US7134096B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for design, procurement and manufacturing collaboration
Assignee: Flextronics AP LLC
•
Filing: 2003-02-21
•
Granted: 2006-11-07
•
Expires: 2023-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for designing an electronic component includes receiving a device criteria (e.g., a parametric value, procurement value, etc.) from a designer, querying a database for devices corresponding to the device criteria, querying the database for procurement data and/or engineering data associated with the corresponding devices, presenting the devices to the designer based on the procurement data, and receiving input from the designer identifying one of the presented devices as a selected device. In a particular method, the returned devices are sorted based on one or more procurement values (e.g., manufacturer, price, availability, manufacturer status, etc.), and presented to the designer in a ranked list. Objects representative of the selected devices are then entered into a design file, and the objects are associated with the device's engineering and/or procurement data. In a particular embodiment, the objects are associated with the engineering data by embedding the engineering data in the file object. Optionally, data can be associated with the objects via links to the database. Types of engineering data that can be associated with design file objects include, but are not limited to, device footprint data, device pinout data, device physical dimension data, parametric data, and packaging data. Additionally, connection data and annotation data can be entered into the design file objects by the designer.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas E. Brathwaite
- 👤 Ram Gopal Bommakanti
- 👤 Visvanathan Ganapathy
- 👤 Paul N. Burns
- 👤 Douglas Edward Maddox
- 👤 Michael Anthony Durkan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/39; G06F30/398; G06Q; G06Q90/00; G06Q99/00; G06F2111/00; G06F2111/02; G06F2111/12; G06F2119/00; G06F2119/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for designing an electronic component, said method comprising: receiving a parametric value from a designer; querying a database for devices corresponding to said parametric value; querying said database for procurement data associated with said devices; presenting said devices to said designer based on said procurement data, including presenting said devices based on whether said devices are approved devices within a company's supply chain; and receiving input from said designer identifying one of said devices as a selected device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for designing an electronic component, said method comprising: receiving a parametric value from a designer; querying a database for devices corresponding to said parametric value; querying said database for procurement data associated with said devices; presenting said devices to said designer based on said procurement data, including presenting said devices based on whether said devices are approved devices within a company's supply chain; and receiving input from said designer identifying one of said devices as a selected device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of presenting said devices to said designer includes: ranking each of said devices based on said procurement data; and presenting said devices according to said rank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said ranking depends on a weighted average of a plurality of procurement values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on the prices of said devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 5 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on the manufacturers of said devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on a preferred status of said manufacturers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 8 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on the geographical locations of said manufacturers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 10 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 7 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on the availability of said devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 13 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said ranking depends at least in part on delivery terms associated with said devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 15 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 2 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of querying said database for engineering data associated with said selected device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 18 , further comprising: inserting an object representative of said selected device into a design file; and associating said engineering data with said object associated with said selected device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 19 , wherein said engineering data includes geometric data associated with said selected device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 20 , wherein said geometric data associated with said selected device includes a footprint associated with said selected device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 21 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 20 , wherein said geometric data associated with said selected device includes a pin layout associated with said selected device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 23 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 20 , wherein said geometric data associated with said selected device includes physical dimensions associated with said selected device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 25 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 20 .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 19 , wherein said engineering data includes parametric data associated with said selected device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 28 , wherein said parametric data includes a response function associated with said selected device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 29 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 28 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 19 , further including: receiving data front said designer defining connections between said selected device and other devices in said design file; and associating said connection data with said object representing said selected device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 32 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising associating at least a portion of said procurement data with said object representing said selected device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 34 , wherein said procurement data includes indicia of a manufacturer of said device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 35 .
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 34 , wherein said procurement data includes indicia of a price of said device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 37 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 34 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising: receiving data front said designer annotating changes in said selected device; and associating said annotation data with said object representing said selected device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 40 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising: associating at least a portion of said procurement data with said object; and associating connection data with said object.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 42 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising: recieving design rules; and performing a design analysis on said design file.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for manufacturability test.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 45 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for testability test.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 47 .
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for fabrication test.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 49 .
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for procurement test.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 51 .
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for quality test.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 53 .
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 , wherein said design analysis includes a design for reliability test.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 55 .
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 44 .
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 19 . further comprising: associating connection data defining connections between said selected device and other devices in said design file with said object; and generating a schematic drawing of said electronic component from said design file.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 58 .
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising: associating connection data defining connections between said selected device and other devices in said design file with said object; and generating a net list of said electronic component from said design file.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 60 .
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 19 , further comprising: associating at least a portion of said procurement data with said object; and generating a bill of materials from said design file.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 62 .
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 19 .
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 18 .
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable medium having code embodied therein for causing an electronic device to perform the method of claim 1 .
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of presenting said devices to said designer includes filtering out devices that are not approved devices within a company's supply chain.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for designing an electronic component, said system comprising: a designer interface for receiving data and commands from a designer; a schematic design tool responsive to receiving parametric data from said user, and operative to query a database for devices corresponding to said parametric data, to query said database for procurement data associated with said devices, to display said devices to said designer via said designer interface based on said procurement data including data indicative of whether said devices are approved devices within a company's supply chain, and to receive input from said designer identifying one of said displayed devices as a selected device.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for designing an electronic component, said system comprising: a designer interface for receiving data and commands from a designer; a schematic design tool responsive to receiving parametric data from said user, and operative to query a database for devices corresponding to said parametric data, to query said database for procurement data associated with said devices, to display said devices to said designer via said designer interface based on said procurement data including data indicative of whether said devices are approved devices within a company's supply chain, and to receive input from said designer identifying one of said displayed devices as a selected device.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 68 , wherein said schematic design tool is operative to present said devices to said designer according to a set of business rules.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 68 , wherein said schematic design tool is further operative to: insert an object representative of said selected device into a design file; and associate said procurement data with said object.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 70 , further comprising a bill of materials generator, responsive to said procurement data associated with objects in said design file, and operative to generate a bill of materials.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 68 , wherein said schematic design tool is further operative to query a database for engineering data associated with said selected device.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 72 , wherein said schematic design tool is further operative to: insert an object representative of said selected device into a design file; and associate said engineering data with said object.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 73 , further comprising a design analyzer, operative to analyze said design file.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 74 , further comprising a net list generator, operative to generate a net list based on said engineering data associated with objects in said design file.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 68 , further comprising a filter operative to prevent the presentation of said devices that are not approved devices within a company's supply chain to said designer.
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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) | 2009-11-06 | 2010-05-08 | 2010-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-11-06 | 2014-05-08 | 2014-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-11-06 | 2018-05-08 | 2018-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |