Patent Publication Number: US-2023161321-A1

Title: Design support system, design support method, and storage medium

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a design support system that supports system design, a design support method, and a design support program. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Engineering apparatuses are used to design a factory automation (FA) system. The engineering apparatuses to be used are different for each design phase when performing FA system design, such as mechanical design, electrical design, and control design. However, even in different design phases, there is partially duplicate work. That is, even in djfferent engineering apparatuses, there is partially duplicate work. Design work in an engineering apparatus is work by manual input by a person. Therefore, a discrepancy in work results of duplicate work in different engineering apparatuses may be caused, due to input errors or the like, between the engineering apparatuses. 
     As a technique for cooperation between engineering tools, Patent Literature 1 describes an engineering tool cooperation device that allows engineering for accommodating a difference in a data format or the like between engineering tools to operate plant control devices in cooperation with each other. 
     On the other hand, there is an extensible markup language (XML) file interchange function as a function for  eliminating duplicate work in different engineering apparatuses. By using the XML file interchange function, information held in an upstream phase of a design process can be reflected in a downstream phase of the design process without causing a discrepancy. In addition, a change made in the downstream phase can be reflected in the upstream phase. Similarly, by using the XML file interchange function, information held in the downstream phase of the design process can be reflected in the upstream phase of the design process without causing a discrepancy. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-73055 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in a case of interchanging the XML files including device information described therein between engineering apparatuses, only device information of a device that can be handled by the engineering apparatuses can be processed. Therefore, device information is frequently lost in the interchange of the device information between engineering apparatuses. Such a device that can be handled by an engineering apparatus is a device that can be set in a system design in the engineering apparatus. 
     For example, a case is assumed where there are an engineering apparatus manufactured by company A and an engineering apparatus manufactured by company B which are downstream engineering apparatuses for performing system  design of the same phase which is a downstream phase of a design process. Both the engineering apparatus manufactured by company A and the engineering apparatus manufactured by company B have functional limitations in the system design. The engineering apparatus manufactured by company A cannot set devices manufactured by company B in the system design. The engineering apparatus manufactured by company B cannot set devices manufactured by company A in the system design. 
     On the other hand, an upstream engineering apparatus for designing an upstream. phase of the design process has a wide range of devices that can be set in the system design, and can set both of devices manufactured by company A and devices manufactured by company B. Therefore, when the engineering apparatus manufactured by company A or the engineering apparatus manufactured by company B imports device information output from the engineering apparatus in an upstream process, and there exists device information not to be processed in each engineering apparatus, the device nformation not to be processed is not imported and is lost. 
     Then, in a case where the device information changed by the engineering apparatus manufactured by company A or the engineering apparatus manufactured by company B is reflected in the device information held in the upstream engineering apparatus, since part of the device information is lost in the device information output by the engineering apparatus manufactured by company A or company B, fundamentally required device information is not held in the upstream engineering apparatus, which is a problem. 
     The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain a design  support system capable of performing, with no loss of information, transmission and reception of information between engineering apparatuses in which devices that can be set in system design are different therebetween. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, a design support system according to the present disclosure is a design support system that includes a plurality of engineering apparatuses that supports system design, and a server capable of communicating with the plurality of engineering apparatuses, the design support system being capable of transmitting and receiving, between the plurality of engineering apparatuses and the server, device information specifying devices to be set in a device configuration designed in the system design. Each of the plurality of engineering apparatuses is capable of setting a dfifferent one of the devices in the system design and holds a configuration information file including configuration information which is information on the device configuration created using the device information. The server includes a configuration information master file in which the configuration information file output from each of the plurality of engineering apparatuses is reflected, a filter file including an extraction condition for extracting the device information which is desired, and an extraction unit that extracts the device information using the filter file from the configuration information file output from each of the engineering apparatuses or the configuration information master file. The server further includes a reflection unit that reflects, in the configuration information master file, the device  information extracted by the extraction unit using the filter file from the configuration information file output from each of the engineering apparatuses; and an output unit that outputs, to the engineering apparatuses, the device information extracted by the extraction unit using the filter file from the configuration information master file. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The design support system according to the present disclosure achieves an effect that it is possible to perform, with no loss of information, transmission and reception of information between engineering apparatuses in which devices that can be set in system design are different therebetween. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a design support system according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server of the design support system. according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an example of detailed information of a filter file according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an engineering apparatus of the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a first operation performed by the server of the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating an example of a reflection dialog box displayed on a display unit of the  server of the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a second operation performed by the server of the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of an output dialog box displayed on the display unit of the server of the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an outline of a process of reflecting a configuration information file in a configuration information master file in the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration nformation file is reflected in the configuration information master file using a filter file in which a pattern of filter information is pattern A in the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration nformation file is reflected in the coy figuration information master file using the filter file in which a pattern of the filter information is pattern B in the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration nformation file is reflected in the configuration information master file using the filter file in which a pattern of the filter information is pattern C in the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram illustrating an outline of a process of outputting the configuration information file  from the configuration information master file in the design support system according to the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a design support system, a design support method, and a design support program according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a design support system  100  according to a first embodiment. The design support system  100  is an FA system design support system that supports system design of an FA system including a plurality of FA devices. 
     In the design support system  100 , a server  10  and a plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  are connected via a network  30 . 
     The server  10  is an apparatus that mutually transmits and receives device information of devices used in the system design of the FA system to and from the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 , and holds the device information. The device information transmitted and received between the server  10  and the engineering apparatuses  20  is device information included in configuration information which is information indicating a device configuration. The device configuration is a configuration of an assembled device which is a second device configured by combining and setting a plurality of individual devices each of which is a first device set in the system design. The individual devices are each a device serving as a component constituting the assembled device. The device configuration is created using device information which is information for specifying individual  devices set in the system design. Hereinafter, the individual devices may be each simply referred to as a device. Accordingly, the device information in the following description is information for specifying individual devices each of which is the first device set in order to constitute the assembled device which is the second device designed in the system design. 
     The server  10  is connected to the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  via the network  30 , and can perform wired communication with the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 . Note that the communication between the server  10  and the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  may be wireless communication. The server  10  is connectea to the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  only when necessary. 
     The engineering apparatuses  20  are each an apparatus that supports various designs such as mechanical design, electrical design, and control design for constructing an FA system. In the first embodiment, the design support system  100  includes a first engineering apparatus  20   a  which is the engineering apparatus  20  that supports system design of different phases in the design of the FA system, and a second engineering apparatus  20   b  which is the engineering apparatus  20 . Note that the design support system.  100  may include three or more engineering apparatuses  20  that support system design in the same phase, or support system design in different phases. 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server  10  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment.  FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating an example of a Filter file  180  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment.  FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of  the engineering apparatus  20  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     The server  10  includes an input unit  11  to which information is input, a communication unit  12  that performs communication with the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 , a display unit  13  that displays information, a processor  14  that executes various processes, and a memory  15  that stores information. The input unit  11 , the communication unit  12 , the display unit  13 , the processor  14 , and the memory  15  are connected via a bus line  16 . 
     Various types of information are input to the input unit  11  from the outside of the server  10 . Examples of the input unit  11  include a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and information is input by an operation by a user. The communication unit  12  performs bidirectional communication with the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 . The display unit  13  displays information on a screen. 
     The processor  14  is a central processing unit (CPU), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a mdcroprocessor, a microcomputer, or a digital signal processor (DSP). 
     The memory  15  includes a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)), or a hard disk drive (HDD) as an external storage device or a solid state drive (SSD) as an external storage device. Various data and a design support program which is a processing program of the server  10  are stored in the memory  15 . The processor  14  executes the design support program stored in the memory  15 . 
     A design support program describing a processing  procedure in the server  10  executed by the processor  14  is loaded into the RAM, and data used by the processor  14  is temporarily held therein. The design support program is a design support program that causes a computer to execute a design support method in which the server  10  transmits and receives, to and from each engineering apparatus  20 , device information specifying a device set in system design. Basic input/output system (BIOS) or unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) as a program for basic: control of the computer is stored in the ROM. The design support program and various data are stored in the external storage device. Note that the design support program may be stored. in the ROM. 
     The programs stored in the ROM and the external storage device are loaded into the RAM. The processor  14  loads the design support program into the PAM and executes various processes. In the, first embodiment, the processor  14  realizes a function of each processing unit of a server control unit  140  to be described later by executing the design support program. 
     The design support program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The server  10  may store the design support program stored in the storage medium in the external storage device. The storage medium may be a portable storage medium which is a flexible disk, or a flash memory which is a semiconductor memory. The design support program may be installed on a computer serving as the server  10  from another computer or a server device via a network. 
     The memory  15  includes a database  160  in which configuration information master files  170  and filter files  180  are stored. The database  160  stores and holds the configuration information master files  170  to be updated by  a reflection unit  143  as described later. In addition, the database  160  stores and holds the filter files  180  to be used by an extraction unit  142  to extract device information as described later. 
     Each configuration information master file  170  is a reflection destination file of a configuration information file  250  to be described later output by the engineering apparatus  20 . The configuration information master file  170  is a file serving as a base of the configuration information file  250  output from the server  10  to the engineering apparatus  20  through the filter file  180 . 
     The configuration information master file  170  holds latest configuration information held by the engineering apparatus  20  by taking in device information of the configuration information file  250  held by the engineering apparatus  20  through the filter file  180 . That is, the configuration information master file  170  holds device information of a device used for the latest device configuration held by the engineering apparatus  20 . Since the configuration information file  250  output by the engineering apparatus  20  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 , information on the configuration information file  250  which is latest and held by the engineering apparatus  20  is described therein. That is, the latest configuration information designed in the engineering apparatus  20  is described in the configuration information master file  170 . Therefore, by performing transmission and reception of the device information between each engineering apparatus  20  and the server  10 , the content of the configuration information file  250  held by each engineering apparatus  20  and the content of the configuration information master file  170  becomes identical  with each other. 
     The device information is information for specifying individual devices that can be used in system design in the engineering apparatuses  20 . In the system design in the engineering apparatuses  20 , a device that can be used, that is, a device that can be set is different for each design phase and for each engineering apparatus  20 . Therefore, a device that can be used, that is, a device that can be set in the system design, is different for each engineering apparatus  20  used in each design phase in the system design. 
     That is, in the design support system  100 , devices to be used in system design are different between. the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the second engineering apparatus  20   b . However, devices to be used in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  are not completely different from devices to be used in the second engineering apparatus  20   b . Accordingly, there is a device to be used in both the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the second engineering apparatus  20   b.    
     Accordingly, there is a device that can be set in the system design in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  but cannot be set in the system design in the second engineering apparatus  20   b . In addition, there is a device that cannot be set in the system design in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  but can be set in the system design in the second engineering apparatus  20   b . In addition, there is a device that can be set in both the system design in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the system design in the second engineering apparatus  20   b.    
     The filter file  180  is a filter file in which extraction conditions for extracting device information from the configuration information master file  170  or the  configuration information file  250  are described. The filter file  180  is used to extract desired device information desired to be reflected in the database  160  when the configuration information file  250  output by the engineering apparatus  20  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  held in the database  160 . The filter file  180  is used to extract only device information required by the user from the configuration information master file  170  when only the device information required by the user is output from the configuration information master file  170  held in the database  160  to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination designated by the user. 
     Accordingly, in the filter file  180  used when the device information is output from the server  10  to each engineering apparatus  20 , extraction conditions are described under which device information of a device is not extracted, the device being not settable in the system design in the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination to which the device information is output. 
     The configuration information file  250  is an XML file output by each engineering apparatus  20 . The configuration information file  250  is a file of configuration information which is information on a device configuration created by the user in the engineering apparatus  20  using device information of a device that can be set by the engineering apparatus  20 . That is, in the configuration information file  250 , device information of individual devices is described, the individual devices being used for a device configuration created in the system design in the engineering apparatus  20  of the design support system  100 . The device information included in the configuration information file  250  includes device  information different for each of the enc ineering apparatuses  20  althouGh there is duplicate device information in the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 . 
     Regarding the filter files  180 , the filter file  180  is used which individually corresponds to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination of the device information from the configuration information master file  170  and is unique to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. For example, in a case where the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination of the device information from the configuration information master file  170  is the first engineering apparatus  20   a , the unique filter file  180  for the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is used. 
