XML-based Data Processing in Network Supported Collaborative Design

In the course of network supported collaborative design, the data processing plays a very vital role. Much effort has been spent in this area, and many kinds of approaches have been proposed. Based on the correlative materials, this paper presents extensible markup language （XML） based strategy for several important problems of data processing in network supported collaborative design, such as the representation of standard for the exchange of product model data （STEP） with XML in the product information expression and the management of XML documents using relational database. The paper gives a detailed exposition on how to clarify the mapping between XML structure and the relationship database structure and how XML-QL queries can be translated into structured query language （SQL） queries. Finally, the structure of data processing system based on XML is presented.

Medical Image Dynamic Collaborative Processing on the Distributed Environment

A new trend in the development of medical image processing systems is to enhance the shar-ing of medical resources and the collaborative processing of medical specialists. This paper presents an architecture of medical image dynamic collaborative processing on the distributed environment by combining the JAVA, CORBA (Common Object Request and Broker Architecture) and the MAS (Multi-Agents System) collaborative mechanism. The architecture allows medical specialists or applications to share records and cornmunicate with each other on the web by overcoming the shortcut of traditional approach using Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and client/server architecture, and can support the remote heterogeneous systems collaboration. The new approach im-proves the collaborative processing of medical data and applications and is able to enhance the in-teroperation among heterogeneous system. Research on the system will help the collaboration and cooperation among medical application systems distributed on the web, thus supply high quality medical service such as diagnosis and therapy to practicing specialists regardless of their actual geo-graphic location.

Information-Driven Collaborative Processing for Diffusive Source Estimation in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper discusses an accurate distributed algorithm for diffusive source localization while maintaining the low energy consumption of sensor nodes in wireless sensor networks. In this algorithm, the sensor selection scheme based on the information utility measure is used. To update the estimation in each selected node, a neighborhood radius equal to the communication range of the sensor nodes is defined and all sensors located in the neighborhood circle, whose radius is equal to the neighborhood radius and the selected node is its centre, collaborate their information. To decrease the energy consumption, the neighborhood radius is reduced gradually based on the error covariance value of the estimation. In addition, this paper includes a new method for the initial point calculation which is important in the recursive methods used for distributed algorithms in wireless sensor networks. Numerical examples are used to study the performance of the algorithms. Simulation results show the accuracy of the new algorithm becomes better while its energy consumption is low enough.

Quantitative evaluation of multi-process collaborative operation in steelmaking–continuous casting sections

The quantitative evaluation of multi-process collaborative operation is of great significance for the improvement of production planning and scheduling in steelmaking–continuous casting sections(SCCSs). However, this evaluation is difficult since it relies on an in-depth understanding of the operating mechanism of SCCSs, and few existing methods can be used to conduct the evaluation, due to the lack of full-scale consideration of the multiple factors related to the production operation. In this study, three quantitative models were developed, and the multiprocess collaborative operation level was evaluated through the laminar-flow operation degree, the process matching degree, and the scheduling strategy availability degree. Based on the evaluation models for the laminar-flow operation and process matching levels, this study investigated the production status of two steelmaking plants, plants A and B, based on actual production data. The average laminar-flow operation(process matching) degrees of SCCSs were obtained as 0.638(0.610) and 1.000(0.759) for plants A and B, respectively, for the period of April to July 2019. Then, a scheduling strategy based on the optimization of the furnace-caster coordinating mode was suggested for plant A. Simulation experiments showed higher availability than the greedy-based and manual strategies. After the proposed scheduling strategy was applied,the average process matching degree of the SCCS of plant A increased by 4.6% for the period of September to November 2019. The multi-process collaborative operation level was improved with fewer adjustments and interruptions in casting.

A Device to Improve Collaborative Practices of Sanitation Department Agents of a Territory: The Case of the Lamkansa District in Casablanca

The aim of this article is to strengthen and improve the collaboration between professional agents of a service that manages one of the technical processes acting on a given territory by synchronizing the spatio-temporal dimensions including all agents assembled for the task. This proposal was tested in the Lamkansa neighborhood in Casablanca, Morocco. The employed approach is based GIS resources and on systemic analysis of communication present in a territory. We were inspired by several methodological developments that carried multi-actor processes in land use planning. We focused our work on strengthening the collaboration between professionals, field agents and office agents, in the process of design and monitoring the liquid sanitation system. The device is based on geolocation and synchronous feedback of topological, geographical, and multimedia data related to the liquid sanitation network. Thanks to a geo-collaborative, participative, and motivating logic, we reduced the management costs of the network and made it faster and more efficient by equally mobilizing another type of non-specialized actors (the inhabitants). This device uses spatial and temporal dimensions to consolidate collaborative work tools through ICT and GIS technologies that thematize and exchange information collected in the field. Furthermore, this device raises great interest as it entails the concept of integration of several actors in a geo-collaborative mode while combining geomatics with communication and information sciences.

Evolutionary game analysis of problem processing mechanism in new collaboration

This paper analyzes a problem processing mechanism in a new collaboration system between the main manufacturer and the supplier in the"main manufacturer-supplier"mode,which has been widely applied in the collaborative development management of the complex product.This paper adopts the collaboration theory,the evolutionary game theory and numerical simulation to analyze the decision-making mechanism where one upstream supplier and one downstream manufacturer must process an unpredicted problem without any advance contract in common.Results show that both players'decision-makings are in some correlation with the initial state,income impact coefficients,and dealing cost.It is worth noting that only the initial state influences the final decision,while income impact coefficients and dealing cost just influence the decision process.This paper shows reasonable and practical suggestions for the manufacturer and supplier in a new collaboration system for the first time and is dedicated to the managerial implications on reducing risks of processing problems.

Study on Multi-enterprise Collaborative Resource Planning Based Process-oriented Decision Model

Aiming to share the information,knowledge and optimizing resource via collaborating with multiple external partners across their supply chains,the concept model and system framework of multi-enterprises collaborative resource planning (MECORP) are put forward.While there is Considerable pressure to improve the operation of MECORP system,their inherent complexity can make modelling a MECORP system a difficult task.Yet there could be considerable benefits in designing MECORP taking into account the operation of the system.In order to address the central research issue of developing of a methodology that can assist a manager in making decisions by modelling the operation of MECORP system.The methodology called process-oriented deci- sion model (PODM) is presented in the paper.This uses an abstracted network to model MECORP system.The MECORP system supported by PODM,can effective optimize the manifold resource,coordinate the relationship of multiple partners and assist deci- sion.Finally,an industry excample of MECORP system is described to illustrate the application of PODM.

Collaborative Simulation Method with Spatiotemporal Synchronization Process Control

When designing a complex mechatronics system, such as high speed trains, it is relatively difficult to effectively simulate the entire system＇s dynamic behaviors because it involves multi-disciplinary subsystems. Currently, a most practical approach for multi-disciplinary simulation is interface based coupling simulation method, but it faces a twofold challenge： spatial and time unsynchronizations among multi-directional coupling simulation of subsystems. A new collaborative simulation method with spatiotemporal synchronization process control is proposed for coupling simulating a given complex mechatronics system across multiple subsystems on different platforms. The method consists of 1） a coupler-based coupling mechanisms to define the interfacing and interaction mechanisms among subsystems, and 2） a simulation process control algorithm to realize the coupling simulation in a spatiotemporal synchronized manner. The test results from a case study show that the proposed method 1） can certainly be used to simulate the sub-systems interactions under different simulation conditions in an engineering system, and 2） effectively supports multi-directional coupling simulation among multi-disciplinary subsystems. This method has been successfully applied in China high speed train design and development processes, demonstrating that it can be applied in a wide range of engineering systems design and simulation with improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Study of the ship design process model for collaborative design

The ship design process model is the basis for developing the ship collaborative design system under network environment.According to the characteristics of the ship design, a method for dividing the ship design process into three layers is pat forward, that is project layer, design task layer and design activity layer, then the formalized definitions of the ship design process model, the decomposing principles of the ship design process and the architecture of the ship collaborative design (SDPM) system are presented. This method simplifies the activity network, makes the optimization and adjustment of the design plan convenient and also makes the design process easier to control and change, at last the architecture of the ship collaborative design system is discussed.

Dynamic business process modeling and verification for inter-organizational collaboration

To achieve an on-demand and dynamic composition model of inter-organizational business processes, a new approach for business process modeling and verification is introduced by using the pi-calculus theory. A new business process model which is multi-role, multi-dimensional, integrated and dynamic is proposed relying on inter-organizational collaboration. Compatible with the traditional linear sequence model, the new model is an M x N multi-dimensional mesh, and provides horizontal and vertical formal descriptions for the collaboration business process model. Finally, the pi-calculus theory is utilized to verify the deadlocks, livelocks and synchronization of the example models. The result shows that the proposed approach is efficient and applicable in inter-organizational business process modeling.

Mathematical Modeling and a Multiswarm Collaborative Optimization Algorithm for Fuzzy Integrated Process Planning and Scheduling Problem

Considering both process planning and shop scheduling in manufacturing can fully utilize their complementarities,resulting in improved rationality of process routes and high-quality and efficient production. Hence,the study of Integrated Process Planning and Scheduling (IPPS) has become a hot topic in the current production field. However,when performing this integrated optimization,the uncertainty of processing time is a realistic key point that cannot be neglected. Thus,this paper investigates a Fuzzy IPPS (FIPPS) problem to minimize the maximum fuzzy completion time. Compared with the conventional IPPS problem,FIPPS considers the fuzzy process time in the uncertain production environment,which is more practical and realistic. However,it is difficult to solve the FIPPS problem due to the complicated fuzzy calculating rules. To solve this problem,this paper formulates a novel fuzzy mathematical model based on the process network graph and proposes a MultiSwarm Collaborative Optimization Algorithm (MSCOA) with an integrated encoding method to improve the optimization. Different swarms evolve in various directions and collaborate in a certain number of iterations. Moreover,the critical path searching method is introduced according to the triangular fuzzy number,allowing for the calculation of rules to enhance the local searching ability of MSCOA. The numerical experiments extended from the well-known Kim benchmark are conducted to test the performance of the proposed MSCOA. Compared with other competitive algorithms,the results obtained by MSCOA show significant advantages,thus proving its effectiveness in solving the FIPPS problem.

Autonomous process collaboration framework for C4ISR system interoperation

Interoperability plays an important role in the joint command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance(C4 ISR) operations. Coordinating and integrating operational processes to fulfill a common mission are challenged by the ever-changing battlefield and hence requires a cross-organizational process management that produces an autonomous, flexible and adaptable architecture for collaborative process evolution. The traditional business process collaboration pattern is based on the predefined "public-view" perspective and cannot meet the requirement of the joint task operations. This paper proposes a flexible visibility control mechanism and a dynamic collaboration framework for modeling and generating collaborative processes. The mechanism allows collaborators to define a set of visibility rules to generate different views of the private processes for different collaborations, which gives a great flexibility for the collaboration initiator to decide on an appropriate collaboration pattern. The framework supports collaborators to dynamically and recursively add a new process or even a new organization to an existing collaboration. Moreover, a formal representation of the processes and a set of generation algorithms are provided to consolidate the proposed theory.

Maturity assessment model for aircraft collaborative design software solution

In order to assure quality and control process in the development of the aircraft collaborative design software, a maturity assessment model is proposed. The requirements designing—house of quality is designed to evaluate the maturity degree of the solution, and the evaluation results can help to manage and control the development process. Furthermore, a fuzzy evaluation method based on the minimum deviation is proposed to deal with the fuzzy information. The quantitative evaluation result of the maturity degree can be calculated by optimizing the semantic discount factor aim for the minimum deviation. Finally, this model is illustrated and analyzed by an example study of the aircraft collaborative design software.

COLLABORATIVE DESIGN OF MULTIPHYSICS PROBLEMS

Collaborative design is recommended to solve multiphysics problems （MPPS）. Firstly, mathematical model of MPPS is constructed and solved by a proposed partitioned method, analysis of which suggests that collaborative design be feasible to solve MPPS. As the key technology of col-laborative design of MPPS, a task collaboration algorithm is then proposed. To develop the applica-tion framework of collaborative design, applied unified process（AUP） is proposed based on rational unified process（RUP）. Then AUP is used to develop the collaborative design platform, whose function framework is constructed according to the process of project management. Finally three MPPS are solved on this platform and the results suggest that the proposed model, algorithm and framework be feasible.

Agent-based Collaborative Design Framework Supporting Synchronization and Asynchronization on Internet

On the basis of analysis of the research issues and requirement of collaborative design, we propose the overall framework of agent based collaborative design on Internet. Then, we describe the implementation of synchronous and asynchronous collaborative design process based on standardized design activities under the overall framework. In order to realize design message passing, the DMP Protocol is proposed as well in this paper and described in detail.

Evaluation and selection of the ship collaborative design resources based on AHP and genetic and simulated annealing algorithm

The characteristics of the design resources in the ship collaborative design is described and the hierarchical model for the evaluation of the design resources is established. The comprehensive evaluation of the co-designers for the collaborative design resources has been done from different aspects using Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP） ,and according to the evaluation results,the candidates are determined. Meanwhile,based on the principle of minimum cost,and starting from the relations between the design tasks and the corresponding co-designers,the optimizing selection model of the collaborators is established and one novel genetic combined with simulated annealing algorithm is proposed to realize the optimization. It overcomes the defects of the genetic algorithm which may lead to the premature convergenee and local optimization if used individually. Through the application of this method in the ship collaborative design system,it proves the feasibility and provides a quantitative method for the optimizing selection of the design resources.

Multi-Actor Geo-Collaborative Device for Collecting Household Waste in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Lamkansa District, Casablanca, Morocco

The aim of this paper is to develop a Multi-Actor Geo-Collaborative Device to improve the processes of household waste collect (HWC) in urban areas. The proposed device will be tested in the Lamkansa district, in the southwestern part of Casablanca city, Morocco. The approach used is a systemic analysis of communication in order to act on a territory. We have been inspired by several methodological developments concerning multi-actor processes of land use planning. We focused our work on the involvement of the inhabitants in the process of household waste collect. The results show that the urban population can help and contribute to the development of complementary solutions to improve the urban environment and their living environment. Moreover, by integrating citizens in HWC processes, as well as decision communication, we can reduce household waste management costs and make it faster and more efficient, through a geo-collaborative, participatory and incentive logic. The approach described in this article is original, not only considering the technologies used to present and share the collected information, but also regarding the concept of integrating several actors in a collaborative/incentive mode. It arouses great interest by combining geomatics with communication and information sciences. It contributes to improve the participation of the inhabitants in the life of their urban environment in order to establish a reinforced dialogue on the future of their city and public health. Also, it involves the development and testing of new devices and tools for multi-actor collaboration.

An Approach to Collaborative Design Based on Distributed Constraint-Net

We focuse on design process in concurrent engineering and propose an, approach to collaborative design based on distributed constraint-net. The approach adopts agent technology to express kinds of distributed constraints. And through the cooperation among agents, the consistency of constraint is maintained and the constraint conflict is detected and eliminated. The constraints are satisfied concurrently and distributively. Based on the proposed approach, the collaborative design process in concurrent engineering can be well supported.

Edge-Cloud Collaborative Optimization Scheduling with Micro-Service Architecture

The architecture of edge-cloud cooperation is proposed as a compromising solution that combines the advantage of MEC and central cloud. In this paper we investigated the problem of how to reduce the average delay of MEC application by collaborative task scheduling. The collaborative task scheduling is modeled as a constrained shortest path problem over an acyclic graph. By characterizing the optimal solution, the constrained optimization problem is simplified according to one-climb theory and enumeration algorithm. Generally, the edge-cloud collaborative task scheduling scheme performance better than independent scheme in reducing average delay. In heavy workload scenario, high blocking probability and retransmission delay at MEC is the key factor for average delay. Hence, more task executed on central cloud with abundant resource is the optimal scheme. Otherwise, transmission delay is inevitable compared with execution delay. MEC configured with higher priority and deployed close to terminals obtain more performance gain.