Knowledge Graph Digital Representation for Engineering Diagrams

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy P&ID diagrams are often shared as scanned PDFs, lacking hierarchical digital representation, making it difficult for engineers to extract information, leading to errors and incompatibility issues due to varying formats and complex diagrams.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating digital representations of engineering diagrams using knowledge graphs, which involves receiving engineering diagrams, determining component properties, interlinking them, and creating a digital twin model for efficient data management and visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If P&ID diagrams are shared as scanned PDFs or images, then the diagrams can be stored and transmitted easily, but the information cannot be extracted efficiently and requires manual review

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation extraction efficiencyVSAvoidmanual review time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital twin (copy) of the physical P&ID diagram that preserves all visual and structural information while adding machine-readable metadata layers. This digital copy enables automated extraction of component properties, connections, and relationships without manual intervention, directly resolving the contradiction between easy storage transmission and efficient information extraction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary digital representation layer between the scanned image and the extraction system. This intermediary contains structured data models, property definitions, and relationship mappings that enable automated interpretation of diagram content, eliminating the need for manual review while preserving the original diagram's information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If P&ID diagrams are created in different company formats, then each company can maintain its drafting standards, but compatibility and understanding become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrafting standard flexibilityVSAvoidformat compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal digital representation framework that can ingest and represent multiple drafting standards and formats within a single system. The property definition system and data model accommodate different company-specific conventions while maintaining a common structure for interoperability, allowing both format flexibility and compatibility to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter-based property definitions that can be configured to match different drafting standards. By making the data model parameters adaptable to various company conventions while maintaining a consistent underlying structure, the system achieves both adherence to specific drafting standards and cross-format compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If digital representation with hierarchical structure is implemented, then information extraction becomes efficient and automated, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata extraction automationVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the digital representation into distinct hierarchical layers: the visual diagram layer, the component property layer, the connection relationship layer, and the metadata layer. This segmentation allows automated extraction processes to target specific layers without needing to process the entire system, reducing computational complexity while maintaining automation capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where components contain properties, assemblies contain components, and systems contain assemblies. This nested organization enables automated extraction to operate at appropriate levels of abstraction, processing only the necessary depth of hierarchy for each query, thereby managing system complexity while enabling comprehensive automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3933653A1Method and system for generating a digital representation of one or more engineering diagrams in a computing environment
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3933653A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3933653A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3933653A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for generating digital representation of one or more engineering diagrams in a computing environment 100 is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more engineering diagrams of a technical installation 106 from one or more data sources. Further, the method includes determining one or more properties associated with one or more components within the engineering diagrams. The method further includes dynamically interlinking each of the determined one or more properties associated with the one or more components within the engineering diagrams. Furthermore, the method includes generating a digital representation model of the engineering diagram using knowledge graph. Also, the method includes outputting the generated digital representation model of the engineering diagram on a user interface of a user device.