Abstract: A search method performed by a computer, includes, calculating a high-dimensional feature vector and a low-dimensional feature vector, the number of dimensions of the low-dimensional feature vector which is smaller than the number of dimensions of the high-dimensional feature vector, from images of an object captured from different visual line directions, specifying a search range of a similar image of a target object by using the low-dimensional feature vector, and searching for the similar image of the target object that satisfies a predetermined selection criterion in the specified search range by using the high-dimensional feature vector.

Abstract: A component estimation method that is executed by a computer, includes, generating a first learning model based on image data of a component and transaction data of the component as a first set of teacher data, extracting a first feature vector of the component based on the first learning model, generating a second learning model based on specification of the component and transaction data of the component as a second set of teacher data, extracting a second feature vector of an estimation target component based on the first learning model and image data of the estimation target component, and estimating transaction data of the estimation target component based on the second learning model, the second feature vector of the estimation target component and a specification of the estimation target.

Abstract: In a meshing method for use in a computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) system, in which one or more serial meshing units are used to carry out a decoupled parallel meshing process in respect of all parts of a CAD assembly model, input parameters for the meshing process automatically, for each part to be processed, are set using live runtime information about the meshing process for the part concerned, such as information about the outcome of previous attempts to carry out the meshing process of the part.

Abstract: A disclosed setting method includes: in response to an instruction to replace a first component with a second component, determining whether or not data that correlates a surface of the first component with a surface of a third component has been set; upon determining that the data that correlates the surface of the first component with the surface of the third component has been set, extracting a surface of the second component, which corresponds to the surface of the first component; and correlating the extracted surface of the second component with the surface of the third component instead of the surface of the first component in the data.

Abstract: A method, for use in meshing a CAD domain in a computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) system, comprises carrying out a procedure comprising: obtaining a set of mesh elements by extracting, from a previously-generated mesh of the CAD domain which has undergone a mesh element optimization process in respect of interior elements of the previously-generated mesh, mesh elements which do not satisfy a preselected mesh quality metric; decomposing the set of mesh elements into connected sub-meshes; carrying out a serial mesh element optimization process in respect of each sub-mesh independently and in parallel, under the condition that boundary nodes of sub-meshes are not moved, to obtain optimized sub-meshes; and obtaining an optimized mesh of the CAD domain by integrating the optimized sub-meshes into the previously-generated mesh.

Abstract: A method of allowing inclusion of a structural component which is the confidential property of an owner in a third party remote product simulation, the method comprising, in owner modelling software: importing a component model including geometry of the component, mesh data and at least one material property of the component; encrypting a secure part of the component model which is to remain confidential to the owner using a software key, and leaving an interface part of the component model unencrypted; adding a restriction to the component model before the component model is exported, the restriction specifying simulation result data which is not to be visible to the third party; and exporting the partially encrypted component model to the third party for use in third party modelling software.

Abstract: A method, for use in meshing a CAD domain in a computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) system, comprises carrying out a procedure comprising: obtaining a set of mesh elements by extracting, from a previously-generated mesh of the CAD domain which has undergone a mesh element optimization process in respect of interior elements of the previously-generated mesh, mesh elements which do not satisfy a preselected mesh quality metric; decomposing the set of mesh elements into connected sub-meshes; carrying out a serial mesh element optimization process in respect of each sub-mesh independently and in parallel, under the condition that boundary nodes of sub-meshes are not moved, to obtain optimized sub-meshes; and obtaining an optimized mesh of the CAD domain by integrating the optimized sub-meshes into the previously-generated mesh.

Abstract: A method of allowing inclusion of a structural component which is the confidential property of an owner in a third party remote product simulation, the method comprising, in owner modelling software: importing a component model including geometry of the component, mesh data and at least one material property of the component; encrypting a secure part of the component model which is to remain confidential to the owner using a software key, and leaving an interface part of the component model unencrypted; adding a restriction to the component model before the component model is exported, the restriction specifying simulation result data which is not to be visible to the third party; and exporting the partially encrypted component model to the third party for use in third party modelling software.

Abstract: A mesh number prediction method obtains a mesh length for a case in which a mesh having an arbitrary shape is created by approximating an entire analyzing target by a three-dimensional (3D) mesh model based on data of a 3D surface model of the analyzing target, obtains a mesh number of each part forming the analyzing target for a case in which a mesh having an arbitrary shape is created by approximating each part by a 3D mesh model based on the mesh length, and obtains a predicted total mesh number of the entire analyzing target from a ratio of volumes of the entire analyzing target and each part based on the mesh number.

Abstract: A contact defining device includes: a component moving unit that moves a component represented by data of a surface region in a 3D model in a predetermined direction; an overlap determination unit that determines whether or not the surface region of the component moved by the component moving unit includes an overlapping area that overlaps the surface region of another component; and a contact defining unit that, when a determination is made by the overlap determination unit that the surface region of the component includes the overlapping area that overlaps the surface region of another component, defines the overlapping area as a contact area with the another component.

Abstract: A bonding surface extraction unit extracts, with reference to bonding information, data of a first bonding surface corresponding to a bottom surface of a bonding model from data of a first partial model and data of a second bonding surface corresponding to a top surface of the bonding model from data of a second partial model. The first partial model is a model of a pad included in a circuit board. The second partial model is a model of an electrode included in a component. The electrode is to be bonded to the pad with a bonding material. A bonding model generation unit generates a side surface establishing a link between outlines of the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface, and obtains data of the bonding model on the basis of a shape formed with the side surface, the first bonding surface, and the second bonding surface.

Abstract: A disclosed setting method includes: in response to an instruction to replace a first component with a second component, determining whether or not data that correlates a surface of the first component with a surface of a third component has been set; upon determining that the data that correlates the surface of the first component with the surface of the third component has been set, extracting a surface of the second component, which corresponds to the surface of the first component; and correlating the extracted surface of the second component with the surface of the third component instead of the surface of the first component in the data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of simplifying a complex part in a geometric model by approximating its shape, including creating a two-dimensional cross-sectional plane through the complex part in at least two of three mutually orthogonal axes of the part, to give two or three planes, each reproducing the shape of the complex part at the cross section; and performing a combination operation on the planes to form a new body from the planes.

Abstract: In a meshing method for use in a computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided engineering (CAE) system, in which one or more serial meshing units are used to carry out a decoupled parallel meshing process in respect of all parts of a CAD assembly model, input parameters for the meshing process automatically, for each part to be processed, are set using live runtime information about the meshing process for the part concerned, such as information about the outcome of previous attempts to carry out the meshing process of the part.

Abstract: A substrate includes a first plate member; a plurality of first electrodes provided on the major surface of the first plate member, the first electrodes including at least one electrode for circuit connection and at least one monitor electrode separate from the electrode for circuit connection; a second plate member; a plurality of second electrodes provided on the major surface of the second plate member; a plurality of solder members provided between the first electrodes and the second electrodes for electrical connection therebetween, repeatedly; and a detector for detecting an electrical disconnection between at least one of the monitor electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of geometric feature detection comprising accessing a data file including a geometric model of an object; accessing an unsuitable feature file including definitions of geometric features which are unsuitable for analysis; automatically detecting a defined unsuitable geometric feature included in the object; and optionally modifying the unsuitable geometric feature to produce a modified model for analysis purposes.

Abstract: An electronic device includes, a circuit board including a through hole, a member including a screw hole, a screw including a screw body having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole and a screw head having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through hole, wherein the screw body penetrates through the through hole to engage with the screw hole and the screw head is disposed on an opposite side of the circuit board to the member, and a first washer provided between the screw head and the circuit board, the first washer including a first washer body and a plurality of first washer legs extending from the first washer body toward the circuit board, the first washer legs being in contact with the circuit board and having a characteristic of reducing stress on the circuit board upon being heated.

Abstract: A mesh number prediction method obtains a mesh length for a case in which a mesh having an arbitrary shape is created by approximating an entire analyzing target by a three-dimensional (3D) mesh model based on data of a 3D surface model of the analyzing target, obtains a mesh number of each part forming the analyzing target for a case in which a mesh having an arbitrary shape is created by approximating each part by a 3D mesh model based on the mesh length, and obtains a predicted total mesh number of the entire analyzing target from a ratio of volumes of the entire analyzing target and each part based on the mesh number.

Abstract: A connector includes a contact pin in which a free end projecting from a supporting member comes into contact with an electrode of a first object and a second object, and a bending part is provided onto a base end such that the connector has an inclination against the first object and the second object. The rigidity of the bending parts is selectively set to be high by selectively increasing a thickness of the bending part.

Abstract: A contact defining device includes: a component moving unit that moves a component represented by data of a surface region in a 3D model in a predetermined direction; an overlap determination unit that determines whether or not the surface region of the component moved by the component moving unit includes an overlapping area that overlaps the surface region of another component; and a contact defining unit that, when a determination is made by the overlap determination unit that the surface region of the component includes the overlapping area that overlaps the surface region of another component, defines the overlapping area as a contact area with the another component.