WO2018172808A1

WO2018172808A1 - Method and system for simulating an industrial system

Info

Publication number: WO2018172808A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/000359
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victor VAINSHTAIN; Ralf TOBEL; David Michaeli
Original assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc
Current assignee: Siemens Industry Software Inc
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-24

Abstract

Systems and a method for simulating an industrial system comprising main and side processes; where side objects result from the processing of the main processes. Main simulation components and side simulation components are provided. A virtual object layer comprising a virtual main object and a virtual side object representing the real objects processed by main and side processes respectively are defined. Virtual objects communicate with each other via object interface modules. The virtual objects have a component interface module for communication with a simulation component. A side controller is defined for grouping side simulation components into a functional group. The industrial system is simulated by putting in communication a simulation component and a side simulation component through the virtual object layer and by putting in communication a side controller with a simulation component.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING AN INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed, in general, to computer-aided design, visualization, and manufacturing ("CAD") systems, product lifecycle management ("PLM") systems, product data management ("PDM") systems, and similar systems, that manage data for products and other items (collectively, "Product Data Management" systems or PDM systems). More specifically, the disclosure is directed to production environment simulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Industrial manufacturing processes produce a desired product and also generate "side results" such as, for example, heat and industrial waste. Industrial side processes are often times required for dealing with, the industrial side results. Examples of side processes include but are not limited to: dealing with dissipated heat, removing waste, removing harmful emissions, and more generally, addressing side effects of production processes.

[0003] For example, the heat generated by the main industrial processes may need to be removed from the working area through cooling techniques, e.g. air cooling techniques or other types of cooling techniques. Some cooling techniques may involve hierarchical processes, e.g. a local cooling by using a coolant and a cooling of this coolant by using a cooling tower.

[0004] Unfortunately, the energy consumption of such "side" processes might be very significant and it may well exceed the energy consumption of the "main" manufacturing processes. [0005] Unfortunately, state of the art techniques for simulating industrial systems comprising main processes and side processes are not satisfactory.

[0006] Some existing techniques require generating multiple complex models simulating each specific process, performing all simulations, and then manually aligning the obtained results.

[0007] Some other existing techniques require workarounds by generating a plurality of simulation models where the results do not provide accurate values but rather averaged ones, due to the different time diagrams of the involved simulated processes.

[0008] Some other existing techniques rely on a plurality of nested simulation engines but their management is rigid and complex.

[0009] Hence, existing techniques for designing such simulation models are complex and require several assumptions and approximations. Therefore, improved techniques are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0010] Various disclosed embodiments include methods and corresponding systems and computer readable mediums for simulating an industrial system comprising a set of main processes and a set of side processes for processing side objects resulting from the processing of the main process set. A method includes providing a set of main simulation components for simulating the main process set and a set of side simulation components to simulate the side process set. The method includes defining a virtual object layer comprising at least a virtual main object and at least a virtual side object. Virtual objects communicate with each other through an object interface module. The virtual main object represents the real main object as processed by the corresponding main process set. The virtual side object represents the real side object as processed by the corresponding side process set. The classes of said virtual objects are defined in a library. The virtual objects have a component interface module for communication with a corresponding simulation component. The method includes defining at least one side controller for grouping a plurality of side simulation components into a functional group for simulating a same functional side process. The method includes simulating said industrial system by putting in communication at least one main simulation component and at least one side simulation component through the virtual object layer and by putting in communication the at least one side controller with at least one side simulation component.

[0011] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0012] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, whether such a device is implemented in hardware, firmware, software or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers designate like objects, and in which:

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a data processing system in which an embodiment can be implemented;

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual main object in accordance with disclosed example embodiments;

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual side object in accordance with disclosed example embodiments;

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual object layer in accordance with disclosed example embodiments;

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram structure of a side controller in accordance with disclosed example embodiments;

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example of simulation system in accordance with disclosed example embodiments. [0020] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of a process for simulating an industrial system in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIGURES 1 through 7, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged device. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0022] Previous techniques for simulating an industrial system with side processes provide non exact results and are hard to customize in case of changes of the industrial system.

[0023] Moreover, the output information of the previous simulation techniques is usually specific for the given facility and thus not reusable in a flexible manner.

[0024] Embodiments enable designing a simulation system which accurately mirrors the hierarchy of the real industrial systems with respect to main and side processes. Simulation components of a main producing processes and of a plurality of side processes are integrated together in a unified simulation model where side process components are independent - or at least weakly synchronized - from the main process components but where data exchange is enabled. Hence, it is possible to define a simulation system having independent simulation channels for the main processes and for the side processes with programmable side controllers. [0025] Embodiments enable combining a set of stochastic simulation models of side processes with a stochastic model of a main production process allowing data exchange while keeping weak associations. Hence, with embodiments, it is possible to simulate an industrial system in a comprehensive manner providing concurrent stochastic simulations for analyzing a plurality of aspects of an industrial system.

[0026] Embodiments enable designing a customizable simulation of an industrial system, due to the flexible and modular structure of the simulation system and due to the versatility of the side controllers. Hence, in embodiments, side process modules may advantageously be reused.

[0027] Embodiments enable the reutilization of classes of virtual main objects and virtual side objects defined in the corresponding libraries.

[0028] Embodiments reduce efforts in developing a simulation system.

[0029] Embodiments enable extending the applicability range of industrial simulation systems into industrial fields where side processes play a key role.

[0030] Embodiments enable data processing and exchange in an arbitrary phase of the simulation.

[0031] Embodiments enable the modification of parameters of side processes in a dynamic manner, also during execution time.

[0032] Embodiments enable runtime control of simulation model according to the results of the main and side simulation channels.

[0033] Embodiments enable exchanging data with external storage and/or big data information to increase the accuracy of the simulation results.

[0034] Embodiments enable the determination of the critical parameters for process optimizations. [0035] Embodiments enable the accurate estimation of ecological impacts of industrial systems. Advantageously, reports on ecological and society impacts per production unit can be generated and re-utilized.

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a data processing system 100 in which an embodiment can be implemented, for example as a PDM system particularly configured by software or otherwise to perform the processes as described herein, and in particular as each one of a plurality of interconnected and communicating systems as described herein. The data processing system 100 illustrated can include a processor 102 connected to a level two cache/bridge 104, which is connected in turn to a local system bus 106. Local system bus 106 may be, for example, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) architecture bus. Also connected to local system bus in the illustrated example are a main memory 108 and a graphics adapter 110. The graphics adapter 110 may be connected to display 111.

[0037] Other peripherals, such as local area network (LAN) / Wide Area Network / Wireless (e.g. WiFi) adapter 1 12, may also be connected to local system bus 106.

Expansion bus interface 1 14 connects local system bus 106 to input/output (I/O) bus 116. I/O bus 1 16 is connected to keyboard/mouse adapter 118, disk controller 120, and I/O adapter 122. Disk controller 120 can be connected to a storage 126, which can be any suitable machine usable or machine readable storage medium, including but not limited to nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic tape storage, and user-recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs), and other known optical, electrical, or magnetic storage devices.

[0038] Also connected to I/O bus 116 in the example shown is audio adapter 124, to which speakers (not shown) may be connected for playing sounds. Keyboard/mouse adapter 118 provides a connection for a pointing device (not shown), such as a mouse, trackball, trackpointer, touchscreen, etc.

[0039] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware illustrated in Figure 1 may vary for particular implementations. For example, other peripheral devices, such as an optical disk drive and the like, also may be used in addition or in place of the hardware illustrated. The illustrated example is provided for the purpose of explanation only and is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present disclosure.

[0040] A data processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include an operating system employing a graphical user interface. The operating system permits multiple display windows to be presented in the graphical user interface simultaneously, with each display window providing an interface to a different application or to a different instance of the same application. A cursor in the graphical user interface may be manipulated by a user through the pointing device. The position of the cursor may be changed and/or an event, such as clicking a mouse button, generated to actuate a desired response. [0041] One of various commercial operating systems, such as a version of Microsoft

Windows™, a product of Microsoft Corporation located in Redmond, Wash, may be employed if suitably modified. The operating system is modified or created in accordance with the present disclosure as described. [0042] LAN/ WAN/Wireless adapter 1 12 can be connected to a network 130 (not a part of data processing system 100), which can be any public or private data processing system network or combination of networks, as known to those of skill in the art, including the Internet. Data processing system 100 can communicate over network 130 with server system 140, which is also not part of data processing system 100, but can be implemented, for example, as a separate data processing system 100. [0043] One or more of the processor 102, the memory 108, and the program running on the processor 102 receive the inputs via one or more of the local system bus 106, the adapter 1 12, the network 130, the server 140, the interface 114, the I/O bus 116, the disk controller 120, the storage 126, and so on. Receiving, as used herein, can include retrieving from storage 126, receiving from another device or process, receiving via an interaction with a user, or otherwise.

