Thomas Edward Walters

US Patent:

20030018490, Jan 23, 2003

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190891

Inventors:

Allyn Magers - The Woodlands TX, US
Surya Rajan - Houston TX, US
Carl Seaton - Sugar Land TX, US
Janet Gerken - Findlay OH, US
Leo Bonaparte - Findlay OH, US
Radhakrishnan Bandarpalle - Plano TX, US
Thomas Walters - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Marathon Ashland Petroleum L.L.C.

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/001000

Abstract:

A system, method, and apparatus are provided for simulating real-world logistical systems in a virtual environment. Sets of objects are provided with various properties and methods for performing various functions, such as pricing, movement, demand, etc. The objects are sheathed in a framework the enables the objects to operate in a semi-autonomous fashion to create a virtual environment. Instances of the objects in the virtual environment are then provided with real-world information, such as commodity or service-type, amount, location, etc as the properties of the object instances. The framework enables the objects to interact, through their attendant methods, within the virtual environment so that the behavior of the overall system emerges. The emergent behavior can then be observed, optimized and corrective action taken, if necessary.