DESC:[0001] The present subject matter is related in general to a product life cycle management system, more particularly, but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to a method and system of generating an engineering object design model.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Engineering Change Management (ECM) systems are adapted by manufacturers for documenting, managing, and evaluating Engineering Changes (ECs) throughout a Product Life Cycle (PLC). During a PLC workflow, a Bill Of Material (BOM) number is assigned to a modified product after a particular changes has been made to a design model of the product. When further changes are made to the design of the product, another BOM number may be assigned to the modified. In conventional systems, each stage of modification such as deletion, updation or addition done to the product design, may be done by different engineers at different stages of the PLC workflow. This results in a plurality of BOM numbers being created in the ECM system. Each of said plurality of BOM numbers are saved in different folders at a repository of the ECM system. This results in downstream users finding it challenging to identify and understand the overall changes and modifications made to said the design of the product. Determining changes requires downstream users to perform significant amount of manual activity, extracting the plurality of BOM numbers, BOM comparison, visually analyzing the design of the product in order to align with the modified content of the product. This activity is time consuming, tedious and prone to errors as there are high chances of missing changed data or content.

[0003] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

[0004] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of generating an engineering object design model. The method comprises retrieving from a repository, a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object. The method further comprises of retrieving from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object. The method further comprises of identifying a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files. The method further comprises of comparing a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files, based on the context BOM model. The method finally comprises of generating a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM based on the comparing.

[0005] The present disclosure further relates to system of generating an engineering object design model. The system comprises of a repository, a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to retrieve from a repository, a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object. The processor is further configured to retrieve from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object. The processor is further configured to identify a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files. The processor is further configured to compare a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files, based on the context BOM model. The processor is finally configured generate a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM based on the comparing.

[0006] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

OVERVIEW:
[0007] In one non-limiting embodiment, the present invention relates to a system for representing a three-dimensional model for a product. The system includes a repository module including a plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files of said product, a computing device communicatively connected to the repository module. The computing device is configured to fetch said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files from said repository module. Further, said computing device includes a directory module configured to identify a plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files, each modified through deletion, updation or addition of discreet data thereto. The system further includes an operating device connected to said computing device and configured for extracting a plurality of unmodified files from said plurality of geometry data files. The operating device includes an interface module configured to fetch said plurality of modified files. The interface module includes a three-dimensional comparison tool for performing comparison of said plurality of unmodified files with said plurality of modified files to identify deleted, updated or added discreet data for said model and an integration module configured to generate a combined a three-dimensional model representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said product. The system further includes a structured model connected to said operating device and configured to convert said combined a three-dimensional model in a predefined format for representation thereof at said repository module.

[0008] In an embodiment, the repository module is a product lifecycle management (PLM) module.

[0009] In an embodiment, each of said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files of said product includes bill of material (BOM), Engineering Change Note (ECN) data attributes and likewise.

[0010] In an embodiment, said computing device is a Linux server including a watcher directory, a data manipulation language DML directory.

[0011] In an embodiment, the plurality of geometry three-dimensional data includes binary data details of subject product and flat bill of materials details that includes a list of all the parts of the subject product from all levels of BOM listed together.

[0012] In an embodiment, the combined three-dimensional model represents the a plurality of engineering changes such as added, deleted and modified discrete data made therein such that each of the changes is represented in a different color, thereby facilitating the downstream user of the JT files such as lightweight visual representation and part meta data together in such a way that the downstream users can see meta data and binary data together in a proper context with visual demarcation through tricolor embedded therein.

[0013] In one non-limiting embodiment, the present invention relates to the method for representing a three-dimensional model for the product. The method including steps of fetching a plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files by computing device from a repository module, further a directory module performs step of identifying a plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files. After the plurality of modified files are identified, an operating device performs extracting a plurality of unmodified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files. Further, an interface module performs step of fetching the plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data to perform comparison of said plurality of unmodified files with said plurality of modified files using a comparison tool to identify deleted, updated or added discreet data for the model. In further step, an integration module performs step of generating a combined a three-dimensional model representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said product.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved visual representation of a modified three-dimensional dimensional product model that comprises of all discrete/binary data such as data generated as a result of deletion, addition or modification in said product model.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to develop an improved system configured facilitating visual representation of a single combined three-dimensional model for a product representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said model.

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to develop a system for real-time representation of a modified three-dimensional model comprising all of said deleted, updated or added discreet data of said model in a single visual three-dimensional representation at repository module.

[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved system for providing visual representation of addition, deletion or modification of decorate data to a subject product in engineering change management (ECM) system, and thus configured for providing an improved visibility of Engineering Change Note (ECN) requiring less time and efforts to analyze and implement the same by downstream users.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to providing a novel system and method for representing a three-dimensional model for a product in which flat BOM details are determined to provide a visual BOM, that is, a single combined modified three-dimensional model comprising all of said deleted, updated or added discreet binary data of said model.

[0019] It is still other object of the present invention to provide an improved system for representing a three-dimensional model that is derived by combining flat BOM details including individual JT files such as lightweight visual representation and part meta data together in such a way that the downstream users can see meta data and binary data together in a proper context with visual demarcation through tricolour embedded therein.

[0020] It is still other object of the present invention to provide an improved system configured to provide a visual representation of a three-dimensional dimensional model of the product in which a plurality of product geometry data including the flat BOM and visual BOM including the binary data together are combined together to represent a single modified three-dimensional product model that represent a complete engineering changes such as deletion, addition and modification made to the subject product.

[0021] Advantageously, the disclosed system provides a visual representation of a three-dimensional dimensional model of the product that provides the downstream user the details of deleted, added or modified discrete data of the product in a single three-dimensional model, thereby facilitating an improved and less time consuming process for the downstream user of the ECM system to derive the complete engineering changes made to the product through derivation of a single combined three-dimensional model of a product., as per an embodiment. Also, the disclosed system eliminates the time-consuming and manual tasks performed by the downstream user to determine the engineering changes made to said product in the product lifecycle workflow. Additionally, the disclosed system is configured for representing the modified three-dimensional model of the product that involves combination of both meta data and visual data, thereby providing a seamless, an automated, cost-effective and real-time analysis of the modified product details by the users.

[0022] It is advantageous to provide the disclosed system for the visual representation of the three-dimensional model comprising of combined the complete plurality of engineering changes Bill of material (BOM) details in a single three-dimensional model, thereby providing a clear visibility on change/ with visual three-dimensional tricolor image representation to each of the changes that may be derived out of deletion, addition or modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a system for representing a three-dimensional model for a product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for representing a three-dimensional model for a product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the three-dimensional product representation of the product, as per an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates an environment for generating an engineering object design model, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed a block diagram of system for generating an engineering object design model, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 6 depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method of generating an engineering object design model, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b depict exemplary outputs of the system of generating an engineering object design model, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 8 illustrates cost savings and time savings as a result of the system of generating an engineering object design model;

[0032] Fig. 9 depicts a logic flow diagram of an exemplary method of generating an engineering object design model, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer system, for executing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0036] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

[0037] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a device or system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or system or apparatus.

[0038] The terms “includes”, “including”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device, or method that includes a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “includes… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0039] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0040] The terms "including", "comprising", “having” and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0041] As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” may refer to the reception, receipt, transmission, transfer, provision, and/or the like of information (e.g., data, signals, messages, instructions, commands, and/or the like). For one unit (e.g., a device, a system, a component of a device or system, combinations thereof, and/or the like) to be in communication with another unit means that the one unit is able to directly or indirectly receive information from and/or transmit information to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection (e.g., a direct communication connection, an indirect communication connection, and/or the like) that is wired and/or wireless in nature. Additionally, two units may be in communication with each other even though the information transmitted may be modified, processed, relayed, and/or routed between the first and second unit. For example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit even though the first unit passively receives information and does not actively transmit information to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be in communication with a second unit if at least one intermediary unit (e.g., a third unit located between the first unit and the second unit) processes information received from the first unit and communicates the processed information to the second unit. In some non-limiting embodiments, a message may refer to a network packet (e.g., a data packet and/or the like) that includes data. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements are possible.

[0042] As used herein, the term "processor" may refer to any suitable data computation device or devices. A processor may comprise one or more microprocessors working together to accomplish a desired function. The processor may include CPU comprises at least one high-speed data processor adequate to execute program components for executing user and/or system-generated requests. The CPU may be a microprocessor such as AMD's Athlon, Duron and/or Opteron; IBM and/or Motorola's PowerPC; IBM's and Sony's Cell processor; Intel's Celeron, Itanium, Pentium, Xeon, and/or XScale; and/or the like processor(s).

[0043] As used herein, the term "memory" may be any suitable device or devices that can store electronic data. A suitable memory may comprise a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that can be executed by a processor to implement a desired method. Examples of memories may comprise one or more memory chips, disk drives, etc. Such memories may operate using any suitable electrical, optical, and/or magnetic mode of operation.

[0044] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram (1) illustrating a system (100) for representing a three-dimensional model for a product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated embodiment, the system (100) includes a repository module (102) including a plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files of said product, a computing device (104) is communicatively connected to the repository module (102). The computing device (104) is configured to fetch said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files from said repository module (102). Further, said computing device (104) includes a directory module (106). In an illustrated embodiment, the directory module is configured to identify a plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files. In an embodiment, said computing device is a Linux server including a watcher directory, a data manipulation language DML directory. More particularly, as per an embodiment, the plurality of geometry three-dimensional data includes binary data details of subject product and flat bill of materials details that includes a list of all the parts of the subject product from all levels of BOM listed together. Also, in an illustrated embodiment, each of said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files of said product includes bill of material (BOM), Engineering Change Note (ECN) data attributes and likewise.

[0046] As per an illustrated embodiment, plurality of modified files includes a plurality of data files, each modified through deletion, updation or addition of discreet data thereto. The system (100) further includes an operating device (108) connected to said computing device (104) and configured for extracting a plurality of unmodified files from said plurality of geometry data files. In an illustrated embodiment, said operating device (108) includes an interface module (110) configured to fetch said plurality of modified files. The interface module (110) includes a three-dimensional comparison tool for performing comparison of said plurality of unmodified files with said plurality of modified files to identify deleted, updated or added discreet data for said product model. In an illustrated embodiment, the operating device (108) also includes an integration module configured to generate a combined a three-dimensional model representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said product. The system (100) further includes a structured module connected to said operating device and configured to convert said combined a three-dimensional model in a predefined format for representation thereof at said repository module. In one example, said structured module is configured to convert the generated said combined a three-dimensional model in a HTML to a pdf report and then sent to said repository module for representation of said combined a three-dimensional model.

[0047] More specifically, as per an embodiment, the combined three-dimensional model represents the a plurality of engineering changes such as added, deleted and modified discrete data made therein such that each of the changes is represented in a different colour, thereby facilitating the downstream user of the JT files such as lightweight visual representation and part meta data together in such a way that the downstream users can see meta data and binary data together in a proper context with visual demarcation through tricolor embedded therein.

[0048] Fig. 2 illustrates a method (100) for representing a three-dimensional model for a product, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated embodiment, the method (100) includes steps 202 to 210. The method (100) starts at step 202. At step 202, the computing device (104) is configured for fetching a plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files by computing device from a repository module (102), further a directory module (106) is configured for performing next step 204. At step 204, the directory module (106) is configured of identifying a plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files. After the plurality of modified files are identified, an operating device (108) performs extracting a plurality of unmodified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files. Further, an interface module (110) performs step 206 of fetching the plurality of modified files from said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data to perform comparison of said plurality of unmodified files with said plurality of modified files using a comparison tool to identify deleted, updated or added discreet data for the model. In further step 208, an integration module (112) performs step of generating a combined a three-dimensional model representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said product.

