Patent US5500802A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5500802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for creating configurators using templates
Assignee: Pantheon Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-31
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Granted: 1996-03-19
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Expires: 2014-05-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a system that allows the user to create, modify, or delete a configurator using templates. Once the configurator is constructed, the present invention allows the user to generate specific configurations using the constructed configurator. Templates are objects that are created by the configurator generator and recognized and used by the configurator to create configurations. Templates are stored in a persistent storage area of the configurator generator and are recalled when a change or deletion to the resulting configurator is desired. The configurator generator provides the user with a simple, intuitive, and computer assisted way of producing or modifying templates. A user defines a specific domain that describes an end product through a graphical interface of the system thereby creating a set of templates. The system then takes the user-defined templates to create configurations of the end product.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Morris
- 👤 John G. Cleary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/20; G06F8/24; G06F30/00; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A system including a computer for creating a set of end product configurations from a series of intermediate configurations, each said end product comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts, each said instantiated part belonging to a class, said class being represented by a prestored template capable of being displayed on a display, said instantiated parts comprising a set of resources, needs and attributes, each said instantiated part optionally comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts and each said instantiated part selectable by said system according to a set of user-supplied descriptions and a set of said instantiated part's needs and resources, said system comprising: a storage means for storing said user-supplied descriptions of the class of instantiated parts; a retrieval means for retrieving said prestored templates from said storage means, said templates providing said user-supplied descriptions; display means for displaying said templates on a display; a first processor means for creating instantiated parts from said templates; and a second processor means for combining a plurality of said instantiated parts together to form said intermediate configurations for storage and later retrieval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A system including a computer for creating a set of end product configurations from a series of intermediate configurations, each said end product comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts, each said instantiated part belonging to a class, said class being represented by a prestored template capable of being displayed on a display, said instantiated parts comprising a set of resources, needs and attributes, each said instantiated part optionally comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts and each said instantiated part selectable by said system according to a set of user-supplied descriptions and a set of said instantiated part's needs and resources, said system comprising: a storage means for storing said user-supplied descriptions of the class of instantiated parts; a retrieval means for retrieving said prestored templates from said storage means, said templates providing said user-supplied descriptions; display means for displaying said templates on a display; a first processor means for creating instantiated parts from said templates; and a second processor means for combining a plurality of said instantiated parts together to form said intermediate configurations for storage and later retrieval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for inputting operator-supplied descriptions further comprises a graphical interface having pre-defined fields for entry of information pertaining to said description.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 2 wherein said graphical interface is a dialog box.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 2 wherein said graphical interface is menu driven.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 2 wherein said information is a set of resources and attributes of said instantiated part class.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 1 wherein each said intermediate configuration comprises a set of said instantiated parts, each said instantiated part representing a generic part or actual part and said means for combining said instantiated parts into said configurations further comprises: a means for substituting said instantiated parts representing actual parts for said instantiated parts representing generic parts in a first said intermediate configuration to produce a second said configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for substituting said actual parts for said generic parts further comprises: means for a user to select instantiated parts representing actual parts which substitute for instantiated generic parts; and means for said computer to select instantiated parts representing actual parts which substitute for instantiated parts representing generic parts.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
221 words
A method capable of being carried out on a computer for creating a set of end product configurations from a series of intermediate configurations, each said end product comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts, each said instantiated part belonging to a class, said class being represented by a prestored template stored in a storage unit and capable of being displayed on a display comprising a set of resources, needs and attributes, each said instantiated part optionally comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts and each said instantiated part selectable according to a set of user-supplied descriptions and a set of said instantiated part's needs and resources, the steps of said method comprising: A) providing an input capability to a computer for allowing input to a storage unit of user-supplied descriptions of the classes of instantiated parts; B) providing a first creation capability for allowing the creation of templates from said user-supplied descriptions and for storing said templates; C.) retrieving at least one of said templates and providing a template signal to a display device; D. providing a second creation capability to a computer for allowing the creation of instantiated parts from said templates displayed on said display; and E. providing a combining capability to a computer for allowing the combination of said instantiated parts into said configurations for storage and later retrieval.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
221 words
A method capable of being carried out on a computer for creating a set of end product configurations from a series of intermediate configurations, each said end product comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts, each said instantiated part belonging to a class, said class being represented by a prestored template stored in a storage unit and capable of being displayed on a display comprising a set of resources, needs and attributes, each said instantiated part optionally comprising a subassembly of instantiated parts and each said instantiated part selectable according to a set of user-supplied descriptions and a set of said instantiated part's needs and resources, the steps of said method comprising: A) providing an input capability to a computer for allowing input to a storage unit of user-supplied descriptions of the classes of instantiated parts; B) providing a first creation capability for allowing the creation of templates from said user-supplied descriptions and for storing said templates; C.) retrieving at least one of said templates and providing a template signal to a display device; D. providing a second creation capability to a computer for allowing the creation of instantiated parts from said templates displayed on said display; and E. providing a combining capability to a computer for allowing the combination of said instantiated parts into said configurations for storage and later retrieval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said step of providing a first creation capability for allowing the creation of templates further includes the step of providing a graphical interface having pre-defined fields for entry of information pertaining to said description.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said step of providing a first creation capability for allowing the creation of templates further includes the step providing a graphical interface having pre-defined fields for entry of information pertaining to said description having the form of a dialogue box.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said step of providing a first creation capability for allowing the creation of templates further includes the step of providing a graphical interface having pre-defined fields for entry of information pertaining to said description, such being menu driven.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 9 wherein said step of providing a graphical interface having pre-defined field for entry of information pertaining to said description further includes the step of providing said information in the form of a set of resources and attributes of said instantiated part class.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein each said intermediate configuration comprises a set of said instantiated parts, each said instantiated part representing a generic or actual part and said step for providing a combining capability for allowing the combination of said instantiated parts into said configurations further includes the step of: providing a capability for substituting said actual parts for said generic parts in a first said intermediate configuration to produce a second said configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method for creating a set of end product configurations as recited in claim 13 wherein said step of substituting said actual parts for said generic parts comprises the steps of: allowing a user to select instantiated parts representing actual parts which substitute for instantiated generic parts; and allowing said computer to select instantiated parts representing actual parts which substitute for instantiated parts representing generic parts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-19 | 1999-09-18 | 2000-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-19 | 2003-09-18 | 2004-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-19 | 2007-09-18 | 2008-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |