DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic systems and specifically to calculator system for design calculations.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Engineering Calculation Sheets (ECSs) are mathematical calculation spreadsheets prepared before constructing a structure. ECSs contain multiple inputs and calculations (sometimes over 3000 per spreadsheet) based on published standards used in construction. Currently, ECSs are calculated and published using spreadsheets but this methodology has certain drawbacks such as being prone to human error, lack of adequate validation, inefficient data storage and management, significant time taken edit/check/format and lack of output standardization. Further, the current approach of creating ECSs can suit simple product development processes. However, for complex product development processes or designs, the current approach cannot meet the demands of those processes/designs.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need for automated calculation and generation of ECSs with improved accuracy and enhanced data storage and management and reduction in processing time.

SUMMARY
[0004] In an embodiment of the present invention, an automated calculation method is provided. The automated calculation method includes storing a plurality of standard templates in calculator data in a memory. Every standard template includes structured data and meta information. The method further includes receiving a user calculation selection input from a user by a User Interface (UI) generation unit. The user calculation selection input is indicative of a calculator type. The method further includes retrieving a standard template from the calculator data based on the received calculator type by a calculator selection unit. The method further includes receiving one or more input variables from the user by the UI generation unit. The method further includes performing one or more engineering calculations based on the received input variables and the retrieved standard template for generating one or more results by a scientific calculation unit. The method further includes identifying and correcting one or more errors in the results for generating one or more evaluated results by a result calculation unit. The method further includes formatting the evaluated results for generating a calculation table by the result calculation unit. The method further includes generating a report based on the calculation table by a report generation unit. The report is indicative of the evaluated results in a readable user-defined format.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present invention, an automated calculator system is provided. The automated calculator system includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store a plurality of standard templates in calculator data. Every standard template includes structured data and meta information. The processor is in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to receive a user calculation selection input from a user, said user calculation selection input indicative of a calculator type. The processor retrieves a standard template from the calculator data based on the received calculator type. The processor receives one or more input variables from the user. The processor performs one or more engineering calculations based on the received input variables and the retrieved standard template to generate one or more results. The processor identifies and correct one or more errors in the results to generate one or more evaluated results. The processor formats the evaluated results to generate a calculation table. The processor generates a report based on the calculation table, wherein the report is indicative of the evaluated results in a readable user-defined format.
[0006] In an embodiment, the UI generation unit generates a calculator selection UI based on the calculator data. The calculator selection UI displays a list of a plurality of calculator types corresponding to the plurality of standard templates in the calculator data. The UI generation unit receives the user calculation selection input through the calculator selection UI.
[0007] In an embodiment, the UI generation unit generates a meta input UI for receiving one or more meta inputs from the user.
[0008] In an embodiment, the calculator selection unit pre-processes the structured data for converting one or more scientific formulas in equivalent programming format.
[0009] In an embodiment, the scientific calculation unit links the one or more scientific formulas with the received input variables based on the received meta inputs. The scientific calculation unit generates one or more calculation variables based on the one or more scientific formulas and the corresponding input variables. The calculation table includes the input variables and the calculation variables
[0010] In an embodiment, the report generation unit uses latex to generate the report.
[0011] In an embodiment, the report is in PDF format.
[0012] In an embodiment, the structured data includes one or more scientific formulas. The meta information includes information for pre-processing the structured data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and modules.
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an automated calculator system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a stepwise creation of an automated calculator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of automated calculation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates creation of Engineering Calculation Sheets (ECSs) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 5 illustrates calculation and PDF creation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 6 illustrates reformatted LaTeX output in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figures 7A-7D illustrate screenshots of User interface (UI) of an automated calculator system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] 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 invention.
[0022] Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into several systems.
[0024] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0025] References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0026] It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for explanatory purposes to help the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0027] The present invention provides an automated calculator system that provides a low-code platform for developing scientific calculators and allows them to be easily scaled. The automated calculator system enables developers and/or engineers to convert engineering calculations into a standard template that can be read and processed by the automated calculator system. The automated calculator system pre-processes the template to create a readable and code-convertible format. The automated calculator system also recreates engineering calculations in real-time and extends the scope of the calculator to accommodate use cases with varying numbers of formulas and inputs. The automated calculator system can generate a user interface for the calculator based on metadata about the input variables. Additionally, the automated calculator system can evaluate multiple linked formulas, self-rectify errors, and generate professional-quality PDF reports using a documentation engine. This automation of the calculation process can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of mistakes, and the ability to handle changes in the requirements of a project can increase flexibility.
[0028] In an embodiment, the automated calculator system is a calculation and documentation web application that creates dynamic input forms based on unstructured and non-standardized spreadsheets, performs various design calculations with a button-click and outputs a structured Engineering Calculation Sheets (ECSs) PDF files using LaTeX.
[0029] Referring now to Figure 1, an automated calculator system (100) is shown in an embodiment of the present invention. The automated calculator system (100) includes a processor (102), an Input/Output device (104), a Network (N/W) communication unit (106), a plurality of processing units (108) and memory (110). The processing units (108) include a calculator selection unit (112), a User Interface (UI) generator unit (114), a report generation unit (116), a scientific calculation unit (118), and a result calculation unit (120). The memory (110) includes calculator data (122), raw data (124), structured data (126), and metadata (128).
[0030] The I/O unit (104) receives a plurality of user inputs. In an example, a required calculator is created by preprocessing received calculations to generate the structured data (126) and the metadata (128) based on the raw data (124). The structured data (126) and the metadata (128) form a standard calculator template. The scientific calculation unit (118) executes scientific calculations in the calculator template based on the received inputs using predetermined functions. The UI generator unit (114) generates the UI to select a calculator. The calculator selection unit (112) selects one of the plurality of calculator types stored in the calculator data (122) based on the user’s selection of calculations.
[0031] Referring now to Figure 2, a stepwise process of creation of an automated calculator is shown in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The first step in the creation of the automated calculator includes preparing the ECSs. In preparation of the ECSs, clean and standardized spreadsheet templates are used for various design calculations for construction activities.
[0033] The second step in the creation of the automated calculator includes creating back-end python scripts for performing spreadsheet-based calculations.
[0034] The third step in the creation of the automated calculator includes using LaTeX to print all calculations and formulas in PDF format.
[0035] The fourth step in the creation of the automated calculator includes integrating front-end and back-end and deploying on a server as a web-based tool.
[0036] Referring now to Figure 3, a flowchart illustrating a method of automated calculation is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] The engineering calculations are performed by the scientific calculation unit (118). The engineering calculations are scientific calculations based on International Standards (IS) for structural designs (1). The engineering calculations are pre-processed and converted to a more readable and code-convertible format (2 and 3). The pre-processed file is converted to a standardized template that the automatic calculator system (100) can read. This step is the only manual process developers or engineers perform to create a calculator. The standard template contains two parts: Structured Calculation (4) and Meta-Information (or Metadata) (5). The structured data (126) is the first part of the standardized template which contains the formulas and structure of the engineering calculation. The metadata (128) is additional data that is used to format the final PDF. The metadata (128) also contains information used in pre-processing of standard template.
[0038] Multiple standard templates are grouped and stored in all calculators' data database (6). Based on the number of calculators, standard template naming and grouping of templates, the UI generator unit (114) generates the UI for the calculation selector (UI PAGE) (7).
[0039] Thereafter, at Step 1, the calculator selector UI is presented to the user. The calculator selector is an auto-generated UI that provides a list of calculators that users may select (8).
[0040] At Step 2, the user selects the calculation as per the requirement (9).
[0041] Based on user selection, the calculator selection unit (112) selects the standard template (10), i.e., structured calculation and meta information. The meta information for the selected template is used to create meta information input UI (11). These meta information inputs are then used to pre-process the standard template.
[0042] A single engineering calculation has many inputs and formulas. The number of calculations may vary from use case to use case for the same engineering calculation. For example, if an engineering calculation contains formulas to evaluate the total current through 3 resistances in the first use case and 5 in the second. In two use cases, the number of formulas and inputs will vary as the quantity is not fixed. The quantity may not be defined or fixed and may go up to n resistances.
[0043] In a conventional process, the user rewrites the calculation and develops multiple versions to account for use-case-based changes for a given engineering calculation. This process is inefficient, limits user options, prone to error and difficult to version control.
