Knowledge management system for computer-aided design modeling

Abstract

A knowledge management system captures, stores, manages, and applies rules for modeling geometric objects and related non-geometric attributes. The knowledge management system controls a computer-aided design system for modeling a geometric structure. The knowledge management system includes a knowledge management application in communication with the computer-aided design system through an application program interface. The knowledge management system also includes a central database managed by a knowledge storage application for maintaining rules and other related information. The knowledge management system also includes a knowledge acquisition application for generating rule programs for storage in the central database. The rules can relate to geometric and non-geometric attributes of the model.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to computer-aided design, and, more particularly, to a knowledge management system for computer-aided design modeling. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Computer-aided design (CAD) systems can be used to produce and manipulate geometric models. CAD systems often include very sophisticated algorithms for producing complex geometric models, manipulating those models, and analyzing the components of those models. For example, a CAD system may be used to model a complex structure having a curved surface, view the structure at various angles, and calculate the surface area of the curved surface and the volume of the structure as a whole. It might be useful to know the surface area of the curved surface, for example, to determine how much paint would be needed to cover the surface. It might be useful to know the volume of the structure, for example, to determine how much material would be needed to produce the structur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In various embodiments of the present invention, a knowledge management system captures, stores, manages, and applies rules for modeling geometric objects and related non-geometric attributes. The knowledge management system controls a computer-aided design system for modeling a geometric structure, typically through an application program interface of the computer-aided design system. The knowledge management system typically includes a knowledge management application in communication with the computer-aided design system through an application program interface. The knowledge management system typically also includes a central database managed by a knowledge storage application for maintaining rules and other related information. The knowledge management system typically also includes a knowledge acquisition application for generating rule programs for storage in the central database.

Problems solved by technology

While CAD systems can be very powerful modeling tools, they are generally limited to geometric modeling.

As a result of these limitations, CAD systems can be difficult to use, particularly for casual CAD users (such as engineers, architects, or managerial staff) who may not be proficient with the CAD system but often need to make modifications to drawings or models on an as-needed basis.

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