Digital twin system, processing method, and program

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure is a digital twin system that constructs a cyber space of a digital twin, said digital twin system comprising: an object construction unit that constructs a network in which a plurality of objects and a connecting object that connects the plurality of objects are configured in the cyber space; an analysis unit that performs a simulation on the basis of an added object which is added to the network and attribute information for said added object; and a first output unit that outputs the cyber space on the basis of the result of the simulation by the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit causes the connecting object to connect to the added object in accordance with the positional relationship between the connecting object and the added object, and performs the simulation on the basis of the attribute information.

Description

Digital Twin System, Processing Method, and Program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a digital twin system, a processing method, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, the development of digital twins has been carried out. A digital twin is to obtain information in the real space by utilizing devices connected to the Internet and reproduce the environment of the real space in the cyber space. In an information processing system that realizes a digital twin, simulations are carried out in the cyber space, and the simulation results are used in the real space. As this type of technology, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a digital simulation device that simulates and calculates the dynamic state of a process device formed by connecting a plurality of devices. This digital simulation device includes a plurality of simulation model units that output a potential variable indicating the state of a device and a flow variable indicating a physical quantity that moves from the device to an adjacent device, and a signal transmission path that connects the simulation model units to each other and transmits the potential variable and the flow variable. Each simulation model unit calculates the potential variable and the flow variable of the target device from the potential variable and the flow variable of the adjacent device input from the adjacent simulation model unit via the signal transmission path at a predetermined fixed period.

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-11908

[0005] For example, when a digital twin is utilized in a system having a complex configuration as the real space, there is a problem that the simulation in the cyber space becomes complicated. For example, in an infrastructure system in which devices such as electrical wiring and liquid piping are connected, when various simulations are carried out, it is necessary to set parameters for the simulation in the cyber space. However, as the real space becomes more complex, the setting of parameters for the cyber space becomes more complicated, and the burden on the user when performing the simulation may increase.

[0006] Furthermore, there is a challenge in that the larger the system in the real world, the more complex the simulation in cyberspace becomes. For example, if the system utilizing a digital twin is a large factory or multiple systems located in geographically distant locations, the digital simulation device described in Patent Document 1 may place a heavy burden on the user in terms of setting variables.

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of these circumstances and aims to provide a digital twin system, processing method, and program that can easily perform simulations in cyberspace.

[0008] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of this disclosure is a digital twin system for constructing a cyberspace of a digital twin, comprising: an object construction unit that constructs a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; an analysis unit that performs a simulation based on an additional object to be added to the network and the attribute information of the additional object; and a first output unit that outputs the cyberspace based on the simulation results by the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit connects the connecting object to the additional object according to the positional relationship between the connecting object and the additional object, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for constructing a digital twin cyberspace, comprising the steps of: constructing a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; performing a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and attribute information of the additional objects; and outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results, wherein the method connects the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information.

[0010] Another aspect of this disclosure is a program that causes a computer to construct a cyberspace of a digital twin to perform the steps of: constructing a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; performing a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and attribute information of the additional objects; and outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results, and causing the computer to connect the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and to perform a simulation based on the attribute information.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, simulations in cyberspace can be easily performed.

[0012] This is a block diagram showing an example of a digital twin system in an embodiment. This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a digital twin system in an embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a digital twin system in an embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of an object in the physical space of an embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of the display when connecting an additional object to a connected object in an embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of the process when connecting an additional object to a connected object in an embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of the display when specifying a candidate for connecting an additional object in an embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of the process when specifying a candidate for connecting an additional object in an embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation between digital twin server devices in an embodiment.

[0013] A digital twin system, processing method, and program to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <Overall view of the digital twin system> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the digital twin system 1 in the embodiment. The digital twin system 1 in the embodiment is an information processing system for constructing the cyberspace of a digital twin. The digital twin system 1 includes, for example, a multi-cyberspace 10, a first physical space 20-1, a first cyberspace 22-1, a second physical space 20-2, a second cyberspace 22-2, a multi-digital twin server device 100, a first digital twin server device 200-1, and a second digital twin server device 200-2. The first digital twin server device 200-1 functions as a first edge server corresponding to the first physical space 20-1 (first real space), and the second digital twin server device 200-2 functions as a second edge server corresponding to the second physical space 20-2 (second real space).

[0015] In the following explanation, when referring to the first digital twin server device 200-1 and the second digital twin server device 200-2 collectively, it will simply be referred to as "digital twin server device 200"; when referring to the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 collectively, it will simply be referred to as "physical space 20"; and when referring to the first cyber space 22-1 and the second cyber space 22-2 collectively, it will simply be referred to as "cyber space 22".

[0016] In this embodiment, a digital twin refers to the digital twin system 1 collecting data from the physical space and reproducing the equipment in the physical space 20 in cyberspace 22 based on the collected data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, simulation refers to reproducing or testing the operation of the physical space 20 in cyberspace 22.

[0017] The first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 are real spaces, which are spatial regions that actually exist. In the embodiment, the real space is one or more factories equipped with manufacturing lines located at the base, a communication network system within the base, an infrastructure system, etc., and is set for each base, for example. The infrastructure system may include, for example, a number of facilities such as a power system, a water system, a gas system, a heat transfer medium system, and at least one of the communication network system. The power system is a system for conducting various businesses using electricity, and the power system may include, for example, power equipment such as an EMS (Energy Management System) and a communication network. The power system may be a system for transmitting and distributing electricity, such as power generation equipment, substation equipment, energy storage equipment, utility pole equipment, power lines, and consumer equipment. In the following description, the digital twin system 1 targeting the power system will be described.

[0018] The first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 may be systems operating separately at different locations, but they may be connected and exchange information, power, etc., in one direction or bidirectionally. The first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 can change the operation of their internal systems by exchanging information, power, etc., with each other.

[0019] The first cyberspace 22-1 is a virtual spatial region that reproduces the first physical space 20-1. The second cyberspace 22-2 is a virtual spatial region corresponding to the second physical space 20-2. The second cyberspace 22-2 represents the equipment included in the second physical space 20-2 as electronic objects. The multi-cyberspace 10 includes the first cyberspace 10-1, which corresponds to the first cyberspace 22-1, and the second cyberspace 10-2, which corresponds to the second cyberspace 22-2. Each of the multi-cyberspace 10, the first cyberspace 22-1, and the second cyberspace 22-2 represents tangible objects such as equipment that exist in the real world as electronic objects.

[0020] Each of the multi-digital twin server device 100, the first digital twin server device 200-1, and the second digital twin server device 200-2 is connected to a communication network NW, for example. The communication network NW is a general-purpose network such as the Internet, but is not limited to this, and may include a private network such as local 5G or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the multi-digital twin server device 100 and the first digital twin server device 200-1, and the multi-digital twin server device 100 and the second digital twin server device 200-2 are connected in a communicative manner. In this embodiment, the multi-digital twin server device 100, the first digital twin server device 200-1, and the second digital twin server device 200-2 are separate devices, but are not limited to this, and may be a single device, or a configuration in which multiple functions described later are distributed in any combination.

[0021] The multi-digital twin server device 100 constructs a multi-cyberspace 10, the first digital twin server device 200-1 constructs a first cyberspace 22-1, and the second digital twin server device 200-2 constructs a second cyberspace 22-2. The multi-digital twin server device 100, the first digital twin server device 200-1, and the second digital twin server device 200-2 function as a platform that provides users with digital twins that reproduce facilities existing in physical space within cyberspace.

[0022] <Functional Configuration of the Digital Twin System> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the digital twin system 1 in the embodiment. In the digital twin system 1, a terminal device 400 is connected to the multi-digital twin server device 100. The terminal device 400 is an information processing device operated by a user who manages the multi-cyber space 10. An IoT device 300 is connected to the digital twin server device 200, which acquires information from the equipment and outputs the information to the digital twin server device 200. The IoT device 300 acquires, for example, information related to the equipment included in the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2.

[0023] <Multi-Digital Twin Server Device> The multi-digital twin server device 100 includes an information processing device and a storage device that perform various processing and communication. The multi-digital twin server device 100 includes, for example, an input unit 102, an output unit 104 (first output unit), a control unit 106, and a storage unit 108. The input unit 102 receives information based on user operation input from a terminal device 400.

[0024] The output unit 104 outputs various types of information to the terminal device 400. The output unit 104 acquires the simulation results from the control unit 106, which will be described later, and outputs information about cyberspace based on the simulation results. Outputting information about cyberspace means outputting information related to cyberspace to the terminal device 400, for example, outputting display data for displaying the multi-cyberspace 10 to the terminal device 400, or outputting alerts based on changes in the state of the multi-cyberspace 10.

[0025] The control unit 106 includes, for example, a multi-setting unit 110, a connection setting unit 112, a multi-space construction unit 114, an object construction unit 116, an equipment management unit 118, an information acquisition unit 120, an information update unit 122, a multi-analysis unit 124, a power management unit 126, and a charge calculation unit 128. Functional units such as the multi-setting unit 110, connection setting unit 112, multi-space construction unit 114, object construction unit 116, equipment management unit 118, information acquisition unit 120, information update unit 122, multi-analysis unit 124, power management unit 126, and charge calculation unit 128 may be realized, for example, by a computer including a CPU executing a program stored in program memory. These functions may be integrated and mounted on a single information processing device, or they may be distributed across multiple information processing devices.

[0026] The multi-setting unit 110 acquires setting information for the first cyberspace 10-1 corresponding to the first physical space 20-1 and setting information for the second cyberspace 10-2 corresponding to the second physical space 20-2. The setting information includes parameters such as the name of the base, the location of the base, the size of the base, the connection relationship with other bases, multiple objects included in the base, the transmission contract information, the base setting information, and the object setting information, corresponding to cyberspaces 10-1 and 10-2, respectively. The transmission contract information includes, for example, information such as the upper limit of the self-transmission volume, transmission losses, and transmission charges. The setting information for bases and objects includes, for example, object attribute information, base contract information, contract information for equipment corresponding to the object, base performance information, equipment performance information corresponding to the object, base calendar information, and equipment calendar information corresponding to the object. The contract information for bases and objects includes, for example, information such as electricity charges, contracted power, and supply point identification number. The performance information for bases and objects includes, for example, demand performance and power generation performance. The calendar information for locations and objects corresponds to the month, day, and time of the factory's scheduled operating days. The settings may be based on manually entered information, or related information inferred from the entered information may be automatically set. For example, if "NAS battery" is entered as an attribute for an object, the charge / discharge efficiency of the "NAS battery" may be automatically set.

[0027] The connection setting unit 112 sets the connection relationship between the first cyberspace 10-1 and the second cyberspace 10-2. The connection setting unit 112 refers to the setting information of multiple cyberspaces and sets whether each cyberspace is connected to or not connected to other cyberspaces in the multi-cyberspace 10. The connection setting unit 112 may also set which objects in other cyberspaces an object in one cyberspace is connected to.

