Design assistance system, design assistance method, and design assistance program

Abstract

This design assistance system: acquires input data including a starting material identifier for each of a plurality of designated starting materials; refers to starting material data indicating, for each of a plurality of starting materials, a combination of the starting material identifier of the starting material and a category identifier of a category to which the starting material belongs, so as to specify the category of each of the plurality of designated starting materials; uses the category identifier to specify, from one or more constraint expression templates which each describe a constraint related to mixing starting materials, one constraint expression template corresponding to the specified one or more categories; and applies the input data to the specified constraint expression template so as to generate a constraint expression related to mixing the plurality of designated starting materials as a unique constraint expression.

Description

Design support system, design support method, and design support program

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a product design device that determines design values ​​for components that make up a product so as to satisfy requirements for the product. This device includes a design processing unit that determines multiple design values ​​for multiple components so as to satisfy multiple requirements by using Bayesian optimization of a multi-point search with the requirements as objective variables and the components as explanatory variables, and an output unit that outputs the multiple design values ​​determined by the design processing unit.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-52737

[0004] When conducting experiments or designing products, it is sometimes necessary to set unique constraints for a specific group of raw materials. Setting these constraints can be cumbersome and require the designer's expertise. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism to easily generate such constraints.

[0005] A design support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor, and the at least one processor acquires input data including ingredient identifiers for each of a plurality of specified ingredients, identifies a category for each of the plurality of specified ingredients by referring to ingredient data indicating, for each of the plurality of ingredients, a combination of the ingredient identifier of the ingredient and the category identifier of the category to which the ingredient belongs, identifies one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates that describe constraints on ingredient blending using the category identifier, and applies the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blending of the plurality of specified ingredients as unique constraint expressions.

[0006] In this aspect, a constraint expression specific to input data indicating a specified ingredient is generated using ingredient data indicating a combination of an ingredient identifier and a category identifier and a constraint expression template described using the category identifier. By introducing a constraint expression template generalized by the concept of ingredient category, it becomes possible to easily generate a constraint expression specific to a specific group of ingredients.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a unique constraint equation for a specific group of ingredients can be easily generated.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a design support system; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a raw material database; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a template database; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a constraint equation database; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the design support system; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of generation of unique constraint equations; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of generation of unique constraint equations.

[0009] Various examples of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] [System Configuration] The design support system according to the present disclosure is a computer system that supports the generation of unique constraint equations (unique constraint equations) that indicate one or more unique constraints regarding the blending of a specific group of raw materials. The unique constraint equations can be used in various calculations performed for various purposes, such as experiments and product design. For example, the unique constraint equations may be used in calculations aimed at generating blend amounts of raw materials that satisfy a specific goal. The design support system generates the unique constraint equations based on a constraint equation template that describes constraints based on raw material categories and multiple raw materials (specified raw materials) specified by the user. The constraint equation template can be considered to be information that generically describes constraints based on raw material categories. By introducing such a generalized constraint equation template, it becomes possible to easily generate unique constraint equations for a specific group of raw materials.

[0011] A design support system is composed of one or more computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet to logically construct a single design support system.

[0012] A computer constituting a design support system generally comprises a processor, memory, and a communication interface as hardware devices. The processor is, for example, a CPU, and the memory is composed of a flash memory, a hard disk, etc. Each function of the design support system is realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. The computer may further comprise input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and output devices such as a monitor and speakers.

[0013] A design support program for causing a computer to function as a design support system includes program code for implementing each functional module of the design support system. This design support program may be provided in a state where it is non-temporarily recorded on a tangible recording medium, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the design support program may be provided via a communications network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave. The provided design support program is recorded in, for example, a memory.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an example design support system 10. In this example, the design support system 10 is connected to a raw material database 21, a template database 22, a constraint equation database 23, and a user terminal 30 via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0015] The raw material database 21 is a device that stores raw material data related to raw materials. For each of a plurality of raw materials, the raw material data indicates a combination of a raw material identifier that is an identifier that uniquely identifies the raw material and a category identifier that is an identifier that uniquely identifies the category to which the raw material belongs. The template database 22 is a device that stores one or more constraint equation templates that describe constraints related to the raw material blending using category identifiers. The constraint equation database 23 is a device that stores the generated unique constraint equations. Any of the raw material database 21, template database 22, and constraint equation database 23 may be provided in a computer system different from the design support system 10, or may be components of the design support system 10.

