Linking Record-Based CAD to Object-Oriented Databases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy CAD systems using record-based databases face challenges in integrating with object-oriented design software, due to difficulties in retraining employees and updating business processes, leading to inertia in adopting more advanced, object-oriented database formats.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that seamlessly integrate linear and object-oriented design programs, allowing users to work within a linear design environment while leveraging object-oriented database features by linking design entities to object blocks, which recognize modifications and update both databases accordingly, using intermediate interface components to correlate changes between record-based and object-oriented databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If organizations migrate to object-oriented database format, then design functionality and intelligence are improved, but training costs and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate interface layer that mediates between the record-based CAD application and the object-oriented database. This interface translates record-based operations into object-oriented commands, allowing organizations to access advanced design functionality without completely replacing their existing systems or requiring extensive retraining of employees.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution segments the system into distinct layers: the existing record-based CAD interface layer, the new object-oriented database layer, and an intermediate translation layer. This segmentation allows the organization to adopt object-oriented capabilities incrementally while preserving the familiar record-based interface that employees already know how to use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If organizations replace legacy record-based systems with object-oriented systems, then design intelligence and dynamic relationships are improved, but employee retraining and business process updates are required
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate interface acts as a translator that converts familiar record-based CAD operations into intelligent object-oriented commands. Users continue to operate the system using their existing record-based CAD skills, while the interface secretly performs the intelligent object-oriented processing, thus improving design intelligence without requiring employee retraining.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the record-based interface that sits alongside the object-oriented database. This interface copy maintains the familiar look and feel of traditional CAD systems while routing operations through the intelligent object-oriented layer, allowing users to work as before but with enhanced capabilities.
3Reliability
If object blocks are used to store design entities, then relationships and knowledge maintenance are improved, but data conversion and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate interface serves as a data translation mediator that automatically converts between record-based data structures and object-oriented data structures. When design entities are created or modified, the interface handles the complex data conversion transparently, maintaining reliable relationships in the object-oriented database without requiring manual data conversion efforts.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present invention allow a user to work within a record-based design environment while achieving the advantages provided by an object-oriented database. In particular, the user of components in accordance with the present invention can create designs within a record-based application program, within an object-oriented application program, or within a third application program linked by the object-oriented program, and still have the graphical representation thereof visibly displayed in the record-based application program.