Multi-User CAx Editing Data Consistency via Persistent Labels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAx systems are not well-suited for collaborative design and editing, leading to editing conflicts and data inconsistencies that often result in data loss or corruption due to incompatible file formats used by different designers and engineers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user CAx editing system with a synchronization module that generates unique persistent labels for geometric elements, allowing clients to maintain data consistency by identifying and associating matching elements across different local instances of a model, thereby facilitating consistent editing across various CAx tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple designers use different CAx tools with incompatible file formats for collaborative editing, then each designer can use their preferred tool, but editing conflicts and data inconsistencies occur resulting in data loss or corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that mediates between multiple CAx tools. The server receives data from different CAx tools, standardizes it using a common data model, and distributes consistent data back to all clients. This intermediary layer enables compatibility across incompatible tools while maintaining data consistency through centralized control and validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms data from various CAx tools by changing its parameters and structure to fit a standardized common data model. The server performs parameter transformations, data normalization, and format conversion to ensure that geometric elements and their relationships are represented consistently across all users regardless of their native tool's file format.
2Ease of operation
If data files are shared among several designers for collaborative editing, then collaboration is enabled, but editing conflicts and data inconsistencies arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central server continuously monitors data changes from multiple users, validates modifications against the common data model, and provides feedback to clients about the state of the shared data. This feedback loop prevents conflicting edits by coordinating changes and informing users of data inconsistencies before they cause loss or corruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary validation and standardization of data before it is distributed to multiple users. The server pre-processes data into the common data model, establishes consistent relationships between geometric elements, and prepares conflict-resolution strategies in advance. This preliminary action prevents editing conflicts by ensuring all users start with a consistent, validated data state.
3Ease of manufacture
If each CAx tool uses its own file format, then tool-specific functionality is preserved, but data inconsistencies occur when files are shared
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data representation into two distinct layers: the presentation layer that maintains tool-specific file formats and the common data model layer that ensures consistency. Each CAx tool continues to use its native format for display and editing, while the server maintains a segmented, standardized representation of geometric elements and their relationships in the common data model, isolating format differences from structural consistency requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-user CAx editing system may comprise a plurality of editing clients. The editing clients may be configured to maintain data consistency for geometric elements created within each local instance of a model of an engineering object. For example, each of the plurality of editing clients may include a synchronization module configured to identify one or more distinguishing parameters for each locally created geometric element and generate a unique persistent label for the geometric element, and communicate the unique persistent label and the distinguishing parameters to other editing clients. The communication may occur via a collaborative editing server. The other editing clients may find a geometric element within their local instance of the model that matches the distinguishing parameters and associate the unique persistent label with that geometric element. Subsequent references to the geometric element may be made by referring to the unique persistent label.