A method for forecasting batch end conditions through their depiction as a
multi-dimensional regions of uncertainty is disclosed. A visualization of
the current condition of a continuous process and visualization of the
simulated effect of user control moves are generated for a user. Volume
visualization tools for viewing and querying intersecting solids in
3-dimensional space are utilized to perform the process visualization.
Interactive tools for slicing multi-dimensional (>3) regions and
drawing superimposed projections in 3-D space are provided. Additionally,
graphical manipulation of the views of process conditions is accomplished
by changing the hypothetical future values of contributing variables
online in order to provide users the ability to simulate the effect of
proposed control actions. The illustrative embodiment of the present
invention may also be utilized in combination with a graphical
programming environment supporting the execution and simulation of block
diagrams and correspondingly generated process data. The scores
representing the process condition may depend on estimated physical
quantities as well as representations of process variability.