     Regarding the filter files  180 , one or more filter files  180  are stored in the database  160  for a type of each engineering apparatus  20 . That is, one filter file  180  is basically stored in the database  160  for a type of each engineering apparatus  20 . However, in a case where it is desired to selectively use a plurality of filter files  180  for a type of the engineering apparatus  20 , the plurality of filter files  180  for a type of each engineering apparatus  20  may be stored in the database  160 . The filter files  180  are registered in the database  160  by the user via the input unit  11 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the filter file  180  includes, for example, filter information  181 . 
     The filter information  181  is information indicating extraction conditions for extracting only desired device information from the device information included in the configuration information master file  170 , or for extracting only desired device information from the device information included in the configuration  information file  250  held in each engineering apparatus  20  and to be transmitted to the server  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the filter information  181  includes, as extraction conditions, (1) vendor information to be extracted, (2) device information to be extracted, and (3) element information to be extracted. The vendor information is information on a vendor that provides a device that can be used in the system design in the engineering apparatus  20 , and is a company name or the like. The device information is information on a device that can be used in the system design in the engineering apparatus  20 , and is a name of the device, a product number of the device, or the like. The element information is an element described in a format of a description method of the device information. 
     Among the three pieces of information of (1) vendor information to be extracted, (2) device information to be extracted, and (3) element information to be extracted included in the filter information  181 , the filter file  180  includes, as extraction conditions, all pieces of information of (1) to (3), the information of (1) and the information of (3), or the information of and the information of (3). 
     Among the pieces of device information included in the configuration information file  250 , only a piece of device information that satisfies all pieces of extraction information of the filter information  181  included in the filter file  180  is device information to be extracted, which is to be extracted through the filter file  180 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates the functional configuration of the server  10  realized by using the processor  14 . The server  10  includes the server control unit  140  that controls processes of the entirety of the server  10 . The  server control unit  140  includes an information acquisition unit  141 , the extraction unit  142 , the reflection unit  143 , an output unit  144 , and a display processing unit  145 . 
     The information acquisition unit  141  transmits, to the reflection unit  143 , a file name designated by the user in a reflection dialog box  300  to be described later. In addition, the information acquisition unit  141  transmits, to the output unit  144 , a file name designated by the user in an output dialog box  400 . 
     The extraction unit  142  extracts desired device information corresponding to the filter information  181  described in the filter file  180  from the configuration information master file  170  or the configuration information file  250 . In a case where the configuration information file  250  output by the engineering apparatus  20  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  held in the database  160 , the extraction unit  142  extracts only desired device information desired to be reflected in the database  160  from the configuration information file  250 . In addition, in a case where only device information required by the user is output from the configuration information master file  170  held in the database  160  to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination designated by the user, the extraction unit  142  extracts only desired device information required by the user from the configuration information master file  170 . Hereinafter, the device information extracted by the extraction unit  142  may be referred to as extracted device information. 
     The reflection unit  143  reflects, in the configuration information master file  170  of the server  10 , the extracted device information extracted by the extraction unit  142  from the configuration information file   250  transmitted from the engineering apparatus  20  on the basis of the filter information  181  described in the filter file  180 . 
     The output unit  144  outputs, to the engineering apparatus  20 , the extracted device information extracted from the configuration information master file  170  by the extraction unit  142  on the basis of the filter information  181  described in the filter file  180 . 
     The display processing unit  145  performs a process for display on the display unit  13 . The display processing unit  145  performs a process of displaying the output dialog box  400  to be described later or the reflection dialog box  300  to be described later on the display unit  13  in accordance with control from the information acquisition unit  141 . That is, the display processing unit  145  performs the process of displaying the reflection dialog box  300  to be described later on the display unit  13  when reflecting the device information of the configuration information file  250  transmitted from the engineering apparatus  20  in the configuration information master file  170 . In addition, the display processing unit  145  performs the process of displaying the output dialog box  400  to be described later on the display unit  13  when outputting the device information of the configuration information master file  170  to the engineering apparatus  20 . 
     Furthermore, the display processing unit  145  displays the information received from the engineering apparatus  20  on the display unit  13 . 
     Next, a configuration of the engineering apparatus  20  will be described. As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the engineering apparatus  20  includes an input unit  21  to which information is input, a communication unit  22  that  performs communication with the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20 , a display unit  23  that displays information, a processor  24  that executes various processes, and a memory  25  that stores information. The input unit  21 , the communication unit  22 , the display unit  23 , the processor  24 , and the memory  25  are connected via a bus line  26 . 
     Various types of information are input to the input unit  21  from the outside of the engineering apparatus  20 . Examples of the input unit  21  include a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and information is input by an operation by the user. The communication unit  22  performs bidirectional communication with the server  10 . The display unit  23  displays information on a screen. 
     The processor  24  is a CPU, a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. 
     The memory  25  stores the configuration information file  250 . The memory  25  includes a PAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM or EEPROM, or an HDD or an SSD. An engineering program which is a processing program of the engineering apparatus  20  is stored in the memory  25 . The processor  24  executes the engineering program stored in the memory  25 . The engineering program is a program that causes a computer to execute system design in the engineering apparatus  20 . 
     The fHrst engineering apparatus  20   a  stores a first configuration information file  250   a  which is the configuration information file  250  in the memory  25 . The second engineering apparatus  20   b  stores a second configuration information file  250   b  which is the configuration information file  250  in the memory  25 . The first configuration information file  250   a  and the second  configuration information file  250   b  are created in the XML language, i.e., the same language. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the functional configuration of the engineering apparatus  20  realized by using the processor  24 . The engineering apparatus  20  includes a control unit  240  that controls processes of the entirety of the engineering apparatus  20 . The control unit  240  includes an editor unit  241 , an output unit  242 , and a display processing unit  243 . 
     The editor unit.  241  displays a system design screen on the display unit  23 , and performs a process of creating or editing a system design document in response to an operation by the user performed on the input unit  21 . The editor unit  241  stores the created or edited system design document in the memory  25 . The function of the editor unit  241  of creating and editing a system design document is similar to an editor function of a general engineering tool. The edhtor unit  241  creates, as part of a process of creating the system design document, the configuration information file  250  which is a file of configuration information including device information. 
