Industrial Digital Avatar Templates for Asset-Specific Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Domain experts and modeling experts face challenges in developing software for creating unique and replicable implementation models for complex industrial systems and processes in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) due to increasing system and data complexities, requiring a user-friendly platform that separates programming tasks from model building and implementation.

Innovation Solution

A digital avatar platform that allows for the creation of digital representations of industrial assets using avatar templates, simulation models, and data workflows, enabling domain experts to focus on model principles and physical processes while software developers handle programming aspects, with user interfaces for model uploading, template definition, simulation management, and data workflow configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If domain experts and modeling experts develop software for creating unique and replicable implementation models for complex industrial systems, then the models can accurately represent industrial assets, but the development complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidsoftware development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform segments the model development process into distinct modular components: asset templates define structural frameworks, while implementation models contain specific domain logic. This segmentation allows experts to work with standardized templates rather than building from scratch, reducing complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses avatar templates as reusable copies that can be instantiated multiple times for different industrial assets. Once a template is created with proper structure and relationships, it can be copied and adapted for numerous assets, eliminating the need to develop unique models for each asset while ensuring consistency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If domain experts and modeling experts manually create custom software for each industrial asset, then the models can be tailored to specific assets, but the time and resources required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveasset-specific customizationVSAvoidmodel development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The platform performs preliminary actions by pre-defining asset templates with common structures, relationships, and configurations that apply to multiple assets. This advance preparation eliminates the need to recreate fundamental model elements for each new asset, significantly reducing development time while preserving the ability to customize specific asset instances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Avatar templates are designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of representing different types of industrial assets through configuration rather than custom code. A single template framework can serve multiple asset types by adjusting parameters and data associations, maintaining adaptability without requiring separate software development for each asset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the platform provides extensive programming capabilities for model development, then developers can create highly customized models, but the ease of operation decreases for domain experts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel customization capabilityVSAvoidplatform usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The platform extracts complex programming tasks from the domain expert's workflow and handles them separately through automated processes and pre-built templates. Domain experts interact with high-level configuration interfaces rather than low-level code, while the system automatically generates the necessary implementation details, maintaining customization capability without requiring programming expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The avatar template serves as an intermediary layer between domain experts and the underlying complex model structures. Experts configure assets through intuitive template-based interfaces, and the system mediates by translating these high-level configurations into detailed implementation models, preserving customization while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240280977A1Digital avatar platform framework and architecture
Publication Date: 2024.08.22 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP
  • US20240280977A1 patent drawing
  • US20240280977A1 patent drawing
  • US20240280977A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A platform and method are provided for implementing a digital representation of a particular industrial asset, which includes at least one model, an avatar template that refers to or incorporates the at least one model or part thereof, and an avatar corresponding to the particular industrial asset. The avatar is created from the avatar template and refers to or incorporates the avatar template or part thereof. A simulation refers to or incorporates the avatar or part thereof. Execution of the simulation uses the at least one model of the avatar template referenced or incorporated by the avatar along with operational data corresponding to the particular industrial asset to generate a digital representation of the particular industrial asset that is customized for the particular industrial asset due to changes in characteristics of the particular industrial asset over time.