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Method and apparatus for generating an engineering workflow

  • US 9,600,792 B2
  • Filed: 06/04/2013
  • Issued: 03/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2013
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. Computer system configured to generate an engineering workflow and ensure consistency between engineering tools and a workflow utilizing the engineering tools, the computer system comprising:

  • at least one processor,at least one storage device storing;

    a first database which stores a library of engineering patterns,a second database which stores a library of engineering tool functions of an engineering tool, andat least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the at least one processor to;

    generate and display, via a display device, a mapping matrix including;

    (a) a plurality of engineering pattern categories, each including a set of predetermined engineering patterns stored in said first database,(b) a plurality of tool function categories, each including a set of predetermined tool functions stored in said second database, and(c) an array of matrix intersections between respective engineering pattern categories and respective tool function categories; and

    (d) an input matrix field at each matrix intersection, thereby defining an array of input matrix fields, wherein each input matrix field provides an interface to simultaneously (i) map a selected engineering function to a selected engineering tool function, wherein each mapping between a particular engineering pattern and a particular engineering tool function defines a workflow step, and (ii) specify a respective position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of workflow steps;

    receive via the user interface, a user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each of a selected plurality of input matrix fields in the array of input matrix fields of the displayed mapping matrix, wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each selected input matrix field functions both;

    (a) defines a user-defined workflow step based on the respective engineering pattern with the respective engineering tool function, the user-defined workflow step corresponding to a task having one or more persons assigned to that task; and

    (b) defines a user-specified position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of user-defined workflow steps;

    based on the received user input;

    automatically generate an engineering workflow by;

    generating a user-defined workflow step corresponding with each of the plurality of user-selected input matrix fields;

    concatenating the plurality of user-defined workflow steps according to the user-specified workflow step sequence indicators input into each selected input matrix field; and

    storing the engineering workflow in the at least one storage device; and

    display, via the display device, a visual representation of the engineering workflow including;

    (a) a visual representation of each of the plurality of user-defined workflow steps; and

    (b) for each workflow step, a visual representation of a relationship between the respective engineering pattern and engineering tool function that define that workflow step; and

    facilitate execution of the engineering workflow by;

    automatically retrieving the engineering workflow from the at least one storage device; and

    for at least one workflow step, automatically adjusting or customizing an engineering tool corresponding to the respective workflow step to perform the engineering tool function specified by the engineering workflow for the respective workflow step.

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