Information processing apparatus, control apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, a control apparatus, and a program capable of providing information for optimizing parameters during product manufacturing under constraint conditions such as predetermined product quality or the like.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 1 determines the range of values of manipulated variables corresponding to minimum constraint conditions as a minimum solution set range, and sets a solution set range that limits a solution range inward from the minimum solution set range by a distance D defined by the ratio of the distance between an ideal value for the constraint conditions and a value corresponding to the minimum constraint conditions, and then, presents the solution set range that is the range of values of the constrained manipulated variables.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In pharmaceutical manufacturing, a method is known in which constraints are set in advance for various indicators that vary depending on raw materials and manufacturing process parameters (input variables), and the range of input variables that satisfies the constraints (called design space) is calculated and used (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] US Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry Q8(R2) Pharmaceutical Development, Nov.2009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional methods are widely used as a method for determining the range of input variables that can guarantee the quality of the manufactured pharmaceutical. However, since it is sufficient to maintain the determined range, the reality is that no consideration has been given to input variables that can produce products of higher quality.

[0005] Determining the optimal parameters within the range of input variables that satisfy the constraints can be achieved by solving an optimization problem with constraints. Determining parameters in this way is not limited to pharmaceutical manufacturing and can be applied in various fields.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control apparatus, and a program that can provide information for optimizing parameters during product manufacturing under constraints such as predetermined product quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is at least one constraint condition numerically defined in relation to an artificially controllable operation variable, and determines a range of values of the operation variable corresponding to the minimum constraint condition as a minimum solution set range. Space determination means, and constraint range setting means for setting a solution set range that is a range of values of the operation variable restricted from the minimum solution set range, the ideal value GI regarding the constraint condition, and the minimum corresponding to the corresponding constraint condition. Constraint range setting means for obtaining the distance from the value GB corresponding to the constraint condition, and setting a solution set range in which the solution range is limited inward from the minimum solution set range by a distance D defined by a predetermined ratio r (0 < r ≦ 1) with respect to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI. And presenting means for presenting at least a solution set range that is a restricted range of values of the operation variable set by the restriction range setting means.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] This makes it possible to provide information for optimizing parameters during product manufacturing under constraints such as predetermined product quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] It is a functional block diagram showing an example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] It is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a solution restriction range calculated by an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]Another explanatory diagram showing an overview of the solution restriction range calculated by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] Yet another explanatory diagram showing an overview of the solution restriction range calculated by the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing an output example of the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A flowchart diagram showing an operation example of the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An information processing apparatus 1 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and an input / output unit 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0011] The control unit 11 is a program control device such as a CPU and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 first obtains, as a minimum solution set range, a range of values of the operation variable corresponding to at least one constraint condition numerically defined in relation to an artificially controllable operation variable and corresponding to a minimum constraint condition. Then, the control unit 11 sets a solution set range that is a range of values of the operation variable restricted more than the minimum solution set range. That is, the control unit 11 obtains the distance between the ideal value GI regarding the constraint condition and the value GB corresponding to the minimum constraint condition among the corresponding constraint conditions, and sets a solution set range in which the solution range is limited inward from the minimum solution set range by a distance D determined by a predetermined ratio r (0 < r ≦ 1) with respect to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI. The control unit 11 then presents at least the solution set range, which is the restricted range of values of the operation variable set here. The detailed operation of the control unit 11 will be described later.

[0012] The storage unit 12 is a memory device or a disk device, and holds a program executed by the control unit 11. This program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable and non-transitory recording medium, and may be copied to the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

[0013] The operation unit 13 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc., which accepts operations from a user and outputs information (input information, etc.) representing the operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is a display, etc., which displays and outputs information according to instructions input from the control unit 11 to present it to the user.

[0014] The input / output unit 15 includes a network interface, a serial interface, etc. This input / output unit 15 transmits and receives various information to and from external devices (such as manufacturing equipment) in accordance with instructions input from the control unit 11.

[0015] Next, the operation of the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12, and is configured to include an information receiving unit 21, a space determining unit 22, a limited range setting unit 23, and an information presenting unit 24, as exemplified in FIG.

[0016] In the operation of the control unit 11 in this embodiment, the number of manually controllable manipulated variables (input variables) may be two or more. However, for simplicity, the following description will be given below as an example of a case where there is only one manipulated variable.

[0017] The information receiving unit 21 receives the input of information for determining the solution set range by the space determining unit 22. In an example of the present embodiment, this information receiving unit 21 receives the input of an operation variable and information such as experimental results related to constraint conditions that respond to the operation variable. For example, for a certain operation variable x (specifically, the flow rate of raw materials when performing flow precision synthesis, etc.), this information receiving unit 21 receives the input of the results of experiments conducted while varying the operation variable x. Here, the results of the experiments are information in the form of a set of the value of the operation variable x, the evaluation value of the experimental results related to safety, the value of the purity of the resultant product, and the value of the yield. The information receiving unit 21 is assumed to receive a plurality of such sets. Here, the evaluation value of the experimental results related to safety, the value of the purity of the resultant product, and the value of the yield are values related to the constraint conditions.

[0018] Based on the information received by the information receiving unit 21, the space determining unit 22 obtains, as the minimum solution set range, the range of the values of the operation variable corresponding to the minimum constraint conditions. For example, when the information receiving unit 21 receives the results of the above experiments, this space determining unit 22 estimates an expression (hereinafter referred to as an estimated correlation expression) representing the response of the values of each constraint condition to the operation variable x by methods such as regression calculation and response surface method. Then, the space determining unit 22 obtains the range of the values of the operation variable x that satisfies the minimum constraint conditions (assumed to receive input from the user) that the values of each constraint condition should satisfy.

[0019] For example, in the above example, the space determining unit 22 obtains from the constraint conditions related to safety that the range of the value of the operation variable x is x > x1, obtains from the constraint conditions related to purity that the range of the value of the operation variable x is x < x2, and obtains from the constraint conditions related to yield that the range of the value of the operation variable x is x3 < x < x4. It is assumed here that x1 < x3 < x2 < x4.

[0020] In this case, the space determining unit 22 determines the range of the value of the operation variable x (minimum solution set range) as x3 < x < x2 and determines it.

[0021] The constraint range setting unit 23 sets a solution set range that is a range of values of the manipulated variable restricted more than the above minimum solution set range. Specifically, this constraint range setting unit 23 obtains the distance |GI - GB| between the ideal value GI regarding the constraint condition, which is determined for each constraint condition, and the value GB corresponding to the corresponding constraint condition and corresponding to the minimum constraint condition. Here, |α| means the absolute value of α (the same applies hereinafter). Then, the constraint range setting unit 23 sets a solution set range that is between the value GB and the ideal value GI and limits the solution range inward from the minimum solution set range by a distance D determined by a predetermined ratio r (0 < r ≤ 1) to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI.

[0022] Specifically, regarding the yield, the ideal value GI is set to "1", and the value GB = 0.8, which is the minimum constraint condition. At this time, the constraint range setting unit 23 is between these values GB and the ideal value GI, that is, the yield I(x) satisfies 0.8 ≤ I(x) ≤ 1, and the ratio r of the distance |I(x) - GB| to |GI - GB|:

Equation

[0023] Then, the constraint range setting unit 23 sets the distance |xB - x′| between the value x′ of the manipulated variable corresponding to the obtained I(x) and the value xB of the manipulated variable corresponding to the value GB as the distance D, and sets a solution set range that limits the solution range inward (in the direction of narrowing the solution set) from the minimum solution set range by the value x′ corresponding to this distance D. When the minimum solution set range has a lower limit and an upper limit, the range limited by x′ from both is taken as the solution set range.

[0024] In the above example, for the constraint range setting unit 23, for example, when r = 0.05 and |GI - GB| = |1 - 0.8| = 0.2, |I(x) - GB| = 0.2 × 0.05 = 0.01, and thus I(x) = 0.01 + 0.8 = 0.81 (adopt the I(x) closer to the ideal value) It will be necessary to obtain the value of I(x) corresponding to r = 0.05 as described above.

[0025] In addition, when there are two values GB corresponding to the constraint conditions (when there are two upper and lower boundaries) like the above-mentioned yield constraint conditions, the values of I(x) are obtained for each of them.

[0026] In the case of the above example, the restriction range setting unit 23 obtains the values of I(x) corresponding to the above ratio r for the three constraint conditions of safety, purity, and yield. Hereinafter, let it be assumed that I1(x) is obtained for the safety constraint condition, I2(x) is obtained for purity, and I3(x) corresponding to the lower boundary and I4(x) corresponding to the upper boundary are obtained for the yield.

[0027] The restriction range setting unit 23 obtains the values of the manipulated variable x (denoted as x′1, x′2, x′3, x′4) corresponding to the obtained values of I(x) of I1(x), I2(x), I3(x), I4(x) using the estimated correlation formula between the corresponding constraint condition and the manipulated variable. The restriction range setting unit 23 further calculates the distance D from these obtained values of the manipulated variable x to the boundaries (x1, x2, x3, x4) of the corresponding minimum solution set range: D1 = |x1 - x′1| D2 = |x2 - x′2| D3 = |x3 - x′3| D4 = |x4 - x′4| obtains these values, and selects the minimum value min(Di) (i = 1, 2…).

[0028] The restriction range setting unit 23 limits the minimum solution set range using the value of the selected minimum distance Di. For example, in the above example, when D4 is the minimum, the restriction range setting unit 23 uses the range of the value of the manipulated variable x (solution set range) of x3 < x < x2, which is the minimum solution set range, and this distance D4, x3 + D4 < x < x2 - D4 to set. In addition, when x3 + D4 > x2 - D4 at this time, the restriction range setting unit 23 terminates the process assuming that there is no solution corresponding to the above ratio r.

[0029] The information presentation unit 24 presents to the user by displaying and outputting, on the display unit 14, information representing the solution set range set by the restriction range setting unit 23. Further, the information presentation unit 24 may output, to another device via the input / output unit 15, information representing the solution set range set by the restriction range setting unit 23.

[0030] Note that, in the example here, the restriction range setting unit 23 may sequentially obtain solution set ranges corresponding to a plurality of different predetermined ratios r = r1, r2... (for example, 0 < r1 < r2 <... < 1).

[0031] In this example, for each specified constraint condition (in the above example, the three constraint conditions of safety, purity, and yield), the restriction range setting unit 23 obtains the value of I(x) corresponding to the ratio r, and for each obtained value Ii(x) (i = 1, 2...), the value x′i of the manipulated variable x corresponding to each is obtained using the estimated correlation formula between the corresponding constraint condition and the manipulated variable. The restriction range setting unit 23 further obtains the distance Di from the value x′i of these obtained manipulated variables to the boundary (xi) of the minimum solution set range as Di = |xi - x′i|, and selects the minimum value min(Di) (i = 1, 2...) among them.

[0032] Then, the restriction range setting unit 23 sets the solution set range corresponding to r by limiting the minimum solution set range using the selected minimum value of the distance Di. Note that when x_low + Di > x_high - Di at this time, the restriction range setting unit 23 ends the process, considering that there is no solution corresponding to the ratio r. Here, x_low means the lower boundary of the minimum solution set range, and x_high means the upper boundary of the minimum solution set range (in the above example, x_low = x3 and x_high = x2).

[0033] On the other hand, if x_low + Di < x_high - Di, the restriction range setting unit 23 further increases the ratio rk by a predetermined value (or a value instructed by the user) Δr (rk+1 = rk + Δr), repeats the above process, and sets the solution set range corresponding to the new rk+1.

[0034] In this case, the limit range setting unit 23 repeats the above process until there are no more solution set ranges, and sequentially sets solution set ranges corresponding to r1, r2, .... The information presenting unit 24 presents each of the solution set ranges thus set to the user. This presentation is performed, for example, by graphically displaying each solution set range of the manipulated variable x, as exemplified in FIG.

[0035] The user determines the manipulated variable x (i.e., the manufacturing condition) assuming that the optimal value of the manipulated variable x is in the smallest solution set range (R) among the displayed solution set ranges.

[0036] [Show Optimal Value] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may obtain an optimal value as follows and present it to the user. That is, the information processing device 1 obtains, as an optimal value, the value of the manipulated variable that maximizes the distance D (the minimum value when distances D corresponding to multiple constraint conditions are obtained for a certain ratio r) in the set minimum solution set range or solution set range, for example, as one of the processes of the restriction range setting unit 23.

[0037] In this example, the information processing device 1 finds the optimal value of the operating variable x_opt by searching for the maximum value of the distance D while changing the operating variable x in the minimum solution set range or solution set range that is the smallest (narrowest range of possible solutions) that has been set before the process of finding the optimal value is performed.

[0038] When the information processing device 1 finds the optimum value of the operating variable x_opt, the information presenting unit 24 presents the value of the operating variable x_opt to the user.

[0039] [When there are multiple instrumental variables] Furthermore, as already described, even when there are multiple manipulated variables, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment presents the solution set range for each manipulated variable and also presents a set of manipulated variables that result in optimal values ​​through similar processing.

[0040] In this example, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1, in operation as the information receiving unit 21, receives input of information specifying a plurality of manipulated variables, and information on experimental results related to constraint conditions (there may be a plurality of constraint conditions) corresponding to each of the plurality of manipulated variables. For example, the information receiving unit 21 receives input of the results of an experiment conducted for certain manipulated variables x1 and x2 while varying these manipulated variables x1, x2. Here, the results of the experiment are information in the form of pairs of values ​​of the manipulated variables x1, x2 and values ​​representing constraint conditions such as yield, safety, purity (amount of impurities), and the information receiving unit 21 receives a plurality of such pairs.

[0041] Also in this example, the space determination unit 22 determines the range of values ​​of the manipulated variables corresponding to the minimum constraint conditions as a minimum solution set range based on the information received by the information reception unit 21. In this example, when the information reception unit 21 receives the results of the above experiment, the space determination unit 22 estimates an equation (hereinafter referred to as an estimated correlation equation) expressing the response of the values ​​of each constraint condition to the multiple manipulated variables x1, x2... by a method such as regression calculation or response surface methodology. Then, the space determination unit 22 determines the range of values ​​of each manipulated variable x1, x2... (minimum solution set range) that satisfies the minimum constraint conditions (assuming that input is received from the user) that the values ​​of each constraint condition should satisfy.

[0042] For example, when there are two manipulated variables and it is two-dimensional, the minimum solution set range is shown as an area restricted by constraints such as yield, safety, and purity, as shown in Figure 4 (Figure 4(R)). (Note that here, the response surface is defined as a surface that monotonically increases or decreases with respect to each manipulated variable.)

[0043] The constraint range setting unit 23 sets a solution set range that is a range of values of the manipulated variable restricted more than the minimum solution set range set by the space determination unit 22. Similar to the example described above, this constraint range setting unit 23 obtains the distance |GI - GB| between the ideal value GI for each constraint condition and the value GB corresponding to the minimum constraint condition for the corresponding constraint condition. Then, the constraint range setting unit 23 sets a solution set range that limits the solution range inward from the minimum solution set range by a distance D determined by a predetermined ratio r (0 < r ≤ 1) with respect to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI, and is between the value GB and the ideal value GI.

[0044] The constraint range setting unit 23 repeats the following process for each constraint condition. That is, for the i-th constraint condition, for each manipulated variable x, the ratio r of the distance |I(x) - GB| to |GI - GB| with respect to the value GB:

Equation

[0045] The constraint range setting unit 23 obtains the value of the manipulated variable xj (denoted as x′ij) corresponding to each of the Ii(xj) obtained corresponding to the value of the predetermined ratio r using the estimated correlation equation between the corresponding constraint condition and the manipulated variable. The constraint range setting unit 23 further obtains the distance Dij from these obtained values of the manipulated variable x′ij to the surface (curve in the case of two dimensions) xiB that defines the boundary of the corresponding minimum solution set range.

[0046] When the distance Dij (j = 1, 2, …) from the plane (curve in the case of two dimensions) xiB that defines the boundary of the minimum solution set range for the i-th constraint condition for each manipulated variable is obtained, the constraint range setting unit 23 calculates the minimum value min(Dij) of these distances, and sets a plane x′iB that defines a solution set range in which the solution range is limited inward (in the direction of narrowing the solution set) from the plane xiB that defines the boundary of the minimum solution set range by only the value x′ corresponding to the minimum value.

[0047] The constraint range setting unit 23 repeatedly executes the above processing for each constraint condition, sets the plane x′iB that defines the solution set range for each constraint condition, and sets a solution set range R′ in which the minimum solution set range is limited by these planes x′iB (i = 1, 2, …) (Fig. 5).

[0048] Note that when there is no solution range due to the planes x′iB (i = 1, 2, …), the constraint range setting unit 23 ends the processing assuming that there is no solution corresponding to the ratio r.

[0049] The information presentation unit 24 displays and outputs information representing the solution set range set by the constraint range setting unit 23 to the display unit 14 to present it to the user. Further, the information presentation unit 24 may output information representing the solution set range set by the constraint range setting unit 23 to another device via the input / output unit 15.

[0050] Note that also in the example here, the constraint range setting unit 23 may sequentially obtain solution set ranges corresponding to a plurality of different predetermined ratios r = r1, r2, … (for example, 0 < r1 < r2 < … < 1).

[0051] In this case, the limit range setting unit 23 obtains the value of Ii(x) corresponding to the ratio r for each of the specified constraint conditions (e.g., constraint conditions such as safety, purity, and yield). The limit range setting unit 23 further obtains the value x′ij of the corresponding j-th manipulated variable x for each obtained value Ii(x) (i=1, 2...) using an estimated correlation equation between the corresponding constraint condition (i-th constraint condition) and the manipulated variable (j-th manipulated variable). The limit range setting unit 23 obtains the distance Dij from the obtained manipulated variable value x′ij and the corresponding boundary (xiB) of the minimum solution set range, and selects the minimum value Di=min(Dij) (j=1, 2...) of the distances Dij related to each manipulated variable for each i-th constraint condition.

[0052] Then, the limit range setting unit 23 uses the value of the minimum distance Di selected for each constraint condition to limit the solution set range to the minimum and set the solution set range corresponding to r. Note that, if the solution set range is exhausted at this time, it is determined that there is no solution corresponding to the ratio r, and the limit range setting unit 23 ends the process.

[0053] On the other hand, if a solution set range exists, the limit range setting unit 23 further increases the ratio rk by a predetermined value (or a value specified by the user) Δr (as rk+1=rk+Δr) and repeats the above process to set a solution set range corresponding to the new rk+1.

[0054] In this case, the limit range setting unit 23 repeats the above process until there are no more solution set ranges, and sequentially sets solution set ranges corresponding to r1, r2, .... The information presenting unit 24 presents each of the solution set ranges thus set to the user. This presentation is performed, for example, by graphically displaying each solution set range of the manipulated variables xj (j=1, 2, ...). Specifically, when there are two manipulated variables, each of the solution set ranges becomes a two-dimensional region, and can be illustrated like a contour map (FIG. 6).

[0055] The user determines each of the manipulated variables xj (that is, each manufacturing condition) assuming that the optimum set of manipulated variables xj is in the smallest solution set range among the displayed solution set ranges.

[0056] Also, in the information processing device 1 of this example, a set of optimal values ​​of the manipulated variables xj may be obtained and presented to the user. In this case, the information processing device 1 obtains, as one of the processes of the restriction range setting unit 23, a set of values ​​of the manipulated variables that maximizes the distance D (the minimum value when distances D corresponding to a plurality of constraint conditions and manipulated variables are obtained for a certain ratio r) in the set minimum solution set range or the solution set range as a set of optimal values.

[0057] In this example, the information processing device 1 finds the optimal manipulated variable xj_opt (j=1, 2, ...) by searching for the maximum value of the distance D while changing the set of manipulated variables xj in the minimum solution set range or solution set range that is the smallest (narrowest range of possible solutions) set before performing the process to find the optimal value.

[0058] When the information processing device 1 finds a set of the operational variables xj_opt that is the optimal value, the information presenting unit 24 presents the value of the operational variable x_opt to the user. This presentation may be superimposed on the display of the area of ​​each solution set illustrated in FIG. 6 (FIG. 6(Q)).

[0059] [Operation] The information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows: The information processing device 1 executes the process illustrated in Fig. 7, and accepts inputs from a user of information specifying a plurality of manipulated variables xj (j=1, 2...), for example, two manipulated variables x1 and x2, and information on experimental results related to constraint conditions (there may be a plurality of constraint conditions) corresponding to each of the plurality of manipulated variables (S11: Acceptance of experimental results).

[0060] Here, it is assumed that input of the results of an experiment conducted by varying the manipulated variables x1 and x2 is accepted. Here, the results of the experiment are information that consists of pairs of values ​​of the manipulated variables x1 and x2 and values ​​representing constraint conditions such as yield, safety, purity (amount of impurities), etc., and the information processing device 1 accepts a plurality of such pairs.

[0061] Based on the information received in step S11, the information processing device 1 obtains a range of values ​​of the manipulated variables corresponding to the minimum constraint conditions as a minimum solution set range (S12). Here, the information processing device 1 estimates an equation (hereinafter referred to as an estimated correlation equation) expressing the response of the values ​​of each constraint condition to a plurality of manipulated variables x1, x2... by response surface methodology based on the results of the experiment received in step S11. The information processing device 1 thereby obtains a range (minimum solution set range) of values ​​of each manipulated variable x1, x2... that satisfies the minimum constraint conditions (assuming that input is received from the user) that the value of each constraint condition should satisfy. As already explained, the minimum solution set range in this example is shown as a region that satisfies all of the above constraints (region R that is not restricted by any constraints) by superimposing the regions restricted by the constraints such as yield, safety, and purity, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0062] Next, in order to set a solution set range that is a range of the values ​​of the operational variables that is more restricted than the minimum solution set range obtained in step S12, the information processing device 1 sets the value of the ratio r0 to a predetermined initial value (for example, r0 = 0.05) (S13), and repeats the following processing for each constraint condition.

[0063] The information processing device 1 also determines, for each manipulated variable xj (j=1, 2...), the ratio of the distance |I(x)-GB| from the value GB shown in equation (1) to |GI-GB|, which is equal to the above rk (k=0, 1, 2...), between these values ​​GB and the ideal value GI, and obtains the value Ii(xj) (i=1, 2..., j=1, 2...) corresponding to the above rk for the manipulated variable xj (j=1, 2...) related to the i-th constraint condition (S14). Here, Ii(xj) means the value obtained by solving equation (1) corresponding to the value of the ratio rk at the time of processing for the manipulated variable xj related to the i-th constraint condition.

[0064] The information processing device 1 obtains the values ​​(x'ij) of the manipulated variables xj corresponding to each of Ii(xj) obtained for the set rk using an estimated correlation equation between the corresponding ith constraint and the manipulated variables xj (S15). The information processing device 1 further obtains the distances Dij from the obtained values ​​x'ij of the manipulated variables and the surface (curve in the case of two dimensions) xiB that defines the boundary of the corresponding minimum solution set range (S16).

[0065] The information processing device 1 repeatedly executes steps S14 to S16 for each operational variable xj, calculates the minimum value min(Dij) of the obtained distances Dij (S17), and sets a surface x'iB that defines the solution set range by limiting the solution range to a minimum value inward (in the direction narrowing the set of solutions) from the surface xiB that defines the boundary of the solution set range by a value x'i = min(Dij) equivalent to the minimum value (S18).

[0066] The information processing device 1 repeatedly executes the processes from steps S14 to S18 (including the process repeated for each manipulated variable) for each constraint condition, and sets the surface x′iB (i = 1, 2, ...) that defines the solution set range for each constraint condition. Then, by overlapping the areas restricted by these surfaces, the area that satisfies all of the constraints (the area that is not restricted by any constraints) is set as the solution set range corresponding to the ratio rk at this point (S19).

[0067] The information processing device 1 then checks whether or not the solution set range was set in step S19, that is, whether or not there is a range of solutions that can be obtained by overlapping the surfaces x′iB (i=1, 2, ...) (S20). If there is a range of solutions (S20: Yes), the information processing device 1 updates the ratio rk at that time by a further predetermined value (or a value specified by the user) Δr (rk+1=rk+Δr) (S21), returns to the process of repeating for each constraint condition, and repeats the process from step S14 onwards (A).

[0068] On the other hand, if there is no range with a solution in step S20 (S20: No), the information processing device 1 terminates the process assuming that there is no solution corresponding to the ratio rk, and displays information indicating the solution set range (or the minimum solution set range) obtained for each ratio r0, r1, r2, ... (S22). This display may be performed as in the example of FIG. 6 already shown.

[0069] According to this example of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide information representing a range of values ​​of manipulated variables that satisfy stricter constraints, such as information for optimizing parameters during product manufacturing under constraints such as a specified product quality.

[0070] [Border Visibility] As described in the examples so far, the surface (or curve, line) enclosing the solution set range is formed by combining the surfaces (or lines) corresponding to each of the multiple constraint conditions.

[0071] Therefore, when displaying information indicating the solution set range, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment may display the surfaces (or lines) of each constraint condition that defines the solution set range in a manner that makes them distinguishable from each other, such as in different colors.

[0072] In this way, it is possible to confirm which ranges of the manipulated variables are primarily restricted by what constraints.

