object 114 to be combined in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. During this operation, although not shown, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the avatar 40 of designer A using a selection tool to select the long object 113 and the long object 114.

[0125] Next, designer A operates an execution button (not shown) of the object combination tool in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33. With this operation, although not shown, an image of designer A's avatar 40 pressing the execution button of the combination tool is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, at the time of this operation, the object combination unit 214 (object control unit 212) selects a second combination function based on the attribute information (positional relationship, size, etc.) of the long object 113 and the long object 114.

[0126] Then, when designer A performs a predetermined decision operation (not shown), a long object 115 is created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by combining the long object 113 and the long object 114 (an image of the long object 115 is displayed), as shown in the right diagram in Fig. 8. At this time, a complementary object part 115a that connects the long object 113 and the long object 114 in the shortest distance is created, and the long object 113 and the long object 114 are combined via the complementary object part 115a.

[0127] At this time, attribute information of the combined long object 115 is created. In this example, the long object 113 created earlier (with the smaller reference number) is set as the main object, and the attribute information of the long object 113 is inherited as the attribute information of the combined long object 115. Specifically, information included in the attribute information of the long object 113 that is not changed by the combining operation (e.g., reference number, name, diameter, etc.) is inherited by the attribute information of the combined long object 115. On the other hand, with regard to the length of the object that is changed by the combining operation among the information included in the attribute information of the long object 113, the total value of the length included in the attribute information of the long object 113 and the long object 114 before the combining and the length of the complementary object portion 115a is set as the length of the combined long object 115 in the attribute information. Then, the attribute information of the long object 113 (main object) updated as described above is set as the attribute information of the combined long object 115. At this time, the attribute information of the long object 114 before the combination is deleted.

[0128] 8, since no other objects (facility: interfering objects) are placed between the long object 113 and the long object 114, the long object 113 and the long object 114 are connected by a linear complementary object part 115a. However, if another object is placed between the long object 113 and the long object 114, a complementary object part is created that goes around the other object and has the shortest length.

[0129] If the above-mentioned second object combining function (complementary combining function) is provided, multiple long objects can be combined in virtual space to create (define) a single object without the objects being in close contact with each other. This reduces the time and effort required for creating objects and setting (inputting) attribute information.

[0130] (3) Third object combination function (automatic insertion of intermediate objects) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the manner in which two objects are combined as displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the third combining function is activated for two objects placed in a virtual space.

[0131] Here, a case will be described in which the two objects to be combined are a long object 116 and a long object 117, and one end face in the longitudinal direction of the long object 117 is in contact with one end face in the longitudinal direction of the long object 116 in the virtual space (see the left diagram in FIG. 9). Also, in this example, the sizes (diameters) of the long object 116 and the long object 117 at the contact surface between them are different, and the diameter of the former is larger than that of the latter. Note that this example describes a case in which the long object 116 is created before the long object 117.

[0132] During the operation of combining objects, although not shown, designer A first operates the operation unit 33 to select the long object 116 and the long object 117 to be combined in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. During this operation, although not shown, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the avatar 40 of designer A using a selection tool to select the long object 116 and the long object 117.

[0133] Next, designer A operates an execution button (not shown) of the object combination tool in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33. With this operation, an image (not shown) of designer A's avatar 40 pressing the execution button of the combination tool is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, at the time of this operation, the object combination unit 214 (object control unit 212) selects a third combination function based on the attribute information (positional relationship, size, etc.) of the long object 116 and the long object 117.

[0134] Then, when designer A performs a predetermined decision operation (not shown), a long object 119 is created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by combining the long object 116 and the long object 117 via the relay object 118 (an image of the long object 119 is displayed), as shown in the right diagram in Fig. 9. That is, when the third combining function is activated in the example shown in Fig. 9, the relay object 118 is automatically inserted (added) between the long object 116 and the long object 117.

[0135] At this time, attribute information for the combined long object 119 is created. In this example, the long object 116 created earlier (with the smaller reference number) is set as the main object, and the attribute information of the long object 116 is inherited as the attribute information of the combined long object 119. Specifically, information included in the attribute information of the long object 116 that is not changed by the combining operation (e.g., reference number, name, etc.) is inherited by the attribute information of the combined long object 119. On the other hand, with regard to the length of the object that is changed by the combining operation among the information included in the attribute information of the long object 116, the sum of the length included in the attribute information of the long object 116 and the long object 117 before the combining and the width of the relay object 118 is set as the length of the combined long object 119 in the attribute information. Then, the attribute information of the long object 116 (main object) updated as described above is set as the attribute information of the combined long object 119. At this time, the attribute information of the long object 117 before the combining is deleted.

