Facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product

• US 20050049883A1
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Braden, Roger A., Boroson, Michael L., Tutt, Lee W., Rivers, Andrea S.
• Application Number:
  US10/647,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20050049883A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32032 Salesman creates order, system answers back with price, estimated date
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32034 Electronic market, network broker
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, includes the product designer providing design information for a particular desired display product to a service provider; one or more display product manufacturers providing manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data; the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon current manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval; and the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing design information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) one or more display product manufacturers providing manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data;

c) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon current manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval; and

d) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the manufacturing information further includes current cost data, or current diagnostic data, or current manufacturing availability information, or current equipment classes/types, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein in step c) the service provider further provides suggested manufacturers, or cost information, or delivery information, or display product performance information, or combinations thereof.

4. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing over a secure channel design information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) one or more display product manufacturers providing, over the same or a different secure channel, manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data;

c) the service provider communicating with one or more manufacturers to obtain information needed to provide an effective reply to the product designer;

d) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval; and

e) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the manufacturing information further includes current cost data, or current diagnostic data, or current manufacturing availability information, or current equipment classes/types, or combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein in step d) the service provider further provides suggested manufacturers, or cost information, or delivery information, or display product performance information, or combinations thereof.

7. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing over a secure channel design information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) one or more display product manufacturers providing, over the same or a different secure channel, manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data;

c) the service provider communicating with one or more manufacturers and the product designer to obtain information needed to provide an effective reply to the product designer;

d) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval; and

e) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the manufacturing information further includes current cost data, or current diagnostic data, or current manufacturing availability information, or current equipment classes/types, or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein in step d) the service provider further provides suggested manufacturers, or cost information, or delivery information, or display product performance information, or combinations thereof.

10. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing over a secure channel design information including proposed outline specification including form fit and function information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) one or more display product manufacturers providing, over the same or a different secure channel, manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data, such manufacturing information further including current cost data, current diagnostic data, current manufacturing availability information, and current equipment classes/types;

c) the service provider communicating with one or more manufacturers to obtain information needed to provide an effective reply to the product designer;

d) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon current manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval, and suggested manufacturers;

cost information, or delivery information, or display product performance information, or combinations thereof; and

e) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the product designer specifies an account which is to be charged for making payment for services rendered.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the manufacturer, selected by the product designer, provides a payment to the service provider.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the proposed outline specification includes CAD information furnished over the secure channel.

14. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing over a secure channel design information including proposed outline specification including CAD information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) one or more display product manufacturers providing, over the same or a different secure channel, manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data, such manufacturing information further including current cost data, current diagnostic data, current manufacturing availability information, or current equipment classes/types;

c) the service provider communicating with one or more manufacturers to obtain information needed to provide an effective reply to the product designer;

d) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon current manufacturing information received from one or more display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval, and suggested cost information, delivery information, or display product performance information; and

e) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the product designer specifies an account which is to be charged for making payment for services rendered.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the manufacturer, selected by the product designer, provides a payment to the service provider.

17. A method of facilitating the design specification and ordering from a manufacturer of a particular display product, which is desired by a product designer, comprising:

a) the product designer providing over a secure channel design information including proposed outline specification including CAD information for a particular desired display product to a service provider;

b) a plurality of display product manufacturers providing, over the same or a different secure channel, manufacturing information including current manufacturing parametric data, such manufacturing information further including current cost data, current diagnostic data, current manufacturing availability information, or current equipment classes/types;

c) the service provider communicating with at least one of the plurality of one or more manufacturers to obtain information needed to provide an effective reply to the product designer;

d) the service provider analyzing the design information and, based upon current manufacturing information received from the display product manufacturers, providing suggested design changes or design approval, and cost information, delivery information, and display product performance information; and

e) the product designer providing a payment to the service provider for services rendered.