WO1999006907A1

WO1999006907A1 - System designing support apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999006907A1
Application number: PCT/JP1997/002625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yosuke Nishi; Takashi Mishima
Original assignee: Yamatake Corporation
Priority date: 1997-07-29
Filing date: 1997-07-29
Publication date: 1999-02-11
Also published as: KR100349068B1; KR20010022010A

Abstract

A system designing support apparatus is adapted to produce an upper composite function block by combining a plurality of function blocks as lower constituent elements which have the functions necessary for system designing. This apparatus is provided with an information presenting section (12) adapted to take out the attributes of the lower function blocks, and present information used by the operator to designate the attributes as upper block inherent attributes or the information shared by both upper and lower blocks, a designation input section (11) used by the operator to designate the attributes of the lower function blocks as inherent attributes or common information on the basis of the presented information, an inherent information registration section (13) for registering, when the operator designates the inherent attributes, the attributes as inherent attributes, an inherent information storage section (14) for storing the inherent attributes, and a common information storage section (15) for storing the information other than the inherent attributes as common information. Thereby the inherent attributes and common information in the upper composite blocks can be discriminated from each other, and used.

Description

Specification

System design support equipment Technical field

The present invention relates to a system design support device for supporting software creation (programming and design) required for system development.

For example, an arithmetic processing unit used for controlling a system such as a brand includes a plurality of elements (hereinafter referred to as “functional blocks”) that realize basic functions such as addition and multiplication or functions that combine these functions (referred to as “combined functions”). These elements include not only circuits that are hardware, but also programs for realizing desired functions, all of which can be regarded as “parts” or “modules”. Especially in the field of software technology, these parts are regarded as "objects" because they are considered as "objects". By combining a plurality of object parts, an object part group having a specific function (referred to as a “composite object part”) is generated. This is represented by a composite function block that is higher than the lower one that has multiple function blocks as components. In some cases, composite object parts are combined to form a higher-level composite function block. The following are provided as design support software for generating composite object parts by combining the above object parts.

(1) National Instruments "Lab VIEW"

In this method, algorithms such as numerical calculation are prepared as various object parts (called “Virtual Instrument”; hereinafter, abbreviated as “VI”), and an appropriate application group is formed by appropriate groups of VIs and connections between the VIs. It is a programming support tool that can build an application function. According to a method called a connection diagram editor, a composite object that includes a certain part represented by the connection between multiple blocks by grouping them Components (referred to as "sub VIs"). By copying this composite object part, The composite object parts can be used in pre-packages and other applications. In that case, each destination refers to the object parts group included under the original composite object part (shared by all destinations).

In the above composite object part (sub VI), when it is used in multiple places, the information of the object parts group included in the lower level is completely shared between the use source and the use destination. Here, there is no problem if the information of the lower-level object parts group is exactly the same at the source and destination, but such a situation is rare. In many cases, it is necessary to change and use attribute information of lower-level included components, or to replace lower-level included components with other types of components and use them. In such a case, the only option is to copy the entire contents of the lower-level object parts group to generate another composite object part, and change and use the necessary parts. In other words, it becomes necessary to prepare a large number of partially modified composite object parts (thus similar in nature), and the use frequency of individual composite objects decreases.

(2) "Matlab / Simulink" by Math Works, USA

This is also a programming support tool of the same kind, and can generate complex object parts (called "subsystems") by almost the same operation. By copying this composite object part, it can be used in the same application or another application. In that case, at each usage destination, all the object parts included in the lower level are copied and exist separately. Also, the attribute of a specific part in the object X object part group included in the lower level can be handled as the attribute of the upper composite object part. When an attribute value is set at the destination where a composite object component is used, it is set as the attribute value of the lower-level corresponding component.

“Attributes” are items that represent the appearance, state, or other characteristics of an object. In the case of the above function block, it is necessary to execute the function (for example, one of the four arithmetic operations) (for example, various operation parameters). Each attribute is usually information that describes the attribute: its default value (the value that is initially set when the function block is created), its attribute value constraints (change the attribute value). Do In this case, information such as the range that the value can take) is added.

In this composite object part (subsystem), the attribute value of a specific lower-level object part can be set from a higher-level composite object part. There is no need to prepare similar composite object parts. It is not possible to change the "class" of a particular object component below. That is, a certain lower-level specific object component cannot be changed to an object component having another function. In such a case, it is necessary to prepare another composite object part in which the specific object part is changed to another class of object parts.

"Class" is a matter that indicates the type or type for identifying the attributes and functions of an object. This is equivalent to a class in object-oriented software technology (a variable (attribute value) representing the attribute of an object and a function, which is a template of an object).

When a composite object part is used at a plurality of locations, all the object parts included in the lower level are copied for each destination. In other words, the subsystem of the use source and the subsystem of the use destination have different component groups. In this case, there is an error in the information of the object parts group included in the lower part of the copy source, and if it is corrected, the information of the object parts group included in the lower part of the subsystem of the copy destination is corrected. Must be modified in the same way, resulting in extra maintenance work.

Furthermore, even though the copy destination and the copy source have the same contents, twice as much wasted memory is required in the computer. Even when they are stored in a storage device such as a hard disk, the same information is stored separately, which requires twice the capacity of the hard disk. If there are many copy destinations, the extra capacity required increases proportionately.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a specific function by combining a plurality of function blocks (including not only basic functions but also complex functions) as lower-level constituent elements as described above for system design. When creating a composite object part having a composite object as a higher-level functional block, the (re) usability of the composite object part and the An object of the present invention is to provide a system design support device that improves maintenance workability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system design support apparatus in which the storage capacity required for the above operation is reduced, and the capacity of storage means used is reduced. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention relates to a system design support device that creates a higher-level composite function block by combining a plurality of function blocks that realize functions required for system design as lower-level components, and includes a lower-level individual function block. An information presenting unit that retrieves an attribute possessed by the user and presents information for allowing an operator to specify whether the attribute is to be a unique attribute in the upper level or to be shared information in the upper and lower levels; and the attribute information presenting unit. Based on the information presented by the operator, a designation input section for the operator to specify whether the attribute of each lower functional block is a unique attribute or shared information, and the designation of the operator is unique In the case of the attribute, a unique information registration processing unit for registering the attribute as a unique attribute, a unique information storage unit for storing the unique attribute, And a shared information storage unit for storing information other than sex as shared information, to provide what was so that available to distinguish between the shared information and specific attribute in function block upper.

According to the present invention, when a higher-level function block having the same structure and similar attributes as a lower-level function block combination is created, the lower-level function block combination structure itself is more than necessary as an entity (substantial part) of a computer program. It is possible to generate only the minimum necessary entities without increasing the number, and to set the attributes of lower-level function blocks to be set individually for each higher-level similar function block to desired attributes. As a result, all lower-level information except for the part set as a unique attribute is shared by multiple higher-level function blocks, so the memory capacity required to newly create similar function blocks Can be reduced.

In addition, maintenance of attributes such as lower-level function blocks common to a plurality of higher-level similar function blocks can be completed only by modifying them in a combination of lower-level function blocks. Work efficiency is improved. In an embodiment of the present invention, the information presentation unit extracts a class for identifying a function of each lower-order function block, and sets the class as a unique attribute in a higher-order complex function block, or as an upper and lower order. The unique information registration processing unit presents information to allow the operator to specify whether to use it as shared information, and the unique information registration processing unit uniquely identifies the class of each lower-level function block based on the information presented by the information presentation unit. The operator specifies from the specification input section whether to use this attribute or shared information. If the specification is a unique attribute, the class is registered as a unique attribute in the unique information storage unit, and the shared information is registered. The storage unit is configured to store information other than the unique attribute as shared information, and to share information other than the information registered as the unique attribute in the upper multifunction block.

According to the above embodiment, when creating a higher-level composite function block having the same structure and similar attributes and components as the lower-level function block combination, the lower-level function block combination structure itself is used as the computer program entity. Only the minimum necessary entities are generated without increasing more than necessary, and for each similar upper-level function block, the attributes and classes of the lower-level function blocks that should be set individually for each of Can be set for attributes. This allows not only changing the value of an attribute of a specific lower-level functional block to a unique value as an attribute of a higher-level functional block, but also changing the class of a specific lower-level functional block. As a result, it is possible to provide a higher function block that can be used more widely.

In addition, since information on all lower-level attributes and classes excluding the part set as unique attributes is shared by multiple upper-level function blocks, it is necessary to create additional similar function blocks. Memory capacity can be reduced.

Furthermore, maintenance of attribute and class information of lower-level function blocks common to a plurality of higher-level similar function blocks can be completed only by modifying the combination of lower-level function blocks. Maintenance work efficiency is improved.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the lower-level functional block includes a composite functional block configured by combining other functional blocks. In addition, a lower-level functional block may include a basic function block that implements a basic function of the minimum unit.

According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, the class of the lower-level functional block corresponds to the input. 5 Includes classes corresponding to various arithmetic functions. In this case, the operation parameter that is the attribute of a specific function block in those lower-level function blocks can be used as the attribute of the upper-level composite function block. Further, the upper composite function block may have an attribute for changing and specifying a certain lower specific function block class to a class corresponding to another operation.

According to yet another specific embodiment, the class of the lower-level function block includes a class of a function that outputs a constant. In this case, a constant value that is the attribute of the lower functional block can be used as the attribute of the upper composite functional block.

According to yet another specific embodiment, the classes of the lower-level functional blocks include a class that defines a relationship between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. The class that defines the relationship includes a class of parallel connection where two inputs are the corresponding outputs as they are, or a class of cross connection where the two inputs are interchanged and output. The upper composite function block specifies the function block of the lower parallel connection class as the function block of the cross connection class or specifies the function block of the lower cross connection class as the function block of the parallel connection class. Can be changed. As described above, according to the present invention, the “attribute” or “class” of the lower-level function block is registered as unique information at the upper level or as shared information at the upper level and lower level, and is registered in the upper-level function block. Information and shared information can be used separately. In other words, only the unique information is stored in the upper functional block, and the shared information refers to the information (shared) stored in the lower order as needed from the upper level. Improvement of usability, improvement of workability of maintenance such as improvement of composite object parts and reflection to the use destination, reduction of required memory capacity, and hard disk required for permanent storage of information For example, the capacity required for the secondary storage device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a personal convenience used as a system design support device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a basic function block used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a multifunction block according to the present invention and lower-order components. Figure 5 shows the composite function block that changes the class of the lower-level function block and the lower-level components.

Figure 6 shows the composite function block with the connection between two inputs and two outputs set to "PARALLEL" and the lower-level components.

Figure 7 shows the composite function block with the connection between two inputs and two outputs set to "CROSS" and the lower-level components.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a composite function block obtained by adding the function block shown in FIG. 6 to the function block shown in FIG. 5 and lower-order components.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a system design screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a “function sheet” screen for defining a composite function block by a plurality of function blocks.

Figure 11 shows an example of the “input / output” definition screen that defines the input / output of the complex function block.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an “icon” definition screen for defining an icon representing a complex function block.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a unique attribute registration screen for registering an attribute of a function block, which is a component of a composite function block, as a “unique attribute”.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a unique attribute registration confirmation screen for confirming that a property registered as a unique attribute is registered as an attribute of a multifunction block.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a multifunction block use screen for arranging multifunction blocks in the system display screen under design and using it for the system under design. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a unique parameter value setting screen for setting a unique attribute parameter value in each use destination of the composite function block. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a system design support apparatus according to the present invention. This device has multiple function blocks that implement the functions required for system design. In this case, a personal computer 1 as shown in FIG. 2, for example, is used as a means for realizing the operation. As is well known as a duer, the computer 1 includes a main body 2 having a built-in memory such as a CPU and a disk, a keyboard 3 and a mouse 4 as input means, and a CRT (or liquid crystal) display as output means. 5 and a printer 6, and an FDD (flat disk drive unit) 7 and a CDD (CD-ROM drive unit) 8 as input / output means. As shown in FIG. 1, it is divided into each unit having the following functions.

① Regarding the “attribute” of each lower functional block and the “class” for identifying its function, should the upper functional block have a unique attribute, or should it be shared information between upper and lower functional blocks? Input section 11 for the operator to specify. It consists of a keyboard 3 and a mouse 4 in the computer system of FIG.

(2) Extract the attributes and classes of each lower-level functional block, and provide information for allowing the operator to specify whether to use them as “unique” attributes at the upper level or “shared” information at the upper and lower levels. Information presentation part to be presented 1 2. This is composed of the CPU in the main body 2 and the display 5 in FIG.

③ When the operator's designation is “unique”, a unique information registration processing unit 13 for registering the attribute and class as unique information 13. This is composed of the CPU in the main body 2 in FIG.

固有 Specific information storage unit 14 for storing specific information (type of attribute, default value of each attribute, etc.). This is constituted by a memory (storage device) in the main body 2 in FIG.

共有 Shared information storage unit 15 for storing information other than unique information as shared information. In FIG. 2, this is also configured by the memory in the main unit 2.

The combination of the information stored in (1) and (2) constitutes a usable upper-level composite function block 16.

At the time of operation of this device, the operator uses the information presented by the information 7/02 5 Then, an operation is performed from the specification input unit 11 to specify whether the attribute or class of each lower functional block is to be unique or shared. In response to this, the present apparatus distinguishes the unique information and the shared information in the upper composite function block 16 so that they can be reused in the composite function blocks 21 and 22 that newly create them. That is, the upper composite function block 16 corresponds to the class of the function block. The newly created composite function blocks 21 and 22 correspond to the objects generated from the class.

As shown in FIG. 1, the created upper-level multifunction blocks 21 and 22 each include a unique information storage unit 31 and a shared information reference and use unit 32. Here, the unique information storage unit 31 is a portion in which the contents of the unique information storage unit 14 of the available complex function block 16 are copied and stored, whereas the shared information reference and use unit 32 is a shared information storage unit. A part (a pointer set in the memory) for referring to the contents of the storage unit 15 as necessary.

Hereinafter, a description will be given based on a specific example.

Figure 3 shows an example of a “basic functional block” (minimum unit functional block) that implements basic functions such as the four arithmetic operations. In the figure, (A) is an “input” function block IN representing an input (or input terminal), and (B) is an “output” function block representing an output (or output terminal). Function blocks OUT and CO are constants that output a constant. Function block CONST, (D) adds and outputs two inputs. ΓAddition ”Function block ADD, (E) subtracts two inputs and outputs.“ Subtraction ”Function block SUB, (F) Is a “multiplication” function block MUL that multiplies two inputs and outputs the result. (G) is a “division” function block DIV that divides the two inputs and outputs the result. The classes of these “basic function blocks” are input, output, constant output, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, respectively.

Fig. 4 shows an example in which a "complex function block" is constructed by combining the "basic function blocks" as described above. In Fig. 4, (A) is a higher-level composite function block (composite object part), where two inputs X and y are multiplied by coefficients Al and A2, respectively, and the two-input one-output operation is output. (B) shows the lower functional block (lower object parts) for creating the composite functional block of (A) The input function blocks INI and IN2 representing the two inputs x and y, the two constant function blocks CONST (constant values Al and A2), and the inputs X and y and the constant values A 1 and A 2 This shows two multiplication function blocks MUL for taking the product, an addition function block ADD for taking the sum of the outputs of the two, and an output function block OUT for outputting the sum. Here, the constant function block CONS in (B) is shown. The constant values Al and A2 of T (the default value = 1) are the “attributes” of the upper complex function block of (A), and their functions are obtained by multiplying input X by attribute A1 and input y. This is to output the result of adding the result of multiplication by the multiplier A2.

In the configuration example in Fig. 4, the composite function block of “Alx + A2y” is defined as above, but functional components that perform other operations, that is, Alx-A2y, Alxx A2y, and Alx ÷ A2y, are required. In this case, the composite function block of each operation can be defined in the same manner. However, it is not efficient to define a composite function block each time.

Therefore, based on the composite function block “Alx + A2y”, a composite function block “{1} (operation) A2y” is defined as shown in Fig. 5. Here, replacement of the lower-order addition function block ADD with another class of function blocks, such as subtraction, multiplication, and division, can be specified in the attribute “Operation” of the higher-order composite function block. In this case, the attribute value may be information indicating one of the classes of addition (ADD), subtraction (SUB), multiplication (MUL), and division (DIV). For example, a character string (ADD, SUB, MUL, DIV, etc.) or numerical values. As a result, it is possible to efficiently create a composite function block for performing other operations, and to obtain an effect that the range of use of the composite function block is expanded. In addition, since the default value of the attribute “calculation” is ADD, there is no need to make any changes even at the destination where the multifunction block “Alx + A2y” is already used. Figure 7 shows another example of a composite function block. Fig. 6 (A) shows a parallel connector (PARALLEL) that uses two inputs IN1 and IN2 as the corresponding outputs 0U Tl and 0UT2 as the upper composite function block. 6 As shown in (B), connect two input terminals IN1 and IN2 in parallel to two output terminals 0UT1 and Connected to 0UT2. Figure 7 (A) shows a cross-connector (CR0SS) that replaces the two inputs IN1 and IN2 with each other and outputs 0UT1 and 0UT2 as a higher-level composite function block. In this way, the two input terminals IN1 and IN2 are crossed and internally connected to the two output terminals 0UT1 and 0UT2.