[0136] 9, the lengths of the long object 116 and the long object 117 that make up the combined long object 119 are the same as those before the combination, but the present invention is not limited to this. The length of the combined long object 119 may be set to the sum of the lengths of the long object 116 and the long object 117 before the combination. In this case, at least one of the lengths of the combined long object 116 and the long object 117 is set to be shorter than that before the combination.

[0137] In addition, the creation of the complementary object part 115a when the second combining function (complementary combining function) of the above-mentioned objects is activated, and the creation of the intermediate object object 118 when the third combining function (automatic intermediate object insertion function) is activated may be performed using, for example, a generation AI.

[0138] 7 to 9, a common control number and name corresponding to a cable route can be specified for a long object created by combining multiple long objects (such as pipes and electrical conduits) arranged on a specific cable route. In this case, it becomes easy to calculate the number of pipes and electrical conduits required to realize the combined long object specified by the common control number and name, and to manage the piping design.

[0139] (Cable route calculation function) Next, an example of calculation operation (an example of calculation operation by a designer) for an optimal cable route of a cable (e.g., an electrical cable, a communication cable, etc.) to be laid between two objects (facility) arranged in a virtual space, which is executed (controlled) by the cable route calculation unit 215 (see FIG. 3), will be described. As described above, the cable route calculation function of the design support device 2 of this embodiment calculates the optimal cable route and its length (hereinafter referred to as "approximate cable length") of the cable connecting the two objects. Then, information on the calculation results is displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3.

[0140] (1) Example 1 of cable route calculation function In operation example 1 of the cable route calculation function, an operation example will be described in which the uses of all long objects of electrical conduits placed in the virtual space are not limited. In this case, all types of cables can be laid in all electrical conduits placed in the virtual space. In addition, operation example 1 will be described as an example in which two objects (equipment) for which a cable route is calculated are both power panel objects, and the cable connecting the two objects is an electrical cable.

[0141] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example (operation example 1) of a calculation mode of an optimal cable route displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the cable route calculation function is activated for two power panel objects 120, 121 arranged in a virtual space. Note that Fig. 10 shows an example in which three long electrical conduit objects 123, 124, 125 that can be used when connecting the two objects 120 and 121 with an electrical cable are provided in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a).

[0142] 10, the long object 123 (electrical conduit) is a long object that extends linearly in the direction from the object 120 (power panel) toward the object 121 (power panel) in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). The long object 123 is placed above the area between the two objects 120 and 121 in the virtual space.

[0143] The long object 124 (electrical conduit) is a long object that extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long object 123 (electrical conduit) in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). The long object 124 is also located on the object 120 (power panel) side in the upper region of the long object 123 (electrical conduit) in the virtual space.

[0144] The long object 125 (electrical conduit) is an L-shaped long object in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), and is composed of a conduit section 125a extending linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long object 123 (electrical conduit), and a conduit section 125b extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the long object 123. The long object 125 is also arranged on the object 121 (power panel) side in the upper region of the long object 123 (electrical conduit) in the virtual space.

[0145] After designer A accesses the virtual space in which the two objects 120, 121 (power panel) and three long objects 123, 124, 125 (electrical conduit) configured as described above are arranged (see the upper diagram in FIG. 10), designer A operates the execution button for the cable route calculation function using the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. With this operation, as shown in the upper diagram in FIG. 10, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing designer A's avatar 40 pressing (selecting) the execution button 126 for the cable route calculation function. This operation then activates the cable route calculation function.

[0146] When the cable route calculation function is activated, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 10, first, as cable routes between two objects 120 and 121, a cable route L1 (dash line in the diagram) in which the electric cable is passed through a long object 123 (electrical conduit) and a cable route L2 (dashed line in the diagram) in which the electric cable is passed through long objects 124 and 125 (electrical conduits) are extracted. At this time, the approximate cable length of each cable route is also calculated. Then, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the cable route L1 with the shortest cable route length is selected as the optimal cable route.

[0147] At this time, in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), the cable route L1 selected as the optimum cable route is displayed with its approximate cable length ("XX m" in FIG. 10). On the other hand, for the cable route L2 not selected as the optimum cable route, a cross 127 is displayed on the cable route L2 as information indicating that it is not optimum (see the lower diagram in FIG. 10). Note that the manner in which the calculation results of the optimum cable route are displayed is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10. For example, for the cable route L1 selected as the optimum cable route, not only the approximate cable length but also information indicating that it is optimum (for example, a circle or the like) may be displayed.

[0148] (2) Example 2 of cable route calculation function In operation example 2 of the cable route calculation function, an example of operation will be described in which, among multiple long electrical conduit objects arranged in virtual space, the uses of some of the long electrical conduit objects are limited. Note that the uses of the long electrical conduit objects other than those long electrical conduit objects are not limited. In this case, all types of cables can be laid in the electrical conduits with no limited uses, but only the types of cables used for that purpose can be laid in the electrical conduits with limited uses (for example, those dedicated to communications).

[0149] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example (operation example 2) of the calculation mode of the optimal cable route displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the cable route calculation function is activated for two power panel objects 120, 121 placed in a virtual space.

[0150] 11 illustrates an example in which, similar to Operation Example 1, two objects (facilities) for which a cable route is to be calculated are both power supply panels, and the cable connecting the two objects is an electric cable. The configurations of the two objects 120, 121 (power supply panels) and the two long objects 124, 125 (electrical conduits) shown in FIG. 11 are similar to those in Operation Example 1 described in FIG. 10, and the uses of the long objects 124, 125 are not limited. The use of the long object 123A (electrical conduit) shown in FIG. 11 is limited to, for example, communication only, and an electric cable cannot be laid on the long object 123A. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 11, the positions of the two objects 120, 121 and the three long objects 123A, 124, and 125 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) are the same as the positions of the two objects 120, 121 and the three long objects 123, 124, and 125 described in Figure 10.

[0151] After designer A accesses the virtual space in which the two objects 120, 121 (power panel) and three long objects 123A, 124, 125 (electrical conduits) configured as described above are arranged, designer A operates the cable route calculation function execution button using the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. With this operation, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing designer A's avatar 40 pressing (selecting) the cable route calculation function execution button 126, similar to the upper diagram in FIG. 10 . This operation then activates the cable route calculation function.

[0152] 11, as in operation example 1 (see FIG. 10), when the cable route calculation function is activated, first, a cable route L1 (indicated by the dashed line in the figure) in which the electric cable is passed through the long object 123A (electrical conduit) and a cable route L2 (indicated by the dashed line in the figure) in which the electric cable is passed through the long objects 124 and 125 (electrical conduit) are extracted as cable routes between the two objects 120 and 121. At this time, the approximate cable length of each cable route is also calculated.

[0153] 11, since an electric cable cannot be laid in the long object 123A of the electric conduit, the cable route L2 is selected as the optimum cable route. This determination process is performed based on the use information included in the attribute information of the long object 123A (electric conduit).

[0154] At this time, in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), the cable route L2 selected as the optimum cable route is displayed with its approximate cable length ("YYm" in FIG. 11). On the other hand, for the cable route L1 not selected as the optimum cable route, a cross 127 is displayed on the cable route L2 as information indicating that it is not optimum (see FIG. 11).

[0155] If a cable route calculation function like that in Operation Example 2 above is provided, for example, system designers and equipment designers in the upstream design can adjust and / or consider the layout position of facilities (equipment) by referring to the approximate cable length while keeping in mind the on-site planning and construction situation in the downstream design. In other words, by using this function by designers at each design stage, it becomes possible to quickly feed back the results of downstream design considerations to the upstream design.

[0156] (Object placement determination function) Next, an example of a determination operation (an example of a determination operation by a designer) for determining the placement position of an object (facility) in a virtual space, which is executed (controlled) by the object placement determination unit 216 (see FIG. 3), will be described. Note that the object placement determination function of the design support device 2 of this embodiment determines whether or not the placement position of a predetermined object in a virtual space satisfies the placement conditions specified in the attribute information of the predetermined object, as described above.

[0157] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a placement determination mode displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when a specified object (equipment) is placed at a specified position in a specified room set up in a virtual space and the object placement determination function is activated for the specified object.

[0158] 12 illustrates an example in which a radiation-generating equipment object 132, such as a rack, is placed in a predetermined room 130 in which a predetermined object 131 (equipment), such as a device containing semiconductor products with low radiation tolerance, is placed (see the upper diagram in FIG. 12). It is also assumed here that the radiation dose in the predetermined room 130 is uniform (constant) due to the radiation generated by the object 132. In addition, FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the radiation dose in the predetermined room 130 does not satisfy the radiation conditions (radiation tolerance) included in the attribute information of the predetermined object 131 (equipment).

[0159] 12, when determining the placement of an object, first, designer A accesses the virtual space, and then designer A operates the operation unit 33 to select a predetermined object 131 (facility) to be subjected to placement determination in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3. In this operation, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 12, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing designer A's avatar 40 using a selection tool 133 to select the predetermined facility object 131.

[0160] Next, designer A operates (presses) the execution button 134 of the object placement determination tool in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33 (see the lower diagram in FIG. 12 ). This operation determines whether placement of the predetermined object 131 is possible or not based on the radiation dose (radiation dose generated by the object 132) in the predetermined room 130 and the attribute information (radiation conditions) of the predetermined object 131 (equipment). In the example shown in FIG. 12 , it is determined that placement of the predetermined object 131 is not possible, and as information indicating the determination result, warning information 135 consisting of a cross mark is displayed superimposed on the image of the predetermined object 131. Note that, when it is determined that placement of the predetermined object 131 is not possible as in the example shown in FIG. 12 , designer A or another designer performs an operation such as moving the predetermined object 131 to another room.

[0161] If the above-mentioned object placement determination function is provided, when placing an object (equipment) in virtual space, it becomes possible to design the object taking into consideration not only the available space at the placement location, the distance from other equipment, temperature conditions, humidity conditions, etc., but also the amount of radiation emitted from other equipment.

[0162] (Object movement detection function) Next, an example of an operation for determining movement of an object (facility) in a virtual space (an example of a determination operation by a designer) will be described, which is executed (controlled) by the object movement determination unit 217 (see FIG. 3). Note that, as described above, the object movement determination function of the design support device 2 of this embodiment determines whether a predetermined object created at a predetermined position in a virtual space can be moved along its movement path.

[0163] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a movement judgment mode displayed on the display screen 34a of the display unit 34 of the designer terminal 3 when the object movement judgment function is activated for a specified object (equipment) such as a panel or device placed at a specified position in the virtual space.

[0164] 13, an example of a movement determination operation will be described in which an object 140 (facility) that is the object of movement determination and that is placed in a virtual space is moved along its movement path 144 (dash-dotted line). Also, an example will be described in which other facility (interfering object) objects 141 and 142 are placed around the movement path 144 of the object 140. Furthermore, an example will be described in which the facility object 140 that is the object of movement determination acts as the avatar of the designer, that is, acts as avatar object 140A, during the object movement determination operation.

[0165] In the example shown in Figure 13, when determining whether an object is moving, although not shown, designer A first accesses the virtual space, and then the designer operates the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his or her designer terminal 3 to select an object 140 (equipment) whose movement is to be determined.

[0166] Next, designer A uses operation unit 33 to operate execution button 143 of the movement determination tool in the virtual space (on display screen 34a) (see the upper diagram in FIG. 13). This operation starts the operation of the movement determination function of object 140 (facility). Note that, with this operation, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on display screen 34a) showing avatar 40 of designer A operating (pressing) execution button 143 of the movement determination tool, as shown in the upper diagram in FIG. 13.

[0167] Then, when designer A operates execution button 143 of the movement determination tool, object 140 (facility) that is the target of movement determination is changed to avatar / object 140A. As a result, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 13, object 140 is displayed as avatar / object 140A in the virtual space (on display screen 34a). At this time, the color or shape of object 140 may be changed to notify that object 140 has been changed to avatar / object 140A. At this time, the image of designer A's avatar 40 is also erased in the virtual space (on display screen 34a).

[0168] Next, designer A uses the operation unit 33 to move the avatar object 140A on the movement path 144 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) (see the thick arrow in the lower diagram of FIG. 13). At this time, for example, the designer can manually move the image of the avatar object 140A in the virtual space by operating the operation unit 33 (for example, a key, a button, a mouse, a touch panel, a controller, etc.) of the designer terminal 3. Specifically, designer A can move the image of the avatar object 140A in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by directly dragging the image of the avatar object 140A, for example.

[0169] Then, this movement operation causes an image to be displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) of the avatar / object 140A, i.e., the designer A moving on the movement path 144. Although not shown, if a determination result indicating that the avatar / object 140A cannot move is obtained based on the placement information (attribute information) of the other objects 141, 142 (interfering objects) while the avatar / object 140A is moving on the movement path 144, an image indicating that the movement cannot be made (for example, a cross mark) is displayed on the display screen 34a at that time.

[0170] 13, for convenience of explanation, an example is described in which an image of the virtual space as seen from the viewpoint of a third party who can overlook various objects arranged in the virtual space and the avatar object 140A is displayed on the display screen 34a of the designer terminal 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image (video) of the virtual space as seen from the viewpoint of the avatar object 140A, that is, an image of the virtual space as seen in the line of sight of the avatar object 140A, may be displayed on the display screen 34a of the designer terminal 3. In this case, designer A can perceive the movement of the avatar object 140A described above and whether it is possible to move or not in a more realistic manner.

[0171] (Search function for object-related information) Next, an example of a search operation (an example of a search operation by a designer) for object-related information of an object (facility) placed in a virtual space, which is executed (controlled) by the information search unit 218 (see FIG. 3), will be described. Note that, in the object-related information search function of the design support device 2 of this embodiment, as described above, a search process for related information of an object selected by an operation by the designer is executed based on information such as a name included in the attribute information of the object.

[0172] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of operations when an object-related information search function is activated to search for information on a predetermined object (facility) placed at a predetermined position in a virtual space. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the object to be searched for information is a long object 150 such as a pipe or an electrical conduit, and an facility object 151 such as a panel or a device.

[0173] 14, when searching for object-related information, although not shown, the designer first accesses the virtual space, and then operates the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3 to select the long object 150 and the object 151 to be searched for information. In this operation, although not shown, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the designer's avatar using a selection tool to select the long object 150 and the object 151.

[0174] Next, the designer extracts information to be used for the search (such as a name) from the attribute information associated with the long object 150 and the object 151. Then, the designer inputs the extracted information (search information) into a search information input form or the like displayed on the display screen 34a, and operates a search system including, for example, a generation AI or the like to perform an information search.

[0175] Specifically, when using the generation AI, the designer first operates (presses) the information search execution button 152 (see FIG. 14) displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). By this operation, an input form for interactively inputting search information is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), although this is not shown.

[0176] Next, the designer inputs search information (such as names) extracted from each object into the input field and activates the generation AI, which starts a search of the object-related information storage unit 225, as shown in Figure 14, and collects object-related information for the long object 150 and the object 151 from the information stored in the object-related information storage unit 225. The collected object-related information is then displayed on the display screen 34a. When the generation AI is used as a method for searching for object-related information, the search can be performed interactively with the designer, allowing the designer to appropriately search for and collect the object-related information he or she desires.

[0177] The above-described object-related information search function allows designers not directly involved in the design of a particular object (facility) to quickly retrieve information about that object in virtual space (on the display screen 34a). In this case, even in situations where only the upstream system designer has complete knowledge of the entire design, downstream design departments, such as construction design departments, who do not have complete knowledge of the entire design, can quickly access the necessary information from the vast amount of information about the entire design. Conversely, upstream system designers can access information set in downstream design, such as the foundation specifications of a plant building, the specifications of penetrations within the building, the building structure, and information about obstructions, which facilitates feedback of this information to system design.

[0178] [Example of concurrent design support work using a design support system] As described above, in the design support system 1 of this embodiment, all designers involved in the plant design work can gather together and perform concurrent design work in a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates the internal and external configuration of a power plant created by the design support device 2. In this case, all designers can access the virtual space simultaneously and perform design work together in the virtual space.

[0179] Specifically, in the virtual space, each designer can individually create objects (facilities) and, while discussing with other designers, can change (update) the configuration (attribute information) of objects created by not only themselves but also other designers. Here, with reference to the drawings, an example of the operation of concurrent design support work performed by multiple designers in the virtual space created by the design support device 2 will be described.

[0180] The design support system 1 and design support device 2 of this embodiment provide design support for, for example, power plant design, ensuring that the design contents prepared by each department, such as system design, equipment design, construction design, and on-site construction plan, are mutually rational. Then, in the virtual space, based on the overall content (design outline) of the power plant design (plan) decided through discussions among multiple designers, the designers of each department carry out detailed design for their assigned stage.

[0181] (Example of changing the configuration of an object) Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an operation when another designer changes the configuration of an object (facility) created by a given designer in a virtual space created by the design support device 2. Note that the example shown in Fig. 15 explains an example of an operation when another designer (hereinafter referred to as "designer B") changes the configuration of the long object 103 created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by the operation of designer A described in Fig. 5. Such an operation is performed, for example, when it becomes necessary to change the configuration of the long object 103 created by designer A in accordance with the design content at another design stage.

[0182] In the example shown in Fig. 15, first, after designer B accesses the virtual space, designer B operates the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3 to select the long object 103 created by designer A and display the attribute information of the long object 103. With this operation, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 15, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) in which the avatar 41 of designer B uses the selection tool 160 to select the long object 103, and the attribute information 161 of the selected long object 103 is also displayed.

[0183] Designer B then operates the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal 3 to change the information about the length and diameter of the long object 103 included in the attribute information 161 of the long object 103. By this operation, the image of the long object 103 before the change is changed to an image of a long object 103a having the changed length and diameter, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 15 .

[0184] It should be noted that the method for changing the configuration (shape) of the long object 103 is not limited to this example. For example, designer B may change the length of the long object 103 by operating the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal to directly stretch or shrink the image of the long object 103 in the extension direction in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Furthermore, designer B may change the diameter of the long object 103 by operating the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal to directly stretch or shrink the image of the long object 103 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0185] (Example of object-related information search operation) Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an operation when another designer searches for information related to an object (facility) created by a given designer in a virtual space created by the design support device 2. Note that the example shown in Fig. 16 explains an example of an operation when another designer (designer B) searches (collects) information related to a long object 103 created in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by an operation by designer A described in Fig. 5. Such an operation is performed, for example, by designer B to understand the specific configuration of the long object 103 created by designer A.

[0186] In the example shown in Fig. 16, first, after designer B accesses the virtual space, designer B operates the operation unit 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3 to select the long object 103 created by designer A and display the attribute information of the long object 103. With this operation, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 16, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) in which the avatar 41 of designer B uses the selection tool 160 to select the long object 103, and the attribute information 161 of the selected long object 103 is also displayed.

[0187] Then, designer B extracts search information such as a name from the attribute information 161 of the long object 103. Next, designer B operates the information search execution button 162 displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal 3. With this operation, as shown in the center diagram of FIG. 16 , an image of designer B's avatar 41 pressing the information search execution button 162 is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). Furthermore, with this operation, an input form 163 for inputting search information is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a). At this time, the image of the attribute information 161 of the long object 103 is erased in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a).

[0188] Then, designer B uses the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal 3 to input search information such as a name extracted from the attribute information 161 of the long object 103 into a search information input form 163 displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), and operates an information search system (not shown) consisting of, for example, a generation AI to perform an information search. Through this operation, related information 164 of the long object 103 is searched for and acquired, and the acquired related information 164 of the long object 103 is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) (see the lower diagram of FIG. 16). At this time, the image of the input form 163 is erased from the virtual space (on the display screen 34a).

[0189] In the example shown in FIG. 16, the related information 164 of the long object 103 displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) displays each piece of information in a list format. Then, when designer B operates the operation unit 33 to select predetermined information in the related information 164 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), related information corresponding to the selected predetermined information is displayed. For example, when designer B selects "appearance image" in the related information 164 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), an appearance image of the long object 103 is displayed on the display screen 34a. However, the display format of the related information is not limited to this example, and the related information itself, rather than a list (items) of related information, may be displayed directly in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a).

[0190] (Example of operation when using the object placement determination function) FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an operation performed when another designer determines the placement of an object (facility) created by a given designer in a virtual space created by the design support device 2.

[0191] 17 illustrates an example in which, for example, two power supply panel objects 170 and 171 and an object 172 of another facility (an interfering object) are created in advance in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) by a designer A. Also, an example in which, in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), the two objects 170 and 171 (power supply panels) are placed a predetermined distance apart, and the object 172 (an interfering object) is placed above the object 171 (power supply panel) will be described.

[0192] 17 illustrates an example in which two long object objects 173 and 174 (electrical conduits) are created in advance by designer A in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) above the area between two objects 170 and 171 (power supply panels). In this case, one long object 173 is placed on the side of one object 170, and the other long object 174 is placed on the side of object 171 of the other power supply panel and in the vicinity of object 172 (interfering object).

[0193] 17, although not shown, first, designer B accesses the virtual space, and then, in the virtual space displayed on the display screen 34a of his / her designer terminal 3, designer B operates the operation unit 33 to select the long object 173, 174 created by designer A. In this operation, although not shown, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the avatar 41 of designer B selecting the long object 173, 174 using a selection tool.

[0194] Next, designer B operates the execution button 175 of the placement determination function in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) using the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal 3. With this operation, an image of designer B's avatar 41 operating (pressing) the execution button 175 of the placement determination function is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a), as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 17 . Then, with this operation, whether the placement of each of the two long object objects 173, 174 can be determined based on the installation positions and placement conditions included in the attribute information of each of the two long object objects 173, 174 of the electric conduits and the installation positions and placement conditions included in the attribute information of each of the two objects 170, 171 (power supply panel) and object 172 (interfering object) placed around them.

[0195] 17, the distance between the installed object 172 (interfering object) and the long object 174 (electrical conduit) is narrow, and there is no margin for placement spacing, so it is assumed that the placement conditions for the long object 174 are not met. Therefore, when designer B executes the placement determination function described above, it is determined that placement of the long object 174 (electrical conduit) is not possible, and warning information 176 consisting of a cross mark is displayed superimposed on the image of the specified long object 174 (see the upper diagram of FIG. 17).

