Physical System Engineering Through Lifecycle Data Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Engineering a physical system in complex environments is challenging due to the spread of relevant information across multiple lifecycle documents, requiring manual and error-prone processes that are slow and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system that facilitates the integration of lifecycle information into an engineering database using a connector, allowing users to select and import relevant lifecycle data through a user interface, thereby determining further engineering information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual processes are used to integrate lifecycle information from multiple documents, then flexibility in handling diverse document formats is maintained, but the process becomes slow and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration speedVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with an automated computer-based system. The system automatically retrieves lifecycle information from multiple document types (PDF, Word, Excel) using APIs and parsers, transfers data between databases, and generates integrated engineering information without human intervention, thereby increasing both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary automated processing system that acts as a mediator between lifecycle documents and engineering databases. This intermediary system standardizes data extraction and integration processes, ensuring consistent and error-free data transfer across different document formats and database systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If information is distributed across multiple lifecycle documents, then comprehensive coverage of project data is achieved, but the complexity of managing and integrating this information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges information from multiple distributed lifecycle documents into a unified engineering database. The system retrieves data from various source documents (requirements, specifications, test reports) and consolidates them into integrated engineering information, maintaining completeness while simplifying access and management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal processing system capable of handling multiple document types and formats through standardized interfaces. The automated system can process PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and other formats using common extraction methods, reducing the complexity of managing diverse information sources

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

3Productivity

If automated connectors are used to import lifecycle information, then efficiency and accuracy are improved, but the initial setup and configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration efficiencyVSAvoidconnector configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring automated connectors and establishing data retrieval rules before the actual integration process. The system is set up with predefined APIs, parsers, and data mapping templates that automatically handle lifecycle information import, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12417435B2Engineering a physical system method and system
Publication Date: 2025.09.16 SIEMENS INDUSTRY SOFTWARE GMBH
  • US12417435B2 patent drawing
  • US12417435B2 patent drawing
  • US12417435B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for an improved engineering of a physical system with the aid of corresponding lifecycle information. A computer-implemented method includes: providing engineering information related to the physical system in an engineering database; providing lifecycle information related to the physical system in a lifecycle database; displaying, by a display device, some of the engineering information and some of the lifecycle information of the physical system, respectively, in an engineering user interface (UI); capturing a user's input relating to an import of selected lifecycle information from the lifecycle database to the engineering database in response to user interactions with the engineering UI; generating a connector for importing the selected lifecycle information from the lifecycle database to the engineering database; importing the selected lifecycle information from the lifecycle database to the engineering database using the generated connector; and determining further engineering information of the physical system using the lifecycle information selected by the user and imported from the lifecycle database to the engineering database.