Patent ID: 7647211
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: G06F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of designing a route for a second transport element at least partially based upon a route for a first transport element, the method comprising: establishing at least one constraint that limits possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint comprises establishing at least one inequality constraint which limits the possible routes for the second transport element without fixing a position of any portion of the second transport element, wherein establishing the at least one constraint further comprises establishing the at least one constraint based upon the route for the first transport element; establishing an overall cost function for evaluating the possible routes for the second transport element, wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises defining a preferred value for the at last one constraint and a cost for variances from the preferred value for the at last one constraint, and wherein establishing the overall cost function comprises incorporating the cost of variances for the at last one constraint in the overall cost function; and automatically defining, using a processor, the route for the second transport element in accordance with the at least one constraint and pursuant to the overall cost function, wherein automatically defining the route for the second transport element comprises defining the route for the second transport element to include straight segments that are non-orthogonal relative to one another.