Water Balance Information Processing Via Inverse Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately acquire information on water balance in target areas due to difficulties in measuring or obtaining undisclosed parameters, necessitating a more effective approach for parameter determination.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method utilizing inverse problem analysis with a water circulation model to estimate water balance items and parameters, including groundwater inflow and pumping amounts, by integrating known and estimated values to determine evaluation conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional water circulation models are used to manage water resources, then water balance information can be obtained, but undisclosed or difficult-to-measure parameters cannot be accurately determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater balance informationVSAvoidparameter values

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inverse problem analysis to determine unknown parameters. Instead of using conventional forward modeling where parameters are input to predict water balance, the invention inverts the approach by using observed water balance data to estimate unknown parameters such as groundwater inflow and pumping amounts. This inversion allows determination of parameters that would otherwise be undisclosed or difficult to measure directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an iterative feedback mechanism where initial parameter estimates are used to calculate water balance, the calculated values are compared with observed data, and parameter estimates are refined based on the comparison. This feedback loop continues until convergence, enabling accurate determination of unknown parameters through repeated adjustment based on observed versus calculated discrepancies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If trial and error methods are used to determine parameters as described in Patent Document 2, then parameter values can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and lacks systematic accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter valuesVSAvoidparameter determination time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary preparation by collecting all necessary observed data (groundwater levels, pumping amounts, precipitation, evaporation) and setting up the water circulation model structure before initiating parameter estimation. This preliminary action organizes the problem systematically, allowing the inverse analysis to proceed efficiently without ad hoc trial and error adjustments during the actual parameter determination process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses systematic feedback through iterative optimization algorithms that automatically adjust parameters based on the difference between calculated and observed water balance data. This feedback mechanism replaces manual trial and error with an automated, convergent process that systematically narrows down parameter values to accurate estimates, reducing both time and subjectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If direct measurement of all water circulation parameters is attempted, then accurate parameter values could be obtained, but measurement difficulties and undisclosed information make this impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter valuesVSAvoidparameter measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses easily measurable parameters (groundwater levels, pumping amounts, precipitation, evaporation) as intermediaries to indirectly determine difficult-to-measure parameters (groundwater inflow, recharge amounts). Instead of directly measuring underground flow processes that are inaccessible, the invention uses these as mediator variables in the water balance equation to infer the unknown parameters through mathematical relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not trying to directly measure difficult parameters, but rather using observed easy-to-measure parameters and water balance relationships to calculate the difficult parameters. This inversion transforms an intractable measurement problem into a solvable estimation problem using available data and mathematical modeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20250328710A1Information processing apparatus, water balance information acquiring method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SUNTORY HLDG LTD

AI summary

There has been a demand for a method for acquiring information on the water balance in a target area. An information processing apparatus 1 includes: a model acquiring unit 141 that acquires a water circulation model related to two or more parameters regarding water circulation, the model being configured to correspond to a target area; a known information acquiring unit 143 that acquires a value of at least one parameter out of the parameters regarding the water circulation obtained for the target area; and an estimated value acquiring unit 151 that acquires estimated values of one or more water balance items related to the water circulation model by performing inverse problem analysis using the water circulation model and the value acquired by the known information acquiring unit 143. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire information on the water balance in the target area.