By using the composite function blocks shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, the use range of the composite function block “{1} (operation) A2y” can be further expanded. That is, as shown in Fig. 8, in the lower part (B) of the composite function block ((A)) “(input switching) Alx (arithmetic) A2y”, immediately after the two inputs IN1 and IN2, the above “PARALLELJ” A function block is placed, and it can be replaced with a function block called “CR0SS” of another class in the attribute “input switching” (attribute value = PARALLEL or CROSS) of the upper-level function block. This makes it possible to efficiently create a composite function block that performs the above operations, and also expands the range of use of the composite function block called “Alx (operation) A2y”.

In fact, in Fig. 8 (B), when the function block of "input switching" is "PARALLEL", OUT = Alx + A2y if operation = ADD, and OUT = Alx-A2y if operation = SUB. If operation = MUL, 0 UT = A lxx A2y, if operation = DIV, OUT = Alx ÷ A2y, and if the input switching function block is CR0SS, operation 2 ADD If OUT = Aly + A2x, operation SUB, OUT-Aly- A2x, if operation = MUL, 0 UT = Alyx A2x, and if operation = DIV, OUT = Aly ÷ A2x.

Therefore, as long as the inputs x and y are represented by normal scalar quantities, the result of addition (ADD) and multiplication (MUL) will be the same regardless of whether the “input switching” function block is “PARALLEL” or “CR0SS”. Since they are the same, input switching in the composite function block in Fig. 8 (A) is effective when the operation is subtraction (SUB) or division (DIV). However, if the two inputs X and y change the result depending on the order of addition or multiplication (either the first or second term) (eg, represented by a vector, matrix, or irreversible data) In the case of (Amount), the results of addition (ADD) and multiplication (MUL) also change depending on whether the “input switching” function block is “PARALL EL” or “CR0SS”. Input switching in the block can be performed using any of the four But it makes sense.

Next, FIGS. 9 to 16 show examples of screens displayed on the display 5 when a system is designed using the personal computer 1 of FIG. 2 as the device of the present invention.

First, the system being designed is displayed on the “system design screen” as shown in Figure 9. The system in the illustrated example is a fluid circuit composed of fluid elements such as control valves and supply paths such as pipes, and signals that control the operation of the fluid circuit in response to two input signals from the fluid circuit (two outputs). And a controller for generating. The fluid circuit generates a plurality of outputs (outl, out2,...) For one fluid input (in) under the control of a control signal from the controller.

In the design work of such a system, when the function block is used in the device of the present invention, it is performed in the following procedure.

As described above, of the two inputs, the composite function block that multiplies the input from IN1 by A1 and the input from IN2 by A2, adds them, and outputs them to OUT (example in Figure 4 (A)) When creating, on the “Function Sheet” screen as shown in Fig. 10, define the complex function block (A lx + A2y) using the basic function blocks (A) to (D) shown in Fig. 3. . As shown in Fig. 9, the basic functional blocks in Figs. 3 (A) to (G) are the "palette" P that stores the available functional blocks in the display screen, together with the "system design screen" and the like. Can be displayed. The functional blocks in this palette P correspond to the class of functional blocks available at that time. In other words, not only basic function blocks (classes) but also complex function blocks (classes) defined later are presented in the palette.

Next, on the “input / output” definition screen shown in Fig. 11, the input / output of the composite function block is defined. In this example, it is only to confirm the existence of two inputs and one output. Next, in the “Icon” definition screen shown in Fig. 12, an icon representing a composite function block is defined. In this example, a “shaded rectangle” icon is automatically generated as a two-input, one-output function block. The operator confirms it. By the definition of the composite function block so far, the entire contents are stored in the shared information storage unit 15 in FIG. The icon representing the complex function block in this example The “rectangle” is displayed on the “palette” (P in FIG. 9). The display contents (icons as shared information) are referred to by the shared information reference and use section 32 of the created multifunction block 21 or 22 whenever necessary.

