Rule Pattern Library for Custom Product Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face significant resource challenges in creating custom product-configuration rules for numerous products, as existing methods are time-consuming, mistake-prone, and inefficient due to the need for individual modeling of rules.
Innovation Solution
A configuration system and method that allows designers to submit example rules, identify variables, and create template rules, which are then customizable, reducing the need for manual coding and resource-intensive rule creation by enabling product modelers to generate custom configuration rules using a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom configuration rules are created individually for each product, then the rules can be precisely tailored to specific product requirements, but the time and resources required for creation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration rules into reusable rule patterns that can be independently defined and then applied to multiple products. Each rule pattern represents a modular unit of configuration logic that can be selected and customized for different products, eliminating the need to recreate similar rules repeatedly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by allowing rule patterns to be created once and then instantiated multiple times across different products. The system stores rule patterns in a library and enables their reuse through reference, significantly reducing creation time while maintaining precision through selective customization of copied rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom configuration rules are created individually for each product, then the rules can address specific product requirements, but the complexity of the rule creation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining rule patterns that capture common configuration logic and relationships. These patterns are prepared in advance and stored in a library, so when creating rules for specific products, the system starts with pre-configured templates rather than building rules from scratch, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal rule patterns that can serve multiple products and configuration scenarios. A single rule pattern can be applied across different product lines with minimal modification, reducing the overall complexity of the rule creation process while maintaining the ability to address product-specific requirements through parameter customization.
3Reliability
If individual rule modeling is performed for each product, then complete coverage of product-specific constraints is achieved, but the resources required for development increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges common configuration logic and constraints into unified rule patterns that can be applied across multiple products. By combining repeated configuration rules into single reusable patterns, the system maintains complete constraint coverage for each product while significantly improving development efficiency through resource sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration system, method, and software program is provided for enabling users to create and use rule patterns to generate custom product-configuration rules. The method includes enabling a designer to submit example rules or template rules for a rule pattern. The designer is then able to select which variables will be customizable in instances of the rule pattern. A modeler is able to select the rule pattern from a rule pattern library as a basis for creating custom configuration rules for a product. In response to the modeler selecting the rule pattern from the library, a user interface is generated in which the customizable fields for each template rule in the rule pattern are displayed and the modeler is able to enter values for the customizable fields. Configuration rules are then generated for the product from the template rules and the values entered by the modeler for the customizable fields.