Patent ID: 7038677
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A data-model adapted to be stored in a computer associated memory, the data-model capable of representing a multivariant assembly having multiple variants that differ in predetermined respects, the data-model comprising: a multivariant assembly class instance that operates as a data container for other class instances; a component/assembly class instance for storing data related to at least one variant of said multivariant assembly class instance, said component/assembly class instance being related to said multivariant assembly class instance; a component usage class instance for storing data related to at least one component usage that is an instance of at exactly one and only one child component/assembly that is used in said variant of said multivariant assembly class instance, said component usage class instance being related to said variant component/assembly class instance; and a logical component usage class instance for storing data related to said component usage class instance, said logical component usage class instance being related to said multivariant assembly class instance and said component usage class instance, and having a rule that whenever a variant component/assembly of said multivariant assembly class instance is created that said variant component/assembly class instance must connect to exactly one component usage class instance that is related to said logical component usage class instance.