JP2018010381A - Simulation system, simulation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A simulation system, a simulation method, and a program capable of sharing data, resources, and a simulation model necessary for calculation are provided. A simulation system includes input data having a predefined data structure. A data source 121 to 127 to be provided; a model input unit 113 that receives an input of a simulation model; a model control unit 131 that acquires input data necessary for executing the simulation model from the data source 121 to 127; A calculation processing control unit 133 that generates output data as a calculation result and a result output unit 141 that outputs output data are included. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a simulation system, a simulation method, and a program, and more particularly to a technique for sharing data and resources necessary for calculation.

  In general, a different simulator is created and used for each simulation target. Conventionally, the format of data that can be handled by a simulator is generally different for each simulator. Therefore, a user who intends to perform a simulation using a plurality of different simulators needs to prepare input data of a different format for each simulator. In addition, since the format of data output as a simulation result by each simulator varies, it is difficult to link different simulators. In order to link multiple different simulators, special preparations and operational measures were required, for example, simulator users carefully decided the data format and delivery method in advance. .

  In addition, conventionally, it has been difficult for a user (typically a researcher) who performs a simulation to use a simulator in a field different from his / her specialty. In general, a simulation model is created on the basis of specialized knowledge about a user's research field, but such knowledge has rarely been shared beyond the boundaries of specialized fields. For this reason, it has been difficult for users belonging to different research fields to use the simulation model and the calculation results together.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that evaluates whether output data of a certain service can become input data of another service and presents it to a service designer.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system in which a plurality of simulation models accumulate data generated along with a simulation on a common base.

JP 2007-334627 A JP 2003-099698 A

  Patent Literature 1 shows a problem that it is difficult to link a plurality of services because the format of input / output data differs between services. However, Patent Document 1 only presents a method for evaluating the difference in the data format, and does not disclose a fundamental method for eliminating the difference in the data format.

  Patent Document 2 refers to a common base that can be accessed by a plurality of simulators. However, the common base is merely used for each simulator to record a log, and the cooperation method between each simulator is not disclosed.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a simulation system, a simulation method, and a program that can share data and resources necessary for calculation.

  A simulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a data source that provides input data having a predefined data structure, a model input unit that receives an input of a simulation model, and the input necessary for executing the simulation model. A model control unit that acquires data from the data source; and a calculation processing control unit that executes calculation based on the simulation model and generates output data as a calculation result.

  A simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a user data input unit that receives input of user data having the data structure, and the data source includes a user data storage unit that stores the user data. It is a waste.

  In a simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the calculation processing control unit outputs output data having the data structure, and the data source includes a result data storage unit that stores the output data.

  In the simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the data source includes an external data reference unit that provides externally acquired data as the input data having the data structure.

  In the simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the model control unit has a data access common interface for acquiring the input data from each of the plurality of input data providing means included in the data source.

  In the simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the simulation model includes a method call for obtaining the input data, and the model control unit receives the input data according to the method call as the data source. To get from.

  In the simulation system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the calculation processing control unit dynamically allocates resources necessary for the calculation.

  A simulation method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a model input step in which a computer receives an input of a simulation model, and input data having a predefined data structure necessary for executing the simulation model, as a data source A model control step acquired from the above, a calculation processing control step for executing calculation by the simulation model and generating output data as a calculation result, and a result output step for outputting the output data.

  A program according to another embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the simulation method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simulation system, a simulation method, and a program capable of sharing data and resources necessary for calculation.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a simulation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing a data flow in a simulation system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data flow in a simulation system 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a simulation system 100. FIG.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the simulation system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The simulation system 100 includes a user data input unit 111, a model input unit 113, a user data storage unit 121, an internal data storage unit 123, an external data reference unit 125, a result data storage unit 127, a model control unit 131, and a calculation processing control unit 133. And a result output unit 141.

  The simulation system 100 typically includes a central processing unit, a storage device, and an input / output device. The central processing unit reads and executes a program stored in advance in the storage device, thereby logically processing each processing unit described above. One or a plurality of information processing apparatuses to be realized. The simulation system 100 is preferably configured as a cloud service that provides an information processing service to a user via a network.

  The user data input unit 111 is connected to a user terminal (not shown) via a network or the like, and receives user data transmitted from the user terminal. The user data is one of data that can be input to the simulation model and is created by the user himself / herself. The user data input unit 111 stores the received user data in the user data storage unit 121.

  The user data storage unit 121 is a storage area for storing user data received by the user data input unit 111.

  The internal data storage unit 123 is a storage area for storing various input data prepared in advance.

  The external data reference unit 125 acquires external public data via a network or the like. The externally disclosed data is typically input data provided by a sensor network, an IoT system, or a service operated by a third party, and may include, for example, traffic, weather, other real-time data, statistical data, or the like. The external data reference unit 125 acquires these external public data on demand or at a predetermined timing, and stores them in a storage area as necessary. In addition, when the external public data is not in a format that can be input to the simulation model, the external data reference unit 125 may convert the external public data into a format that can be input to the simulation model.

  The result data storage unit 127 stores output data that is a calculation result of the simulation model.

  Here, the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, and the result data storage unit 127 all input or output data created according to a common format defined in advance. By doing so, in the simulation system 100, the data input to the simulation model and the structure of the data output from the simulation model are normalized. For example, it is assumed that the standardized data structure includes one or more variables, and rules such as the type and size of each variable and what value should be set for each variable are defined in advance. In this case, the input data and the output data are realized as a data set in which specific values are stored in these variables. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, input data represented by user data can be input to various simulation models, or output data from one simulation model can be used as input data for another simulation model. It becomes possible. That is, by standardizing the structure of input / output data, data distribution between various simulation models can be realized.

  An example of tsunami evacuation simulation is shown as an example of data distribution between simulation models. First, a data structure A that can be used in a tsunami simulation is defined in advance. The data structure A includes a variable indicating the arrival timing of the tsunami, a variable indicating the magnitude of the tsunami, and the like. The tsunami simulation model performs prediction calculation of tsunami behavior using ground fault parameters and the like as input, and outputs data a1 as a prediction result. The data a1 is a data set created according to the data structure A. Next, the evacuation simulation model performs prediction calculation of people's evacuation behavior with the data a1 as input, and outputs a prediction result. Thus, according to the simulation system 100, the tsunami simulation model and the evacuation simulation model are linked through the data a1. Even simulation models created based on expert knowledge in completely different research fields, such as a tsunami simulation model and an evacuation simulation model, can be linked through a common data structure designed in advance.

  In addition, for example, evacuation behavior of people in a block or a building, traffic behavior on a road, traffic flow in a store, and the like can be predicted using different simulation models. However, all of the simulation methods in these models have a common point that they predict people's spatial behavior and are regulated by data such as the position of roads and buildings, altitude, etc. in geospace. In such a case, for example, the above-described simulation model can be spatially linked by defining in advance a data structure B describing a geospace using coordinates and using input / output data according to the data structure B as a medium. it can.

  The model input unit 113 is connected to a user terminal (not shown) via a network or the like, and receives a simulation model transmitted from the user terminal. The simulation model is a program that uses input data in a predetermined format, predicts some event by a predefined procedure or calculation formula, and outputs a prediction result as output data. The model input unit 113 delivers the received simulation model to the model control 131.

  The model control unit 131 identifies input data necessary for calculation by interpreting the simulation model. The model control unit 131 includes a data access common interface, and uses this interface to obtain necessary input data from the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, or the result data storage unit 127. To do. The model control unit 131 delivers the acquired simulation model and input data to the calculation processing control unit 133.

  An example of the data access common interface will be further described with reference to FIG. The data access common interface in this example indicates what input data can be obtained from data sources such as the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, and the result data storage unit 127. Information to be shown (simulation parameters) is managed. Further, the data access common interface can access these data sources and acquire input data (simulation utilization data) using a procedure predetermined for each data source. For example, if the data source is composed of a relational database or the like, the data access common interface extracts data using SQL, or instructs the external data reference unit 125 to obtain public data from an external site by instructing the relevant site. Data is acquired from the URL.

  On the other hand, the simulation model acquires input data by calling a data acquisition method (“DataAccess.getData” in the example of FIG. 3). When the data acquisition method is called from the simulation model, the model control unit 131 acquires input data corresponding to the data access common interface. The data access common interface acquires input data in the above-described procedure. Thus, according to this embodiment, the simulation model can acquire desired input data without being aware of the location of actual data. In other words, the user can create a simulation model without being aware of the location of the input data. Since the input data is standardized as described above, the user can handle the input data in a unified manner regardless of the input data acquired from any data source.

  The calculation processing control unit 133 executes calculation using the simulation model and input data. The calculation processing control unit 133 preferably includes a plurality of computers and executes calculation using these calculation resources. The calculation processing control unit 133 can automatically allocate and interchange calculation resources in accordance with the number of executions of the simulation model and the processing content by a known technique such as parallel processing or auto scaling. In this case, the user does not need to be aware of the computational resources necessary for the simulation.

  Conventionally, a user has to prepare a large amount of calculation resources necessary for executing a simulation. In general, the more complex the simulation model, the longer the calculation time. If a large number of computers are prepared, the calculation time can be shortened, but maintaining and maintaining a calculation environment that is not constantly used has been an excessive burden on the user. On the other hand, the simulation system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a computing resource that can be shared by a plurality of users. Then, necessary calculation resources are dynamically accommodated according to the contents of calculation requested by each user. Therefore, the user can use as many calculation resources as necessary according to the purpose and budget.

  The calculation processing control unit 133 stores output data that is a calculation result in the result data storage unit 127. The output data is also created according to a standardized data structure.

  The result output unit 141 outputs the output data stored in the result data storage unit 127 to the outside. For example, the output data may be displayed on a display or the like in the form of map display, graph display, numerical display, or the like. Alternatively, the output data may be output in text or any other file format.

  Next, the operation of the simulation system 100 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

S101: Model input The model input unit 113 receives a simulation model transmitted from a user terminal. As described above, a typical simulation model includes a command for acquiring input data.

S102: User Data Input The user data input unit 111 receives user data transmitted from the user terminal and stores it in the user data storage unit 121. As described above, user data is data having a predetermined data structure defined in advance.

S103: Acquisition of Simulation Use Data The model control unit 131 interprets the simulation model received by the model input unit 113 and specifies input data necessary for calculation. Typically, the model control unit 131 can specify input data to be acquired based on the above-described command described in the simulation model. The data access common interface accesses data sources such as the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, the result data storage unit 127, and acquires necessary input data. As described above, the acquired input data has a predetermined data structure defined in advance.

S104: Simulation Execution The calculation processing control unit 133 executes calculation using input data acquired by the simulation model and the data access common interface. At this time, it is preferable that the calculation processing control unit 133 dynamically allocates calculation resources necessary for the calculation processing.

S105: Simulation Result Data Storage The calculation processing control unit 133 stores output data that is a calculation result in the result data storage unit 127. As described above, the output data to be stored also has a predetermined data structure defined in advance. The data stored in the result data storage unit 127 can be used as input data for other simulation models.

S106: Result Output The result output unit 141 outputs the output data stored in the result data storage unit 127 to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, and the result data storage unit 127 all supply input data created according to a common format. As a result, the standardized input / output data is used for the simulation model executed on the platform of the simulation system 100. Thereby, data distribution between various simulation models can be realized, and cooperation between users can be promoted.

  In the present embodiment, the calculation processing control unit 133 automatically allocates and accommodates calculation resources necessary for calculation processing. As a result, the user can execute the simulation without being aware of the calculation resources.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Within the scope of the present invention, the present invention can be modified with any component of the embodiment or omitted with any component of the embodiment.

  For example, the user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, the external data reference unit 125, or the result data storage unit 127 provides not only input data but also built-in functions and calculation libraries that can be called from various simulation models. May be. Typically, the data access common interface can acquire these modules in the same procedure as the input data.

  The user data storage unit 121, the internal data storage unit 123, or the result data storage unit 127 may provide a simulation model created by the user. Typically, the model control unit 131 stores the simulation model input from the model input unit 113 in any of these storage units. The simulation system 100 may be configured so that a user can find a desired simulation model by providing an interface for searching for a simulation model created in the past. This makes it possible for a user in another field to use a simulation model created by one user based on his / her specialized knowledge in his / her research field. That is, a simulation model can be distributed among users belonging to different research fields.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been mainly described as a hardware configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and arbitrary processing is performed by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program. It can also be realized. In this case, the computer program can be stored and provided to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Simulation system 111 User data input part 113 Model input part 121 User data storage part 123 Internal data storage part 125 External data reference part 127 Result data storage part 131 Model control part 133 Calculation processing control part 141 Result output part

Claims (9)

A data source that provides input data having a predefined data structure;
A model input unit for receiving an input of a simulation model;
A model control unit for acquiring the input data necessary for execution of the simulation model from the data source;
A calculation processing control unit that executes calculation based on the simulation model and generates output data as a calculation result;
And a result output unit for outputting the output data. A user data input unit that receives input of user data having the data structure;
The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the data source includes a user data storage unit that stores the user data. The calculation processing control unit outputs output data having the data structure,
The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the data source includes a result data storage unit that stores the output data. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the data source includes an external data reference unit that provides externally acquired data as the input data having the data structure. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the model control unit includes a data access common interface that acquires the input data from each of the plurality of input data providing units included in the data source. The simulation model includes a method call for obtaining the input data,
The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the model control unit acquires the input data from the data source in response to the method call. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation processing control unit dynamically allocates a resource necessary for the calculation. Computer
A model input step for receiving an input of a simulation model;
A model control step of acquiring input data having a predefined data structure necessary for execution of the simulation model from a data source;
A calculation processing control step of executing calculation by the simulation model and generating output data as a calculation result;
And a result output step for outputting the output data. A program for causing a computer to execute the simulation method according to claim 8.

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