[0044] The automated calculator system (100) recreates these engineering calculations in real-time and extends the scope of the calculations. The automated calculator system (100) autogenerates the calculation structures and formulas, links them across the calculator and evaluates them. The automated calculator system (100) also recreates the UI based on the change in the number of input parameters.
[0045] At Step 3, the meta information UI is displayed to the user.
[0046] At Step 4, the user provides the meta input through the UI (12).
[0047] The pre-processing step uses meta information to process structured calculation data (13). The steps for pre-processing are as follows: The structured data contains formulas written in scientific notations. The automated calculator system (100) cannot directly use these scientific notations and must convert the scientific notations to an equivalent programming format. The automated calculator system (100) converts these formulas to programming code. After the formula conversion is executed, the automated calculator system (100) links all formulas and their respective variables. Some calculations are not constant and may vary based on a project's requirements. Based on data collected from meta input, the automated calculator system (100) recreates the math and structure and links them in real-time. The automated calculator system (100) creates a document PDF to publish the calculation. One way to generate the PDF is by using a documentation tool. The documentation tools use latex as their coding language. The automated calculator system (100) generates a latex-based code for document PDF creation. Once the new structure is ready, the automated calculator system (100) converts the symbols in UNI-CODE (present in the structured data) to latex equivalent. It also generated latex formulas for their respective formulas using an Asymmetric Syntax Tree (AST).
[0048] The automated calculator system (100) of the present invention recreates engineering calculations in real-time and extends the scope of the calculator to accommodate use cases with varying numbers of formulas and inputs. This allows users to more efficiently handle changes in the number of formulas and inputs, reducing the need to rewrite calculations and increasing the flexibility of the calculator. Additionally, the automated calculator system (100) can automatically generate the calculation structures and formulas and link them across the calculator, as well as recreate the UI based on changes in the number of input parameters. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of the engineering calculation process and makes it easier to version control.
[0049] Additionally, the automated calculator system (100) generates a latex-based code for creating a document PDF using a documentation tool, converts symbols in UNI-CODE to latex equivalents and generates latex formulas using an Asymmetric Syntax Tree (AST). This automation of the calculation process improves efficiency and reduces the risk of errors, and the ability to handle changes in the requirements of a project can increase flexibility.
[0050] After the pre-processing is completed, the automated calculator system (100) compiles (14): (i) Data – Name, Symbol, References of variables; (ii) Newly created structures – the grouping of variables in sections and subsections, format of display, (iii) Auto-generated programming code that can be evaluated by the automated calculator system (100), (iv) Latex codes - Latex symbols and Latex formulas, (v) Formula links to a single processed calculation table. This calculation table is then used to generate the - UI input page, Calculate results, Generate report PDF.
[0051] The calculation table consists of two types of variables, input variable and calculation variable. Input variables are fields that the user must fill in through UI (15). The automated calculator system (100) evaluates calculation variables based on the input variables provided by the user. The input variables have some parameters that are used to auto-create UI. Table formats for inputs include Name, ID, symbol, input structure, type of input etc. The grouping of inputs includes how inputs are grouped, e.g., based on the application or section. The input validation code includes valid range or type of input parameter. These input fields are then converted to HTML, CSS and Java Script Code following the Document Object Model (DOM) structuring. The HTML code is then sent to the front-end and displayed to the user as a simple input form for the calculator.
[0052] At Step 5, the automated calculator system (100) generates a front-end UI as mentioned above which is displayed to the user (16).
[0053] At Step 6, the user enters the inputs through the generated UI. The JavaScript validation code prevents the user from submitting invalid inputs (17).
[0054] After the user inputs are collected, the values are calculated using the autogenerated program code-based formulas for calculation variables (18). The automated calculator system (100) performs multiple calculations, from basic equation solving to complex integration. The calculations may also be logic-based, e.g., IF Else or Data-Driven, like table lookups. Developers may easily plug their custom code or API (Application Programming Interface) as functions in the calculator. E.g., automated calculator system (100) is capable of integrating the GoalSeek optimization function using this feature. The automated calculator system (100) needs to evaluate multiple linked formulas. Error in a single formula might lead to a chain of errors in the corresponding formulas. The in-built mechanism of the automated calculator system (100) tries to self-rectify the error (by re-evaluating the formulas recursively till a deadlock is reached). Still, if the error is not resolved, the automated calculator system (100) logs the error to a debugger console for the developer to fix. Once the results are evaluated, values are formatted into scientific form. e.g., 3,100,000 = 3.1 X 10^6. These formatted values are stored inside the calculation table.
