Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-02
2001-07-10
Black, Thomas (Department: 2153)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260046
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of computer systems and more particularly to the field of computer aided engineering design and decision systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Engineering is the art of directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of humans. The process by which these goals are achieved is engineering design. Engineering design commences upon the recognition of the need to satisfy some human want or desire, which might range from the detection and destruction of incoming aircraft to the design of some type of fastener, i.e., a special type of screw.
The first obligation of the engineer is to develop more detailed, quantitative information which defines the human want or task to be accomplished in order to formulate the task as a specification. At this point, the scope of the problem is defined and the need for pertinent information is established. In many engineering situations, particularly those where there is a great body of experience residing in a company that has previously designed similar products, models or systems, a large amount of this experience or expertise is unable to be found or is lost. Consequently, many existing components are needlessly redesigned or modified, even when no change is required.
The forgoing problem is exacerbated when inexperienced or new engineers are assigned to design the product, model or system. This often causes additional time and expense to design the product. Oftentimes, the product does not function as well as was expected. Furthermore, some apparently inconsequential design changes to components of systems will greatly affect other components of the system. Engineering design changes may also affect: the cost and difficulty of manufacturing the product; the ability to sell the product; the ability to service the project and the reliability of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method that enables inexperienced or new engineers or engineers that do not have a complete knowledge of the available knowledge to automatically use the experience and designs that have previously been used by experienced engineers in the organization. The engineering user of this system is able to identify requirements, components (product building blocks), documentation, processes, test, historical data, etc., as candidates for reuse. This is accomplished by parsing the required information automatically from product and component specifications.
The foregoing lowers the development cost of components, while improving the quality of the product. The time required to design the product is also reduced. Consequently, new products may be brought to market faster. In addition, an “Architecture Wizard” provides the ability to graphically specify architectures from scratch and/or use existing architectures (components and their associated attributes).
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Lukaszewski Matthew S.
Manduley Flavio M.
Benson Walter
Black Thomas
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Reichman Ronald
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