Eda diagnostic checker

Abstract

A system for evaluating CAD models automatically and transmitting the results of a series of algorithm-based checks. An evaluation model is read in by the system and its parameters are evaluated for self-consistency and conformance to a set of diagnostic rules. Results are returned or displayed interactively upon viewing, transmitting, or inspecting a CAD component model, or placement of a CAD component model in an FDA software tool. The evaluation produces a result, which comprises the pass/fail results of the individual checks, and an indication of quality level. The system may additionally receive from an administrator a plurality of rules, suppressions or quality levels. The set of diagnostic rules comprises the plurality of FDA rules that are not associated with one of the plurality of suppressions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for programmatically generating a conjectured computer-aided design (CAD) model by extrapolating, interpolating or assuming unknown product attributes:
 generating a conjectured model by receiving a unique identifier for a physical item that a CAD model is intended to represent in either form or function;   the conjectured model including one or more attributes extracted from the CAD model or one or more parameters extracted from third party sources, the third-party sources including product specifications, industry standards, application programming interfaces (APIs), spreadsheets, or other CAD models;   wherein the conjectured model approximates the form or function of the intended physical item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising comparing conflicting attributes from the third-party sources to determine the most likely correct attributes. 
     
     
         3 . A method for verifying CAD models, the method comprising:
 receiving a CAD model over a computer network, the CAD model comprising attributes;   extracting attributes from the CAD model;   generating a conjectured model for the physical item that the CAD model is intended to represent in form or function,   comparing the CAD component model against the conjectured model to detect discrepancies.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising returning or displaying the discrepancies to a user upon inspection of the CAD component model or placement of the CAD component model in an electronic design automation (EDA) software tool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising evaluating the CAD model against a plurality of quality levels to produce an indication of a quality level and displaying the indication to the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising evaluating the CAD model against a plurality of rules to produce an indication and displaying that indication to the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the CAD model is received over a computer network using an API. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generated conjectured model comprises attributes generated by a software tool. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising automatically resolving the discrepancies without intervention from the user. 
     
     
         10 . A method for assessing the quality of a CAD model, the method comprising:
 reading a CAD model;   generating a conjectured model for the CAD model,   the conjectured model generated by receiving a unique identifier for a physical item that the CAD model is intended to represent in either form or function;   wherein the conjectured model approximates an ideal representation of the component model;   evaluating an evaluation model against a set of diagnostic rules, the set of diagnostic rules comprising the plurality of EDA rules that are not associated with one of a plurality of suppressions, the set of diagnostic rules comparing the evaluation model against the conjectured model, the evaluation producing a result; and   transmitting the result to the user, the result comprising an indication of quality level and a pass/fail indication.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the receiving and transmitting is done through an application programming interface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the result further comprises data for modifying the component model. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the result further comprises data for modifying the component model without intervention from the user.