Abstract:
The present invention is a network-based system and method for providing a centrally controlled single source location for storing electronic data (including but not limited to part information such as Computer Aided Designed [CAD] solid models, associated textual data, images, mathematical algorithms, and links to associative websites) to be accessed by users creating various products/designs using various application programs. The system includes a central computer system and a plurality of user computer systems coupled to a network. The central computer system stores a plurality of computer solid models. From a user computer system, a user accesses an application program run by the central computer system in order to search and retrieve the stored data files (solid models).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to design applications, and, more specifically, to multi-platform design application systems.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the design environment, graphical solid model representations of parts and components are used to build virtual assemblies. The virtual assemblies are then used to build a product. Although the same parts may be used repeatedly throughout a design, historically designers either manually search for and borrowed those models created by other designers, or they redesigned or built new parts. Not having a central single source of information (i.e., models) led to significant time being spent finding parts already modeled or re-designing models again. Re-designing models also added a margin of error since different designers would most likely not model a part in the same manner.  
           [0003]    Because of this uncontrolled method of obtaining models, the reliability of uniform designs was practically non-existent. In addition, the information and detail contained in any model was limited to that deemed necessary by the designer, therefore limiting the usefulness of the data to another user. Redundancy of effort and inaccuracy in design or data adds costs to any design. Furthermore this inefficiency may be compounded across a large organization or corporation because multiple Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications/systems may be used to perform design work which does not permit a simple means of sharing and standardizing the information.  
           [0004]    Therefore, a need exists to make system/product design more efficient and uniform across a company performing a plurality of designs using various CAD systems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a network-based system and method for providing data and information of many types, from a centrally controlled, single source location for storage, to users that utilize the data/information within various projects, programs, work scenarios, etc., on a multitude of software applications and hardware systems, and permits the capability of the data/information to be transmitted, forwarded, utilized in other downstream applications. The description provided demonstrates the application of these methods and technologies in the form of a Solid Model Library (SML) tool. The example of the SML tool provides a network-based system and method for providing graphical CAD solid models and other data from a centrally controlled, single source location to be accessed by users creating various designs using various design application programs. A SML system includes a central computer system and a plurality of user computer systems coupled to a network. The central computer system includes an application that stores and delivers a plurality of CAD solid models and other data based on approval designated by a previously assigned approval authority. The solid models and other data are identified by associated search criteria. The user computer systems include a display device, a user interface device, and a processing device coupled to the display device and the user interface device. The processing device includes a first component that accesses the application program of the central computer system based on previously approved access authority. The user interface device allows for entry of a search value in the accessed application program based on at least one component of the search criteria. The application program includes a first component that searches the central computer system based on the entered search value, and a second component that sends the results of the search to the user computer system. The processing device includes a second component that presents the sent results of the search on the display device.  
           [0006]    As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a network-based data library with searching capabilities, thereby providing a more efficient and uniform system across a company for performing a plurality of functions (designs) using various (CAD) systems.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system that implements the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process performed in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0010]    FIGS.  3 - 13  are screen shots of an exemplary graphical user interface formed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a system  40  that provides a central single source of three-dimensional graphical solid models for system/product design. The system  40  includes one or more model creator devices  44 , at least one model certifier device  46 , a solid model library device  48 , and a plurality of user devices  50 . The user devices  50  are suitably coupled to the solid model library device  48  via a data network  52 , such as, without limitation, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as an intranet, or the Internet. The model creator devices  44  and the model certifier device  46  are connected to the solid model library device  48  directly or via the network  52 . Model creators using an associated model creator device  44  create three-dimensional solid models to be identified, accessed and used by users using an associated user device  50 . Users can also create sold models. Created three-dimensional solid models are sent from the model creator device  44  to the solid model library device  48 . A model certifier uses an associated model certifier device  46  to approve or disapprove the three-dimensional solid models sent by the model creator or by a user. Once the model certifier has approved a created three-dimensional solid model, the approved three-dimensional solid model is made accessible to users using their associated user devices  50  by accessing the solid model library device  48  over the network  52 .  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method  100  that a user follows when retrieving solid models from the solid model library device  48  (FIG. 1) using an associated user device  50  (FIG. 1). Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, at block  104 , the user logs into and gains access to a solid model library (SML) tool executed by the solid model library device  48 . The SML tool is suitably a network-based application program or graphical user interface, such as an intranet or Internet website. Access to the SML system preferably requires a pre-approved account and password, thereby limiting user access to only those that require the functions provided by the solid model library device  48 .  
