Graphical user interface and method for interfacing with a configuration system for highly configurable products
First Claim
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1. A method for interfacing a user with a product specification computer program used for generating a design, said design comprising a configuration of a plurality of products, said method comprising:
- (a) displaying a window on a computer display coupled with a computer comprising said computer program, said window operable to render at least first, second, third and fourth portions, each of said first, second, third and fourth portions capable of receiving input from a user via a user input device coupled with said computer and displaying output to said user;
(b) displaying in said first portion, at least one portion of a catalog of said plurality of products available for inclusion in said design;
(c) receiving in said first portion, a selection by said user of a first product from said catalog for inclusion in said design;
(d) receiving in said first portion, a first configuration of said selected first product;
(e) displaying in said second portion, information specific to said selected first product having said first configuration;
(f) receiving in said third portion, an arrangement specified by said user of said selected first product within said design, said selected first product having said first configuration, wherein said arrangement comprises an assembly of said first product with a second product, said second product having been previously arranged;
(g) displaying in said third portion, a two dimensional plan view of said design comprising said selected, configured and arranged first product; and
(h) displaying in said fourth portion, a three dimensional view of said design comprising said selected, configured, and arranged product.
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Abstract
A graphical user interface (“GUI”) and method is disclosed for use with a product specification computer program for specifying complex highly configurable products. The GUI provides for simultaneously displaying, navigating, selecting and assembling of complex objects/products and configuration thereof into a design layout using a multi-pane display. The display provides both two dimensional and three dimensional representations of the design layout as well as product selection and manipulation tools.
136 Citations
61 Claims
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1. A method for interfacing a user with a product specification computer program used for generating a design, said design comprising a configuration of a plurality of products, said method comprising:
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(a) displaying a window on a computer display coupled with a computer comprising said computer program, said window operable to render at least first, second, third and fourth portions, each of said first, second, third and fourth portions capable of receiving input from a user via a user input device coupled with said computer and displaying output to said user;
(b) displaying in said first portion, at least one portion of a catalog of said plurality of products available for inclusion in said design;
(c) receiving in said first portion, a selection by said user of a first product from said catalog for inclusion in said design;
(d) receiving in said first portion, a first configuration of said selected first product;
(e) displaying in said second portion, information specific to said selected first product having said first configuration;
(f) receiving in said third portion, an arrangement specified by said user of said selected first product within said design, said selected first product having said first configuration, wherein said arrangement comprises an assembly of said first product with a second product, said second product having been previously arranged;
(g) displaying in said third portion, a two dimensional plan view of said design comprising said selected, configured and arranged first product; and
(h) displaying in said fourth portion, a three dimensional view of said design comprising said selected, configured, and arranged product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A graphical user interface for interfacing a user with a product specification computer program used for generating a design comprising a configuration of a plurality of products, said graphical user interface comprising:
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means for displaying a window means on a computer display coupled with a computer comprising said computer program, said window means operable to render first, second, third and fourth portions, each of said first, second, third and fourth portions capable of receiving input from a user via user input means coupled with said computer and displaying output to said user;
means for displaying in said first portion, catalog means comprising said plurality of products available for inclusion in said design;
means for receiving in said first portion, a selection by said user of a first product from said catalog means for inclusion in said design;
means for receiving in said first portion, a first configuration of said selected first product;
means for displaying in said second portion, information specific to said selected first product having said first configuration;
means for receiving in said third portion, an arrangement specified by said user of said selected first product within said design, said selected first product having said first configuration, said arrangement comprising an assembly of said first product with a second product, said second product having been previously arranged;
means for displaying in said third portion a two dimensional plan view of said design comprising said selected, configured and arranged first product;
means for displaying is said fourth portion a three dimensional view of said design comprising said selected, configured, and arranged product.
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30. A graphical user interface for interfacing a user with a product specification computer program used for generating a design comprising a configuration of a plurality of products, said graphical user interface comprising:
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a graphical window for display on a computer display coupled with a computer comprising said computer program, said graphical window operable to render first, second, third and fourth portions, each of said first, second, third and fourth portions capable of receiving input from a user via a user input device coupled with said computer and displaying output to said user; and
whereinsaid first portion comprises a display of at least one portion of a catalog of said plurality of products available for inclusion in said design, said first portion operative to receive a selection by said user of a first product from said catalog for inclusion in said design and further operative to receive a first configuration of said selected first product;
said second portion comprises a display of information specific to said selected first product having said first configuration;
said third portion being operative to receive an arrangement specified by said user of said selected first product within said design, said selected first product having said first configuration, wherein said arrangement comprises an assembly of said first product with a second product, said second product having been previously arranged, and further wherein said third portion comprises a display of a two dimensional plan view of said design comprising said selected, configured and arranged first product; and
said fourth portion comprises a display of a three dimensional view of said design comprising said selected, configured, and arranged product. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A method for interfacing a user with a product specification computer program used for generating a design, said design comprising a configuration of a plurality of products, said method comprising:
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(a) displaying a window on a computer display coupled with a computer comprising said computer program, said window operable to render at least first and second portions, each of said first and second portions capable of receiving input from a user via a user input device coupled with said computer and displaying output to said user;
(b) displaying in said first portion, a three dimensional view of said design;
(c) receiving in said second portion, an arrangement specified by said user of a first product selected from a catalog of said plurality of products available for inclusion in said design, wherein said arrangement comprises an assembly of said first product with a second product, said second product having been previously arranged; and
(d) updating said three dimensional view in said first portion to reflect said design having said product in said arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61)
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Specification