DESIGN ASSISTANCE DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To improve a technique to support design work of a design object.SOLUTION: A design support device 10 comprises: a storage unit 13 that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with first creatable user attribute; and a control unit 14 that acquires information indicating user attribute of a user, outputs, to a display, a screen including a first area 42 for displaying, of the plurality of nodes, nodes in which the value of the first creatable user attribute is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user in a selectable manner, and an editing area 41, adds, to the editing area 41, a design object based on the node selected from the first area 42 according to the user's operation, edits data of the design object added to the editing area 41 according to the user's operation, stores the edited data of the design object in the storage unit 13, acquires information indicating user attribute of the other user, and according to the user attribute of the other user, controls whether to permit the other user to edit the data of the design object stored in the storage unit 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design support apparatus, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies for supporting the design work of a design object such as a plant. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an integrated plant design system in which the plant design work is divided into an initial design section and a functional design section, and the design work related to each section is distributed and assigned to a plurality of independent design support systems, and each design support system has a function of importing design information created by the other design support systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4288639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in technology to support the design work of design objects. For example, conventional technology requires multiple independent design support systems for each design work, which increases the overall cost.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve technology for supporting design work of an object to be designed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute; Acquire information indicating a user attribute of the user in response to an operation by the user; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first user attribute whose value is the same as the user attribute of the user, and an editing area; adding a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user to the editing area; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; and a control unit that acquires information indicating user attributes of other users in response to operations of the other users, and controls whether or not the other users are allowed to edit the data of the design object stored in the memory unit in response to the user attributes of the other users.

[0007] A control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A control method for a design support apparatus including a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute, and a control unit, comprising: The control unit: Acquiring information indicating a user attribute of the user in response to an operation by the user; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first createable user attribute value that is the same as the user attribute value of the user, and an editing area; adding to the editing area a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; and The method includes acquiring information indicating user attributes of other users in response to operations of the other users, and controlling whether or not the other users are allowed to edit the data of the design object stored in the memory unit in response to the user attributes of the other users.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A computer including a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute, Acquiring information indicating a user attribute of the user in response to an operation by the user; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first createable user attribute value that is the same as the user attribute value of the user, and an editing area; adding to the editing area a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; and The system acquires information indicating the user attributes of other users in response to operations of the other users, and controls whether or not the other users are allowed to edit the data of the design object stored in the memory unit in response to the user attributes of the other users. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a technology for supporting design work of a design object is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a design support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a node database stored in the design support device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a design object database stored in the design support apparatus; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a drawing database stored in the design support device. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the design support device. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen output by the design support device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] (Overview of the embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of a design support device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The design support device 10 is a device that supports design work including a series of design processes from upstream to downstream, for example. For example, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone, or a dedicated computer, can be adopted as the design support device 10. A user in charge of a certain design process uses the design support device 10 to create a drawing of a desired design object in the design process in which the user is in charge, thereby designing the desired design object in the design process in which the user is in charge. Here, the user can design a desired design object in the design process in which the user is in charge, using data of the design object designed in a design process upstream of the design process in which the user is in charge. For example, when the design support device 10 is used in the design work of a water treatment plant, the final design object is the water treatment plant, and the design objects in each design process can be components of the water treatment plant, such as a pump, an electric valve, an operation panel, or a control panel, whose specifications are individually defined.

[0013] Here, as a specific example of use of the design support device 10, a case will be described in which the design support device 10 is used in a plant design task including three design processes, a plant design process, an electrical equipment design process, and an electrical work design process, in that order from the upstream. In addition, as drawings of the design object, a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is used in the plant design process, a wiring system diagram is used in the electrical equipment design process, and an electrical work plan drawing is used in the electrical work design process.

[0014] As described later, the design support device 10 stores in advance data of a plurality of nodes that can be used throughout a series of design processes. A node is a template that serves as the basis of a design object (e.g., an entity such as a room, a panel, a device, a load, a contact, or a water tank). A design object is defined by adding design information such as individual specifications based on the node. For example, a class and an instance in an object-oriented design method may correspond to a node and a design object according to this embodiment, respectively.

[0015] First, a user in charge of the plant design process, which is the most upstream design process, designs a desired design object in the plant design process by creating a piping and instrumentation diagram. Specifically, the display of the design support device 10 displays a drawing of the piping and instrumentation diagram, and among a plurality of nodes prepared in advance, each node corresponding to the plant design process is displayed in a selectable manner. The user selects a desired node from one or more displayed nodes. For example, the user drags and drops the selected node onto the drawing, so that a design object based on the node is added to the drawing. A plurality of design objects may be added to the drawing. The user may edit data of each design object on the drawing, for example, by inputting individual specifications of each design object on the drawing, arranging each design object, connecting the design objects together, or including a second design object in a first design object. Then, the edited data of each design object is stored in a design object database of the design support device 10.

[0016] Next, a user in charge of the electrical equipment design process, which is a midstream design process, creates a wiring system diagram to design a desired design object in the electrical equipment design process. Specifically, the display of the design support device 10 displays a drawing of the wiring system diagram, and among a plurality of nodes prepared in advance, each node corresponding to the electrical equipment design process is displayed in a selectable manner. The user selects a desired node from one or more displayed nodes. For example, the user drags and drops the selected node onto the drawing, so that a design object based on the node is added to the drawing. Multiple design objects may be added to the drawing. In addition, the display of the design support device 10 may display design objects designed in a plant design process, which is an upstream design process, in a selectable manner. Hereinafter, a design object designed in a design process upstream of the design process in which the user is in charge is also referred to as an "upstream design object". The user selects a desired upstream design object from one or more displayed upstream design objects. For example, the user drags and drops the selected upstream design object onto the drawing, so that the upstream design object is added to the drawing. Therefore, design objects in the current process (here, electrical equipment design process) and upstream design objects may coexist on the drawing. The user may edit data of each design object on the drawing, for example, by inputting individual specifications of each design object on the drawing, arranging each design object, connecting the design objects together, or including a second design object in a first design object. Also, connection relationships defined in an upstream process related to the current process, such as wiring, are automatically displayed on the drawing. The edited data of each design object is then stored in a design object database of the design support device 10.

[0017] Then, a user in charge of the electrical work design process, which is the most downstream design process, designs a desired design object in the electrical work design process by creating an electrical work plan view. Specifically, the display of the design support device 10 displays a drawing of the electrical work plan view, and among a plurality of nodes prepared in advance, each node corresponding to the electrical work design process is displayed in a selectable manner. The user selects a desired node from one or more displayed nodes. For example, the user drags and drops the selected node onto the drawing, so that a design object based on the node is added to the drawing. A plurality of design objects may be added to the drawing. In addition, the display of the design support device 10 may display upstream design objects designed in each of the plant design process and the electrical equipment design process, which are upstream design processes, in a selectable manner. The user selects a desired upstream design object from one or more displayed upstream design objects. For example, the user drags and drops the selected upstream design object onto the drawing, so that the upstream design object is added to the drawing. Therefore, the design object in the own process (here, the electrical work design process) and the upstream design object may be mixed on the drawing. A user can edit data of each design object on the drawing, for example, by inputting individual specifications of each design object on the drawing, arranging each design object, connecting design objects with each other, and including a second design object in a first design object. Also, connection relationships defined in an upstream process related to the current process, such as wiring, are automatically displayed on the drawing. Then, the edited data of each design object is stored in a design object database of the design support device 10.

[0018] In this way, in the design support device 10, a common design method is adopted in any design process, in which the design object is designed by arranging and connecting the design object on a drawing. In addition, data and connection relationships of the design object designed in an upstream design process can be used in a downstream design process. Since the design support device 10 can be implemented as one design system employing the above design method, it is not necessary to use an independent design support system for each design process, for example. Therefore, it is possible to support design work including multiple design processes at a lower cost.

[0019] (Configuration of design support device) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the design support device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the design support device 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

[0020] The display unit 11 includes one or more displays. The display is, for example, a panel display, but is not limited to this. Alternatively, the display unit 11 may include a connection interface to which an external display can be connected.

[0021] The operation unit 12 includes one or more input devices that accept input operations by a user. The input devices are, for example, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a capacitance panel such as a trackpad, or a touch screen that is integrated with the display of the display unit 11. Alternatively, the operation unit 12 may include a terminal to which an external input device can be connected.

[0022] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information used in the operation of the design support device 10. For example, the storage unit 13 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, a database, etc. Note that some or all of the information stored in the storage unit 13 may be stored in an external device with which the design support device 10 can communicate via a network such as the Internet, such as a server or a cloud. In such a case, the design support device 10 may be able to acquire any information stored in the external device from the external device at any timing.

[0023] In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 stores data of a plurality of drawing formats. The data of each drawing format may include data indicating a corresponding design process (for example, data corresponding to the "second user attribute that can be created" in FIG. 4 described later). For example, in the above-mentioned example of a plant design work, the drawing formats of the piping and instrumentation diagram, the wiring system diagram, and the electrical work plan are respectively associated with the plant design process, the electrical equipment design process, and the electrical work design process. A drawing is created based on one of the drawing formats. The data of each drawing format may also include data indicating the specifications of the connection between design objects that can be defined on a drawing based on the drawing format (for example, data corresponding to the "connection specifications" in FIG. 4 described later).

[0024] The storage unit 13 also stores a node database, a design object database, and a drawing database.

[0025] The node database will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the node database, data of multiple nodes that can be used throughout the entire design process is stored in advance. Each row in the figure shows the data of one node. Hereinafter, the node data will be simply referred to as "node data." Each node data includes seven items of data: "node ID," "node type," "first user attribute that can be created," "user attribute that can be referenced," "user attribute / specification that can be edited," "symbol / terminal data," and "symbol corresponding drawing."

[0026] A "node ID" is identification data for a corresponding node. Each node stored in the node database is associated with a different node ID.

[0027] "Node type" is data indicating the type of the corresponding node. For example, in Fig. 2, six types of nodes are exemplified: "pump", "motor valve", "operation panel", "control panel", "room", and "comment", but the types of nodes are not limited to these examples.

[0028] The "first user attribute that can be created" is data indicating a user attribute of a user that can create a new design object by using the corresponding node as a base. In this embodiment, the "user attribute" indicates a design process, and the "value" of the user attribute indicates one design process selected from a series of design processes (e.g., a plant design process, an electrical equipment design process, and an electrical construction design process). Hereinafter, using a node as a base for a newly created design object is also simply referred to as "using a node." In addition, a node that can be used by a user who uses the design support device 10 is also referred to as a "first node." For example, the value of the first user attribute that can be created for the pump and motor-operated valve shown in FIG. 2 is "plant design process."