[0049] Fig. 3 illustrates an example (300) of the three-dimensional product representation of the product, as per an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated exemplary embodiment, the computing device (104) (described in Figures 1 and 2) is represented by a Linux Server. And, said operating device (108) (described in Figures 1 and 2) is represented by a Window server. As per illustrated exemplary embodiment, the window server is communicatively connected to the automation Application Programming Interface (API) module (302). As per the embodiment, the plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files is fetched from the repository module (102). In an exemplary embodiment, the repository module (102) is represented by the product lifecycle management module (PLM) module. In an illustrated exemplary embodiment, in particular, said plurality of three-dimensional geometry data files including text file with the required data is checked in to a watcher directory through said PLM module, when the cron job starts it reads text file from the watcher directory (304) and calls a program on the Linux server. Further, said program reads the data in text file, and check if the data is valid, and then gather the required data from PLM module. Once the data is fetched from the PLM module, said program is then executed on said windows server which provides a visual three-dimensional comparison of JT files through a comparison tool such as JT compare (306) (file with Technical Part List (TPL) revisions may be given as input to JT compare. Initial TPL revision may start from “NR: 1”: Where “NR” stands for “New Revision” and “1” refers to sequence number, where at subsequent Check-in-Check-out in the PLM will increment the sequence number by one till release). Further, 3D geometry compares geometrical changes in size, shape and dimensions resulting in 3D geometry overlay between previous version and latest version. This step results in clearly identifying difference between geometry using tri—colour identification: a first group of geometry selected for comparison may be assigned; a second group of geometry selected for comparison may be assigned a second colour; common geometry between the two groups may be assigned a third colour. After successful execution of the batch file, said combined and a single three-dimensional to generate a combined a three-dimensional model representing said deleted, updated or added discreet data in said product with tricolour view in .png format. Said generated three-dimensional model is saved in respective DML folders through the output module (308). Intermediate output file consists of a 3D JT (geometry) comparison with tri-colour identification. 3D comparison may identify the geometric difference and additionally output module may prepare a detailed list of newly added parts, deleted parts from previous versions and modified parts in the current version. Output report may include tri-colour criteria ( for example, parts that may be added, modified or deleted in the 3D geometry). Further, in an exemplary embodiment, said program is the batch file written to run an application JTCompare.exe and pass the input arguments sent from the Linux server. This application compares two JT files node by node and returns an output with added/deleted/modified (ADM) components from two revisions. Further, a dynamic HTML and PDF file is generated to render the A/D/M data in specific format with tricolour images for every added, deleted and modified parts. Dynamic HTML file may take input from previous output file and add further details from PLM with details including, BOM comparison, to confirm changes between current version and previous version of the object. Further, to a PDF file is generated from said combined a three-dimensional model in a HTML through a Perl script. After successful execution of the Perl file the html file in HTML format. Further, again, the call for a program is executed on windows server which then runs an application to convert HTML file in PDF format. The final file includes, details including, but not limited to,
• DML Number (DML- Design Modification List)
• DML Synopsis
• Closure Date
• Project Code
• Business Unit
• Table with below details in it:
? Group-1 TPL number (Previous Version TPL with Revision and Sequence)
? Group-2 TPL number (Current Version TPL with Revision and Sequence)
? Added Parts List
? Deleted Parts List
? Modified Parts list
? Tricolour mapping 3D geometry snap

[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates an environment of generating an engineering object design model. The environment comprises of system 400 of generating the engineering object design model and a repository 403. Image 404 is output of the system 400. The system 400 may further comprises of a processor 401 and a memory 402.

