Design support device, design support method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a design support device, a design support method, and a program that can improve productivity in design work and prevent quality defects caused by human error. [Solution] A design support device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires first input data which is converted in advance into data suitable for data processing, representing design conditions for design processing in design work; a data processing unit that performs the data processing on the first input data and outputs second input data which is data suitable for the design processing; and a linking processing unit that links and registers the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a design support device, a design support method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, design work has been carried out manually. In recent years, various technologies for supporting design work by a computer have been proposed.

[0003] For example, the following Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically generating a design plan. In this technique, based on design conditions arbitrarily specified by a designer, the system comprehensively generates design plans, and then evaluates these design plans and gradually narrows them down to select an appropriate design plan.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, design work involves many tasks performed manually (such as quality checks) in addition to creating design proposals, which are time-consuming and carry the risk of management problems due to human error. For example, in civil engineering design work for power generation facilities, the importance of the facilities necessitates the execution of a large number of design cases and the assurance of design quality, requiring considerable effort to check the design data. Furthermore, ensuring design quality requires manual checking of intermediate products used to create output data from input data, which is time-consuming and raises concerns about oversights and insufficient traceability.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a design support device, a design support method, and a program that can improve productivity in design work and prevent quality defects caused by human error. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a design support device according to one aspect of the present invention is a design support device comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires first input data which is a data that has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing, representing the design conditions for design processing in design work; a data processing unit that performs the data processing on the first input data and outputs second input data which is data suitable for the design processing; and a linking processing unit that links and registers the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data.

[0008] A design support method according to one aspect of the present invention is a design support method performed by a computer, which includes a data acquisition process for acquiring first input data that has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing, from design data indicating design conditions for design processing in design work; a data processing process for performing the data processing on the first input data and outputting second input data that is data suitable for the design processing; and a linking process for registering the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data in a linked manner.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as: a data acquisition means for acquiring first input data in which design data indicating design conditions for design processing in design work has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing; a data processing means for executing the data processing on the first input data and outputting second input data which is data suitable for the design processing; and a linking processing means for registering the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data in a linked manner. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, productivity in design work can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent quality defects caused by human errors such as data mix-ups, forgotten updates, and missed checks. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the processing in the design support system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the design support system and the functional configuration of the design support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the upload screen according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a processing flow management screen according to this embodiment. [Figure 5]This figure shows an example of a warning according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow related to data preparation and execution of the processing flow according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow related to rearranging the processing flow and displaying warnings according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of an embodiment according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <1. Overview of the Design Support System> Referring to Figure 1, an overview of the design support system according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing in the design support system according to this embodiment.

[0014] The design support system 1 shown in Figure 1 is a system designed to support the design work of designers. The types of designs supported are not particularly limited, such as civil engineering design, architectural design, and equipment design. Design work involves tasks such as preparing design data, preparing programs to execute design-related processes, managing various data, and checking design quality. Design-related processes include design processing and data processing. Design processing is the processing necessary for design (such as analysis and review) that is performed using design data. Data processing is the process of converting design data into data suitable for design processing.

[0015] In the following, we will describe an embodiment in which, in the processing flow, data processing is performed as a pre-processing step before the execution of the design process, and the set of data processing and design processing is executed as a single processing unit.

[0016] The reference material DT1 shown in FIG. 1 is the data that is the source of the input to the processing flow. The reference material DT1 is, for example, data indicating the design conditions of the design process in design work and is an example of design data. The design conditions are, for example, nodes, elements, physical property values, analysis conditions, and the like. The designer prepares the reference material DT1 required for the design and manually converts the reference material DT1 into the structured file DT2. It has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing.

[0017] The structured file DT2 is data suitable for data processing and is an example of the first input data. The structured file DT2 is converted in advance by the designer into data suitable for data processing before the data processing. The data suitable for data processing is data having a structure suitable for automation of the processing. The structure suitable for automation of the processing is, for example, data in a data format such as CSV (Comma Separated Values) or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). The structured file DT2 is input into the data processing program PG1.

[0018] The data processing program PG1 is a program that executes data processing. The data processing program PG1 executes data processing on the input structured file DT2 and outputs the product DT3 that has been converted into data suitable for the design process. The product DT3 is also an intermediate product in the processing flow.