[0196] Then, designer B uses the operation unit 33 of his / her designer terminal 3 to move the long object 174 (electrical conduit) that has been determined to be unplaceable in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) to a position away from the object 172 (obstruction). With this operation, an image is displayed in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) showing the avatar 40 of designer B moving the long object 174 (electrical conduit) in a direction away from the object 172 (obstruction), as shown in the lower diagram of FIG.

[0197] The movement of the long object 174 (electrical conduit) in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) can be realized, for example, by the designer B changing the information on the placement position included in the attribute information of the long object 174. Also, for example, the designer B may operate the operation unit 33 of his / her own designer terminal 3 in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) to move the long object 174 (electrical conduit) by directly dragging the image of the long object 174 (electrical conduit).

[0198] 17, an example has been described in which designer B moves long object 174 (electrical conduit) to a position away from object 172 (interfering object) in order to satisfy the placement condition of long object 174, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, designer B may move object 172 to a position away from long object 174 in order to satisfy the placement condition of long object 174.

[0199] [effect] As described above, in the design support system 1 of this embodiment, all designers involved in the plant design work can gather together and perform concurrent design work in a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates the internal and external configuration of a power plant created by the design support device 2. At this time, all designers can access the virtual space simultaneously and perform design work together in the virtual space. In addition, attribute information of objects created in the virtual space by a given designer can be referenced by other designers. Furthermore, the configuration (size and placement position) of objects created in the virtual space by a given designer can be edited by other designers as necessary.

[0200] Therefore, in the design support system 1 and the design support device 2 of this embodiment, communication can be achieved among all designers involved in each design from upstream design to downstream design that is carried out in a waterfall fashion, such as in the design work of a power plant, and information on the design content can be shared. As a result, in this embodiment, when the design of the entire plan is made up of multiple designs, such as in the design work of a power plant, a mutually rational design can be obtained among the multiple designs.

[0201] [Various variations] The design support system 1 and the design support device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various other modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention as set forth in the claims. For example, the following various modifications can be adopted, and the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained with the following various modifications.

[0202] In the above embodiment, in order to clearly explain the operation of the various functions of the design support system 1 and the design support device 2, an example has been described in which an image of the virtual space viewed from the viewpoint of a third party who can overlook the objects and avatars of various facilities arranged in the virtual space is displayed on the display screen 34a of the designer terminal 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image (video) of the virtual space viewed from the viewpoint of the designer's avatar may be displayed on the display screen 34a of the designer terminal 3. In this case, the designer can perform design work in the virtual space (on the display screen 34a) with a realistic feeling.

[0203] The design support device 2 of the above embodiment may have a function that allows multiple designers accessing the virtual space to communicate with each other by voice, chat, etc. In this case, multiple designers can easily understand each other's thoughts and intentions, making it possible to realize even more rational designs.

[0204] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit 21 included in the design support device 2 is configured as a single device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 21 may be configured as a plurality of devices connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0205] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the operations of the various functions of the design support device 2 are executed on software, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, some or all of the various functions of the design support device 2 may be realized by hardware such as circuits.

[0206] In the above embodiment, the design support system 1 and the design support device 2 that can be used in the design work of a power plant have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The above-described technology of the present invention can be applied to design work in any technical field as long as multiple design work is carried out in a waterfall style.

[0207] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments provide detailed and specific descriptions of the device configuration to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to devices that include all of the described components. The position, size, shape, and range of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, and range in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, and range disclosed in the drawings. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above-described embodiments may be added, deleted, or replaced with other configurations. Furthermore, the illustrated control lines and information lines are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all control lines and information lines in the actual product. In reality, it can be assumed that almost all components are interconnected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 1...design support system, 2...design support device, 3...designer terminal, 4...communication network, 21, 31...control unit, 22, 32...storage unit, 23, 35...communication unit, 33...operation unit, 34...display unit, 34a...display screen, 40, 41...avatar, 103, 110-117, 119, 123-125, 123A, 150, 173, 174...long object, 105, 118...relay object, 120, 121, 131, 132, 140, 141, 142, 151, 170-172...object, 1 40A... avatar / object, 161... attribute information, 164... related information, 211... virtual space creation unit, 212... object control unit, 213... object creation unit, 214... object combination unit, 215... cable route calculation unit, 216... object placement determination unit, 217... object movement determination unit, 218... information search unit, 221... site information storage unit, 222... virtual space data storage unit, 223... tool information storage unit, 224... object information storage unit, 225... object related information storage unit

