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  Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systemsUSPTO Application #: 20060277006Title: Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems Abstract: The automation of design and sale of electronic and mechanical components is accomplished by allowing a user to design a plan for their electronic and mechanical component needs using specialized software. The software utilizes predefined models of components to aid the user in designing a system where all the components are compatible, even in cases where the components are made by different manufacturers. This is accomplished by creating a model for each proposed piece of equipment in the system, the model having properties and rules, wherein the rules define conditions and actions. Then an object is created for each piece of equipment in the system. Selections for values for the properties are received for each of the pieces of equipment. Any rules that have as a condition the properties for which value selections are received are executed. Finally, testing may be undertaken to determine if a proposed configuration is valid by examining results of the rule execution. (end of abstract)
Agent: Thelen Reid & Priest, LLP - San Jose, CA, US Inventor: Bill N. Musharbash Related Keywords: mechanical systems, rule execution, software, specialized USPTO Applicaton #: 20060277006 - Class: 703001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, And Emulation, Structural Design The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060277006. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/081,933, filed Feb. 21, 2002 which claims priority based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/270,949, filed Feb. 21, 2002, by Bill N. Musharbash, entitled "Automatic Design and Sale of Complex Multi-Vendor Electronic and Mechanical Systems" each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to electronic systems sales. More specifically, the present invention relates to the automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Customers who wish to set up electronic and/or mechanical systems, such as computer networks, in their homes or offices generally have to figure out on their own what components they need to purchase. This may involve visiting several vendor and/manufacturer web sites or locations, each of whom have a tendency to push their own products. Additionally, product literature is often limited in nature, describing only how to interface a given product with another product in the manufacturer's line. Customers who wish to mix-and-match components from various manufacturers may be left to their own devices. Additionally, users may be unfamiliar with newer products. What is needed is a solution that allows customers to automatically determine their component needs and facilitates sales of those components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0004] The automation of design and sale of electronic and mechanical components is accomplished by allowing a user to design a plan for their electronic and mechanical component needs using specialized software. The software utilizes predefined models of components to aid the user in designing a system where all the components are compatible, even in cases where the components are made by different manufacturers. This is accomplished by creating a model for each proposed piece of equipment in the system, the model having properties and rules, wherein the rules define conditions and actions. Then an object is created for each piece of equipment in the system. Selections for values for the properties are received for each of the pieces of equipment. Any rules that have as a condition the properties for which value selections are received are executed. Finally, testing may be undertaken to determine if a proposed configuration is valid by examining results of the rule execution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention. [0006] In the drawings: [0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall structure of software in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a methodology to describe a product in terms of its function, behavior, connectivity, and makeup in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cable model in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the user system model in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the equipment configuration process in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an inheritance hierarchy in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating configuration rules in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how a simple two-point connection would be encoded in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a "Y" connection example in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating daisy chain type connection rule encoding in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating daisy chain type connection rule encoding in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating connections between the same product types in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating connections within a product itself in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: System and method for analysis of measurement data Next Patent Application: Casting design optimization system (cdos) for shape castings Industry Class: Data processing: structural design, modeling, simulation, and emulation ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Automatic design and sale of complex multi-vendor electronic and mechanical systems patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.80485 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
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