CAD Model Data Separation via Unique Key Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the field of computer-aided design for electronic control units, existing methods persistently link additional data to design models, making it difficult to edit or exchange models between development participants while protecting intellectual property, especially when additional data is not available or is password-protected.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a link list with globally unique keys to manage and separate design models and additional data, allowing flexible processing and protection by generating new keys when additional data is available or maintaining existing keys when it is not, and implementing access authorizations for users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional data are persistently linked to design model objects, then the design model can be processed with all necessary information, but the design model cannot be edited separately from the additional data and intellectual property may be disclosed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection between additional data and model objects by introducing a link list with globally unique keys as an intermediate layer. This allows the additional data and model objects to be stored separately in the database, connected only through the key-based link list, enabling independent editing while maintaining data availability through the indirect connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The link list with globally unique keys serves as an intermediary between the additional data and model objects. Instead of direct persistent linking, the system uses this intermediate structure to associate data with objects, allowing the model to be edited without directly modifying the additional data while preserving the ability to retrieve and process complete information when needed.
2Loss of information
If additional data are persistently linked to design model objects, then complete information is available for processing, but the design model can be exchanged between development participants only with all additional data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data storage structure into separate components: model objects, additional data, and a link list with globally unique keys. This segmentation allows model objects to be exchanged independently without necessarily transferring all associated additional data, while the link list maintains the ability to reconnect complete information sets when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the direct persistent link between additional data and model objects, replacing it with a reference-based connection through the link list. This extraction allows model objects to be freely exchanged and processed with partial information, while the additional data can be selectively retrieved and associated when complete information is needed for specific development steps.
3Reliability
If additional data are attached directly to the model object, then the data are always available, but the design model cannot be edited separately from the additional data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data architecture by storing additional data and model objects separately in the database, connected through a link list with globally unique keys. This segmentation enables editors to work with model objects independently without being constrained by directly attached additional data, while the system maintains reliable data availability through the key-based reference structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The link list with globally unique keys acts as an intermediary that decouples the direct connection between additional data and model objects. This intermediary structure allows model objects to be edited freely while the system can still retrieve and associate the necessary additional data through the key references when processing requires complete information.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for processing a computer-aided design model for the development of electronic control units in a design environment, wherein the design model comprises at least one model object with initial data. The initial data are supplementary data required only for individual development steps of the control device. The method begins by reading all model objects of the design model into the development environment and reading an assignment list that assigns a globally unique key to each model object. Once the initial data are available, they are read from a first storage location, the initial data containing the globally unique key being used. Subsequently, the initial data are assigned to the model object based on the globally unique key, so that the initial data are available during the processing of the design model.If the initial data is unavailable, a globally unique key is assigned to the model object so that the globally unique key is available during the editing of the design model. The next step involves editing the design model and then saving the link list, in which the globally unique key is assigned to the model object. Saving includes: if the initial data was available during editing, generating a new globally unique key that replaces the previous one; if the initial data was unavailable during editing, retaining the existing globally unique key. Finally, the initial data is saved along with the globally unique key, and all model objects of the design model are saved.