[0016] The user terminal 30 is a computer used by a user of the design support system 10. The user terminal 30 may be any of various computers, such as a personal computer, a workstation, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a wearable terminal.

[0017] The design support system 10 includes a processor 101. In one example, the processor 101 functions as an acquisition unit 11, a category identification unit 12, a template identification unit 13, a constraint equation generation unit 14, and a calculation unit 15. The acquisition unit 11 is a functional module that acquires input data including ingredient identifiers for each of a plurality of designated ingredients designated by a user. The category identification unit 12 is a functional module that identifies a category for each of the plurality of designated ingredients. The template identification unit 13 is a functional module that identifies one constraint equation template corresponding to one or more identified categories. The constraint equation generation unit 14 is a functional module that applies the input data to the identified constraint equation template to generate constraint equations related to the blending of the plurality of designated ingredients as inherent constraint equations. The calculation unit 15 is a functional module that executes calculations using the inherent constraint equations.

[0018] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the raw material database 21. In this example, each data record of the raw material data includes a raw material identifier and raw material attributes. The raw material attributes are information that indicates the characteristics or properties of the raw material. The raw material attributes include at least a category identifier as a data item. The raw material attributes may further include one or more physical property parameters such as specific gravity, non-volatile ratio, epoxy equivalent, amine equivalent, etc. as data items.

[0019] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the template database 22. In this example, the template database 22 stores template data 22a and map data 22b.

[0020] The template data 22a is data indicating one or more constraint expression templates. Each data record of the template data includes a constraint expression template indicating one or more constraints, and a template ID that is an identifier that uniquely identifies the constraint expression template.

[0021] The constraint template with template ID "T001" indicates three constraints. The first constraint, "sum({polymer}) = 20," is a constraint that the sum of the amounts of one or more polymers mixed is 20. The first constraint is described using the category identifier "polymer." The second constraint, "sum({monomer}) = 30," is a constraint that the sum of the amounts of one or more monomers mixed is 30. The second constraint is described using the category identifier "monomer." The third constraint, "sum({polymer, monomer, filler}) = 100," is a constraint that the sum of the amounts of one or more polymers, one or more monomers, and one or more fillers mixed is 100. The third constraint is described using the category identifiers "polymer," "monomer," and "filler."

[0022] The constraint template with template ID "T002" indicates three constraints. The first constraint, "sum({polymer * non-volatile ratio}) = 20," is a constraint that the sum of the blend amounts of one or more polymers that remain without volatilizing is 20. The first constraint is described using the category identifier "polymer" and the physical property parameter "non-volatile ratio." The second constraint, "sum({monomer * non-volatile ratio}) = 30," is a constraint that the sum of the blend amounts of one or more monomers that remain without volatilizing is 30. The second constraint is described using the category identifier "monomer" and the physical property parameter "non-volatile ratio." The third constraint, "sum({polymer, monomer, filler} * non-volatile ratio}) = 100," is a constraint that the sum of the blend amounts of one or more polymers, one or more monomers, and one or more fillers that remain without volatilizing is 100. The third constraint is described using the category identifiers "polymer," "monomer," and "filler," and the physical property parameter "non-volatile ratio."

[0023] The constraint template with template ID "T003" indicates two constraints. The first constraint, "sum({epoxy resin / epoxy equivalent}) / sum({hardener / amine equivalent}) = 1," specifies that Se / Sh = 1, where Se is the sum of the ratios of the amounts of one or more epoxy resins to the epoxy equivalent, and Sh is the sum of the ratios of the amounts of one or more hardener resins to the amine equivalent. The first constraint is described using the category identifiers "epoxy resin" and "hardener" and the physical property parameters "epoxy equivalent" and "amine equivalent." The second constraint, "sum({epoxy resin, hardener, filler}) = 100," specifies that the sum of the amounts of one or more epoxy resins, one or more hardeners, and one or more fillers is 100. The second constraint is described using the category identifiers "epoxy resin," "hardener," and "filler."