[0028] The multi-space construction unit 114 constructs a multi-cyberspace 10 in which the first cyberspace 10-1 and the second cyberspace 10-2 are connected. The multi-space construction unit 114 reproduces the operation of each object included in the multi-cyberspace 10 and reproduces the flow of power and other information exchanged between objects. The multi-space construction unit 114 also creates display data for displaying the multi-cyberspace 10, for example.

[0029] The object construction unit 116 constructs a network in the multi-cyberspace 10 in which multiple objects (equipment) and connecting objects (electric wires) that connect multiple objects are configured. Objects in the multi-cyberspace 10 are data that models tangible objects in the real world. The data corresponding to an object includes attribute information such as equipment name, equipment type, equipment location, equipment size, connection relationship with other equipment, input, operation details, and output. For example, an object for a battery as equipment has the attribute information "battery" as the equipment type, and a connecting object has attribute information such as "electric wire" as the equipment type and "two pieces of equipment connected to both ends of the electric wire" as the connection relationship.

[0030] The device management unit 118 manages IoT devices 300 included in the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2. The device management unit 118 performs processes such as updating the presence or absence of IoT devices 300, updating the operating status of IoT devices 300, and updating information output from IoT devices 300.

[0031] The information acquisition unit 120 acquires update information for the first cyberspace 10-1 or the second cyberspace 10-2. The update information is information indicating updates to equipment in the first physical space 20-1 corresponding to the first cyberspace 10-1. Information indicating equipment updates may include, for example, changes in the operating status of each piece of equipment, or changes in input / output between each piece of equipment. The update information may also represent information representing physical input / output at the point of contact between the first cyberspace 10-1 and the second cyberspace 10-2. Information representing physical input / output may include, for example, information indicating physical flow rates. Physical flow rates are not limited to, for example, the flow rates of fuel or medium, but may also include power, heat flow rates, etc. The medium may be, for example, a medium circulated between equipment such as steam, hot water, or chilled water.

[0032] The information update unit 122 updates the information in the multi-cyberspace 10 based on the update information.

[0033] The multi-analysis unit 124 receives information that has been analyzed or manipulated in the multi-cyber space 10. The multi-analysis unit 124 performs analysis processing in the multi-cyber space 10 and obtains the analysis processing results. The analysis processing includes, for example, a process to simulate the operation of the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 in the multi-cyber space 10 by trying or reproducing it. The multi-analysis unit 124 also obtains information that has been manipulated in the multi-cyber space 10 from the terminal device 400 and performs simulations based on the manipulated information.

[0034] The multi-analysis unit 124 is an analysis unit that performs simulations based on additional objects (batteries) to be added to the network and the attribute information (capacity) of the additional objects. The multi-analysis unit 124 connects the connected objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connected objects and the additional objects, and performs simulations based on the attribute information.

[0035] The power management unit 126 manages the power of each object in the multi-cyberspace 10. For example, the power management unit 126 acquires the generated power, consumed power, stored power, input power, and output power of each object, and updates various power values ​​corresponding to each object.

[0036] The fee calculation unit 128 calculates various fees for each object in the multi-cyberspace 10. For example, the fee calculation unit 128 refers to contract information corresponding to each object and calculates the electricity sales fee and purchase fee for each object based on the power generated and consumed by each object.

[0037] The storage unit 108 is, for example, a database management system for managing various databases. The storage unit 108 is provided in the multi-digital twin server device 100, but is not limited to this, and may be a database management system connected to the multi-digital twin server device 100 via a communication network NW.

[0038] The storage unit 108 includes, for example, a multi-setting storage unit 130, a multi-space storage unit 132, an object storage unit 134, a device information storage unit 136, and a history storage unit 138. The multi-setting storage unit 130 stores setting information. The multi-space storage unit 132 stores spatial information indicating the cyberspaces (first cyberspace 10-1, second cyberspace 10-2) included in the multi-cyberspace 10. The spatial information indicates which physical space-corresponding cyberspaces should be included in the multi-cyberspace 10. The spatial information is set, for example, by information based on operation input from a terminal device 400. The object storage unit 134 stores attribute information corresponding to objects in cyberspace. The device information storage unit 136 stores device information related to IoT devices 300 included in the facility. The device information may include supply and demand data indicating the demand and supply for the facility. The history storage unit 138 stores various types of history information in the digital twin system 1, such as the operation history and replacement history of equipment and IoT devices 300 in the physical space, the history of constructing the multi-cyber space 10, and the history of simulation results.

[0039] <Digital Twin Server Device> The digital twin server device 200 includes an information processing device and a storage device that perform various processing and communication. The digital twin server device 200 includes, for example, an input unit 202, an output unit 204 (second output unit), a control unit 206, and a storage unit 208. The input unit 202 receives information based on user instructions from a terminal device 402 in the physical space 20. The input unit 202 may also receive various information from IoT devices 300 and various facilities included in the physical space 20, a multi-digital twin server device 100, and other digital twin server devices 200.

[0040] The output unit 204 outputs various types of information to other devices such as the multi-digital twin server device 100. The output unit 204 may also output various types of information from IoT devices 300 and various facilities included in the physical space 20, the multi-digital twin server device 100, and other digital twin server devices 200. The output unit 204 acquires the simulation results from the control unit 206, which will be described later, and outputs the cyber space 22 based on the simulation results. The output of the cyber space 22 involves outputting information related to the cyber space 22 to the terminal device 402 and the multi-digital twin server device 100. For example, this may involve outputting display data for displaying the cyber space 22 to the terminal device 402, or outputting alerts based on changes in the state of the physical space 20 and the cyber space 22.

[0041] The control unit 206 includes, for example, a setting unit 210, a space construction unit 212, an object construction unit 214, a device management unit 216, an information acquisition unit 218, an information update unit 220, an analysis unit 222, a feedback unit 224, and a display control unit 226. Functional units such as the setting unit 210, the space construction unit 212, the object construction unit 214, the device management unit 216, the information acquisition unit 218, the information update unit 220, the analysis unit 222, the feedback unit 224, and the display control unit 226 may be realized by a computer including, for example, a CPU executing a program stored in a program memory. These functions may be integrated and mounted on a single information processing device, or may be distributed among a plurality of information processing devices.

[0042] The setting unit 210 acquires setting information of the physical space 20. The setting information includes parameters such as a base name corresponding to the physical space 20, a base position, a base size, a connection relationship with other bases, and a plurality of objects included in the base.

[0043] The space construction unit 212 constructs a cyber space 22 corresponding to the physical space 20. The space construction unit 212 reproduces the operations of each object included in the cyber space 22 and reproduces the flow of power and the like exchanged between the objects. Further, the space construction unit 212 may create, for example, display data for displaying the cyber space 22.

[0044] The object construction unit 214 constructs a network in the cyber space 22 in which a plurality of objects (equipment) and connection objects (electric wires, pipes) connecting the plurality of objects are set. The objects in the cyber space 22 are data obtained by modeling physical entities in the real space. The data corresponding to the object includes attribute information such as an equipment name, an equipment type, an equipment performance, capabilities, an equipment position, an equipment size, a connection relationship with other equipment, an input, an operation content, and an output. For example, an object of a storage battery as equipment has attribute information of "storage battery" as the equipment type, and a connection object has, for example, attribute information of "electric wire" as the equipment type and "two pieces of equipment connected to both ends of the electric wire" as the connection relationship.

[0045] The device management unit 216 manages the IoT devices 300 included in the physical space 20. The device management unit 216 acquires real-time data related to the equipment from the IoT devices 300. The real-time data is, for example, the operation amount of the equipment, power consumption, output power, input power, and the like. Further, the device management unit 216 performs processes such as updating the presence or absence of the IoT device 300, updating the operating state of the IoT device 300, and updating the information output from the IoT device 300.

[0046] The information acquisition unit 218 acquires update information of the cyber space 22. The update information is information indicating an update of the equipment in the physical space 20. The information indicating an update of the equipment is information indicating a change in the operating state of each equipment, a change in input / output between each equipment, and the like. The update information may be information representing physical input / output at a contact point with another physical space 20. The information representing physical input / output is, for example, information indicating a physical flow rate. The physical flow rate is, for example, power, fuel, heat possessed by the medium, and the like. The medium is, for example, a medium circulated between equipment such as steam, hot water, and cold water.

[0047] The information update unit 220 updates the information of the cyber space 22 based on the update information.

[0048] The analysis unit 222 receives information for analysis or operation input in the cyber space 22. The analysis unit 222 performs an analysis process in the cyber space 22 and obtains an analysis process result. The analysis process includes, for example, a process of simulating an operation or reproduction of the physical space 20 in the cyber space 22. Further, the analysis unit 222 acquires information input for operation in the cyber space 22 from the terminal device 402 and performs a simulation based on the information input for operation.

[0049] The analysis unit 222 may perform a simulation based on an additional object (battery) to be added to the network and attribute information (capacity) of the additional object. The analysis unit 222 may connect a connection object to the additional object according to the positional relationship between the connection object and the additional object and perform a simulation based on the attribute information.

[0050] The feedback unit 224 feeds back the simulation results obtained by the analysis unit 222 as feedback information to the physical space 20. This feedback includes outputting the simulation results when an additional object is added to the terminal device 402. Specifically, the feedback unit 224 receives information indicating that an additional object is to be connected via an operation input, and obtains the simulation results when the additional object is added. The feedback unit 224 transmits the information indicating that an additional object is to be connected and the simulation results to the terminal device 402. The feedback may also include, for example, instructing the equipment in the physical space 20 to change its settings based on the simulation results when the settings of the equipment in the physical space 20 are changed.

[0051] The display control unit 226 creates display data for displaying the cyberspace 22 constructed by the space construction unit 212 and outputs it to the terminal device 402. The display control unit 226 accepts operation inputs to the terminal device 402 to add, change, or delete objects, and updates the display on the terminal device 402 according to the received content.

[0052] The storage unit 208 is, for example, a database management system for managing various databases. The storage unit 208 is provided in the digital twin server device 200, but is not limited to this, and may be a database management system connected to the digital twin server device 200 via a communication network NW.

[0053] The memory unit 208 includes, for example, a setting memory unit 230, a spatial memory unit 232, an object memory unit 234, a device information memory unit 236, and a history memory unit 238. The setting memory unit 230 stores setting information for setting up cyberspace 22. The spatial memory unit 232 stores spatial information indicating cyberspace 22. The object memory unit 234 stores attribute information corresponding to objects in cyberspace 22. The device information memory unit 236 stores information related to IoT devices 300 included in the equipment in physical space 20. The history memory unit 238 stores various history information such as the operation history and replacement history of equipment and IoT devices 300 in physical space 20, the history of constructing cyberspace 22, and the history of simulation results.

[0054] <Operation of Digital Twin System 1> Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the digital twin system 1 in the embodiment. First, the first digital twin server device 200-1 transmits the setting information S10 for the first cyber space 22-1 to the multi-digital twin server device 100, and the second digital twin server device 200-2 transmits the setting information S12 for the second cyber space 22-2 to the multi-digital twin server device 100. As a result, the setting information S10 and S12 are input to the input unit 102 and acquired by the multi-setting unit 110.

[0055] The connection setting unit 112 sets the connection relationship between the first cyberspace 22-1 and the second cyberspace 22-2 based on the setting information S10 and S12 acquired by the multi-setting unit 110 (step ST10). Next, the object construction unit 116 constructs objects included in the first cyberspace 22-1 and the second cyberspace 22-2, and the multi-space construction unit 114 constructs a multi-cyberspace 10 in which the first cyberspace 22-1 and the second cyberspace 22-2 are connected (step ST12).

[0056] The first digital twin server device 200-1 transmits first physical space update information S14, which indicates the status of equipment in the first physical space 20-1, to the multi-digital twin server device 100. The second digital twin server device 200-2 transmits second physical space update information S16, which indicates the status of equipment in the second physical space 20-2, to the multi-digital twin server device 100. The information acquisition unit 120 acquires the first physical space update information S14 and the second physical space update information S16. The information update unit 122 updates the information in the multi-cyber space 10 based on the acquired first physical space update information S14 and the second physical space update information S16 (step ST116). As a result, the multi-digital twin server device 100 can update the status of objects in the multi-cyber space 10 to the latest status according to the latest status of equipment in the physical space 20.

[0057] The multi-analysis unit 124 performs a simulation based on the updated information of the multi-cyberspace 10 and obtains the simulation results. The multi-analysis unit 124 transmits the simulation results as feedback information S18 to the first digital twin server device 200-1. The multi-analysis unit 124 transmits the simulation results as feedback information S20 to the second digital twin server device 200-2.

[0058] The feedback unit 224 of the first digital twin server device 200-1 feeds back the simulation results to the first physical space 20-1 (step ST18, first feedback reflection). Feedback to the first physical space 20-1 includes updating the setting information, object attribute information, equipment information, and history information of the first cyber space 22-1 based on the simulation results, transmitting the simulation results to the terminal device 402, and displaying the simulation results by the display control unit 226. In this way, the multi-digital twin server device 100 can transmit the feedback information to a device (200-1 or 200-2) that constructs the setting information of the first cyber space 22-1 or the second cyber space 22-2.

[0059] The feedback unit 224 of the second digital twin server device 200-2 feeds back the simulation results to the second physical space 20-2 (step ST20, second feedback reflection). Feeding back to the second physical space 20-2 includes updating the setting information, object attribute information, equipment information, and history information of the second cyber space 22-2 based on the simulation results, transmitting the simulation results to the terminal device 402, and displaying the simulation results by the display control unit 226.

[0060] Figure 4 shows an example of objects in the physical space 20 of the embodiment. Each digital twin server device 200 constructs a network in cyberspace 22 in which a plurality of objects (OBJs) and connecting objects (connecting OJBs) that connect the plurality of objects (OBJs) are set. OBJs are, for example, equipment in a power system, and connecting OBJs are power lines that connect the equipment. In this embodiment, the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 are facilities in different regions, and the multi-digital twin server device 100 may be an energy management system connected to both the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 via a communication network NW.

[0061] <Object Addition Process (1)> Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display when an additional object is connected to a connected object in the embodiment. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when an additional object is connected to a connected object in the embodiment. Before connecting the additional object to the connected object, as shown in Figure 5(a), the power generated by the "○○ Power Plant" in physical space 20 is ○ kW and the imbalance is ○ kW.

[0062] The input unit 102 receives input that a battery is selected as an additional object based on the operation input information of the terminal device 400 (Figure 5(a), step ST100). The multi-setting unit 110 acquires attribute information of the battery object as an additional object (step ST102). The attribute information of the battery object is, for example, "battery" as the type of equipment, and "charge / discharge efficiency" or "rated output (kW)" as the performance of the battery.

[0063] Next, the input unit 102 receives operation input information indicating the position of the terminal device 400 (step ST104) and inputs that the battery object should be connected to the wire object as a connecting object (Figure 5(b)). The input unit 102 also receives operation input information indicating the type of connection between the battery object and the wire object (Figure 5(b), step ST104). The connection type is information indicating whether the wire object should be connected to the battery object in series or in parallel. The multi-analysis unit 124 connects the wire object to the battery object based on the connection type indicated by the operation input information.

[0064] Next, the object construction unit 116 connects the battery object to the power line object according to the positional relationship between the power line object and the battery object (step ST106). For example, the multi-analysis unit 124 connects the battery object and the power line object in response to receiving an operation input such that the battery object and the power line object overlap in the multi-cyber space 10 as shown in Figure 5(b). As a result, the object construction unit 116 can construct a power network in the multi-cyber space 10 in which objects representing power-related equipment and connection objects representing power lines are set, and the multi-analysis unit 124 can connect additional equipment to the power lines according to the positional relationship between the power line object and the equipment to be added.

[0065] Next, the multi-analysis unit 124 performs a simulation based on the attribute information of the battery object and the attribute information of the wire object (step ST108). The attribute information of the battery object includes information necessary for the simulation, such as "battery" as the type of equipment and "charge / discharge efficiency" as the performance of the battery, while the attribute information of the wire object includes information necessary for the simulation, such as "wire" as the type of equipment, "power plant" or other connection destinations as the connection relationship, and "allowable voltage" and "allowable current" as performance.

[0066] The output unit 104 outputs data to cyberspace based on the simulation results (step ST110). The multi-digital twin server device 100 updates the power generation of the power plant and updates the power imbalance based on the simulation results, for example, as shown in Figure 5(c). The power management unit 126 may also update the power consumption of each piece of equipment in the multi-cyberspace 10 in response to the addition of battery objects. The charge calculation unit 128 may also update the charges for each piece of equipment based on the power consumption updated by the power management unit 126. The output unit 104 can then output the simulation results, updated power consumption, and charges.

[0067] The input unit 102 may acquire supply and demand data from the storage unit 108. The multi-analysis unit 124 sets the power supply from the power generation device object or the battery object to the power network to which the battery object as an additional object is connected, based on the supply and demand data. The multi-analysis unit 124 also sets the power demand to the load object or the object representing another battery. The multi-analysis unit 124 can then perform a simulation to transmit power from the object to which the power supply has been set to the object to which the power demand has been set.

[0068] Such a digital twin system 1 makes it easy to simulate the process of connecting additional objects to connected objects in a multi-cyberspace 10.

[0069] <Object Addition Processing (2)> The process of connecting the added objects in Figures 5 and 6 described above to the connected objects was performed by each part of the multi-digital twin server device 100, but is not limited to this, and may also be performed by each part of the digital twin server device 200.

[0070] The input unit 202 receives input that a battery is selected as an additional object based on the operation input information of the terminal device 402 (Figure 5(a), step ST100). The setting unit 210 obtains attribute information of the battery object as an additional object (step ST102).

[0071] Next, the input unit 202 receives operation input information indicating the position of the terminal device 402 (step ST104) and inputs that the battery object should be connected to the wire object as a connecting object (Figure 5(b)). The input unit 202 also receives operation input information indicating the type of connection between the battery object and the wire object (Figure 5(b), step ST104).

[0072] Next, the object construction unit 214 connects the battery object to the wire object according to the positional relationship between the wire object and the battery object (step ST106). For example, the analysis unit 222 connects the battery object and the wire object in response to receiving an operation input such that the battery object and the wire object overlap in cyberspace 22 as shown in Figure 5(b). As a result, the object construction unit 214 can construct a power network in cyberspace 22 in which objects representing power-related equipment and connection objects representing wires are set, and the analysis unit 222 can connect additional equipment to the wires according to the positional relationship between the wire object and the equipment to be added.

[0073] Next, the analysis unit 222 performs a simulation based on the attribute information of the battery object and the attribute information of the wire object (step ST108).

[0074] The output unit 204 outputs data to cyberspace based on the simulation results (step ST110). The digital twin server device 200 updates the power generation of the power plant and updates the power imbalance based on the simulation results, for example, as shown in Figure 5(c). The output unit 204 can then output the simulation results.

[0075] The input unit 202 may acquire supply and demand data from the storage unit 208. The analysis unit 222 sets the power supply from the power generation device object or the battery object to the power network to which the battery object as an additional object is connected, based on the supply and demand data. The analysis unit 222 also sets the power demand to the load object or the object representing another battery. The analysis unit 222 can then perform a simulation to transmit power from the object to which the power supply has been set to the object to which the power demand has been set.

[0076] Such a digital twin system 1 makes it easy to simulate the process of connecting additional objects to connected objects in cyberspace 22.

[0077] <Object Addition Processing (3)> Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display when specifying candidates for connecting an additional object in the embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing when specifying candidates for connecting an additional object in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 7(a), the multi-digital twin server device 100 selects a battery object as an additional object and displays the power network to which the additional object is connected in the multi-cyber space 10. The input unit 102 accepts the range in the multi-cyber space 10 to which the additional object can be connected (dotted line range in Figure 7(a), step ST120).

[0078] The multi-analysis unit 124 extracts multiple candidate locations for connecting the connection object and the additional object within the accepted range (step ST122). The candidate locations are, for example, the locations of the connection object connected to the existing equipment object within the accepted range. The multi-analysis unit 124 then performs a simulation for each of the extracted candidate locations based on attribute information (step ST124). The multi-analysis unit 124 performs the simulation based, for example, the attribute information of the connection object corresponding to the candidate location, the attribute information of the existing equipment connected to the connection object, and the attribute information of the additional object.

[0079] The output unit 104 outputs the simulation results for each location candidate to the terminal device 400 (Figure 7(b), step ST126). The terminal device 400 can then present the simulation results to the user. The input unit 102 receives input information to select one of the location candidates (step ST128). Based on this, the multi-analysis unit 124 performs a simulation for each location candidate based on attribute information to determine the location candidate. The output unit 104 outputs the cyberspace results based on the simulation results corresponding to the selected location candidate (step ST130).

[0080] Such a digital twin system 1 makes it easy to simulate the process of connecting additional objects to connected objects in a multi-cyberspace 10.

[0081] <Object Addition Processing (4)> The process of specifying candidates for connecting the additional objects in Figures 7 and 8 described above was performed by each part of the multi-digital twin server device 100, but is not limited to this, and may also be performed by each part of the digital twin server device 200.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7(a), the digital twin server device 200 selects a battery object as an additional object and displays the power network to which the additional object is connected in cyberspace 22. The input unit 202 accepts the range to which the additional object can be connected in cyberspace 22 (dotted line range in Figure 7(a), step ST120).

[0083] The analysis unit 222 extracts multiple candidate locations for connecting the connection object and the additional object within the accepted range (step ST122). The candidate locations are, for example, the locations of the connection object connected to the existing equipment object within the accepted range. Then, the analysis unit 222 performs a simulation for each of the extracted candidate locations based on attribute information (step ST124). The analysis unit 222 performs the simulation based, for example, the attribute information of the connection object corresponding to the candidate location, the attribute information of the existing equipment connected to the connection object, and the attribute information of the additional object.

[0084] The output unit 204 outputs the simulation results for each location candidate to the terminal device 402 (Figure 7(b), step ST126). The terminal device 402 can then present the simulation results to the user. The input unit 202 receives input information to select one of the location candidates (step ST128). The output unit 204 outputs the cyberspace based on the simulation results corresponding to the selected location candidate (step ST130).

[0085] Such a digital twin system 1 makes it easy to simulate the process of connecting additional objects to connected objects in cyberspace 22.

[0086] <Simulation Processing Between Digital Twin Server Devices 200> Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation between digital twin server devices 200 in the embodiment. In the digital twin system 1 described above, the first digital twin server device 200-1 may add an object (step ST200), perform a simulation due to the addition of the object (step ST202), and transmit the first simulation result S100 of the network to which the added object is connected in the first cyberspace 22-1 to the second cyberspace 22-2 via the output unit 204. The first simulation result S100 is, for example, power transmitted from the first physical space 20-1 to the second physical space 20-2, or supply and demand data from the first physical space 20-1 to the second physical space 20-2.

[0087] The second digital twin server device 200-2 receives the first simulation result S100 via the input unit 202, and the analysis unit 222 performs a simulation in the second cyberspace 22-2 based on the first simulation result S100 (step ST204). The second digital twin server device 200-2 obtains the second simulation result S102 in the second cyberspace 22-2 based on the first simulation result via the input unit 202, and transmits the second simulation result S102 to the first digital twin server device 200-1 via the output unit 204.

[0088] The first digital twin server device 200-1 receives the second simulation result S102 via the input unit 202, and the analysis unit 222 performs a simulation in the first cyberspace 22-1 based on the second simulation result S102 (step ST206).

[0089] The first digital twin server device 200-1 may perform a further third simulation in the first cyberspace 22-1 based on the second simulation results. In this way, the digital twin system 1, which has multiple cyberspaces 22, can exchange simulation results between the cyberspaces 22 and update the simulation results in each cyberspace 22.

[0090] <Object Modification Processing> The multi-digital twin server device 100 described above may receive information indicating accidents such as communication interruptions and equipment shutdowns virtually in the multi-cyber space 10 via the input unit 102 based on user instructions from the terminal device 400, and the multi-analysis unit 124 may perform processing to simulate the operation of the first physical space 20-1 and the second physical space 20-2 in the multi-cyber space 10 during an accident. For example, the multi-digital twin server device 100 can simulate the power flowing through each part of the power system when power generation equipment and power transmission and distribution equipment are stopped in the multi-cyber space 10, update the information in the multi-cyber space 10, and display the multi-cyber space 10.

[0091] The present disclosure may also be in the following embodiments: (1) One embodiment of the present disclosure is a digital twin system for constructing a cyberspace of a digital twin, comprising: an object construction unit that constructs a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; an analysis unit that performs a simulation based on an additional object to be added to the network and the attribute information of the additional object; and an output unit that outputs the cyberspace based on the simulation results by the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit connects the connecting object to the additional object according to the positional relationship between the connecting object and the additional object, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information. (2) Another embodiment of the present disclosure is the digital twin system described in (1), wherein the object construction unit constructs a power network in the cyberspace in which objects representing power-related equipment and connecting objects representing power lines are set, and the analysis unit connects the additional equipment to the power lines according to the positional relationship between the power lines and the additional equipment to be added. (3) Another embodiment of this disclosure is the digital twin system described in (2), comprising an input unit that acquires supply and demand data from a storage device, wherein the analysis unit sets the power supply from an object representing a power generator or an object representing a battery, and sets the power demand to an object representing a load or an object representing a battery, based on the supply and demand data, for the power network to which the additional object is connected, and performs a simulation. (4) Another embodiment of this disclosure is the digital twin system described in (1), comprising an input unit that accepts whether the connection object is connected to the additional object in series or in parallel, wherein the analysis unit connects the connection object to the additional object based on the connection type.(5) Another embodiment of this disclosure is the digital twin system described in (1), comprising an input unit that accepts a range in cyberspace to which the additional object can be connected, the analysis unit extracts a plurality of position candidates for connecting the connected object and the additional object within the range, performs a simulation based on the attribute information for each of the position candidates to determine the position candidate, and the output unit outputs the cyberspace based on the determined position candidate. (6) Another embodiment of this disclosure is the digital twin system described in (1), comprising an output unit that transmits a first simulation result of a network to which the additional object is connected in a first cyberspace to a second cyberspace, and an input unit that acquires a second simulation result in the second cyberspace based on the first simulation result, the analysis unit performs a further third simulation in the first cyberspace based on the second simulation result. (7) Another embodiment of this disclosure is a method for constructing a digital twin cyberspace, comprising the steps of: constructing a network in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set in the cyberspace; performing a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and attribute information of the additional objects; and outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results, wherein the method connects the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information.(8) Another embodiment of this disclosure is a program that causes a computer to construct a cyberspace of a digital twin to perform the steps of constructing a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; performing a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and attribute information of the additional objects; and outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results, and causes the computer to connect the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and to perform a simulation based on the attribute information.

