Configuration Tool Selective Port Line Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing configuration tools for technical systems models struggle to manage complexity effectively, as they either hide too much information when switching between expanded and reduced component representations, requiring frequent mode changes during development.
Innovation Solution
A configuration tool that allows selective display of port association lines in reduced representation at the ends of selected model components, independently of their representation mode, enabling finer incremental reduction of complexity and differentiation between port and component association lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If model components are displayed in reduced component representation to reduce complexity, then the overview of the model is improved, but too much information is hidden and frequent mode switching is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the representation modes into two independent dimensions: component representation (expanded/reduced) and line representation (expanded/reduced). This allows selective application of reduction to different parts of the model, enabling users to maintain detailed views of critical components while reducing complexity in other areas, thus avoiding complete mode switching and information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different representation qualities to different parts of the model simultaneously. Specific model components can have reduced line representation (hiding port association lines) while maintaining expanded component representation (showing ports), or vice versa. This local differentiation allows users to optimize the view for specific development tasks without losing essential information globally.
2Device complexity
If all port association lines are hidden in reduced representation, then complexity is reduced, but connection points cannot be clearly identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic controllability where users can switch the line representation mode (expanded/reduced) independently for each model component. This dynamic adjustment allows users to toggle between seeing all port association lines and having them hidden, depending on the current development task, thus balancing complexity reduction with connection point identifiability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the line representation control at the component level, allowing different line representation modes for different components within the same model view. This enables users to hide port association lines for components where connections are not relevant, while maintaining visibility for components where connection points need to be identified, thereby reducing overall complexity without sacrificing necessary information.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration tool includes a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for configuring a model of a technical system and displaying the model on a display connected to a computer. The model includes at least two model components. Each model component has at least one port. Each model component is displayable in an expanded component representation on the display. The at least one port of each model component is connectable to at least one port of another model component by port association lines. Each model component is displayable in an expanded line representation on the display along with the at least one port and the port association lines of each model component. At least for one selected model component the port association lines connected to ports of the selected model component can be selected to be displayed in a reduced line representation.