[0019] The product DT3 is data suitable for the design process and is an example of the second input data. The data suitable for the design process is, for example, data obtained by processing the structured file DT2 (such as extracting only necessary data) according to the content of the design process to be executed, data calculated using the data of the structured file DT2, and the like. The product DT3 is input into the design processing program PG2.

[0020] The design processing program PG2 is a program that executes the design process. The design processing program PG2 performs the design process on the input deliverable DT3 and outputs the resulting deliverable DT4. Deliverable DT4 is also the final output data in the processing flow.

[0021] The database (DB) links and registers various types of data. For example, the database (DB) links and registers data and programs related to a single processing flow. In the example shown in Figure 1, the database (DB) links and registers the input data, which are the supporting documents DT1 and the structured file DT2; the intermediate product, which is the deliverable DT3; the output data, which is the deliverable DT4; and the executed programs, which are the data processing program PG1 and the design processing program PG2.

[0022] As described above, the design support system 1 automates tasks by programming intermediate processes that were previously performed manually by designers during the design process, using the data processing program PG1. This reduces the workload on designers and improves the accuracy of design work. Therefore, the design support system 1 can improve productivity in design work. Furthermore, the design support system 1 digitally links input / output data and processing programs within the system, recording who used which input data and when for each output data operation. This allows information to be passed on to the next person in charge of design work, even if the person in charge changes. As a result, the design support system 1 can prevent quality defects.

[0023] Furthermore, in design support system 1, the designer may be able to flexibly rearrange the processing flow (processing sequence) on the screen according to the project. This allows design support system 1 to achieve system versatility. Furthermore, the design support system 1 may not only link data and programs but also digitally record execution history. This allows the design support system 1 to display warnings (alerts) for associated output data when there are changes to input data or processing programs due to changes in design conditions, etc. Thus, the design support system 1 can prevent quality defects.

[0024] <2. Configuration of the design support system> The outline of the design support system 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the configuration of the design support system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the design support system 1 and the functional configuration of the design support device according to this embodiment. The design support system 1 shown in Figure 2 comprises a designer terminal 10 and a design support device 20.

[0025] (1) Designer terminal 10 The designer terminal 10 is a terminal used by designers to perform design work. The designer terminal 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet, or a smartphone. Various processes are executed on this terminal by a program that enables it to function as a designer terminal 10.

[0026] The designer terminal 10 is connected to the design support device 20 via a wired or wireless connection, enabling communication. In communication with the design support device 20, the designer terminal 10 transmits information input by the designer (such as input data) and receives information for displaying various screens (hereinafter also referred to as "screen information") and information output from various processes (such as output data). Based on the screen information received from the design support device 20, the designer terminal 10 displays various screens related to design work and accepts various operations related to design work from the designer.

[0027] On the designer's terminal 10, various screens related to design work are displayed by an application (hereinafter also referred to as the "design support app") that provides functions to support design work. The designer can perform design work by operating the various screens displayed on the designer's terminal 10 through the design support app. The functionality of the design support application may be provided by installing the design support application on the designer terminal 10 (i.e., a native application), or by a web system (i.e., a web application). In the case of a web application, the design support application is managed on a server, and its functionality is provided via a web browser.

[0028] (2) Design support equipment 20 The design support device 20 is a device that performs processing to support design work. The design support device 20 is implemented by devices such as one or more servers (e.g., cloud servers) and PCs. Various processes are executed in this device by a program that enables it to function as the design support device 20.

[0029] The design support device 20 is connected to the designer terminal 10 via a wired or wireless connection, enabling communication. In communication with the designer terminal 10, the design support device 20 receives information input by the designer (such as input data) and transmits screen information and information output from various processes (such as output data).

[0030] <3. Functional Configuration of the Design Support System> The configuration of the design support system 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the design support device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. As shown in Figure 2, the design support device 20 comprises a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0031] (1) Communications Section 210 The communication unit 210 has the function of sending and receiving various types of information. The communication unit 210 is connected to the design support device 20 in a communication manner and sends and receives various types of information.

[0032] (2) Storage section 220 The memory unit 220 has the function of storing various types of information. The memory unit 220 is composed of storage media provided as hardware by the design support device 20, such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access read / write Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or any combination of these storage media.

[0033] (3) Control unit 230 The control unit 230 has the function of controlling the overall operation of the design support device 20. The control unit 230 is implemented, for example, by causing the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the design support device 20 to execute a program. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 230 includes a data acquisition unit 231, a data processing unit 232, a design processing unit 233, a linking processing unit 234, a screen processing unit 235, a flow management unit 236, a warning processing unit 237, and a program generation unit 238.

[0034] (3-1) Data acquisition unit 231 The data acquisition unit 231 has the function of acquiring various types of data. When a user uploads data, the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the supporting documents DT1 (design data) and structured file DT2 (first input data) received by the communication unit 210 from the designer terminal 10. The acquired supporting documents DT1 and structured file DT2 are linked together by the linking processing unit 234, which will be described later, and registered (stored) in the storage unit 220. Furthermore, the supporting document DT1 and structured file DT2, which the data acquisition unit 231 acquires from the communication unit 210, are data uploaded from the upload screen displayed on the designer terminal 10.

[0035] When data processing is executed, the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the structured file DT2 from the storage unit 220 according to the content of the data processing to be performed. The acquired structured file DT2 is then processed by the data processing unit 232, which will be described later.

[0036] During the execution of the design process, the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the deliverable DT3 (intermediate product) from the storage unit 220 according to the content of the design process to be executed. The acquired deliverable DT3 is then processed by the design processing unit 233, which will be described later.

[0037] In addition, multiple design processes may be executed consecutively within a single processing flow. In this case, depending on the content of the design process to be executed consecutively, the output of the design process executed immediately before it may be used as input. For example, suppose the second design process is executed immediately following the first design process. In this case, the output data of the first design process is used as input for the second design process. Therefore, when the second data processing for the second design process is executed, the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the output DT4 (output data) of the first design process and the structured file DT2 (first input data) of the second design process from the storage unit 220. The second design process is executed after the second data processing is performed on the acquired output DT4 and structured file DT2.

[0038] (3-2) Data Processing Unit 232 The data processing unit 232 has the function of performing data processing. The data processing unit 232 performs data processing on the structured file DT2 (first input data) acquired by the data acquisition unit 231 and outputs a deliverable DT3 (second input data) which is data suitable for design processing.

[0039] When the output DT4 (output data) of the first design process is used as input for the second design process, the data processing unit 232 performs data processing on the output DT4 of the first design process and the structured file DT2 of the second design process, respectively, acquired by the data acquisition unit 231, and outputs one or more output DT3.

[0040] (3-3) Design Section 233 The design processing unit 233 has the function of executing design processing. The design processing unit 233 executes design processing on the deliverable DT3 (second input data) output by the data processing unit 232, and outputs deliverable DT4 (output data), which is the result of the design processing.

[0041] When the output DT4 of the first design process is used as input for the second design process, the design processing unit 233 executes the second design process on one or more output DT3 output from the data processing unit 232 for the second design process, and outputs the output DT4 which is the result of the second design process.

[0042] (3-4) Cord attachment processing unit 234 The linking processing unit 234 has a function for managing linking. The linking processing unit 234 executes linking processing according to the process to be executed. When the supporting document DT1 (design data) and structured file DT2 (first input data) are uploaded from the designer terminal 10, the linking processing unit 234 links the supporting document DT1 and structured file DT2 and registers them in the storage unit 220. At this time, the linking processing unit 234 may further link and register the person in charge of quality checks and their type. The type is, for example, a classification type such as the target structure or work content.

[0043] When the data processing program PG1 is executed, the linking processing unit 234 further links the data processing program PG1 (data processing) and the output DT3 (second input data) to the supporting document DT1 and the structured file DT2, and registers them in the storage unit 220.

[0044] When the design processing program PG2 is executed, the linking processing unit 234 further links the design processing program PG2 (design processing) and the deliverable DT3 (output data) to the supporting document DT1, the structured file DT2, the data processing program PG1, and the deliverable DT3, and registers them in the storage unit 220.

[0045] If a different second design process is executed following the first design process, the linking processing unit 234 further links the data and processes (programs) to be input and output in the second design process with the processes (programs) to be executed in the second design process, and registers them in the storage unit 220.