     The output unit  242  outputs the configuration information file  250  created by the editor unit  241  to the server  10 . In addition, the output unit  242  outputs the configuration information file  250  created by the editor unit  241  for interchanging the configuration information file  250  between the engineering apparatuses  20 . 
     Next, an operation of the design support system  100  will be described.  FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a first operation performed by the server  10  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. The first operation is an operation of uploading the configuration information file  250  held by  the engineering apparatus  20  to the server  10  and reflecting the configuration information file  250  in the configuration information master file  170 . In more detail, the first operation is an operation of reflecting device information included in the configuration information file  250  held by the engineering apparatus  20  in the configuration information master file  170 . 
     In step S 10 , the display processing unit  145  of the server  10  displays the reflect ion dialog box  300  on the display unit  13 .  FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating an example of the reflection dialog box  300  displayed on the display unit  13  of the server  10  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     The reflection dialog box  300  is a screen on which a file is designated, the file being used when the configuration information file  250  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . Specifically, in the reflection dialog box  300 , a reflection destination master file, a reflection source configuration information file, and a filter file are designated. The reflection dialog box  300  includes a reflection destination master file input region  311  to which a reflection destination master file name  310  is input, a reflection source configuration information file input region  321  to which a reflection source configuration information file name  320  is input, and a filter file input region  331  to which a filter file name  330  is input. 
     Here, the reflection destination master file is the configuration information master file  170  as a reflection destination in which the user desires to reflect the configuration information file  250 . The reflection destination master file name  310  is a file name of the reflection destination master file.  
     The reflection source configuration information file is the configuration information file  250  as a reflection source which the user desires to reflect in the configuration information master file  170 . The reflection source configuration information file name  320  is a file name of the reflection source configuration information file. 
     The filter file is the filter file  180  used when the configuration information file  250  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . The filter file name  330  is a file name of the filter file. 
     Next, in step S 20 , a file is designated in the reflection dialog box  300 . Specifically, the display processing unit  145  receives information on input items in the reflection dialog box  300 , such as the reflection source configuration information file name  320 , and displays the received information in the reflection dialog box  300 . The information on the input items in the reflection dialog box  300  is input from the input unit  11  by an operation by the user. 
     The reflection destination master file is designated by inputting the reflection destination master file name  310  to the reflection destination master file input region  311 . The reflection source configuration information file is designated by inputting the reflection source configuration information file name  320  to the reflection source configuration information file input region  321 . The filter file is designated by inputting the filter file name  330  to the filter file input region  331 . 
     Here, the reflection source configuration information file name  320  is required to be input as an item to be input to the reflection dialog box  300 . In a case where the reflection destination master file name  310   has been input to the reflection destination master file input region  311 , it is required to input the filter file name  330  in the filter file input region  331 . 
     After the information on each input item is input to the reflection dialog box  300 , the server control unit  140  proceeds to a reflection process of the configuration information file  250  when receiving reflection instruction information. That is, the information acquisition unit  141  acquires, from the display processing unit  145 , the information on the input items input in the reflection dialog box  300 . After the information on each input item is input to the reflection dialogbox  300 , the server control unit  140  stops the process when receiving cancel instruction information. That is, the display processing unit  145  closes the reflection dialog box  300 , and a series of processes ends. 
     When the, user selects a reflect button  340  in the reflection dialog box  300 , the reflection instruction information is input to the server  10 . When the user selects a cancel button  350  in reflection dialog box  300 , the cancel instruction information is input to server  10 . 
     Next, in step S 30 , the information acquisition unit  141  determines whether the reflection destination master file name  310  has been input to the reflection destination master file input region  311 . If the reflection destination master file name  310  has not been input to the reflection destination master file input region  311 , No is selected in step S 30 , and the process proceeds to step  540  if the reflection destination master file name  310  has been input to the reflection destination master file input region  311 , Yes is selected in step S 30 , and the process proceeds to step S 50 . 
     In step S 40 , the configuration information file   250  output from the engineering apparatus  20  is registered and stored in the database  160  as a new configuration information master file  170 . Specifically, the reflection unit  143  creates the new configuration information master file  170  including the configuration information file  250  output from the engineering apparatus  20 . Here, the configuration information file  250  output from the engineering apparatus  20  is the configuration information file  250  for which the reflection source configuration information file name  320  has been input to the reflect on source configuration information fle input region  321 . The reflection unit  143  registers and stores the created new configuration information master file  170  in the database  160 . 
     Then, the reflection unit  143  notifies the user that the new configuration information master file  170  has been registered in the database  160 , and ends a series of reflection processes. Specifically, the reflection unit  143  outputs, to the display processing unit  145 , new registration information inddcating that the new configuration information master fle  170  has been registered in the database  160 . When receiving the new registration information, the display processing unit  145  displays, on the basis of the new registration information, the registration of the new configuration information master file  170  in the database  160  on the display unit  13 , thereby notifying the user of the registration. 
     In step S 50 , the information acquisition unit  141  determines whether the configuration information master file  170  designated in the reflection dialog box  300  exists in the database  160 . That is, the information acquisition unit  141  determines whether the configuration information master file  170  corresponding to the reflection destination  master file name  310  input to the reflection destination master file input region  311  exists in the database  160 . If the information acquisition unit  141  determines that the configuration information master file  170  designated in the reflection dialog box  300  exists in the database  160 , Yes is selected in step S 50 , and the process proceeds to step S 60 . If the information acquisition unit  141  determines that the configuration information master file  170  designated in the reflection dialog box  300  does not exist in the database  160 , No is selected in step S 50 , and the process proceeds to step S 80 . 
     In step S 60 , the device nformation is extracted. Specifically, the extraction unit  142  acquires, from the information acquisition unit  141  the reflection source configuration information file name  320  and the filter file name  330  designated in the reflection dialog box  300 . Next, the extraction unit  142  acquires, from the engineering apparatus  20 , the configuration information file  250  corresponding to the acquired reflection source configuration information file name  320 . In addition, the extraction unit  142  acquires the filter file  180  corresponding to the acquired filter file name  330  from the database  160 . 
     Then, the extraction unit  142  extracts device information corresponddng to the filter information  181  as the extraction conditions included in the filter file  180  from the configuration information file  250 . The extraction unit  142  discards a piece of the device information that does not correspond to the filter information  181  among pieces of the device information included in the configuration information file  250 . 
     Next, in step S 70 , the device information extracted from the configuration information file  250  by  the extraction unit  142  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . Specifically, the reflection unit  143  acquires, from the extraction unit  142 , the device information extracted from the configuration information file  250  by the extraction unit  142 , reflects the acquired device information in the configuration information master file  170  designated as the reflection destination master file in the reflection dialog box  300 , and ends a series of reflection processes. That is, the reflection unit  143  updates the configuration information master file  170  using the acquired device information. 
     In each piece of the device information, unique identification information is described. In a case where pieces of device informatjon that include identical identification information exist in both the device information extracted from the configuration information file  250  and the device information included in the configuration information master file  170 , the reflection unit  143  updates the device information included in the configuration information master file  170  to the device information extracted from the configuration information file  250 . 
     In a case where there exists device information that includes no identical identification information and exists only in the configuration information file  250 , the reflection unit  143  reflects the device information as new device information in the configuration information master file  170 . That is, the reflection unit  143  adds, as new device information to the configuration information master file  170 , the device information extracted from the configuration information file  250  and not included in the configuration information master file  170 . 
     In addition, in a case where there exists device  information that includes no identical identification information, exists only in the configuration information master file  170 , and corresponds to the filter information  181  included in the filter file  180 , the reflection unit  143  determines that the device information has been deleted from the configuration information file  250  held in the engineering apparatus  20 . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  deletes the device information from the configuration information master file  170 . The reflection unit  143  performs any one of the above-described processes on all pieces of the device information acquired from the extraction unit  142 , and thus ends the reflection processes. 
     On the other hand, in step  880 , the configuration information file  250  output from the engineering apparatus  20  is registered and stored in the database  160  as a new configuration information master file  170 . Specifically, the reflection unit  143  creates the new configuration information master file  170  including the configuration information file  250  output from the engineering apparatus  20  here, the configuration information file  250  output from the engineering apparatus  20  is the configuration information file  250  for which the reflection source configuration information file name  320  has been input to the reflection source configuration information file input region  321 . The reflection unit  143  registers and stores the created new configuration information master file  170  in the database  160 . 
     Then, the reflection unit  143  notifies the user that the new configuration information master file  170  has been registered in the database  160 , and ends a series of reflection processes. 
     Next, another operation of the design support  system  100  will be described.  FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a second operation performed by the server  10  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. The second operation is an operation of outputting only device information required by the user from the configuration information master file  170  held by the server  10  to the engineering apparatus  20 . 
     In step S 110 , the display processing unit  145  of the server  10  displays the output dialog box  400  on the display unit  13 .  FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of the output dialog box.  400  displayed on the display unit  13  of the server  10  of the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     The output dialog box  400  is a screen on which a file is designated, the file being used when only the device information required by the user is output from the configuration information master file  170  to the engineering apparatus  20 . Specifically, in the output dialog box  400 , an output source master file and a filter file are designated. The output dialog box  400  includes an output source master file input region  411  to which an output source master file name  410  is input, and a filter file input region  421  to which a Filter file name  420  is input. 
     Here, the output source master file is the configuration information master file  170  as an output source which the user desires to output to the engineering apparatus  20 . The output source master file name  410  is a file name of the output source master file. 
     The filter file is the filter file  180  used when only the device information required by the user is output from the configuration information master file  170  to the engineering apparatus  20 . The filter file name  420  is a  file name of the filter file. 
     Next, in step S 120 , a file is designated in the output dialog box  400 . Specifically, the display processing unit  145  receives information on input items in the output dialog box  400 , such as the output source master file name  410 , and displays the received information in the output dialog box  400 . The information on the input items in the output dialog box  400  is input from the input unit  11  by an operation by the user. 
     The output source master file is designated by inputting the output source master file name  410  to the output source master file input region  411 . The filter file is designated by inputting the filter file name  420  to the filter file input region  421 . Here, regarding the filter file, the filier fjle  180  is used which individually corresponds to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination of the device information from the configuration information master file  170  and is unique to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. For example, in a case, where the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination of the device information from the configuration information master file  170  is the first engineering apparatus  20   a , the unique filter file  180  for the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is used. 
     Specifically, the filter file  180  which is unique and individually corresponds to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination includes the filter information  181  for extracting only configuration information of a device that can be used in system design in the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. That is, the filter file  180  which is unique and individually corresponds to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination includes information indicating extraction conditions for  extracting only the configuration information of a device that can be used in the system design in the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. 
     After the information on each input item is input to the output dialog box  400 , the server control unit  140  proceeds to an output process of the configuration information master file  170  when receiving output instruction information. That is, the information acquisition unit  141  acquires, from the display processing unit  145 , the information on the input items input in the output dialog box  400 . After the information on each input item is input to the output dialog box  400 , the server control unit  140  stops the process when receiving cancel instruction information. That is, the display processing unit  145  closes the output dialog box  400 , and a series of processes ends. 
     When the user selects an output button  430  in the output dialog box  400 , the output instruction information is input to the server  10 . When the user selects a cancel button  440  in output dialog box  400 , the cancel instruction information is input to server  10 . 
     In step S 130 , the device information is extracted specifically, the extraction unit  142  acquires, from the information acquisition unit  141 , the output source master file name  410  and the filter file name  420  designated in the output dialog box  400 . Next, the extraction unit  142  acquires the configuration information master file  170  corresponding to the acquired output source master file name  410  from the database  160 . In addition, the extraction unit  142  acquires the filter file  180  corresponding to the acquired filter file name  420  from the database  160 . 
     Then, the extraction unit  142  extracts the device  information corresponding to the filter information  181  as the extraction conditions included in the filter file  180  from the configuration information master file  170 . The extraction unit  142  discards a piece of the device information that does not correspond to the filter information  181  among pieces of the device information included in the configuration information master file  170 . 
     In step S 140 , a new configuration information file  250  is created from the device information extracted by the extraction unit  142 . Specifically, the output unit  144  acquires the device information extracted by the extraction unit  142  from the extraction unit  142 . Then, the output unit  144  creates the new configuration information file  250  including the acquired device information. 
     In step S 150 , the output unit  144  outputs the created new configuration information file  250  to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. The output unit  144  performs the above-described output processes on all pieces of the device information acquired from the extraction unit  142 , and thus ends a series of output processes. 