[0029] As described below, among the multiple nodes, each node whose value of the first user attribute that can be created is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user using the design support device 10 (here, the design process that the user is responsible for), and each node whose value of the first user attribute that can be created is "null" can be identified as a node that can be used by the user, i.e., a first node.

[0030] As will be described later, a user of the design support device 10 can use a design object stored in the design object database if the node on which the design object is based is a first node. In this embodiment, "using a design object" means adding the design object stored in the design object database to a drawing.

[0031] The "referenceable user attribute" is data indicating the user attribute of a user who can refer to a design object based on the corresponding node. In this embodiment, "being able to refer to a design object" means that the design object can be used, but the node that is the basis of the design object cannot be used. In this embodiment, the referenceable user attribute has a different value from the first createable user attribute described above. For example, the values ​​of the referenceable user attributes of the pump and motor-operated valve shown in FIG. 2 are "electrical equipment design process" and "electrical construction design process", respectively, which are different from the value of the first createable user attribute ("plant design process").

[0032] As described later, among the multiple nodes, each node whose value of the accessible user attribute is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user using the design support device 10 (here, the design process that the user is responsible for) can be identified as a second node.

[0033] As will be described later, a user who uses the design support device 10 can use a design object stored in the design object database if the node that is the basis of the design object is a second node.

[0034] The "specification editable user attribute / specification" indicates a combination of the "specification editable user attribute" and the "specification" corresponding to the specification editable user attribute. The specification editable user attribute is data indicating a user attribute of a user who can edit the corresponding specification value for a design object based on the node. The specification defines, for example, the shape, structure, dimensions, accuracy, and performance required for a design object based on the node. For example, the property of a class in an object-oriented design method may correspond to the specification of a node according to this embodiment. A plurality of specifications may be associated with one specification editable user attribute. For example, in the motor-operated valve shown in FIG. 2, the value of the specification editable user attribute is "plant design process", and three specifications, "caliber", "manufacturer", and "model", are associated with the specification editable user attribute. In addition, a plurality of specification editable user attributes may be associated with one node. For example, the pump shown in FIG. 2 is associated with two specification editable user attributes whose values ​​are "plant design process" and "electrical equipment design process", respectively. In addition, there may be a node to which no specification-editable user attribute and specification are associated. For example, the specification-editable user attribute / specification of the operation panel and control panel shown in FIG.

[0035] As described below, if the value of the specification-editable user attribute of the node that is the basis of the design object added to the drawing is the same as the value of the user's user attribute (in this case, the design process that the user is responsible for), or if the value of the specification-editable user attribute of the node is "all attribute values," the user can edit the specification value corresponding to the specification-editable user attribute as part of the data of the design object.

[0036] "Symbol and terminal data" is data indicating a symbol that specifies the display mode on a drawing of a design object based on the corresponding node, and an input / output terminal defined on the symbol. Symbol and terminal data may include a still image, a pointer or hyperlink to a file such as ".dwg" or ".pdf", or graphic data expressed in text. Symbol and terminal data may also include graphic data including a part that changes according to the value of the node specification (for example, graphic data including a part that displays the value of the pump's water delivery capacity). Multiple symbol and terminal data may be associated with one node.

[0037] A "symbol-corresponding drawing" is data that is provided in correspondence with symbol and terminal data and indicates the drawing format in which the corresponding symbol and terminal data is adopted. A design object added to a drawing is displayed on the drawing in the display mode indicated by the symbol and terminal data corresponding to the drawing format on which the drawing is based, among one or more symbol and terminal data associated with the underlying node. For example, the two symbol and terminal data "A01-1" and "A01-2" associated with the pump shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the two drawing formats "Piping and Instrumentation Diagram" and "Wiring System Diagram", respectively. For this reason, for example, when the underlying node of a design object added to a drawing is a pump, if the drawing format on which the drawing is based is a piping and instrumentation diagram, the design object is displayed on the drawing in the display mode indicated by the symbol and terminal data "A01-1", while if the drawing format on which the drawing is based is a wiring system diagram, the design object is displayed on the drawing in the display mode indicated by the symbol and terminal data "A01-2". In addition, if the symbol corresponding drawing is "null", the design object will be displayed on the drawing in the display format indicated by the corresponding symbol / terminal data, regardless of the drawing format on which the drawing is based.

[0038] Next, the design object database will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The design object database stores data on each design object designed by each user involved in a series of design processes. Each row in the diagram shows data for one design object. Hereinafter, the data on the design object will be simply referred to as "design object data." Each design object data includes six items of data: "design object ID," "node used ID," "individual name," "individual specifications," "connection data," and "included data."

[0039] The "design object ID" is identification data of the corresponding design object. Each design object stored in the design object database is associated with a different design object ID.

[0040] "Used node ID" is identification data of the node that is the basis of the corresponding design object. The used node ID corresponds to the node ID in the node database shown in Figure 2. It is possible to identify the node that is the basis of the design object by searching the node database using the value of the design object ID as a query.

[0041] An "individual name" is data indicating a name that is individually defined for a corresponding design object. If the node on which the design object is based is the first node for a user who uses the design support device 10, the user can edit the individual name of the design object. On the other hand, if the node on which the design object is based is not the first node for the user, the user cannot edit the individual name of the design object.

[0042] An "individual specification" is data indicating a value defined individually for a specification associated with a node that is the basis of a corresponding design object. If a user using the design support device 10 finds that the value of a specification-editable user attribute corresponding to a certain specification in the data of the node that is the basis of a design object added to a drawing is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user (here, the design process that the user is in charge of), the user can edit the value of the specification. On the other hand, if the value of a specification-editable user attribute corresponding to a certain specification is different from the value of the user attribute of the user, the user cannot edit the value of the specification.

[0043] The "connection data" is data that indicates the connection relationship between design objects. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the connection data includes four items of data: "connection source", "connection destination", "connection specification", and "definition drawing".

[0044] The "connection source" is data indicating the input terminal of the corresponding design object. A single design object may be provided with multiple input terminals. The "connection destination" is data indicating the design object ID and output terminal of another design object connected to the input terminal of the corresponding design object. The "connection specification" is data indicating the specification of the connection between the connection source and the connection destination. The connection specification is, for example, the specification of a connection member such as wiring or piping that connects two design objects. The "definition drawing" is identification data of a drawing in which the connection between the connection source and the connection destination is defined. For example, in the example of a "supply pump" which is one of the design objects shown in FIG. 3, the "input terminal 1" of the supply pump which is the connection source is connected to the "output terminal 1" of the "power control panel" which is the connection destination. In addition, the connection specification is "CV2sq3c", and the connection is defined in the "wiring system diagram". In this embodiment, the terminal is a connection point on a symbol of the drawing, specifically, a connection port of a pipe, a terminal block of a wiring, etc., but is not limited to these. The information defined by the connection differs depending on the drawing.

[0045] "Inclusion data" is data that indicates an inclusion relationship between a corresponding design object and other design objects. Specifically, inclusion data may include identification data of other design objects that are included by the corresponding design object. For example, the "electrical room," one of the design objects shown in Figure 3, includes the "power control panel."

[0046] Next, the drawing database will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The drawing database stores data of drawings created by each user involved in a series of design processes to design a design object. Hereinafter, the drawing data will be simply referred to as "drawing data." Each drawing data includes seven items of data: "drawing used," "second user attribute that can be created," "connection specifications," "drawing ID," "individual drawing name," "design object ID," and "position data." Of these, the three items of data, "drawing used," "second user attribute that can be created," and "connection specifications," correspond to the data of the drawing format described above.

[0047] "Drawing used" is data indicating the drawing format on which the corresponding drawing is based.

[0048] The "second user attribute for creation" is data indicating the user attribute of a user who can create a new drawing by using the drawing format shown in the drawing to be used as a base, and can edit and delete the drawing created based on the drawing format. Hereinafter, using a drawing format as a base for a newly created drawing is also simply referred to as "using a drawing format." In this embodiment, the use of the drawing format and the authority to edit or delete a drawing based on the drawing format can be controlled by the second user attribute for creation shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] A "connection specification" is data indicating the specification of the connection between design objects, which can be defined on a drawing based on the drawing format indicated in the drawing to be used. For example, a connection specification corresponding to a piping and instrumentation diagram is a "piping specification" indicating the specification of the piping that connects design objects. The piping specification is, for example, but not limited to, the material and bore of the piping. Also, for example, a connection specification corresponding to a wiring system diagram is a "wiring specification" indicating the specification of the wiring that connects design objects. The wiring specification is, for example, but not limited to, the type, number of cores, and diameter of the wiring. Note that the connection data between design objects is stored in the design object database as part of the design object data, as described above.

[0050] "Drawing ID" is identification data for the corresponding drawing. Each drawing stored in the drawing database is associated with a different drawing ID.

[0051] "Individual drawing name" is data indicating a name individually defined for the corresponding drawing. If the drawing format on which the drawing is based is associated with the value of the user attribute of the user who uses the design support device 10 (here, the design process in which the user is in charge) (i.e., the value of the second user attribute of creation allowed in FIG. 4 is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user), the user can edit the individual drawing name. On the other hand, if the drawing format on which the drawing is based is not associated with the value of the user attribute of the user (i.e., the value of the second user attribute of creation allowed in FIG. 4 is different from the value of the user attribute of the user), the user cannot edit the individual drawing name.

[0052] "Design object ID" is identification data for each design object added to the drawing. "Position data" is data indicating the position (for example, coordinates) of each design object on the drawing.

[0053] The control unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination of these. The processor is, for example, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 14 controls the operation of the entire design support device 10.

[0054] (Design support device operation flow) The operation of the design support device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0055] Step S100: The control unit 14 of the design support device 10 acquires information indicating the user attributes of the user who uses the design support device 10, and a drawing format that can be used by the user.

[0056] Any method may be used to acquire information indicating the user attributes of the user. For example, the control unit 14 may acquire information indicating the attributes input by the user via the operation unit 12. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may store information indicating the user attributes of all users who may use the design support device 10 in the storage unit 13 in advance, and acquire information indicating the user attributes of the user from the storage unit 13 when the login process of the user is completed in response to the operation of the user using the design support device 10.

[0057] Any method may be used to acquire a drawing format that can be used by a user who uses the design support device 10. For example, the control unit 14 may acquire a drawing format selected by the user via the operation unit 12 from the storage unit 13. Alternatively, the control unit 14 may acquire a drawing format corresponding to the acquired user attribute of the user from among a plurality of drawing formats stored in the storage unit 13 (specifically, a drawing format in which the value of the second user attribute that can be created shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user).