[0055] After the result calculation, the calculation table is complete and is passed to the document creation model. The automated calculator system (100) has a few defined formats used to select the output presentation of engineering calculations. Broadly the data can be displayed as a table with values or as a calculation with formulas and references. These formats are flexible and are customised to represent the information best. Other structures, such as images and graphs, are also supported. For every variable (input, calculation), the developer defines a format and its respective customisation. The format and customisation are later used to create a structure for the document.
[0056] As mentioned earlier, the documentation engine uses latex coding to generate PDF reports. The code reads the format structure and uses a DOM-based approach to generate latex code for PDF creation. Once the DOM tree is created, it generates a latex file. The latex file is then compiled into a PDF report which is sent to the user (19).
[0057] At Step 7, the PDF report is displayed to the user.
[0058] The automated calculator system (100) described in the present invention is typically realised in the form of a calculator tool that can perform a wide range of calculations, including both basic equation solving and complex integration, and that can incorporate custom code or APIs as functions. Additionally, the tool has an in-built mechanism to try to self-rectify errors that may occur during the calculation process, and it logs any errors that cannot be resolved to a debugger console for the developer to fix. This can improve the accuracy and reliability of the calculator, and the ability to incorporate custom code and APIs can increase its flexibility and functionality. The formatting of the results into scientific notation can also make them easier to read and understand.
[0059] The automated calculator system (100) described in the present invention is a tool that can generate a wide range of output formats for engineering calculations, including tables, calculations with formulas and references, images, and graphs, and that allows developers to define and customise the formats to best represent the information. Additionally, the automated calculator system (100) uses a DOM-based approach to generate latex code for creating PDF reports using a documentation engine and can compile the latex file into a PDF report for the user. This flexibility in the output formats and the ability to generate professional-quality PDF reports improves the usefulness and clarity of engineering calculations.
[0060] Referring now to Figure 4, creation of ECSs is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] At step 1, the processor (102) receives the spreadsheets with the engineering calculations therein.
[0062] At step 2, the processor (102) cleans, converts, and encodes the spreadsheets into standardized format.
[0063] At step 3, the processor (102) encodes the ECSs into standard template.
[0064] At step 4, the processor (102) executes the ECSs using one or more default values.
[0065] At step 5, the processor (102) crested PDF files from the executed ECSs.
[0066] Referring now to Figure 5, calculation and PDF creation is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] First, the user enters the automated calculator system (100) through the webpage.
[0068] Second, at step 1 of the backend process, the automated calculator system (100) displays an index page. The user selects one or more calculators or calculations through the index page.
[0069] At step 2 of the backend process, the automated calculator system (100) generates one or more forms based on the selected calculator.
[0070] At step 3 of the backend process, the automated calculator system (100) receives and processes the input values from the user.
[0071] At step 4 of the backend process, the automated calculator system (100) executes the ECSs and generates PDFs showing output in LaTeX format. The automated calculator system (100) displays the PDFs to the user.
[0072] Referring now to Figure 6, reformatted LaTeX output is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] As can be seen in Figure 6, the present invention improves legibility and readability of the output, while also providing faster, efficient, and more accurate results.
[0074] Referring now to Figures 7A-7D, screenshots of User interface (UI) of the automated calculator system (100) are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] The automated calculator system (100) of the present invention converts complicated spreadsheets to tamper-proof python scripts. The automated calculator system (100) provides automated dynamic input web form creation based on spreadsheet. The automated calculator system (100) provides automated reading of spreadsheet formulas and converting to python-based calculations. The automated calculator system (100) provides automated generation of UI fields and writing HTML code through reading spreadsheet fields. The automated calculator system (100) provides plug-and-play Goal Seek/ Optimizer functionality. The automated calculator system (100) provides automated and neatly formatted PDF generation through LaTeX.
[0076] At least some of the technical advantages provided by the automated calculator system disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, the following:
The automated calculator system (100) reduces man-days and cycle time through reducing time for performing design calculations.
The automated calculator system (100) provides enhanced data validation through replacing spreadsheet-based current process with Python based scripts.
The automated calculator system (100) provides standardization of calculation methodology followed by all designers.
The automated calculator system (100) provides neatly formatted and standardized LaTeX pdf output of design calculations for sharing with clients.
[0077] The automated calculator system (100) can be used across all types of engineering design calculations. The automated calculator system (100) enables considerable reduction of cycle time for tendering or engineering project execution. The automated calculator system (100) of the present invention has been built for transmission and distribution construction design. This automated calculator system (100) can be further scaled up for any type of construction design where significant calculations are required.
[0078] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the substance of the invention may occur to person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the invention.