[0024] The constraint template with template ID "T004" indicates two constraints. The first constraint, "sum({filler / specific gravity}) / sum({epoxy resin, hardener, filler} / specific gravity) > 0.7," satisfies Sf / St > 0.7, where Sf is the sum of the ratios of the compounding amounts of one or more fillers to their specific gravity, and St is the sum of the ratios of the compounding amounts of one or more epoxy resins, one or more hardeners, and one or more fillers to their specific gravity. The first constraint is described using the category identifiers "filler," "epoxy resin," and "hardener," and the physical property parameter "specific gravity." The second constraint, "sum({epoxy resin, hardener, filler}) = 100," satisfies the constraint that the sum of the compounding amounts of one or more epoxy resins, one or more hardeners, and one or more fillers is 100. The second constraint is described using the category identifiers "epoxy resin," "hardener," and "filler."

[0025] The map data 22b is data indicating the correspondence between multiple ingredients, multiple categories, and one or more constraint expression templates. In the example of FIG. 3, each data record in the map data 22b indicates a constraint expression ID, which is an identifier that uniquely identifies a unique generation expression, a ingredient identifier of the ingredient (designated ingredient) used in the unique constraint expression, and a template ID of the constraint expression template used to generate the unique constraint expression. Check marks conveniently indicate the ingredients used in the unique generation expression. For example, FIG. 3 indicates that the unique constraint expression "C003" was generated based on six types of ingredients and the constraint expression template "T001." The ingredient category is identified by referencing the ingredient database 21 and finding the category identifier corresponding to the ingredient identifier. Therefore, the map data 22b indicates the correspondence between multiple ingredients, multiple categories, and one or more constraint expression templates.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the constraint database 23. In this example, each data record of the constraint data includes a unique constraint indicating one or more unique constraints, a constraint ID of the unique constraint, a template ID of a constraint template used to generate the unique constraint, and a usage history of the unique constraint. The usage history may be recorded by the user of the unique constraint or the date and time of use, or by the identifier of the experiment in which the unique constraint was used. FIG. 4 shows that constraint "C001" was generated using constraint template "T001", and constraint "C002" was generated using constraint template "T003".

[0027] The data structure of each database is not limited to the above examples, and other data structures may be adopted by normalizing or denormalizing the database.

[0028] [System Operation] An example of processing by the design support system 10 and an example of a design support method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the example as a processing flow S1.

[0029] In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires input data. The acquisition unit 11 may receive the input data transmitted from the user terminal 30. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 may access a predetermined storage device in response to a user operation on the user terminal and read the input data from the storage device. The input data includes at least ingredient identifiers for each of multiple designated ingredients specified by the user. The input data may further include physical property values ​​corresponding to physical property parameters for at least one designated ingredient.

[0030] In step S12, the category identification unit 12 identifies the category of each of the multiple designated ingredients indicated by the input data by referring to the ingredient data in the ingredient database 21. For each of the multiple designated ingredients, the category identification unit 12 identifies a category identifier corresponding to the ingredient identifier of the designated ingredient.

[0031] In step S13, the template specifying unit 13 extracts, from one or more constraint expression templates in the template database 22, constraint expression templates that correspond to the one or more specified categories.

[0032] In one example, the template specifying unit 13 extracts a constraint expression template in which a constraint is described using the specified one or more category identifiers from one or more constraint expression templates in the template data 22a.

[0033] Alternatively, the template identification unit 13 refers to map data 22b and extracts one or more template IDs that correspond to multiple designated ingredients (ingredient identifiers) included in the input data and the one or more identified categories (category identifiers). In one example, the template identification unit 13 calculates, for each of multiple template IDs in map data 22b that correspond to the one or more identified categories, the distance (data distance) between the multiple designated ingredients and the one or more ingredients corresponding to the template ID. For example, the template identification unit 13 calculates the number of ingredients that match the designated ingredients among the one or more ingredients corresponding to the template ID as the degree of match, and calculates the value of "1 / (degree of match)" as the data distance. Then, the template identification unit 13 extracts one or more template IDs with relatively small data distances from map data 22b. In one example, for each of multiple template IDs in map data 22b that correspond to the one or more identified categories, the template identification unit 13 calculates the frequency of use, such as the number of users, the number of days of use, and the number of experiments, based on the use history corresponding to the template ID. The template identification unit 13 may then correct the inter-data distance for each template ID using a function that reduces the inter-data distance as the use frequency increases. The template identification unit 13 may then extract one or more template IDs for which the corrected inter-data distance is relatively small from the map data 22b. The template identification unit 13 extracts one or more constraint equation templates from the template data 22a that correspond to the extracted one or more template IDs.

