JP4545038B2 - Design support apparatus, design support method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a design support apparatus for providing design support to a designer by presenting a design procedure converted into electronic data and reference information related to the design procedure in order to provide design support for a design work related to product development. The present invention relates to a support method, a computer program for causing a computer to support design, and a recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded.

  In the manufacturing industry that manufactures various products such as home appliances, the knowledge (information) of engineers, who are said to be veterans, is electronically documented and shared among engineers involved in development, thereby improving development efficiency and design efficiency. We are making efforts to raise. At that time, not only veteran engineers' knowledge is electronically documented, but also related materials and tools necessary for design development (eg CAD, simulation, etc.) are linked to the documented information, and finally personal A method has been proposed in which all information can be referred to efficiently on a computer.

  At that time, the knowledge of an electronic engineer who has been electronically converted is converted into digital data that can be viewed on a computer (for example, PDF or text format). In order to relate related materials (more detailed electronic documents), the knowledge of experienced technicians should be documented and related at the same time when digitizing it, or once it has been digitized, the knowledge of experienced technicians will be later A method in which someone manually performs association is common, and recently there is a movement to automate the work (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  For example, in Patent Document 1, association is performed by periodically confirming whether there is information (design knowledge) to be referred to in a certain design process.

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when associating the reference information, the date of the file existing in the database is confirmed, and if the date is newer than the file referred to so far, it is updated. There is a problem of being unable to refer. Further, since the association is performed by matching the date and the keyword, there is a problem that the information required in the design process is not necessarily associated.
JP 2003-316829 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and veteran engineers' knowledge (design keywords indicating the presence of design procedures and reference information) is documented, digitized, and stored as design procedure data that can be processed on a computer. When the design procedure data is updated by associating the reference keyword included in the design procedure data with the reference information stored in the know-how database using an access search formula, the reference keyword in the design procedure data is saved in the know-how database. It is an object of the present invention to provide a design support apparatus, a design support method, a computer program, and a recording medium capable of accurately and easily associating each reference information with easy access on a network.

  In addition, the present invention makes an inquiry (confirmation search) to the know-how database using the access search formula, and evaluates and determines the result of the check search using the access search formula, thereby saving the reference keyword of the design procedure data and the know-how database. Another object of the present invention is to provide a design support device, a design support method, a computer program, and a recording medium that can easily verify whether or not the association with the reference information being performed is performed correctly.

  Further, the present invention monitors and evaluates the usage of the search keyword used in the search in the know-how database, and adds it as reference information (reference keyword) to the design procedure data when it is determined that the search keyword is useful. By updating it, it becomes possible to enhance the contents of the design procedure data (reference keywords corresponding to the reference information) according to the use record in the know-how database, and the relationship between the design procedure data and the know-how database can be further enhanced. Another object of the present invention is to provide a design support apparatus, a design support method, a computer program, and a recording medium that can reliably improve the reliability and convenience (usability) of design procedure data.

  A design support apparatus according to the present invention includes design procedure data storage means for storing design procedure data including a design procedure and reference keywords indicating the presence of reference information related to the design procedure, and know-how data including reference information as database software. A design support apparatus comprising a know-how database stored in a form and a network to which the design procedure data storage means and the know-how database are connected, and obtaining a reference keyword from the design procedure data as reference keyword data Means, search expression creating means for creating an access search expression for accessing reference information stored in the know-how database in correspondence with a reference keyword of the reference keyword data, and the access to the reference keyword of the design procedure data Before adding a search expression Characterized in that it comprises a design procedure data updating means for updating the design procedure data.

  With this configuration, since the reference keyword of the design procedure data (updated design procedure data) updated by adding the access search formula is associated with the reference information stored in the know-how database by the access search formula, It is possible to accurately and easily perform the association that can be accessed, and the design support level can be improved. Since the design procedure data (update design procedure data) and the know-how database are connected (associated) via a network using an access search formula, it is easy even when the capacity (large-scale accumulation) of the update design procedure data and know-how database has progressed. Can be associated with each other and can be effectively used as design support information.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present invention, search formula execution means for performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search formula added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data, and the know-how by the access search formula It further comprises search result judging means for judging and evaluating the result of the confirmation search in the database.

  With this configuration, the reference information corresponding to the access search expression can be extracted from the know-how database. Therefore, the reference keyword of the updated design procedure data (update design procedure data) is associated with the reference information stored in the know-how database. It is possible to easily verify whether or not is correctly performed. Further, design support using verified design procedure data (updated design procedure data) can be performed in actual design, so that it is possible to reliably improve the degree of design completion in the design work.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present invention, the search result determination means outputs the number of search hits as a result of the confirmation search and the content of the reference information hit when the number of search hits is one or more. To do.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily check the number of search hits and the contents of the reference information that has been hit (the contents of the reference information extracted from the know-how database), so that the association can be verified accurately.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present invention, the output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format.

  With this configuration, the content of the reference information can be confirmed as a sentence or an image, so that the content confirmation work can be performed efficiently.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present invention, the design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further includes a design procedure classification number acquisition unit that acquires the design procedure classification number. And

  With this configuration, it is possible to verify the association between the reference keyword of the design procedure data updated with the design procedure classification number as the operation unit (processing unit) and the reference information of the know-how database, so that the efficiency of the verification work can be improved. it can. In addition, since the design support device can be used with the design procedure classification number as the unit of operation (processing unit), it is possible to perform the design support execution process for each design procedure classification number, and efficient design support is possible. It becomes.

  In the design support apparatus according to the present invention, the search keyword acquisition means that acquires the search keyword used in the search of the database software form for the know-how database and sets it as the search keyword data, and the number of appearances of the search keyword in the search keyword data are determined. A search keyword totaling means for totaling as search keyword total data, a search keyword total database for storing the search keyword total data, and evaluating the search keyword total data stored in the search keyword total database and using the search keyword as a reference keyword Reference keyword addition determining means for determining whether or not to add, and reference keyword adding means for adding a search keyword determined to be added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data as a reference keyword are further provided. And wherein the Rukoto.

  With this configuration, the usage of search keywords used in searches in the know-how database is monitored and evaluated, and if it is determined to be a useful search keyword, it is added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data. The contents of design procedure data (reference keywords indicating the presence of reference information) can be enriched according to the actual use of data, and the design procedure data can be improved over time by improving the relationship between the design procedure data and the know-how database. Reliability and usability (usability) can be improved reliably.

  The design support apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the additional determination criterion in the reference keyword addition determination means is configured to be changeable.

  With this configuration, it is possible to set an additional determination criterion according to the necessity of the user of the design support apparatus.

A design support method according to the present invention stores design procedure data including a design procedure and a reference keyword indicating the presence of reference information related to the design procedure in design procedure data storage means, and stores know-how data including reference information as database software. Save the knowhow database in the form, the a design procedure data and know-how design support method which data the design procedure data storage section and knowhow database design support to associate the network connected, the by reference keyword acquiring unit steps and, of corresponding search expressions access retrieval expression for accessing reference information stored in the knowledge database by the creation means to the reference keyword of the reference keyword data to reference keyword data obtains a reference keyword from the design procedure data And creating Te, characterized in that it comprises a step of adding the access retrieval formula to refer keywords of the design procedure data by the design procedure data updating means for updating the design procedure data. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

In the design support method according to the present invention, a step of performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search expression added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data by a search expression executing means, and a search result determining means And a step of evaluating and determining a result of the confirmation search in the know-how database by the access search formula. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

In the design support method according to the present invention, the step of evaluating and determining the result of the confirmation search by the search result determination means is a reference that is hit when the number of search hits and the number of search hits are one or more as a result of the confirmation search. The content of information is output. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the design support method according to the present invention, the output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

In the design support method according to the present invention, the design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further includes a step of acquiring the design procedure classification number by a design procedure classification number acquisition unit. It is characterized by. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

In the design support method according to the present invention, the search keyword acquisition means acquires the search keyword used in the database software form search for the know-how database and sets it as search keyword data, and the search keyword aggregation means uses the search keyword data. The number of occurrences of the search keyword as a search keyword total data, the step of storing the search keyword total data in the search keyword total database, and the search keyword stored in the search keyword total database by reference keyword addition determination means and determining whether or not the step to add as a reference keyword search terms to evaluate the aggregate data, see the keyword adding unit a search keyword is determined to be added as reference keywords Accordingly, characterized by further comprising the steps of adding a reference keywords to the design procedure data. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

In the design support method according to the present invention, the addition determination criterion in the step of determining whether or not to add the search keyword as a reference keyword by the reference keyword addition determination means is configured to be changeable. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus according to the present invention can be realized.

  A computer program according to the present invention stores design procedure data including a design keyword and a reference keyword indicating the presence of reference information related to the design procedure in a computer, and know-how data including reference information in the form of database software. A computer program for supporting the design by associating the design procedure data and the know-how data with a network, the computer acquiring a reference keyword from the design procedure data and making it a reference keyword data; and Creating an access search expression for accessing the reference information stored in the know-how database corresponding to the reference keyword of the reference keyword data; and causing the computer to refer to the design procedure data reference key. By adding the access search expression in the word, characterized in that to execute the step of updating the design procedure data. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, a step of performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search formula added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data in a computer, and a computer according to the access search formula A step of evaluating and determining the result of the confirmation search in the know-how database. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, in the step of causing the computer to evaluate and determine the result of the confirmation search, the number of search hits as the result of the confirmation search and the content of the reference information hit when there are one or more search hits, Is output. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, the output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, the design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further causes the computer to acquire the design procedure classification number. . With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  In the computer program according to the present invention, the step of causing the computer to acquire the search keyword used in the search of the database software form with respect to the know-how database to be the search keyword data, and the appearance of the search keyword in the search keyword data in the computer A step of counting the number of times as search keyword total data, a step of causing the computer to store the search keyword total data in a search keyword total database, and a computer evaluating the search keyword total data stored in the search keyword total database. Determining whether or not to add a search keyword as a reference keyword, and causing the computer to add the search keyword determined to be added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data Characterized in that to execute further the step of adding a reference keyword. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  The computer program according to the present invention is characterized in that the addition criterion in the step of determining whether or not to add the search keyword as a reference keyword is configured to be changeable. With this configuration, functions and operations similar to those of the design support apparatus and the design support method according to the present invention can be realized.

  The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium readable by a computer recording a computer program, wherein the computer program is the computer program according to the present invention. With this configuration, it becomes possible to easily distribute and use a computer program that can realize the same functions and operations as those of the design support apparatus, the design support method, and the computer program according to the present invention.

According to the design support apparatus, the design support method, the computer program, and the recording medium according to the present invention, the design procedure data is obtained by associating the reference keyword included in the design procedure data with the reference information stored in the know-how database by an access search formula. By updating, it is possible to make the association that makes it easy to access the reference information stored in the know-how database from the reference keyword of the design procedure data on the network accurately and easily. Since more detailed and highly accurate reference information can be associated as information, there is an effect that the degree of completeness of design can be reliably improved in actual design.
According to the design support apparatus, the design support method, the computer program, and the recording medium according to the present invention, an inquiry (confirmation search) is made to the know-how database using an access search expression, and the result of the confirmation search using the access search expression is evaluated. Judgment makes it possible to easily verify whether the reference keyword of the design procedure data is correctly associated with the reference information stored in the know-how database. Since it can be guaranteed, in the actual design, there is an effect that the degree of design completion can be surely improved.
According to the design support apparatus, the design support method, the computer program, and the recording medium according to the present invention, the usage of the search keyword used in the search in the know-how database is monitored and evaluated, and determined to be a useful search keyword. In some cases, by adding and updating the design procedure data as reference information (reference keywords), the contents of the design procedure data (reference keywords corresponding to the reference information) will be enriched according to the use record in the know-how database. Since design procedure data can be updated continuously and automatically over time, the reliability and convenience (usefulness) of the design procedure data is ensured by making the relationship between the design procedure data and the know-how database closer. There is an effect that it is possible to improve.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a design support apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The design support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a computer network configuration, and a personal computer (PC) 2 as an operation terminal, a server 6 (know-how database 6db) configured by a computer, and the like are connected to each other by a network NW, for example. Configured. In addition to the PC 2, a plurality of other PCs (not shown) can be connected to the network NW, and each designer appropriately accesses a large amount of design support data from each PC that is each operation terminal. And can be used as a form. In order to store a large amount of data, the know-how database 6db is preferably stored in the server 6 dedicated to data storage.

  Note that the design support apparatus 1 can be configured as a stand-alone form by a single PC. In this case, the network NW is replaced with a bus indicating connection within the PC.

  The design support apparatus 1 includes a PC 2, a design procedure data storage unit 4, a know-how database 6db, various function implementation units (reference keyword acquisition unit 8, search formula creation unit 10, design procedure data update unit 12, design procedure classification number acquisition unit. 14, search expression execution means 16, search result determination means 18, search keyword acquisition means 20, search keyword totaling means 22, reference keyword addition determination means 24, reference keyword addition means 26) and the like are configured as components (function implementation means). It is.

  These function realization means are connected by a network NW and are configured to be able to perform data communication with each other, and can function individually or in cooperation with other means as the function realization means for realizing the function. it can.

  In addition, each function realization means is taken out of the PC 2 and shown as an individual block, but is not necessarily connected to the outside as a hardware configuration, and is incorporated into the PC 2 as a computer program by software. It is preferable to configure as function realizing means.

  The design procedure data storage means 4 for storing data and the know-how database 6db are preferably composed of a PC (server 6) or the like different from the PC 2 in order to share data and cope with an increase in capacity.

  It goes without saying that various types of OS (operating system) can be used. In addition, an appropriate document creation tool (language processing software, spreadsheet software, etc.) and database software (software for defining and managing a database and having a configuration compatible with the network NW) as required. It is incorporated.

  The PC 2 functions as an operation terminal and includes a control unit 2a, an input unit 2b, and an output unit 2c. The control means 2a receives an instruction from the input means 2b composed of a keyboard, a mouse (pointer), etc., and sends an appropriate input signal (instruction signal) to the network NW to operate other function realizing means.

  The output unit 2c receives an output signal from each function realizing unit from the network NW, and displays it on a display device, for example. The operator can give instructions necessary for each step by using the input means 2b by appropriately checking various information, data, instructions, etc. from the output means 2c.

  A storage device (not shown) for storing a computer program is connected to the control means 2a, and the function as the design support device 1 can be controlled by a computer program read in advance.

  For installing the computer program into the control means 2a, a recording medium reading device (not shown) is connected so that the computer program can be read into the storage device, and designed from an external recording medium (not shown). A configuration in which a computer program for controlling the function of the support apparatus 1 is read is also possible. As the recording medium, it is possible to use a commonly used CD-ROM, DVD, or the like. By using the recording medium, it is possible to distribute the computer program by a simple method, and the versatility of the design support apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Needless to say, the computer program for controlling the functions of the design support apparatus 1 can be read from another computer (not shown) via the network NW.

  By adopting a form in which the computer program is read from the recording medium, it is possible to easily upgrade the version of the computer program for controlling the function of the design support apparatus 1 and to make the design support apparatus 1 with high functionality.

  The design procedure data storage means 4 includes, for example, a design procedure explaining a procedure for designing an electrical product, a reference keyword 33w indicating the presence of reference information 36 (see FIG. 3) related to the design procedure, a design procedure The design procedure data 4d (4dr) (see FIGS. 3 and 6) including the design procedure classification number 31 indicating the classification is stored as electronic data (for example, PDF, text format, etc.). As the design procedure data storage means 4, a normal storage device can be used.

  For example, when the design procedure data 4d is stored in the PDF format, the design procedure data 4d can be input by the input unit 2b using a scanner. In addition, when saving in the electronic data format created by the word processor, it can be input directly from the input means 2b, or input from another PC (in the form of copying and pasting) via the network NW. You can also.

  The design procedure data 4d becomes design procedure data 4dr (updated design procedure data 4dr) updated by the processing after storage. The update is not limited to once, and can be continuously repeated. Therefore, even if the update is made once and updated design procedure data 4dr, it is positioned as design procedure data 4d before update for the second update. . As update forms of the design procedure data 4d (4dr), as shown in other embodiments, the access search expression 43 is pasted on the reference keyword 33w (second embodiment, FIG. 6) and the reference keyword 33s is added. (Embodiment 3, FIG. 12).

  The know-how database 6db is configured by the server 6 that functions in a so-called database software form, so that a large amount of know-how data 6d can be stored and shared. The know-how data 6d includes various types of information such as reference information 36 showing further details in relation to the design procedure data 4d. Since various types of information are stored in the form of database software (for example, configured with general database software), it is configured to be accessible from the Web, and using dedicated search software installed on the server 6, The stored know-how data 6d can be browsed and searched.

  That is, the know-how data 6d stored (registered) in the know-how database 6db can hold general attributes such as a file name, date, and file size as search keywords (68 (see FIG. 10)). Also, a function of automatically creating a thumbnail of the registered know-how data 6d (for example, a function of creating and displaying the contents of the registered know-how data 6d as a small image file) is provided.

  The reference keyword acquisition means 8 acquires the reference keyword 33w from the design procedure data 4d and creates the reference keyword data 8d (see FIG. 4). The search formula creating means 10 creates an access search formula 43 (see FIG. 5) for accessing the reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db in correspondence with the reference keyword 33w of the reference keyword data 8d. The design procedure data update means 12 adds (pastes) the access search formula 43 to the reference keyword 33w of the design procedure data 4d to update the design procedure data 4d (update design procedure data 4dr), and updates the update design procedure data 4dr ( 6 and 12).

  By adding the access search formula 43, it is possible to associate the reference keyword 33w of the update design procedure data 4dr with the reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db by the access search formula 43, and access on the network is possible. Thus, it is possible to accurately and easily perform association, and the design support level can be improved.

  The design procedure classification number acquisition unit 14 acquires a design procedure classification number (see FIG. 3). By obtaining the design procedure classification number, the design procedure classification number is used as an operation unit (processing unit), and the reference keyword 33w of the updated design procedure data 4dr and the reference information 36 of the know-how database 6db are associated (and verified below). Therefore, the efficiency of verification work can be improved. In addition, since the design support apparatus 1 can be used with the design procedure classification number as an operation unit (processing unit), it is possible to perform the design support execution process for each design procedure classification number, and efficient design support is possible. It becomes possible.

  The retrieval formula execution means 16 performs a retrieval search for confirming the validity of the association by accessing the know-how database 6db using the access retrieval formula 43 pasted to the reference keyword 33w of the update design procedure data 4dr. The search result determination means 18 evaluates and determines the result of the confirmation search to the know-how database 6db by the access search formula 43.

  Since the search formula execution means 16 can extract the reference information 36 corresponding to the access search formula 43 from the know-how database 6db, the reference keyword 33w of the update design procedure data 4dr and the reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db It is possible to easily verify whether or not the association is correctly performed.

  Since the search result determination means 18 can evaluate and determine the result of the confirmation search and display it to the operator (for example, the output means 2c), it is possible to efficiently check the validity of the association and Efficiency can be improved.

  Further, design support using verified design procedure data 4d (updated design procedure data 4dr) can be performed in actual design, so that the degree of design completion in the design work can be reliably improved. The updated design procedure data 4dr after the verification is completed is handled as normal design procedure data 4d.

  The search keyword acquisition means 20 acquires the search keyword 68 used in the database software form search for the know-how database 6db, and creates the search keyword data 20d (see FIG. 10). The search keyword totaling unit 22 totals the number of appearances of the search keyword 68 in the search keyword data 20d as the search keyword total data 22d (see FIG. 11), and the date and time when the search corresponding to the total is executed is also performed in the search date / time table. Data 22td (see FIG. 11) is recorded. By recording the search date and time, various processes can be performed by setting a period. In addition, it is possible to confirm a change with time of the used search keyword 68, and it is possible to analyze a trend.

  The search keyword total database 22db stores search keyword total data 22d and search date table data 22td. The reference keyword addition determination unit 24 evaluates the search keyword total data 22d stored in the search keyword total database 22db and determines whether or not to add the search keyword 68 as the reference keyword 33s (see FIG. 12). The reference keyword adding means 26 adds the search keyword 68 determined to be added as the reference keyword 33s to the design procedure data 4d as the reference keyword 33s.

  Accordingly, the usage of the search keyword 68 used in the search in the know-how database 6db is monitored and evaluated, and when it is determined that the search keyword 68 is useful, the design procedure data 4d (including the updated design procedure data 4dr is included). ) Is added as a reference keyword 33s, so that the contents of the design procedure data 4d (the reference keyword 33s indicating the presence of the reference information 36) can be supplemented and enriched according to the use record in the know-how database 6db. The relevance between the design procedure data 4d and the know-how database 6db can be improved over time, and the reliability and convenience (usability) of the design procedure data 4d can be reliably improved.

  In this embodiment, the design procedure data 4d (update design procedure data 4dr) and the know-how database 6db are connected (associated) with the network NW by the access search formula 43, so that the update design procedure data 4dr and the know-how database 6db have a large capacity. Even when computerization (large-scale accumulation) progresses, it is possible to easily associate with each other, and it can be effectively used as design support information.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the case where the knowhow database is associated with the reference keyword in the design support apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIGS. 3 to 8 related to each step will also be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of design procedure data and know-how data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of reference keyword data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an access search expression in the design support apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of update design procedure data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of confirmation search result data in the design support apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of confirmation search evaluation determination data in the design support apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and (A) is a configuration example when the number of hits is one or more. , (B) is a configuration example when the number of hits is zero.

Step S1:
Design procedure data (4d) as design support information is appropriately input by the PC 2 (control means 2a, input means 2b) and stored in the design procedure data storage means 4 as design procedure data 4d (FIG. 3) having a predetermined format. To do.

  In FIG. 3, as the design procedure data 4d, a design procedure classification number column 31, a design procedure column 32, and a reference information column 33 are displayed in a list format. The design procedure classification number column 31 describes the classification number of the design procedure. For example, the design procedure classification number “5-1-1” is given. The design procedure column 32 describes in detail the design procedure performed by the design procedure classification number 5-1-1. A reference information column 33 is provided on the right side of the design procedure column 32, and a reference keyword 33w indicating the presence of reference information 36 to be referred to when the design proceeds is described. For example, “air volume test data” and “noise test data” are described as reference keywords 33w.

Step S3:
Know-how data (6d) corresponding to the reference information 36 is input in the same manner as the design procedure data 4d, and stored as know-how data 6d (FIG. 3) in the know-how database 6db.

  FIG. 3 also shows a material configuration example of know-how data 6d for understanding. The reference information 36 corresponding to the “air flow test material” as the reference keyword 33w is classified and stored as “air flow test material” by the material classification name 35, and specifically, “2004 air flow test result” “2003”. It shows that “annual air volume test result” and “2002 air volume test result” exist as reference information 36.

Step S5:
The design procedure classification number acquisition unit 14 acquires, for example, the design procedure classification number “5-1-1” from the design procedure data 4d (design procedure classification number column 31).

  Note that the processing from step S1 to step S5 is a preliminary step in advance, and can be performed separately.

Step S7:
The reference keyword acquisition means 8 acquires the content (reference keyword 33w) described in the reference information column 33 of the design procedure data 4d, and creates reference keyword data 8d (FIG. 4). At this time, by specifying the design procedure classification number 31, the reference keyword data 8d can be created in units of the design procedure classification number 31.

  In FIG. 4, it is indicated by the design procedure classification number column 40 that the design procedure classification number is “5-1-1”, and from the design procedure data 4d (reference information column 33) of the design procedure classification number 5-1-1. The reference keyword column 41 indicates that “air volume test material” and “noise test material” have been acquired as the reference keyword 33w. An address field 42 is provided so that an address (used to create an access search expression) can be added in correspondence with the reference keyword field 41.

Step S9:
The search formula creating means 10 creates an access search formula 43 (FIG. 5) for accessing the reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db via the network NW in correspondence with the reference keyword 33w of the reference keyword data 8d. .

  In FIG. 5, the access search formula 43 is constructed with the IP address of the server 6 (133.45.20.110 which is the IP address of the server 6 constructing the know-how database 6db) and the name of the database (constructed in the server 6). In this example, the search character string is configured (created) as a search character string including the knowhow database 6db (knowhowdb) and the reference keyword 33w (for example, airflow test data). The access search formula 43 can be transferred via the network NW by the character string “http:” added to the beginning of the access search formula 43, and becomes the access search formula 43 that can be accessed.

  The IP address of the server 6 that constructs the know-how database 6db and the name of the database are registered in advance in the search formula creation means 10. The search expression creation means 10 places a “?” Mark as a delimiter and “Key =” as a search command after the IP address of the server 6 and the name of the database, and the character of the reference keyword 33w after “Key =”. An access search expression 43 is created by incorporating a column (for example, “air flow test data”) as a search condition.

Step S11:
The access search formula 43 created by the search formula creation means 10 is pasted to the reference keyword 33w as a simple character string described in the reference information column 33 of the design procedure data 4d by the design procedure data update means 12 ( Added). That is, the design procedure data 4d is updated and replaced with the updated design procedure data 4dr (FIG. 6).

  For replacement (pasting), for example, a hyperlink function is used, and a method of adding the access search expression 43 (information) to the reference keyword 33w as a simple character string is used. As a result, the reference keyword 33w, which is a simple character string, can be clicked with the mouse (pointer).

  FIG. 6 shows updated design procedure data (update design procedure data) 4dr. That is, underline 45 and 46 are added to the “air volume test material” and “noise test material” as the reference keyword 33w in the reference information column 33, respectively, and the access search formula 43 is pasted (added) to the reference keyword 33w. It shows that.

  Therefore, when the reference keyword 33w (“air flow test data” “noise test data”) is clicked in the design procedure data 4dr, the information of the access search formula 43 added to the simple character string is transferred through the network NW and designated. The IP address of the server 6 is connected to a database (know-how database 6db), and a search can be executed. That is, the reference information 36 (reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db) corresponding to the reference keyword 33w can be associated with the update design procedure data 4dr.

Step S13:
When the search formula execution means 16 extracts the access search formula 43 from the update design procedure data 4dr and transfers it to the network NW, the access search formula 43 is transferred to the know-how database 6db in accordance with the IP address of the server 6 to perform a confirmation search. it can. Therefore, the know-how database 6db receives the contents of the access search formula 43 and outputs data that matches the search conditions as confirmation search result data 50 (see FIG. 7).

  Since the access search formula 43 is mechanically created by the search formula creation means 10 regardless of whether the reference information 36 corresponding to the reference keyword 33w is actually in the know-how database 6db, the search formula execution means 16 The confirmation search by is performed for the purpose of confirming the practicality and validity of the access retrieval formula 43. That is, it is easily verified whether or not the association between the reference keyword 33w of the update design procedure data 4dr and the reference information 36 stored in the know-how database 6db is correctly performed by evaluating and determining the result of the confirmation search. It becomes possible.

  In FIG. 7, the number of hits is 3 in the hit number column 51 as the confirmation search result data 50, and the content (hit file: reference information 36) corresponds to, for example, “air volume test data” “2004 air volume test”. The hit file name column 52 indicates that “result”, “2003 airflow test result”, and “2002 airflow test result” exist (see know-how data 6d in FIG. 3).

Step S15:
The search result determination means 18 reads and analyzes the contents of the confirmation search result data 50 (hit number column 51), confirms the status of the number of hits (whether it is one or more), and makes an evaluation determination.

Step S17:
If there is one or more hits, the search result determination means 18 describes that fact in the confirmation search evaluation determination data 55 (see FIG. 8A), and outputs it as an evaluation determination result by the output means 2c.

  In FIG. 8 (A), as the confirmation search evaluation judgment data 55, the design procedure classification number column 56, the hit number column 57 (for example, three hits), the comment column 58 (standard comment: “confirm the contents of the hit file) ”), A reference keyword column 59 (air volume test material as the reference keyword 33w), and an address column 60 (access search formula 43) of the reference keyword 33w are described.

  When there is one or more hits, the file content 61 (contents of know-how data: corresponding to the reference information 36) is further added to the confirmation search evaluation determination data 55 and the data can be output simultaneously. The file contents 61 include each file (hit file “2004 air volume test result”, “2003 air volume test result”, “2002 air volume test result”) corresponding to the hit file name field 52 in, for example, a sentence format (text data) or It is possible to output as thumbnail display 62 as an image format (image data). By using the thumbnail display 62, it is possible to increase the listability and visibility, and to improve the processing efficiency of content confirmation.

  When the thumbnail display 62 is added, the search result determination means 18 requests the know-how database 6db for a thumbnail image of the hit data (file: hit file corresponding to the hit file name field 52), and displays the hit contents. Individually created as image data, pasted to confirmation search evaluation determination data 55 and output. The thumbnail image can be formed by the function of the know-how database 6db.

  If the number of hits is 0, describe in the confirmation search evaluation determination data 55 (see FIG. 8B) that the search formula is not correct or the data is not registered in the know-how database, and output as the evaluation determination result Output by means 2c.

  In FIG. 8B, as the confirmation search evaluation determination data 55, the design procedure classification number field 56, the hit number field 57b (0 hits number), the comment field 58b (standard comment: “There is no data in the database, or the keyword There is a problem. ”), The reference keyword column 59 and the address column 60 of the reference keyword 33w are described.

  In step S13 to step S17, the search result determination means 18 confirms whether or not the access search formula 43 attached to the reference keyword 33w operates correctly, that is, whether or not the association between the reference keyword 33w and the reference information 36 has been made valid. can do.

  Each step in the present embodiment can be executed using a computer program installed in the design support apparatus 1 as described in the first embodiment.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when a reference keyword is added to design procedure data by the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 10 thru | or FIG. 12 relevant at each step is also demonstrated collectively.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of search keyword data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of search keyword total data and search date table data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an explanatory chart showing a configuration example of update design procedure data in the design support apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Step S19:
The design procedure classification number 31 is designated and input from the input means 2b. As a result, the processing target in each of the following steps is limited to data having a design procedure classification number of, for example, “5-1-1” in the design procedure classification number column 31 of the design procedure data 4d (update design procedure data 4dr: FIG. 6). It becomes possible to do.

Step S21:
The search keyword acquisition means 20 acquires the search keyword 68 used in the search directly performed on the know-how database 6db using the search tool (use as database software form) held by the know-how database 6db as its function. And output as search keyword data 20d (see FIG. 10). Since the design procedure classification number “5-1-1” is designated, the search keyword data 20d can be created in units of the design procedure classification number “5-1-1”.

  In FIG. 10, the design procedure classification number column 65 indicates that the design procedure classification number is “5-1-1”, and “fan specification” is used as the search keyword 68 in relation to the design procedure classification number 5-1-1. The fact that “cabinet drawing”, “fan motor specification”,... Similarly to the case of FIG. 4, an address column 67 is provided so that an address can be added corresponding to the search keyword column 66.

Step S23:
Whether the search keyword 68 described in the search keyword data 20d is described in the search keyword total data 22d (see FIG. 11) accumulated and held by the search keyword totaling means 22 by the search keyword totaling means 22 Check to determine. When there is a description (S23: YES), the process proceeds to step S29. When there is no description (S23: NO), it progresses to step S25.

  In FIG. 11, as the search keyword total data 22d, the design procedure classification number column 70 indicates that the design procedure classification number is “5-1-1”, and is related to the design procedure classification number “5-1-1”. The search keyword column 71 indicates a situation in which “fan specifications”, “cabinet drawings”, “fan motor specifications”... Are accumulated (aggregated) as the search keywords 68, and the accumulated appearance count of each search keyword 68 is displayed as the appearance count column. The search date / time table name is indicated in the search date / time table name column 73 in correspondence with each search keyword 68.

  FIG. 11 shows that the search date / time table data 22td is configured as a set of the search date / time table 22t.

Step S25:
The search keyword totaling means 22 adds the search keyword (68) used for the first time to the search keyword column 71 of the search keyword total data 22d.

Step S27:
In addition to the addition of the search keyword column 71 (S25), the search keyword totaling means 22 adds the search date / time table name to the search date / time table name column 73, and adds a new search date / time table 22t correspondingly.

Step S29:
The search keyword totaling means 22 adds the number of times “1” to the appearance number column 72 of the search keyword total data 22d.

Step S31:
The search keyword totaling means 22 enters the date and time in the date and time table 22t.

  That is, from step S23 to step S31, the search keyword totaling means 22 performs a totaling process of the search keywords 68 described in the search keyword data 20d.

Step S33:
The reference keyword addition determination means 24 determines whether or not to add the search keyword 68 of the search keyword total data 22d as the reference keyword 33s to the design procedure data 4d. In the reference keyword addition determination unit 24, a threshold value (addition determination criterion) for determining whether or not to add the search keyword 68 as the reference keyword 33s is set in advance. For example, it is set that the search keyword 68 is added to the design procedure data 4d when the appearance number column 72 of the search keyword total data 22d exceeds a certain number of appearances (for example, 50 times).

  When adding (S33: YES), it progresses to step S35. When not adding (S33: NO), it returns to step S23. In the search keyword total data 22d, the search keyword 68 (fan specification) in the search keyword column 71 appears 50 times and is determined as an addition target.

  The threshold for determining whether or not the reference keyword addition determining unit 24 adds the search keyword 68 as the reference keyword 33s is not limited to the number of appearances, and the difference between the number of appearances of one keyword and the number of appearances of another keyword, It can be determined based on the ratio. In addition, a period can be set, and the search keyword 68 that appears within the period can be added. That is, since the additional determination criterion in the reference keyword addition determination unit 24 can be configured to be changeable, it can be set as an additional determination criterion according to the necessity of the user of the design support apparatus.

Step S35:
The search keyword 68 (fan specification) determined to be added by the reference keyword adding means 26 is added to the design procedure data 4d as the reference keyword 33s.

  Further, the reference keyword adding unit 26 acquires the search keyword 68 (fan specification) to be added from the search keyword data 20 d and transfers it to the search expression creating unit 10. Note that the search keyword data 20d and the reference keyword data 8d have the same configuration and are different in whether the target is the reference keyword 33s or the search keyword 68, so that the same means can be used.

Step S37:
The search formula creation means 10 creates the access search formula 43 (FIG. 5) in the same manner as in the second embodiment, corresponding to the search keyword 68 (fan specification) to be added.

Step S39:
The access search formula 43 created by the search formula creation means 10 is added to the “fan specification” which is the reference keyword 33s as a simple character string added to the reference information column 33 of the design procedure data 4d by the design procedure data update means 12. The updated design procedure data 4dr (see FIG. 12) is pasted (added).

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the update design procedure data 4dr (see FIG. 6) updated in the second embodiment is “further updated”. That is, “fan specification” as the added reference keyword 33s is added to the reference information column 33, and a link underline 47 is added. In the second and subsequent updates, the previous update design procedure data 4dr updated once corresponds to the design procedure data 4d.

  After step S39, the validity of the association of the search keyword 68 (reference keyword 33s) with the design procedure data 4d can be verified in the same manner as the steps from step S13 to step S17 of the second embodiment. Needless to say.

  Note that each step in the present embodiment can be executed using a computer program installed in the design support apparatus 1 as described in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow in the case of associating a know-how database with a reference keyword with the design support apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a structure of the design procedure data and know-how data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the reference keyword data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the access search type | formula in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the update design procedure data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the confirmation search result data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the confirmation search evaluation determination data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, (A) is a structural example in case the number of hits is one or more, (B) Is a configuration example when the number of hits is zero. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow in the case of adding a reference keyword to design procedure data with the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the search keyword data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the search keyword total data and the search date table data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the update design procedure data in the design assistance apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Design support device 2 PC (personal computer)
4 Design procedure data storage means 4d Design procedure data 4dr Update design procedure data 6 Server 6d Know-how data 6db Know-how database 8 Reference keyword acquisition means 8d Reference keyword data 10 Search expression creation means 12 Design procedure data update means 14 Design procedure classification number acquisition means 16 Search Expression Execution Unit 18 Search Result Determination Unit 20 Search Keyword Acquisition Unit 20d Search Keyword Data 22 Search Keyword Total Unit 22d Search Keyword Total Data 22db Search Keyword Total Database 24 Reference Keyword Addition Determination Unit 26 Reference Keyword Addition Unit 33w Reference Keyword 33s Reference Keywords (search keywords)
36 Reference information 43 Access search formula 68 Search keyword NW network

Claims (22)

