US6002854A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for configuring systems
Assignee: Versata Development Group Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-10
•
Granted: 1999-12-14
•
Expires: 2017-03-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention employs a generative approach for configuring systems such that a system may be configured based on component or resource requests, or input in the form of need. The present invention provides a constraint-based configuration system using a structural model hierarchy. The structural aspects of the model provide the ability to define a model element as being contained in, or by, another model element. In addition, the structural model provides the ability to identify logical datatype and physical interconnections between elements and establish connections between elements. To configure a system, the present invention accepts input in the form of requests (e.g., component or resource) or needs, such as an expression of a need for a desktop computer system to be used in a CAD (i.e., computer-aided design) environment. Using this information, the present invention configures a system by identifying the resource and component needs, constraints imposed on or by the resources or components identified, and the structural aspects of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 John Lynch
- 👤 David Franke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/448; G06F9/4488; G06F9/4492; G06F30/00; G06F2119/00; G06F2119/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining in a computer system an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating in said computer system a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining in a computer system an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating in said computer system a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 such that said configuration requests are element requests, resource requests, and needs identifications.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of generating by said computer system a Bill of Materials report containing a part number and description for each component and spare part in said system configuration, resource totals, failed requests, and failed optional requests.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of: bundling by said computer system said elements of said system configuration into product groupings; and generating a price quotation for said system configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: identifying one or more of said plurality of components that can satisfy constraints of said plurality of components; creating a second plurality of components to satisfy constraints if said constraints cannot be satisfied by said one or more of said plurality of components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 6 wherein said configuration request is a request for a component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The article of manufacture of claim 6 wherein said configuration request is a request that identifies a need in said system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of manufacture of claim 6 wherein said configuration request is a request for a resource for said system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The article of manufacture of claim 6 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select said component using said component's definition in said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said component in said system configuration using said component's definition in said model.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to satisfy said plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component by examining said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify one or more components of said system configuration satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a constraint further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes definitions for a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to determine whether said constraints on said plurality of components includes said constraint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The article of manufacture of claim 13 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
The article of manufacture of claim 15 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to connect said one of said available ports with said port of said component if said compatibility exists.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article to manufacture of claim 16 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether the physical type and logical type of said one of said available ports is compatible with said port of said component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether a transfer path exists between said one of said available ports and said port of said component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
132 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that comprises a definition for each of a plurality of components available to inclusion in said system configuration; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said definition in said model of said one of said plurality of components in response to a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said definition of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
132 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that comprises a definition for each of a plurality of components available to inclusion in said system configuration; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said definition in said model of said one of said plurality of components in response to a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said definition of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article of manufacture of claim 19 further comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
135 words
The article of manufacture of claim 20 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy said plurality of constraints using at least one component of said system configuration when said system configuration can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein said definition for each of a plurality of components includes said plurality of constraints, said computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine a definition of said component in said model to identify said plurality of constraints.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
179 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components of said system, said article of manufacturing comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said component's definition in said model in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said component's definition in said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
179 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components of said system, said article of manufacturing comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said component's definition in said model in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said component's definition in said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
200 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system, said article of manufacturing comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a plurality of constraints of said component by examining said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify one or more components of said system configuration that can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
200 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system, said article of manufacturing comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a plurality of constraints of said component by examining said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify one or more components of said system configuration that can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes definitions for a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to determine whether a component of said system configuration has a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes definitions for a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to determine whether a component of said system configuration has a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
112 words
The article of manufacture of claim 26 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to connect said one of said available ports with said port of said component if said compatibility exists.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacture of claim 27 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether the physical type and logical type of said one of said available ports is compatible with said port of said component.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
The article of manufacture of claim 27 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether a transfer path exists between said one of said available ports and said port of said component.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
65 words
A configuration apparatus comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a modeling system coupled to said CPU, said modeling system configured to define a model having information about elements available for inclusion in a system configuration; a configurator coupled to said CPU, said configurator configured to select a plurality of said elements of said model for inclusion in said system configuration in response to configuration requests.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
65 words
A configuration apparatus comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a modeling system coupled to said CPU, said modeling system configured to define a model having information about elements available for inclusion in a system configuration; a configurator coupled to said CPU, said configurator configured to select a plurality of said elements of said model for inclusion in said system configuration in response to configuration requests.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 30 wherein said model further comprises a plurality of product definitions, said configuration apparatus further comprising: a bundling system configured to identify a plurality of products that comprise said plurality of said elements.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 30 wherein said model contains a class hierarchy, said plurality of elements belonging to a class of said class hierarchy.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 32 wherein said class hierarchy includes a plurality of component, composite, connector, container, and port classes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 32 wherein said class hierarchy is comprised of a plurality of connection, container and composite hierarchies.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 34 wherein said container hierarchy is comprised of elements that are contained within other elements.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 34 wherein said connection hierarchy is comprised of elements that are connectable to other elements.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The configuration apparatus of claim 34 wherein said composite hierarchy is comprised of elements as part of other elements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure a system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating system a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; generating a Bill of Materials report containing a part number and description for each component and spare part in said system configuration, resource totals, failed requests, and failed optional requests.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
93 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure a system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating system a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; generating a Bill of Materials report containing a part number and description for each component and spare part in said system configuration, resource totals, failed requests, and failed optional requests.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; bundling said elements of said system configuration into product groupings; generating a price quotation for said system configuration.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; bundling said elements of said system configuration into product groupings; generating a price quotation for said system configuration.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; identifying one or more of said plurality of components that can satisfy constraints of said plurality of components; creating a second plurality of components to satisfy constraints if said constraints cannot be satisfied by said one or more of said plurality of components.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a computer system, a method of generating a configuration for a system comprising the steps of: defining an element model consisting of elements used to configure said system and structural relationships between said elements in said model; creating a plurality of components of said system that are instances of one or more elements of said model in response to configuration requests; identifying one or more of said plurality of components that can satisfy constraints of said plurality of components; creating a second plurality of components to satisfy constraints if said constraints cannot be satisfied by said one or more of said plurality of components.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
132 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
132 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system, said system configuration specifying a plurality of components that comprise said system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes a definition for each of a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component in said system configuration in response to said configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
77 words
The article of manufacture of claim 41 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of a component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select said component using said component's definition in said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said component in said system configuration using said component's definition in said model.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
108 words
The article of manufacture of claim 41 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to satisfy said plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component by examining said model; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify one or more components of said system configuration satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
136 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes definitions for a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to determine whether a definition of said component in said model identifies a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
136 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that includes definitions for a plurality of components selectable for inclusion in said system configuration and constraints on said plurality of components; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to determine whether a definition of said component in said model identifies a constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether a component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
105 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether a component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said constraint.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
112 words
The article of manufacture of claim 45 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to examine said system configuration to determine whether another component of said system configuration is available to satisfy said constraint further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to connect said one of said available ports with said port of said component if said compatibility exists.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacture of claim 46 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether the physical type and logical type of said one of said available ports is compatible with said port of said component.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
64 words
The article of manufacture of claim 46 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether a transfer path exists between said one of said available ports and said port of said component.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
156 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that comprises a definition for each of a plurality of components available for inclusion in said system configuration; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said definition in said model of said one of said plurality of components in response to a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said definition of said one of said plurality of components; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
156 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for generating a configuration for a system comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to define a model that comprises a definition for each of a plurality of components available for inclusion in said system configuration; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine said model to select one of said plurality of components using said definition in said model of said one of said plurality of components in response to a configuration request; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create an instance of said one of said plurality of components in said system configuration using said definition of said one of said plurality of components; and computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said one of said plurality of components.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
135 words
The article of manufacture of claim 49 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to satisfy a plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether said system configuration can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to satisfy said plurality of constraints using at least one component of said system configuration when said system configuration can satisfy said plurality of constraints; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said plurality of constraints if said system configuration cannot satisfy said plurality of constraints.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacturing of claim 50 wherein said definition for each of a plurality of components includes said plurality of constraints, said computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify said plurality of constraints of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to examine a definition of said component in said model to identify said plurality of constraints.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
151 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a connection constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to connect said one of said available ports with said port of said component if said compatibility exists, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said connection constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said connection constraint.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
151 words
An article of manufacturing comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for satisfying a constraint in a system configuration comprising: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a component of said system configuration having a connection constraint; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to identify a destination component of said system configuration having available ports; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component; computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to connect said one of said available ports with said port of said component if said compatibility exists, computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to create a new component in said system configuration to satisfy said connection constraint if said system configuration cannot satisfy said connection constraint.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
68 words
The article of manufacture of claim 52 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether the physical type and logical type of said one of said available ports is compatible with said port of said component.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
64 words
The article of manufacture of claim 52 wherein said computer readable code configured to cause a computer to determine whether one of said available ports is compatible with a port of said component further comprises: computer readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether a transfer path exists between said one of said available ports and said port of said component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4591983A
Cited
US4870591A
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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) | 2002-12-13 | 2003-06-14 | 2003-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | 2007-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-13 | 2011-06-14 | 2011-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |