Automatic Generation of Knowledge Base from Electronic Diagrams for Computer-Aided Design

An approach to automatic generation of knowledge base from electronic diagrams is presented. This approach consists of two major components: (1) Automatic interpretation of electronic diagrams and (2) organization of interpretation results into a knowledge base for CAD applications. The design technique for automatic interpretation is based upon the multiple-pass pattern extraction principles. The functional elements in a diagram and their interrelationships are extracted from the diagram. Picture manipulation languages are developed to read the functional elements and to describe the interrelationships. The results of interpretation are organized into a knowledge base from which input data to a CAD circuit analysis program are derived.