[0044] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual main object ("VMO") 202 in accordance with disclosed example embodiments. As shown in Figure 2, the virtual main object 202 interacts with a sequence of N simulation stations 201, where a simulation station is an example of a main simulation component ("MSQ"). A main simulation component 201 is a component simulating one of more main processes, for example machining or testing.

[0045] Examples of simulation components include, but are not limited to, simulation engines, stochastic and non-stochastic simulation engines, simulation cells, simulation stations, simulation modules. A Simulation system comprises connected simulation components intended for the comprehensive simulation of a real industrial system.

[0046] A simulation station 201 may, for example, be a mathematical model of a machining tool. The simulation stations 201 are working on the virtual main object 202. The virtual main object 202 is a virtual representation of the real production object going through the real main production processes.- The virtual main object is modeled via its processing by the main simulation components 201. The virtual main object may have properties, input and output data. Examples of virtual main objects 202 include, but are not limited, to workpieces, parts to be machined by a machining tool or assembled.

[0047] The virtual main object 202 is moving through the simulation stations 201 in accordance with the simulation flow ("SF") 203. The simulation flow 203 shows that the virtual main object 202 moves along the processing of the main simulation channel represented by the operations of the simulation stations 201. The virtual main object 202 may derive from classes defined in a simulation object library, e.g. comprising classes as workpieces, parts, assemblies, partial assemblies and the like. The simulation object library may be a standard simulation library delivered with a simulation application, or it may be a user defined library.

[0048] The virtual main object 202 comprises an executive module 204 and an interface module 205 interfacing with an interface module 203 of a main simulation component 201 having an interface module ("IM") 223 and an executive module ("EXM") 224. The executive module 204 of the virtual main object 202 is a mathematical representation of the real object, e.g. of the part or of the workpiece, and the interface module 205 provides a dynamic connection with at least one main simulation component 201 in accordance with the simulation flow 203. Such interface module is hereafter referred as component interface module ("CIM") 205. The component interface module 205 enables information exchange, including data retrieval and setting, between the virtual main object 202 and the main simulation components 201 through data exchange connections 211-216.

[0049] The exchanged information data may include one or more of the following:

- data on global attribute parameters exchanged through connections 21 1, 212;

- data on internal global parameters exchanged through connections 213, 214; and/or,

- data on encapsulated parameters exchanged through connections 215, 216.

[0050] An attribute controller ("AC") 221 exchanges, translates, and/or interprets global attribute data parameters of the virtual main object 202 exchanged through connections 211, 212. Examples of such global attribute data include properties like the part color modifiable by a painting operation in the simulation station 201.

[0051] The data on internal global parameters is exchanged directly through connections 213, 214. Examples of such internal global value data which are the public properties of the virtual main object 202 including general information such as serial number of part, status, production date. [0052] An internal program module ("IPM") 222 is an indirect data controller managing the private data exchanged through connections 215, 216. Such private data are specific parameters of the virtual main object 202 which may be constrained as, for example, temperature, pressure, and acceleration. This private data can be obtained indirectly only as result of additional specific processing. An example is the setting of input voltage which is converted to specific object internal parameters such as heat or internal electromotor rotational speed. The private data is processed and managed by the executive module 204 of this virtual main object 202 because it is preferably encapsulated data. In fact, the internal program module 222 allows working with the object private data so that the input information cannot directly impact the internal object state, according to the encapsulation principle. For example, the internal program module 222 may check the input compliance to predefined restrictions, e.g. any attempt to set a voltage, temperature, or pressure out of its permissible range. In addition, the internal program module 222 may orchestrate internal processes of the virtual main object 202. The data that can be exchanged through the internal data controller 222 may for example be input voltage. In case the value of this voltage is converted to internal magnet momentum of force, such momentum of force is not depending only from the input voltage, but also from the magnet construction and therefore the momentum cannot be defined directly from the input.

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual side object 302 in accordance with disclosed example embodiments. In the shown example embodiment, the virtual side object 302 interacts with simulation stations of main simulation components 301.

[0054] The virtual side object ("VSO") 302 represents the real side object deriving from the main real processes and its behavior takes also into account the processing of the corresponding side processes. The virtual side object 302 is moving through the simulation stations 301 in accordance with the simulation flow 303. Classes of virtual side objects 302 are defined in a newly defined side process library containing the basic side process classes, e.g. solid waste, gas portion, heat portion, and other types of side results.

[0055] The virtual side object 302 comprises two different types of interface modules 305, 306. The first interface module 305, called component interface module, connects to a simulation component 301 and the second interface module 306, called object interface module, connects to a corresponding virtual main object or an aggregate of some other virtual side objects (as shown in Figure 4).

[0056] The virtual side object 302 comprises the same modules as a virtual main object component interface module with connections 21 1-216 for connecting to main or side simulation components. In addition, to the component interface module 305, the virtual side object is provided with the object interface module ("OIM") 306 with other data connections 31 1-316 intended to connect and exchange data with other objects, such as virtual main objects, other virtual side objects, side controllers, and external modules (as shown in Figure 6).

[0057] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a virtual object layer 400 in accordance with disclosed example embodiments.

[0058] The virtual object layer ("VOL") 400 shown in Figure 4 comprises an aggregation of one virtual main object 40 and a first and a second virtual side objects 41, 42 with their corresponding executive modules. For example, a cooling device of a workpiece used for the mechanical process of such a workpiece is simulated. The virtual main object 40 represents the workpiece, and the first virtual side object 41 represents the cooling device delivering a coolant to the workpiece. The second virtual side object 42 reads data from the first virtual side object 41 and exchanges such information with the corresponding side process component (not shown). Both virtual side objects 41,42 interpret the information via their executive modules. [0059] The virtual object layer 400 is a dynamic process holder modeling the simulation flow aggregating all the virtual main objects and all the virtual side objects of the simulation system, thus advantageously harmonizing the data format of the exchanged data with the simulation components of the main process simulation channel ("MPSC") 43 and on the side process simulation channel ("SPSC") 44.

[0060] Advantageously, the executive module, the component interface module, the object interface module of the virtual side objects may be customized and even replaced in accordance to the desired functionality, due to interfaces which are customizable and compatible with each other so as to obtain a modular and flexible simulation system.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram structure of a side controller 500 in accordance with disclosed example embodiments.

[0062] In embodiments, the side controller 500 may comprise one or more of the following modules: a shared memory module ("SMM") 501, a computation module ("CPTM") 505, data exchange controller ("DEC") 506, a control program module ("CPM") 507 and an interpreter module ("INTM") 508.

[0063] The shared memory module 501 comprises a memory manager ("MM") 502 and two data section modules 503, 504, one attribute data section ("ADS") module 503 and one object data section ("ODS") module 504. The shared memory module 501 is intended for keeping and distributing the modeling data. The role of the shared memory module 501 is to buffer the information and distribute it in accordance with internal and external requests. In such a manner, the side process simulation components are advantageously not rigidly synchronized with each other and with the main process simulation components.

[0064] Tasks of the computational module 505 include computing data, reporting, creating queries, and/or computing data from storage. The controller of data exchange module 506 is working with external data storages and computing systems for data analysis and forecasts, e.g. for forecasting ecological impacts of industrial waste. It evaluates specific properties and attributes of objects, where such attribute may be permanent or current for the configuration. In addition, on the controller of data exchange, it is realized exchange of data with external data storages and computing systems. The external connection of the controller of data exchange module 506 goes to external modules (not shown) such a database or big data drivers thus allowing extended reporting possibilities.

[0065] The control program module 507 supports the side controller functionality as part of a simulation system.

[0066] The collected data are interpreted, controlled, and computed by an interpreter module 508, the control program module 507, and the computational module 505 respectively. Such modules 505, 507, 508 are programmable and their functionality can be flexibly modified even during simulation, e.g in case of a cooling machine malfunctioning which needs to be replaced.

[0067] The structure of the side controller 500 is modular in that it consists of independent modules interconnected with each other according to the needed functionality.

[0068] In general, the reprogrammable capability of side controllers enables the customization of the simulation system even during simulation time.

[0069] The side controller 500 groups a plurality of virtual side objects into one or more functional groups where each functional group simulates the same industrial process, e.g. air conditioning, waste management. A simulation system may comprise one or more side controllers 500 in accordance with the specifications of the real industrial processes to be simulated. Advantageously, it is possible to analyze specific parameter contributions of side processes and to find the effective way for process optimization with minimal costs.

[0070] Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of simulation system in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

[0071] On the upper part is shown a main process simulation channel comprising a plurality of main simulation components 601. On the lower part is shown a side process simulation channel comprising a plurality of side simulation components ("SSC_j") 621, 622.

[0072] Virtual main objects and virtual side objects of the virtual object layer 603 follow the simulation flow ("SF") 604 and exchange data with the simulation components 601, 621, 622 via corresponding data interfaces. The connections of the M side simulation components 621, 622 to the three side controllers ("SCTR_k") 611, 612, 613 are defined to mirror the functionality of the real industrial system. For example, the first side controller 611 processes data from the first side process component 621 and outputs it to the third side controller 613 which in turn, after processing, outputs it to report and analyzing instruments. The role of the second side controller 613 is to analyze data from the 1^st side process component 621, from the ^h side process component, from/to external data, and to output it to the third side controller 613.

[0073] In some industrial scenarios, the virtual object layer 603 may be seen as a mobile structure, since it is moving through the simulation system from one simulation component to another simulation component 601, 621, 622 through the simulation flow 604 in a dynamic manner. Each time the virtual object layer 603 interacts with a simulation component, an interface of a virtual object is connected to an interface of a simulation component. The virtual main object and virtual side object interfaces are not the same, but instead are similar and compatible since they derive from a common parent. Advantageously, a virtual side object gets information from a virtual main object but it is also capable of exchanging data with a simulation component directly.

[0074] In some other industrial scenarios, where machines are permanently on duty and therefore constantly generating heat, not only during a machining operation, as for example a furnace in the steel or food industry, electronic testing equipment, the virtual side object is preferably connected directly to a simulation component in a static manner. Thus permanent on duty machines are simulated with simulation components where virtual side objects are statically connected directly to them, in order to permanently get the corresponding heat generation parameters.

[0075] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart 700 of a method for simulating an industrial system in accordance with disclosed embodiments. Such a method can be performed, for example, by system 100 of Figure 1 described above, but the "system" in the process below can be any apparatus configured to perform a process as described. The industrial system comprises a set of main processes and a set of side processes for processing side objects resulting from the processing of the main process set.

[0076] At act 705, a set of main simulation components is provided for simulating the main process set, and a set of side simulation components is provided for simulating the side process set.

[0077] At act 710, a virtual object layer comprising at least a virtual main object and at least a virtual side object in communication with each other through an object interface module are defined. The virtual main object represents the real main object as processed by the corresponding main process set, and the virtual side object represents the real side object as processed by the corresponding side process set. The classes of the virtual objects are defined in a library. The virtual objects have a component interface module for communication with a corresponding simulation component which may be a main simulation component or a side simulation component. In embodiments, the information exchanged via the object interface module comprises global attribute parameters, internal global parameters, and/or encapsulated parameters. In embodiments, the information exchanged between virtual objects, main or side ones, and simulation components via the component interface module comprises global attribute parameters, internal global parameters, and/or encapsulated parameters.

[0078] At act 715, at least one side controller for grouping a plurality of side simulation components into a functional group for simulating the functional side process is defined. In embodiments, the side controller comprises a shared memory module, an interpreter module, a computation module, a controller of data exchange, and/or a control program module.

[0079] At act 720, the industrial system is simulated by putting in communication at least one main simulation component and at least one side simulation component through the virtual object layer and by putting in communication the at least one side controller with at least one side simulation component.

[0080] In embodiments, at least one simulation component, main or side one, comprises a stochastic-based simulation engine.

[0081] Of course, those of skill in the art will recognize that, unless specifically indicated or required by the sequence of operations, certain steps in the processes described above may be omitted, performed concurrently or sequentially, or performed in a different order.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for simplicity and clarity, the full structure and operation of all data processing systems suitable for use with the present disclosure is not being illustrated or described herein. Instead, only so much of a data processing system as is unique to the present disclosure or necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure is illustrated and described. The remainder of the construction and operation of data processing system 100 may conform to any of the various current implementations and practices known in the art. [0083] It is important to note that while the disclosure includes a description in the context of a fully functional system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least portions of the mechanism of the present disclosure are capable of being distributed in the form of instructions contained within a machine-usable, computer-usable, or computer- readable medium in any of a variety of forms, and that the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of instruction or signal bearing medium or storage medium utilized to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of machine usable/readable or computer usable/readable mediums include: nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically

programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), and user-recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk read only memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs).

[0084] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0085] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for simulating an industrial system, wherein said industrial system comprises a set of main processes and a set of side processes for processing side objects resulting from the processing of the main process set, the method executed by a data processing system comprising the following steps:

a) providing (705) a set of main simulation components (201, 601) for simulating the main process set and a set of side simulation components (621, 622) for simulating the side process set;

b) defining (710) a virtual object layer (400, 603) comprising at least a virtual main object (202) and at least a virtual side object (302) in communication with each other through an object interface module (306); wherein said virtual main object (202) represents the real main object as processed by the corresponding main process set and said virtual side object (302) represents the real side object as processed by the corresponding side process set; wherein the classes of said virtual objects (202, 302) are defined in a library; and wherein said virtual objects have a component interface module (305) for communication with a corresponding simulation component (201, 601, 621, 622);

c) defining (715) at least one side controller (611, 612, 613) for grouping a plurality of side simulation components (621 , 622) into a functional group for simulating a same functional side process;

d) simulating (720) said industrial system by putting in communication at least one main simulation component (602) and at least one side simulation component (621) through the virtual object layer (603) and by putting in communication the at least one side controller (611) with at least one side simulation component (621, 622).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object interface module (306) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302), information selected from the group consisting of:

- global attribute parameters (311, 312);

- internal global parameters (313, 314);

- encapsulated parameters (315, 316).

3. The method of any of the previous claims, wherein the component interface module (305) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302) and simulation components (201, 601, 621,622), information selected from the group consisting of:

global attribute parameter (21 1, 212);

internal global parameters (213, 214);

encapsulated parameters (215, 216).

4. The method of any of the previous claims, wherein the side controller (500) comprises at least one module selected from the group consisting of:

- shared memory module (501);

- interpreter module (508);

- computational module (505);

- controller of data exchange (506);

- control program module (507).

5. The method of any of the previous claims, wherein at least one simulation component (201, 601, 621, 622) comprises a stochastic-based simulation engine.

6. A data processing system comprising:

a processor; and

an accessible memory, the data processing system particularly configured to:

a) provide (705) a set of main simulation components (201, 601) for simulating the main process set and a set of side simulation components (621, 622) for simulating the side process set;

b) define (710) a virtual object layer (400, 603) comprising at least a virtual main object (202) and at least a virtual side object (302) in communication with each other through an object interface module (306); wherein said virtual main object (202) represents the real main object as processed by the corresponding main process set and said virtual side object (302) represents the real side object as processed by the corresponding side process set; wherein the classes of said virtual objects (202, 302) are defined in a library; and wherein said virtual objects have a component interface module (305) for communication with a corresponding simulation component (201, 601, 621, 622);

c) define (715) at least one side controller (61 1, 612, 613) for grouping a plurality of side simulation components (621, 622) into a functional group for simulating a same functional side process;

d) simulate (720) said industrial system by putting in communication at least one main simulation component (602) and at least one side simulation component (621) through the virtual object layer (603) and by putting in communication the at least one side controller (61 1) with at least one side simulation component (621, 622).

7. The data processing system of claim 6, wherein the object interface module (306) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302), information selected from the group consisting of:

- global attribute parameters (31 1, 312);

- internal global parameters (313, 314);

- encapsulated parameters (315, 316).

8. The data processing system of claims 6 or 7, wherein the component interface module (305) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302) and simulation components (201, 601, 621,622), information selected from the group consisting of:

- global attribute parameter (21 1, 212);

- internal global parameters (213, 214);

- encapsulated parameters (215, 216).

9. The data processing system of any of the claims between 6 and 8, wherein the side controller (500) comprises at least one module selected from the group consisting of:

- shared memory module (501);

- interpreter module (508);

- computational module (505);

- controller of data exchange (506);

- control program module (507).

10. The data processing system of any of the claims between 6 and 9, wherein at least one simulation component (201, 601, 621, 622) comprises a stochastic-based simulation engine.

1 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more data processing systems to:

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the object interface module (306) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302), information selected from the group consisting of:

- global attribute parameters (311, 312); - internal global parameters (313, 314);

- encapsulated parameters (315, 316).

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the component interface module (305) exchanges, between virtual objects (202, 302) and simulation components (201, 601, 621,622), information selected from the group consisting of:

global attribute parameter (21 1, 212);

internal global parameters (213, 214);

encapsulated parameters (215, 216).

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of the claims between 11 and 13, wherein the side controller (500) comprises at least one module selected from the group consisting of:

- shared memory module (501);

- interpreter module (508);

- computational module (505);

- controller of data exchange (506);

- control program module (507).

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of the claims between 11 and 14, wherein at least one simulation component (201, 601, 621, 622) comprises a stochastic-based simulation engine.