Simulation device, program for simulation device, simulation system, and program for simulation system
The simulation device enhances simulation accuracy by using real data to provide parameter type and value information, enabling unskilled users to improve simulation results through informed adjustments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025516293
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-11-13
AI Technical Summary
Unskilled users in simulation technologies face challenges in determining which parameters to adjust to improve simulation results, leading to inefficient and inaccurate simulations.
A simulation device that utilizes real data from a real-space system to reproduce operations in a virtual space, providing a parameter setting screen that displays parameter types and values, allowing users to adjust parameters effectively.
Enables unskilled users to identify and adjust parameters accurately, improving simulation accuracy and efficiency by reducing reliance on expert input.
Smart Images

Figure 0007710640000001 
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Figure 0007710640000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a simulation device that simulates the operation of a simulation target in the real space, a program for the simulation device, a simulation system, and a program for the simulation system.
Background Art
[0002] In simulation, a process is performed to change the parameters set in the simulation so that the result of the simulation in which the simulation device simulates the operation of the actual equipment approaches the result in the actual equipment. Patent Document 1 discloses a formability analysis method for performing formability analysis using a forming analysis simulation program. In the formability analysis method described in Patent Document 1, while performing a forming analysis simulation by setting each parameter of the material property data, actual forming under the same conditions as those during the forming analysis simulation is performed using an evaluation die, and an evaluation target is determined from the result of the forming analysis simulation and the actual forming result. Further, in the formability analysis method described in Patent Document 1, the difference between the result of the forming analysis simulation for the evaluation target and the actual forming result is obtained and compared with an evaluation reference value. When the difference exceeds the evaluation reference value, each parameter of the material property data is changed and the forming analysis simulation is executed until the difference between the result of the forming analysis simulation and the actual forming result falls within the evaluation reference value.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, when the difference between the result of the molding analysis simulation and the actual molding result is outside the evaluation reference value, a skilled user can empirically know each parameter of the material property data to be changed in order to improve the simulation result. However, an unskilled user cannot know which parameter among the parameters of the material property data should be changed in order to improve the simulation result. For this reason, there has been a problem that an unskilled user has to change the parameters by trial and error. Such a problem has also occurred not only in the simulation of the formability analysis but also in the simulation of the operation of the simulation target in the real space.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to obtain a simulation apparatus that can present to a user items of parameters that may lead to an improvement in the simulation result.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present disclosure uses real data, which is information on a real-space system acquired from the real-space system, to reproduce the operation of the real-space system by simulation in a virtual system on a virtual space having the same virtual components as the real-space system including at least one component that performs an operation. The simulation apparatus includes a parameter setting processing unit and a simulation unit. The parameter setting processing unit reads data item management information including values of parameters to be set for the virtual components and outputs a parameter setting screen in which the set parameter values can be changed. The simulation unit simulates the operation of the virtual system according to the content set on the parameter setting screen. The parameter setting processing unit having two or more types, and being able to recognize that the value of the parameter it does not reflect the current state of the system in the real space the type of the value of the parameter correspond to the value of the parameter generates a parameter setting screen to be displayed.
Effects of the Invention
[0007] The simulation device according to the present disclosure has an effect of being able to present to the user items of parameters that may lead to an improvement in the result of the simulation.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008]
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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] Hereinafter, a simulation device, a program for the simulation device, a simulation system, and a program for the simulation system according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a simulation system according to Embodiment 1. The simulation system 1 is a system that acquires real data, which is information on the system of the simulation target 60 existing in the real space, and realizes a digital twin that reproduces the operation of the system existing in the real space using the acquired real data in a virtual space calculated on the simulation device 10. The simulation system 1 includes a simulation device 10, a data item management device 30, an initial setting information management device 40, and a user terminal 50. In the example of FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the simulation device 10, the user terminal 50, and the simulation target 60 are installed on the factory side, and the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40 are installed on the cloud side.
[0011] The simulation device 10 is a device that performs a simulation on a simulation target 60 according to an instruction from a user terminal 50. The simulation target 60 is not particularly limited as long as a plurality of components operate to form one system. The components may include, in addition to devices, people, objects, etc. arranged in the real space. Also, as long as at least one component operates, the components may include those that do not perform operations such as a desk. An example of the simulation target 60 is a manufacturing system using FA (Factory Automation) equipment, a water treatment system, a railway management system, and a power management system. Further, the simulation device 10 may use, as the simulation target 60, those for performing design, construction, maintenance, etc. In one example, the simulation device 10 may simulate urban design as the design, may simulate the construction of a building as the construction, or may simulate the construction or maintenance of an elevator as the construction or maintenance. In the example of FIG. 1, the simulation device 10 is configured by an on-premises server.
[0012] The data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40 are configured by one or more cloud servers. The cloud server is a server constructed in a cloud environment including computer resources provided in a cloud service platform.
[0013] The simulation device 10, the data item management device 30, the initial setting information management device 40, and the user terminal 50 are connected via a network 70. The network 70 is, in one example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, but may also be a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0014] The data item management device 30 is an information processing device that manages parameters set in a simulation program, which is a computer program executed by the simulation device 10, more specifically. That is, the data item management device 30 is a device that manages data item management information, which is information about parameters set in the simulation program, which is a computer program executed by the simulation device 10. In one example, the data item management device 30 is a database device.
[0015] The initial setting information management device 40 is an information processing device that manages initial setting information, which is the initial value of parameters set in the virtual system of the simulation device 10. Specifically, the initial setting information management device 40 is a device that stores initial setting information, which is the initial value of parameters set in the simulation program, that can be provided to a user who uses the simulation program of the simulation device 10 for the first time. In one example, the initial setting information management device 40 is a database device.
[0016] The user terminal 50 is an information processing device that is connected to the simulation device 10 via the network 70, instructs the simulation device 10 to execute a simulation, and receives and displays the execution result of the simulation from the simulation device 10. The network 70 between the user terminal 50 and the simulation device 10 is a WAN or a LAN. The user terminal 50 has a display unit and an input unit, and can perform setting of parameters to the simulation device 10, display of the result of the simulation in the simulation device 10, and the like.
[0017] Note that in FIG. 1, an example in which the simulation device 10 is an on-premises server is shown, but it is not limited to this. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the simulation system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the simulation device 10, the data item management device 30, and the initial setting information management device 40 are provided on the cloud side and are configured by one or more cloud servers.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a data item management device 30 that constitutes a simulation system according to Embodiment 1. The data item management device 30 includes a data reception unit 31, a data item management unit 32, a data item management information storage unit 33, and a data transmission unit 34.
[0019] The data reception unit 31 receives data item management information including the name of a parameter, the value of the parameter, and the type of the value of the parameter from the simulation device 10. That is, the data reception unit 31 receives data item management information including the correspondence between the value of the parameter set on a parameter setting screen (to be described later) of the simulation device 10 and the type of the value of the parameter.
[0020] The data item management unit 32 stores the received data item management information in the data item management information storage unit 33.
[0021] The data item management information storage unit 33 stores data item management information in which the set value and the type of the set value are associated with respect to the parameters set in the simulation device 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data item management information. The data item management information manages, for each component constituting the simulation target 60, in units of users using the simulation device 10 or in units of simulation programs, by associating the name of the parameter with the value of the parameter and the type of the value of the parameter. The type of the value of the parameter is the "initial value" preset in the simulation device 10 by the manufacturer of the simulation device 10 or the simulation program, the "planned value" calculated in the design of the system in the real space or temporarily set by the user, the value actually measured in the system in the real space, the "actual value" based on the actual results, and "excluded" that is not used as data. In the case of excluded, the value of the parameter is not input. Also, the type of the value of the parameter may include other types.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an example of data management item information in which the names, values, and value types of parameters for each component are associated with each other, where the components are Device A, Device B, machine, etc. that make up the simulation target 60.
[0023] Returning to FIG. 3, when the data transmission unit 34 receives a request for acquiring data item management information from the simulation device 10, it transmits the data item management information stored in the data item management information storage unit 33 corresponding to the simulation device 10 to the simulation device 10.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an initial setting information management device that constitutes the simulation system according to Embodiment 1. The initial setting information management device 40 includes an initial setting information storage unit 41, a data transmission unit 42, a data reception unit 43, and a management processing unit 44.
[0025] The initial setting information storage unit 41 stores initial setting information that is the initial value of the parameters of the simulation device 10. The initial setting information is set for each user of the simulation device 10 in one example. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting information. The initial setting information manages by associating the initial value of the parameter with the name of the parameter for each component that makes up the simulation target 60 in units of users who use the simulation device 10 or in units of simulation programs. Since the simulation device 10 performs simulation by executing a simulation program, the parameters set in the simulation device 10 can also be said to be the parameters set in the simulation program.
[0026] Returning to FIG. 5, when the data transmission unit 42 receives a request for acquiring the initial setting information of the parameters from the simulation device 10, it acquires the initial setting information corresponding to the simulation device 10 from the initial setting information storage unit 41 and transmits it to the simulation device 10.
[0027] The data reception unit 43 receives data related to the initial values of parameters from other devices such as the simulation device 10 and the data item management device 30.
[0028] The management processing unit 44 manages to store the initial values of the parameters in the initial setting information storage unit 41 for each user who has introduced the simulation device 10. In one example, the management processing unit 44 registers the data related to the initial values of the parameters received from other devices in the initial setting information.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the simulation device according to the first embodiment. The simulation device 10 is a device that reproduces the operation of the system in the real space by simulation using real data, which is the system information of the simulation target 60 acquired from the system in the real space, in a virtual system on a virtual space having the same virtual components as the system in the real space including at least one component that performs an operation. The simulation device 10 includes a data reception unit 11, a parameter setting processing unit 12, a data transmission unit 13, a real data collection unit 14, a simulation unit 15, and a result display processing unit 16.
[0030] The data reception unit 11 receives data item management information from the data item management device 30 and receives initial setting information from the initial setting information management device 40. In one example, when the user uses the simulation device 10 for the first time, the data reception unit 11 receives the initial setting information corresponding to the simulation device 10 from the initial setting information management device 40. Also, when the user uses the simulation device 10 for the second time or later, the data reception unit 11 receives the data item management information corresponding to the simulation device 10 from the data item management device 30.
[0031] The parameter setting processing unit 12 reads data item management information including the values of parameters to be set for virtual components that constitute a virtual simulation target, and outputs a parameter setting screen on which the set parameter values can be changed. Specifically, when the user uses the simulation device 10 for the first time, the parameter setting processing unit 12 sends a request to the initial setting information management device 40 to acquire the initial setting information, reads the initial setting information as the data item management information, and outputs a parameter setting screen. Also, when the user uses the simulation device 10 for the second time or later, the parameter setting processing unit 12 sends a request to the data item management device 30 to acquire the data item management information, reads the data item management information, and outputs a parameter setting screen. In one example, the parameter setting processing unit 12 generates a parameter setting screen for the parameters of virtual components that need to be set in the simulation device 10, and outputs it to the user terminal 50. The parameter setting screen is a screen on which, for the simulation target 60, in one example, parameters can be set for each component.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen. The parameter setting screen 100 has a component selection area 101, a simulation target display area 102, and a parameter setting area 103.
[0033] The component selection area 101 is an area for displaying the components of the simulation target 60. In one example, in the component selection area 101, the components are displayed in a tree form. In the component selection area 101, the user can select one component for which the parameter is to be set.
[0034] The simulation target display area 102 is an area for displaying the appearance of the simulation target 60 on the virtual space including the component selected in the component selection area 101.
[0035] The parameter setting area 103 is an area for setting parameters of the component selected in the component selection area 101. In the parameter setting area 103, a name display area 1031 for displaying the name of the parameter, a parameter input area 1032 for inputting the value of the parameter, and a type input area 1033 for inputting the type of the value of the parameter are arranged in association with each other. The value of the parameter is input into the parameter input area 1032. In the type input area 1033, it is input whether the value input into the parameter input area 1032 is an initial value, a design value, an actual value, or out of scope. In one example, the type input area 1033 is composed of a pull-down menu having the initial value, the design value, the actual value, and out of scope as a list. Thus, the parameter setting screen 100 is configured such that the type of the value of the parameter is also noted together with the value of the parameter. Thereby, the user using the parameter setting screen 100 can easily recognize the type of the value of the set parameter. Thus, the parameter setting processing unit 12 generates the parameter setting screen 100 for displaying the type of the value of the parameter corresponding to the value of the parameter. Note that the type of the value of the parameter shown here is an example, and any type can be used as long as the user can recognize whether the value of the parameter can be changed. In one example, the type of the value of the parameter may include at least one of a type indicating that the value of the parameter can be changed and a type indicating that the value of the parameter cannot be changed based on the result of the simulation.
[0036] When a component is selected in the component selection area 101, the parameter setting processing unit 12 reads the name and value of the parameters for the selected component from the initial setting information or the data item management information and reflects them in the name display area 1031 and the parameter input area 1032 of the parameter setting area 103. When the parameter setting processing unit 12 reads the data item management information in which the type is set together with the value of the parameter, the type of the value of the parameter corresponding to the parameter on the parameter setting screen 100 may be set according to the data item management information. In one example, when the parameter setting processing unit 12 reads the data item management information in which the type of the value of the parameter is set as the actual value, the type of the value of the parameter corresponding to the parameter on the parameter setting screen 100 may be set as the actual value. In another example, when the parameter setting processing unit 12 reads the data item management information in which the type of the value of the parameter is set as the initial value or the design value, the type of the value of the parameter corresponding to the parameter on the parameter setting screen 100 may be set as the initial value or the design value. In this way, when reading data in which the value and type of the parameter are associated with respect to the parameter item, the parameter setting processing unit 12 can set the type together with the value of the parameter on the parameter setting screen. By doing so, it is possible to save the trouble of the user checking what the type of the value of the parameter is and setting the type of the value of the parameter, and it is also possible to suppress setting mistakes of the type of the value of the parameter by the user. The parameter item is information indicating what the value of the parameter is, and in one example, it is the name of the parameter.
[0037] When the value of the parameter is changed, the parameter setting processing unit 12 outputs a message prompting the update of the type of the value of the corresponding parameter. Then, when the parameter setting is completed, the parameter setting processing unit 12 sets the content of the parameter setting screen 100 to the simulation unit 15.
[0038] Returning to FIG. 7, when the input of parameters to the parameter setting screen 100 is completed, the data transmission unit 13 transmits the input content of the parameter setting screen 100 to the data item management device 30. As a result, the input content of the parameter setting screen 100 is stored in the data item management information storage unit 33 of the data item management device 30. That is, the content of the parameters set in the simulation device 10 is managed by the data item management device 30.
[0039] The real data collection unit 14 collects real data, which is data indicating the result of the operation of the system in the real space that is the simulation target 60.
[0040] The simulation unit 15 simulates the operation of the virtual system according to the content set on the parameter setting screen 100. Specifically, it simulates the operation of the virtual simulation target constructed on the virtual space for the simulation target 60 in the real space, according to the real data collected from the simulation target 60 in the real space and the parameters set by the parameter setting processing unit 12. That is, the simulation unit 15 sets parameters in the simulation program, which is a computer program for operating the simulation target 60 in the real space on the virtual space, and inputs the data collected from the simulation target 60 in the real space, so as to reproduce the operation of the simulation target on the virtual space.
[0041] The result display processing unit 16 generates a result display screen for displaying the simulation result and the real data on the user terminal 50. An example of the data indicating the simulation result is time. In this case, a result display screen including the time taken for processing in the system in the real space and the time taken for the processing obtained as the simulation result in the system in the virtual space is generated. Here, time is cited as an example of the gap between the real data and the simulation result, but other things may also be possible.
[0042] The user checks whether there is a gap greater than a determined range between the result of the simulation displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the user terminal 50 and the real data, that is, whether there is a significant difference between the value of the verification item arbitrarily set by the user and the value corresponding to the above verification item obtained by the simulation. The determined range is, for example, the error range.
[0043] Next, a simulation method in the simulation system 1 will be described. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the simulation method according to Embodiment 1. First, when the simulation device 10 receives a display request for the parameter setting screen 100 from the user terminal 50 (step S11), the simulation device 10 determines whether it is the first use of the simulation device 10 (step S12). If it is the first use (Yes in step S12), the simulation device 10 transmits an acquisition request for initial setting information to the initial setting information management device 40 (step S13). When the initial setting information management device 40 receives the acquisition request for initial setting information (step S14), it acquires the initial setting information corresponding to the simulation device 10 that transmitted the acquisition request from the initial setting information storage unit 41 (step S15), and transmits the initial setting information to the simulation device 10 (step S16). The processing in the initial setting information management device 40 ends at step S16. The simulation device 10 sets the acquired initial setting information on the parameter setting screen 100 (step S17).
[0044] If it is not the first use in step S12 (if No in step S12), the simulation device 10 transmits a request to acquire data item management information to the data item management device 30 (step S18). When the data item management device 30 receives the request to acquire data item management information (step S19), it acquires the data item management information corresponding to the simulation device 10 that transmitted the acquisition request from the data item management information storage unit 33 (step S20), and transmits the data item management information to the simulation device 10 (step S21). The simulation device 10 sets the acquired data item management information on the parameter setting screen 100 (step S22).
[0045] After that or after step S17, the simulation device 10 transmits the parameter setting screen 100 to the user terminal 50 (step S23). The user terminal 50 displays the parameter setting screen 100 on the display unit. As shown in FIG. 8, the parameter setting screen 100 has a configuration in which a type input area 1033 where the type of the parameter value can be input is also described for a set of a name display area 1031 where the name of the parameter is displayed and a parameter input area 1032 where the value of the parameter can be input. The user sets parameters on such a parameter setting screen 100. In the case of the first use, the user does not have to input anything with the parameter values set on the parameter setting screen 100, or may input the calculated values obtained in advance by calculation. When the calculated values are input, the type of the corresponding parameter value is changed to "calculated value" by the user. Also, in the case of the second and subsequent uses, the user changes the parameter values whose type of the parameter value is not "actual value", particularly the parameter values whose type is "initial value". When changing the parameter values, the values obtained by actually measuring the values corresponding to the parameter items that the simulation target 60 in the real space actually operates on may be set as the parameter values, or the calculated values obtained in advance by calculation may be set. When the actually measured values are set, the type of the corresponding parameter value is changed to "actual value" by the user, and when the calculated values are set, the type of the corresponding parameter value is changed to "calculated value" by the user. Note that the steps of S11 - S13, S17, S18, S22, and S23 correspond to a parameter setting process step of reading data item management information including the parameter values to be set for the virtual components in the virtual system on the virtual space having the same virtual components as the system in the real space including at least one component that performs operations, and outputting a parameter setting screen 100 in which the set parameter values can be changed. Also, in this parameter setting process step, a parameter setting screen 100 that displays the type of the parameter value corresponding to the parameter value is generated.
[0046] The simulation device 10 determines whether the value of a parameter has been changed by the user (step S24). When the value of the parameter has been changed (Yes in step S24), the simulation device 10 determines whether the change in the type of the value of the parameter has been confirmed (step S25). In one example, the simulation device 10 displays a message prompting the user to confirm the change in the type of the value of the parameter on the display unit of the user terminal 50, and can determine whether the change in the type of the value of the parameter has been confirmed based on the response to this message.
[0047] When the user has not confirmed the change in the type of the value of the parameter (No in step S25), the process returns to step S24. Also, when the user has confirmed the change in the type of the value of the parameter (Yes in step S25), or when the value of the parameter has not been changed in step S24 (No in step S24), the simulation device 10 reflects the content of the parameter setting screen 100 in the simulation device 10, specifically in the simulation unit 15 (step S26), and transmits the content of the parameter setting screen 100 to the data item management device 30 (step S27). When the data item management device 30 receives the content of the parameter setting screen 100 (step S28), it stores the received content of the parameter setting screen 100 in the data item management information storage unit 33 (step S29). When storing the value and item of the parameter in the data item management information, the data item management device 30 may perform overwriting storage or may store it so that the past history remains. The process of step S28 corresponds to a data reception process for receiving data item management information including the correspondence between the value of the parameter set on the parameter setting screen 100 and the type of the value of the parameter. Also, the process of step S29 corresponds to a data item management information storage process for storing the data item management information. The processing in the data item management device 30 ends at step S29.
[0048] After step S27, the simulation device 10 executes a simulation and obtains the result of the simulation (step S30). The processes of steps S26 and S30 correspond to a simulation process of simulating the operation of a virtual system using real data, which is information on the system in the real space obtained from the system in the real space according to the content set on the parameter setting screen 100.
[0049] Also, the simulation device 10 obtains real data, which is data indicating the operating state, from the system in the real space that is the simulation target 60 (step S31). After that, the simulation device 10 generates a result display screen including the result of the simulation and the real data (step S32), and transmits the result display screen to the user terminal 50 (step S33). The user terminal 50 displays the result display screen on the display unit. The user checks whether there is a gap greater than a determined range between the result of the simulation and the real data using the result display screen, that is, the difference between the value of the verification item arbitrarily set by the user and the value corresponding to the above verification item obtained by the simulation. Here, the value of the verification item arbitrarily set by the user may be obtained from the real data or may be a specification value arbitrarily set by the user. Also, the term "arbitrarily set by the user" refers to any one of (A) something set by the user after seeing the result of the simulation and determining that there is a gap, (B) something preset by the user as a simulation error such as setting the difference in operation time between the real data and the result of the simulation to 5 seconds, and (C) something automatically set as a gap after learning by artificial intelligence (AI) what was set by the user after seeing the result of the simulation. Also, the determined range is, for example, the range of error.
[0050] When the user determines that there is a gap between the simulation result and the real data, the user will recognize that the accuracy of the simulation by the simulation device 10 is not high, change the parameters, and execute the simulation again. On the other hand, when the user determines that there is no gap between the simulation result and the real data, the user will recognize that the accuracy of the simulation by the simulation device 10 has an accuracy that can withstand practical use, and will end the simulation for matching the real data.
[0051] That is, when the user executes the simulation again, the user will send a display request for the parameter setting screen 100 from the user terminal 50 to the simulation device 10. When ending the simulation, the user will not send a display request for the parameter setting screen 100. Therefore, the simulation device 10 determines whether it has received a display request for the parameter setting screen 100 from the user terminal 50 (step S34). When the simulation device 10 has received a display request for the parameter setting screen 100 from the user terminal 50 (Yes in step S34), the process returns to step S18.
[0052] In this case, the content of the parameter setting screen 100 stored in the data item management device 30 in step S29 will be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 50. At this time, the user can confirm the parameter to be changed by checking the type of the parameter value in the parameter setting area 103 of the parameter setting screen 100 as shown in FIG. 8. In one example, when the type of the parameter value is "actual value", since it is a parameter actually measured by the system in the real space, there is no room for changing this parameter. That is, parameters with the parameter value type of "actual value" can be excluded from the parameters to be changed. Also, if there is a parameter with the parameter value type of "initial value", it is considered highly likely that the parameter value deviates from the actual value. Further, if there is a parameter with the parameter value type of "planned value", although not as much as the initial value, it is considered highly likely that the parameter value deviates from the actual value. Furthermore, when the type of the parameter value is "excluded", it is considered that parameter setting may be required. In this way, the user can guess that the parameters with the parameter value type other than "actual value" are the parameters to be changed.
[0053] Also, comparing the case where the parameter value type is "initial value" with the case where the parameter value type is "excluded" indicates that in the case of "excluded", there may be a situation where the parameter does not need to be set, and generally, the priority of changing the parameter value is higher for "initial value" than for "excluded". Also, when the parameter value type is "planned value", since it is a value obtained in advance by calculation, generally, the priority of changing the parameter value is lower than that of "initial value" and "excluded". That is, by changing the parameter values of the parameters with the parameter value types of "initial value" and "excluded" rather than "planned value", and also by changing the parameter values of the parameters with the parameter value type of "initial value" rather than "excluded", the possibility of improving the simulation accuracy is increased.
[0054] By considering the general relationship between the types of values of the above parameters and the actual values, the user can realize that by changing the parameters centered on those with the value type of "initial value", it is possible to improve the accuracy of the simulation. Then, the parameters changed in this way are set in the simulation device 10, and the parameter setting and simulation execution are repeatedly performed until the difference between the simulation result and the real data falls within a determined range, for example, within the error range.
[0055] For example, after there are no parameters with the value type of "initial value", by changing the parameters of "excluded" and "planned value", it becomes possible to change the parameters for efficiently improving the simulation accuracy compared to the case of changing the parameter values randomly.
[0056] If the display request for the parameter setting screen 100 is not received from the user terminal 50 in step S34 (if No in step S34), the process ends.
[0057] Here, the effects compared with the conventional technology will be described. The conventional parameter setting screen does not have an item for the type of parameter value in the parameter setting area 103 of FIG. 8, that is, the type input area 1033 is not provided. For this reason, when an inexperienced user is operating, the user is in a state of not knowing which part of the parameter should be changed. Therefore, the user will change the parameter values randomly or ask an experienced user to change the parameter values. In the former case, it is unclear whether the change improves the accuracy of the simulation, and the work efficiency is very poor. In the latter case, since the experienced users who should originally perform other operations are made to perform the operation of setting the simulation parameters, the productivity of the entire company introducing the simulation system 1 is reduced.
[0058] On the other hand, the simulation apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 reads data item management information including values of parameters set for virtual components, and includes a parameter setting processing unit 12 that outputs a parameter setting screen 100 in which the set parameter values can be changed. The parameter setting processing unit 12 generates a parameter setting screen 100 that displays the type of the parameter value corresponding to the parameter value. As a result, even for a user lacking simulation knowledge, when the simulation result deviates from real data, by looking at the type of the parameter value on the parameter setting screen 100, the user can notice the parameter to be changed. Then, since the value is changed centering on the parameter to be changed, the time for making the simulation result closer to the real data can be shortened compared to the conventional case, and the parameter can be changed to improve the simulation accuracy without relying on the power of an expert user.
[0059] Embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the simulation apparatus according to Embodiment 2. The simulation apparatus 10a further includes a gap determination unit 17 and a gap reduction item specification unit 18 in addition to the configuration of FIG. 7.
[0060] The gap determination unit 17 compares real data with the result of the simulation by the simulation unit 15 corresponding to the real data, and determines whether there is a gap, which is the difference between the value of the verification item arbitrarily set by the user and the value corresponding to the above verification item obtained by the simulation. The gap determination unit 17 determines whether there is a gap between the two by determining whether the difference between the real data and the simulation result is outside a determined range. When the difference is outside the determined range, the gap determination unit 17 instructs the gap reduction item specification unit 18 to specify the item for reducing the gap. The determined range can be set as the error range.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the difference between the simulation result and the real data. Here, an image GR showing a real area which is the area of the simulation target 60 in the real space, and an image GD showing a digital area which is the area of the simulation target in the virtual space corresponding to the real area, are shown.
[0062] As shown in the image GD, on the digital area, actual values as planned can be ensured by proper arrangement of workers and equipment, proper supply and conveyance of parts, ideal working efficiency of workers and robots, etc. In this example, a simulation is performed such that for the number of manufactured products, the planned value is 340 and the actual value is also 340.
[0063] However, as shown in the image GR, in the real area, since the working efficiency of workers or robots is different from the ideal and becomes a bottleneck, parts are detained and people are idle, indicating that proper personnel arrangement cannot be made and production as planned cannot be achieved. In this example, for the number of manufactured products, the planned value is 340, while the actual value is 240.
[0064] The gap determination unit 17 determines whether there is a gap between such a digital area and a real area. And when there is a gap, the gap determination unit 17 outputs a gap display screen showing the gap between the real data and the simulation result. In one example, the gap determination unit 17 outputs the gap display screen to the user terminal 50. The gap determination unit 17 may output a gap display screen in the form shown in FIG. 12, or may output a gap display screen in other forms.
[0065] Returning to FIG. 11, when there is a gap between the real data and the simulation result, the gap reduction item identification unit 18 identifies candidates for parameters causing the gap based on the real data and the simulation result.
[0066] The parameter setting processing unit 12 displays at least one of the name of the parameter candidate, the value of the parameter, and the type of the parameter value specified by the gap reduction item specifying unit 18 in the parameter setting area 103 of the displayed parameter setting screen 100 in a form different from others. An example of the display in a different form is highlighted display, blinking display, marker display, etc.
[0067] Here, an example of a method for changing parameters when there is a gap between real data and simulation results will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the difference between the result of work on an actual simulation target and the simulation result. In FIG. 13, the processing performed on the simulation target 60 is decomposed into a plurality of work steps, and the working time in each work step is totaled using the data collected from sensors or devices provided in the simulation target 60. That is, in FIG. 13, the processing performed in the system in the real space and the processing performed on the simulation target 60 are decomposed into four work steps: "Work A", "Work B", "Work C", and "Work D". Also, the length of each work step indicates the working time. In FIG. 13, the upper side schematically shows the result of the processing performed on the simulation target 60, that is, the measured value of the working time, and the lower side schematically shows the value obtained as the simulation result, that is, the simulation value of the working time. Note that the data is collected from sensors or devices by the real data collection unit 14.
[0068] FIGS. 14 to 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the simulation method according to Embodiment 2. Here, the processing after the simulation is executed once by the simulation unit 15 will be described.
[0069] First, the gap determination unit 17 acquires result information including real data and simulation results in the simulation target 60 (step S51). The result information is, for example, information in the format shown in FIG. 13. Next, the gap determination unit 17 refers to the result information and checks whether there is a gap between the real data and the simulation results in the entire process of the simulation target 60 (step S52).
[0070] After that, the gap determination unit 17 refers to the result information and checks whether there is a gap between the real data and the simulation results in each work process of the simulation target 60 (step S53). In one example, it is checked for each process whether there is a difference between the actual value obtained from the actual simulation target 60 and the simulation result.
[0071] The gap determination unit 17 determines whether there is a gap between the real data and the simulation results in each work process (step S54). That is, in the process of step S53, it is determined whether there is a work process in which the difference between the real data and the simulation results is not within the determined range. If there is no gap in each work process (No in step S54), the simulation result is considered to accurately represent the real data, so no further parameter change is required and the process ends.
[0072] If there is a gap in at least one of the work processes (Yes in step S54), the gap determination unit 17 identifies the work process with the gap as the work process that causes the difference (step S55). In the example of FIG. 13, "Work C" is identified as the work process that causes the difference. In the example of FIG. 13, "Work C" is identified as the work process that causes the difference, but there may be cases where differences occur in multiple work processes. If there are multiple work processes that cause differences, multiple work processes are identified.
[0073] Next, the gap reduction item identification unit 18 identifies the portion of the simulation program corresponding to the extracted work process, and extracts the arguments present in the identified portion of the simulation program (step S56). Since the arguments of the simulation program usually use normal parameters, the parameters being used can be identified by looking at the arguments. That is, the gap reduction item identification unit 18 identifies the parameters and components corresponding to the arguments from the extracted arguments (step S57). The gap reduction item identification unit 18 outputs the identified components and parameters to the parameter setting processing unit 12. In this way, the gap reduction item identification unit 18 decomposes the processing in the system in the real space into a plurality of work processes, and identifies the parameters used as arguments in the portion of the simulation program corresponding to the work process that causes the gap as candidates for the parameters that cause the gap.
[0074] When the parameter setting processing unit 12 receives the components and parameters identified by the gap reduction item identification unit 18, it displays the display items for the identified components and parameters on the parameter setting screen 100 displayed on the user terminal 50 in a form different from others (step S58). An example of the display in a form different from others is highlighted display, blinking display, marker display, etc. The display items for the parameters are at least one of the parameter name, the parameter value, and the type of the parameter value.
[0075] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter setting screen. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 17, in the parameter setting screen 100 of FIG. 8, the display items of the components and parameters specified by the gap reduction item specifying unit 18 are shaded. Specifically, the name of the specified component displayed in the component selection area 101 is shaded, and the value of the specified parameter in the parameter setting area 103, that is, the parameter input area 1032, is shaded. However, this is just an example, and the name of the parameter in the parameter setting area 103, that is, the name display area 1031, and the type of the parameter value, that is, the type input area 1033, may be displayed in a different format from others.
[0076] Note that in step S58, the parameter setting processing unit 12 determines whether the value in the type input area 1033 of the specified parameter is "actual value". If it is not "actual value", the display item of this parameter is displayed in a different format from others. Also, when the value in the type input area 1033 of the specified parameter is "actual value", the parameter setting processing unit 12 may display the display item of this parameter in the same format as others. This is because when it is "actual value", there is no room to change the parameter value. Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from recognizing that a parameter with an "actual value" is a target for change.
[0077] The user corrects the value of a parameter whose parameter value type is not "actual value" with the value of the parameter of the component displayed in a different format in the parameter setting screen 100. At this time, the user may use the actual value collected by the real data collection unit 14 from the actual simulation target 60 of the result information acquired in step S51 as the parameter value. Also, when the correction of the parameter value of the component displayed in a different format is completed, the user selects another component that is displayed in a different format and for which the parameter value has not yet been corrected, and performs the same correction of the parameter value.
[0078] Returning to FIG. 15, the parameter setting processing unit 12 accepts the user's modification of the parameters on the parameter setting screen 100 (step S59). After that, the parameter setting processing unit 12 reflects the content of the modified parameter setting screen 100 in the simulation unit 15 (step S60), and saves the content of the modified parameter setting screen 100 in the data item management information storage unit 33 of the data item management device 30 (step S61).
[0079] The simulation unit 15 performs a simulation according to the set parameters (step S62). After the simulation is performed, the real data collection unit 14 collects real data. Then, the gap determination unit 17 acquires result information including the real data and the simulation result in the simulation target 60 (step S63), and determines whether there is still a gap between the real data and the simulation result (step S64). In one example, the gap determination unit 17 determines whether there is a gap between the real data and the simulation result for the work process specified in step S55.
[0080] If there is a gap between the real data and the simulation result (Yes in step S64), the parameter setting processing unit 12 detects the unmodified parts for the parameters and components specified in step S57 (step S65). The parameter setting processing unit 12 determines whether there are unmodified parts based on the detection result (step S66). In one example, the parameter setting processing unit 12 can determine that there are unmodified parts for the parameters and components specified in step S57 when there are parts with different displays on the parameter setting screen 100 accepted in step S59 and the type of the parameter value is other than "actual value". Also, the parameter setting processing unit 12 can determine that there are no unmodified parts for the parameters and components specified in step S57 when there are no parts with different displays on the parameter setting screen 100 accepted in step S59 and the type of the parameter value is other than "actual value".
[0081] If there are parts that have not been changed (when the answer is Yes in step S66), the parameter setting processing unit 12 transmits the detected parameters and components to the parameter setting processing unit 12. When the parameter setting processing unit 12 receives the parameters and components that have not been changed, it displays the display items for the components and parameters that have not been changed in a different format from others (step S67). Also, the parameter setting processing unit 12 displays to the user terminal 50 that there are modifiable parameters (step S68). Then, the process returns to step S59.
[0082] If there is no gap between the real data and the simulation result in step S64 (when the answer is No in step S64), the parameter setting processing unit 12 transmits the content of the parameter setting screen 100 to the data item management device 30 via the data transmission unit 13 (step S69). When the data item management device 30 receives the content of the parameter setting screen 100, it stores the received content of the parameter setting screen 100 in the data item management information storage unit 33. Thus, the process ends.
[0083] Note that at this time, the content of the parameter setting screen 100 received by the data item management device 30 from the simulation device 10a is considered to be such that the parameter values are optimized so that they fall within the range determined by the user for the gap between the real data and the simulation result. Therefore, the data item management unit 32 may generate an initial value setting request for setting this parameter value as the initial value, and the data transmission unit 34 may transmit the initial value setting request to the initial setting information management device 40. The initial value setting request is information including a set of parameter items and parameter values for the simulation device 10a. When the management processing unit 44 of the initial setting information management device 40 receives the initial value setting request, it reflects the content of the received initial value setting request in the initial setting information storage unit 41.
[0084] Also, when there is no part that was not changed in step S66 (when the answer is No in step S66), even if all the parameters and components specified in step S57 are corrected, it indicates that the gap between the real data and the simulation result cannot be eliminated. In such a case, it is considered to be a problem of the accuracy of the simulation program used in the simulation unit 15, and it cannot be solved without adding new parameters to the simulation program. In Embodiment 2, in such a case, the process ends. In Embodiment 4, a method for improving the accuracy of the simulation program will be described.
[0085] In Embodiment 2, the simulation apparatus 10a further includes a real data collection unit 14 that collects real data, which is data indicating the result of the operation of the system in the real space, and a gap determination unit 17 that compares the real data with the result of the simulation by the simulation unit 15 corresponding to the real data to determine whether there is a gap between the two. When there is a gap, the gap determination unit 17 outputs a gap display screen showing the gap between the real data and the simulation result. As a result, the difference between the real data and the simulation result can be visually displayed to the user. Conventionally, the user had to search for the gap based on their skill, but since the simulation apparatus 10a determines and displays the presence or absence of the gap, it is possible for a wide range of general users to use the simulation apparatus 10a without depending on the user's skill.
[0086] In addition, when there is a gap between the real data and the simulation result, the simulation device 10a further includes a gap reduction item specifying unit 18 that specifies a parameter causing the gap based on the real data and the simulation result. Specifically, the gap reduction item specifying unit 18 decomposes the processing in the system in the real space into a plurality of work processes, and uses, as candidates for the parameters causing the gap, the parameters used as arguments in the part of the simulation program corresponding to the work process causing the gap. Then, the parameter setting processing unit 12 displays, on the parameter setting screen 100, the display items of the specified parameter candidates in a display format different from others. As a result, the user can recognize the candidates for the parameters to be changed in the parameter setting screen 100. That is, even a user who is not proficient in simulation can reduce the gap between the real data and the simulation result, that is, change the parameters to obtain a more accurate simulation result.
[0087] Embodiment 3. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the simulation device according to Embodiment 3. The simulation device 10b further includes a data type ratio management unit 20 in addition to the configuration of FIG. 7. The data type ratio management unit 20 sets, in the simulation unit 15, a value obtained by multiplying the value of the parameter set in the parameter setting screen 100 by a coefficient set according to the type of the value of the parameter. The coefficient according to the type of the value of the parameter is held as coefficient setting information in one example. An example of the coefficient is "0.1" for "initial value", "0.5" for "planned value", "1" for "actual value", and "0" for "excluded".
[0088] Thus, for parameter value types that are generally considered to be far from the "actual value", a lower coefficient is used. Therefore, based on data that conforms to the actual situation, simulations can be performed. In this case, compared to the accuracy of the simulation results obtained using parameters whose parameter value type is the "actual value", the accuracy of the simulation results obtained using parameters whose parameter value type is "initial value", "planned value", and "excluded" is lower. By intentionally setting the parameter values incorrectly, it becomes easier to identify the parameters that cause a gap when there is a gap between the real data and the simulation results.
[0089] In addition, the data type ratio management unit 20 calculates and outputs the accuracy of the simulation according to the setting status of the parameter value type set in the parameter setting screen 100 executed by the simulation unit 15. That is, the data type ratio management unit 20 calculates an index indicating to what extent the simulation results are based on reliable parameter values from the ratio of the settings of the parameter value types set in the simulation device 10b.
[0090] In one example, regarding the parameter value type in the parameter setting screen 100, if there are a parameters set to "initial value", b parameters set to "planned value", c parameters set to "actual value", and d parameters set to "excluded", the data type ratio management unit 20 calculates the index as shown in the following formula (1).
[0091] Index = 0.1×a + 0.5×b + 1×c + 0×d ···(1)
[0092] The data type ratio management unit 20 displays the calculated index together with the simulation results in one example. It can be determined that the closer the index is to "a + b + c + d", the higher the simulation accuracy, and the closer it is to "0", the lower the simulation accuracy.
[0093] Conventionally, there has been no function to manage the types of parameter values, and since simulations were performed assuming all numerical values set for parameters were positive, the simulation results could differ from the operations in the real world. However, in Embodiment 3, considering that the type of parameter value corresponds to the accuracy of the simulation results, a coefficient corresponding to the type of parameter value is multiplied by the parameter value and used in the simulation. As a result, the simulation unit 15 can perform simulations based on data that matches the actual situation.
[0094] Also, by presenting an indicator showing the reliability of the simulation results along with the simulation results, it is possible to visualize to what extent correct data is input in the simulation. Also, the accuracy of the simulation based on the data used can be known.
[0095] Embodiment 4. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the simulation apparatus according to Embodiment 4. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described in Embodiments 1 and 2, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0096] The simulation apparatus 10c according to Embodiment 4 further includes a user input item reflection unit 21 in addition to the configuration of the simulation apparatus 10a of Embodiment 2. When there is a gap between the real data and the simulation results and all the parameters specified by the gap reduction item specifying unit 18 are values that cannot be changed, that is, when the type of parameter value is an actual value, the user input item reflection unit 21 adds a parameter for filling the difference between the real data and the simulation results. The user input item reflection unit 21 adds parameters on the simulation apparatus 10c and reflects the added content in the data item management apparatus 30 and the initial setting information management apparatus 40.
[0097] Specifically, the user input item reflection unit 21 totals the parameter items managed by the data item management device 30 or the initial setting information management device 40. Further, the user input item reflection unit 21 obtains the distribution of the detail levels of the parameter items in each group obtained by classifying the parameter items according to the attributes of the simulation target 60. The attributes are the functions in the simulation target 60, the locations to be simulated, and the like. The detail level of the parameter item is, for example, the number of parameter items included in the group. If the number of parameter items included in the group as an attribute is large, it means that detailed settings have been made for this attribute. If the number of parameter items included in the group is small, it means that rough settings have been made for this attribute. That is, the coarser the detail level of the parameter item, the more room there is to add parameter items.
[0098] The user input item reflection unit 21 extracts, from among a plurality of groups classified by attribute, those with a low level of detail in the parameter items as the group for item addition, and extracts those with a high level of detail in the parameter items as the reference group. The user input item reflection unit 21 may use, as the group for item addition, the group including the parameter candidates identified by the gap reduction item identification unit 18. The user input item reflection unit 21 compares the parameter items of the group for item addition and the reference group, and determines additional items that are lacking in the group for item addition. Further, the user input item reflection unit 21 determines the values of the parameters to be set for the determined additional items. As the values of the parameters to be set for the additional items, when searching for the lacking parameter items, the numerical values used for verification can be reused. Here, an explanation will be given of the numerical values used for verification. After the simulation results are output, if a result different from the desired one is output, the movement of the simulation may be manually corrected so as to obtain the ideal simulation result. In one example, in a system where the system in the real space conveys a workpiece to be processed and processes the workpiece, when the route indicating the movement of the workpiece is complicated, the movement of the workpiece may be manually corrected. When the movement of the workpiece is manually corrected or specified, numerical values such as the position of the workpiece are generated along with this movement. This numerical value is the numerical value used for verification, and the user input item reflection unit 21 may reuse this numerical value as a parameter. Alternatively, the numerical values used in the reference group used when determining the additional items can be reused. Alternatively, as the values of the parameters to be set for the additional items, values obtained by performing statistical processing such as averaging the numerical values used in other groups including the reference group having the same items as the additional items can be used.
[0099] Furthermore, the user input item reflection unit 21 reflects the determined additional items in the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40.
[0100] Next, the method for determining additional items in the user input item reflection unit 21 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the additional item determination method. In this additional item determination method, as an example, at step S66 in FIG. 16, for the parameters and components specified as corresponding to the work process that causes a gap between the real data and the simulation result, it is executed after it is determined that there is no part that has not been changed (when the answer is No at step S66).
[0101] First, the user input item reflection unit 21 totals the parameter items for all the parameters managed by the data item management device 30 or the initial setting information management device 40 (step S91). That is, the user input item reflection unit 21 totals the parameters used in FIGS. 14 to 16.
[0102] Next, the user input item reflection unit 21 classifies the parameter items according to the attributes of the simulation target 60 and groups the classified items (step S92). Also, the user input item reflection unit 21 examines the level of detail, which is the distribution of the parameter items in each classified group (step S93). Among the groups, that is, the attributes, there are those with a large number of parameter items and those with a small number of parameter items. Those with a large number of parameter items are finely set and can be said to be groups with a high level of detail of the parameter items. On the other hand, those with a small number of parameter items are coarsely set and can be said to be groups with a low level of detail of the parameter items. Therefore, for the groups with a low level of detail of the parameters, it means that the level of detail of the parameter items can be increased by further adding parameter items.
[0103] After that, the user input item reflection unit 21 extracts, from among the plurality of classified groups, a group with a low level of detail of the parameter items as an item addition target group, which is a group for which items are to be added (step S94). In one example, among the plurality of classified groups, the group with the smallest number of parameter items can be set as the item addition target group. In another example, among the plurality of classified groups, one of the groups having a number of parameter items smaller than a determined number can be set as the item addition target group. In yet another example, a group including candidates for parameters that cause a gap between real data and simulation results can be set as the item addition target group.
[0104] Also, the user input item reflection unit 21 extracts, from among the plurality of classified groups, a group with a high level of detail of the parameter items as a reference group (step S95). Then, the user input item reflection unit 21 compares the parameter items of the item addition target group and the reference group (step S96), and determines additional items, which are parameter items lacking in the item addition target group (step S97). Further, the user input item reflection unit 21 determines the values of the parameters to be set for the determined additional items (step S98). As the values of the parameters to be set for the additional items, the numerical values used in the reference group used when determining the additional items can be diverted. Alternatively, as the values of the parameters to be set for the additional items, values obtained by performing statistical processing such as averaging the numerical values used in other groups including the reference group having the same items as the additional items can be used.
[0105] After that, the user input item reflection unit 21 transmits an item addition request for adding the additional items and the values of the parameters of the additional items to the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40 (step S99). The data item management unit 32 of the data item management device 30 adds the additional items and the parameter values included in the item addition request to the data item management information corresponding to the simulation device 10c in the data item management information storage unit 33. Also, the management processing unit 44 of the initial setting information management device 40 adds the additional items and the parameter values included in the item addition request to the initial setting information in the initial setting information storage unit 41. Thus, the processing ends.
[0106] In the case where all types of parameter values of the candidate parameters specified by the simulation apparatus 10c of Embodiment 4 are types in which the parameter values cannot be changed, the user input item reflection unit 21 further classifies all the parameters based on attributes, compares the distribution of parameter items in the classified groups as being rough and fine, and adds the parameter items lacking in the rough group to the rough group. Further, the user input item reflection unit 21 causes the added content to be reflected in the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40. As a result, there is an effect that items affecting the accuracy of the simulation can be appropriately managed.
[0107] Embodiment 5. In Embodiment 4, an example in which parameter items in a group with a low level of detail of parameter items are added when the accuracy of the simulation result does not increase has been shown. However, parameter items that increase the accuracy of the simulation result may be added by other methods.
[0108] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the simulation apparatus according to Embodiment 5. The simulation apparatus 10d further includes an artificial intelligence (AI) unit 22 and an additional item setting unit 23 in addition to the configuration of the simulation apparatus 10a of Embodiment 2.
[0109] The AI unit 22 is equipped with a learning model. The learning model equipped in the AI unit 22 is, for example, a language model such as GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) or BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers). In other examples, the learning model equipped in the AI unit 22 is an image recognition model that learns after extracting parameters that are features from image data such as a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The learning model may be configured by combining a plurality of algorithms including these.
[0110] In one example, the learning model equipped in the AI unit 22 is a learning model generated by prior machine learning. The prior machine learning may be performed in the AI unit 22 or may be performed outside the simulation device 10d. The AI unit 22 may update the learning model at any time by additional machine learning. The AI unit 22 may generate or update the learning model by machine learning using learning data.
[0111] Here, the learning model is constructed with the combination of the parameter item and value stored in the data item management information of the data item management information storage unit 33 of the data item management device 30 and the simulation result simulated based on the combination of the parameter item and value as the relationship between input and output. This learning model learns how the parameter item affects the location and movement of the simulation target 60 and how this influence changes according to the parameter value for the simulation result. That is, it is a learning model for generative AI to generate the combination of necessary parameter items and values for a desired simulation result. In one example, the AI unit 22 generates or updates the learning model by supervised learning. In this case, the combination of the parameter item and value corresponds to the input, and the simulation result corresponds to the label or correct answer data.
[0112] Upon receiving a request to add parameter items from the parameter setting processing unit 12, the additional item setting unit 23 uses the AI unit 22 to generate candidate additional items, which are combinations of parameter items and values capable of filling the gap. Here, when the parameter setting processing unit 12 determines that there are no unchanged parts for the parameters and components identified as corresponding to the work processes that cause the gap between the real data and the simulation results, it outputs an item addition request for requesting the addition of parameter items to the additional item setting unit 23. The item addition request includes the defective parts of the simulation.
[0113] Since the item addition request from the parameter setting processing unit 12 clearly indicates the defective parts of the simulation, the additional item setting unit 23 outputs an instruction to the AI unit 22 to generate combinations of parameter items and values for eliminating the defective parts. The additional item setting unit 23 acquires the combinations of parameter items and values generated by the AI unit 22 in response to the instruction as candidate additional items and temporarily stores them. The additional item setting unit 23 outputs an instruction to the AI unit 22 to generate candidate additional items until the number of stored candidate additional items exceeds a determined number, and stores the resulting candidate additional items. At this time, the additional item setting unit 23 stores the candidate additional items for each case of the defective parts.
[0114] When the number of additional item candidates exceeds the determined number, the additional item setting unit 23 determines, as the lacking parameter items, the parameter items in the combination of the values of the parameters stably generated among the stocked additional item candidates and the parameter items corresponding to these values. Here, the combination of the parameter items and values stably generated refers to the combination of the values of the parameters that are exactly the same among the generated parameters and the parameter items corresponding to these values, and the combination of the values of the parameters that are not exactly the same but can be regarded as the same, and the parameter items corresponding to these values. In one example, in the case of the values of the parameters, when the values of a plurality of parameters match within the range of error, these parameter values can be regarded as the same. Also, the additional item setting unit 23 determines the recommended value of the parameter value corresponding to the parameter item to be added. As the parameter value to be set for the additional item, when searching for the lacking parameter items, the numerical values used for verification as described in Embodiment 4 can be reused. Alternatively, the additional item setting unit 23 can determine the parameter value based on the information indicating the relationship between the size of the gap in the simulation result and the setting position of the parameter value within the setting range of the parameter item value. That is, the additional item setting unit 23 can correct or set the parameter value in proportion to the gap. Since the parameter value of the parameter item simulates a physical phenomenon, there are upper and lower limits to the parameter values that can be set. This becomes the setting range of the parameter item value. By obtaining in advance the information indicating the relationship between the size of the gap in the simulation result and the setting position of the parameter value within the setting range of the parameter item value, it is possible to determine the setting position of the parameter value such that the size of the gap is outside the range of error. Conventionally, basically, the user looks at the simulation result and, based on experience, corrects or determines the parameter value of the parameter item to be added in the sense of being about this much. However, in a method similar to the correction or determination by the user based on such experience, the additional item setting unit 23 can determine the parameter value.Alternatively, in one example, the additional item setting unit 23 can use, as the value of the parameter to be set for the additional item, a value obtained by performing statistical processing such as averaging the values of the stored parameters.
[0115] Furthermore, the additional item setting unit 23 reflects the determined additional items in the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40.
[0116] Next, an additional item determination method will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the additional item determination method according to the fifth embodiment. First, the AI unit 22 constructs a learning model with the combination of the parameter items and values stored in the data item management information storage unit 33 of the data item management device 30 and the result of the simulation simulated based on the combination of the parameter items and values as the relationship between the input and the output (step S111). As described above, this learning model is a learning model for a generative AI for generating a combination of the necessary parameter items and values for a desired simulation result.
[0117] In step S66 of FIG. 16, when the parameter setting processing unit 12 determines that there is no part that has not been changed for the parameters and components identified as corresponding to the work process that causes a gap between the real data and the simulation result, the parameter setting processing unit 12 outputs an item addition request including the defective part that causes the gap between the real data and the simulation result to the additional item setting unit 23.
[0118] The additional item setting unit 23 determines whether it has received an item addition request (step S112). If it has not received an item addition request (No in step S112), the process returns to step S111. In one example, the process of step S111 can be performed each time the value of the parameter is changed, thereby improving the accuracy of the learning model.
[0119] When a project addition request is received (Yes in step S112), the additional item setting unit 23 generates an instruction to generate the items of parameters to be added to eliminate the defective part of the project addition request, and outputs it to the AI unit 22 (step S113). The instruction includes the content of the simulation, the parameters to be used, and the desired result of the simulation. The content of the simulation is, for example, the simulation program used in the simulation unit 15. The parameters to be used are, for example, the items and values of the parameters included in the data item management information in the data item management information storage unit 33 of the data item management device 30, which are associated with the defective part of the project addition request. The desired result of the simulation is the defective part of the project addition request, specifically, the part with a gap between the real data and the result of the simulation. In one example, making the gap between the real data, which is the defective part, and the result of the simulation zero is the desired result of the simulation. Note that the instruction may be created by manual input of the user who uses the simulation device 10d.
[0120] Upon receiving the instruction, the AI unit 22 generates candidate additional items, which are the items and values of the parameters to be added and are the answers to the instruction using the learning model, and outputs them to the additional item setting unit 23 (step S114). Since this learning model is a model that learns how the items of the parameters affect the result of the simulation, the AI unit 22 can generate the items of the parameters from a new perspective by calculating backward from the desired result of the simulation, for example, making the gap between the real data and the result of the simulation disappear.
[0121] The additional item setting unit 23 temporarily stores the acquired additional item candidates (step S115). The additional item candidates are stored for each case of the result of the simulation in which a problem has occurred. The additional item setting unit 23 determines whether the number of temporarily stored additional item candidates exceeds a determined number (step S116). If the number of additional item candidates is less than or equal to the determined number (No in step S116), the process returns to step S113. Then, the process of acquiring the additional item candidates generated by the AI unit 22 is executed until the number of additional item candidates exceeds the determined number. At this time, the gist of the instruction statement generated in step S113 may be the same, and the expression may be changed or the detailed instruction content may be provided.
[0122] If the number of additional item candidates exceeds the determined number (Yes in step S116), the additional item setting unit 23 determines, from among the combinations of the items and values of the parameters temporarily stored, the items of the parameters stably generated as the items of the parameters lacking in the existing simulation program (step S117). Further, the additional item setting unit 23 calculates the values of the parameters corresponding to the determined parameter items (step S118). Since the usage environment of the simulator differs for each user, the additional item setting unit 23 calculates the parameter values recommended for the user's simulation device 10d.
[0123] Thereafter, the additional item setting unit 23 transmits an item addition request for adding the additional items and the values of the parameters of the additional items to the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40 (step S119). The data item management unit 32 of the data item management device 30 adds the additional items and the parameter values included in the item addition request to the data item management information corresponding to the simulation device 10d in the data item management information storage unit 33. Further, the management processing unit 44 of the initial setting information management device 40 adds the additional items and the parameter values included in the item addition request to the initial setting information corresponding to the simulation device 10d in the initial setting information storage unit 41. Thus, the process ends.
[0124] As described above, in the simulation device 10d of the fifth embodiment, for the parameters identified as the cause of the difference between the real data and the simulation result, when all types of parameter values are of types in which the parameter values cannot be changed, the additional item setting unit 23 causes the AI unit 22 to generate candidates for the parameters to be added based on the content of the simulation, the parameters to be used, and the simulation result to be obtained. The additional item setting unit 23 determines an additional item from among the candidates for the parameters to be added, and further reflects the determined additional item in the data item management device 30 and the initial setting information management device 40. As a result, there is an effect that items affecting the accuracy of the simulation can be appropriately managed.
[0125] Next, the hardware configurations of the simulation devices 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management device 30, and the initial setting information management device 40 used in the first to fifth embodiments will be described. The simulation devices 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management device 30, and the initial setting information management device 40 in the first to fifth embodiments each function as a simulation device 10, 10a - 10d, a data item management device 30, and an initial setting information management device 40 when a program, which is a computer program describing the processing in the simulation devices 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management device 30, and the initial setting information management device 40, is executed on a computer system.
[0126] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer system that realizes the simulation device, the data item management device, and the initial setting information management device according to the first to fifth embodiments. As shown in FIG. 23, this computer system 90 includes a control unit 901, an input unit 902, a storage unit 903, a display unit 904, a communication unit 905, and an output unit 906, which are connected via a system bus 907.
[0127] In FIG. 23, the control unit 901 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program that describes the processing in the simulation apparatuses 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management apparatus 30, and the initial setting information management apparatus 40 according to Embodiments 1 to 5. The input unit 902 is, for example, composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used by a user of the computer system 90 to input various kinds of information. The storage unit 903 includes various memories such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores the program that the control unit 901 should execute, necessary data obtained during the process of the processing, etc. Also, the storage unit 903 is used as a temporary storage area for the program. The display unit 904 is composed of a display, a liquid crystal display panel, etc., and displays various screens to the user of the computer system 90. In one example, the input unit 902 and the display unit 904 may be configured by a touch panel in which the input unit 902 and the display unit 904 are integrally formed. The communication unit 905 is a receiver and a transmitter that perform communication processing. The output unit 906 is a printer, a speaker, etc. Note that FIG. 23 is an example, and the configuration of the computer system 90 is not limited to the example of FIG. 23.
[0128] Here, an operation example of the computer system 90 until the program becomes executable will be described. In the computer system 90 having the above-described configuration, for example, a program is installed from a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM set in a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM drive or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM drive (not shown) into the storage unit 903. Then, when the program is executed, the program read from the storage unit 903 is stored in the main storage area of the storage unit 903. In this state, the control unit 901 executes the processing as the simulation apparatuses 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management apparatus 30, and the initial setting information management apparatus 40 according to the program stored in the storage unit 903.
[0129] In the above description, a program that describes the processing in the simulation devices 10, 10a - 10d, the data item management device 30, and the initial setting information management device 40 is provided with a CD - ROM or a DVD - ROM as a recording medium. However, this is not the only case. Depending on the configuration of the computer system 90, the capacity of the program to be provided, etc., in one example, a program provided via a transmission medium such as the Internet through the communication unit 905 may be used.
[0130] The simulation system 1 described in Embodiments 1 to 5 is applicable to various applications. Hereinafter, an overview of the case where the simulation system 1 is applied to urban design, buildings, the construction and maintenance of elevators, and water treatment systems will be described.
[0131] <When the simulation system 1 is applied to urban design> FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a simulation system is applied to a city to realize a digital twin of the city. FIG. 24 shows a city that is a simulation target 60 in the real space and a city in the virtual space.
[0132] This simulation can be used for urban design in one example. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of parameters used in urban design in a city in the virtual space. In this example of urban design, from (1) the congestion situation of the street, (2) the congestion situation of the buildings, (3) the congestion situation of each floor of the buildings, and (4) the air situation of the buildings, it is possible to verify the change of the human flow line, the change of the installation position of the building or facility, and the layout change inside the building. Also, in this example of urban design, from (2) the congestion situation of the buildings and (5) the environment around the buildings, it is possible to verify changing the height of the building or the surrounding facilities to reduce the heat island phenomenon. By such verification, the living space of people can be made comfortable.
[0133] The table shown in FIG. 25 has, as items, the object that is the setting target of the parameters for the urban design of (1) to (5) above, the value of the parameter set for the object, and the type of the parameter value. In this figure, as an example, the content input as the parameter value, that is, the parameter item, is shown for the parameter value. Also, the object corresponds to the component. The same applies to the following examples.
[0134] In this example, the objects are people, cars, air, sunlight, weather, and wind conditions, and parameters will be set for these objects. As shown in FIG. 24, the simulation system 1 acquires real-time real data from the urban system in the real space, analyzes and simulates it in the urban system in the virtual space based on the acquired real data, and feeds back this result to the urban system in the real space.
[0135] However, among the parameters, in one example, there are cases where it is difficult to collect real-time data such as the number of people and traffic volume, so it is difficult to set appropriate parameters, that is, the parameter values do not reflect the reality. In the example of FIG. 25, the parameter whose parameter value type is set as "statistical value for XX year" corresponds to this. The user can estimate the parameter items that cause a decrease in the simulation accuracy by checking the year of the statistical value for those whose parameter value type is "statistical value for XX year". Then, the user obtains statistical values for various years as appropriate and updates the parameter values. That is, by enabling the user to select parameter values for various years, the simulation accuracy can be improved.
[0136] In this way, when performing the simulation, the user checks the type of the parameter value and changes the parameter value so that the result of the simulation by the urban system in the virtual space matches the real data of the urban system in the real space.
[0137] <When the simulation system 1 is applied to a building> FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a simulation system is applied to a building to realize a digital twin of the building. FIG. 26 shows the building that is the simulation target 60 in the virtual space.
[0138] In this simulation, for example, the usage status of materials and the construction status can be estimated based on the positions of the crane and the person, and the progress status of the construction can be verified. Here, the positions of the crane and the person shall include the movement history. The movement history is information including the movement paths of the crane and the person, the time and place where they stopped, the details of the operations, and the like. Also, in this simulation, for example, the usage status of materials and the construction status of the construction indicating what kind of assembly is being performed can be estimated based on the positions of the crane and the person, and the safety regarding the collapse of the building under construction due to assembly procedure mistakes can be verified.
[0139] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of parameters used in the simulation of the building in the virtual space. In this example, the objects are the building, the crane, the person, and the materials, and parameters will be set for these objects. The simulation system 1 acquires real-time real data from the system of the building in the real space, analyzes and simulates the system of the building in the virtual space based on the acquired real data, and feeds back the result to the system of the building in the real space.
[0140] However, among the parameters, there are cases where the values of the parameters do not reflect the current situation. For example, in the case of a parameter whose parameter value type is "planned value", it is difficult to execute according to the planned value, or it is difficult to obtain real-time real data, so it is difficult to set appropriate parameters. In the example of FIG. 27, for the "person" and "material" of the object, the parameter value type is set to "planned value". Therefore, it can be presumed that the user's confirmation that the parameter value type is "planned value" causes a decrease in the accuracy of the simulation. By updating the parameter value of the parameter whose parameter value type is set to "planned value" and modifying the parameter value type from "planned value" to match the current situation, the simulation accuracy can be improved.
[0141] In this way, when performing a simulation, the user checks the parameter value type and changes the parameter value so that the result of the simulation by the virtual space building system matches the real data of the real space building system.
[0142] <When Simulation System 1 is applied to the construction and maintenance of elevators> FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of realizing a digital twin of an elevator by applying a simulation system to the construction of an elevator. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of realizing a digital twin of an elevator by applying a simulation system to the maintenance of an elevator. FIGS. 28 and 29 show the elevator that is the simulation target 60 in the real space and the elevator in the virtual space.
[0143] This simulation can be used, for example, for the construction verification and maintenance verification of elevators. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of parameters used in an elevator in a virtual space. The construction verification of an elevator is performed, for example, when a new elevator is installed or renewed. In the construction verification of an elevator, (6) progress status verification and (7) safety verification are possible. In the (6) progress status verification, the progress status of the elevator construction is verified. In the (7) safety verification, the safety of the construction such as verification of assembly procedure errors and verification of elevator collapse is verified. Also, (8) the maintenance verification of the elevator is performed for the operating elevator.
[0144] The table shown in FIG. 30 has, as items, the object that is the setting target of the parameters for the elevator construction and maintenance from (6) to (8) above, the value of the parameter set for the object, and the type of the parameter value. In this figure, as an example, the content input as the parameter value, that is, the parameter item, is shown as the parameter value.
[0145] In this example, the objects are the entire elevator, elevator parts, crane, people, and materials, and parameters will be set for these objects. The simulation system 1 acquires real-time real data from the elevator system in the real space, analyzes and simulates it in the elevator system in the virtual space based on the acquired real data, and feeds back this result to the elevator system in the real space.
[0146] However, among the parameters, there are some for which it is difficult to set appropriate parameter values, that is, there are cases where the values of the parameters do not reflect the current situation. For example, in the construction verification of the elevator shown in FIG. 30, it is difficult to execute the "person" and "materials" of the object for which the "planned value" is set as the type of parameter value according to the planned value or to obtain real-time real data. Therefore, the user can presume that the parameters for which the type of parameter value is the "planned value" are the cause of the decrease in simulation accuracy. By updating the values of the parameters for which the type of parameter value is set to the "planned value" and modifying the type of parameter value from the "planned value" to match the current situation, the simulation accuracy can be improved.
[0147] Also, in the maintenance verification of the elevator shown in FIG. 30, it is difficult to execute the "heat", "life", and "torque / force / load" of the parameter items for which the "estimated value" is set as the type of parameter value according to the planned value or to obtain real-time real data. Therefore, the user can presume that the parameters for which the type of parameter value is the "estimated value" are the cause of the decrease in simulation accuracy. By updating the values of the parameters for which the type of parameter value is set to the "estimated value" and modifying the type of parameter value from the "estimated value" to match the current situation, the simulation accuracy can be improved.
[0148] In this way, when performing a simulation, the user checks the attribute that is the type of parameter value so that the result of the simulation by the elevator system in the virtual space matches the real data of the elevator system in the real space, and changes the parameter value.
[0149] <When Simulation System 1 is applied to a water treatment system> FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a case where a simulation system is applied to a water treatment system to realize a digital twin of the water treatment system. FIG. 31 shows a sewage treatment plant, which is an example of the water treatment system to be simulated in the real space, and a sewage treatment plant in the virtual space.
[0150] In this simulation, for example, the water treatment capacity of the water treatment plant is calculated based on the temperature that affects the activities of bacteria, and the water treatment capacity, and it becomes possible to verify the water treatment situation. The water treatment capacity includes the hydrogen ion exponent (potential Hydrogen: pH), the transparency of the water quality that is an index of the water treatment capacity, the fouling of the filter, and the density of bacteria.
[0151] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of parameters used in the water treatment system in the virtual space. In this example, the objects are the water treatment plant and the weather, and parameters are set for these objects. The simulation system 1 acquires real-time real data from the water treatment system in the real space, analyzes and simulates the water treatment system in the virtual space based on the acquired real data, and feeds back the result to the water treatment system in the real space.
[0152] However, among the parameters, in one example, there are parameters for which actual measurements of filter fouling and bacteria density are required, such as the parameter items "filter" and "bacteria", and it is difficult to set appropriate parameters, that is, there are cases where the parameter values do not reflect the current situation. In the example of FIG. 32, for the types of parameter values of the parameter items "filter" and "bacteria", "estimated value" or "measured value" is set. Here, it is assumed that for the types of parameter values, "estimated or measured time" is also set together with "estimated value" or "measured value". Therefore, by checking that the type of parameter value at a certain point in time is "estimated value" or "measured value", that is, by checking that the type of parameter value is "estimated value" or "measured value" and this "estimated or measured time", it can be estimated that it is a cause of deterioration in simulation accuracy. By updating the parameter values in which the type of parameter value is set to "estimated value" or "measured value" together with "estimated or measured time" and correcting the type of parameter value from "estimated value" or "measured value" to match the current situation, the simulation accuracy can be improved.