[0046] (3-5) Screen processing unit 235 The screen processing unit 235 has the function of processing screen-related information. For example, the screen processing unit 235 displays an upload screen, a flow management screen, and a list screen of various data and processes on the designer terminal 10. The screen processing unit 235 transmits screen information corresponding to the screen to be displayed to the designer terminal 10 via the communication unit 210.

[0047] Now, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the screens displayed on the designer terminal 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] (Upload screen) Figure 3 shows an example of an upload screen according to this embodiment. Screen G1 shown in Figure 3 is an upload screen that allows uploading of supporting documents DT1 (design data) and structured files DT2 (first input data). Area A11 of screen G1 is for selecting the supporting documents DT1 to upload. Area A12 of screen G1 is for selecting the structured files DT2 to upload. Area A13 of screen G1 is for entering the person responsible for checking. Area A14 of screen G1 is for entering the type.

[0049] (Processing flow management screen) Figure 4 shows an example of a processing flow management screen according to this embodiment. Screen G2 in Figure 4 is a processing flow management screen in which the processing flow in design work is visualized and displayed, and the processing flow can be rearranged. Area A21 of screen G2 is the area where the execution history is displayed. The execution history includes, for example, the flow name, flow summary, execution date and time, and the executor. Area A22 of screen G2 is the area where the processing flow is displayed. The processing flow is visualized and displayed, for example, by visual programming.

[0050] Figure 4 shows flows F1 to F4 as an example. Flow F1 is a block that shows the first input data. Flow F2 is a block that shows the second input data. Flow F3 is a block that shows the processing. Flow F4 is a block that shows the output data. Flow F1 is connected to arrow Y1, which indicates that it is input from the previous stage, and arrow Y2, which indicates that it is an input to flow F3. Flow F2 is connected to arrow Y3, which indicates that it is an input to flow F3. Flow F3 is connected to flows F1 and F2 as input data by arrows Y2 and Y3, respectively, and flow F4 is connected as output data by arrow Y4.

[0051] The designer can freely add or delete blocks representing input and output data, as well as blocks representing processing, on the processing flow management screen. Furthermore, the designer can freely add or delete arrows between blocks and change the destination of these arrows on the processing flow management screen.

[0052] (3-6) Flow Management Department 236 The flow management unit 236 has a function for managing processing flows. In response to input to the processing flow management screen, the flow management unit 236 associates and registers processing programs to be executed in a processing flow with the data that is input and output by those processing programs. For example, when a new processing flow is created on the processing flow management screen, the flow management unit 236 associates each processing program with each piece of data and registers it in the storage unit 220. When a processing flow is modified on the processing flow management screen, the flow management unit 236 changes the association between each processing program with each piece of data according to the changes and registers it in the storage unit 220.

[0053] (3-7) Warning Processing Unit 237 The warning processing unit 237 has the function of executing warning processing. If there is a change in any of the data, processing flow, and processing program used in the design work, the warning processing unit 237 displays a warning to the designer terminal 10 indicating that a change has occurred. The warning processing unit 237 acquires warning information indicating the content of the warning to be displayed to the designer terminal 10.

[0054] Now, with reference to Figure 5, a warning displayed on the designer terminal 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a warning according to this embodiment.

[0055] The screen G3 shown in Figure 5 is the list screen for deliverables. Area A31 of screen G3 displays a list of deliverables. The mark MK indicates that there is a warning. When the mark MK is displayed, for example, selecting the mark MK will display a warning as shown in area A32. For example, the callout in area A32 displays the warning information, "The version of the processing program included in this flow has been changed." This is displayed when the processing program of the flow used to generate the deliverable with the mark MK displayed has been changed and the flow has not been rerun. If the flow has not been rerun, the deliverable is not up to date. Therefore, the warning processing unit 237 displays a warning to prompt the user to rerun the flow and update the deliverable to the latest version.

[0056] (3-8) Program generation unit 238 The program generation unit 238 has the function of generating programs. The program generation unit 238 automatically generates a data processing program PG1 for executing data processing, for example, using generation AI (Artificial Intelligence). The program generation unit 238 generates the data processing program PG1 according to prompts input by the designer, for example.