[0092] Alternatively, the multi-digital twin server device 100 and the digital twin server device 200 shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be realized by recording a program for realizing the functions of the multi-digital twin server device 100 and the digital twin server device 200 on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as the operating system and peripheral devices.

[0093] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Moreover, "computer-readable recording media" also includes devices that dynamically hold programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, and devices that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside computer systems that act as servers or clients in such cases. In addition, the above-mentioned programs may be for the purpose of realizing some of the functions described above, and may also be able to realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system.

[0094] Although various embodiments and modifications have been described, these are merely examples and are not limited to these. For example, one embodiment or modification, or a part of one embodiment or modification, may be combined with one or more other embodiments or modifications to realize one aspect of the present invention. The digital twin system 1 of the above-described embodiment was described as a power system, but is not limited to this and can also be applied to infrastructure systems such as water supply systems and gas systems, and FA (Factory Automation) systems. When applied to a water supply system, the multiple objects in the digital twin system 1 are water distribution plants, water purification facilities, flow meters, valves, etc., and the connection objects are water supply pipes, etc. When applied to a gas system, the multiple objects in the digital twin system 1 are gas supply sources, pressure regulators, valves, etc., and the connection objects are gas supply pipes, etc. When applied to an FA system, the multiple objects in the digital twin system 1 are equipment such as processing machines, assembly machines, sensors, etc., and the connection objects are conveyors, etc.

[0095] 1 Digital Twin System 10 Multi-Cyberspace 10-1 First Cyberspace 10-2 Second Cyberspace 20 Physical Space 20-1 First Physical Space 20-2 Second Physical Space 22 Cyberspace 22-1 First Cyberspace 22-2 Second Cyberspace 100 Multi-Digital Twin Server Device 102 Input Unit 104 Output Unit 106 Control Unit 108 Storage Unit 110 Multi-Setting Unit 112 Connection Setting Unit 114 Multi-Space Construction Unit 116 Object Construction Unit 118 Equipment Management Unit 120 Information Acquisition Unit 122 Information Update Unit 124 Multi-Analysis Unit 126 Power Management Unit 128 Billing Unit 130 Multi-Setting Storage Unit 132 Multi-Space Storage Unit 134 Object Storage Unit 136 Equipment Information Storage Unit 138 History Storage Unit 200 Digital twin server device 200-1 First digital twin server device 200-2 Second digital twin server device 202 Input unit 204 Output unit 206 Control unit 208 Storage unit 210 Setting unit 212 Spatial construction unit 214 Object construction unit 216 Device management unit 218 Information acquisition unit 220 Information update unit 222 Analysis unit 224 Feedback unit 226 Display control unit 230 Setting storage unit 232 Spatial storage unit 234 Object storage unit 236 Device information storage unit 238 History storage unit 300 IoT devices 400, 402 Terminal devices

Claims

1. A digital twin system for constructing a cyberspace of a digital twin, comprising: an object construction unit for constructing a network in the cyberspace in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set; an analysis unit for performing a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and attribute information of the additional objects; and a first output unit for outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results by the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit connects the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information.

2. The digital twin system according to claim 1, comprising: an input unit that accepts a range in cyberspace to which the additional object can be connected; an analysis unit that extracts a plurality of position candidates for connecting the connected object and the additional object within the range, performs a simulation based on the attribute information for each of the position candidates to determine the position candidate; and a first output unit that outputs the cyberspace based on the determined position candidate.

3. The digital twin system according to claim 1, wherein the object construction unit constructs a power network in cyberspace in which objects representing power-related equipment and connection objects representing power lines are set, and the analysis unit connects the additional equipment to the power lines according to the positional relationship between the power lines and the additional equipment to be added.

4. A digital twin system according to claim 3, comprising an input unit for acquiring supply and demand data from a storage device, wherein the analysis unit sets the power supply from an object representing a power generation device or an object representing a storage battery, and sets the power demand to an object representing a load or an object representing a storage battery, based on the supply and demand data, for the power network to which the additional object is connected, and performs a simulation.

5. The digital twin system according to claim 1, comprising an input unit that accepts a connection type, which is whether to connect the connected object to the additional object in series or in parallel, and the analysis unit connects the connected object to the additional object based on the connection type.

6. The digital twin system according to claim 1, comprising: a second output unit that transmits a first simulation result of a network to which the additional objects are connected in a first cyberspace to a second cyberspace; and an input unit that acquires a second simulation result in the second cyberspace based on the first simulation result, wherein the analysis unit performs a further third simulation in the first cyberspace based on the second simulation result.

7. A method for constructing a digital twin cyberspace, comprising the steps of: constructing a network in which a plurality of objects and connecting objects that connect the plurality of objects are set in the cyberspace; performing a simulation based on an additional object to be added to the network and the attribute information of the additional object; and outputting the cyberspace based on the simulation results, wherein the method connects the connecting object to the additional object according to the positional relationship between the connecting object and the additional object, and performs a simulation based on the attribute information.

8. A program that causes a computer to construct a digital twin cyberspace to perform the following steps: construct a network in the cyberspace in which multiple objects and connecting objects that connect multiple objects are set; perform a simulation based on additional objects to be added to the network and the attribute information of the additional objects; and output the cyberspace based on the simulation results; and causes the computer to connect the connecting objects to the additional objects according to the positional relationship between the connecting objects and the additional objects, and to perform a simulation based on the attribute information.

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