Interoperable Hierarchical Model for Multi-User CAx Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAx systems are not well-suited for multi-user design and editing, leading to delays due to different views and incompatible representations of hierarchical features, parts, and assemblies, which hinder efficient collaboration among designers and engineers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for providing an interoperable hierarchical model that stores engineering objects in data nodes with dependency references, indicating an operational order for each data node with a common parent, and executing CAx-related functions in that order, allowing for efficient multi-user operations and rendering of models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing CAx systems are used for multi-user design and editing, then each system can maintain its own hierarchical representation, but different systems have incompatible views and representations that cause delays and hinder collaboration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal hierarchical data structure that can be used across different CAx systems. The standardized node-based representation with consistent dependency reference mechanisms allows multiple systems to interoperate without compatibility issues, enabling multi-user collaboration without time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes key parameters of the hierarchical data structure including node identification, dependency reference formats, and operational order representations. By controlling and standardizing these parameters across systems, the invention enables interoperable multi-user operations without the delays caused by parameter incompatibility.
2Reliability
If a complex hierarchical data structure is used to represent features, parts, and assemblies, then the model can capture detailed dependencies, but rendering views of the model experiences significant delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex hierarchical model into discrete nodes with localized dependency information. Each node independently stores only its own dependency references rather than the entire hierarchy, allowing rendering operations to process and display views by selectively traversing only the relevant portions of the hierarchy, thus reducing rendering delays while maintaining dependency accuracy.
3Productivity
If multiple users simultaneously edit the same model, then collaboration efficiency can be improved, but conflicts may arise from different operational orders of data nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes predetermined operational orders for data nodes with common parents before multi-user editing begins. By pre-defining the sequence in which operations should be applied to shared data nodes, the system allows multiple users to collaborate efficiently while maintaining model consistency, as the predetermined order prevents conflicts from arising during simultaneous editing.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for an interoperable hierarchical model for conducting multiuser CAx OPERATIONS may include (1) storing a model of an engineering object in a plurality of data nodes that are interconnected with a plurality of dependency references that specify one or more parent nodes for each non-root node of the plurality of data nodes, the plurality of data nodes and the plurality of dependency references corresponding to a directed acyclic graph, (2) indicating an operational order for each data node that has a common parent, and (3) executing in the indicated operational order a CAx-related function for each data node. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.