[0034] In step S14, the template identification unit 13 presents at least one extracted constraint expression template to the user. The template identification unit 13 generates query data indicating the constraint expression template and transmits the query data to the user terminal 30. This transmission is an example of a process of presenting the extracted constraint expression template to the user. The user terminal 30 receives and displays the query data.

[0035] In step S15, the template identification unit 13 identifies one constraint expression template selected by the user. The user checks the extracted constraint expression templates and selects one constraint expression template. The user terminal 30 generates response data indicating the selected constraint expression template and transmits the response data to the design support system 10. The template identification unit 13 receives the response data and identifies the selected constraint expression template.

[0036] In step S16, the constraint equation generation unit 14 applies the input data to the identified constraint equation template to generate a unique constraint equation. One example of this application is substitution. For example, the constraint equation generation unit 14 substitutes a variable related to the blend of the corresponding designated ingredients for each category identifier in the constraint equation template. This variable indicates, for example, the blend amount. If necessary, the constraint equation generation unit 14 substitutes the physical property value of the corresponding designated ingredient for each physical property parameter in the constraint equation template.

[0037] In step S17, the constraint equation generation unit 14 stores the unique constraint equation in the constraint equation database 23. The constraint equation generation unit 14 generates a new data record of constraint equation data by associating a new constraint equation ID, the generated unique constraint equation, and the template ID of the identified constraint equation template. The constraint equation generation unit 14 stores the data record in the constraint equation database 23. The initial value of the usage history of the new data record is a null value (null). The constraint equation generation unit 14 further associates the constraint equation ID, multiple specified raw materials, and the template ID to generate a new data record of the map data 22b. The constraint equation generation unit 14 stores the data record in the template database 22.

[0038] In step S18, the calculation unit 15 executes a calculation using the generated inherent constraint equation. In one example, the calculation unit 15 executes the calculation in response to an execution instruction from the user terminal 30 based on a user operation. Examples of calculations include experimental design and optimization. The calculation unit 15 outputs the calculation result. For example, the calculation unit 15 may transmit the calculation result to the user terminal 30 or may store it in a predetermined storage device. The calculation unit 15 accesses the constraint equation database 23 and registers a record of its use in the usage history of the data record corresponding to the inherent constraint equation used in the calculation.

[0039] The unique constraints stored in the constraint database 23 can be reused by the same user or different users. For example, unique constraints generated by a user with know-how can be used by other users. As a result, experiments and product design can be carried out more efficiently. The user may modify the generated unique constraints, and the design support system 10 may store the modified unique constraints in the constraint database 23.

[0040] An example of the process flow S1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 are both diagrams showing an example of generating unique constraint equations.

[0041] 6 shows an example of generating the constraint expression "C001" shown in FIG. 4 from the constraint expression template "T001" shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires input data including raw material identifiers for three polymers, three monomers, and two fillers (step S11). The category identification unit 12 identifies "polymer" as the category of the three polymers, "monomer" as the category of the three monomers, and "filler" as the category of the two fillers (step S12). The template identification unit 13 extracts at least one constraint expression template corresponding to the three identified categories, and finally identifies the constraint expression template "T001" selected by the user (steps S13 to S15).

[0042] The constraint equation generation unit 14 applies the input data to the constraint equation template "T001" to generate a unique constraint equation "C001" (step S16). The constraint equation generation unit 14 sets the variable for the blending amount of each polymer to the argument "{polymer}" of the first constraint, and sets the variable for the blending amount of each monomer to the argument "{monomer}" of the second constraint. Furthermore, the constraint equation generation unit 14 sets the variables for the blending amounts of each polymer, each monomer, and each filler to the argument "{polymer, monomer, filler}" of the third constraint. The constraint equation generation unit 14 stores the unique constraint equation "C001" generated by these settings in the constraint equation database 23 (step S17). The calculation unit 15 executes calculations using the unique constraint equation "C001" in response to an execution instruction from the user terminal 30 (step S18).

