JPH09198291A - Concurrent engineering support system and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support flexible concurrent engineering by leading out other engineering information to be influenced by the change of one engineering information stored in a data base when the one engineering information is changed. SOLUTION: When one engineering information stored in the database 3 is changed based upon at least one information out of a tool information stored in an engineering tool information storing part 8, a database information stored in a database information storing part 5 and a user information stored in a user information storing part 7, other engineering information to be influenced by the changed engineering information is led out. Consequently flexible concurrent engineering considering the level of influence of a change in a certain data upon other work can be supported under a condition frequently generating a non-routine and return process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus and a support method for supporting concurrent engineering.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a support for collaborative engineering in a distributed database / knowledge base environment,
For example, there is a method of providing a shared database with a global schema as shown in FIG. Each engineering tool can carry out its work using its database, and it is possible to maintain consistency by centrally managing the data. However,
In order to actually use this method, it is necessary to predefine all data schemas, and it is necessary to presuppose that duplicate data of semantically equivalent data is not allowed.
It is difficult to build a large-scale integrated database environment to support various engineering.

Therefore, in recent years, techniques called multi-database and active database have been attracting attention. This multi-database is an existing database that is designed and operated individually to some extent, has a processing function that allows the duplication of semantically equivalent data and guarantees mutual consistency (see FIG. 34 (b)). ). In addition, the active database describes constraints and procedures for the spread of changes in the data itself.

There is also a technique such as a workflow which supports a coordinated work of a plurality of users by having a process model describing an engineering process (work flow) and controlling the work flow. It has been proposed (see FIG. 34 (c)).

However, in a field in which a large-scale object such as plant engineering is handled and the work contents are various, there are the following problems. That is, (1) it is difficult to define a uniform schema because the work contents in each process are diverse. (2) Since the work process is atypical and inherently includes frequent backtracking processes, it is extremely difficult to model it. (3) The data for engineering includes uncertain data at the stage of starting the work, and is gradually refined throughout the entire work cycle. (4) Since a small change in the upstream process swells to a tens of times in the downstream, the damage when the consistency is maintained due to incorrect data input is great. There is a problem such as. Therefore, cooperative engineering support is practically difficult with the above-described conventional techniques.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional engineering support, there are the following problems particularly in the field where a large-scale object such as plant engineering is handled and the work contents are diverse. . That is, (1) it is difficult to define a uniform schema because the work contents in each process are diverse. (2) Since the work process is atypical and inherently includes frequent backtracking processes, it is extremely difficult to model it. (3) The data for engineering includes uncertain data at the stage of starting the work, and is gradually refined throughout the entire work cycle. (4) Since a small change in the upstream process swells to a tens of times in the downstream, the damage when the consistency is maintained due to incorrect data input is great. There is a problem such as. Therefore, cooperative engineering support is practically difficult with the above-described conventional techniques.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in a situation where an atypical and backtracking process frequently occurs that cannot be handled by the description of the process model or the global schema, the change of a certain data has a great influence on the other work. An object of the present invention is to provide a device that supports flexible concurrent engineering in consideration of security.

[0008]

The present invention has the following two features.
Based on one basic recognition, we realize intelligent and flexible concurrent engineering support. (Basic recognition 1) For intelligent and flexible concurrent engineering support, ancillary data plays an important role rather than the data itself.

(Basic recognition 2) Key components in a distributed database / knowledge base environment are 1) database 2) engineering tool 3) user.

Further, based on these two recognitions, in particular,
Predetermined information such as user information, tool information and database information is used. That is, the user information is grasped from the viewpoint of static data and dynamic data. Specifically, static data: name, login name, organization information, department data, position, role, work pattern, qualification, background, book, hobby Dynamic data: tools in use, tool usage history, database used, Use the access history of the database.

As for the tool information, the tool name,
The target database type, commands to be issued, upstream / downstream relationships between tools, etc. are used. Further, regarding the database information, the revision management information, the degree of confirmation of data, the data change history, the degree of influence of each data on others, etc. are used.

According to the present invention, the predetermined information is detected, each information is appropriately combined and analyzed, and the user is notified and the data is processed, so that the appropriate and flexible change in the information change can be achieved. Concurrent engineering that realizes advanced security based on information such as notification, impact prediction, version, revision, data approval / responsibility, access rights, etc., and enables efficient work support by manipulating data including uncertainty. Provide a support device.

That is, the present invention relates to a database to be accessed by the engineering tool in a concurrent engineering support system for performing engineering by an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work by using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated. Tool information storage means for storing information, database information storage means for storing information on a database corresponding to the engineering work, user information storage means for storing information on a user who uses the engineering tool, the tool information, Based on at least one of the database information and the user information,
Concurrent engineering, characterized in that, when one piece of engineering information stored in the database is changed, the related information deriving means derives other engineering information that is affected by the change in the one engineering information. It is a support system.

The related information deriving means of the present invention is
An influence degree calculating means for calculating the degree of influence of a change in one engineering information on another engineering information is provided.

Further, the related information deriving means of the present invention is
A notification unit for notifying the other engineering information to the user who is related to the derived other engineering information is provided.

Further, the related information deriving means of the present invention is
User selection means for selecting a user related to the derived other engineering information by using a predetermined knowledge base is provided.

Further, the present invention relates to a database to be accessed by the engineering tool in a concurrent engineering support system for performing engineering with an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work by using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated. Tool information storage means for storing information, database information storage means for storing information on a database corresponding to the engineering work, user information storage means for storing information on a user who uses the engineering tool, and accumulation in the database Means for calculating the degree of certainty of the data that constitutes the engineering information, and at least the tool information, the database information, and the user information. Based on one of the information and said determined degree of a concurrent engineering support system characterized by comprising the uncertain information access means for performing access to the uncertain engineering information.

The concurrent engineering support system further comprises an information presenting means for presenting other engineering information derived by the related information deriving means to the user.

Here, the user information of the present invention includes dynamic user information composed of data grasped from a dynamic viewpoint for the user. Further, the present invention provides a means for extracting knowledge about a work tendency for the target engineering work based on the dynamic user information, and information presentation according to each user based on the knowledge extracted by this means. And a customizing means for performing.

On the other hand, when the present invention is grasped from the viewpoint of the method invention, the present invention uses a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated and supports concurrent engineering support for performing engineering by an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work. In the method, one stored in the database based on tool information about a database to be accessed by the engineering tool, database information about a database corresponding to the engineering work, and user information about a user who uses the engineering tool. When the engineering information of the one is changed, another engineering information which is influenced by the change of the one engineering information is derived. A-engineering support method.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that when deriving other engineering information, the degree of influence of a change in one engineering information on another engineering information is calculated.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, when deriving the other engineering information, the user is notified of the other engineering information related to the derived other engineering information.

Further, according to the present invention, when deriving other engineering information, the related information deriving means selects a user related to the derived other engineering information by using a predetermined knowledge base. Characterize.

Further, the present invention relates to a database to be accessed by the engineering tool in a concurrent engineering support method for performing engineering with an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work by using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated. Holds tool information, database information about a database corresponding to the engineering work, and user information about a user who uses the engineering tool, and calculates the degree of certainty of data that constitutes the engineering information accumulated in the database, At least one of the tool information, the database information, and the user information
A method for supporting concurrent engineering, characterized in that uncertain engineering information is accessed based on one piece of information and the degree of certainty.

Further, this concurrent engineering support method is characterized in that other engineering information derived as the related information is presented to the user.
Here, the user information of the present invention is characterized in that it includes dynamic user information constituted by data grasped from a dynamic point of view to the user.

Further, according to the present invention, knowledge about the work tendency for the target engineering work is extracted based on the dynamic user information, and information is presented according to each user based on the extracted knowledge. Characterized by customizing to do.