,CLAIMS:

1. An automated calculation method performed by an automated calculator system (100), said automated calculation method comprising:
storing a plurality of standard templates in calculator data (122) in a memory (110), wherein every standard template includes structured data and meta information;
receiving, by a User Interface (UI) generation unit (114), a user calculation selection input from a user, said user calculation selection input indicative of a calculator type;
retrieving, by a calculator selection unit (112), a standard template from the calculator data (122) based on the received calculator type;
receiving, by the UI generation unit (114), one or more input variables from the user;
performing, by a scientific calculation unit (118), one or more engineering calculations based on the received input variables and the retrieved standard template for generating one or more results;
identifying and correcting, by a result calculation unit (120), one or more errors in the results for generating one or more evaluated results;
formatting the evaluated results, by the result calculation unit (120), for generating a calculation table; and
generating, by a report generation unit (116), a report based on the calculation table, wherein the report is indicative of the evaluated results in a readable user-defined format.

2. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
generating, by the UI generation unit (114), a calculator selection UI based on the calculator data (122),
wherein the calculator selection UI displays a list of a plurality of calculator types corresponding to the plurality of standard templates in the calculator data (122); and
receiving, by the UI generation unit (114), the user calculation selection input through the calculator selection UI.

3. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 1, comprising generating, by the UI generation unit (114), a meta input UI for receiving one or more meta inputs from the user.

4. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 3, comprising pre-processing, by the calculator selection unit (112), the structured data for converting one or more scientific formulas in equivalent programming format.

5. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 4, comprising:
linking, by the scientific calculation unit (118), the one or more scientific formulas with the received input variables based on the received meta inputs; and
generating, by the scientific calculation unit (118), one or more calculation variables based on the one or more scientific formulas and the corresponding input variables,
wherein the calculation table includes the input variables and the calculation variables.

6. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the report generation unit (116) uses latex to generate the report, and wherein the report is in PDF format.

7. The automated calculation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structured data includes one or more scientific formulas, and wherein the meta information includes information for pre-processing the structured data.

8. An automated calculator system (100) comprising:
a memory (110) configured to store a plurality of standard templates in calculator data (122), wherein every standard template includes structured data and meta information; and
a processor (102) in communication with the memory (110), said processor (102) configured to:
receive a user calculation selection input from a user, said user calculation selection input indicative of a calculator type,
retrieve a standard template from the calculator data (122) based on the received calculator type,
receive one or more input variables from the user,
perform one or more engineering calculations based on the received input variables and the retrieved standard template to generate one or more results,
identify and correct one or more errors in the results to generate one or more evaluated results,
format the evaluated results to generate a calculation table, and
generate a report based on the calculation table, wherein the report is indicative of the evaluated results in a readable user-defined format.

9. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor (102) is configured to:
generate a calculator selection UI based on the calculator data (122), wherein the calculator selection UI displays a list of a plurality of calculator types corresponding to the plurality of standard templates in the calculator data (122), and
receive the user calculation selection input through the calculator selection UI.

10. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor (102) is configured to generate a meta input UI for receiving one or more meta inputs from the user.

11. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor (102) is configured to pre-process the structured data to convert one or more scientific formulas in equivalent programming format.

12. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor (102) is configured to:
link the one or more scientific formulas with the received input variables based on the received meta inputs, and
generate one or more calculation variables based on the one or more scientific formulas and the corresponding input variables, wherein the calculation table includes the input variables and the calculation variables.

13. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the report generation unit (116) uses latex to generate the report, and wherein the report is in PDF format.

14. The automated calculator system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the structured data includes one or more scientific formulas, and wherein the meta information includes information for pre-processing the structured data.