[0073] [Linkage with manufacturing equipment] As described in the examples so far, the manipulated variables may relate to the manufacturing conditions of the product. In this case, the information processing device 1 of this embodiment may output its output to a manufacturing device for the product. The manufacturing device that receives the output of the information processing device 1 uses information on the solution set range (when multiple solution set ranges are set, the narrowest solution set range may be used, for example) presented by the information processing device 1 to process the determination of the manufacturing conditions of the product. For example, when the flow rate of raw materials in flow precision synthesis is used as the manipulated variable, the manufacturing device that receives the information on the solution set range controls the manufacturing conditions so that raw materials are supplied at a flow rate that belongs to the solution set range represented by the information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 information processing device, 11 control unit, 12 storage unit, 13 operation unit, 14 display unit, 15 input / output unit, 21 information receiving unit, 22 space determining unit, 23 limit range setting unit, 24 information presenting unit.

Claims

1. a space determination means for determining a range of values ​​of at least one constraint condition, which is numerically determined in relation to an artificially controllable manipulated variable, corresponding to a minimum constraint condition as a minimum solution set range; a limiting range setting means for setting a solution set range, which is a range of values ​​of the manipulated variable that is more limited than the minimum solution set range, which calculates a distance between an ideal value GI for the constraint condition and a value GB corresponding to the minimum constraint condition, and sets a solution set range that limits the range of the solution inside the minimum solution set range by a distance D between the value GB and the ideal value GI, the distance D being determined by a predetermined ratio r (0<r≦1) to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI; a presentation means for presenting at least a solution set range, which is a range of the restricted values ​​of the operational variables, set by the restricted range setting means; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: The method further includes an optimal solution calculation means for calculating values ​​of operation variables that maximize the distance D within the minimum solution set range or the solution set range, The presentation means is an information processing device that further presents the values ​​of the operation variables that maximize the distance D, which are found by the optimal solution calculation means.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, said limiting range setting means determines, in said minimum solution set range, a distance between an ideal value GI for said constraint condition and a value GB corresponding to said minimum constraint condition and related to the corresponding constraint condition, and sets a plurality of solution set ranges between said value GB and the ideal value GI, the solution range being limited inward from said minimum solution set range by distances D1, D2... determined by a plurality of said predetermined ratios r=r1, r2... which are different from one another with respect to the distance between value GB and ideal value GI; The presenting means presents a solution set range, which is a range of values ​​of a plurality of mutually different restricted operational variables set by the restricted range setting means.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, further comprising: The method further includes an optimal solution calculation means for calculating values ​​of operation variables that maximize the distance D within a solution set range in which the corresponding distance D (i=1, 2, . . . ) is maximum among the plurality of solution set ranges, The presentation means is an information processing device that further presents the values ​​of the operation variables that maximize the distance D, which are found by the optimal solution calculation means.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, The manipulated variables are manipulated variables related to manufacturing conditions of an object, An information processing device in which the information on the solution set range presented by the presentation means is used in a process for determining manufacturing conditions for an article.

6. A control device that receives input of information related to manufacturing conditions, is connected to a manufacturing device that manufactures an object, and controls the manufacturing device, a space determination means for determining a range of values ​​of the operation variables corresponding to at least one constraint condition that is numerically determined in relation to the operation variables related to the manufacturing conditions, as a minimum solution set range; a limiting range setting means for setting a solution set range, which is a range of values ​​of the manipulated variable that is more limited than the minimum solution set range, which calculates a distance between an ideal value GI for the constraint condition and a value GB corresponding to the minimum constraint condition, and sets a solution set range that limits the range of the solution inside the minimum solution set range by a distance D between the value GB and the ideal value GI, the distance D being determined by a predetermined ratio r (0<r≦1) to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI; a presentation means for presenting at least a solution set range, which is a range of the restricted values ​​of the operational variables, set by the restricted range setting means; an output means for outputting information on manufacturing conditions set by operation variables within the solution set range presented by the presentation means to the manufacturing device; A control device including:

7. Computer, a space determination means for determining a range of values ​​of at least one constraint condition, which is numerically determined in relation to an artificially controllable manipulated variable, corresponding to a minimum constraint condition as a minimum solution set range; a limiting range setting means for setting a solution set range, which is a range of values ​​of the manipulated variable that is more limited than the minimum solution set range, which calculates a distance between an ideal value GI for the constraint condition and a value GB corresponding to the minimum constraint condition, and sets a solution set range that limits the range of the solution inside the minimum solution set range by a distance D between the value GB and the ideal value GI, the distance D being determined by a predetermined ratio r (0<r≦1) to the distance between the value GB and the ideal value GI; a presentation means for presenting at least a solution set range, which is a range of the restricted values ​​of the operational variables, set by the restricted range setting means; A program that functions as a

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