CAx Data Sharing via Multi-Format Caching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-user CAD systems face issues with data compatibility and fidelity due to the lack of support for a common data format, leading to sub-optimal performance and compatibility problems when sharing CAx data among users.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that receives CAx data in a first format, stores it in multiple alternate formats, and provides the data to a second client using at least one of these alternate formats upon request, enabling real-time sharing without requiring format arbitration or cyclic data requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CAx data is shared using different native formats among users, then each user can work with their preferred software tool, but data compatibility and fidelity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that acts as a mediator between clients using different CAx software tools. The server receives data in various native formats, converts it to an internal standardized representation, and then exports it to the requesting client's preferred format. This intermediary mechanism enables cross-tool collaboration while maintaining data fidelity by centralizing format conversion logic and validation rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes data format parameters based on the requesting client's capabilities and requirements. The server maintains multiple representations of the same CAx data in different formats (native, neutral, simplified) and selects the appropriate format parameters when responding to requests. This allows the same underlying data model to be adapted to various software tools without losing essential information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If format conversion is performed on-demand for each data request, then clients can access data in their preferred format, but system performance deteriorates due to repeated conversion overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-converting and caching CAx data in multiple alternate formats when data is first uploaded to the server. Instead of converting formats on every request, the system performs the conversion work upfront and stores the results. When a client requests data, the server retrieves the pre-converted format that matches the client's requirements, eliminating repeated conversion overhead and improving response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains multiple copies of the same CAx data in different formats (original native format, neutral format, and simplified formats). These copies are stored in the server's database and can be directly served to clients without real-time conversion. The copying strategy balances storage requirements with performance needs, ensuring that commonly requested formats are available immediately.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for sharing CAx data includes receiving CAx data in a first CAx format from a first client, storing the CAx data in a plurality of alternate formats, receiving a request for the CAx data from a second client, providing the CAx data to the second client using at least one alternate format of the plurality of alternate formats responsive to receiving the request for the CAx data from the second client. An apparatus and system corresponding to the above method is also disclosed herein.