Claims

1. a virtual space creation unit that creates image data of a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates a site to be designed; a communication unit that is communicably connected to a plurality of external devices used by a plurality of users, and that transmits image data of the virtual space created by the virtual space creation unit to the plurality of external devices, and receives information on predetermined operations related to the design of the virtual space that each of the plurality of users has performed on their own external devices; an object control unit that has a function of creating an object simulating a facility to be designed in the virtual space, and when information on a creation operation of a predetermined object performed by a predetermined user included in the plurality of users in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, creates image data of the predetermined object and creates attribute information of the predetermined object that can be referenced by other users, and outputs the image data and attribute information of the predetermined object to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. Design support equipment.

2. The object control unit In the virtual space, the predetermined user has a function of changing the configuration of a specific object created by the other user, When information on a change operation by the predetermined user on the specific object is input via the communication unit, the image data and attribute information of the specific object are changed so that the change operation is reflected, and the changed image data and attribute information of the specific object are output to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 1 .

3. The object control unit a function of combining a plurality of objects arranged in the virtual space; When information on a combining operation performed by the predetermined user on the plurality of objects in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, image data and attribute information of an object obtained by combining the plurality of objects are created, and the image data and attribute information of the combined object are output to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 1 .

4. the attribute information includes first information that does not require change due to the combination of the plurality of objects, and second information that requires change due to the combination of the plurality of objects; When the plurality of objects are combined, the object control unit sets attribute information of one of the plurality of objects as attribute information of the combined object, and changes the second information included in the attribute information of the combined object to information corresponding to the combination content. The design support device according to claim 3.

5. the function of combining the plurality of objects arranged in the virtual space includes a function of combining the plurality of objects arranged apart from each other in the virtual space; The object control unit When information on a combining operation by the predetermined user for the plurality of objects arranged apart in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, a complementary object that connects the plurality of objects arranged apart is created, the plurality of objects are combined via the complementary object, image data and attribute information of the combined object are created, and the image data and attribute information of the combined object are output to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 4.

6. the object control unit has a function of extracting an optimal cable route when connecting two objects placed in the virtual space with a cable via one or more long objects placed in the virtual space and capable of laying a cable; The attribute information of each of the two objects includes information about the placement position of the object in the virtual space; the attribute information of the long object includes information on the placement position of the long object in the virtual space and information on usage restrictions; When information on an operation for extracting an optimum cable route between the two objects performed by the predetermined user in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, the object control unit extracts the optimum cable route based on the placement position information of each of the two objects and the placement position information and the use limitation information of each of the one or more cable objects, calculates the length of the optimum cable route, and outputs information on the length of the optimum cable route to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 1 .

7. the attribute information of the object includes a placement condition for determining whether or not the object can be placed in the virtual space; The object control unit a function of determining whether an object placed in the virtual space can be placed; When information on a determination operation performed by the predetermined user as to whether an object placed at a predetermined position in the virtual space can be placed is input via the communication unit, the device determines whether the object can be placed at the predetermined position based on the placement conditions of the object to be determined, creates image data showing the results of the determination, and outputs the image data showing the results of the determination to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 1 .

8. The placement conditions for determining whether or not the object can be placed in the virtual space include information about radiation tolerance. The design support device according to claim 7.

9. The object control unit a function of searching for information related to the object placed in the virtual space; When information on a search operation for information related to an object performed by the predetermined user with respect to the object placed in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, the object is searched for based on attribute information of the object, and information on the results of the search is output to the plurality of external devices via the communication unit. The design support device according to claim 1 .

10. The object control unit uses a generating artificial intelligence to search for related information of the object. The design support device according to claim 9.

11. a plurality of information processing devices used by a plurality of users; a virtual space creation unit that creates image data of a three-dimensional virtual space that simulates a site to be designed; a communication unit that is communicably connected to the plurality of information processing devices, that transmits image data of the virtual space created by the virtual space creation unit to the plurality of information processing devices, and that receives information on predetermined operations related to the design of the virtual space that each of the plurality of users has performed on their own information processing devices; an object control unit that has a function of creating an object simulating a facility to be designed in the virtual space, and when information on a creation operation of a predetermined object performed by a predetermined user included in the plurality of users in the virtual space is input via the communication unit, creates image data of the predetermined object and creates attribute information of the predetermined object that can be referenced by other users, and outputs the image data and attribute information of the predetermined object to the plurality of information processing devices via the communication unit. Design support system.

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