Next, on the “Register unique attribute” screen shown in Fig. 13, for each of the constant function blocks CONST, which are the components of the composite function block (A lx + A2y), the attribute parameter (constant value) is Register as a "unique attribute" when the function block is used. In this screen example, a unique attribute is registered by adding a check mark to the check box “Upper Unique”. These unique attributes are stored in the unique information storage unit 14 in FIG.

Next, on the “confirm unique attribute registration” screen shown in Fig. 14, the two parameter values registered as unique attributes as described above must be registered as attributes of the composite function block (A lx + A2y). Check. Here, it is possible to change it to another appropriate parameter name if necessary.

Next, as shown in Fig. 15, the system display screen under design is called up, and the complex function block (Alx + A2y) is dragged with the mouse 4 from the “palette” display section on the left side. By pulling in to an appropriate position in the display screen, it can be used for the system under design. In this example, the composite function block (A lx + A2y) is used in two places as circuit elements that constitute the internal circuit of the controller. Therefore, when the controller is clicked with the mouse 4 on the screen in Fig. 15, a screen for creating the internal circuit of the controller appears, and the above two composite function blocks are installed at appropriate positions in the screen. (Pasted to the destination).

Finally, as shown in Fig. 16, the parameter value of the "unique attribute" is set at each destination of the complex function block. This is stored in the unique information storage unit 31 in FIG.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A system design support device that creates a higher-level composite function block by combining multiple function blocks that implement the functions required for system design as lower-level components,

Information presentation for extracting the attribute of each of the lower function blocks and presenting information for prompting the operator to specify whether the attribute is a unique attribute at the upper level or shared information at the upper and lower levels. Department and

A designation for the operator to designate whether the attribute of each lower-level function block is to be the unique attribute or the shared information based on the information presented by the attribute information presentation unit. An input unit,

A unique information registration processing unit for registering the attribute as a unique attribute when the operator specifies the unique attribute;

A unique information storage unit for storing the unique attribute,

A shared information storage unit for storing information other than the unique attribute as shared information,

A system design support apparatus wherein the unique attribute and the shared information can be used separately in the upper-level complex function block.

2. The system design support device according to claim 1,

The information presenting unit fetches a class for identifying a function of each of the lower function blocks and assigns the class as a unique attribute to the upper composite function block, or information shared between the upper and lower layers. Information to let the operator specify

The unique information registration processing unit is configured to, based on the information presented by the information presenting unit, specify whether the class of each lower-level function block is the unique attribute or the shared information. When the designation is made by the operator from the unit and the designation is the unique attribute, the class is registered in the unique information storage unit as a unique attribute, and the shared information storage unit uses information other than the unique attribute as shared information. Store, A system design support apparatus wherein information other than the information registered as the unique attribute is shared in the upper-level multifunction block.

3. The system design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower-level function block includes a composite function block configured by a combination of a plurality of function blocks.

4. The system design support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower-level functional block includes a basic function block that realizes a basic function of a minimum unit.

5. The system design support device according to claim 2, wherein the classes of the lower functional blocks include classes corresponding to various arithmetic functions for input.

6. The system design support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an operation parameter which is an attribute of a specific function block in the lower function block is an attribute of the upper composite function block. Design support equipment.

7. The system design support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the upper-level composite function block is for changing and specifying a class of a specific function block in the lower-level function block to a class corresponding to another operation. System configuration characterized by having attributes

8. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lower-level functional block includes a class of a function for outputting a constant.

9. The system design support apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the lower-level functional block A system design support device, wherein a constant value as an attribute is set as an attribute of the higher-order multifunction block.

10. The system design support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the classes of the lower functional blocks include a class that defines a relationship between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. .

11. The system design support apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the class that defines the relationship is a parallel connection class in which two inputs are output as corresponding outputs, and the two inputs are replaced with each other and output. The upper composite function block designates changing the function block of the lower parallel connection class to the function block of the cross connection class, or A system design support device having an attribute for changing and specifying a function block of a class to a function block of a parallel connection class.