     Next, a process in the design support system.  100  will be described with reference to a specific example.  FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an outline of a process of reflecting the configuration information file  250  in the configuration information master file  170  in the design support system.  100  according to the first embodiment. Here, a case will be described where the design support system  100  includes the first engineering apparatus  20   a , the second engineering apparatus  20   b , and a third engineering apparatus  20   c.    
     In  FIG.  9   , a tree configuration in which  “device”, and “deviceitem label” and “sample label” arranged below the “device” are described corresponds to a device configuration. Information described in the tree configuration corresponds to the configuration information. The “device” is a name of the device configuration. 
       FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration information file  250  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  using the filter file  180  in which a pattern of the filter information  181  is pattern A in the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment.  FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration information file  250  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  using the filter file  180  in which a pattern of the filter information  181  is pattern B in the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment.  FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating a reflection result in a case where the configuration information file  250  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  using the filter file  180  in which a pattern of the filter information.  181  is pattern C in the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     (First Pattern) 
     First, a case will be described where the first configuration information file  250   a  output by the First engineering apparatus  20   a  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . In a case where a first filter file  180   a  in which first filter information  181   a  of the content of pattern A is described is selected in the reflection dialog box  300  described above, device information in which the vendor is “company A” and the element is “device” or “deviceitem” is extracted from the  first configuration information file  250   a  by the extraction unit  142 . The element is the above-described (3) element information to be extracted. 
     Therefore, respective pieces of device information of “company A_device A”, “company A_device X”, and “company A_device  7 ” corresponding to the vendor and element conditions are extracted from the first configuration information file  250   a . Then, the extracted pieces of device nformation are reflected in the configuration information master file  170  by the reflection unit  143 . 
     Here, in the configuration information master file  170  before rflection, devices corresponding to the content described in the first filter information  181   a  of pattern A are “company A_device A”, “company A_device B”, and “company A_device C”. The device information to be reflected does not include respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C”. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  determines that the respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C” have been deleted in the first configuration information file  250   a  held by the first engineering apparatus  20   a , and deletes and reflects the respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C” in the configuration information master file  170 . That is, the reflection unit  143  deletes respective pieces of device information of “company A_device B” and “company A_device C” from the configuration information master file  170 . 
     The device A exists in both the first configuration information file  250   a  and the configuration information master file  170  before reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  reflects the content of the device  information of the device A included in the first configuration information file  250   a  in the device information of the device A included in the configuration information master file  170 . The “device X” and the “device Z” exist only in the first configuration information file  250   a . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  newly adds and reflects respective pieces of device information of the “device X” and the “device Z” in the configuration information master file  170  as the device information of the additional devices. 
     Device information of devices other than the device whose vendor i.s “company A” does not correspond to the content described in the first filter file  180   a . Therefore, the device information of devices other than the device whose vendor i.s “company A” is not extracted from the first configuration information file  250   a  and not reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . By performing the reflection processes, the configuration information master file  170  is updated to the content. described in “configuration information master file after reflection pattern A” which is a configuration information master file after reflection  170   a  illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
     (Second Pattern) 
     Next, a case will be described where the second configuration information file  250   b  output by the second engineering apparatus  20   b  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . In a case where a second filter file  180   b  in which second filter information  181   b  of the content of pattern B is described is selected in the reflection dialog box  300  described above, device information in which the vendor is “company B” and the element is “device” or “deviceitem” is extracted from the second configuration information file  250   b  by the  extraction unit  142 . 
     Therefore, respective pieces of device information of “company B_device F” and “company B_device E2” corresponding to the vendor and element conditions are extracted from the second configuration information file  250   b . Then, the extracted pieces of device information are reflected in the configuration information master file  170  by the reflection unit  143 . 
     Here, in the configuration information master file  170  before reflection, devices corresponding to the content described in the second filter information  181   b  of pattern B are “company B device D”, and “company B device E”. The device information to be reflected does not include respective pieces of device information of the “device D” and the “device B”. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  determines that the respective pieces of device information of the “device D” and the “device B” have been deleted in the second configuration information file  250   b  held by the second engineering apparatus  20   b , and deletes and reflects the respective pieces of device information of the “device D” and the “device B” in the configuration information master file  170 . That is, the reflection unit  143  deletes respective pieces of device information of “company B_device D” and “company B_device E” from the configuration information master file  170 . 
     The “device F” and the “device E2” exist only in the second configuration information file  250   b . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  newly adds and reflects respective pieces of device information of the “device F” and the “device E2” in the configuration information master file  170  as the device information of the additional devices. 
     Device information of devices other than the device whose vendor is “company B” does not correspond to  the content described in the second filter file  180 b. Therefore, the device information of devices other than the device whose vendor is “company B” is not extracted from the second configuration information file  250   b  and not reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . By performing the reflection processes, the configuration information master file  170  is updated to the content described in “configuration information master file after reflection: pattern. B” which is a configuration information master file after reflection  170   b  illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
     (Third Pattern) 
     Next, a case will be described where a third. configuration information file  250   c  output by the third engineering apparatus  20   c  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170 . In a case where a third. filter file  180   c  in which third filter information  181   c  of the content of pattern C is described is selected in the reflection dialog box  300  described above, device information in which the vendor is any one of “company A”, “company B”, and “company C” and the element is “device” or “deviceitem” is extracted from the third configuration information file  250   c  by the extraction unit  142 . 
     Therefore, respective pieces of device information of “company A_device A”, “company A_device X”, “company A_device Z”, “company B_device C”, “company B_device P 2 ”, and “company C_device 1” corresponding to the vendor and element conditions are extracted from the third configuration information file  250   c . Then, the extracted pieces of deviceinformation are reflected in the cconfiguration information master file  170  by the reflection unit  143 . 
     Here, in the configuration information master file  170  before reflection, devices of “company A” corresponding to the content described in the third filter information  181   c  of pattern C are “company A_device A”, “company A_device B”, and “company A_device C”. The device information to be reflected does not include respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C”. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  determines that the respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C” have been deleted in the third configuration information file  250   c  held by the third engineering apparatus  20   c , and deletes and reflects the respective pieces of device information of the “device B” and the “device C” in the configuration information master file  170 . That is, the reflection unit  143  deletes respective pieces of device information of “company A_device B” and “company A_device C” from the configuration information master file  170 . 
     The device A of “company A” exists in both the third configuration information fjle  250   c  and the configuration information master file  170  before reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  reflects the content of the device information of the device A included in the third configuration information file  250   c  in the device information of the device A included in the configuration information master file  170 . The “device X” and the “device Z” exist only in the third configuration information file  250   c . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  newly adds and reflects respective pieces of device information of the “device X” and the “device Z” in the configuration information master file  170  as the device information of the additional devices. 
     In addition, in the configuration information master file  170  before reflection, devices of “company B” corresponding to the content described in the third filter  information  181   c  of pattern C are “company B_device D”, and “company B_device E”. The device information to be reflected does not include the device information of the “device E”. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  determines that the device information of the “device E” has been deleted in the third configuration information file  250   c  held by the third engineering apparatus  20   c , and deletes and reflects the device information of the “device F” in the configuration information master file  170 . That is, the reflection unit  143  deletes the device information of “company B_device E” from the configuration information master file  170 . 
     The device D exists in both the third. configuration information file  250   c  and the configuration information master file  170  before reflection. Therefore, the reflection unit  143  reflects the content of the device information of the device D included in the third. configuration information file  250   c  in the device information of the device D included in the configuration information master file  170 . The “device E2” exists only in the third configuration information file  250   c . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  newly adds and reflects the device information of the “device E2” in the configuration information master file  170  as the device information of the additional device. 
     In addition, a device of “company C” corresponding to the content described in the third filter information  181   c  of pattern C is “company C_device 1”. The “company C” exists only in the third configuration information file  250   c . Therefore, the reflection unit  143  newly adds and reflects the device information of the “company C_device 1” in the configuration information master file  170  as the device information of the additional  device. By performing the reflection processes, the configuration information master file  170  is updated to the content described in “configuration information master file after reflection pattern C” which is a configuration information master file after reflection  170   c  illustrated in  FIG.  12   . 
       FIG.  13    is a diagram illustrating an outline of a process of outputting the configuration information file  250  from the configuration information master file  170  in the design support system  100  according to the first embodiment. Here, a case will be described where a fourth configuration information file  250   d  is output. In a case where the first filter file  180   a  in which the first filter information  181   a  of the content of pattern A is described is selected in the output dialog box  400  described above, the device information in which the vendor is “company A” and the element is “device” or “deviceitem” is extracted from the configuration information master file  170  by the extraction unit  142 . 
     Therefore, respective pieces of device information of “company A_device A”, “company A_device B”, and “company A_device C” corresponding to the vendor and element conditions are extracted from the configuration information master file  170 . The output unit  144  creates a new fourth configuration information file  250   d  including the extracted pieces of device information, and outputs the new fourth configuration information file  250   d  to the engineering apparatus  20  as an output destination. 
     Since the first filter information  181   a of pattern. A does not include the definition of “company B”, the device information of “company B” is not extracted from the configuration information master file  170 . Accordingly, the device information of “company B” is not  included in the fourth configuration information file  250   d  to be output. Similarly, regarding the device information of “company A_device B” in which the element is “sample”, the vendor condition corresponds to the first filter information  181   a , but the element does not correspond thereto, and thus the device information is not extracted and not included in the fourth configuration information file  250   d.    
     If the second fjiter file  180   b  is selected in the output dialog box  400 , a fifth configuration information file  250   e  is output to a device outside the server  10  by a process similar to that described above. If the third filter file  180   c  is selected in the output dialog box  400 , a sixth configuration information file  250   f  is output to a device outside the server  10  by a process similar to that described above. 
     Note that, in the above description, a case has been described where the server  10  and the engineering apparatuses  20  are each realized by a personal computer, but the server  10  and the engineering apparatuses  20  may be each configured as a dedicated apparatus. 
     In the design support system  100  configured as described above, it is possible by interposing the server  10  to perform, with no loss of device information, transmission and reception of device information between the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  in which devices that can be set in system design are different therebetween. 
     For example, a case is assumed where there are the first engineering apparatus  20   a  as an engineering apparatus manufactured by company A, the second engineering apparatus  20   b  as an engineering apparatus manufactured by company B, both of which are downstream engineering  apparatuses for performing system design in the same phase which is a downstream phase or a design process, and the third engineering apparatus  20   c  which is an upstream engineering apparatus for performing system design in an upstream phase of the design process. The third engineering apparatus  20   c  is the engineering apparatus  20  manufactured by, for example, company D which is another device manufacturer different from companies A, B, and C. Both the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the second engineering apparatus  20   b  have functonal limitations in the system design. The first engineering apparatus  20   a  cannot set devices manufactured by company B in the system. design. The second engineering apparatus  20   b  cannot set devices manufactured by company A in the system design. The third engineering apparatus  20   c  can set devices manufactured by company A, devices manufactured by company B, and devices manufactured by company C in the system. design. The first engineering apparatus  20   a and the second engineering apparatus  20   b  cannot set devices manufactured by company C in the system design. 
     For example, the configuration information master file  170  is assumed in which there exist device information of devices manufactured by company B that cannot be used in the system design in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  but can be used in the system design in the second engineering apparatus  20   b  and device information of devices manufactured by company A. 
     In a case where the configuration information file  250  output from the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is reflected in this configuration information master file  170 , by extracting the device information using the Filter file  180  for the first engineering apparatus  20   a , only the device information that can be used in the system design in  the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is reflected and edited in the configuration information master file  170 . Therefore, even when the device information of devices manufactured by company B that cannot be processed by the first engineering apparatus  20   a  does not exist in the configuration information file  250 , the configuration information file  250  output from the first engineering apparatus  20   a  can be reflected in the configuration information master file  170  with no loss of the device information of devices manufactured by company B that can be processed by the second engineering apparatus  20   b . That is, in the configuration information master file  170 , the device information that can be processed by the second engineering apparatus  20   b  is held without being deleted. 
     The same applies to a case where the configuration information file  250  output from the second engineering apparatus  20   b  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  in which there exist the device information of devices manufactured by company A that cannot be used in the system design in the second engineering apparatus  20   b  but can be used in the system design in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the device information of devices manufactured by company B. That is, the design support system  100  can reflect the configuration information file  250  output from the second engineering apparatus  20   b  in the configuration information master file  170  with no loss of the device information of devices manufactured by company A that can be processed by the first engineering apparatus  20   a.    