[0057] <4. Processing Flow> The functional configuration of the design support device 20 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the processing flow according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 7.

[0058] (1) Data preparation and execution of the processing flow Referring to Figure 6, the processing flow for data preparation and execution of the processing flow according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow for data preparation and execution of the processing flow according to this embodiment.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, first, the designer performs a supporting document input operation on the designer terminal 10 (step S101). The designer terminal 10 acquires the supporting document DT1 input from the designer (step S102).

[0060] Next, the designer performs a structured file creation operation on the designer terminal 10 (step S103). The designer terminal 10 converts the supporting document DT1 input from the designer and creates a structured file DT2 (step S104).

[0061] Next, the designer performs an upload operation on the designer terminal 10 (step S105). The designer operates the upload screen displayed on the designer terminal 10 to select at least the structured file DT2 to be uploaded and the supporting document DT1 from which the structured file DT2 was created, and also enters the person responsible for checking and the type as needed.

[0062] After the designer performs the upload operation, the designer terminal 10 performs the upload process (step S106). During the upload process, the designer terminal 10 sends the supporting documents DT1 and structured file DT2 selected by the designer on the upload screen, along with the entered checker and type, as a single upload data to the design support device 20.

[0063] When the design support device 20 receives uploaded data from the designer terminal 10, it performs a linking process (step S107). First, the data acquisition unit 231 of the design support device 20 acquires the uploaded data received by the communication unit 210 from the designer terminal 10. The linking processing unit 234 of the design support device 20 links the supporting documents DT1, structured files DT2, checkers, and types included in the uploaded data acquired by the data acquisition unit 231 and registers them in the storage unit 220.

[0064] Next, the designer performs a processing flow execution operation on the designer terminal 10 (step S108). The designer terminal 10 sends an execution request to the design support device 20 for the processing flow selected by the designer (step S109).

[0065] When the communication unit 210 of the design support device 20 receives a processing flow execution request from the designer terminal 10, the data acquisition unit 231 acquires the structured file DT2 from the storage unit 220 (step S110). The structured file DT2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 231 is the structured file DT2 that serves as the input for the data processing included in the processing flow that has been requested to be executed.

[0066] Next, the data processing unit 232 of the design support device 20 performs data processing (step S111). The data processing unit 232 takes the structured file DT2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 231 as input and executes the data processing program PG1 included in the processing flow that has been requested to be executed.

[0067] After data processing, the linking processing unit 234 performs the linking process (step S112). The linking processing unit 234 further links the data processing program PG1 executed during data processing and the output DT3 produced by the data processing program PG1 to the already linked supporting document DT1 and structured file DT2.

[0068] After the data processing is linked, the design processing unit 233 of the design support device 20 executes the design process (step S113). The design processing unit 233 takes the output DT3 output from the data processing program PG1 as input and executes the design processing program PG2 of the design process included in the processing flow that was requested to be executed.

[0069] After the design process, the linking processing unit 234 performs the linking process (step S114). The linking processing unit 234 further links the design processing program PG2 executed during the design process and the output product DT4 produced from the design processing program PG2 to the already linked supporting document DT1, structured file DT2, data processing program PG1, and deliverable DT3.

[0070] Furthermore, if a single processing flow includes multiple design processes, the design support device 20 repeatedly executes steps S110 to S114 for each design process included in that single processing flow. When multiple design processes are executed in a single processing flow, output data from previously executed design processes may be used as input data for subsequent design processes. In this case, step S110 acquires not only the structured file DT2 of the next design process to be executed, but also the deliverable DT4 output from previously executed design processes as input data.

[0071] (2) Rearranging the processing flow and displaying warnings Referring to Figure 7, the processing flow related to rearranging the processing flow and displaying a warning according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow related to rearranging the processing flow and displaying a warning according to this embodiment.

[0072] As shown in Figure 7, first, the designer performs a processing flow rearrangement operation on the designer terminal 10 (step S201). The designer terminal 10 then sends a processing flow rearrangement request to the design support device 20 regarding the processing flow rearranged by the designer (step S202). When the communication unit 210 receives a processing flow rearrangement request from the designer terminal 10, the flow management unit 236 of the design support device 20 updates the processing flow (step S203).