[0058] For example, when the value of the user attribute of the user who uses the design support device 10 is "electrical equipment design process", the acquired drawing format may be "wiring system diagram".

[0059] Step S101: The control unit 14 identifies each of the first nodes and each of the second nodes among the multiple nodes stored in the node database of the storage unit 13.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 14 identifies, among the multiple nodes, each node whose first creatable user attribute value is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user acquired in step S100 and each node whose first creatable user attribute value is "null" as the first node. The control unit 14 identifies, among the multiple nodes, each node whose referenceable user attribute value is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user as the second node.

[0061] For example, if the value of the user attribute of a user is "electrical equipment design process", among the multiple nodes shown in Figure 2, four nodes, namely, operation panel, control panel, room, and comment, whose first creatable user attribute value is "electrical equipment design process" or "null", are identified as first nodes. In addition, two nodes, namely, pump and motor-operated valve, whose referenceable user attribute value is "electrical design process", are identified as second nodes.

[0062] Step S102: The control unit 14 identifies each first design object and each second design object among the multiple design objects stored in the design object database of the memory unit 13 (hereinafter, the design objects stored in the design object database are also referred to as "existing design objects").

[0063] Specifically, the control unit 14 identifies, as the first design object, each existing design object whose base node is the first node among the multiple existing design objects. The first design object may be, for example, a design object created by the user using the design support device 10, or a design object created by another user in charge of the same design process as the user. The control unit 14 identifies, as the second design object, each existing design object whose base node is the second node among the multiple existing design objects. The second design object may be, for example, a design object created by another user in charge of a design process different from that of the user using the design support device 10.

[0064] For example, if the value of the user attribute of a user using the design support device 10 is "electrical equipment design process" and two existing design objects, a supply pump and a discharge valve, designed in an upstream "plant design process" are stored in the design object database, the supply pump and the discharge valve are identified as the second design objects, respectively, because the underlying nodes (pump and motor-operated valve) are second nodes.

[0065] Step S103: The control unit 14 outputs to the display of the display unit 11 a screen for performing design work.

[0066] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the screen includes an editing area 41, a first area 42, and a second area 43.

[0067] The editing area 41 is an area in which a design object is displayed in an editable manner, and corresponds to a drawing based on the drawing format acquired in step S100. For example, when a user using the design support device 10 creates a new drawing, the control unit 14 displays a blank drawing based on the drawing format acquired in step S100 in the editing area 41. Alternatively, when the user edits a drawing (hereinafter, also referred to as an "existing drawing") stored in the drawing database of the storage unit 13, the control unit 14 identifies, among the multiple existing drawings, each existing drawing based on the drawing format acquired in step S100, or each existing drawing in which the value of the second user attribute that can be created in FIG. 4 is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user. The control unit 14 displays, in the editing area 41, an existing drawing selected by the user from the identified one or more existing drawings in an editable manner. The control unit 14 can also delete data of the existing drawing selected by the user from the identified one or more drawings. In this way, the control unit 14 controls whether the user is allowed to use the drawing format and whether editing and deletion of each existing drawing is permitted based on the user attribute of the user and the second creation permitted user attribute of FIG.

[0068] For example, if the value of the user attribute of the user who uses the design support device 10 is "electrical equipment design process", the user can create a new drawing using the drawing format of the wiring system diagram as a basis. In addition, the user can edit and delete drawing data of, for example, "water treatment equipment wiring system diagram" for which the second user attribute that can be created in FIG. 4 is "electrical equipment design process".

[0069] The first area 42 is an area that selectively displays each of the first nodes identified in step S101 (i.e., each of the nodes, among the multiple nodes stored in the node database of the storage unit 13, for which the value of the first creatable user attribute is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user). In the first area 42, each of the first nodes is displayed in the form of a list in which text indicating the corresponding "node type" is arranged, for example, but the display manner of each of the first nodes in the first area 42 is not limited to this example.

[0070] For example, when the value of the user attribute of a user using the design support device 10 is “electrical equipment design process”, as shown in FIG. 6, the first area 42 displays four first nodes, namely, an operation panel, a control panel, a room, and a comment, among the multiple nodes shown in FIG. 2, in a selectable manner.

[0071] The second area 43 is an area that selectably displays each of the existing design objects that meets a predetermined condition among the multiple existing design objects. The predetermined condition is that the value of the first createable user attribute or the referenceable user attribute of the node that is the basis of the existing design object is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user. Therefore, the second area 43 displays each of the first design objects and each of the second design objects identified in step S102 (i.e., each of the existing design objects whose base node is the first node or the second node among the multiple existing design objects) in a selectable manner. In the second area 43, each of the first design objects and each of the second design objects is displayed in a list format in which text indicating the corresponding "individual name" is arranged, for example, but the display manner of each of the first design objects and each of the second design objects in the second area 43 is not limited to this example.

[0072] For example, when the value of the user attribute of the user who uses the design support device 10 is "electrical equipment design process" and two existing design objects, a supply pump and a discharge valve, designed in an upstream "plant design process" are stored in the design object database, the two second design objects, the supply pump and the discharge valve, are displayed in a selectable manner in the second area 43 as shown in Fig. 6. Also, for example, the control unit 14 can display each existing design object to be displayed in the second area 43 in a different color to indicate whether it is unused or used in the process itself.