[0043] FIG. 7 shows an example of generating the constraint expression "C002" shown in FIG. 4 from the constraint expression template "T003" shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the acquisition unit 11 acquires input data including raw material identifiers for two epoxy resins, two curing agents, and one filler, as well as the epoxy equivalent weight of each epoxy resin and the amine equivalent weight of each curing agent (step S11). The category identification unit 12 identifies "epoxy resin" as the category of the two epoxy resins, "curing agent" as the category of the two curing agents, and "filler" as the category of the one filler (step S12). The template identification unit 13 extracts at least one constraint expression template corresponding to the three identified categories, and finally identifies the constraint expression template "T003" selected by the user (steps S13 to S15).

[0044] The constraint equation generation unit 14 applies the input data to the constraint equation template "T003" to generate a unique constraint equation "C002" (step S16). The constraint equation generation unit 14 sets the blending amount variables and epoxy equivalents for each epoxy resin to the argument "{epoxy resin / epoxy equivalent}" of the first constraint, and sets the blending amount variables and amine equivalents for each curing agent to the argument "{curing agent / amine equivalent}" of the first constraint. Furthermore, the constraint equation generation unit 14 sets the blending amount variables for each epoxy resin, each curing agent, and each filler to the argument "{epoxy resin, curing agent, filler}" of the second constraint. The constraint equation generation unit 14 stores the unique constraint equation "C002" generated by these settings in the constraint equation database 23 (step S17). The calculation unit 15 executes calculations using the unique constraint equation "C002" in response to an execution instruction from the user terminal 30 (step S18).

[0045] [Modifications] The technology according to the present disclosure has been described in detail above based on various examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. The technology according to the present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.

[0046] The design support system according to the present disclosure does not need to include a calculation unit, that is, a computer system different from the design support system may execute calculations using the unique constraint equations.

[0047] In the above example, the template specifying unit 13 specifies the constraint expression template selected by the user. As another example, the template specifying unit 13 may automatically specify one constraint expression template without asking the user.

[0048] In the above example, the design support system is constructed as a server in a client-server system. As another example, the design support system may be implemented in a stand-alone computer. Alternatively, the design support system may be implemented in a user terminal that can access predetermined databases such as the raw material database, template database, and constraint database via a communication network.

[0049] The processing steps of the method executed by at least one processor are not limited to the above examples. For example, some of the above steps may be omitted, or the steps may be executed in a different order. Furthermore, any two or more of the above steps may be combined, or some of the steps may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to the above steps.

[0050] In the present disclosure, when comparing the magnitude of two numerical values, either of the two criteria "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" may be used, or either of the two criteria "less than or equal to" and "less than" may be used.

[0051] In the present disclosure, the expression "at least one processor executes a first process, executes a second process, ... executes an nth process" or an expression corresponding thereto indicates a concept including a case where the entity executing the n processes from the first process to the nth process, i.e., the processor, changes midway through. In other words, this expression indicates a concept including both a case where all n processes are executed by the same processor and a case where the processor changes among the n processes according to an arbitrary policy.

[0052] [Supplementary Notes] As can be seen from the various examples above, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. (Supplementary Note 1) A design support system comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor: acquires input data including ingredient identifiers for each of a plurality of designated ingredients, identifies, for each of the plurality of designated ingredients, a category for each of the plurality of designated ingredients by referring to ingredient data indicating a combination of the ingredient identifier for the ingredient and a category identifier for a category to which the ingredient belongs, identifies one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates that describe constraints on ingredient blends using the category identifier, and applies the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blends of the plurality of designated ingredients as unique constraint expressions. (Supplementary Note 2) The design support system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the at least one processor executes a calculation using the unique constraint expression. (Supplementary Note 3) The design support system according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from the one or more constraint templates, presents the extracted at least one constraint template to a user, and identifies the one constraint template selected by the user. (Supplementary Note 4) The design support system according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint template corresponding to the input data and the identified one or more categories from the one or more constraint templates based on map data indicating correspondence between the plurality of raw materials, the plurality of categories, and the one or more constraint templates. (Supplementary Note 5) The design support system according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint template corresponding to the input data and the identified one or more categories based on the map data and the frequency of use of each of the one or more constraint templates.(Supplementary Note 6) A design support method executed by a design support system having at least one processor, comprising: a step of acquiring input data including raw material identifiers of each of a plurality of designated raw materials; a step of identifying, for each of the plurality of designated raw materials, a category of each of the plurality of designated raw materials by referring to raw material data indicating a combination of the raw material identifier of the raw material and a category identifier of a category to which the raw material belongs; a step of identifying one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates that describe constraints on raw material blending using the category identifier; and a step of applying the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blending of the plurality of designated raw materials as unique constraint expressions. (Supplementary Note 7) A design support program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring input data including ingredient identifiers for each of a plurality of designated ingredients; identifying, for each of the plurality of ingredients, a category for each of the plurality of designated ingredients by referring to ingredient data indicating a combination of the ingredient identifier of the ingredient and the category identifier of the category to which the ingredient belongs; identifying one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates that describe constraints on ingredient blends using the category identifiers; and applying the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blends of the plurality of designated ingredients as unique constraint expressions.