[0051] In an embodiment, the processor 401 is configured to retrieve from the repository 403 a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object. The plurality of object geometry files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of dimensions of the object (for example, height, width and length of an object), shape of the object, format of the object geometry files (Computer-aided design (CAD) files, .png, JPEG etc), unit of measurement of the object (for example, centi-meter, meter etc), surface area of the object, number of sub-parts in the object.

[0052] In an embodiment, the processor 401 is configured to retrieve from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object. BOM files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0053] In an embodiment, the processor 401 is configured to identify a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files.

[0054] In an embodiment, the processor 401 is configured to compare a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model. The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. Modifications may include, additions made to one or more features of the object (for example adding one or more parts to the object), deletions made to one or more features of the object (for example deleting one or more parts to the object), and modifications made to the one or more features of the object (for example modifying dimensions of the features of the object). Comparing the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files compares the geometrical changes in size, shape and dimensions of each part of the object. This may allow for a tree-dimensional overlay between the current version and the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files. The system 400 generates a transformation matrix of each part of the object to overlay the one or more versions of the plurality of object geometry files and align them.

[0055] The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model of the object. The context BOM model of the object is generated based on the plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and the plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files. The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files and identifies modifications made to at least one attribute of the BOM file corresponding to the object including, but not limited to, version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0056] In another embodiment, the processor 401 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with at least one previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and the current version of the plurality of BOM files with at least one previous version of the plurality of BOM files.

[0057] In an embodiment, the processor 401 is configured to generate a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM (as illustrated in image 404) based on the comparing. Generating the combined object design model comprises of visually highlighting one or more modified features of the object. Generating the combined BOM comprises of representing data corresponding to one or more modified features of the object. Modifying features comprises of adding features, deleting features, or modifying/ updating existing features.

[0058] Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed a block diagram of the system 400 of generating the engineering object design model. The system 400 may comprise of a processor 1003, an input/output (I/O) interface 502, a memory 504 and modules 506. The memory 504 may further comprise of data 505. The modules 506 may further comprise of modules such as without limitation to, a retrieving module 507, an identifying module 508, a comparing module 509, a generating module 510, and other modules 311.

[0059] In an embodiment, the data 505 may include various temporary data and files generated by the modules 506.

[0060] As used herein, the term module may refer to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a hardware processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In an implementation, each of the modules 506 may be configured as stand-alone hardware computing units. In an embodiment, the other modules 511 may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities of the system 400. It will be appreciated that such the modules 506 may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules.

[0061] In an embodiment, the retrieving module 507 may be configured to retrieve from the repository 403 a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object. The plurality of object geometry files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of dimensions of the object (for example, height, width and length of an object), shape of the object, format of the object geometry files (Computer-aided design (CAD) files, .png, JPEG etc), unit of measurement of the object (for example, centi-meter, meter etc), surface area of the object, number of sub-parts in the object.

[0062] In an embodiment, the retrieving module 507 may be configured to retrieve from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object. BOM files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0063] In an embodiment, the identifying module 508 may be configured to identify a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files.

[0064] In an embodiment, the comparing module 509 may be configured to compare a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model. The comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. The comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. Modifications may include, additions made to one or more features of the object (for example adding one or more parts to the object), deletions made to one or more features of the object (for example deleting one or more parts to the object), and modifications made to the one or more features of the object (for example modifying dimensions of the features of the object).

[0065] The comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model of the object. The context BOM model of the object is generated based on the plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and the plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files. The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files and identifies modifications made to at least one attribute of the BOM file corresponding to the object including, but not limited to, version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0066] In another embodiment, the comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with at least one previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and the current version of the plurality of BOM files with at least one previous version of the plurality of BOM files.

[0067] In an embodiment, the generating module 510 is configured to generate a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM (as illustrated in image 404) based on the comparing. Generating the combined object design model comprises of visually highlighting one or more modified features of the object. Generating the combined BOM comprises of representing data corresponding to one or more modified features of the object. Modifying features comprises of adding features, deleting features, or modifying/ updating existing features.