         [0013]    Next, at block  106 , the user selects the filter options to limit the models included in the search. Filter options are selected via the user interface application and the user device  50  associated with the user. The filter options are set by selecting the “SET” button associated with the filter selections on the user interface application. Next, at block  108 , the user performs a search for a part model the user desires to insert into the design within a CAD application on the user device  50  associated with the user. The models are stored in accordance with various searchable parameters; thereby permitting searches to be performed automatically by entering one or more parameters. The parameters suitably include a part number, a word or phrase describing the part, CAD application, Program usage, and/or Product Data Management (PDM) storage system or a combination of these parameters. Searches can also be manually performed by progressing interactively through descriptive part tables and the options presented via the user interface application. Exemplary searches are shown below in FIGS.  3 - 12 . At block  110 , the results of the search are presented to the user device  50 . Then, at decision block  116 , the user determines if the result of the search has presented the part the user intended to insert into the design/product. If the results of the search do not include the desired part, the user is encouraged to perform a new search or end the search at block  118 . If, at decision block  116 , the desired part was included in the results of the search, the user may set a PDM filter (if not already set in the initial search) at block  120  based on the target PDM system in which the desired part is to be included. By selecting a model from the provided results and selecting the “ADD PART” button provided on the user interface application, at block  122 , the solid model associated with the desired part and stored in the solid model library device  48  is added to the parts list for the user and simultaneously is added to the PDM system identified by the PDM filter option selected. If the added part previously exists in the target PDM system, the model addition function to the PDM system is bypassed. The solid model that is added to the parts list is added based on the CAD application that the user sets at the associated user device  50 . Once the user is ready to insert the selected solid model into a design within the CAD application on their associated user device  50 , at block  124 , the solid model from the parts list is inserted into the CAD application workspace.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate different, exemplary ways in which the SML tool may be accessed from the solid model library device  48  (FIG. 1). FIG. 3 illustrates a partial screen shot of a graphics application program window  200 . The graphics application program window  200  includes a workspace  202  and a menu area  204 . The menu area  204  includes pull-down menus  206  as well as function buttons  208  for directly accessing a specific function. The function buttons  208  include an SML TOOL ACCESS button  210 , an ADD SOLID MODEL button  212 , and an OPEN SOLID MODEL (in an independent CAD workspace) button  214 . Selection of the SML TOOL ACCESS button  210  allows the user access to the SML tool through a previously opened network application program window or by spawning a network application program window and providing access to the SML tool as shown in FIG. 5. Selection of the ADD SOLID MODEL button  212  inserts the selected solid model chosen during the search or selected from the previously created parts list associated with the user into the workspace  202 . Selection of the OPEN SOLID MODEL button  214  opens the model chosen during the search or selected from the previously created parts lists associated with the user in an independent CAD workspace  202 . This is shown and described in more detail below in FIG. 12.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 illustrates a subwindow  220  that includes buttons  222 ,  224 , and  226  that perform the same functions as the buttons  210 ,  212 , and  214  of the CAD application window  200  shown in FIG. 3. The subwindow  220  is presented upon selection of a SML tool function included in a pull-down menu of a particular CAD application. It will be appreciated that access to a network-based SML tool through a graphics program can be performed in ways different than that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, selections of the buttons  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  222 ,  224 , and  226  are suitably performed by manipulating a cursor over the desired button or screen location using a user interface device or alternate selection device. Other user interface tools, such as voice actuation software, Personal Data Assistant (PDA) via satellite links, laptop computer, or similar portables devices can be used to gain access to the SML tool or perform selections with the SML tool or with the CAD application.