US6058262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer-aided-design method and apparatus for networks
Assignee: NETWORK TOOLS
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Filing: 1997-04-18
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Granted: 2000-05-02
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Expires: 2017-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A computer-aided-design method and apparatus for generating a design of desired products, and selecting products to implement the design of a network. The method, as performed by the computer, includes the step of (1) retrieving a number of network infrastructure specifications, (2) retrieving a number of networking rules, (3) generating a design that defines characteristics in the desired products of the network, and (4) selecting a number of networking products from a storage medium to implement the design of the network. The infrastructure includes a number of physical locations to house the network, with the design at least being based on the infrastructure specifications. The selection process is based on the rules and the infrastructure specifications. Note that in one embodiment, the implementation at least specifies one communication characteristic between two of the products to be housed in two physical locations. One apparatus for the invention includes an input device, a processing device, a storage medium, a report generation device and a graphics generation device.
Inventors
- 👤 Percy Kawas
- 👤 Yiftah Porat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W16/00; H04W16/18; G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A computer-aided-design method for generating a design of desired products for a network, and selecting products to implement the design, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving by a computer a plurality of infrastructure specifications of the network, the specifications including at least one physical location previously entered by a user to house the network, and with at least one of the infrastructure specifications based on a default value previously stored in the computer; retrieving by the computer at least one networking rule; generating by the computer a design that defines characteristics in at least one desired product of the network, based on at least the infrastructure specifications; and selecting by the computer at least one networking product from a storage medium, based on the rule and the specifications, to implement the design of the network; such that based on the infrastructure specifications previously entered by the user, the computer can automatically select the at least one networking product and generate a list including the at least one networking product to implement the design of the network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A computer-aided-design method for generating a design of desired products for a network, and selecting products to implement the design, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving by a computer a plurality of infrastructure specifications of the network, the specifications including at least one physical location previously entered by a user to house the network, and with at least one of the infrastructure specifications based on a default value previously stored in the computer; retrieving by the computer at least one networking rule; generating by the computer a design that defines characteristics in at least one desired product of the network, based on at least the infrastructure specifications; and selecting by the computer at least one networking product from a storage medium, based on the rule and the specifications, to implement the design of the network; such that based on the infrastructure specifications previously entered by the user, the computer can automatically select the at least one networking product and generate a list including the at least one networking product to implement the design of the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the implemented design of the network at least specifies one communication characteristic between two of the products to be housed in two physical locations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein after the step of selecting, the method further comprises the step of generating a network assembly diagram depicting the network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein after the step of selecting, the method further comprises the step of generating a bill of materials for the network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein: after the step of retrieving by a computer, the method further comprises the step of retrieving by the computer at least one networking optimization constraint; and the step of selecting also depends on an optimization process using the at least one constraint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein after the step of generating a design, the method further comprises the step of checking by the computer whether there are products in a storage medium satisfying the design.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein one specification is the technology of the network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein one specification is whether the products to be selected are modular or non-modular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein one specification is the company supplying the products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein: one specification is the company supplying the products; and another specification is the maximum price discount for these products.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein one rule is on the power requirement of a product in the network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein one optimization constraint is to minimize the cost of the network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein one optimization constraint is to minimize the number of networking products for the network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: retrieving by the computer modifications made on the implemented design network; and repeating from the step of generating by the computer a design in view of the modifications.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: retrieving by the computer additional specifications on the network; and repeating from the step of generating by the computer a design in view of the additional specifications.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the computer is a portable computer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the input/output mechanism of the computer is through web-based technology.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein one communication characteristic is the type of connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein one communication characteristic is the nature of the connection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein one communication characteristic is the tariff levied on the information transmitting.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein one type of physical locations is designated by its zip codes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein based on the design implemented, the method can generate a graphical representation depicting at least the connectivity paths among the physical locations of the network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 2 wherein based on the design implemented, the method can generate a graphical representation depicting at least the connections among the physical locations of the part of the network with the communication characteristic.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for generating a design of desired products for a network, and selecting products to implement the design, the apparatus comprising; a memory device for storing a plurality of infrastructure specifications of the network, including at least one physical location previously entered by a user through an input device to house the network, and with at least one of the infrastructure specifications based on a default value previously stored in the device; and a processing device for retrieving the infrastructure specifications of the network from the memory; retrieving at least one networking rules; generating a design that defines characteristics in at least one desired product of the network, based on at least the infrastructure specifications; and selecting at least one networking product from a storage medium based on the rules and the specifications, to implement the design of the network; such that based on the infrastructure specifications previously entered by the user, the apparatus can automatically select the at least one networking product and generate a list including the at least one networking product to implement the design of the network.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for generating a design of desired products for a network, and selecting products to implement the design, the apparatus comprising; a memory device for storing a plurality of infrastructure specifications of the network, including at least one physical location previously entered by a user through an input device to house the network, and with at least one of the infrastructure specifications based on a default value previously stored in the device; and a processing device for retrieving the infrastructure specifications of the network from the memory; retrieving at least one networking rules; generating a design that defines characteristics in at least one desired product of the network, based on at least the infrastructure specifications; and selecting at least one networking product from a storage medium based on the rules and the specifications, to implement the design of the network; such that based on the infrastructure specifications previously entered by the user, the apparatus can automatically select the at least one networking product and generate a list including the at least one networking product to implement the design of the network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 further comprising a graphics generation device to generate a network assembly diagram depicting the network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 further comprising a report generation device to generate a bill of materials for the network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein: the processing device further retrieves at least one networking optimization constraint; and the selecting step by the processing device also depends on an optimization process using the at least one constraint.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein the processing device also checks whether there are products in the database satisfying the design.
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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) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |