JP2000112954A - Configuration management system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To significantly reduce the number of times of access to a relational database device, greatly reduce the time and labor required for search, and improve the search efficiency.
A search request from many client devices is efficiently processed. When a search condition is issued by operating each of client devices (2a to 2n), a configuration search control function unit (19) of a server device (3) accesses a relational database device (5) to determine a partial configuration satisfying the search condition. It extracts and makes the client devices 2a to 2n confirm the search range, accesses the relational database device 5 based on the confirmation result, and obtains component information satisfying the search condition.
After extracting the manufacturing information, the node information, and the like, the display information in the form of a tree structure in which the component information, the manufacturing information, and the node information are put together is passed to the client devices 2a to 2n.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a configuration management system for managing part information such as parts necessary for producing a product, manufacturing information, and the like. The present invention relates to a configuration management system that significantly reduces the time and labor required.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of configuration management systems for managing parts information such as parts necessary for producing products, manufacturing information, and the like.
One known configuration management system is shown in FIG.

The configuration management system 101 shown in FIG.
A plurality of client devices 102a to 102n arranged in a production management department, a parts management department, and the like; a server device 103 in which manufacturing information such as parts necessary for producing a product is registered; and these server devices 103 and each client A communication cable 104 for connecting the devices 102a to 102n.
For example, when a search condition is designated by operating the client device 102a and a search request is issued, the server device 103 fetches the request, and based on the search condition, the database device 105 And retrieves part information, manufacturing information, and the like satisfying the search condition, and supplies them to the client device 102a.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, each time a search request is issued from one of the client devices 102a to 102n, for example, the client device 102a, the search key included in the search request is sent by the server device 103. (Node ID) is extracted (step ST)
101), this search key is set as a search condition in a search condition area (step ST102),
The configuration information table 106 provided in the database device 105 is accessed to check whether a parent node of a node (child node) that satisfies the set search condition exists, and if the parent node exists, (Step ST104), the node IDs of the parent nodes are sequentially extracted and stored in the buffer memory (Step ST105).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, component information and manufacturing information are grouped in units of nodes and registered in the database device 105. Each node 107 has a tree structure, and the configuration information table 106 shown in FIG. The configuration information is registered. For example, as a search key, “node ID = G”
Is set as the node ID of the parent node,
“D” is extracted and stored in the buffer memory.

Hereinafter, the above-described search processing is repeated using the node ID stored in the buffer memory as a search key, and one node 107 specified by the node ID of the search request requested from the client device 102a.
When the search is completed for all nodes 107 connected to the server device 1 (steps ST103 to ST107), the server device 1
03, the search results are compiled and passed to the configuration display tool. The configuration display tool creates display data in a tree structure format. The display data is transferred to the client device 102a.
02a (step ST1).
08).

[0007]

However, such a conventional configuration management system 101 has the following problems.

That is, when searching for each piece of component information and each piece of product information registered in the database device 105, the number of components corresponding to the search condition and the number of nodes 107 connected to the nodes 107 indicating products correspond to the number of nodes. The process of searching for device 105 must be repeated,
There is a problem that it takes too much time to make an inquiry, and it is not possible to increase the search efficiency when searching the database device 105.

Also, when a search is performed for a part of each tree-structured node 107 registered in the configuration information table 106 of the database device 105, the node 10
Since the search is repeated up to the terminal node 107 using the connection information (parent-child relationship, etc.) of No. 7 as a search key, the search for the node 107 is performed more than the required partial configuration, thereby causing a useless search. There was a problem of doing it.

Further, when a partial configuration common to a plurality of overall configurations is updated, a partial configuration must be searched through all the overall configurations, so that a large number of search controls must be repeated, which is necessary for the updating operation. There was a problem that the time was long.

In view of the above circumstances, according to the present invention, a node search can be performed by using a node ID of a partial configuration as a search key, thereby greatly reducing the number of accesses to the database device and performing the search. An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration management system that can significantly reduce the time and labor required and improve the search efficiency of a database device to efficiently process search requests from a large number of client devices. I have.

In the second aspect, when the partial configuration is updated,
The entire configuration affected by the update can be identified with only one search, thereby simplifying the process (exclusive process) of specifying the entire configuration to apply the updated content of the partial configuration, and the time and labor required for the update. Can be greatly simplified, and by editing / excluding partial configuration units, it is possible to greatly improve the efficiency when editing the partial configuration, such as utilizing the old partial configuration and canceling the update of the partial configuration. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a configuration management system capable of performing the above.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a configuration management system for registering and managing configuration information composed of a plurality of nodes in a database device. A configuration node group management table in which the configuration information is registered in units of configuration node groups that logically divide the configuration information registered in the database device, and when a search request is issued for any of the configuration information, A configuration search control function unit that selects a configuration node group including the requested configuration information from among the configuration node groups registered in the configuration node group management table and searches for each configuration information. Features.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a configuration management system for registering and managing configuration information constituted by a plurality of nodes in a database device, wherein each configuration information registered in the database device is logically divided. A configuration node group management table in which the configuration information is registered in a group unit; a configuration management table in which the configuration information registered in the database device is registered as one overall configuration; When an update request is received, a configuration node group including the configuration information requested to be updated is selected from among the configuration node groups registered in the configuration node group management table to perform an update process, and the overall management is performed. An update process is performed by selecting an overall configuration including the configuration information requested to be updated from among the overall configurations registered in the table. It is characterized in that a configuration update control function unit for performing.

According to the above configuration, each configuration information is registered in the configuration node group management table in units of configuration node groups obtained by logically dividing each configuration information registered in the database device. When a search request is issued for any of the above, from among the constituent node groups registered in the constituent node group management table by the configuration search control function unit, a constituent node group including the requested configuration information is selected. Search for configuration information. As a result, a node search is performed using the node ID of the partial configuration as a search key, the number of accesses to the database device is greatly reduced, the time and labor required for the search are significantly reduced, and the search efficiency of the database device is improved. As a result, search requests from many client devices are efficiently processed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, each configuration information registered in the database device is registered as one overall configuration in the overall management table, and each configuration information registered in the database device is logically divided. Register each configuration information in the configuration node group management table for each group,
When an update request is received for any of the configuration information, the configuration update control function unit selects a configuration node group including the configuration information requested to be updated from among the configuration node groups registered in the configuration node group management table. When the partial configuration is updated by performing the update process and selecting the overall configuration including the configuration information requested to be updated from among the overall configurations registered in the overall management table and performing the update process, The update of the partial configuration is completed only by searching the entire configuration once, thereby simplifying the process (exclusive process) of specifying the entire configuration to apply the updated content of the partial configuration, and significantly increasing the time and labor required for the update. , And manage the configuration history in units of partial configurations to reuse and use the old partial configurations.
Significantly improve the efficiency of editing a partial configuration, such as canceling a partial configuration update.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS << Configuration of the Embodiment >> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration management system according to the present invention.

In the configuration management system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of client devices 2a to 2n arranged in a production management department, a parts management department, and the like, and component information and manufacturing information necessary for producing a product are registered. And a communication cable 4 for connecting the server device 3 and each of the client devices 2a to 2n.

In the configuration management system 1, one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, the client device 2a is operated to specify a search condition. When a search request is issued, the server device 3 captures the search condition and retrieves it. The user accesses the relational database device 5 to check whether there is a partial configuration that satisfies the search condition. If the partial configuration exists, the user designates either the entire configuration or the partial configuration based on an instruction from the client device 2a. And relational database device 5
To access parts information, manufacturing information,
Extract node information, etc.
The display data in a tree structure in which manufacturing information and node information are put together is passed to the client device 2a, and any one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, the client device 2
a is operated and an update request is issued, the server device 3
Updates the partial configuration registered in the relational database device 5, and updates the entire tree structure based on the updated contents.

Each of the client devices 2a to 2n includes a keyboard device 6 operated by an operator, and a search instruction function unit 7, a search result display function unit 8, as shown in FIG.
It has an update instruction function unit 9 and a configuration editing function unit 10,
Various commands and various data output from the keyboard device 6 are processed to generate a search request, an update request, a configuration edit request, and the like, and the search request, the update request, the configuration edit request, and the like are transmitted to the communication cable 4. A processing device 11 for performing a process of supplying the search result and the like to the server device 3 when the search result and the like are output from the server device 3 via the communication cable 4 to generate display data;
The display device 12 includes a display device 12 that captures display data output from the processing device 11 and displays a screen.

In each of the client devices 2a to 2n, when the keyboard device 6 is operated to input a search instruction, an update instruction, a configuration edit instruction, and the like, the processing device 11 generates a search request, an update request, a configuration edit request, and the like. At the same time, these search requests, update requests, configuration editing requests, and the like are sent out over the communication cable 4 and supplied to the server device 3, and when the server device 3 outputs search results and the like,
This is taken in via the communication cable 4 to generate display data, and the contents of the display data are displayed on the display device 12 on a screen.

The server device 3 includes a product information registration unit 13 for registering a plurality of records in which parts information, product information, and the like are described, as shown in FIG.
Connection relationship of all records registered in the database (overall configuration)
Is registered in the configuration management table 14, a part (partial configuration) of the entire configuration registered in the configuration management table 14.
Is registered, a partial configuration position management table 16 in which the relationship between the partial configuration registered in the partial configuration management table 15 and the entire configuration registered in the configuration management table 14 is registered, and A relational database device 5 having a partial configuration history management table 17 in which an update history of a partial configuration registered in the partial configuration management table 15 is registered, and a communication cable is used when a search request is issued from each of the client devices 2a to 2n. 4 and retrieves the specified search range while looking up the product information registration unit 13, configuration management table 14, partial configuration management table 15, and partial configuration position management table 16 of the relational database device 5. To search for parts information, manufacturing information, Collectively de information generates display data of a tree structure format, structure search control function unit 1 to pass which was sent to the communication cable 4 to the client device 2a~2n
9 and when an update request and a configuration edit request are output from each of the client devices 2a to 2n, these are fetched via the communication cable 4 and, in response to these update requests and the configuration edit request, the products of the relational database device 5 A configuration update control function unit 20 for updating the registered contents of the information registration unit 13, the configuration management table 14, the partial configuration management table 15, the partial configuration position management table 16, and the partial configuration history management table 17 is provided.

In the server device 3, any one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, the client device 2a
When a search request is issued from the product information registration unit 13 of the relational database device 5, the configuration management table 1
4. Look up the partial configuration management table 15 and the partial configuration position management table 16 to check whether a partial configuration ID corresponding to the search request exists, and check the partial configuration ID.
Exists, the client device 2a checks whether the partial configuration or the entire configuration is to be searched, and, based on the content of the confirmation, the configuration management table 14, the partial configuration management table 15, and the partial configuration management table 15 of the relational database device 5. The partial configuration management table 16 is searched to generate tree-structured display data by combining component information, manufacturing information, and node information that satisfy the search condition, and supply this to the client device 2a. In addition, each client device 2
When an update request or a configuration editing request is output from any one of a to 2n, the product information registration unit 1 of the relational database device 5 responds to the update request and the configuration editing request.
3, configuration management table 14, partial configuration management table 1
5. The contents of the partial configuration position management table 16 and the partial configuration history management table 17 are updated.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, each node 2 corresponding to each record registered in the product information registration unit 13
1 is a tree structure, and if a part of the entire configuration 22 is logically divided into partial configurations 23 and 24, the node ID, the parent node ID, and the partial As the configuration ID and the overall configuration ID,
The contents shown in FIG. 2 are described, and the node ID and the parent node I described in each record of the partial configuration management table 15 are described.
2 is described as D and the partial configuration ID, and the partial configuration ID, parent node ID, and configuration I described in the record of the partial configuration position management table 16 are described.
As D, the contents shown in FIG. 2 are described. Further, in response to the update request and the edit request, as shown in FIG.
1 is updated, the contents of the partial configuration management table 15, the configuration management table 14, and the partial configuration position management table 16 are updated accordingly, and each record of the partial configuration history management table 17 is updated. The described partial configuration ID and old partial configuration ID are updated as shown in FIG.

<< Operation of Embodiment >> Next, a search operation, an update operation, and an edit operation of this embodiment will be sequentially described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

<Search Operation> First, each client device 2
a to 2n, for example, the keyboard device 6 of the client device 2a is operated, and the search instruction function unit 7 provided in the processing device 11 of the client device 6 searches for the configuration name based on the node name. When a search request to be displayed is generated and transmitted on the communication cable 4, the search request is fetched by the configuration search control function unit 19 of the server device 3, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Based on the included node name,
A node ID serving as a search key is determined (step ST1), and the node ID is set in a search condition area (step ST2). The partial configuration management table 15 shown in FIG. Is checked to see if it exists.

If any of the records in the partial configuration management table 15 includes a node ID (step ST4), the configuration search control function unit 19 reads out the contents of the record including the node ID. After the partial configuration ID described in this record is extracted, the partial configuration position management table 16 shown in FIG. 7 is searched to read the contents of the record including the partial configuration ID,
The entire configuration ID described in this record is extracted (step ST5).

If all of the records in the partial configuration management table 15 do not include the node ID (step ST4), the configuration management table 14 shown in FIG. , Node ID
Is read, and the entire configuration ID described in the record is extracted. Then, the partial configuration position management table 16 is searched to read the content of the record including the entire configuration ID. The partial configuration ID described in the record is extracted (step ST6).

Next, the overall configuration ID and the partial configuration ID obtained by the search operation of the above-described partial configuration management table 15, partial configuration position management table 16, and configuration management table 14 by the configuration search control function unit 19 are displayed as display candidates. The data is transmitted over the communication cable 4 and supplied to the search result display function unit 8 of the client device 2a that has issued the search request, and is displayed on the display device 12 of the client device 2a (steps ST7 and ST8).

Here, after the operator who looks at the display contents displayed on the display device 12 determines which of the partial configuration and the overall configuration is better as the search range, the keyboard device 6 is operated, and the determination result is obtained. When the determination result is input and output from the search instruction function unit 7 of the client device 2a and sent out over the communication cable 4, the determination result is captured by the configuration search control function unit 19 of the server device 3 (step ST9). ). And the overall configuration I
After either D or the partial configuration ID is set in the search condition area (step ST10), the configuration management table 14 is searched, and the contents of the record including the entire configuration ID or the partial configuration ID are sequentially read out. The node ID and parent node ID described in each record are stored in the buffer memory.

The node ID and parent node I described in all records including the entire configuration ID or the partial configuration ID
When the extraction of D is completed (step ST13), only the node 21 connecting the partial configurations is selected by the configuration search control function unit 19, and the partial configuration position management table 1
6 is retrieved, the contents of the record including the node 21 are read out, and the parent node ID described in this record is extracted. Then, the configuration management table 14 is searched, and the contents of the record including the parent node ID are retrieved. Are read (steps ST11 to ST14). The contents of this record, each node ID and each parent node ID stored in the buffer memory are put together to create node information, and based on this node information, a node name corresponding to a search condition is defined. Is generated, and display data in a tree structure format is generated, sent out over the communication cable 4, supplied to the search result display function unit 8 of the client device 2a, and displayed on the display device 12 (step ST15). ).

<Update / Edit Operation> In addition, by the above-described search operation, any one of the partial configurations 23 and 24 in a tree structure format is displayed on one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, on the display device 12 of the client device 2a Alternatively, the keyboard device 6 of the client device 2a is operated while the overall configuration 22 is displayed, and the display device 12 is displayed.
When one of the partial configurations 23 and 24 displayed above, for example, the partial configuration 23 is specified and an update instruction is input, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The provided update instruction function unit 9 generates an update request including the partial configuration ID of the partial configuration 23 to be updated, and sends out the update request over the communication cable 4 (step ST21). After the update request is fetched by the configuration update control function unit 20 of the server device 3 and the partial configuration ID included in the search request is set in the search condition area (step ST2).
2), the partial configuration position management table 16 shown in FIG. 10 is searched, and the contents of the record including the partial configuration ID are read (step ST23).

When all the contents of the record including the partial configuration ID are read, the configuration update control function unit 20 sends out the entire configuration ID described in the record as an update candidate on the communication cable 4 and updates the configuration ID. The request is supplied to the update instruction function unit 9 of the client device 2a that has issued the request, and is displayed on the display device 12 of the client device 2a.

Here, the display device 12 is operated by the operator.
Is confirmed, the keyboard device 6 is operated to input an update permission instruction based on the result of the confirmation, and the update instruction function unit 9 of the client device 2a performs the update permission operation. Is generated,
When this is transmitted over the communication cable 4 (step ST
24), the update permission is fetched by the configuration update control function unit 20 of the server device 3 and includes the entire configuration ID designated by the update permission among the records registered in the configuration management table 14 shown in FIG. An update status is added to the attribute information of the record (step ST25).
Further, after the updating status is added to the record including the partial configuration ID among the records registered in the partial configuration management table 15 shown in FIG. 12 (step ST2).
6) The contents of each record are sent out as node information of an update target portion over the communication cable 4 and supplied to the configuration editing function unit 10 of the client device 2a that issued the update request, and the display device 12 of the client device 2a Is displayed in a graphical format (step ST27).

At this point, the keyboard device 6 is operated by the operator, and an update instruction and an edit instruction for the node information displayed on the display device 12 are inputted. Is generated and sent out on the communication cable 4 (step ST28).
The editing request is captured by the configuration update control function unit 20 of the server device 3. Then, a new partial configuration ID is assigned to the changed partial configuration 23 included in the editing request, the content of the partial configuration management table 16 is updated (step ST29), and each of the partial configuration management tables 16 is updated. The updating status added to the record is cleared (step ST30).

Next, the configuration update control function unit 20 of the server device 3 replaces the partial configuration ID described in each record to which the updating status is added among the records in the configuration management table 14 with a new partial configuration ID. After replacement with the ID, the updating status added to each record is cleared (step ST31), and a record is created by pairing the partial configuration ID before update and the new partial configuration ID after update. This is registered in the partial configuration history management table 15 shown in FIG. 13 (step ST3).
2).

<< Effects of Embodiment >> As described above, in this embodiment, one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, the client device 2a is operated to specify a search condition, and a search request is issued. At this time, this is taken in by the server device 3 and the relational database device 5 is accessed to check whether there is a partial configuration that satisfies the search condition. When the partial configuration exists, based on an instruction from the client device 2a, , The relational database device 5 is accessed by specifying either the entire configuration or the partial configuration, and the part information, the manufacturing information, the node information, etc. satisfying the search conditions are extracted, and the parts information, the manufacturing information, and the node information are extracted. The combined tree-structured display data is passed to the client device 2a. . Therefore, a node search can be performed using the partial configuration ID indicating the partial configuration as a search key, thereby greatly reducing the number of accesses to the relational database device 5 and greatly reducing the time and labor required for the search. In addition, the search efficiency of the relational database device 5 can be improved, and search requests from a large number of client devices 2a to 2n can be efficiently processed (the effect of claim 1).

