Stand alone data management system for facilitating sheet metal part production
First Claim
1. A method of managing data files relating to sheet metal part production, the data files residing on a computer network, the method comprising:
- creating an identifier for a sheet metal part by obtaining and linking a sheet metal part name with a virtual folder for the sheet metal part, the virtual folder defined within a virtual folder hierarchy;
linking the identifier with all the data files relating to the production of the sheet metal part by associating the virtual folder with all the data files related to the production of the sheet metal part;
storing the identifier in an index; and
selecting a plurality of the linked data files in accordance with predetermined criteria;
wherein, when the identifier is operated on, the selected linked data files are substantially simultaneously subject to the same operation; and
wherein the index is updated when an operation is performed using the identifier.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for managing data files, which reside on a computer network, relating to sheet metal part production. The method includes the steps of creating an identifier for a sheet metal part, linking the identifier with all the data files relating to the production of the sheet metal part, and selecting multiple linked data files in accordance with predetermined criteria. Consequently, when the identifier is operated on, the selected linked data files are substantially simultaneously subject to the same operation. The creating may include obtaining a sheet metal part name, determining a virtual folder hierarchy, and concatenating the virtual folder hierarchy and the sheet metal part name. All identifiers are stored in a single directory. The method may also include storing an index that includes a virtual folder hierarchy, and updating the index after every successful operation. The method may also include connecting to a server that is storing the data files.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of managing data files relating to sheet metal part production, the data files residing on a computer network, the method comprising:
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creating an identifier for a sheet metal part by obtaining and linking a sheet metal part name with a virtual folder for the sheet metal part, the virtual folder defined within a virtual folder hierarchy;
linking the identifier with all the data files relating to the production of the sheet metal part by associating the virtual folder with all the data files related to the production of the sheet metal part;
storing the identifier in an index; and
selecting a plurality of the linked data files in accordance with predetermined criteria;
wherein, when the identifier is operated on, the selected linked data files are substantially simultaneously subject to the same operation; and
wherein the index is updated when an operation is performed using the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer readable medium for storing a database related to sheet metal part production, the medium comprising:
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a plurality of data files associated with sheet metal parts; and
a plurality of identifiers representing the sheet metal parts, each identifier created by obtaining and linking a sheet metal part name with a virtual folder for the sheet metal part, the virtual folder defined within a virtual folder hierarchy, each identifier being linked to a plurality of data files associated with the represented sheet metal part by associating the virtual folder with the plurality of data files associated with the represented sheet metal part, wherein the identifier is stored in an index;
wherein, when the identifier is operated on, the selected linked data files are substantially simultaneously subject to the same operation, and wherein the index is updated when an operation is performed using the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A stand alone data management system for managing data files relating to sheet metal part production, the system comprising:
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a network; and
a database connected to the network, the database storing the data files and a plurality of identifiers representing sheet metal parts, each identifier created by obtaining and linking a sheet metal part name with a virtual folder for the sheet metal part, the virtual folder defined within a virtual folder hierarchy, each identifier being linked to a plurality of data files associated with the represented sheet metal part by associating the virtual folder with the plurality of data files associated with the represented sheet metal part, wherein the identifier is stored in an index;
wherein, when one of the identifiers is operated on, selected linked data files are substantially simultaneously subject to the same operation, and wherein the index is updated when an operation is performed using the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification