Support device, plant system, support program, and support method

Abstract

This support device for supporting the operation of a controlled object (A) comprises: a storage unit (12) that stores operation data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the controlled object (A), operation result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object (A), and index value data indicating a prescribed index value calculated on the basis of the operation result data are associated with each other; a determining unit (102) that determines the quality of the index value data and stores determination data indicating the quality in the storage unit (12) in association with the index value data; and a display unit (104) that refers to the storage unit (12) to display current operation data (D120a) including the current operating condition data, the operation result data, and the index value data, and past operation data (D120b) including the operating condition data, the operation result data, the index value data, and the determination data for a prescribed period in the past.

Description

Support device, plant system, support program, and support method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support device, a plant system, a support program, and a support method.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an invention that calculates various predicted process values ​​using a learning model obtained by machine learning the relationship between actual input parameters (hereinafter referred to as "operating condition data") that indicate operating conditions applied to the operation of a plant and the resulting actual process values ​​(hereinafter referred to as "operating result data"), and simulates operating conditions under which the predicted process values ​​satisfy predetermined evaluation conditions. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that links the operating conditions and operating results of a plant with a learning model and simulates operating conditions under which the predicted process values ​​are optimal.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 245863

[0004] When operating a plant, various index values ​​are used to evaluate plant operation, such as boiler efficiency, turbine room efficiency, generator efficiency, and other environmental values. These index values ​​are calculated based on operation results. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a simulation is performed based on conditions corresponding to the plant's operating environment. However, for example, when a plant experiences aging (including aging deterioration), the operating conditions for optimizing the plant at the current time are not always constant, making it difficult to deductively estimate them from a simulation using a learning model, etc. This problem is not limited to plants, but can also be observed when supporting the operation of general equipment (hereinafter referred to as a "controlled object").

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism for improving current operating conditions.

[0006] An assistance device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an assistance device that assists in the operation of a controlled object, and includes: a memory unit that stores driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling the controlled object, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are associated with each other; a judgment unit that judges whether the index value data is good or bad and stores judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and a display unit that refers to the memory unit to display current driving data including the current driving condition data, the driving result data, and the index value data, and past driving data indicating the driving condition data, the driving result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past,

[0007] A plant system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a plant system including a plant and an assistance device that assists in the operation of the plant, wherein the assistance device comprises: a memory unit that stores operating data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the plant, operating result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the plant, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the operating result data are each associated with each other; a judgment unit that judges whether the index value data is good or bad and stores judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and a display unit that refers to the memory unit to display current operating data including the current operating condition data, the operating result data, and the index value data, and past operating data indicating the operating condition data, the operating result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past,

[0008] An assistance program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to function as: a memory means for storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling a controlled object, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are associated; a judgment means for judging the quality of the index value data and storing judgment data indicating the quality in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and a display means for referencing the memory unit to display current driving data including the current driving condition data, the driving result data, and the index value data, and past driving data indicating the driving condition data, the driving result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

[0009] An assistance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a computer execute the following steps: storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling a controlled object, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are associated with each other; judging whether the index value data is good or bad and storing judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and referencing the memory unit to display current driving data including the current driving condition data, the driving result data, and the index value data, and past driving data indicating the driving condition data, the driving result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for improving the current operating conditions.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of current driving data D120a. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of past driving data D120b. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reference screen T1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 30. FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention to store current driving data D120a in a driving database D120. FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention to store past driving data D120b in a driving database D120. FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention to display a reference screen T1.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, components with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations.

[0013] In the present invention, the terms "unit," "means," "device," and "system" do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions of the "unit," "means," "device," and "system" are realized by software. Furthermore, the functions of one "unit," "means," "device," or "system" may be realized by two or more physical means, devices, or software, or the functions of two or more "units," "means," "device," or "system" may be realized by one physical means, device, or software.

[0014] <System Configuration> A system configuration including a support device 1 according to this embodiment and a predetermined control target A will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system shown in Fig. 1 includes the predetermined control target A, a DCS (Distributed Control System), and the support device 1. The control target A, the DCS, and the support device 1 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0015] The support device 1 is a device for supporting the application of operating conditions according to the operating environment of the control target A. The support device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 12, and a network interface unit 18 for communicating with the DCS, and these are electrically connected to each other via a bus 16.

[0016] The support device 1 inputs, for example, one or more pieces of operating condition data related to the operating environment of a predetermined control object A, and operates the control object A. The predetermined control object refers to, for example, any equipment in which the operating condition data, the operating result data, and the index value data calculated from the operating result data are correlated. Specifically, it is, for example, a plant, an automobile, etc.

[0017] In the following description, it is assumed that the predetermined control target A is a plant (hereinafter referred to as "plant A").

[0018] The operating condition data is actual input parameters applied to plant A by an operator (also referred to as a "user") through operational input, and includes, for example, parameters indicating the opening degree of the air damper, the air flow rate, and the fuel flow rate.

[0019] The operation result data is data indicating the results of operation of plant A according to the operating conditions (including not only the results after the operation has ended but also the results during operation), and is information on each process of plant A acquired from a plurality of sensors installed at each of a plurality of parts constituting plant A. For example, it includes information indicating the temperature, pressure, and differential pressure of equipment inside the plant.

[0020] The index value data indicates an index value with which the operation of plant A can be evaluated. The index value data may be data calculated based on operation result data, or the value of the acquired operation result data itself may be used as the index value. The index value data is obtained, for example, by performing a predetermined calculation on actual process values ​​(operation result data) acquired by sensors installed in plant A. The index values ​​include, for example, index values ​​indicating the quality index value of the final product produced in the plant, index values ​​related to environmental regulation values, index values ​​related to the temperature of equipment within the plant, index values ​​related to the components, concentrations, etc. of gases, etc. emitted from equipment within the plant, and index values ​​related to the operating terminals of the plant.

[0021] The support device 1 acquires, for example, operating condition data and operating result data (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operating data") from the plant A. Then, based on the operating result data included in the acquired operating data, the support device 1 calculates each index value data.

[0022] The assistance device 1 stores information in a database (hereinafter referred to as the "driving database") associating driving condition data, driving result data corresponding to the driving condition data, and index value data. In this way, the assistance device 1 may accumulate driving data from the past to the present in the driving database.

[0023] The support device 1 refers to the operation database and generates a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "reference screen") that shows index values ​​based on the current operating conditions of plant A and index values ​​based on past operating conditions.

[0024] The support device 1 displays the reference screen on the display unit 104 of the support device 1. This allows, for example, an operator of plant A to check the reference screen and confirm the index values ​​corresponding to each piece of operating data.

[0025] Plant A is a facility that produces and processes materials and resources in industrial activities. Plant A is, for example, a chemical plant that handles chemical substances, an energy plant that produces energy, an industrial plant that processes various materials, or an environmental plant that treats waste. The support device 1 according to this embodiment can be used for any type of plant.

[0026] Plant A includes a plurality of processes. A process is a series of moving paths through which the same type of medium flows in plant A. The processes are, for example, gas processes (including air, steam, combustible gases, exhaust gases, etc.), liquid processes (including water, liquid fuels, liquid chemicals, etc.), and solid processes (including pellets, solid chemicals, etc.). The support device 1 according to this embodiment can be used regardless of the type of process in plant A.

[0027] Plant A includes a plurality of parts. A part is a device or facility through which a process passes in plant A. Examples of parts include a furnace, a separator, a material supply device, a material storage device, an exhaust facility, and a drainage facility. The support device 1 according to this embodiment can be used in plant A regardless of the type of part it has.

[0028] A plurality of sensors are installed at each location of plant A. The sensors are electronic devices that measure physical quantities corresponding to the processes passing through the location. The sensors include, for example, air temperature sensors, pressure sensors, barometric pressure sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors, mass sensors, speed sensors, rotational speed sensors, vibration sensors, position sensors, and acceleration sensors. The support device 1 according to this embodiment can be used regardless of the type of sensors installed in plant A.

[0029] The DCS is a device for controlling plant A. Operators of plant A can control the operation of plant A by operating the DCS. The DCS also acquires various information from sensors installed in plant A. The DCS may be a device installed inside plant A, or may be installed outside plant A and connected to plant A via a communication network N.

[0030] The communication network N is a network configured to enable communication between the DCS and the support device 1. Communication via the communication network N is typically realized by various protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0031] <Functional Block Configuration> (Assistance Device) Fig. 1 is a diagram including an example of the functional block configuration of the assistance device 1. The assistance device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 12, and a network interface unit 18 for communicating with the DCS, which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 16.

[0032] [Storage Unit 12] The storage unit 12 stores a driving database D120. The driving database D120 stores current driving data 120a and past driving data 120b. The function of the storage unit 12 may be realized, for example, by using a storage device 302 shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] The current operating data is operating data of the currently operating plant A. That is, the current operating data is real-time data related to the operation of the plant A. When an operator applies operating conditions to the operating plant A, the operating condition data included in the current operating data is set (updated).

[0034] The past operation data is operation data of the plant A that was operated in the past, other than the current operation data. That is, the past operation data is data that indicates the operation results of the plant A.

[0035] 2 is a diagram showing an example of current operation data D120a stored in the operation database D120. The current operation data D120a includes, for example, operation condition data Da, operation result data Db, and index value data Dc. The operation condition data Da is data indicating the operation conditions applied to plant A. The operation result data Db is actual process values ​​of plant A obtained from the operating plant A. The index value data Dc is data indicating index values ​​calculated based on the operation result data of the operating plant A.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of past operating data D120b stored in the operating database D120. The past operating data D120b may include accumulated past operating data. For example, if plant A has been operating for 10 years, past operating data for 10 years may exist. Here, the past operating data D120b shown in FIG. 3 is, for example, operating data for a predetermined period (for example, the period from 20Xa / mm1 / dd1 to 20Xa / mm2 / dd2 shown in FIG. 3) included in the past operating data of plant A that has been operating for 10 years.

[0037] The predetermined period is a predetermined period in the past, and the period may be expressed in units of years, months, days, or other granularity.

[0038] The past operation data D120b includes, for example, operating condition data Dd, operation result data De, index value data Df, and judgment data Dg. The operating condition data Dd is data indicating operating conditions applied to plant A when it was operated in the past. The operation result data De is actual process values ​​of plant A obtained from plant A when it was operated in the past. The index value data Df is data indicating index values ​​calculated based on the operation result data. The judgment data Dg is data associated based on the index value data and indicating the pass / fail of the index value data. Note that, in FIG. 3 , the index value data Df corresponds to one piece of operating condition data Dd and one piece of operation result data De, but the correspondence is not limited to this. For example, the index value data Df may be calculated by combining multiple pieces of data from multiple pieces of operating condition data Dd and multiple pieces of operation result data De. In other words, a certain piece of operating condition data Dd and its corresponding operation result data De may be used to calculate multiple pieces of index value data Df.

[0039] The judgment data is data associated with the past operation data D120b by the judgment unit 102, which will be described later, and is data indicating the quality of the index value data. The quality of the index value data is data indicating the quality of the index value indicated by the index value data. For example, when judgment data of "good" is associated with the index value data, it is understood that the corresponding operating conditions were desirable for the index value in past operation of plant A. Furthermore, judgment data of "bad" indicates the presence of an abnormality in plant A. Here, the abnormality may indicate a case in which the operation of the plant will stop, or an indication that there is a sign or high possibility of a stoppage, or may indicate that efficient operation has not been achieved.

[0040] 1, the control unit 10 of the assistance device 1 will be described. The control unit 10 executes various programs to function as an acquisition unit 100, a calculation unit 101, a determination unit 102, an extraction unit 103, a display unit 104, an input unit 105, and an output unit 106. Each of these functions of the control unit 10 is realized, for example, by the processor 300 executing a program stored in the storage device 302 shown in FIG.

[0041] The acquisition unit 100 acquires various types of information related to the operation of the plant A from the plant A. For example, the acquisition unit 100 acquires operation data from the plant A. The acquisition unit 100 also acquires information on various reference screens based on operational inputs by operators of the plant A.

[0042] The acquiring unit 100 may also acquire, for example, operating condition data input by an operator of the plant A via the input unit 105 from the DCS. The acquiring unit 100 may also acquire operation result data from each sensor installed in the plant A via the DCS.

[0043] The calculation unit 101 calculates index value data as needed, for example, based on driving result data included in the driving data acquired by the acquisition unit 100.

[0044] For example, when the index value is "the average of the gas component concentrations in plant A," the index value data is calculated by detecting a predetermined gas component concentration using a sensor in plant A and acquiring the detected gas component concentration as operation result data. Then, the calculation unit 101 performs a calculation process to calculate the average of multiple data items relating to the gas component concentrations acquired by the multiple sensors. This makes it possible to obtain index value data that indicates "the average of the gas component concentrations in plant A" as an index value. In this way, the index value data may be calculated using a required calculation method depending on each index value in plant A.

[0045] In addition, if the acquired driving result data can be used as index value data as is, the calculation unit 101 does not need to perform calculation processing on the driving result data.

[0046] The calculation unit 101 also associates the calculated index value data with the corresponding driving result data, and stores the driving data associated with the index value data in the driving database D120 of the storage unit 12.

[0047] As a result, the current driving data D120a is stored in the storage unit 12 as data including driving condition data, driving result data, and index value data. Similarly, the past driving data D120b of the driving database D120 is stored in the storage unit 12 as data including driving condition data, driving result data, and index value data.

[0048] The determination unit 102 generates, for example, determination data corresponding to the index value data included in the past driving data D120b, and stores the generated determination data in the driving database D120 in association with each index value data.

[0049] The determination unit 102 generates determination data corresponding to each index value data and associates the data with the past driving data D120b. As a result, the past driving data D120b in the driving database D120 is stored in the storage unit 12 as data including driving condition data, driving result data, index value data, and determination data.

[0050] The logic for determining whether the index value data is good or bad may differ for each index value. For example, for an index value such as "average gas component concentration in plant A," whether the index value is good or bad may be determined based on whether the averaged concentration is below a predetermined threshold. Also, for an index value such as "pressure" inside a predetermined portion, whether the index value is good or bad may be determined based on whether the pressure is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure.

[0051] In this way, the determining unit 102 determines whether each index value is good or bad, and associates each index value data with the determination data.

[0052] The determination data may be data output by a learning model, for example, by inputting predetermined driving data into a learning model that has learned, as teacher data, the driving data included in each piece of past driving data D120b and the quality of the index value data corresponding to the driving data.

[0053] The learning model may be, for example, an evaluation model that performs machine learning using the past driving data D120b stored in the driving database D120 of the storage unit 12. The learning model determines, for example, whether an index value based on the past driving data is good or bad.

[0054] The learning model is a model that has learned using, as training data, driving result data included in the past driving data and information indicating whether each of the index value data corresponding to the driving result data is good or bad. For example, when current driving data is input, the learning model outputs information indicating the good or bad of each of the index value data included in the current driving data (i.e., judgment data).

[0055] For example, the learning model is a regression model as shown in the following formula (1) that is obtained as an evaluation model.

[0056] y = W1·X1 + W2·X2 + ... + Wn·Xn ... (1) In formula (1), "X" is an explanatory variable corresponding to the index value data included in the past driving data extracted from the driving database. "y" is an objective variable corresponding to the "determination data", and is "1" if the index value is good, and is "-1" or "0" if the index value is bad.

[0057] In addition, in the formula (1), "W" is a coefficient of "X" and indicates a weight value. １ " is "X １ " is the weight value of "W ２ " is "X ２ ", and "Wn" is the weight value of "Xn". In this way, the formula (1) is a function of the explanatory variable "X" corresponding to the index value data included in the past driving data extracted from the driving database, and a variable including the weight value "W" (for example, "W １ ・X １ ") is created by combining

[0058] The extraction unit 103, for example, refers to the operation data acquired from plant A by the acquisition unit 100, and extracts current operation data and past operation data. This allows the calculation unit 101 to calculate index value data based on the current operation data, for example. The calculation unit 101 can also calculate index value data based on the past operation data, and generate judgment data based on the index value data.

[0059] The display unit 104, for example, refers to the driving database D120, and generates and displays a reference screen based on the current driving data D120a and the past driving data D120b.

[0060] 4 is an example of a reference screen T1 displayed on the display unit 104. The reference screen T1 includes, for example, a display field T2 that displays a graph in which the current operating data D120a and a plurality of pieces of past operating data D120b can be compared, a display field T3 that displays numerical information related to the current operating data D120a, and a display field T4 that displays numerical information related to at least one piece of past operating data D120b selected from the plurality of pieces of past operating data. This enables, for example, an operator of plant A to check the reference screen and compare the current operating data with the past operating data.

[0061] Display field T2 may include, for example, a graph that visualizes a predetermined index value during a predetermined period of operation of plant A.

[0062] An area T2a in the display field T2 indicates a period corresponding to the plurality of pieces of past operating data D120b displayed on the reference screen T1. That is, the plurality of pieces of past operating data D120b for the period displayed in the area T2a is displayed. For example, an operator of plant A may be able to set the period corresponding to the plurality of pieces of past operating data D120b displayed in the display field T2 by operating a pull-down icon T2a1 displayed in the area T2a. In T1 of FIG. 4, the plurality of pieces of past operating data D120b for the "period from 20Xa to 20Xb" is displayed.

[0063] Area T2b in the display field T2 is an area that indicates for which index value the current operating data D120a and the plurality of past operating data D120b displayed on the reference screen T1 are displayed. For example, an operator of plant A may operate a pull-down icon T2b1 displayed in area T2b to set for which index value the current operating data D120a and the plurality of past operating data D120b displayed in the display field T2 are displayed. In T1 in FIG. 4, for "index value c," the current operating data D120a and the plurality of past operating data D120b are displayed.

[0064] The graph in the display field T2 includes two or more coordinate axes selected from at least one operating condition data and at least one operating result data, each corresponding to a predetermined index value. In Fig. 4, for example, the horizontal axis represents a parameter c, which is an operating condition corresponding to the index value c, and the vertical axis represents a process value c, which is an operating result corresponding to the index value c.

[0065] In addition, in the graph, the combination of operating condition data and operating result data may be different for each index value. For example, different operating condition data may be set on the horizontal and vertical axes of the graph, or different operating result data may be set on both the horizontal and vertical axes of the graph. This makes it possible to display on the graph even cases where there are multiple operating condition data related to index value data or multiple operating result data related to index value data, thereby providing a mechanism for checking operating conditions corresponding to various index values.

[0066] Furthermore, the display unit 104 may display an object T2c in the display field T2 for identifying whether each index value data included in each of the multiple pieces of past driving data D120b is good or bad for a predetermined index value based on the judgment data.

[0067] The object T2c for identifying whether each index value data is good or bad is assumed to be, for example, a circle for "good" and an X for "bad," but is not limited to this. For example, the object may be displayed in blue for "good" and in red for "bad." Each index value may also be set on a coordinate axis on a graph to display the corresponding index value data. Furthermore, for example, the degree of good or bad of the corresponding index value data may be indicated by the shade of the color of the object.

[0068] Furthermore, the display unit 104 may display a regression curve T2d in the display field T2 that distinguishes between good and bad of a predetermined index value based on the judgment data, using at least one of the operating condition data and the operating result data as an explanatory variable and a response variable. In T2 of Fig. 4, for the index value c, the operating condition (parameter c) is used as an explanatory variable and the operating result (process value c) is used as a response variable, and the regression curve T2d that distinguishes between good and bad of the index value c is displayed.

[0069] The display field T3 displays, for example, the operation data of the plant A that is in operation (including not only the plant A that is in operation but also the plant A that is scheduled to be operated). The display unit 104 may display, for example, the operation condition data and the operation result data corresponding to a predetermined index value c, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, the display unit 104 may display an icon T3a indicating the current driving data in the display field T2, and may also display an icon T3a indicating the current driving data in the display field T3. This allows the user to relatively grasp the difference between the current driving data D120a and the multiple pieces of past driving data D120b for a predetermined index value.

[0071] The display field T4 displays, for example, one piece of driving data selected from a plurality of pieces of past driving data. The display unit 104 may, for example, highlight an object selected by an operation input such as a click among the objects T2c displayed in the display field T2 with an icon T4a and display the display field T4. For example, in T2 in Fig. 4, the object T2c located at the position of the icon T4a is selected, and as a result, the display field T4 is displayed on the reference screen T1.

[0072] This makes it possible, for example, to extract and display operating data for which the index value data is "good" from the past operating data displayed on the screen, thereby providing a mechanism to assist in applying operating conditions for plant A that will improve a specified index value.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, by referring to the display field T2, it becomes possible to search for "the most recent past operating data with a good predetermined index value." This allows, for example, even if the optimal operating conditions of plant A change over time (including aging deterioration), to refer to the most recent past operating data, thereby providing a mechanism for making the data used as reference more desirable.

[0074] The input unit 105 operates devices connected to a data I / F 306, a communication I / F 308, and an input I / F 304, which will be described later, to accept input of various information to the assistance device 1. The input unit 105 accepts input of, for example, operation information, video information, image information, text information, audio information, and position information from the user.

[0075] The output unit 106 operates devices connected to a data I / F 306 and a communication I / F 308 (described later) and a display device 310, thereby outputting various information from the support device 1. The output unit 106 outputs, for example, video information, image information, text information, and audio information.

[0076] 5, an example of a hardware configuration in which the above-described support device 1 is realized by a computer 30 will be described. Note that the functions of each device can also be realized by dividing them into multiple devices.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 30 includes a processor 300 , a storage device 302 , an input I / F 304 , a data I / F 306 , a communication I / F 308 , and a display device 310 .

[0078] The processor 300 controls various processes in the computer 30 by executing programs stored in the storage device 302. For example, each functional unit included in the control unit 10 of the assistance device 1 can be realized by the processor 300 executing the programs stored in the storage device 302.

[0079] The storage device 302 is a storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The RAM temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 300 and data required when the program is executed.

[0080] The storage device 302 may also be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 302 stores an operating system and various programs for implementing the above-described configurations. The storage medium storing the various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The storage device 302 may also store a table for registering various information such as business information, and a database for managing the table. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 302 as needed and referenced by the processor 300.

[0081] The input I / F 304 is a device for receiving input from a user. Specific examples of the input I / F 304 include a camera, a button, a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, various sensors, and a wearable device. The input I / F 304 may be connected to the computer 30 via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0082] The data I / F 306 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 30. A specific example of the data I / F 306 is a drive device for reading data stored in various storage media. The data I / F 306 may be provided outside the computer 30. In this case, the data I / F 306 is connected to the computer 30 via an interface such as a USB.

[0083] The communication I / F 308 is a device for performing data communication with devices external to the computer 30 via a communication network N, either wired or wirelessly. The communication I / F 308 may be provided external to the computer 30. In this case, the communication I / F 308 is connected to the computer 30 via an interface such as a USB.

[0084] The display device 310 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 310 include a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, and a display of a wearable device. The display device 310 may be provided outside the computer 30. In this case, the display device 310 is connected to the computer 30 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, when a touch panel is used as the input I / F 304, the display device 310 can be configured as an integral part of the input I / F 304.

[0085] The components of the assistance device 1 described in the above embodiment are assumed to realize predetermined processing in cooperation with other hardware by executing a program stored in the storage device 302 by the processor 300. In other words, these components are assumed to be software or firmware, as well as corresponding hardware, and in both of these concepts, they are also referred to as "functions," "means," "parts," "processing circuits," "units," or "modules," and can be interpreted as such.

[0086] <Processing Procedure> Next, each operation of the assistance device 1 will be described in detail.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the assistance device 1 to store the current driving data D120a in the driving database D120.

[0088] First, the support device 1 acquires operating data for the plant A (step S10). It is assumed that the operating data is acquired from the plant A via the communication network N, but this is not limitative. For example, the operating data may be acquired by an operation input by an operator of the plant A, or the operating data may be extracted and acquired by referring to the operating database D120 stored in the storage unit 12.

[0089] Next, the assistance device 1 extracts the current driving condition data and the current driving result data included in the driving data (step S11).

[0090] Next, the assistance device 1 calculates the current index value data based on the current driving result data (step S12).

[0091] Next, the assistance device 1 associates the calculated index value data with the current driving result data, and generates current driving data D120a in which the current driving condition data, the current driving result data, and the current index value data are associated, and stores the data in the driving database D120 (step S13).

[0092] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the assistance device 1 to store the past driving data D120b in the driving database D120.

[0093] First, the support device 1 acquires operating data for the plant A (step S20). It is assumed that the operating data is acquired from the plant A via the communication network N, but this is not limitative. For example, the operating data may be acquired by an operation input by an operator of the plant A, or the operating data may be extracted and acquired by referring to the operating database D120 stored in the storage unit 12.

[0094] Next, the assistance device 1 extracts past driving condition data and past driving result data included in the driving data (step S21).

[0095] Next, the assistance device 1 calculates past index value data based on the past driving result data (step S22).

[0096] Next, judgment data is generated for each of the calculated index value data (step S23).

[0097] Next, the assistance device 1 associates the calculated index value data with past driving result data, and also associates judgment data with the calculated index value data, and then generates a plurality of past driving data D120b in which past driving condition data, past driving result data, past index value data, and judgment data are associated, and stores the data in the driving database D120 (step S24).

[0098] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the support device 1 to display the reference screen T1.

[0099] First, the support device 1 acquires a request to display a reference screen based on an operation input by an operator of plant A (step S30). The request may include, for example, data indicating which period of past operating data is to be referenced. This allows the support device 1 to provide a mechanism for selecting which period of past operating data is to be displayed on the reference screen.

[0100] Next, the assistance device 1 extracts current driving data and past driving data to be displayed on the reference screen based on the acquired request (step S31).

[0101] Next, the assistance device 1 displays a reference screen based on the extracted current driving data and past driving data (step S32).

[0102] In this way, the operators of plant A can refer to the past operating results of plant A, the quality of the index values, and the operating conditions at that time. Furthermore, based on the information obtained by this reference, it is possible to determine whether the current operating conditions are relatively good or bad. As a result, the support device 1 can provide a mechanism for improving the current operating conditions by using the past operating conditions and the current operating conditions as reference information, when the index values ​​calculated from the operating results can be evaluated.

[0103] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which the elements described below are replaced with equivalents, and such embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, in addition to the above-described embodiments, the following embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0104] [Supplementary Note 1] An assistance device 1 according to one aspect of the present invention is an assistance device 1 that assists in the operation of a specified control object A, and includes: a memory unit 12 that stores operation data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the specified control object A, operating result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the control object A, and index value data indicating a specified index value calculated based on the operating result data are associated with each other; a judgment unit 102 that judges the quality of the index value data and stores judgment data indicative of the quality in the memory unit 12 in association with the index value data; and a display unit 104 that refers to the memory unit 12 and displays current operating data D120a including current operating condition data, operating result data, and index value data, and past operating data D120b including operating condition data, operating result data, index value data, and judgment data for a specified past period.

[0105] [Supplementary Note 2] In Supplementary Note 1, the display unit 104 may include a display field T2 that displays the current driving data D120a and a plurality of pieces of past driving data D120b in a graph so that they can be compared.

[0106] [Supplementary Note 3] In Supplementary Note 2, the graph may include two or more coordinate axes selected from at least one driving condition data and at least one driving result data, each corresponding to a predetermined index value.

[0107] [Supplementary Note 4] In the above-mentioned Supplementary Note 3, the display unit 104 may further display an object T2c in the display field T2 for identifying whether the index value data included in each of the plurality of past driving data D120b is good or bad for a predetermined index value based on the judgment data.

[0108] [Appendix 5] In any of the above appendices 1 to 4, the display unit 104 may further include a display field T3 that displays numerical information related to the current driving data D120a, and a display field T4 that displays numerical information related to at least one of the multiple past driving data D120b selected by the user.

[0109] [Supplementary Note 6] In the above-mentioned Supplementary Note 2, the display unit 104 may further display, in the display field T2, a regression curve T2d that distinguishes between the pass / fail of a predetermined index value based on the judgment data, using at least one of the operating condition data and the operating result data as an explanatory variable and a target variable.

[0110] [Appendix 7] In the above Appendix 1, the judgment data may be output by inputting the current driving data into a learning model that has learned the driving result data of each of the past driving data D120b and the quality of the index value data corresponding to the driving result data as teacher data.

