Simulation device and simulation method

• US 8,781,802 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2007
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Hagelin, Hans-Ove, Ehlin, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, SHAMBHAVI K
• Application Number:
  US11/898,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20080189092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,493 Days
• Field of Search: 703/6
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/261 by simulating additional hardware, e.g. fault simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/105 where the programme performs an input/output emulation function
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/04 characterised by modifying the teaching programme in response to a wrong answer, e.g. repeating the question, supplying a further explanation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/08 for teaching control of aircraft, e.g. Link trainer

Abstract

A simulation device for generating an answer to a question inputted thereto. A communication unit is configured to input a selected question associated with a first criterion and a second criterion. A generating unit is configured to generate a copy of a continuously updated environment model. A generating unit is configured to generate a simulation scenario, depending upon the first criterion. A modifying unit is configured to modify the generated simulation scenario. An applying unit is configured to apply the modified generated simulation scenario to the generated copy of the continuously updated environment model. A simulating unit is configured to perform a simulation process in accordance with the second criterion. An answering unit is configured to answer information, depending upon a result of the simulation process.

Claims

1. A simulation device for generating an answer to a posed question related to at least one of situation analysis or choice of tactics inputted thereto, said device being provided on a platform, the device comprising:

a communication module configured to input from a plurality of predetermined questions a selected question associated with a first criterion and a second criterion, wherein the first criterion relates to a category or type of the selected question, and wherein the second criterion is a stop criterion;

a model generator configured to generate a copy of a continuously updated environment model based on sensor data depending upon the posed inputted question, wherein the environmental model comprises information about existing entities in an environment of the platform;

a simulation generating module configured to prepare a simulation scenario, and arranged to apply at least one default model to a number of different entities of the environmental model depending upon said first criterion, wherein the at least one default model comprises at least one characteristic associated with representations of the entities, wherein the simulation generating module is further configured to perform a matching procedure to identify the at least one default model based on measured sensor data and pre-stored sensor data to provide the environmental model with information about different air plane models;

a scenario modifying module configured to modify the prepared simulation scenario with respect to the number of entities and at least one of behavior, performance, equipment or characteristics associated with the entities depending upon at least one of the posed question or type of posed question;

a scenario applying module configured to apply the modified prepared simulation scenario to the generated copy of the continuously updated environment model;

a simulation performing module configured to perform a simulation process in accordance with the second criterion;

an answer generating module configured to generate answer information, depending upon a result of said simulation process; and

a processing device configured to carry out portions of the functions of the simulation device.

2. The simulation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valuation module configured to valuate the generated answer information; and

a filtering module configured to perform a filtering process, depending upon a result of said valuating.

3. The simulation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a logging module configured to log said generated answer information.

4. The simulation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an information providing module configured to provide information associated with updated environment models, and

a simulation performing module configured to perform the simulation depending upon said provided information associated with updated environment models in real-time.

5. The simulation device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an historical information providing module configured to provide historical information comprising information generated depending upon environment models corresponding to a time period before inputting the selected question.

6. A platform, comprising:

a simulation device for generating an answer to a posed question related to at least one of situation analysis or choice of tactics inputted thereto, said device being provided on a platform, the device comprising

a communication module configured to input from a plurality of predetermined questions a selected question associated with a first criterion and a second criterion, wherein the first criterion relates to a category or type of the selected question, and wherein the second criterion is a stop criterion;

a model generator configured to generate a copy of a continuously updated environment model based on sensor data depending upon the posed inputted question, wherein the environmental model comprises information about existing entities in an environment of the platform;

a simulation generating module configured to prepare a simulation scenario, and arranged to apply at least one default model to a number of different entities of the environmental model depending upon said first criterion, wherein the at least one default model comprises at least one characteristic associated with representations of the entities, wherein the simulation generating module is further configured to perform a matching procedure to identify the at least one default model based on measured sensor data and pre-stored sensor data to provide the environmental model with information about different air plane models;

a scenario modifying module configured to modify the prepared simulation scenario with respect to the number of entities and at least one of behavior, performance, equipment or characteristics associated with the entities depending upon at least one of the posed question or type of posed question;

a scenario applying module configured to apply the modified prepared simulation scenario to the generated copy of the continuously updated environment model;

a simulation performing module configured to perform a simulation process in accordance with the second criterion;

an answer generating module configured to generate answer information, depending upon a result of said simulation process; and

a processing device configured to carry out portions of the functions of the simulation device; and

a vehicle on which the simulation device is provided.

13. The platform according to claim 6, wherein the platform comprises a flying vehicle selected from the group comprising an aircraft, an airplane, or a helicopter.

14. The platform according to claim 6, wherein the platform comprises a watercraft selected from the group comprising a boat or a ship.

15. The platform according to claim 6, wherein the platform comprises an under watercraft comprising a submarine.

16. The platform according to claim 6, wherein the platform comprises a land vehicle selected from the group comprising an automobile, a train, or a cross-country vehicle.

7. A simulation method for, within a platform, generating answers to a question relating to at least one of situation analysis or choice of tactics fed to a simulation device, the method comprising:

inputting from a plurality of predetermined questions a selected question associated with a first criterion and a second criterion, wherein the first criterion relates to a category/type of the selected question, and wherein the second criterion is a stop criterion;

generating a copy of a continuously updated environment model based on sensor data, depending upon the posed inputted question, wherein the environmental model comprises information about existing entities in an environment of the platform;

preparing a simulation scenario by applying at least one default model to different entities of the environmental model depending upon said first criterion, wherein the at least one default model comprises at least one characteristic associated with representations of the entities, wherein preparing the simulation scenario comprises performing a matching procedure to identify the at least one default model based on measured sensor data and pre-stored sensor data and providing the environmental model with information about different air plane models;

modifying the prepared simulation scenario with respect to the number of entities and at least one of behavior, performance, equipment or characteristics associated with the entities depending upon at least one of the particular posed question or type of posed question;

applying the modified prepared simulation scenario to the generated copy of the continuously updated environment model;

performing a simulation process in accordance with the second criterion; and

generating answer information, depending upon a result of said simulation process.

8. The simulation method according to claim 7, further comprising:

valuating the generated answer information; and

performing a filtering process, depending upon a result of said valuating step.

9. The simulation method according to claim 7, further comprising:

logging said generated answer information.

10. The simulation method according to claim 7, further comprising:

providing information associated with updated environment models; and

performing the simulation depending upon said provided information associated with updated environment models in real-time.

11. The simulation method according to claim 7, further comprising:

providing historical information comprising information generated depending upon environment models corresponding to a time period before inputting the selected question.

12. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium; and

computer program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium and executable by a processor for performing a simulation method comprising inputting from a plurality of predetermined questions a selected question associated with a first criterion and a second criterion, wherein the first criterion relates to a category/type of the selected question, and wherein the second criterion is a stop criterion, generating a copy of a continuously updated environment model based on sensor data, depending upon the posed inputted question, wherein the environmental model comprises information about existing entities in an environment of the platform, preparing a simulation scenario by applying at least one default model to different entities of the environmental model depending upon said first criterion, wherein the at least one default model comprises at least one characteristic associated with representations of the entities, wherein preparing the simulation scenario comprises performing a matching procedure to identify the at least one default model based on measured sensor data and pre-stored sensor data and providing the environmental model with information about different air plane models, modifying the prepared simulation scenario with respect to the number of entities and at least one of behavior, performance, equipment or characteristics associated with the entities depending upon at least one of the particular posed question or type of posed question, applying the modified prepared simulation scenario to the generated copy of the continuously updated environment model, performing a simulation process in accordance with the second criterion, and generating answer information depending upon a result of said simulation process.