[0073] Step S104: Each time a node is selected from the first area 42 in response to the user's operation on the operation unit 12, the control unit 14 adds a design object based on the selected node (hereinafter also referred to as a "new design object") to the editing area 41.

[0074] For example, when a user using design support device 10 drags and drops a desired node displayed in first area 42 into editing area 41, a new design object based on that node is added to editing area 41. In this embodiment, when a design object is added to editing area 41, control unit 14 inputs identification data of the design object into "design object ID" of the drawing data, and inputs the position (coordinates) of the design object on the drawing into "position data" of the drawing data. The position of the design object on the drawing changes, for example, when the user drags and drops the design object within editing area 41.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 14 displays the design object added to the editing area 41 in a display mode corresponding to the drawing format acquired in step S100. In detail, the control unit 14 refers to the "symbol / terminal data" and "symbol corresponding drawing" in the data of the node that is the basis of the design object added to the editing area 41, and extracts the symbol / terminal data corresponding to the drawing format acquired in step S100. The control unit 14 displays the design object in the display mode indicated by the extracted symbol / terminal data.

[0076] Step S105: The control unit 14 adds one existing design object to the editing area 41 every time the existing design object is selected from the second area 43 in response to the user's operation on the operation unit 12.

[0077] For example, when a user using the design support device 10 drags and drops a desired existing design object displayed in the second area 43 into the editing area 41, the existing design object is added to the editing area 41. As in step S104, when a design object is added to the editing area 41, the control unit 14 inputs the identification data of the design object and its position (coordinates) on the drawing into the "design object ID" and "position data" of the drawing data, respectively. The position of the design object on the drawing changes, for example, when the user drags and drops the design object within the editing area 41. As in step S104, the control unit 14 displays the design object added to the editing area 41 in a display mode corresponding to the drawing format acquired in step S100.

[0078] Step S106: The control unit 14 edits the data of the desired design object added to the editing area 41 in response to the user's operation on the operation unit 12.

[0079] In this embodiment, when editing data of a design object added to the editing area 41, the individual name, individual specifications, connection data, and inclusion data of the data of the design object can be edited.

[0080] First, the editing of the individual name will be described. The control unit 14 specifies a design object selected by an operation of a user using the design support device 10 from among one or more design objects added to the editing area 41. When the node on which the design object is based is the first node, the control unit 14 accepts an operation by the user to edit the individual name of the design object. In such a case, the user can edit the individual name of the design object, for example, by a text input operation. On the other hand, when the node on which the design object is based is not the first node, the control unit 14 does not accept an operation by the user to edit the individual name of the design object. In such a case, the user cannot edit the individual name of the design object. In this way, when another user using the design support device 10 tries to edit a part of the data of the design object created by a certain user (here, the individual name), the control unit 14 controls whether or not the other user is allowed to edit the individual name according to the user attributes of the other user.

[0081] Next, editing of the individual specification will be described. The control unit 14 specifies a design object selected by an operation of a user using the design support device 10 from among one or more design objects added to the editing area 41. The control unit 14 refers to the data of the node that is the basis of the design object, and accepts an operation by the user to edit the value of a specification whose specification-editable user attribute value is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user acquired in step S100, among one or more specifications associated with the node. In such a case, the user can define an individual specification by editing the value of the specification, for example, by a text input operation. On the other hand, the control unit 14 does not accept an operation by the user to edit the value of a specification whose specification-editable user attribute value is different from the value of the user attribute of the user. In such a case, the user cannot define an individual specification by editing the value of the specification of the design object. In this way, when another user using the design support device 10 tries to edit a part of the data of the design object created by a certain user (here, the individual specification), the control unit 14 controls whether or not the other user is allowed to edit the individual specification, depending on the user attribute of the other user.

[0082] Next, editing of the connection data will be described. When two or more design objects are added to the editing area 41, the control unit 14 accepts the user's operation to edit the connection data of the design object to be the connection source among the two or more design objects. Specifically, the control unit 14 inputs values ​​designated in the "connection source" and "connection destination" in the connection data of the design object to be the connection source in response to an operation to designate an input terminal of the design object to be the connection source and an output terminal of another design object to be the connection destination among the two or more design objects. The control unit 14 also inputs a value designated in the "connection specification" in the connection data in response to an operation to designate the connection specification of the two design objects. The control unit 14 also inputs the identification data of the drawing displayed in the editing area 41 to the "definition drawing" in the connection data.

[0083] Next, editing of the inclusion data will be described. When two or more design objects have been added to the editing area 41, the control unit 14 accepts a user's operation to edit the inclusion data of a design object selected from the two or more design objects. Specifically, in response to an operation of dragging and dropping one design object so as to overlap it on another design object in the editing area 41, the control unit 14 inputs identification data of the one design object into the "inclusion data" of the other design object.

[0084] For example, each of the plant 410, the machine room 411, and the electrical room 412 in the editing area 41 in FIG. 6 is a new design object based on the node of “room” selected from the first area 42 in response to the operation of the user. The field operation panel 413 is a new design object based on the node of “operation panel” selected from the first area 42 in response to the operation of the user. The power control panel 417 is a new design object based on the node of “control panel” selected from the first area 42 in response to the operation of the user. The correction request comment 416 is a new design object based on the node of “comment” selected from the first area 42 in response to the operation of the user. On the other hand, the supply pump 414 and the discharge valve 415 are the “supply pump” and the “discharge valve”, which are existing second design objects selected from the second area 43 in response to the operation of the user.