[0027]

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a concurrent engineering support device according to the present invention. In the distributed database / knowledge base environment, a plurality of users operate the engineering tool 1 suitable for each work synchronously or asynchronously to access the engineering database 3 via the network 2 to read data or Accumulate results.

While the user is operating the engineering tool 1, the database information search unit 4 detects additional information and stores it in the database information storage unit 5. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of ancillary information regarding a database obtained via the network 2. As shown in the figure, as the additional information, there are revision management information of the database, the degree of confirmation of the data, the data change history, and the degree of influence of each data on others.

The user information detector 6 detects two types of additional information about the user, that is, dynamic data and static data, and stores them in the user information storage 7. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing additional information about the user. As shown in the figure, as the dynamic data of the auxiliary information about the user who is currently operating, there are tools in use, issued commands, tool usage history, usage database, and access history. Further, as static data of the user, there are a name, a login name, organization information, department data, post, role, work pattern, qualification, background, book, hobby, and the like. These pieces of information are not uniquely defined and are arbitrarily defined by the user from a general viewpoint.

The engineering tool information storage unit 8 is
Information on individual engineering tools is accumulated. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information about the engineering tool. As shown in the figure, the engineering tool information includes a tool name, a target database type, an issued command, and upstream / downstream relationships between tools.

The engineering information analysis unit 9 mainly provides the following four functions by extracting and analyzing the information related to engineering in the distributed database / knowledge base environment described above via the network 11. (1) In order to spread the change appropriately and flexibly in the information change, the engineering database 3 is used as necessary.
Access to. (2) When the information is changed, the information for notifying the change or the influence prediction due to the change is generated, and the data is sent to the engineering information display unit 10. (3) Information such as revision, data approval / responsibility, and access right is used multidimensionally to generate information for realizing fine security, and the data is sent to the engineering information display unit 10. (4) Essentially, information for realizing efficient operation of data including uncertainty is generated, and the data is sent to the engineering information display unit 10.

The engineering information analysis knowledge base 10 stores knowledge derived from the work tendency obtained from the dynamic data of the user information. Accordingly, they can consequently provide functions customized for each user.

Further, the engineering information display section 11
Displays the data and the like generated by the engineering information analysis unit 9 to the user as appropriate. Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

The embodiment of the present invention derives the magnitude of the effect of a change in one database on another database, controls the change propagation process according to the degree, and supports flexible concurrent engineering. It is characterized by

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the engineering information analysis unit 9. In the figure, the engineering information collecting unit 51 appropriately fetches various information as information necessary for control, that is, database information, user information, engineering tool information, and the like as needed.
On the other hand, the engineering information collecting unit 51
The engineering database 3 is monitored for updates. When the engineering database 3 is updated, the DB mutual influence degree inference unit 52
It guides other databases that need to maintain consistency and the degree of their influence, and sends the data to the change propagation control unit 53. The change spread control unit 53 controls the automatic spread of changes and the method of approval / notification to the person in charge of data management based on the degree of influence. The engineering information analysis knowledge base 9 provides various knowledge for this processing.