[0111] [Appendix 8] A plant system according to one aspect of this embodiment is a plant system including a plant A and an assistance device 1 that assists in the operation of the plant A. The assistance device 1 includes: a memory unit that stores operating data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the plant A, operating result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the plant A, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the operating result data are associated with each other; a judgment unit 102 that judges whether the index value data is good or bad and stores judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit 12 in association with the index value data; and a display unit 104 that refers to the memory unit 12 and displays current operating data D120a including current operating condition data, operating result data, and index value data, and past operating data D120b indicating operating condition data, operating result data, and judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

[0112] [Appendix 9] A program according to one aspect of this embodiment causes a computer to function as: a storage means for storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling the controlled object A, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of driving the controlled object A, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are associated with each other; a judgment means for judging the quality of the index value data and storing judgment data indicating the quality in association with the index value data; and a display means for referencing the driving data and displaying current driving data D120a including current driving condition data, driving result data, and index value data, and past driving data S120b indicating driving condition data, driving result data, and judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

[0113] [Appendix 10] An assistance method according to one aspect of this embodiment causes a computer to execute the following steps: storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling the controlled object A, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of driving the controlled object A, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are associated with each other; judging whether the index value data is good or bad and storing judgment data indicating good or bad in association with the index value data; and referencing the driving data to display current driving data D120a including the current driving condition data, driving result data, and index value data, and past driving data S120b indicating driving condition data, driving result data, and judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

[0114] 1...Support device, A...Plant, 10...Control unit, 12...Storage unit, 30...Computer, 100...Acquisition unit, 101...Calculation unit, 102...Determination unit, 103...Extraction unit, 104...Display unit, 105...Input unit, 106...Output unit, D120a...Current operating data, D120b...Past operating data

Claims

1. An assistance device for assisting in the operation of a controlled object, comprising: a memory unit that stores operation data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the controlled object, operating result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the operating result data are respectively associated with each other; a judgment unit that judges whether the index value data is good or bad, and stores judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and a display unit that refers to the memory unit and displays current operating data including the current operating condition data, the operating result data, and the index value data, and past operating data including the operating condition data, the operating result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period of time in the past.

2. The support device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit has a first display field that displays the current driving data and a plurality of the past driving data in a graph so as to be comparable.

3. The assistance device according to claim 2, wherein the graph includes two or more coordinate axes selected from at least one of the driving condition data and at least one of the driving result data, each of which corresponds to the predetermined index value.

4. The assistance device described in claim 3, wherein the display unit further displays an object in the first display field for identifying whether the index value data contained in each of the multiple past driving data is good or bad for the specified index value based on the judgment data.

5. An assistance device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display unit further has a second display field that displays numerical information relating to the current driving data, and a third display field that displays numerical information relating to at least one of the multiple past driving data selected by a user.

6. The support device according to claim 2, wherein the display unit further displays in the first display field a regression curve that distinguishes between good and bad of the specified index value based on the judgment data, using at least one of the driving condition data and the driving result data as an explanatory variable and a target variable.

7. The assistance device described in claim 1, wherein the judgment data is output by inputting the current driving data into a learning model that has been trained using as teacher data the driving result data for each of the past driving data and the good or bad of the index value data corresponding to the driving result data.

8. A plant system including a plant and an assistance device that assists in the operation of the plant, wherein the assistance device comprises: a memory unit that stores operation data in which operating condition data indicating input data for controlling the plant, operation result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the plant, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the operation result data are associated with each other; a judgment unit that judges whether the index value data is good or bad and stores judgment data indicating the good or bad in the memory unit in association with the index value data; and a display unit that refers to the memory unit and displays current operating data including the current operating condition data, the operation result data, and the index value data, and past operating data indicating the operating condition data, the operation result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

9. An assistance program that causes a computer to function as: a storage means for storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling a controlled object, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are respectively associated with each other; a judgment means for judging the quality of the index value data and storing judgment data indicative of the quality in association with the index value data; and a display means for referencing the driving data and displaying current driving data including the current driving condition data, the driving result data, and the index value data, and past driving data indicating the driving condition data, the driving result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past,.

10. A support method which causes a computer to execute the steps of: storing driving data in which driving condition data indicating input data for controlling a controlled object, driving result data indicating output data obtained as a result of operating the controlled object, and index value data indicating a predetermined index value calculated based on the driving result data are respectively associated with each other; judging the quality of the index value data and storing judgment data indicating the quality in association with the index value data; and displaying, by referring to the driving data, current driving data including the current driving condition data, the driving result data, and the index value data, and past driving data indicating the driving condition data, the driving result data, and the judgment data for a predetermined period in the past.

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