[0068] Fig. 6, depicts a flow diagram of an exemplary method 600 for generating the engineering object design model.

[0069] At step 601, the system 400 may be configured to retrieve from the repository 403 a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object. The plurality of object geometry files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of dimensions of the object (for example, height, width and length of an object), shape of the object, format of the object geometry files (Computer-aided design (CAD) files, .png, JPEG etc), unit of measurement of the object (for example, centi-meter, meter etc), surface area of the object, number of sub-parts in the object.

[0070] At step 603, the system 400 may be configured to retrieve from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object. BOM files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0071] At step 605, the system 400 may be configured to identify a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files.

[0072] At step 607, the system 400 may be configured to compare a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model. The comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. The comparing module 509 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and identifies modifications made to the one or more features of the object. Modifications may include, additions made to one or more features of the object (for example adding one or more parts to the object), deletions made to one or more features of the object (for example deleting one or more parts to the object), and modifications made to the one or more features of the object (for example modifying dimensions of the features of the object).

[0073] The system 400 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files based on the context BOM model of the object. The context BOM model of the object is generated based on the plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and the plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files. The processor 401 compares the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files and identifies modifications made to at least one attribute of the BOM file corresponding to the object including, but not limited to, version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

[0074] The system 400 may be configured to compare the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with at least one previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and the current version of the plurality of BOM files with at least one previous version of the plurality of BOM files.

[0075] At step 607, the system 400 may be configured to generate a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM (as illustrated in image 404) based on the comparing. Generating the combined object design model comprises of visually highlighting one or more modified features of the object. Generating the combined BOM comprises of representing data corresponding to one or more modified features of the object. Modifying features comprises of adding features, deleting features, or modifying/ updating existing features.

[0076] Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b depict exemplary outputs (combined engineering object design model and combined BOM) of the system of generating an engineering object design model.

[0077] Fig. 8 illustrates cost savings and time savings as a result of the system of generating an engineering object design model.

[0078] Fig. 9 depicts a logic flow diagram of an exemplary method of generating an engineering object design model.

[0079] At step 902, the system 400 may be configured to retrieve a text file with required data (Engineering Change Note - Work in Progress (ECN-WIP)) may be checked into a first directory (watcher directory) through a PLM. A cron job may read the file and at step 903 the system 400 may check for New Revisions (NR) of the object’s design. When no revisions of the object’s design are found at step 905, the system 400 at step 906 does not generate the combined engineering object design model and the combined BOM.

[0080] In another embodiment, when the system 400 finds older revisions of the object’s design at step 907, the system 400 generates the context BOM JT for the older TPL at step 908. The system 400 may subsequently generate and store the corresponding JT at step 909.

[0081] In another embodiment, when the system 400 finds new revisions of the object’s design at step 910, the system 400 generates the context BOM JT for the modified TPL at step 911. The system 400 may subsequently generate and store the corresponding JT at step 912.

[0082] At step 913, the system 400 generates combined engineering object design model that includes visually highlighted modifications made to the object design based on the comparisons in previous steps.

[0083] At step 914, the system 400 generates combined BOM based on the comparisons in previous steps that includes modifications made to the object design.

At step 915, the system 400 may generate a final ADM report that includes both the combined engineering object design model and the combined BOM.

[0084] Fig. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 1000 for implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. The computing system 1000 may be the system 400. The computing system 1000 may include a central processing unit (“CPU” or “processor”) 1001. The processor 1001 may include at least one data processor for executing processes. The processor 1001 may include specialized processing units such as, integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc.

[0085] The processor 1001 may be disposed in communication with one or more input/output (I/O) devices 1008 and 1009 via I/O interface 1007. The I/O interface 1007 may employ communication protocols/methods such as, without limitation, audio, analog, digital, monaural, RCA, stereo, IEEE-1394, serial bus, universal serial bus (USB), infrared, PS/2, BNC, coaxial, component, composite, digital visual interface (DVI), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), RF antennas, S-Video, VGA, IEEE 802.n /b/g/n/x, Bluetooth, cellular (e.g., code-division multiple access (CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA+), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiMax, or the like), etc.

[0086] Using the I/O interface 1007, the computer system 600 may communicate with one or more I/O devices 1008 and 1009. For example, the input devices 1008 may be an antenna, keyboard, mouse, joystick, (infrared) remote control, camera, card reader, fax machine, dongle, biometric reader, microphone, touch screen, touchpad, trackball, stylus, scanner, storage device, transceiver, video device/source, etc. The output devices 1009 may be a printer, fax machine, video display (e.g., cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), plasma, Plasma display panel (PDP), Organic light-emitting diode display (OLED) or the like), audio speaker, etc.

[0087] In some embodiments, the processor 1001 may be disposed in communication with external elements such as external computer systems, servers, network elements. The network interface 1010 may employ connection protocols including, without limitation, direct connect, Ethernet (e.g., twisted pair 10/100/1000 Base T), transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), token ring, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/x, etc.

[0088] In some embodiments, the processor 1001 may be disposed in communication with a memory 1003 (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.) via a storage interface 1002. The storage interface 1002 may connect to memory 1003 including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), fibre channel, Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, Redundant Array of Independent Discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

[0089] The memory 1003 may store a collection of program or database components, including, without limitation, user interface 1004, an operating system 1005, a web browser 1006 etc. In some embodiments, computer system 600 may store user/application data, such as, the data, variables, records, etc., as described in this disclosure. Such databases may be implemented as fault-tolerant, relational, scalable, secure databases such as Oracle ® or Sybase®.

[0090] The operating system 1005 may facilitate resource management and operation of the computer system 600. Examples of operating systems include, without limitation, APPLE MACINTOSH® OS X, UNIX®, UNIX-like system distributions (E.G., BERKELEY SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTIONTM (BSD), FREEBSDTM, NETBSDTM, OPENBSDTM, etc.), LINUX DISTRIBUTIONSTM (E.G., RED HATTM, UBUNTUTM, KUBUNTUTM, etc.), IBMTM OS/2, MICROSOFTTM WINDOWSTM (XPTM, VISTATM/7/8, 10 etc.), APPLE® IOSTM, GOOGLE® ANDROIDTM, BLACKBERRY® OS, or the like.

[0091] In some embodiments, the computer system 400 may implement the web browser 1006 stored program components. The web browser 1006 may be a hypertext viewing application, such as MICROSOFT® INTERNET EXPLORER®, GOOGLETM CHROMETM, MOZILLA® FIREFOX®, APPLE® SAFARI®, etc. Secure web browsing may be provided using Secure Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTPS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), etc. Web browsers 1006 may utilize facilities such as AJAX, DHTML, ADOBE® FLASH®, JAVASCRIPT®, JAVA®, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), etc. In some embodiments, the computer system 600 may implement a mail server stored program component. The mail server may be an Internet mail server such as Microsoft Exchange, or the like. The mail server may utilize facilities such as Active Server Pages (ASP), ACTIVEX®, ANSI® C++/C#, MICROSOFT®, .NET, CGI SCRIPTS, JAVA®, JAVASCRIPT®, PERL®, PHP, PYTHON®, WEBOBJECTS®, etc. The mail server may utilize communication protocols such as Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), MICROSOFT® exchange, Post Office Protocol (POP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), or the like. In some embodiments, the computer system 600 may implement a mail client stored program component. The mail client may be a mail viewing application, such as APPLE® MAIL, MICROSOFT® ENTOURAGE®, MICROSOFT® OUTLOOK®, MOZILLA® THUNDERBIRD®, etc.

[0092] Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilized in implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memory on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors, including instructions for causing the processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals, i.e., be non-transitory. Examples include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

[0093] The described operations may be implemented as a method, system or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. The described operations may be implemented as code maintained in a “non-transitory computer readable medium”, where a processor may read and execute the code from the computer readable medium. The processor is at least one of a microprocessor and a processor capable of processing and executing the queries. A non-transitory computer readable medium may include media such as magnetic storage medium (e.g., hard disk drives, floppy disks, tape, etc.), optical storage (CD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disks, etc.), volatile and non-volatile memory devices (e.g., EEPROMs, ROMs, PROMs, RAMs, DRAMs, SRAMs, Flash Memory, firmware, programmable logic, etc.), etc. Further, non-transitory computer-readable media may include all computer-readable media except for a transitory. The code implementing the described operations may further be implemented in hardware logic (e.g., an integrated circuit chip, Programmable Gate Array (PGA), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.).

[0094] An “article of manufacture” includes non-transitory computer readable medium, and /or hardware logic, in which code may be implemented. A device in which the code implementing the described embodiments of operations is encoded may include a computer readable medium or hardware logic. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope of the invention, and that the article of manufacture may include suitable information bearing medium known in the art.

[0095] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0096] The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0097] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0098] The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0099] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention.

[00100] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article, or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs. The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

[00101] The illustrated operations of figure 2, 3, 6, 9 show certain events occurring in a certain order. In alternative embodiments, certain operations may be performed in a different order, modified, or removed. Moreover, steps may be added to the above-described logic and still conform to the described embodiments. Further, operations described herein may occur sequentially or certain operations may be processed in parallel. Yet further, operations may be performed by a single processing unit or by distributed processing units.

[00102] The above described one or more embodiments, may have the advantageous effect that, changes made over various iterations in a product’s / object’s design lifecycle may be clearly visible and demarcated with visual 3D images and multiple colours for ease of identification. This results in a highly accurate solution that tracks minor changes. The system 400 automatically generates the combined engineering object design model and the combined BOM that identifies changes made over various iterations in a product’s / object’s design lifecycle. The system 400 automatically generates older data JT and new revision JT for user’s reference. The system and method of the above describe one or more embodiments is also time effective and cost effective as inferable from Fig. 8.

[00103] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

[00104] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. ,CLAIMS:1. A method of generating an engineering object design model, comprising:
retrieving, by a processor, from a repository, a plurality of object geometry files corresponding to an object;
retrieving, by a processor, from the repository a plurality of Bill of Material (BOM) files corresponding to the object;
identifying, by the processor, a plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and a plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files;
comparing, by the processor, a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files; , based on the context BOM model; and
generating, by the processor, a combined engineering object design model and a combined BOM based on the comparing.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein comparing the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with the previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and the current version of the plurality of BOM files with the previous version of the plurality of BOM files is based on a context BOM model of the object, wherein the context BOM model of the object is generated based on the plurality of versions of the plurality of object geometry files and the plurality of versions of the plurality of BOM files.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein generating the combined object design model comprises of visually highlighting one or more modified features of the object, and wherein generating the combined BOM comprises of representing data corresponding to one or more modified features of the object.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more modified features comprises of one of: an updated feature, a deleted feature or an added feature.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein comparing a current version of the plurality of object geometry files with a previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and a current version of the plurality of BOM files with a previous version of the plurality of BOM files, further comprises of:
comparing the current version of the plurality of object geometry files with at least one previous version of the plurality of object geometry files and the current version of the plurality of BOM files with at least one previous version of the plurality of BOM files.

6. The method as clamed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of object geometry files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of: dimensions of the object, shape of the object, format of the object geometry files, unit of measurement of the object, surface area of the object, number of sub-parts in the object.

7. The method as clamed in claim 1, wherein BOM files corresponding to the object comprises at least one of: version of the BOM file, part names of the object, part numbers of the object, quantity of each type of part in the object, description of the object, a transformation matrix for each part in the object.

8. A system for representing a model of an object, comprising:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: perform the method steps of claims 1-7.