6 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of the engineering information analysis knowledge base 10. The engineering information analysis knowledge includes change propagation processing knowledge, notification rule, and notification processing data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of change propagation processing knowledge. That is, the change spread processing knowledge describes the change spread procedure when a database type used for engineering affects another database type. For example, the database type shown in FIG.
B is "database type-xx defined in B
When the value of the attribute x1 of the x class is changed, the values of the attributes a1 and a2 of the aaa class defined in the database type-C can be changed and propagated by the processing described in the processing a1 and the processing a2. " Represents knowledge of meaning.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the notification rule. That is, the notification rule describes the pattern for notifying the spread of changes for each database type. For example, the database type-A shown in the figure executes the processing of type 1, type 2, type 4, type 6 and type 7 as the notification processing. By editing this knowledge, it is possible to make a notification suitable for the flow of engineering.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the notification processing data. In the notification processing data, each procedure processing is described corresponding to the notification rule shown in FIG. For example, type 1 executes the process described in the procedure called method1. In the present embodiment, me
method1 "notifies a user who has accessed the specified DB". At this time, method1 is
The information of the access history to the database of the user stored in the user information storage unit 6 is used.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the notification processing data is provided independently of other knowledge so that the user can edit the data. Therefore, a more flexible notification function can be realized by the user editing the notification processing data. For example, it is possible to easily perform notification only within the department to which the user belongs and to limit the range of tools used.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the engineering information analysis unit 9. In the figure, the engineering information collecting unit 51 executes S91 to S92, and when the obtained information is updated, the DB mutual influence inference unit 52 executes S93 to S95. Further, the DB mutual influence degree inference unit 52 and the change spread control unit 53 execute S96. It should be noted that in S93, the information on the "manufacturing number" is derived from the database information storage unit 6 via the engineering information collection unit 51.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the processing of S96 shown in FIG. The DB mutual influence degree inference unit 52 executes S101 to S102 using the database information, and derives a person in charge who can approve the degree of influence and the influence of change.

The change spread control unit 53 executes S103 to S110 according to the degree of influence. In the present embodiment, the degree of influence is divided into “strong” and “weak”, and when the degree of influence is weak, the process of propagating the change is performed (S104), and the user to be notified is sought (S105). The user is notified (S106). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in the notification of change spread. That is, FIG.
A state is shown in which the user is notified that the change affects DB2 and DB3 along with the change of DB1.

On the other hand, when the degree of influence is strong, the person in charge of updating is notified of the spread and an application for permission is made (S1 in FIG. 10).
07). If the person responsible for updating the data gives permission,
The above-described processing from S104 is performed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when the data update manager gives permission. As shown in (a) of the same figure, a list of DB names that may be affected is displayed, and it is required to input in Y / N format whether or not to grant permission for change propagation. . Then, when the person in charge of change selects “Y”, the screen display is switched to that shown in FIG.

At this time, when the responsible person judges that the ripple should not be permitted, the user who should be notified is notified that the data are not compatible with each other at this point. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when the data update manager does not give permission. As shown in the same figure, if the person in charge of the data rejects the application for permission to propagate, the change ripple is not executed, and it is notified that a contradiction has occurred. This can minimize the damage caused by careless changes.

In this embodiment, the degree of influence is "strong".
Although the two values of "weak" were used, the evaluation function using the scale of the affected database, the degree of importance of the data, the degree of certainty, and the value of the affected database recursively obtained along the work flow. May be set. This allows for more flexibility.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of processing when seeking a user to be notified. As shown in the figure, in order to obtain the user to be notified, the notification type of the DB is obtained from the notification rule of the engineering information analysis knowledge base (S141), and the processing described in the notification processing data shown in FIG. To generate a list of notification destinations (S1
42). Then, the union of the generated individual lists is taken to eliminate duplicate notifications. The list thus generated is returned as a value (S143).

When the user decides the execution permission of the above-described ripple process (see FIGS. 13 and 13), the user refers to the uncertain data of the database information as shown in FIG. Can provide decision support for execution. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, related uncertain data may be obtained in advance in the processing step of S107 in FIG. 10 and may be presented together when applying to the user.

[0048]

EXAMPLE FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of an engineering support system according to an example of the present invention. Specifically, the system according to the present invention is applied to an instrumentation control engineering support system for a thermal power plant.

The engineering database 3 comprises design data 161 for instrumentation control engineering and common knowledge 162 for providing engineering support such as automatic generation of data.

The design data 161 is composed of operating end data and input / output point data, and further holds operating end history data and input / output point history data. Here, the operating end data is data relating to the type and operating operation of the operating end (valve, pump, etc.) that is a unit for performing instrumentation control. The input / output point data is input / output signal information (such as "to valve open") necessary for performing instrumentation control. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of operating end data. Each data shown in FIG. 9A has, for example, the fields shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of input / output point data. The input / output point data also has fields as shown in FIGS. Further, FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of operation end history data and input / output point history data.

