Global Product Definition Representation Using Positive Logic Rule Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional product configuration systems face inefficiencies and errors due to the complexity of defining and applying rules for component compatibility in complex systems, leading to increased computational demands and labor-intensive processes, making them costly and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that generates a global representation of a product definition by converting local, rule-based representations into positive logic rule groups, allowing for efficient validation of product configurations against valid end-product configurations, using binary-vector logical and algebraic operations to minimize errors and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rule-based approaches are used to define component compatibility, then product configuration validation can be performed, but computational resource consumption increases and system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores compatibility information in lookup tables during system initialization or product definition phase. When validating a configuration, the system directly queries these pre-computed tables rather than performing complex rule evaluations, thereby eliminating runtime computational overhead while maintaining validation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified representations of compatibility rules in the form of lookup tables that capture the essential compatibility relationships. These tables serve as copies of the full rule logic, enabling fast validation by replacing complex rule-based reasoning with simple table lookups that consume minimal computational resources.
2Reliability
If comprehensive rules and constraints are defined for all component interrelationships, then configuration validity can be ensured, but the complexity of the system increases and error possibilities rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms complex rule-based representations into simplified lookup table structures. These tables capture all compatibility relationships in a compact format that is easier to define and maintain, reducing the complexity of rule definition while preserving complete validation capability through the tabular representation of all valid component combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters of compatibility rules from complex logical expressions to simple tabular data structures. This parameter transformation converts difficult-to-manage rule definitions into straightforward lookup tables that are easier to populate, validate, and maintain, thereby reducing definition complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If inter-component compatibility rules are defined for each component, then configuration validation is possible, but the product definition process becomes labor-intensive and implementation changes become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates centralized lookup tables that consolidate compatibility information for all components. Instead of defining and maintaining separate rules for each component, the system uses a single tabular structure that captures all inter-component relationships, significantly reducing the labor required for product definition and simplifying implementation of changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal lookup table structure that serves all component compatibility validation needs simultaneously. This single tabular representation handles compatibility checking for any number of components and relationships, eliminating the need for component-specific rule definitions and enabling easy maintenance through centralized management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method or system that receives a product definition that includes a feature family having data defining one or more product features. The product definition including one or more corresponding rules defining one or more relationships between one or more product features. The method or system receiving input selecting one or more feature families of interest. The method or system identifying the one or more rules that provide a relationship connecting the one or more feature families to the selected feature families of interest. The method or system converting the identified rules to one or more positive logic rule groups. The method or system generating one or more global representations of the product definition by interacting the one or more positive logic rule groups to produce a result that defines the relationship between the interacted positive logic rule groups and storing the results that are determined as being valid.