Graphical Search Pattern Automation for Design Object Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphical design systems require manual and error-prone methods for searching and replacing graphical objects, or necessitate programming skills that are often unavailable to designers, leading to significant productivity losses.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based system that allows designers to define graphical search and replacement patterns through a user interface, enabling automated and efficient finding and replacing of graphical objects in schematic and layout designs without the need for programming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual searching and editing methods are used, then designers can perform design edits without programming skills, but the process takes days to complete and is highly error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of performing design editsVSAvoidSpeed of performing design edits

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated search and replace system that acts as an intermediary between the designer's intent and the actual design modifications. The system includes a search module that automatically identifies objects matching specified criteria, and a replace module that applies corrections without manual intervention, thereby eliminating the trade-off between ease of operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where designers can define search criteria and replacement parameters through a user interface, and the system autonomously performs the searching, identification, and correction of design objects. This eliminates the need for programmers while maintaining high speed and accuracy, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If programmers write code to automate searching and editing tasks, then productivity increases, but most graphical designers are not skilled at programming and programmers are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSpeed of performing design editsVSAvoidRequirement for programming skills

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual coding and programming with an automated software system that performs searching and replacement through a graphical user interface. The system substitutes the need for programming knowledge with automated algorithms that execute based on user-defined parameters, thereby achieving high productivity without requiring designers to have programming skills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the designer's simple parameter specifications and the complex automated search and replace operations. This intermediary software handles the complexity of pattern matching, object identification, and correction application, allowing designers to achieve high productivity through simple interface interactions without needing programming expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If existing CAD tools like Éclair are used for structural search, then searching capability is provided, but the tools are limited to layout designs only and require involved manipulation of non-graphical input and output data files

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCapability to search for design objectsVSAvoidApplicability to different design types

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal search and replace system that can operate across multiple design types including schematic designs, layout designs, and other graphical designs. The system uses a unified object model and search mechanism that adapts to different design domains, eliminating the need for separate tools for different design types and removing the limitation of existing tools like Éclair that work only with layout designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to adapt their search needs to the limitations of existing tools, the patent inverts the approach by making the tool adaptable to various design types. The system allows users to specify search criteria in a graphical, design-specific manner rather than requiring manipulation of non-graphical data files, thereby reversing the usability burden from user to system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8640078B2Method and system for searching for graphical objects of a design

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

Searching for graphical objects of a design using a computer system. In one aspect of the inventions, a method includes defining a graphical search pattern based on input received from a user in a graphical interface displayed on a display device, where the search pattern is a graphical object and is defined with a plurality of types of characteristics. The graphical design is searched for all matching instances of graphical objects in the design that match the search pattern and match the characteristics specified by the search pattern. At least one of the matching instances is caused to be displayed on the display device as a result of the searching.