PLM Database Object Selection via Non-Associative View and Bounding Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current product life cycle management (PLM) solutions face challenges in rapidly selecting and editing individual parts within large assemblies due to the time-consuming process of loading entire models and filtering numerous objects, especially when dealing with complex products containing millions of parts.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with a user-controlled pointer is used to display a non-associative view of objects, allowing users to select objects by determining the pointer's location and using bounding volumes to identify and load the exact representation of the selected object, without requiring semantic information or loading the entire model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire model is loaded to enable selection of individual parts, then selection capability is improved, but rendering time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the selection process into two independent parts: a lightweight non-associative view that displays simplified representations of all parts without loading complete models, and a targeted retrieval mechanism that only loads the selected part's full representation when needed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain selection capability while dramatically reducing rendering time and resource consumption by avoiding unnecessary loading of entire assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential visual information needed for selection (simple representations, bounding volumes, spatial relationships) from the complete model data, displaying these in the non-associative view without the heavy computational overhead of full model rendering. When a part is selected, only that specific part's complete representation is extracted and loaded for editing, rather than loading the entire assembly.
2Productivity
If volume queries are used to limit search scope, then search efficiency is improved, but the number of returned objects increases requiring tedious filtering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of querying the database with volume or proximity constraints to filter results (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by displaying all parts in a simplified non-associative view and allowing users to directly point to and select the desired part. The system retrieves only the selected part's complete data, eliminating the need for filtering through multiple steps and significantly improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If semantic queries are used to select parts, then accuracy is improved, but user knowledge requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy or representation of each part in the non-associative view that preserves spatial relationships and visual characteristics without requiring semantic understanding. Users can select parts by interacting with these simplified representations (e.g., clicking, hovering), and the system accurately identifies the selected part without requiring the user to provide semantic queries or demonstrate specialized knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a process, an apparatus and a program for selecting an object in a PLM database containing modeled objects. The invention allows a user to rapidly display a view of the set of objects while allowing for selecting an object in the view, for example through movement of a pointer such as a mouse.