Design procedure data storage means for storing design procedure data including a reference keyword indicating the presence of reference information related to the design procedure and the design procedure, know-how database for storing know-how data including reference information in the form of database software, and A design support apparatus comprising a design procedure data storage means and a network to which a know-how database is connected,
Reference keyword acquisition means for acquiring a reference keyword from the design procedure data and using it as reference keyword data;
A search formula creating means for creating an access search formula for accessing the reference information stored in the know-how database in correspondence with the reference keyword of the reference keyword data;
A design support apparatus comprising: design procedure data updating means for updating the design procedure data by adding the access search formula to a reference keyword of the design procedure data. Search expression execution means for performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search expression added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data;
The design support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a search result determination unit that evaluates and determines a result of the confirmation search in the know-how database based on the access search formula. 3. The design support according to claim 2, wherein the search result determination unit outputs the number of search hits as a result of the confirmation search and the content of the reference information hit when the number of search hits is one or more. apparatus. The design support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format. The design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further includes a design procedure classification number acquisition unit for acquiring the design procedure classification number. The design support apparatus according to any one of the above. A search keyword acquisition means for acquiring a search keyword used in a database software form search for a know-how database and making it a search keyword data;
Search keyword counting means for counting the number of appearances of the search keyword in the search keyword data as search keyword total data;
A search keyword aggregation database for storing the search keyword aggregation data;
A reference keyword addition determination means for evaluating the search keyword aggregation data stored in the search keyword aggregation database and determining whether to add the search keyword as a reference keyword;
The design support according to claim 1, further comprising reference keyword adding means for adding a search keyword determined to be added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data as a reference keyword. apparatus. The design support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the addition determination criterion in the reference keyword addition determination unit is configured to be changeable. The design procedure data including the design procedure and the reference keyword indicating the presence of the reference information related to the design procedure is stored in the design procedure data storage means, the know-how data including the reference information is stored in the know-how database in the form of database software, A design support method for supporting design by associating design procedure data and know-how data with a network to which the design procedure data storage means and the know-how database are connected ,
Obtaining a reference keyword from the design procedure data by reference keyword acquisition means to obtain reference keyword data;
Creating an access search formula for accessing the reference information stored in the know-how database by the search formula creation means in association with the reference keyword of the reference keyword data;
A design support method comprising: a step of updating the design procedure data by adding the access search formula to a reference keyword of the design procedure data by a design procedure data update means . Performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search formula added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data by a search formula execution means ;
The design support method according to claim 8, further comprising: a step of evaluating and determining a result of the confirmation search in the know-how database by the access search formula by a search result determination unit . The step of evaluating and judging the result of the confirmation search by the search result judging means outputs the number of search hits as a result of the confirmation search and the content of the reference information hit when there are one or more search hits. The design support method according to claim 9, which is characterized by: The design support method according to claim 10, wherein an output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format. 9. The design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further includes a step of acquiring the design procedure classification number by a design procedure classification number acquisition unit. Item 12. The design support method according to any one of Items 11. Obtaining a search keyword used in the search of the database software form with respect to the know-how database by the search keyword acquisition means to obtain search keyword data;
A step of counting the number of appearances of the search keyword in the search keyword data as search keyword total data by a search keyword totaling means ;
Storing the search keyword aggregation data in a search keyword aggregation database;
A step of evaluating whether or not to add a search keyword as a reference keyword by evaluating search keyword aggregation data stored in the search keyword aggregation database by a reference keyword addition determination means ;
13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: adding a search keyword determined to be added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data as a reference keyword by using a reference keyword adding unit. Design support method. The design support method according to claim 13, wherein an addition determination criterion in the step of determining whether or not to add the search keyword as a reference keyword by the reference keyword addition determination unit is configured to be changeable. Design procedure data including a design keyword and a reference keyword indicating the presence of reference information related to the design procedure is stored in a computer, know-how data including reference information is stored in a know-how database in the form of database software, and the design procedure data is stored. And a computer program for associating and know-how data with a network to support design,
Making a computer obtain a reference keyword from the design procedure data and making it a reference keyword data;
Causing the computer to create an access search formula for accessing the reference information stored in the know-how database corresponding to the reference keyword of the reference keyword data;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute the step of updating the design procedure data by adding the access search formula to a reference keyword of the design procedure data. Performing a confirmation search by accessing the know-how database using an access search formula added to a reference keyword of the design procedure data on the computer;
The computer program according to claim 15, further causing the computer to execute a step of evaluating and determining a result of the confirmation search in the know-how database by the access search formula. In the step of causing the computer to evaluate and determine the result of the confirmation search, the number of search hits as a result of the confirmation search and the content of the reference information hit when there are one or more search hits are output. The computer program according to claim 16. The computer program according to claim 17, wherein an output format of the content of the hit reference information is a text format or an image format. The design procedure data includes a design procedure classification number indicating a classification of the design procedure, and further causes a computer to acquire the design procedure classification number. The computer program as described in any one. Obtaining a search keyword used in a database software form search for a know-how database as search keyword data;
Causing the computer to count the number of appearances of the search keyword in the search keyword data as search keyword total data;
Causing the computer to store the search keyword aggregation data in a search keyword aggregation database;
Allowing the computer to evaluate search keyword aggregation data stored in the search keyword aggregation database and determine whether to add the search keyword as a reference keyword;
The computer according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising: causing the computer to add a search keyword determined to be added as a reference keyword to the design procedure data as a reference keyword. program. 21. The computer program according to claim 20, wherein the addition determination criterion in the step of determining whether or not to add the search keyword as a reference keyword is a changeable configuration. In a computer-readable recording medium that records a computer program,
A computer-readable recording medium, wherein the computer program is the computer program according to any one of claims 15 to 21.

Images