Patent ID: 8744821
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of modeling a system comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising: using a computer to provide a spreadsheet environment; defining a plurality of shape objects within the spreadsheet environment, the shape objects representing the components of the system, wherein at least one component is a subsystem comprising a plurality of elements; using an add-in in the spreadsheet environment that provides user interface elements in the spreadsheet environment to manage the shape objects, relationships between the shape objects, and data associated with a system model in the spreadsheet environment, wherein at least one of the relationships between the shape objects comprises a connection between at least two shape objects defined using a graphic connector element having a property comprising respective identities of the at least two shape objects; using the spreadsheet environment to interact with a plurality of applications for working with the system; using the spreadsheet environment to generate a plurality of diagrams of the system in a graphical system modeling language; using the spreadsheet environment to diagram a plurality of system models for system simulation, process automation, and performance index calculations; using a macro in the spreadsheet environment to perform at least one action on at least one of the system models; and storing the system model using a templated workbook in the spreadsheet environment, the templated workbook comprising data representing a physical view and a functional view of the system model.