Applying constraint satisfaction approach to solve product configuration problems with cardinality-based configuration rules

• DOI: 10.1007/s10845-011-0544-2
• Publication Date: 2011-06-04T08:14:15Z
• Authors: Dong Yang; Ming Dong
• Keywords: Configuration design; Cardinality (data modeling); Solver

In this paper, the product configuration problems that are characterized by cardinality-based configuration rules are dealt with. Novel configuration rules including FI and EI rules are presented to clarify the semantics of inclusion rules when cardinalities and hierarchies of products are encountered. Then, a configuration graph is proposed to visualize structural rules and configuration rules in product configuration problem. An encoding approach is elaborated to transform the configuration graph as a CSP (Constraint Satisfaction Problem). As a consequence, existing CSP solver, i.e. JCL (Java Constraint Library), is employed to implement the configuration system for product configuration problem with cardinality-related configuration rules. A case study of a bus configuration is used throughout this paper to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented approach.