[0085] 6, dashed line L1 indicates the connection between the power control panel 417 and the field operation panel 413. Similarly, dashed line L2 indicates the connection between the power control panel 417 and the supply pump 414, and dashed line L3 indicates the connection between the power control panel 417 and the discharge valve 415. For example, in the design object database shown in FIG. 3, the input terminal 1 of the discharge valve is connected to the output terminal 1 of the supply pump. Here, the connection between the discharge valve and the supply pump is defined in the piping and instrumentation diagram as shown in the "definition drawing". In contrast, the drawing format on which the drawing displayed in the editing area 41 in FIG. 6 is based is a wiring system diagram, so the connection between the discharge valve 415 and the supply pump 414 is not displayed.

[0086] 6, the plant 410 includes a machine room 411 and an electrical room 412. The machine room 411 includes a local operation panel 413, a supply pump 414, a discharge valve 415, and a modification request comment 416. The electrical room 412 includes a power control panel 417.

[0087] Step S107: The control unit 14 stores the edited design object data and drawing data in the design object database and drawing database of the storage unit 13, respectively. Specifically, if the edited design object is a new design object, the control unit 14 adds new data of the design object to the design object database. Also, if the edited design object is an existing design object, the control unit 14 updates the data of the design object stored in the design object database to the edited content.

[0088] As described above, the design support device 10 according to this embodiment includes a memory unit 13 that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first user attribute that can be created, and a control unit 14 that acquires information indicating the user attributes of a user in response to a user's operation, outputs a screen including a first area 42 that selectably displays each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having the same value of the first user attribute that can be created as the user attribute of the user, and an editing area 41, adds a new design object based on a node selected from the first area 42 in response to the user's operation to the editing area 41, edits the data of the new design object added to the editing area 41 in response to the user's operation, stores the edited data of the new design object in the memory unit 13, acquires user attributes of another user in response to the operation of the other user, and controls whether or not to allow the other user to edit the data of the design object stored in the memory unit 13 in accordance with the user attributes of the other user.

[0089] According to this embodiment, for example, data of all nodes that can be used in the entire series of work processes are stored in the storage unit 13 in advance, and only nodes that can be used in the user attributes of the user who uses the design support device 10 (for example, the design process that the user is in charge of) are displayed in the first area 42, thereby reducing the occurrence of erroneous operations in each design process. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, regardless of which design process the user is in charge of, a common design method is adopted in which a design object is added based on a node and data of the design object is edited. For this reason, it is possible to implement as one design system that adopts this design method, and there is no need to use an independent design support system for each design process, for example. Therefore, it is possible to support design work including multiple design processes at a lower cost.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the display mode of a design object added to the editing area 41 changes depending on the drawing (or the design process in which the user using the design support device 10 is in charge), so when copying a design object between different types of drawings, it is possible to ensure better operability and visibility than with conventional drawings. Also, it is possible to improve work efficiency by setting hyperlinks to manuals, specifications, etc. for symbols. Furthermore, for example, the design object is defined in one place in the design object database, so inconsistencies do not occur between drawings, and the reliability of the design can be ensured.

[0091] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0092] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the design support device 10 may be distributed among a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the user attribute is a design process. However, the user attribute is not limited to the design process. For example, the user attribute may include a department (e.g., an electrical equipment design department or a mechanical design department), a job title, etc.

[0094] In the above embodiment, as described in the description of step S106, the control unit 14 of the design support device 10 may not accept the user's operation to edit at least a part of the data of the existing design object added to the editing area 41. Specifically, if the node on which the existing design object is based is not the first node, the control unit 14 does not accept the user's operation to edit the individual name of the design object. Furthermore, the control unit 14 refers to the data of the node on which the existing design object is based, and does not accept the user's operation to edit the value of a specification whose specification editable user attribute value is different from the user attribute value of the user, among one or more specifications associated with the node. In such a case, it is also possible to configure the control unit 14 to notify information regarding a request to modify the data of the existing design object to another user who is capable of editing at least a part of the data of the existing design object.

[0095] Any method can be adopted to realize the configuration. For example, when the control unit 14 does not accept a user operation to edit at least a part of the data of the existing design object (for example, "individual name" or "individual specification"), the control unit 14 refers to the data of the node that is the basis of the existing design object. The control unit 14 identifies other users who have a user attribute equal in value to the first creation-permitted user attribute of the referenced node data as other users who can edit the "individual name" of the existing design object. Alternatively, the control unit 14 identifies other users who have a user attribute equal in value to the specification-editable user attribute of the referenced node data as other users who can edit the "individual specification" of the existing design object. Then, the control unit 14 notifies the identified other users of information regarding a request to modify the data of the existing design object (for example, a message indicating that the user is requesting to modify the data of the existing design object). The notification of information may be performed, for example, by outputting the information to a display after the other user performs a login process using the design support device 10, or may be performed via email or a chat tool. The control unit 14 may notify other users of information regarding a request to modify the data of the existing design object, not only when the control unit 14 does not accept a user operation to edit at least a part of the data of the existing design object. When the data of the existing design object is updated, the control unit 14 may detect a difference between the data before and after the update, and store the difference in the data of the existing design object in the storage unit 13 as an update history of the data of the existing design object. In this case, the control unit 14 may display the update history of the data of the existing design object on the display of the display unit 11 in response to a request from any user.