     The same applies to a case where the configuration information file  250  output from the third engineering apparatus  20   c  is reflected in the configuration information master file  170  in which there exist the device  information of devices manufactured by company A, the device information of devices manufactured by company B, and device information of devices manufactured by company C. That is, the design support system  100  can reflect, in the configuration information master file  170 , the device information of devices manufactured by company C included in the configuration information file  250  with no loss of the device information of devices manufactured by company A and the device information of devices manufactured by company B. 
     As a resule, in the design support system  100 , since the server  10  can hold the latest configuration information and device information in the system design in the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  of the design support system  100 , the device information is not lost in the interchange of the device information between the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and the second engineering apparatus  20   b  as downstream engineering apparatuses, and the third engineering apparatus  20   c  as an upstream engineering apparatus. That is, in the design support system  100 , even when the configuration information file  250  is uploaded from each of the engineering apparatuses  20  to the database  160 , the configuration information file  250  can be reflected, by using the filter file  180 , in the configuration information master file  170  with no loss of the device information of the configuration information master file  170 . 
     Therefore, even in a case where the configuration information master file  170  held in the database  160  is reflected in the third engineering apparatus  20   c , the device information in which no piece of the device information is lost can be reflected in the third engineering apparatus  20   c . In addition, even in a case  where the device information required in the third engineering apparatus  20   c  is output to the third engineering apparatus  20   c , the device information in which no piece or the device information is lost can be output to the third engineering apparatus  20   c.    
     As a result, in the system design of the first engineering apparatus  20   a , the second engineering apparatus  20   h , and the third engineering apparatus  20   c , there arises no extra process such as device information check work, and the system design can be performed in parallel in the first engineering apparatus  20   a , the second engineering apparatus  20   b , and the third engineering apparatus  20   c , which makes it easy to develop the system in parallel. 
     That is, according to the design support system  100 , in the transmission and reception of the device information of the configuration information between the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  and the server  10 , the device information to be transmitted and received can be controlled by the filter files  180 , and the device information of all the devices used in the system design in the plurality of engineering apparatuses  20  can be reliably managed by the configuration information master files  170 , and therefore it is possible to prevent the loss of the device information due to the interchange of the files including the configuration information, which makes it easy to develop the system in parallel. 
     In addition, in the design support system  100 , when it is desired to change the device information of the configuration information master file  170  in the first engineering apparatus  20   a , only the device information of a device that can be used in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  can be extracted from the configuration information master file  170  by using the filter file  180  dedicated to  the first engineering apparatus  20   a . Then, a file including only the extracted device information can be created and output to the first engineering apparatus  20   a  as the configuration information file  250 . That is, in the design support system  100 , the first engineering apparatus  20   a  can acquire only the device information required by the user from the configuration information master file  170  by using the filter file  180 . 
     Therefore, in the design support system  100 , unrequired device information that cannot be processed by the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is not read when the device information included in the configuration information master file  170  is imported by the first engineering apparatus  20   a . That is, when the first engineering apparatus  20   a  imports the configuration information file  250 , only the device nformation that can be used is described in the configuration information file  250 , and thus the device information is not lost in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  regarding the device information included in the configuration information file  250 . 
     As a result, in the design support system  100 , an error caused by reading unrequired device information that cannot be processed by the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is prevented from occurring, so that an import process not interrupted due to the error, and system design work in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is not delayed. 
     In addition, in the design support system  100 , since the loss of the device information due to the import in the first engineering apparatus  20   a  is prevented, the configuration information file  250  in which the device information is loqt is not output from the first engineering apparatus  20   a  to the server  10  and imported in  the server  10 . As a result, there is no occurrence of a problem that required device information is unintentionally deleted from the server  10  due to the import by the server  10  of the configuration information file  250  output from the first engineering apparatus  20   a  and in which the device information is lost. 
     Then, by preparing a filter file for each engineering apparatus  20 , each engineering apparatus  20  can execute the function of the server  10  described above on other devices in the design support system  100 . 
     In the transmission and reception of the device information between the first enqjneerinq apparatus  20   a  and the server  10 , a method is possible in which the device information that cannot be processed by the first. engineering apparatus  20   a  is also held in the first. engineering apparatus  20   a  as an object to be imported by the first engineering apparatus  20   a . However, in a case where the device nformation is changed in the server  10 , an unintended change occurs. 
     Thus, the design support system.  100  according to the first embodiment achieves an effect that it is pos,sible to perform, with no loss of information, transmission and reception of information between engineering apparatuses in which devices that can be set in system design are different therebetween. 
     The configurations described in the embodiment above are merely examples and can be combined with other known technology and part of the configurations can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist thereof. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       10  server;  11 ,  21  input unit;  12 ,  22   communication unit;  13 ,  23  display unit;  14 ,  24  processor;  15 ,  25  memory;  16 ,  26  bus line;  20  engineering apparatus;  20   a  first engineering apparatus;  20   b  second engineering apparatus;  20   c  third engineering apparatus;  30  network;  100  design support system;  140  server control unit;  141  information acquisition unit;  142  extraction unit;  143  reflection unit;  144  output unit;  145  display processing unit;  160  database;  170  configuration information master file;  170   a ,  170   b ,  170   c  configuration information master file after reflection;  180  filter file;  180   a  first filter file;  180   b  second filter file;  180   c  third filter file;  181  filter information;  181   a  first filter information;  181   b  second filter information;  181   c  third filter information;  240  control unit;  241  editor unit;  242  output unit;  243  display processing unit;  250  configuration information file;  250   a fjrst configuration information file;  250   b  second configuration information file;  250   c  third configuration information file;  250   d  fourth configuration information file;  250   e  fifth configuration information file;  250   f  sixth configuration inform tion file;  300  reflection dialog box;  310  reflection destination master file name;  311  reflection destination master file input region;  320  reflection source configuration information file name;  321  reflection source configuration jnformation file input region;  330 ,  420  filter file name;  331 ,  421  filter file input region;  340  reflect button;  350 ,  440  cancel button;  400  output dialog box;  410  output source master file name;  411  output source master file input region;  430  output button.