System and method for enterprise modeling, optimization and control

• US 6,934,931 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pavilion Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schweiger, Carl Anthony, Axelrud, Celso, Ferguson, Ralph Bruce II, Plumer, Edward Stanley, Johnson, William Douglas, Sayyar-Rodsari, Bijan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ingberg, Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nahar, Qamrun
• Application Number:
  US09/827,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 717/104, 717/105, 717/106, 717/108, 700/28, 700/31, 700/29
• US Class Current: 717/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A system and method for performing modeling, prediction, optimization, and control, including an enterprise wide framework for constructing modeling, optimization, and control solutions. The framework includes a plurality of base classes that may be used to create primitive software objects. These objects may then be combined to create optimization and/or control solutions. The distributed event-driven component architecture allows much greater flexibility and power in creating, deploying, and modifying modeling, optimization and control solutions. The system also includes various techniques for performing improved modeling, optimization, and control, as well as improved scheduling and control. For example, the system may include a combination of batch and continuous processing frameworks, and a unified hybrid modeling framework which allows encapsulation and composition of different model types, such as first principles models and empirical models. The system further includes an integrated process scheduling solution referred to as process coordinator that seamlessly incorporates the capabilities of advanced control and execution into a real time event triggered optimal scheduling solution.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a user to create a program for controlling a process, wherein the method operates in a system including a computer system which is coupled to the process, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of software classes for modeling, optimization, and deployment;

providing one or more management facilities for managing the plurality of software classes;

creating a plurality of software objects based on the plurality of software classes, wherein said creating the plurality of software objects comprises creating a dynamic process model object and creating a solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object comprise a first solution which controls a first process;

creating a model of the first solution;

creating a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model object, a second solver object, and the model of the first solution, wherein the second solution which operates to control a second process, wherein the second solution affects the first solution; and

constructing an optimization program which uses the plurality of software objects, wherein said constructing is performed in response to user input;

wherein the optimization program is useable in controlling the process;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the dynamic process model object and the solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object operate together to optimize the process; and

wherein the second solution uses the model of the first solution to determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of software classes include at least one of a modeling class, a simulation class, and an optimization class.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of software classes include at least two of a modeling class, a simulation class, and an optimization class.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of software classes further include two or more of:

a visualization class, a deployment class, an execution class, a configuration class, a communication class, a reporting class, a management class, an archiving class, a pre-processing class, and a post-processing class.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of software classes include a modeling class and an optimization class;

wherein said creating the plurality of software objects comprises creating a modeling object and an optimization object;

wherein said constructing the optimization program comprises constructing the optimization program using the modeling object and the optimization object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of software objects are instances of two or more of the plurality of software classes;

wherein the plurality of software objects comprise primitives that are useable in creating higher level programs.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

executing the optimization program, wherein said executing comprises executing the plurality of software objects to optimize the process.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said executing the optimization program further comprises:

the plurality of software objects communicating with each other using event triggered execution.

9. The method of claim 1,

wherein said constructing the optimization program comprises creating a decision engine, wherein the decision engine comprises an encapsulation of knowledge and decision making logic;

wherein the decision engine comprises two or more of a modeling object, a simulation object and an optimization object;

wherein the decision engine comprises a modular and portable component.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more management facilities comprise one or more of:

a global naming facility, a storage and retrieval facility, a cataloging and location facility, a project grouping facility, a deployment facility, a revision tracking facility, and a visualization management facility.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the optimization program is operable to perform optimization for two or more of:

continuous processes, batch processes and discrete processes.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the optimization program is operable to perform control functions for two or more of:

continuous processes, batch processes and discrete processes.

13. The method of claim 1,

wherein said creating a plurality of software objects includes creating a model software object that combines a first-principles model and an empirical model.

14. The method of claim 1,

wherein said creating a plurality of software objects includes creating a model software object that combines two or more of:

a first-principles model, an empirical model, and a procedural model.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a problem formulation object that describes a problem;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the problem formulation object;

wherein the solver object uses information from the problem formulation object in optimizing the process.

16. The method of claim 1,

wherein the dynamic process model object comprises one of a first principles model, a linear model, a non-linear model, or a hybrid model;

wherein the solver object comprises one of a nonlinear programming solver, a mixed integer nonlinear programming solver, or an evolutionary solver.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a pre-processing object;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the pre-processing object;

wherein the pre-processing object is operable to pre-process data prior to provision of the data to the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a post-processing object;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the post-processing object;

wherein the post-processing object is operable to post-process data received from one or more of the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the second solution using the model of the first solution to dynamically determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution; and

the second solution controlling the first solution based on a determination of how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating a user interface component for the optimization program; and

associating the user interface component with the optimization program.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the process comprises one of:

an enterprise, a manufacturing operation, or an e-commerce system.

22. A control system for controlling a process, wherein the control system comprises:

a computer system including a processor and a memory medium, wherein the computer system is operable to couple to the process;

a plurality of software classes for modeling, optimization, and deployment;

one or more management facilities for managing the plurality of software classes;

a plurality of software objects created in response to the plurality of software classes, wherein the plurality of software objects inherit functionality from one or more of the plurality of software classes, wherein the plurality of software objects comprises a dynamic process model object and a solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object comprise a first solution that controls a first process;

a model of the first solution;

a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model object, a second solver object, and the model of the first solution, wherein the second solution operates to control a second process, wherein the second solution affects the first solution; and

a control program created using the plurality of software objects;

wherein the control program is operable to control the process;

wherein the optimization program comprises the dynamic process model object and the solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object operate together to optimize the process; and

wherein the second solution uses the model of the first solution to determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

23. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software classes include at least two of a modeling class, a simulation class, and an optimization class.

24. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software classes further include two or more of:

a visualization class, a deployment class, an execution class, a configuration class, a communication class, a reporting class, a management class, an archiving class, a pre-processing class, and a post-processing class.

25. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software classes include a modeling class and an optimization class;

wherein the plurality of software objects comprise a modeling object and an optimization object;

wherein the control program comprises the modeling object and the optimization object.

26. The control system of claim 22, wherein, during execution of the control program, the plurality of software objects communicate with each other using event triggered execution.

27. The control system of claim 22,

wherein the control program comprises a decision engine, wherein the decision engine comprises an encapsulation of knowledge and decision making logic;

wherein the decision engine comprises two or more of a modeling object, a simulation object and an optimization object;

wherein the decision engine comprises a modular and portable component.

28. The control system of claim 22, wherein the control program is operable to perform control functions for two or more of:

continuous processes, batch processes and discrete processes.

29. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software objects further comprises a problem formulation object that describes a problem;

wherein the optimization program comprises the problem formulation object;

wherein the solver object uses information from the problem formulation object in optimizing the process.

30. The control system of claim 22,

wherein the dynamic process model object comprises one of a first principles model, a linear model, a non-linear model, or a hybrid model;

wherein the solver object comprises one of a nonlinear programming solver, a mixed integer nonlinear programming solver, or an evolutionary solver.

31. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software objects further comprises a pre-processing object;

wherein the optimization program comprises the pre-processing object;

wherein the pre-processing object is operable to pre-process data prior to provision of the data to the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

32. The control system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of software objects further comprises a post-processing object;

wherein the optimization program comprises the post-processing object;

wherein the post-processing object is operable to post-process data received from one or more of the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

33. The control system of claim 22,

wherein the second solution controls the first solution based on a determination of how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

34. The control system of claim 22, further comprising:

a user interface component for the control program;

wherein the user interface component is operable to be associated with the control program.

35. The control system of claim 22, wherein the process comprises one of:

an enterprise, a manufacturing operation, or an e-commerce system.

36. The control system of claim 22, wherein the control system comprises a plurality of computer systems interconnected via a network.

37. A method for enabling a user to create a program for controlling a process, wherein the method operates in a system including a computer system which is coupled to the process, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of software classes for modeling, optimization, and deployment;

providing one or more management facilities for managing the plurality of software classes; and

creating a plurality of software objects based on the plurality of software classes, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects comprises;

creating a dynamic process model object; and

creating a solver object;

wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object comprise a first solution that controls a first process;

the method further comprising;

creating a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model object and a second solver object which operate together to control a second process, wherein the first solution affects the second solution;

creating a model of the second solution;

including the model of the second solution into the first solution, wherein the first solution uses the model of the second solution to determine how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution; and

constructing an optimization program which uses the plurality of software objects, wherein said constructing is performed in response to user input, wherein the optimization program is constructed including the dynamic process model object and the solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object operate together to optimize the process.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a problem formulation object that describes a problem;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the problem formulation object;

wherein the solver object uses information from the problem formulation object in optimizing the process.

39. The method of claim 37,

wherein the dynamic process model object comprises one of a first principles model, a linear model, a non-linear model, or a hybrid model;

wherein the solver object comprises one of a nonlinear programming solver, a mixed integer nonlinear programming solver, or an evolutionary solver.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a pre-processing object;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the pre-processing object;

wherein the pre-processing object is operable to pre-process data prior to provision of the data to the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein said creating a plurality of software objects further comprises:

creating a post-processing object;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the post-processing object;

wherein the post-processing object is operable to post-process data received from one or more of the dynamic process model object or the solver object.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

the first solution using the model of the second solution to dynamically determine how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution; and

the first solution controlling the second solution based on a determination of how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

creating a user interface component for the optimization program; and

associating the user interface component with the optimization program.

44. The method of claim 37, wherein the process comprises one of:

an enterprise, a manufacturing operation, or an e-commerce system.

45. A method for enabling a user to create a program for controlling a process, wherein the method operates in a system including a computer system which is coupled to the process, the method comprising:

creating a first solution comprising a first dynamic process model and a first solver, wherein the first solution controls a first process;

creating a model of the first solution;

creating a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model, a second solver, and the model of the first solution, wherein the second solution controls a second process, wherein the second solution affects the first solution;

wherein the second solution uses the model of the first solution to determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

the second solution using the model of the first solution to dynamically determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution; and

the second solution controlling the first solution based on a determination of how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

47. A method for enabling a user to create a program for controlling a process, wherein the method operates in a system including a computer system which is coupled to the process, the method comprising:

creating a first solution comprising a first dynamic process model and a first solver, wherein the first solution controls a first process;

creating a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model and a second solver, wherein the second solution controls a second process, wherein the first solution affects the second solution;

creating a model of the second solution;

including the model of the second solution into the first solution;

wherein the first solution uses the model of the second solution to dynamically determine how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

the first solution using the model of the second solution to dynamically determine how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution; and

the first solution controlling the second solution based on a determination of how the second solution will respond to actions provided by the first solution.

49. A memory medium comprising program instructions which are executable by a processor to:

provide a plurality of software classes for modeling, optimization, and deployment;

provide one or more management facilities for managing the plurality of software classes;

create a plurality of software objects based on the plurality of software classes, wherein, in said creating the plurality of software objects, the program instructions are further executable by the processor to create a dynamic process model object and create a solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object comprise a first solution that controls a first process;

create a model of the first solution;

create a second solution, wherein the second solution comprises a second dynamic process model object, a second solver object, and the model of the first solution, wherein the second solution which operates to control a second process, wherein the second solution affects the first solution; and

construct an optimization program which uses the plurality of software objects, wherein said constructing is performed in response to user input;

wherein the optimization program is useable in controlling the process;

wherein the optimization program is constructed including the dynamic process model object and the solver object, wherein the dynamic process model object and the solver object operate together to optimize the process; and

wherein the second solution uses the model of the first solution to determine how the first solution will respond to actions provided by the second solution.

50. The memory medium of claim 49, wherein the plurality of software classes include at least one of a modeling class, a simulation class, and an optimization class.

51. The memory medium of claim 49, wherein the plurality of software classes include at least two of a modeling class, a simulation class, and an optimization class.

52. The memory medium of claim 51, wherein the plurality of software classes further include two or more of:

a visualization class, a deployment class, an execution class, a configuration class, a communication class, a reporting class, a management class, an archiving class, a pre-processing class, and a post-processing class.

53. The memory medium of claim 49, wherein the plurality of software classes include a modeling class and an optimization class;

wherein, in said creating the plurality of software objects, the program instructions are further executable by the processor to create a modeling object and an optimization object;

wherein, in said constructing the optimization program, the program instructions are further executable by the processor to construct the optimization program using the modeling object and the optimization object.

54. The memory medium of claim 49, wherein the plurality of software objects are instances of two or more of the plurality of software classes;

wherein the plurality of software objects comprise primitives that are useable in creating higher level programs.

55. The memory medium of claim 49, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

execute the optimization program, wherein, in said executing the optimization program, the program instructions are further executable by the processor to execute the plurality of software objects to optimize the process.