Systems and methods for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware components according to the description thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for manufacturing components and products based on their descriptions. The method retrieves input from a user via a communication interface suitable for interacting with the user through a communication link; parses the input to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description; identifies a combination of one or more components from a pre-stored component list, a code for manufacturing the one or more components, and a housing; optimizes the combination of the identified one or more components; generates at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, library file, stereolithography (STL) file, or Gerber file from the optimized combination, the at least one manufacturing file being associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component. The method is automated to facilitate end-to-end manufacturing on a platform using user-described specifications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of production, and in particular to systems and methods for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware components (such as but not limited to manufactured or refined items or substances or physical parts or tangible parts for sale), and software (code) for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware according to its description. Background Art

[0002] Today, there exists a wide variety of small, usually handheld, electronic devices, often referred to as mobile Internet devices, including in particular a wide variety of products often referred to as mobile phones and tablet computers. In the current state of the art, all such devices are designed by their manufacturers to include various hardware features, such as cameras or positioning system receivers, selected by the manufacturer in order to appeal to as many potential customers as possible. Likewise, the manufacturer determines the form factor, i.e., size, shape, weight, color, and other physical attributes, of each product with the goal of satisfying as many users as possible in the fewest specific combinations. Finally, the manufacturer configures the operating software of its devices to provide various functions so that a particular function or group of related functions is performed in exactly the same way on as many device models as possible.

[0003] Limiting the number of hardware and software combinations benefits device manufacturers by reducing the complexity of the various systems and procedures they use to develop and manufacture products. The primary mechanism by which manufacturers currently determine exactly what a particular new product should look like and what it should do is a complex function of the costs and benefits of its existing capabilities interacting with the wishes of its customers. In general, however, the wishes of end users are entirely complex considerations, as articulated by wholesale customers, such as wireless carriers and major retailers, and occasionally as illustrated by observational studies that categorize people by seemingly reasonable but ultimately arbitrary attributes.

[0004] Manufacturers recognize that individual end users and smaller groups of end users often have special needs for which the mass production processes described above cannot provide cost-effective point solutions.

[0005] The following is considered by the applicant as the closest prior art: US7233885B1 discloses a computer-aided method for clearly and accurately describing a customized product, the method comprising: in response to a request for product information from a user, identifying the product; if a standard product matches the identified product, automatically initiating real-time transmission of at least one document related to the standard product to the user; if no standard product matches the identified product, forwarding the request for product information to an engineering entity by electronic means. Certain exemplary embodiments include a computer-aided method for designing a product, the method comprising: receiving a value of at least one design parameter related to the product from a user; if the value of each design parameter received from the user is within a predetermined set of the design parameters, automatically designing a predetermined portion of the product in response to at least one of the design parameter values; and providing documents about the designed product to the user by electronic means. Electronic manufacturing processes lack production arrangements that reduce indirect costs associated with line setup and production defects.

[0006] Electronics manufacturing lacks a production arrangement that reduces the indirect costs of line setup and production defects. Such an arrangement should minimize the need to reconfigure line equipment for the production of different PCBA products (hereinafter also interchangeably referred to as "hardware components" or "articles"). Preferably, such an arrangement will achieve these goals at all levels of system design. Ideally, such a system will amplify its efficiency gains by incorporating modern computer process control technology and implementing the system responsiveness that human operators can provide.

[0007] Therefore, what is needed is an automated system and method for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware components (such as, but not limited to, items or substances or physical parts or tangible parts produced or refined for sale), and software (code) for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware according to their descriptions.

[0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present disclosure relates to the field of manufacturing, and more particularly to systems and methods for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware for products based on verbal descriptions.

[0010] Thus, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a manufacturing process and code for manufacturing at least one hardware component including a housing thereof. The computer-implemented method includes: retrieving input (e.g., a verbal description) from a user via a communication interface adapted to interact with the user over a communication link, the input being associated with a description of the at least one hardware component; parsing the input to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description at a processor of a computing device; identifying at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored component list, identifying code for manufacturing the one or more components and a housing for the one or more components at the processor, the combination of one or more components being identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored component list; optimizing the combination of the identified one or more components at the processor; generating at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file from the optimized combination at the processor, the at least one manufacturing file being associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0011] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may include sending, by the processor, the at least one generated manufacturing file to one or more manufacturing machines of the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0012] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may optimize, at the processor, as presented on a display of the computing device, locations of one or more subcomponents associated with the at least one hardware component available in the at least one manufacturing file.

[0013] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may automatically route, at the processor, as presented on a display of the computing device, to a final electronic part placement and connection scheme available in the at least one manufacturing file.

[0014] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may redesign routing available in the at least one manufacturing file as presented on a display of the computing device.

[0015] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may generate, at the processor, the code for the operations of the described embodiments. The code is generated based on an electrical scheme and user-described specifications.

[0016] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may generate, at the processor, a process for manufacturing a housing for the hardware manufactured in the last step, wherein the housing is generated using proprietary and / or genetic algorithms to connect parts and components and assemble into a complete three-dimensional housing model according to the specifications described by the user.

[0017] In one aspect, the computer implemented method, at the processor, for manufacturing the housing, may be done in parallel with product manufacturing, or may be done at the beginning or end of product manufacturing. Basically, the manufacturing of the housing depends on the user's specifications.

[0018] In one aspect, the steps of identifying, optimizing, and generating are implemented by a pre-stored artificial intelligence algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

[0019] In one aspect, the steps of identifying, optimizing, and generating are implemented by a pre-stored machine learning algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

[0020] In one aspect, the method may modify the manufacturing process using one or more pre-stored augmented reality techniques.

[0021] In one aspect, the input is received in the form of any content or combination of content selected from text, images, audio, video or animation.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computing device for generating a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one hardware component. The computing device includes: an input / output (I / O) interface for retrieving input from a user via a communication interface suitable for interacting with the user through a communication link, the input being associated with a description of the at least one hardware component; a parser for parsing the input to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description; a combination identifier for identifying at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored component list; a combination optimizer for optimizing the combination of the identified one or more components; and a manufacturing file generator for generating at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file from the optimized combination.

[0023] In one aspect, the combination of one or more components is identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored component list.

[0024] In an aspect, the at least one manufacturing file is associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a product from a verbal description. The method may include the steps of providing a description of the product in natural language, detecting keywords in the description related to (a) a code for operating the product, (b) an electronic device of the product, and (c) a housing of the product.

[0026] Based on the detected keywords of the code, electronic device and shell of the product, (a) a common component combination is retrieved from a database; (b) the retrieved component combination is optimized; and (c) a manufacturing file including code and library files from the combination, stereolithography (STL) files and Gerber files is generated.

[0027] The method may include the steps of optimizing the position of the PCB in the housing model; automatically routing to the final electronic parts placement and connection plan, automatically generating code for manufacturing the one or more components, and producing and / or manufacturing a three-dimensional housing for the one or more components; designing the wiring between the electronic parts and the PCB; sending the manufacturing file to a manufacturing machine; and manufacturing the product by the manufacturing machine.

[0028] In one aspect, the detecting is performed using artificial intelligence analysis.

[0029] According to an aspect of the invention, the optimizing comprises redesigning the product using augmented reality technology.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for manufacturing a product from a verbal description. The system may include an input device for inputting a verbal description of a product and converting it into a sentence; a keyword detector for detecting keywords related to the code, electronic devices, and housing of the product in the sentence; a code database for storing code components for later use; an electronic device database for storing information about electronic components and combinations thereof; a housing database for storing information about housing components and combinations thereof; a code module for generating code and libraries based on code-related keywords and related information stored in the code database; an electronic device module for generating Gerber files based on electronic device-related keywords and related information stored in the electronic device database; a housing module for generating STL files based on housing-related keywords and related information stored in the housing database; an optimizer for optimizing the size of the PCB in the housing and the location of the electrical components; and one or more manufacturing machines for manufacturing the product from the generated Gerber, STL, and code files.

[0031] On the one hand, the optimization of the PCB may require further operations, such as changing the size, shape and dividing the PCB into multiple PCBs.

[0032] On the one hand, optimization of the housing requires operations such as scaling, changing materials and textures, changing the location of electronic components, and other such operations to properly manufacture the housing for the product.

[0033] In one aspect, the input device includes the capability to input audio signals.

[0034] In one aspect, the input device also includes the capability to input images.

[0035] In one aspect, the input device also includes the ability to input augmented reality scans.

[0036] In one aspect, the keyword detector employs artificial intelligence analysis capabilities.

[0037] In one aspect, the keyword detector employs speech processing and natural language processing and denoising.

[0038] The method is automated to facilitate end-to-end manufacturing of customized products having user-described specifications on a platform. The platform may be a network-defined platform and / or a platform that runs or executes computer-implemented instructions.

[0039] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. These figures are for illustration only and are not limitations of the present disclosure, and in which:

[0041] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing a product from a verbal description thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a system for manufacturing a product from a verbal description thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 3 According to one aspect of the present disclosure, exemplary functional modules of the proposed computing device are shown.

[0044] Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplary flow chart of the current system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiment is so detailed as to clearly convey the content of the present disclosure. However, the amount of detail provided is not intended to limit the intended variations of the embodiment; on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the scope of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

[0046] The disclosed embodiments include various steps, which will be described below. These steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine executable instructions that may be used to cause a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform these steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software and firmware or by an operator.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium having instructions tangibly embodied thereon, which instructions may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, a fixed (hard) drive, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) and a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a PROM, a random access memory (RAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a magnetic or optical card, or other types of media / machine-readable media suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).

[0048] If the specification states that a component or feature "may," "can," "could," or "might" be included or have a feature, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have that feature.

[0049] As used in the specification herein and in the claims that follow, the meanings of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, as used in the specification herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0050] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only, and therefore, this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. However, the disclosed invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0051] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications. In addition, all statements describing embodiments of the present invention and their specific examples herein are intended to cover their structural and functional equivalents. In addition, it is intended that such equivalents include currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed to achieve the same function, regardless of the structure). Moreover, the terms and wordings used are for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered restrictive. Therefore, the present invention should be given the widest scope, covering numerous substitutions, modifications and equivalents consistent with the disclosed principles and features. For the purpose of clarity, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention, the details related to the technical data related to the present invention that are well-known in the technical field are not described in detail.

[0052] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, in some cases, all references below to the "invention" may refer only to certain specific embodiments. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" may refer to subject matter described in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0053] Unless otherwise noted herein or clearly contradictory to the context, all methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided for certain embodiments herein is intended only to better illustrate the present invention and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present invention unless otherwise required. Any language in the specification should not be understood to indicate that any unrequired element is necessary for the implementation of the present invention.

[0054] The present disclosure relates to the field of production, and more particularly to a system and method for manufacturing personalized and customized hardware components of a product according to a product description.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention may be implemented using one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices. For example, a computing device may be an IoT device, or a manufacturing device may be an IoT device. The manufacturing device may be any manufacturing machine, such as but not limited to a wafer manufacturing system, a high rigidity grinder, a probing machine, a dicing machine, or a 3D printer, and includes electronic components such as but not limited to resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors formed directly on the surface of a silicon crystal.

[0056] In another exemplary embodiment, the computing device and / or the manufacturing machine may be embedded / integrated with one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

[0057] In a typical network architecture of the present disclosure, multiple network devices may be included, for example, a transmitter, a receiver and / or a transceiver may include one or more IoT devices.

[0058] As used herein, the IoT device may be a device that includes sensing and / or control functionality and a WiFi transceiver radio or interface, a Bluetooth transceiver radio or interface, a Zigbee transceiver radio or interface, an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver radio or interface, a Wi-Fi-Direct transceiver radio or interface, a low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) transceiver radio or interface, and / or any other wireless network transceiver radio or interface that allows the IoT to communicate with a wide area network and one or more other devices. In some embodiments, the IoT device does not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface and therefore may not be configured to communicate directly with a cellular network. In some embodiments, the IoT device may include a cellular transceiver radio and may be configured to communicate with a cellular network using the cellular network transceiver radio.

[0059] The IoT device may include a home automation network device that allows a user to access, control and / or configure various home appliances located within the user's premises or outside the user's premises. The network device may include a home automation switch that can be coupled to the home appliances. In some embodiments, the network device may be used in other environments that can support a local area network to enable communication with the network device.

[0060] The user may communicate with the network device using an access device that may include any human-computer interface having a network connection capability that allows access to the network. For example, an access device may include a stand-alone interface (e.g., a cellular phone, a smart phone, a home computer, a laptop, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall plate, a keyboard, etc.), an interface built into an appliance or other device such as a television, a refrigerator, a security system, a game console, a browser, a voice or gesture interface (e.g., a KinectTM Sensor, Wiimote TM etc.), IoT device interfaces (e.g., Internet-enabled devices such as wall switches, control interfaces, or other suitable interfaces), etc. In some embodiments, the access device may include a cellular or other broadband network transceiver radio or interface and may be configured to communicate with a cellular or other broadband network using the cellular or broadband network transceiver radio. In some embodiments, the access device may not include a cellular network transceiver radio or interface.

[0061] The user can interact with the network device using an application, a web browser, a proprietary program, or any other program executed and operated by the access device. In some embodiments, the access device can communicate directly with the network device (e.g., communication signals). For example, the access device can use Zigbee TM Signal, Bluetooth TM Signal, WiFi TM Signals, infrared (IR) signals, UWB signals, WiFi-Direct signals, BLE signals, audio signals, etc. communicate directly with the network device. In some embodiments, the access device can communicate with the network device via a gateway and / or a cloud network.

[0062] The local area network may include a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination of wired and wireless networks. The wireless network may include any wireless interface or a combination of wireless interfaces (e.g., Zigbee, Bluetooth, WiFi, IR, UWB, WiFi-Direct, BLE, cellular, Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMax, etc.). The wired network may include any wired interface (e.g., optical fiber, Ethernet, power line, Ethernet based on coaxial cable, digital signal line (DSL), etc.). The wired and / or wireless network may be implemented by connecting the devices in the local area network using various routers, access points, bridges, gateways, etc. For example, the local area network may include a gateway. The gateway may provide communication capabilities to network devices and / or access devices via radio signals so as to provide communication, positioning, and / or other services to the device. The gateway is directly connected to an external network and may provide access to the external network for other gateways and devices in the local area network. The gateway may be designated as the main gateway.

[0063] The network access provided by the gateway can be any type of network that can support data communications using any of a variety of commercially available protocols familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, the gateway can provide wireless communication capabilities for the local area network using a specific communication protocol such as WiFi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 family standards, or other wireless communication technologies, or any combination thereof). Using the communication protocol, the gateway can provide a radio frequency on which wireless-enabled devices in the local area network can communicate. The gateway may also be referred to as a base station, access point, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB), access point base station, Femtocell, home base station, home Node B, home eNodeB, etc.

[0064] Although the present subject matter is explained with consideration of a computing device 302 executing a method for generating a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one hardware component, the computing device 302 can be implemented as an application on a server. It is understood that the computing device 302 can also be implemented in various computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a workstation, a server, a network server, a cloud-based environment, etc.

[0065] It should be appreciated that the computing device 302 may be accessed by multiple users (not shown) through its interface or applications resident on the computing device 302. Examples of the computing device 302 may include, but are not limited to, portable computers, personal digital assistants, handheld devices such as mobile phones and smart phones, workstations, and cloud-based environments.

[0066] In one embodiment, the network can be a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination thereof. The network can be implemented as one of different types of networks, such as an Intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc. In addition, the network can be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents a combination of different types of networks that use various protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), etc. to communicate with each other. In addition, the network 104 can include various network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, etc.

[0067] In one embodiment, the computing device 302 (which may include multiple devices communicating in a wired or wireless environment) may include at least one of the following: a mobile wireless device, a smart phone, a mobile computing device, a wireless device, a wired device, a network device, a docking device, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a wearable device, a remote computing device, a server, a functional computing device, or any combination thereof. Although in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the primary computing device 108 is a smart phone (which may include suitable hardware and software components for implementing the various functions described), it is also contemplated that the computing device 302 may be any suitable computing device configured, programmed, or modified to implement one or more functions of the described system.

[0068] The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment ("best mode") which is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.

[0069] For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, processes, components, circuits, etc. are not described in detail. Compared with the prior art, the present invention greatly reduces the planning and manufacturing time. For example, it may take a few minutes from describing a product in natural language, such as: "a cordless vacuum cleaner for artificial grass has a pumping power of 300WSP", to obtaining design diagrams, end-to-end simulations and manufacturing files.

[0070] The present invention also allows learning from previous designs so that when a user defines a product that contains elements that have been designed in previous products, these elements can be used in the new planned product.

[0071] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing a product from a verbal description thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Block 100: User's product description request. In block 100, the user describes the product using natural language. For example, "a device that turns on an LED alarm when the temperature is above 35 degrees Celsius". It should be noted that the product description can be provided by text, images, sounds, and combinations thereof.

[0073] In fact, this is all the user has to do. At the end of the process, the system based on the present invention generates manufacturing files, such as files in Gerber format for printed circuit boards, STL files for 3D printing of housings, etc.

[0074] Block 101: Natural Language Processing to Detect Keywords At block 101, the system analyzes the description provided by the user to detect keywords in three categories: (a) 3D model, (b) electronic device, and (c) code.

[0075] Preferably, the keywords can also be detected by voice analysis and artificial intelligence analysis. Blocks 102 to 104 process code design. The code can be the code of a CPU, integrated circuit, etc.

[0076] Block 102: Generic Code Component Combination. At block 102, the system retrieves code components and features from its database, such as network, control, logic, components, and component functions. Examples of such code might be:

[0077] IF_THEN_:_>35,ON

[0078] COMPONENT 1:DS18B20

[0079] FUNCTION 1: GET_DATA

[0080] COMPONENT 2: LED

[0081] FUNCTION2:ON / OFF

[0082] Block 103: Optimize code components into graphs. At block 103, based on a given code block and electrical scheme, the system optimizes the code block into a code graph.

[0083] For example:

[0084] IF_:DSl8B20.GET_DATA>35

[0085] THEN_:LED-55MM.ON

[0086] For example: The electrical solution is provided by the Electronic Design module.

[0087] Block 104: Generate code and library files. In block 104, the system converts the code map into complete code files and code libraries based on the electronic model assigned to the main CPU of the product. Blocks 105 to 108 process electronic designs, such as PCBs (printed circuit boards).

[0088] Block 105: Generic Electronic Component Retrieval. In block 105, the system retrieves electronic components and features from the database, a combination of components required, such as: battery, power connector, converter, communication, sensor, etc. Based on the user description provided in block 100, the combination of components can be a generic component or a specific component. (For example: "battery" is a generic term; "two 1.5V AAA batteries" is a specific term).

[0089] Block 106: Optimizing a specific component combination. In block 106, the system optimizes the combination request into a final specific component based on electrical stability, efficiency, price, etc., for example: Battery / Rechargeable / Cn18650, Cpu / Avr / Atmega644, Sensor / Temperature / DS18B20, Sensor / LED / 5mm.

[0090] Block 107: Generate electrical scheme. At block 107, the system retrieves the electrical scheme for the given component combination from the database. Using this information, the scheme diagram and the connections between the electronic parts can be shown. The information obtained at this block is provided to the code module in order to optimize the code based on the electrical and electronic components selected according to the natural language processing (NLP) of the method described by the user.

[0091] Block 108: Automatic electronic component placement. In block 108, based on: user conditions (specific location, grid size, etc.), given electrical scheme, optimization rules, electrical rules, temperature, efficiency, price, etc., the system optimizes the electronic component placement on the grid.

[0092] Blocks 106, 107, and 108 may be repeated until the result is "satisfactory". The definition of satisfactory may be defined by the system, or inferred from the user's input. For example, an input phrase such as "an inexpensive device for turning on an LED alarm when the temperature is above 35 degrees Celsius" directs the system to optimize the cost of the designed device.

[0093] Blocks 109 to 111 process 3D model design, for example: the housing of the device. Block 109: Generic 3D housing component combination. In block 109, the system retrieves housing components and features from the database, a combination of required components (doors, engines, seat panels, etc.) and feature blocks (text, colors, textures, etc.). For example: Components: 3D BOX Module 110: Optimize 3D model components and features.

[0094] At block 110, the system optimizes housing specific components and features based on housing stability, efficiency, and housing connection schemes, such as optimizing PCB size and features.

