Configuration Rule Mapping Across Product Lines and Time Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product configuration systems struggle to effectively map and correlate product demand data across changing product definitions, as conventional methods often focus on individual product parts in isolation, neglecting the impact of other parts and failing to account for changes in product configurations over time and across product lines.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for consolidating configuration mapping rules across feature aspects, time periods, and product lines, using a multi-dimensional rule space to integrate and map individual product features and entire configurations from established products to new product offerings, incorporating a processor and memory to access, combine, and store consolidated configuration mapping rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods map individual product parts in isolation, then the mapping process is simple and straightforward, but the predictive value of demand estimation deteriorates because the impact of other parts and configuration changes is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration mapping process into multiple dimensions including feature aspects, time periods, and product lines. Each dimension is handled separately through dedicated rule sets, allowing the system to manage complexity through structured decomposition while maintaining high predictive accuracy by considering all segments together
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multi-dimensional rule spaces that add dimensions of feature aspects, time periods, and product lines to the traditional single-dimension part mapping. This dimensional expansion enables the system to capture complex relationships and configuration changes across multiple axes simultaneously, significantly improving demand estimation accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration model changes are made to update product definitions, then the product models remain current and relevant, but the ability to correlate data between old and new configuration models deteriorates without proper mapping mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes configuration mapping rules in advance that define relationships between old and new configuration models before actual changes occur. These pre-defined rules include feature aspect rules, time period rules, and product line rules that automatically preserve data correlations when configuration models are updated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration mapping rules as intermediary elements that mediate between old and new configuration models. These rules act as a bridge that preserves demand data correlations by translating and mapping configuration changes across different model versions, preventing information loss during transitions
3Measurement precision
If multiple part-to-part mapping rules are consolidated into a unified rule set, then the holistic view of product configurations is improved, but the complexity of rule management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments consolidated mapping rules into distinct categories: feature aspect rules, time period rules, and product line rules. Each segment is managed independently with specific criteria, making the overall complex rule set easier to maintain while preserving the holistic view through their coordinated application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages rule complexity by parameterizing rules with specific attributes such as feature aspects, time periods, and product lines. This parameterization allows the system to handle multiple specific rules through generalized templates, improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration mapping system and method increase the effectiveness of mapping of information from an established product line to a new product offering. In at least one embodiment, the configuration mapping system herein uses configuration mapping rules to map individual product features and entire configurations from established products to a new product offering. The configuration mapping system also provides a way to appropriately map, for example, demand and sales information for the purpose of demand estimation and sales prediction. Conventionally, mapping can be ineffective because the configuration mapping rules usually focus on one part of the product at a time, and, if applied in isolation, the impact on other parts is missed. The systems and method herein provide a way to integrate configuration mapping rules across feature parts, time periods, and product lines into a unified, holistic view, allowing for new insights.