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a table of contents page  230  of the SML tool accessed by a user at a user device  50  (FIG. 1) from the solid model library device  48  (FIG. 1) over the network  52  (FIG. 1). Access to the table of contents page  230  can be provided by successful execution of a predefined password protected login page or window. A password or login process can be used to limit the number of users to only those that require the use of the SML tool and track and maintain metrics on access/usage per individual user. The table of contents page  230  includes hyperlink text that upon selection provides access to an associated entry window(s). In the SML example, the hyperlink text suitably includes a GUEST LIBRARY link  232 , a STANDARDS LIBRARY link  234 , a SUBSYSTEMS LIBRARY link  236 , a TOOLING LIBRARY link  240 , a MY ASSEMBLY LIST (synonymous with the user parts list) link  242 , an INSTRUCTIONS link  244 , a PART MODEL REQUEST/CHANGE FORM link  246 , and a PROJECT INFORMATION link  248 . User selection of any one of the hyperlink text included within the table of contents page  230  presents the page or pages associated with the hyperlink text. Selection of the STANDARDS LIBRARY link  234  presents a first search page  260  as shown in FIG. 6A. Selection of the GUEST LIBRARY link  232  presents the user an entry point to the models and data available within a Guest Library of the SML tool. The Guest Library is the storage area for the solid models created and added by users to the SML tool and serves as a staging area for those models until validation can be performed. Selection of the SUBSYSTEMS LIBRARY link  236  presents the user an entry point to the models and data available within a Subsystems Library a of the SML tool. The Subsystems Library is the storage area within the SML tool for the solid models affiliated with Subsystem design. Selection of the TOOLING LIBRARY link  240  presents the user an entry point to the models and data available within the Tooling Library of the SML tool. The Tooling Library is the storage area within the SML tool for the solid models affiliated with Tooling design. Selection of the INSTRUCTIONS link  244  presents the user an entry point to on-line instructions documentation provided for SML tool operation and set-up. Selection of the PROJECT INFORMATION link  248  presents the user an entry point to the documentation available regarding the SML tool project information. Selection of the MY ASSEMBLY LIST link  246  presents the parts list for the associated user; for example, see parts list page  380  in FIG. 12. Selection of the PART MODEL REQUEST/CHANGE FORM link  246  presents a form page  420  from which a new part model request or existing model change can be initiated, as shown in FIG. 13. This is a semi-automatic process that tracks the request as progress is completed.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6A illustrates a beginning search page  260  that is presented upon selection of the hypertext STANDARDS LIBRARY link  234  shown in FIG. 5. The search page  260  includes a filter section  264  and a search section  278 . The filter section  264  includes a number of different selectable filters that a user sets prior to searching for a part to add to the user parts list. The filter section  264  includes an IMAGES pull-down menu  266 , a PREFERRED/PDM filter pull-down menu  268 , and a CAD filter pull-down menu  270 . The filter section  264  also includes a SET button  272  that when activated applies the selected filter settings, based on the selections in the pull-down menus  266 ,  268 , and  270 , used in the search for the solid models to be added to the user&#39;s parts list. The IMAGES filter  266  allows the user to toggle the model images provided on the selection tables to be displayed or not displayed. Choosing to not have the images displayed will increase the speed and performance of the searching application. The search page  260  also includes an ASSEMBLY LIST button  274  that when selected displays the present user&#39;s parts list (see FIG. 12). The search area  278  includes a search term entry field  280 , and interactive sub-categorical listings such as a FLUID-MECHANICAL parts title list  288 , and an ELECTRICAL-ELECTRONICS parts title list  290 . In this embodiment, the user can search for models in a number of different ways. The user can enter a part name or phrase into the search field area  280 . A search is executed upon selection of the SEARCH button located in the search field area  280 . The user can select whether to search all libraries or the library that the designer is presently interacting with. As shown in FIG. 6A, the library selected is the STANDARDS LIBRARY, the current library. This indicates that no other library, meaning the SUBSYSTEMS, TOOLING or GUEST LIBRARIES will be searched. The sub-categorical lists, for example the FLUID-MECHANICAL list  288  includes an alphabetical list of fluid-mechanical parts that are hyperlinked to more detailed lists of parts associated with the part title.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary list of the selectable filters presented in the PREFERRED/PDM filter pull-down menu  268  and the CAD filter pull-down menu  270 . The IMAGES pull down menu  266  allows the user to toggle the images provided in the search results to be displayed or not displayed. Not displaying the images increases the speed and performance of the search. The PREFERRED/PDM filter selections allow the user to only be presented in the search results those part families that are listed on those filter lists. A Preferred filter list allows only the part families considered on that particular list to be displayed to the user. Those part families have been deemed acceptable for use by an Authoritative Source (i.e. Program Administration) and consequentially, any part selected from the results of a search performed utilizing that filter can be automatically loaded to a PDM if a validated model for that part family exists in the SML tool. The PDM filter list displays to the user only those part models that are currently available in the PDM system selected and indicates to the CAD application being operated from which PDM the selected part model should be extracted and loaded into the CAD workspace.  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIG. 7, upon selection of the REDUCER FITTINGS title  292  from the FLUID-MECHANICAL list  288  from the search page  260 , the user is presented with a list of hyperlink reducer fitting subtitles  330  as shown in window  320 . After the user selects or highlights one of the subtitles from the list of subtitles  330 , a parts table  334  associated with selected or highlighted subtitle is displayed for the user in the window  320 . The table  334  includes a general PART FAMILY NUMBER column  336 , a PART NOMENCLATURE column  340 , and an IMAGE column  344 . In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user has selected or highlighted the subtitle ADAPTER from the subtitles list  330  thereby presenting the parts associated with the adapter subtitle. The IMAGE column  344  includes a perspective view of the associated solid model.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 illustrates a parts table  334 A with image column  344 A for the retainer, sleeve, and tee fittings subtitles presented in the subtitle list  330  under fluid-mechanical reducer fittings (FIG. 7). If the user selects an,image from the image column  344 A an enlarged version of the image of the associated solid model is shown in a solid model window  350 . As shown in FIG. 9, a selection of an image  352  in column  334 A for tee fitting part number 7M1134 titled “Tee, Tube-Axial Swage, Swivel Nut on Run, Reducer” resents a larger perspective view of the associated solid model. The presentation of the solid model in an enlarged view in the window  350 , allows the user to visually better determine if that is the correct part for the intended purpose and determine the orientation of the model for placement in the CAD application workspace.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 illustrates a part family window  356  that is displayed upon selection of a part number from the part number column  336  or the nomenclature from the part nomenclature column  240  from the table  334 . For example, if the user selects either the part number 7M1134 or the nomenclature from the parts list window  334 A for the same part, the part window  356  is presented. The part window  356  includes a part area  358  that includes a perspective view of the associated solid model, the part number, and the part nomenclature. The part area  358  also includes a pull-down menu  360  that allows the user to select from the available solid models for that part family in various stored CAD application formats. The pull-down menu  360  includes an ADD PART button that when activated adds the selected detailed part to the user&#39;s assembly/parts list. Also included in the window  356  is a DETAILED SPECIFICATION button  364  that accesses a detailed specification window  370  shown in FIG. 11, if available.  
         [0022]    As shown in FIG. 11, the detailed specification window  370  suitably includes a detailed specification image  372 , a dimensions table  374 , or other forms of data pertinent to the subject part family. In the example shown, the detailed specification image  372  identifies a plurality of dimensions and the parts list table  374  includes dimensions for each of the plurality of dimensions for a plurality of different subparts all associated with the base part number 7M1134. It is from this additional detailed specification data that the user may derive the necessary information to make a proper selection.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 illustrates an assembly/parts list window  380  that is presented upon selection of any ASSEMBLY LIST button  274 . The ASSEMBLY LIST button  274  is presented in multiple windows (FIGS. 6A, 10, and  11 ). The assembly list window  380  includes a table  384  that includes a list of all the solid models that have been added to the assembly/parts list by the user. The table  384  includes an OPTIONS column  386 , a PART NUMBER column  394 , a NOMENCLATURE column  396 , and an IMAGE column  398 . The columns  394 , and  396  include hyperlink text or images that upon selection access the associated part window, such as that shown in FIG. 10. Selection of an image in the image column  398  presents an enlarged image of the associated selected solid model in a solid model window, e.g. FIG. 9. The OPTIONS column  386  includes a LOAD TO CAD button  388  and a REMOVE FROM LIST button  390 . Selection of the LOAD TO CAD button  388  sends the associated solid model identifier to the user&#39;s presently running CAD application to be opened or added via the SML Tool buttons within the CAD application, see FIGS. 3 &amp; 4. Selection of the REMOVE FROM LIST button  390  deletes the solid model from the list  384 . Also included in the assembly list window  380  are a CLEAR LIST button  400 , an XML button  402 , and a TEAM LISTS button  404 . When the user activates the clear list button  400 , all part models listed in the entire table  384  are cleared. The XML button  402  may be used to create a file in extensible Markup Language—(XML) format for use in other applications. The TEAM LIST button  404  shall take the user to the “Team” page from which the user may create a new Team list or append a current Team list to their Part List. Team Lists are predetermined Part Lists, usually created by Program Management, that can be adopted by users to immediately provide a list of approved part/component models to be used without having to manually build a Part List.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 illustrates the PART MODEL REQUEST/CHANGE FORM window  420 . The window  420  is presented upon selection of the part model request/change form link  246  from window  230 . Using the window  420  the user or model creator can request that a new solid model be created and added to the SML tool, or request corrections be made to an existing model in the SML tool. Once the requester has completed the part model request/change form, the information on the form is sent to the appropriate authority for disposition. Once the request has been completed and certified, the approved model is entered into the solid model library device  48 .  
         [0025]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes, particularly those that open the described applications, methods, processes and technologies to all forms of electronic data, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.