[0153] Note that the simulation of the water treatment process can also be used not only for the above-described water treatment capacity but also for the quality of the treated water, the amount of sludge generated in the water treatment process, the power consumption in the water treatment process, etc. And in these cases, the types of parameter values set for the simulation of the water treatment process are classified into, for example, any of the state value, the set value, and the variation factor.
[0154] The state value is state data indicating the automatic control state of the water treatment process in the water treatment facilities of a water treatment plant, which is a water treatment site. The state value is detected by various sensors provided in the water treatment facilities of the water treatment site. An example of the state value is the water quality of the treated water in the water treatment process in the water treatment facilities of the water treatment site, the amount of sludge generated in the water treatment process, the inflow rate into the water treatment process, the ammonia concentration in the water treatment process, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the reaction tank of the water treatment facilities, the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) of the treated water in the water treatment process, and the residual chlorine concentration of the treated water in the water treatment process.
[0155] The set value is the set value of the operating conditions of the water treatment facilities of the water treatment plant. An example of the set value is the aeration air volume, which is the amount of air blown into the reaction tank of the water treatment facilities, the coagulant injection amount of the coagulant injected into the latter stage of the reaction tank of the water treatment facilities for the purpose of phosphorus removal, and the hypochlorous acid injection amount, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid injected into the chlorine mixing tank of the water treatment facilities.
[0156] The factors of variation are, for example, weather, temperature, and season.
[0157] By checking the type of the parameter value, the user can easily grasp the parameter to be changed. For example, when the state value is real-time information detected by a sensor and the set value is information transmitted at a preset period, for example, one day, the accuracy of the simulation can be improved by changing the parameter value centered on the parameter whose type of the parameter value is "set value".
[0158] Further, the set values and state values in a correlation may be managed according to the type of parameter values. In one example, as a set value correlated with the dissolved oxygen concentration in the reaction tank of the water treatment facility, which is a state value, there is an operating condition of a blower for supplying air to the reaction tank, that is, a set value of the aeration air volume. In this case, the dissolved oxygen concentration, which is a "state value", and the aeration air volume, which is a "set value", are set to the same type, in this case, "set value". Thus, in one example, when there is a difference between the dissolved oxygen concentration in the simulation result and the dissolved oxygen concentration in the real data, the user can easily grasp that the aeration air volume is likely a parameter that should be changed by checking the type of parameter value.
[0159] In this way, when performing a simulation, the user checks the type of parameter value and changes the parameter value so that the simulation result by the water treatment system in the virtual space matches the real data of the water treatment system in the real space.
[0160] These are examples, and the simulation system 1 according to Embodiments 1 to 5 can be applied to systems such as a power system and a railway system.
[0161] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are illustrative, and it is possible to combine with another known technology, combine the embodiments with each other, and omit or change a part of the configuration without departing from the gist.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0162] 1 Simulation system, 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Simulation devices, 11, 31, 43 Data reception units, 12 Parameter setting processing unit, 13, 34, 42 Data transmission units, 14 Real data collection unit, 15 Simulation unit, 16 Result display processing unit, 17 Gap determination unit, 18 Gap reduction item identification unit, 20 Data type ratio management unit, 21 User input item reflection unit, 22 AI unit, 23 Additional item setting unit, 30 Data item management device, 32 Data item management unit, 33 Data item management information storage unit, 40 Initial setting information management device, 41 Initial setting information storage unit, 44 Management processing unit, 50 User terminal, 60 Simulation target, 70 Network, 90 Computer system, 100 Parameter setting screen, 101 Component selection area, 102 Simulation target display area, 103 Parameter setting area, 901 Control unit, 902 Input unit, 903 Storage unit, 904 Display unit, 905 Communication unit, 906 Output unit, 907 System bus, 1031 Name display area, 1032 Parameter input area, 1033 Type input area.
Claims
1. A simulation device that uses real data, which is information on the system in the real space obtained from the system in the real space, to reproduce, by simulation, the operation of the system in the real space in a virtual system having virtual components identical to at least one component that performs an operation in the real space system, a parameter setting processing unit that reads data item management information including values of parameters to be set for the virtual components and outputs a parameter setting screen on which the set parameter values can be changed, a simulation unit that simulates the operation of the virtual system according to the content set on the parameter setting screen, comprising: The parameter setting processing unit has two or more types, and generates the parameter setting screen that associates and displays the type of the parameter value that can recognize that the value of the parameter does not reflect the current state of the system in the real space according to the type, and the value of the parameter. The simulation device is characterized by this.
2. The simulation device according to claim 1, wherein the type of the parameter value includes at least one of a type indicating that the parameter value can be changed and a type indicating that the parameter value cannot be changed based on the result of the simulation.
3. The simulation device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter setting processing unit outputs a message prompting an update of the type of the parameter value when the parameter value is changed.
4. a real data collection unit that collects real data, which is data indicating the result of the operation of the system in the real space, a gap determination unit that compares the real data with the result of the simulation by the simulation unit corresponding to the real data, and determines whether there is a gap, which is a difference between the value of a verification item arbitrarily set by the user and the value corresponding to the verification item obtained in the simulation, further comprising: The simulation device according to claim 1, wherein the gap determination unit outputs a gap display screen showing the gap between the real data and the result of the simulation when there is the gap.
5. The simulation device according to claim 4, further comprising a gap reduction item specifying unit that specifies candidates for the parameters that cause the gap based on the real data and the result of the simulation when there is a gap between the real data and the result of the simulation.
6. The simulation device according to claim 5, wherein the gap reduction item specifying unit decomposes the processing in the system of the real space into a plurality of work steps, and uses, as an argument, the parameter used in a part of the simulation program corresponding to the work step that causes the gap. The parameter is specified as a candidate for the parameter that causes the gap.
7. The simulation device according to claim 6, further comprising a user input item reflecting unit that, when all of the types of the parameter values of the specified parameter candidates are types in which the parameter values cannot be changed, classifies all the parameters based on attributes, and compares the distribution of the parameter items in the classified groups as being rough and fine, and adds the parameter items lacking in the rough group to the rough group.
8. An artificial intelligence unit including a learning model for generating a combination of the necessary parameter items and values for the desired simulation result; An additional item setting unit that, when all of the types of the specified parameter values are types in which the parameter values cannot be changed, uses the artificial intelligence unit to generate additional item candidates that are combinations of the parameter items and values capable of filling the gap; The simulation device according to claim 6, further comprising the above.
9. When the parameter setting processing unit reads the data item management information in which the type is set together with the parameter value, the parameter setting processing unit sets the type of the parameter value corresponding to the parameter on the parameter setting screen according to the data item management information. The simulation device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.
10. A simulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data type ratio management unit that calculates and outputs the accuracy of the simulation according to the setting status of the type of the value of the parameter set in the parameter setting screen executed by the simulation unit.
11. The simulation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the data type ratio management unit sets a value obtained by multiplying the value of the parameter set in the parameter setting screen by a coefficient set according to the type of the value of the parameter in the simulation unit.
12. A simulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A data item management apparatus that manages the data item management information, Comprising: The data item management apparatus, A data reception unit that receives the data item management information including the correspondence relationship between the value of the parameter set in the parameter setting screen of the simulation apparatus and the type of the value of the parameter, A data item management information storage unit that stores the data item management information, A simulation system characterized by comprising:
13. The simulation system according to claim 12, further comprising an initial setting information management apparatus that manages initial setting information that is an initial value of the parameter set in the virtual system of the simulation apparatus, The initial setting information management apparatus, An initial setting information storage unit that stores the initial setting information of the simulation apparatus, A data transmission unit that, when receiving a request for acquiring the initial setting information of the parameter from the simulation apparatus, acquires the initial setting information from the initial setting information storage unit and transmits it to the simulation apparatus, Comprising: The simulation system according to claim 12, wherein the parameter setting processing unit of the simulation apparatus transmits a request for acquiring the initial setting information to the initial setting information management apparatus when using the simulation apparatus for the first time.
14. The simulation system according to claim 12, wherein the parameter setting processing unit of the simulation apparatus transmits a request for acquiring the data item management information to the data item management apparatus when using the simulation apparatus for the second time and later.
15. The data item management apparatus, When the value of the parameter in the data item management information is optimized for the simulation device, a data management unit that generates an initial value setting request for setting the value of the optimized parameter as an initial value A data transmission unit that transmits the initial value setting request to the initial setting information management device Further comprising The simulation system according to claim 13, wherein the initial setting information management device further includes a management processing unit that, when receiving the initial value setting request, reflects the content of the initial value setting request in the initial setting information storage unit.
16. On a computer A parameter setting process of reading data item management information including values of parameters to be set for virtual components in a virtual system on a virtual space having the same virtual components as a system in the real space including at least one component that performs operations, and outputting a parameter setting screen in which the set parameter values can be changed A simulation process of simulating the operation of the virtual system using real data, which is information of the real space system acquired from the real space system, according to the content set on the parameter setting screen To execute In the parameter setting process, a parameter setting screen is generated that displays in association with each other a type of the parameter value that has two or more types and can recognize that the value of the parameter does not reflect the current state of the real space system, and the value of the parameter. A program for a simulation device characterized by this.
17. On a computer A parameter setting process of reading data item management information including values of parameters to be set for virtual components in a virtual system on a virtual space having the same virtual components as a system in the real space including at least one component that performs operations, and outputting a parameter setting screen in which the set parameter values can be changed A simulation process of simulating the operation of the virtual system using real data, which is information of the real space system acquired from the real space system, according to the content set on the parameter setting screen A data receiving step of receiving the data item management information including the correspondence between the value of the parameter set on the parameter setting screen and the type of the value of the parameter; A data item management information storage step of storing the data item management information; be executed, In the parameter setting process step, a parameter setting screen is generated that associates and displays the type of the value of the parameter, which has two or more types and by which it can be recognized that the value of the parameter does not reflect the current state of the system in the real space, and the value of the parameter. A program for a simulation system characterized by this.
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