PCB Restricted Region Transform for Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for establishing restricted regions on printed circuit boards (PCBs) require significant labor and time to resolve conflicts between physical restricted regions of different heights, as electrical engineering research designers cannot directly learn these regions from mechanical engineering research designers, leading to overlapping Place Keepout regions and resulting conflict areas.
Innovation Solution
A restricted region transform method and device that reads bare board and component layout information, sets regions based on edge information and projections, selects overlapping regions, and amends them to remove overlaps, thereby automatically resolving conflict regions and combining them into ECAD restricted regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical engineering research designers establish Place Keepout regions according to heights of restricted regions, then the restricted regions can be defined for electrical engineering research designers, but conflict regions form when Place Keepout regions with different heights overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the three-dimensional restricted region problem into a two-dimensional projection problem. By projecting 3D restricted regions with different heights onto the PCB surface, the system creates 2D representations that can be processed using planar geometry operations. This dimensional reduction allows overlap detection and resolution to be performed on the projected 2D regions rather than dealing with complex 3D spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates projected copies of the original 3D restricted regions on the PCB surface. These projected regions serve as simplified representations that preserve the spatial boundaries and overlap relationships of the original 3D regions while eliminating the height dimension. The projection operation generates 2D copies that can be efficiently processed to identify and resolve conflicts.
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to process conflict regions manually, then conflict regions can be resolved, but significant labor and time costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processing of conflict regions with automated computational methods. Instead of requiring designers to manually identify, analyze, and resolve overlapping restricted regions, the system uses projection operations, set theory operations (intersection, union, difference), and automated conflict detection algorithms to resolve conflicts programmatically. This substitution of manual mechanical processes with automated computational processes dramatically reduces processing time and labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated self-resolution of conflict regions through programmatic processing. The conflict resolution mechanism automatically detects overlapping projected regions, identifies the nature of conflicts, and resolves them using predefined rules and operations without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to handle conflict regions autonomously, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual processing.
3Loss of information
If electrical engineering research designers cannot directly learn restricted regions from mechanical engineering research designers, then space planning conflicts occur, but manual establishment of ECAD restricted regions requires great labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces projected regions as an intermediary representation that bridges the gap between mechanical engineering designs and electrical engineering requirements. The projection operation creates a common 2D language that both disciplines can understand and work with, enabling seamless information transfer without manual re-interpretation. This intermediary representation allows mechanical restricted regions to be automatically translated into ECAD-compatible formats that electrical engineers can directly use.
Solution Approach 2:
The projected regions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they represent the spatial boundaries of restricted areas, enable overlap detection, facilitate conflict resolution, and provide ECAD-compatible input for electrical engineering software. This multi-functional representation eliminates the need for separate processing steps and manual conversions, streamlining the entire workflow from mechanical design to electrical layout.
Data Source
AI summary
A restricted region transform method and a restricted region transform device are disclosed. The method includes following steps: reading out bare board information of a printed circuit board and layout information of a plurality of components, wherein the layout information of the plurality of components corresponds to a plurality of physical restricted regions; setting a first region according to edge information in the bare board information; setting a plurality of second regions according to projections of the plurality of physical restricted regions on a surface of the printed circuit board; selecting every two second regions, which overlap each other, among the plurality of second regions, and the selected second regions constituting a restriction conflict set; and selectively amending the second regions in the restriction conflict set to remove one or more overlaps from the second regions in the restriction conflict set.