[0096] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the design support device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the design support device 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Design support equipment 11 Display section 12 Control section 13 Storage section 14 Control section 41 Editing Area 410 Plant 411 Machine room 412 Electrical Room 413 Field operation panel 414 Supply Pump 415 Discharge valve 416 Comments requesting amendments 417 Power control panel 42 First area 43 Second area

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute; Acquire information indicating a user attribute, which is a design process or a department that the user is in charge of, in response to a user operation; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first createable user attribute value that is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user, and an editing area; adding a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user to the editing area; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; a control unit that acquires information indicating user attributes of the other users in response to operations of the other users, and controls whether or not the other users are allowed to edit the data of the design object stored in the storage unit in response to the user attributes of the other users; Equipped with The storage unit further stores data of a plurality of existing design objects, the screen further includes a second area that selectively displays each existing design object that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of existing design objects; The control unit is adding an existing design object selected from the second area in response to an operation by the user to the editing area; editing the data of the existing design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; A design support device that updates the data of the existing design object stored in the storage unit to post-editing content.

2. The design support device according to claim 1 , Each of the plurality of nodes is further associated with a reference-permitted user attribute having a value different from the first creation-permitted user attribute; The design support device, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that a value of a first createable user attribute or a referenceable user attribute of the underlying node is identical to a value of a user attribute of the user.

3. 3. The design support device according to claim 1, The control unit notifies information relating to a request to modify data of the existing design object added to the editing area to another user who is capable of editing the data of the existing design object.

4. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Each of the plurality of nodes is further associated with one or more specifications and a specification-editable user attribute corresponding to each specification; The design object data includes specification values ​​associated with the nodes on which the design object is based; The control unit, when editing data of a design object added to the editing area, accepts an operation by the user to edit a value of a specification whose value of a specification-editable user attribute is identical to a value of a user attribute of the user, among one or more specifications corresponding to a node that is the basis of the design object, while not accepting an operation by the user to edit a value of a specification whose value of the specification-editable user attribute is different from the value of the user attribute of the user.

5. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A design support device, wherein the value of a user attribute of the user indicates a design process that the user is responsible for among a series of design processes from upstream to downstream.

6. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The storage unit further stores data of a plurality of drawing formats, The control unit is Obtaining a drawing format that can be used by a user from among the plurality of drawing formats; A design support device that determines a display mode of the design object added to the editing area according to the acquired drawing format.

7. The design support device according to claim 6, A second user attribute that can be created is associated with each of the plurality of drawing formats, the second user attribute indicating a user attribute that can use the drawing format and edit and delete a drawing created based on the drawing format; the storage unit further stores data of a plurality of existing drawings, each of which is based on one of the plurality of drawing formats; The control unit is Among the plurality of drawing formats, a drawing format having a second user attribute value that is the same as a user attribute value of the user is acquired as a drawing format available to the user; A design support device that controls whether the user is permitted to edit and delete each of the plurality of existing drawings based on a user attribute of the user and the second creation permitted user attribute.

8. The design support device according to claim 6 or 7, A design support device, wherein each of the plurality of drawing formats is associated with data indicating connection specifications between design objects that can be defined on a drawing based on the drawing format.

9. The design support device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A design support device, wherein the data of the design object includes data indicating individual specifications of the design object, and connection data indicating a connection relationship between the design object and other design objects.

10. A control method for a design support apparatus including a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute, and a control unit, comprising: The control unit: Acquiring information indicating a user attribute, which is a design process or a department to which the user belongs, in response to an operation by the user; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first createable user attribute value that is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user, and an editing area; adding to the editing area a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; and acquiring information indicating user attributes of the other users in response to operations of the other users, and controlling whether or not the other users are permitted to edit the data of the design object stored in the storage unit in response to the user attributes of the other users; A control method comprising: The storage unit further stores data of a plurality of existing design objects, the screen further includes a second area that selectively displays each existing design object that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of existing design objects; The control method includes: adding an existing design object selected from the second area in response to an operation by the user to the editing area; Editing the data of the existing design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; and The control method further includes updating data of the existing design object stored in the storage unit with edited content.

11. A computer including a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of nodes each associated with a first creation permitted user attribute, Acquiring information indicating a user attribute, which is a design process or a department to which the user belongs, in response to an operation by the user; outputting, to a display, a screen including a first area for selectively displaying each node among the plurality of nodes, the node having a first createable user attribute value that is the same as the value of the user attribute of the user, and an editing area; adding to the editing area a design object based on a node selected from the first area in response to an operation by the user; editing the data of the design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; storing the edited data of the design object in the storage unit; and acquiring information indicating user attributes of the other users in response to operations of the other users, and controlling whether or not the other users are permitted to edit the data of the design object stored in the storage unit in response to the user attributes of the other users; A program for causing a program to execute The storage unit further stores data of a plurality of existing design objects, the screen further includes a second area that selectively displays each existing design object that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of existing design objects; The program causes the computer to adding an existing design object selected from the second area in response to an operation by the user to the editing area; Editing the data of the existing design object added to the editing area in response to an operation by the user; and The program further causes the program to update the data of the existing design object stored in the storage unit to post-editing content.

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