UML Model for Physical Component Interfaces Using Across and Through Variables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software engineering tools lack an efficient method for modeling systems that integrate physical components, particularly in multi-domain systems like mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems, where across and through variables need to be effectively represented and simulated.
Innovation Solution
A Unified Modeling Language (UML) based software architecture modeling environment that allows users to specify and model interfaces between physical components using across and through variables, supported by a graphical programming environment for real-time operations and simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional software engineering tools are used for modeling physical systems, then the modeling process is simple and familiar, but the ability to effectively represent and simulate across and through variables in multi-domain systems is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends UML, originally designed for software systems, to model physical systems by adding support for across and through variables. This allows a single modeling language to handle both software and physical domains, improving versatility without requiring separate specialized tools for each domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces new parameter types (across variables and through variables) to the UML framework. These parameters enable the representation of physical quantities like voltage, current, pressure, and flow rate, transforming UML from a software-only modeling language to one that can also model physical systems.
2Measurement precision
If UML is extended to model physical components with across and through variables, then the representation accuracy of physical systems improves, but the complexity of the modeling environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the modeling environment into distinct components: core UML elements, across variable definitions, through variable definitions, and their pairings. This modular structure allows users to gradually add physical system modeling capabilities to UML without overwhelming complexity, maintaining representational accuracy while managing environmental complexity.
3Productivity
If a graphical programming environment is added to execute UML models with action language, then the simulation capability of physical systems is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an action language as an intermediary layer between the UML model and the graphical programming environment. This action language provides a standardized way to specify real-time operations and simulations, enabling enhanced simulation capability while abstracting away the underlying complexity of the execution environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, mediums and systems are provided to enable a user to build and edit a UML model for a system containing one or more physical component, which includes the across variable and/or the through variable of the components. A UML model may include classifiers, such as classes, interfaces, datatypes, signals, components, nodes, use cases and subsystems, that describes the structural and behavioral features of the system. A UML model may include at least one of the classifiers that is described using the across variables and/or the through variables of the system. For example, the interface of a component in a UML model may be described using the across variables and/or the through variables of the component.