Block Diagram Pattern Identification for Model Duplication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional block diagram models face inefficiencies due to duplicated portions and the difficulty in ensuring compliance with design standards, leading to reduced simulation performance, increased memory usage, and time-consuming validation processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for identifying patterns in block diagram models, replacing duplicated portions with shared sub-models, and automatically checking compliance with modeling standards, utilizing tools that analyze connectivity, attributes, and parameters to optimize model efficiency and adherence to design standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple teams independently develop modeling constructs and incorporate them into the block diagram model, then each team can work autonomously and productivity increases, but duplicated portions of the same or similar pattern are introduced which reduce simulation performance and increase memory usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveteam development efficiencyVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by enabling teams to create templates and patterns that can be copied and reused across multiple models. Instead of independently developing similar constructs, teams can define a pattern once and instantiate it multiple times, reducing duplication while maintaining autonomous development capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating reusable patterns and templates that serve multiple functions across different teams and models. A single pattern definition can be instantiated in numerous locations, allowing one construct to fulfill multiple roles and reducing overall model complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If duplicated portions of the same or similar pattern are present in the block diagram model, then each team has flexibility in implementation, but simulation performance decreases and memory space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation flexibilityVSAvoidsimulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the copying principle to replace duplicated portions with references to a single master pattern. Teams can still implement variations by customizing parameters of the copied pattern, maintaining flexibility while eliminating redundant code and improving simulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges duplicated portions into a single unified pattern definition that serves all instances. By combining scattered duplications into one master template, the system reduces memory usage and improves simulation efficiency while preserving team-specific customizations through parameter variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual checking of design standard compliance is performed in conventional block diagram environments, then design standards can be verified, but the process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign standard complianceVSAvoidvalidation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling automatic validation of design standards through the pattern identification system. The system automatically checks whether patterns comply with specified design standards without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining precision while dramatically improving validation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms to automatically verify design standard compliance. The system continuously monitors pattern instances against defined standards and provides immediate feedback on compliance status, eliminating time-consuming manual checks while maintaining high precision in standard verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If pattern identification and automatic standard checking are implemented, then design standard compliance is ensured and productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to additional analysis tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional pattern identification system that simultaneously performs pattern recognition, duplication detection, and design standard validation. This consolidated approach improves productivity while minimizing additional complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified toolset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8726232B1Identification of patterns in modeling environments
Publication Date: 2014.05.13 MATHWORKS INC
  • US8726232B1 patent drawing
  • US8726232B1 patent drawing
  • US8726232B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A tool for enabling a user, such as a programmer and a designer, to identify patterns in a program or model and to determine duplicated portions of the program or model that have the same or similar pattern is disclosed. The pattern may include the connectivity of the elements in the group as well as the attributes and parameters of the elements in the group. The tool may also enable the user to replace the duplicated portions of the program or model with a sub-program or sub-model that can be shared for the duplicated portions. Code for the sub-model may be used for the simulation or generated code for the duplicated portions of the program or model in the simulation or code generation of the program or model.