Policy-Based Design Tool for Constraint Satisfaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently creating and maintaining valid configurations due to complexity and changing requirements, with existing tools lacking in supporting efficient configuration design and validation.

Innovation Solution

A policy-based design tool that uses models with attributes and relationships, constraints, and a constraint satisfaction engine to generate and validate system configurations, ensuring compliance with user and technical requirements through a flexible and efficient mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration management is used for complex systems, then flexibility in handling changing requirements is maintained, but the time and effort required to create and validate configurations increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidtime and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration management with an automated computer-based system that uses constraint satisfaction algorithms. The system automatically generates, validates, and maintains system configurations by translating natural language requirements into constraints and solving them computationally, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while preserving flexibility through programmable constraint handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration management system performs self-validation and self-correction by automatically checking generated configurations against specified constraints and requirements. The constraint satisfaction engine autonomously identifies valid configurations without requiring manual verification, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining configuration integrity while adapting to changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If existing configuration tools are used, then some configuration validation is provided, but they lack the capability to efficiently handle complex system requirements and changing constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration validationVSAvoidcapability to handle complex requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs constraint satisfaction technology that dynamically adjusts and evaluates multiple system parameters simultaneously to find valid configurations. The system can handle complex requirements by translating them into constraints and using automated algorithms to satisfy multiple constraints across numerous system parameters, providing both reliable validation and the versatility to handle complex changing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration management system is designed as a universal platform that can handle diverse system types and requirement categories through a common constraint satisfaction framework. It provides multi-functional capabilities including requirement translation, constraint formulation, configuration generation, and validation, making it adaptable to various complex system scenarios while maintaining reliable validation across different domains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive constraint checking is performed on system configurations, then configuration validity is ensured, but the complexity of the design process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration validityVSAvoiddesign process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual constraint checking processes with automated computer-based constraint satisfaction algorithms. The system automatically performs comprehensive constraint validation by translating requirements into formal constraints and using computational methods to verify configuration validity, ensuring precision while reducing the apparent complexity of the design process through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The constraint satisfaction engine acts as an intermediary between system requirements and configuration designs. It automatically handles the complex task of checking configurations against multiple constraints by serving as a mediator that translates natural language requirements into enforceable constraints and systematically validates configurations, thereby ensuring validity without requiring designers to manually manage the complexity of comprehensive constraint checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7644377B1Generating a configuration of a system that satisfies constraints contained in models

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

To configure a system, models of corresponding components are provided, where the models contain constraints. The models specify that at least one of the components is composed of at least another one of the components. The models are input into a design tool. The design tool generates a configuration of the system that includes the components, wherein the generated configuration satisfies the constraints contained in the models.