Dynamic Engineering Object Previews for PLM Project Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current product lifecycle management systems fail to provide an effective high-level preview of engineering projects, particularly those involving complex automation devices like PLCs and HMI screens, leading to inefficiencies in user navigation and understanding of engineering projects.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically generating previews of engineering objects in a product lifecycle management environment, using meta files to associate preview strategies with engineering objects, allowing for customizable and multi-strategy previews on user interfaces, enabling users to quickly grasp project content without detailed access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high level preview is displayed for engineering projects, then user navigation efficiency is improved, but the preview does not provide sufficient understanding of complex engineering objects
Solution Approach 1:
The preview is segmented into multiple independent views (e.g., overview view, detailed view, hierarchical view) that can be selectively displayed. Each view segment presents different aspects of the engineering object, allowing users to navigate efficiently while accessing detailed information when needed without loading all details simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview system adds a hierarchical dimension to the display, organizing engineering objects in multiple levels (project level, object level, detail level). This dimensional approach allows the preview to convey both high-level navigation information and detailed engineering data through structured hierarchy rather than flat presentation.
2Loss of information
If all engineering objects are displayed in the preview, then complete understanding is achieved, but the preview becomes too complex and time-consuming to review
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and displays only the most relevant and essential information about engineering objects in the preview, separating critical data from secondary details. This extraction approach provides sufficient understanding for quick review while allowing users to access complete information on-demand when specific objects are selected.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview displays a partial representation of engineering objects - enough information to understand the essence and make navigation decisions, but not the complete detailed data. This partial action approach balances information completeness with review efficiency, allowing users to quickly scan multiple projects and drill down only when necessary.
3Ease of operation
If multiple preview strategies are implemented, then preview effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preview system implements a universal framework that supports multiple preview strategies (different view types, filtering options, hierarchical levels) through a single integrated architecture. This multi-functional design allows the same system to adapt to different user needs and engineering object types without requiring separate systems for each preview approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview system is designed to be dynamic, automatically selecting and switching between different preview strategies based on the type of engineering object, user preferences, and context. This dynamic adaptation provides effective previews for diverse engineering objects while the system manages the complexity of multiple strategies through automated decision-making rather than manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of dynamically generating a preview of an engineering object in a product lifecycle management environment is provided. A preview generation module is configured to obtain a meta file indicating association of one or more preview strategies selected from a plurality of preview strategies with the engineering object. The preview generation module is also configured to determine preview strategies associated with the engineering object based on the association of the preview strategies with the engineering object in the meta file, to dynamically generate a preview of the engineering object according to the determined preview strategies, and to display the generated preview of the engineering object on a graphical user interface of the user device.