[0095] Block 111: Automatic "evolution" of 3D model (shell). In block 111, according to the user situation, the system optimizes the connection of shell parts on the 3D grid, and thereby uses artificial intelligence to learn the user's preferences, user style, user behavior, etc. (specific location, material, texture, etc.), given the shell connection scheme, optimization rules, material rules, temperature, efficiency and price.

[0096] Block 112: Finding the best position for the PCB inside the 3D model (housing). At block 112, the system optimizes the position of the PCB inside the 3D housing model, i.e., finds its best position on the housing, taking into account the physical peripheries and pivots applicable to the PCB. To achieve maximum efficiency, the solution may repeat some steps related to the electronics and the 3D model, both for the electronics (PCB size, number of PCBs, component size) and the housing (size, materials, components).

[0097] Block 113: PCB automatic routing. In block 113, the system automatically routes to the final electronic component placement and connection scheme. If automatic routing is not possible, the optimization step (step 112) is repeated.

[0098] Block 114: Wiring between electronic components and PCB. In block 114, the system designs the wiring between the electronic components and the PCB, due to the location of some electronic components on the housing (battery, lighting, sensor, engine, etc.). In block 115, the system allows visualization (simulation) of the product.

[0099] At block 116, the system allows the user to edit the generated design, for example, replacing one component with another. The user can command the system to continue the process or repeat the previous stage.

[0100] Block 117: Generate Gerber files. Block 118: Generate STL files. Block 119: Manufacture the product. The manufacture ends at block 119, where the product is manufactured using the manufacturing files (Gerber files, STL files, code and library files).

[0101] The Gerber format is a 2D binary image format. It is the de facto standard used by software in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry to describe the image of a printed circuit board: copper layers, solder mask, legend, etc.

[0102] The STL format is a widely used format for rapid prototyping, 3D printing and computer-aided manufacturing. Once the manufacturing files (code files, Gerber files and STL files) are generated, they are sent to the automated manufacturing machines that manufacture the product.

[0103] Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a system for manufacturing a product from a verbal description thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] According to an embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 denotes an input device for inputting a user's description of a product in natural language.

[0105] The output of the input device 10 is a text sentence, but the input device does not have to be a keyboard. A microphone can be used to record the user, a camera to input images, AR scanning (augmented reality scanning), etc. For example, the user can scan a coffee machine and specify specific characteristics such as pressure, size of the water tank, etc. The input device 10 has the ability to turn the input into a sentence. Of course, the user can edit the sentence. The input can be one or more products. For example, "a toy car operated by a remote control." Or, "a network whose nodes have the ability to communicate with each other and the upper network." In this case, some of the elements involved are repeaters, gateways, and the cloud.

[0106] Once the user provides a description of the product, the keyword analyzer 11 detects keywords related to three topics: code, electronic device, and housing of the product.

[0107] The code-related keywords 24 are provided to the code module 12 ; the electronic device-related keywords 25 are provided to the electronic device module 13 ; and the housing-related keywords 26 are provided to the housing module 16 .

[0108] The code module retrieves code components and combinations thereof from its database 13 ; the electronic device module retrieves electronic components and combinations thereof from its database 15 ; and the housing module retrieves housing components and combinations thereof from its database 17 .

[0109] The optimizer 18 optimizes the design previously made by the code, electronic device and housing module. If necessary, all or part of the code, electronic device and housing module are activated again based on the optimization result. During the optimization process, the product can be redesigned using augmented reality technology.

[0110] The optimizer 18 then generates manufacturing files including code and library files 19, Gerber files 20 and STL files 21. These files are directed to a manufacturing machine 22 that manufactures the product. The code, electronics and housing modules, and optimizer are software tools.

[0111] In the drawings and / or description herein, the following reference numerals (list of reference numerals) have been referred to:

[0112] - Number 10 indicates input device;

[0113] -Number 11 represents the keyword analyzer;

[0114] -Number 12 indicates a code module;

[0115] -Number 13 represents a code database;

[0116] -Number 14 indicates an electronic equipment module;

[0117] -Number 15 represents an electronic equipment database;

[0118] -Number 16 indicates a housing module;

[0119] -Number 17 represents a shell database;

[0120] -Number 18 represents the code, electronics and housing optimizer;

[0121] -Number 19 indicates code and library files;

[0122] -Number 20 indicates the Gerber file;

[0123] -The number 21 indicates an STL file; and

[0124] -Number 22 indicates a manufacturing machine.

[0125] In the description herein, the following reference has been mentioned: US7233885B1. For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description and illustration of embodiments of the present invention have been introduced. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention in any way to the above description.

[0126] Any terms defined above and used in the claims should be interpreted in accordance with this definition.

[0127] Figure 3 According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary functional module 300 of the proposed computing device is shown. In one embodiment, the proposed computing device 302 may include at least one processor 304, an input / output (I / O) interface 306, a transceiver 308, and a memory 310. The at least one processor 304 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuits, and / or any device that operates signals according to operating instructions. In other capabilities, the at least one processor 304 is configured to obtain and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 310. The I / O interface 306 may include various software and hardware interfaces, such as a network interface, a graphical user interface, etc. The I / O interface 306 may allow the proposed computing device 302 to interact with a user directly or through a client device. In addition, the I / O interface 306 may enable the computing device to communicate with other computing devices, such as a network server and an external data server (not shown). The I / O interface 306 can facilitate a variety of communications within a variety of network and protocol types, including wired networks such as LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I / O interface 306 may include one or more ports for connecting multiple devices to each other or to another server.

[0128] The memory 310 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art, including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memory, hard disk, optical disk and tape. The memory 310 may include modules, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types.

[0129] In one aspect, the computing device 302 generates a manufacturing process to manufacture at least one hardware component. The computing device 302 includes: an input / output (I / O) interface 306 for retrieving input from a user via a communication interface suitable for interacting with the user through a communication link or transceiver 308, the input being associated with a description of the at least one hardware component; a parser 312 for parsing the input to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description; a combination identifier 314 for identifying at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored component list; a combination optimizer 316 for optimizing the combination of the identified one or more components; and a manufacturing file generator 318 for generating at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file from the optimized combination.

[0130] In one aspect, the combination of one or more components is identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored component list.

[0131] In an aspect, the at least one manufacturing file is associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, the parser 312 , the combination identifier 314 , the combination optimizer 316 , and the manufacturing file generator 318 may reside in the memory 310 of the computing device and may be performed / executed by the processor 304 .

[0133] Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplary flow chart of a system for generating a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one hardware component is shown.

[0134] At step 402, input from a user is retrieved via a communication interface adapted to interact with the user over a communication link. The input is associated with a description of the at least one hardware component.

[0135] At step 404, the input is parsed by a processor of the computing device to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description.

[0136] At the processor, at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored list of components is identified at step 406. The combination of one or more components is identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored list of components.

[0137] At step 408, at the processor, the identified combination of one or more components is optimized.

[0138] At the processor, at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file is generated from the optimized combination at step 410. The at least one manufacturing file is associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0139] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may include sending, by the processor, the at least one generated manufacturing file to one or more manufacturing machines of the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

[0140] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may optimize, at the processor, as presented on a display of the computing device, locations of one or more subcomponents associated with the at least one hardware component available in the at least one manufacturing file.

[0141] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may automatically route, at the processor, as presented on a display of the computing device, to a final electronic part placement and connection scheme available in the at least one manufacturing file.

[0142] In one aspect, the computer-implemented method may redesign routing available in the at least one manufacturing file as presented on a display of the computing device.

[0143] In one aspect, the identifying, optimizing and generating are accomplished by a pre-stored artificial intelligence algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

[0144] In one aspect, the steps of identifying, optimizing, and generating are implemented by a pre-stored machine learning algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

[0145] In one aspect, the method may modify the manufacturing process using one or more pre-stored augmented reality techniques.

[0146] In one aspect, the input is received in the form of any content or combination of content selected from text, images, audio, video or animation.

[0147] Various terms used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the relevant art have as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0148] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that more modifications than those already described may be made without departing from the inventive concept herein. Furthermore, in interpreting the specification and claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components or steps may exist, be used or be combined with other elements, components or steps not explicitly referenced.

[0149] When the specification and claims refer to at least one substance selected from A, B, C... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element of the group, rather than A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein so that others can easily modify and / or adapt to various applications of such specific embodiments by applying current knowledge without departing from the general concept, and therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be understood as being within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the words or terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and not for limitation. Therefore, although the embodiments herein have been described according to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

[0150] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Many modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims.

[0151] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and other terms should be understood broadly, for example: it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary, and it can be two internal communication elements or the interaction between two elements. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the above terms indicate the meanings in the present invention according to the circumstances.

[0152] In the description of this specification, reference is made to the terms "one embodiment", "embodiment", "example", "instance" or "some examples", and the description is intended to be combined with the described embodiments or examples, including specific features (features), structures, materials or characteristics (characteristics) in the present invention, at least one embodiment or example. In this specification, the above schematically represented terms are not necessarily used for the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific feature structures, materials or characteristics described in any one or more embodiments or examples are in an appropriate manner. Moreover, those skilled in the art may describe or combine examples and combinations thereof in the descriptions of different embodiments.

[0153] All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of these features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0154] Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature having the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Therefore, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a series of equivalent or similar features.

[0155] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, other and further embodiments of the present invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is determined by the appended claims. The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples which, when combined with the information and knowledge available to one of ordinary skill in the art, are included to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one hardware component, the method comprising the steps of: Retrieving input from the user via a communication interface adapted to interact with the user over a communication link, the input being associated with the description of the at least one hardware component, the input being received in the form of any content or combination of content selected from text, images, audio, video, or animation; at a processor of the computing device, parsing the input to produce one or more keywords corresponding to the description; identifying, at the processor, at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored list of components, the combination of one or more components being identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored list of components; At the processor, optimizing a combination of the identified one or more components; generating, at the processor, at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file from the optimized combination, the at least one manufacturing file being associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component, and automatically generating, at the processor, a manufacturing process for a housing of the at least one manufactured hardware component; Optimize PCB position in the housing model; Automatically route the final electronic component placement and connection scheme available in the manufacturing file; design the leads of the electronic component to the PCB; Send the manufacturing file to the manufacturing machine to manufacture the product through the manufacturing machine.

2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein: The computer-implemented method also includes: sending, by the processor, the at least one manufacturing file generated to one or more manufacturing machines of the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein: The computer-implemented method also includes optimizing, at the processor, locations of one or more subcomponents associated with the at least one hardware component available in the at least one manufacturing file.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein: The computer-implemented method also includes: automatically generating, at the processor, software code for manufacturing the at least one hardware component based on retrieving the input from the user.

5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, wherein: The computer-implemented method also includes: redesigning routing available in the at least one manufacturing file.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein: The steps of identifying, optimizing and generating are implemented by a pre-stored artificial intelligence algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein: The steps of identifying, optimizing and generating are implemented by a pre-stored machine learning algorithm executed by the processor of the computing device.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein: The generating step also includes: modifying the manufacturing process using one or more pre-stored augmented reality techniques.

9. A computing device for generating a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one hardware component, the computing device comprising: an input / output (I / O) interface for retrieving input from a user via a communication interface adapted to interact with the user over a communication link, the input being associated with the description of the at least one hardware component, the input being received in the form of any content or combination of content selected from text, images, audio, video, or animation; a parser for parsing the input to generate one or more keywords corresponding to the description; a combination identifier for identifying at least one combination of one or more components from a pre-stored list of components, the combination of one or more components being identified by matching the one or more generated keywords with at least one description associated with each of the components available in the pre-stored list of components; a combination optimizer for optimizing the combination of the identified one or more components; a manufacturing file generator for generating at least one manufacturing file having at least one of software code, a library file, a stereolithography (STL) file, or a Gerber file from the optimized combination, the manufacturing file being associated with the manufacturing process for manufacturing the at least one hardware component; a processor at which a manufacturing process for a housing of the at least one manufactured hardware component is automatically generated; Optimize PCB position in the enclosure model; automatically route to final electronic component placement and connection scheme available in manufacturing files; design leads from electronic components to the PCB; Send the manufacturing file to the manufacturing machine to manufacture the product through the manufacturing machine.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein: The computing device further comprises: a pre-stored artificial intelligence algorithm executed by a processor of the computing device; or A pre-stored machine learning algorithm executed by a processor of the computing device.

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