On the other hand, the common knowledge 162 is composed of a CRT operation pattern which is knowledge about a pattern and an expansion knowledge which is knowledge of a procedure. Engineering tool 1
Is composed of an operation end data editing tool 163 and an input / output point data editing tool 164. The operating-end data editing tool 163 changes / adds / deletes operating-end data via the network 2. Further, the common knowledge 162 is used to generate input / output point data from the operation end data. In this embodiment, this will be referred to as signal expansion processing. The input / output point editing tool 164 changes / adds / deletes input / output point data via the network.

The engineering information analysis unit 9 comprises an influence data search unit 165, a notification destination selection unit 166 and a change notification unit 167. The affected data search unit 165 refers to the relational relationship between the data stored in the database information storage unit 5 and searches for data that is estimated to have an effect on the change of certain data. The notification destination selection unit 166
Select users who need to be notified of design data changes. The change notification unit 167 notifies the user of the change.

Next, a specific example of the database information detecting section 5 and the user information detecting section 6 shown in FIG. 16 will be described, and an example of performing change notification and impact prediction notification will be described.

* Acquisition of Engineering Information In this embodiment, as the engineering information, the related information (FIG. 20) describing the dependency relation between the data, the information about the DB (FIG. 21), the user information (FIG. 22), the engineering tool information. (FIG. 23), an engineering information analysis knowledge base (not shown) which is knowledge for selecting a notification method is used. Hereinafter, a procedure for acquiring related information and user information, which is knowledge that is dynamically acquired by using a tool among these knowledge, will be described.
First, related information will be described.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the flow of processing by the database information detection unit 4 for accumulating the dependency relationship between data. As shown in the figure, the database information detection unit 4
Starts a data relationship detection function (not shown) when a command registered in advance is issued. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the signal development processing command of the operation end data editing tool is registered.

Here, the signal expansion processing will be briefly described. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the signal expansion processing. As shown in the figure, input / output point data is automatically generated from the operation end data by using the CRT operation pattern and the signal expansion KB that are common knowledge. Regarding signal evolution knowledge,
Since the initial of the unique NO of the operation end data is M, the procedure of "unique NO == 'M'" in the signal development knowledge is executed. Regarding the CRT operation pattern, CR
The knowledge type of the T operation pattern is "motorized valve matrix", and the identification type is the value "29" of the attribute "CRT operation" of the operation end data, and the input / output point data is generated using the signal name set. Further, as for the input / output data, the input / output data is created by the number of signal name sets of the CRT operation pattern with respect to the original operation end data.

Returning to FIG. 24, the database information detector 4
First records the start-up information (S241). Specifically, the tool name "operation end data editing tool" and the command name "signal expansion" that are the factors of activation are recorded. Next, the database information detection unit 4 determines whether or not the transaction performed in the engineering database is completed by the signal expansion (S242), and when the transaction is completed, the database information detection unit 4 is executed.
Ends the process.

When the transaction processing is not completed, the database information detection unit 4 determines whether or not an event such as change / addition / deletion has occurred in the database (S243). In this embodiment, it is assumed that search and addition are performed. When an event occurs, which attribute of which data in which database
What kind of event was performed for the database is recorded (S244). In this embodiment, the data whose unique NO in the database “operation terminal 01” is “MJ01” is retrieved, and the database “input / output point” is searched.
01 ”, unique NO is“ MJ01A001 ”,“ MJ
The fact that the data "01A002" and "MJ01A0031" have been added is recorded. The database information detection unit 4 may interpret the signal expansion function to create the data relationship shown in FIG.

Next, the user information will be described. FIG.
6 is. The user information detection unit 6 is activated when the engineering database 3 is accessed.
Here, the user “yumiko” has the date “95/12
/ 13 ”is used to access the design data“ operation end 01 ”using the“ operation end edit tool ”.

First, the user information detecting section 6 searches for user information concerning the user based on the user name (S2).
61). Next, the user information detection unit 6 determines whether or not the user information already exists (S262). Here, it is assumed that the information shown in FIG. 27A is retrieved as the user information. If it is determined that there is no user information, new user information is created with a new user name (S263). If it is determined that the user information already exists, the user information is updated (S264). Specifically, the tool and the usage DB currently used in the usage tool history and usage DB history are newly added to the user information. As a result, the user information is updated as shown in FIG.

* Change Notification by Analysis of Engineering Information FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a flow of change notification processing when an event such as a change / correction / addition occurs in design data. Now, the user “yumiko” has the date “95 /
It is assumed that the CRT operation is changed from "29" to "16" for the unique NO "MJ01" data of the design data "operating end 01" using the "operating end editing tool" for 12/13 ".

The outline of the processing flow of the change notification is as follows. That is, the influence data search unit 165 searches for data that is considered to have influence (S281). Next, the notification selection unit 166 selects a notification destination user (S2
82), the change notification unit 166 notifies the engineering information display unit 11 of this (S283). Then, the engineering information display unit 11 displays the change information and the data expected to be affected to the user (S28).
4).

Next, the details of each processing step will be described. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the influence data search unit 165. In the figure, the influence data search unit 165 searches an object including necessary data from the data related information (S291). In this embodiment,
The unique NO of the database "Operation Terminal 01" is "MJ
Search for an object containing data that is "01". Next, when the target object can be detected by the search, the related data is acquired. Specifically, for example, if the object shown in FIG. 20 is created, the unique NO of “operation end 01” is “M
Since the data "J01" has been changed, the database is "input / output point 01" and the unique NO is "MJ01".
"A001", "MJ01A002" and "MJ01A0"
Consider that the change affects the data that is "031".

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in the notification destination selection unit 166. In the figure, the notification destination selecting unit 166 selects a notification processing method (S301).
Specifically, the notification destination selection unit 166 searches the DB information regarding the changed DB from the DB information shown in FIG. 15 and selects the notification processing method described in the engineering information analysis knowledge base. . FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the notification processing method described in the engineering information analysis knowledge base. That is, in the present embodiment, the notification destination selecting unit 166 selects the method 1 because the DB type of the “operating terminal 01” is “A”. Then, the notification destination selection unit 166 executes the selected notification processing method. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for executing the selected notification processing method.

As shown in the figure, first, the tool information is searched, and the tool to be notified is searched (S321). In the case of the notification processing method, the user who uses the tool and the tool of the downstream process is notified. Therefore, according to FIG. 23, the “operation end data editing tool” and the “input / output point data editing tool” are related tools. Next, with reference to the user information, a user having the “operation end editing tool” and the “input / output point data editing tool” as the used tool history is searched for (S322). User information is shown in FIG.
, The users "yumiko" and "i"
will be selected. However, the user “yumiko” matches the person in charge of change and is therefore excluded. When the user is searched in S322 (S323), it is searched from the usage DB history of the user information whether or not the DB obtained by the influence spread search unit is used (S324). In this example, the user "itohs"
“I / O point 01” is searched from the usage DB history of.
When it is searched in S324, the notification destination data is generated (S325, S326). In this embodiment, "i
"tos" is the notification destination user.

Next, the processing flow of the change notification unit 167 will be described. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the change notification unit 167. The change notification unit 167 obtains the difference between the times when the DB is accessed (S331). In particular,
The difference between the data at the time of the last access to the “input / output point 01”, which is the target DB of the user selected by the notification destination selection unit 166, and the data at the time when the change is made, is the operation end data and the operation end history. Calculate using data. Next, the change notification unit 167 notifies the engineering information display unit 11 of this.

