Filtering Tree Node Data to Preserve Assembly Relationships
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively filter records from a parent/child data set while promoting children that do not match a filter, hindering the ability to filter parts/assembly relationships in relational tree models, which is crucial for asset managers to make inventory decisions, especially in managing parts at various stages of subassembly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method applies a filter to parent and child node data in a relational model, adding filtered data to a database and performing a parent node selection process for child nodes not conforming to the filter, while maintaining multigenerational relationships, allowing for the creation of a filtered tree database that retains these relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a filter is applied to parent/child data to remove unwanted records, then the data set becomes more manageable and relevant, but the multigenerational relationships and assembly structures are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering process into multiple stages: first filtering parent nodes independently, then filtering child nodes while preserving references to filtered parents. This segmentation allows the system to remove unwanted records while maintaining the structural relationships through parent selection processes that track original parent-child associations even when parents are filtered out.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces parent selection processes as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between the filtered parent data and child nodes. These intermediaries track which child nodes should retain references to filtered parents, allowing the system to remove records while preserving the logical assembly structure through intermediate tracking layers.
2Productivity
If traditional tree pruning methods are used to filter data, then processing efficiency improves, but the ability to maintain assembly relationships and enable disassembly/reassembly operations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first identifying and filtering parent nodes before processing child nodes. This preliminary filtering establishes a foundation for subsequent parent selection processes that can efficiently promote child nodes while maintaining assembly relationships, enabling both fast processing and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parent selection processes that can adaptively promote child nodes to new parent status based on filter results. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain assembly relationships while enabling disassembly and reassembly operations, as child nodes can be flexibly repositioned in the hierarchy based on inventory needs.
3Loss of information
If all parent/child records are retained in the data set, then complete assembly information is preserved, but inventory management and decision-making become inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary parent-child relationships that conform to filter criteria, removing irrelevant records while preserving essential assembly information. This extraction process maintains completeness of needed data while eliminating unnecessary information that slows down inventory management and decision-making processes.
4Stability of the object's composition
If child nodes are promoted to new parents to maintain relationships after filtering, then assembly structure is preserved, but the complexity of the parent node selection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parent node selection process into distinct stages: identifying filtered parents, selecting appropriate new parents for child nodes, and updating relationships. This segmentation reduces complexity by breaking down the complex selection process into manageable, systematic steps that can be executed efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-based method for generating multi-generational relationships within a relational model. The method includes applying, with a processing device, a filter to parent node data and child node data in the relational model, the relational model stored in a computer memory, adding filtered data to a database within a computer memory via instructions executed by the processing device, the filtered data including relational model data that passed through the filter, and applying, through instructions executed by the processing device, a parent node selection process to every child node in the filtered data that is associated with a parent node record not conforming to the filter.