In this embodiment, when any one of the client devices 2a to 2n, for example, the client device 2a is operated and an update request is issued, the server device 3 registers the update request in the relational database device 5. In addition to updating the partial configurations 23, 24, etc., the entire configuration 22 of the tree structure is updated based on the updated contents, and an update history is registered. Therefore, one of the partial configurations 23 and 24, for example, the partial configuration 2
3 is updated, the update of the partial configuration 23 can be completed only by searching the entire configuration 22 once, whereby the process of designating the entire configuration 22 to which the updated contents of the partial configurations 23 and 24 are applied ( Exclusive processing) can be simplified, and the time and effort required for updating can be greatly simplified. In addition, the configuration history can be managed in units of partial configurations, reuse of old partial configurations, cancellation of partial configuration updates, etc. Thus, the efficiency in editing the partial configuration can be greatly improved (the effect of claim 2).

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the configuration management system according to the first aspect, the node ID of the partial configuration
Can be used as a search key to perform a node search, thereby greatly reducing the number of accesses to the database device, greatly reducing the time and effort required for the search, and improving the search efficiency of the database device. By improving this, search requests from a large number of client devices are efficiently processed.

In the configuration management system according to the second aspect, when the partial configuration is updated, the entire configuration affected by the update can be identified by only one search, and the updated content of the partial configuration is applied. By simplifying the process of specifying the entire configuration (exclusive process), the time and labor required for updating can be greatly simplified, and by editing / exclusion in partial configuration units, the old partial configuration can be reused and used. Efficiency in editing a partial configuration, such as canceling an update, can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a configuration management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a search operation, an update operation, and an edit operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of each node registered in the relational database device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of updating each node registered in the relational database device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a search operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a partial configuration management table used in a search operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a partial configuration position management table used in a search operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a configuration management table used in a search operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an update / edit operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a partial configuration position management table used in updating and editing operations of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a configuration management table used in updating and editing operations of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a partial configuration management table used in updating and editing operations of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing detailed contents of a partial configuration history management table used in update and editing operations of the configuration management system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventionally known configuration management system.

15 is a flowchart showing a search operation of the configuration management system shown in FIG.

16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a node registered in the database device illustrated in FIG. 14;

17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of node information registered in the configuration information table shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Configuration management system 2a to 2n: Client device 3: Server device 4: Communication cable 5: Relational database device 6: Keyboard device 7: Search instruction function unit 8: Search result display function unit 9: Update instruction function unit 10: Configuration Editing function unit 11: processing device 12: display device 13: product information registration unit 14: configuration management table (whole management table) 15: partial configuration management table (configuration node group management table) 16: partial configuration position management table (configuration node) Group management table) 17: Configuration history management table 19: Configuration search control function unit 20: Configuration update control function unit 21: Node 22: Overall configuration 23, 24: Partial configuration (configuration node group)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A configuration management system for registering and managing configuration information configured by a plurality of nodes in a database device, wherein the configuration information registered in the database device is logically divided into configuration node groups. A configuration node group management table in which the configuration information is registered, and a search request for any of the configuration information,
A configuration search control function unit that selects a configuration node group including the requested configuration information from among the configuration node groups registered in the configuration node group management table and searches for each configuration information. A configuration management system characterized by the following. 2. A configuration management system for registering and managing configuration information composed of a plurality of nodes in a database device, wherein each configuration information registered in the database device is logically divided into configuration node groups. A configuration node group management table in which each of the configuration information is registered;
When there is an update request for the general management table registered as one overall configuration and any of the configuration information,
Among the configuration node groups registered in the configuration node group management table, a configuration node group including the configuration information requested to be updated is selected and updated, and each of the configuration nodes registered in the overall management table is updated. A configuration update control function unit that selects an overall configuration including the configuration information requested to be updated from among the configurations and performs an update process.