[0073] After the processing flow is updated, suppose the designer performs a screen display operation on a screen of their choice (step S204). The designer terminal 10 requests screen information for the screen that the designer has requested to be displayed from the design support device 20 (step S205).

[0074] The warning processing unit 237 of the design support device 20 checks whether there is an update in the processing flow (step S206). If there is an update (step S206 / YES), the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if there is no update (step S206 / NO), the process proceeds to step S209.

[0075] If the process proceeds to step S207, the warning processing unit 237 checks whether the updated processing flow has been re-executed (step S207). If it has not been re-executed (step S207 / NO), the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if it has been re-executed (step S207 / YES), the process proceeds to step S209.

[0076] If the process proceeds to step S208, the warning processing unit 237 acquires warning information (step S208). After acquisition, the process proceeds to step S209.

[0077] If the process proceeds to step S209, the screen processing unit 235 transmits the screen information to the designer terminal 10 via the communication unit 210 (step S209). If warning information has been acquired, the screen processing unit 235 also transmits the warning information to the designer terminal 10 along with the screen information.

[0078] The designer terminal 10 displays a screen based on the screen information received from the design support device 20 (step S210). When the screen is displayed, the designer terminal 10 checks whether there is any warning information in the information received from the design support device 20 (step S211). If there is warning information (step S211 / YES), the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if there is no warning information (step S211 / NO), the process ends.

[0079] If the process proceeds to step S212, the designer terminal 10 will enable the display of a warning on the screen (step S212) and terminate the process.

[0080] <5. Variation> The processing flow according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, modifications of this embodiment will be described. The modifications described below may be applied to the embodiment individually or in combination. Furthermore, the modifications may be applied in place of the configuration described in the embodiment, or they may be applied in addition to the configuration described in the embodiment.

[0081] In the embodiments described above, an example was explained in which a set of data processing and design processing is executed as a single processing unit in the processing flow, but the example is not limited to this. For example, there may be design processing in a single processing unit in which no data processing is performed. In this case, the design processing program PG2 executed in the design processing may be input as is the structured file DT2, or it may be input as is the deliverable DT4, which is the output data from the completed design processing.

[0082] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explains an example in which the data processing program PG1 is automatically generated by the generating AI, the invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the data processing program PG1 may be created manually.

[0083] <6. Examples> The processing flow according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, an embodiment according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment according to this embodiment. As an example, Figure 8 shows a single processing flow in which a processing unit consisting of a set of data processing and design processing is combined with a processing unit consisting of only design processing.

[0084] In the processing flow shown in Figure 8, three data sets (an example of structured file DT2) are first created based on three design conditions DT1-1 to DT1-3 (an example of supporting document DT1): structural shape DT2-1, ground data DT2-2, and analysis conditions DT2-3.

[0085] Here, a process is executed in which two data processing steps and one design step constitute a single processing unit. In this process, first, the structural shape DT2-1 is input into the structural model creation program PG1-1 (an example of data processing program PG1), and a process to convert it into an analysis model of the structure (an example of data processing) is executed. Also, the ground data DT2-2 is input into the ground model creation program PG1-2 (an example of data processing program PG1), and a process to convert it into an analysis model of the ground (an example of data processing) is executed. Through these two data processing steps, the analysis model DT3-1 (an example of output DT3) is created. Note that under analysis condition DT2-3, no data processing will be performed.

[0086] Next, the analysis model DT3-1 and analysis conditions DT2-3 are input into the analysis program PG2-1 (an example of the design processing program PG2), and the analysis process (an example of the design process) is executed. The analysis process generates the analysis result DT4-1 (an example of the deliverable DT4). The process described so far is an example of a process where two data processing steps and one design process constitute a single processing unit.

[0087] Next, a process is executed in which only one design process constitutes a single processing unit. In this process, the analysis result DT4-1 and the structural shape DT2-1 are input into the verification program PG2-2 (an example of the design processing program PG2), and the verification process (an example of the design process) is executed. The verification process creates the verification result DT4-2 (an example of the deliverable DT4). The process described so far is an example of a process where only one design process constitutes one processing unit.