[0067]

According to the present invention, in a situation in which an atypical and backtracking process frequently occurs that cannot be handled in the description of a process model or a global schema, the influence of a certain data change on other work. It is possible to support flexible concurrent engineering considering the size of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a concurrent engineering support device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of auxiliary information about a database obtained via the network 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing ancillary information about a user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of engineering tool information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an engineering information analysis unit 9.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of change propagation processing knowledge in an engineering information analysis knowledge base.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a notification rule in an engineering information analysis knowledge base.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of notification processing data in an engineering information analysis knowledge base.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of processing of the engineering information analysis unit 9.

10 is a diagram showing details of the processing of S96 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in a change spread notification.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when a data update manager gives permission.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when the data update manager does not give permission.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when requesting a user to be notified.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of another screen display.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of an engineering support system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of operating end data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of input / output point data.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of operating end history data and input / output point history data.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of related information describing a dependency relationship between data.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of information about a DB.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of user information.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of engineering tool information.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a flow of processing by the database information detection unit 4 for accumulating dependency relationships between data.

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining a signal expansion process.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the flow of processing for detecting user information by the user information detection unit 6.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a search for user information.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the flow of a change notification process when an event such as a change / correction / addition to the design data occurs.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a processing procedure in the influence data search unit 165.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in the notification destination selection unit 166.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a notification processing method described in the engineering information analysis knowledge base.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for executing the selected notification processing method.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the change notification unit 167.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a conventional concurrent engineering support system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Engineering tool 2 ... Network 3 ... Engineering database 4 ... Database information retrieval unit 5 ... Database information storage unit 6 ... User information detection unit 7 ... User information storage unit 8 ... Engineering tool information storage unit 9 ... Engineering information analysis unit 10 ... Engineering information analysis knowledge base 11 ... Engineering information display section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A concurrent engineering support system for performing engineering by an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work by using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated, and storing information on a database to be accessed by the engineering tool. Tool information storage means, database information storage means for storing information on a database corresponding to the engineering work, user information storage means for storing information on a user who uses the engineering tool, the tool information, the database information, and When one piece of engineering information accumulated in the database is changed based on at least one piece of the user information, the one engine And a related information deriving means for deriving other engineering information that is affected by a change in nearing information. 2. The concurrent engineering according to claim 1, wherein the related information deriving means comprises an impact degree calculating means for calculating a degree of influence of a change in one engineering information on another engineering information. Support system. 3. The related information deriving means, to a user related to the derived other engineering information,
The concurrent engineering support system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notifying means for notifying the other engineering information. 4. The related information deriving means includes a user selecting means for selecting a user related to the derived other engineering information by using a predetermined knowledge base. Concurrent engineering support system. 5. A concurrent engineering support system for performing engineering by an engineering tool corresponding to each engineering work by using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated, and storing information about a database to be accessed by the engineering tool. Tool information storage means, database information storage means for storing information on a database corresponding to the engineering work, user information storage means for storing information on a user who uses the engineering tool, engineering information accumulated in the database And a means for calculating the degree of certainty of the data constituting the, and at least one of the tool information, the database information and the user information Concurrent engineering support system based on said determined degree, characterized by comprising the uncertain information access means for performing access to the uncertain engineering information. 6. The concurrent engineering support system according to claim 1, further comprising an information presenting means for presenting other engineering information derived by the related information deriving means to a user. Engineering support system. 7. The concurrent engineering support system according to claim 1, wherein the user information includes dynamic user information composed of data grasped from a dynamic viewpoint for the user. 8. A means for extracting knowledge about a work tendency for a target engineering work based on the dynamic user information, and information presentation according to each user based on the knowledge extracted by this means. 8. The concurrent engineering support system according to claim 7, further comprising a customizing means for performing. 9. A concurrent engineering support method for performing engineering by an engineering tool corresponding to an individual engineering operation using a database in which predetermined engineering information is accumulated, and tool information regarding a database to be accessed by the engineering tool, Database information about the database corresponding to the engineering work,
When one piece of engineering information stored in the database is changed, other engineering information that is affected by the change of the one piece of engineering information is derived based on the user information about the user who uses the engineering tool. A concurrent engineering support method characterized by the above.