[0053] According to Supplements 1, 6, and 7, a constraint expression specific to input data indicating a specified ingredient is generated using ingredient data indicating a combination of an ingredient identifier and a category identifier and a constraint expression template described using the category identifier. By introducing a generalized constraint expression template based on the concept of ingredient category, it becomes possible to easily generate a constraint expression specific to a specific group of ingredients. For example, even a user with relatively little knowledge or know-how can generate a constraint expression.

[0054] According to Supplementary Note 2, a series of processes including post-processing using the generated unique constraint equations can be carried out efficiently.

[0055] According to Supplementary Note 3, candidates for constraint expression templates are automatically extracted and presented to the user, so that the user can easily select a desired constraint expression template.

[0056] According to Supplementary Note 4, by referring to the map data, it is possible to efficiently extract constraint expression templates that are likely to be selected by the user, which can contribute to improving the function (user interface) that allows the user to select a constraint expression template.

[0057] According to Supplementary Note 5, by taking into consideration the frequency of use of constraint expression templates, it is possible to efficiently extract constraint expression templates that are likely to be selected by the user. This can contribute to improving the function (user interface) that allows the user to select a constraint expression template.

[0058] 10...design support system, 11...acquisition unit, 12...category identification unit, 13...template identification unit, 14...constraint equation generation unit, 15...calculation unit, 21...raw material database, 22...template database, 22a...template data, 22b...map data, 23...constraint equation database, 30...user terminal.

Claims

1. A design support system comprising at least one processor, which acquires input data including a raw material identifier for each of a plurality of designated raw materials, identifies, for each of the plurality of designated raw materials, a category for each of the plurality of designated raw materials by referring to raw material data indicating a combination of the raw material identifier of the raw material and a category identifier of a category to which the raw material belongs, identifies one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates describing constraints on raw material blending using the category identifier, and generates constraint expressions on the blending of the plurality of designated raw materials as unique constraint expressions by applying the input data to the identified constraint expression template.

2. The design support system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one processor executes a calculation using said inherent constraint equation.

3. The design support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from the one or more constraint templates, presents the extracted at least one constraint template to a user, and identifies the one constraint template selected by the user.

4. The design support system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint expression template corresponding to the input data and the identified one or more categories from the one or more constraint expression templates based on map data indicating the correspondence between the multiple raw materials, the multiple categories, and the one or more constraint expression templates.

5. The design support system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one processor extracts at least one constraint template corresponding to the input data and the identified one or more categories based on the map data and a frequency of use of each of the one or more constraint templates.

6. A design support method executed by a design support system having at least one processor, comprising: a step of acquiring input data including a raw material identifier for each of a plurality of designated raw materials; a step of identifying a category for each of the plurality of designated raw materials by referring to raw material data indicating a combination of the raw material identifier of the raw material and a category identifier of a category to which the raw material belongs, using the category identifier to identify one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates describing constraints on raw material blending; and a step of applying the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blending of the plurality of designated raw materials as unique constraint expressions.

7. A design support program that causes a computer to execute the steps of: acquiring input data including a raw material identifier for each of a plurality of designated raw materials; identifying a category for each of the plurality of designated raw materials by referring to raw material data indicating a combination of the raw material identifier of the raw material and a category identifier of the category to which the raw material belongs, using the category identifier to identify one constraint expression template corresponding to the identified one or more categories from one or more constraint expression templates that describe constraints on raw material blending; and applying the input data to the identified constraint expression template to generate constraint expressions on the blending of the plurality of designated raw materials as unique constraint expressions.

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