[0088] The embodiments of this embodiment have been described above. As described above, the design support device 20 according to this embodiment includes a data acquisition unit 231 that acquires first input data which is design data indicating the design conditions for design processing in design work that has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing; a data processing unit 232 that performs data processing on the first input data and outputs second input data which is data suitable for design processing; and a linking processing unit 234 that links and registers the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data.

[0089] This configuration automates intermediate processes that were previously performed manually by designers during the design process. This reduces the workload on designers, lowers the risk of management problems caused by human error, and improves the accuracy of the design work. Furthermore, input data, intermediate products, and output data are automatically linked, improving the accuracy of data management. As a result, the workload on checkers during the checking process of design data and intermediate products to ensure design quality is reduced, and the occurrence of check omissions and insufficient traceability is suppressed. Therefore, the design support device 20 according to this embodiment makes it possible to improve productivity in design work and prevent quality defects caused by human error.

[0090] Modifications of embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be noted that some or all of the functions of the design support device 20 in the above-described embodiments may be implemented using a computer. In this case, the functions may be implemented by recording a program for implementing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. In addition, "computer-readable recording media" may also include those that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside computer systems that act as servers or clients in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be for the purpose of implementing some of the functions described above, or it may be for the purpose of implementing the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, or it may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0091] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to those described above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0092] The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 international goals adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015. The design support device, design support method, and program according to this embodiment can contribute to achieving some of the 17 SDGs, such as Goal 9, "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation." [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 1…Design support system, 10…Designer terminal, 20…Design support device, 210…Communication unit, 220…Storage unit, 230…Control unit, 231…Data acquisition unit, 232…Data processing unit, 233…Design processing unit, 234…Linking processing unit, 235…Screen processing unit, 236…Flow management unit, 237…Warning processing unit, 238…Program generation unit

Claims

1. A data acquisition unit acquires first input data that has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing, which is design data indicating the design conditions for the design process in design work. A data processing unit performs the data processing on the first input data and outputs a second input data which is suitable for the design process, A linking processing unit that links and registers the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data, A design support device equipped with the following features.

2. A design processing unit that performs the design process on the second input data and outputs output data which is the result of the design process. Furthermore, The linking processing unit further links the design process and the output data to the design data, the first input data, and the second input data and registers them. The design support device according to claim 1.

3. If a different second design process is executed following the first design process, The linking processing unit further links and registers the data and processes linked and registered in the first design process with the input and output data and the processes to be executed in the second design process. The design support device according to claim 2.

4. When the output data of the first design process is used as input for the second design process, The data acquisition unit acquires the output data of the first design process and the first input data of the second design process. The data processing unit performs the data processing on the acquired output data and the first input data, respectively, and outputs one or more second input data. The design processing unit executes the design process on the outputted one or more second input data and outputs output data which is the result of the design process. The design support device according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. A screen processing unit that displays an upload screen on the designer's terminal where the design data and the first input data obtained by converting the design data can be uploaded. Furthermore, The data acquisition unit acquires the design data and the first input data uploaded from the upload screen. The linking processing unit links the acquired design data and the first input data and registers them. The design support device according to claim 1.

6. A screen processing unit that displays a processing flow management screen on the designer's terminal, which visualizes and displays the processing flow in the aforementioned design work and allows the processing flow to be rearranged, A flow management unit registers a processing program to be executed in the processing flow and the data input and output by the processing program in response to input to the processing flow management screen, The design support device according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. A warning processing unit that displays a warning to the designer's terminal indicating that a change has occurred if there is a change in any of the data, processing flow, or processing program used in the aforementioned design work. The design support device according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. A program generation unit that automatically generates a processing program for executing the aforementioned data processing using a generation AI, The design support device according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. A data acquisition process in which design data indicating the design conditions for the design process in design work is acquired, and first input data which has been converted into data suitable for data processing in advance, A data processing process that performs the data processing on the first input data and outputs a second input data which is data suitable for the design process, A linking process that links and registers the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data, A computer-based design support method that includes [specific components / methods].

10. Computers, A data acquisition means that acquires first input data, which is data that has been converted in advance into data suitable for data processing, representing the design conditions for the design process in design work. A data processing means that performs the data processing on the first input data and outputs a second input data which is suitable for the design process, A linking processing means for registering the design data, the first input data, the data processing, and the second input data in a linked manner, A program designed to function as such.

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