Network-based configuration method for systems integration in test, measurement, and automation environments

• US 6,785,805 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aeroflex USA Incorporated (Vitoorapakorn Holdings Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VI Technology, Inc. (Cobham PLC)
• Inventors: House, Richard W., Gamez, Cesar R., Hinkle, Francis E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NITIN C
• Application Number:
  US09/702,087
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 700/90-96, 705/26-27, 705/29
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Abstract

Network-based methods and systems are disclosed for configuring and building systems and providing systems integration for the test, automation and measurement environment. The methods include internet or intranet-based applications that configure and quote a system or system integration project in response to selection of system features, system components and/or system configurations by a network user. The methods may be implemented as part of a build-to-order internet application.

Claims

1. A method for providing integrated systems for test, measurement and automation (TMA) environments, comprising:

providing a plurality of selectable configuration options to a user through a network, the selectable configuration options representing features for a TMA system;

receiving information representing configuration options selected by a user;

assembling a plurality of TMA components to produce a TMA system that satisfies the user-selected configuration options;

providing systems integration for the TMA system to produce an integrated TMA system; and

fulfilling an order for the user-configured TMA system with the integrated TMA system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the TMA components comprise hardware components, software components, or a combination of both.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of TMA components comprise one or more third party TMA hardware components, one or more third party TMA-related software components, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing systems integration step comprises providing hardware development services, software development services, or a combination of both.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the providing systems integration step comprises developing software drivers for at least one of the TMA components.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a price for the TMA system based upon the user-selected configuration options prior to the assembling step.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the generating step comprises automatically calculating the price.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the generating step utilizes an adaptive formula, the adaptive formula being capable of adapting itself based on the user-selected configuration options.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the price includes consideration of a cost for the plurality of TMA components and a cost for the systems integration required to produce the integrated TMA system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the systems integration comprises developing software for the TMA system, and wherein the generating step comprises determination of a cost for the software development.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically creating documentation for the integrated TMA system.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically creating an automated test software sequence for the integrated TMA system.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically creating a test plan for the configured TMA system.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically creating assembly diagrams for the integrated TMA system prior to the assembling step.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking the status of assembly and fulfillment, and making the status available to the user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the tracking status is automatically provided.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the assembly and fulfillment is performed by two or more respective departments in at least first and second successive steps, and further comprising automatically notifying a first department responsible for the first step following receipt of the order;

and automatically notifying a second department responsible for the second step of the completion of the first step or of the estimated completion time for the first step.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable configuration options comprise one or more pre-determined TMA system configurations, one or more pre-determined TMA components, one or more user-definable TMA components, one or more user-definable TMA system features, or a mixture thereof.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of TMA components comprise one or more custom-engineered hardware components, one or more custom-engineered software components, or a combination thereof, and wherein the systems integration comprises the custom-engineering for the custom-engineered hardware or software components.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an estimated completion date for the integrated TMA system based on the user-selected configuration options, and providing the integrated TMA system estimated completion date to the user.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a graphical depiction of the integrated TMA system based on the user-selected configuration options, and providing the graphical depiction to the user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least a front view and a back view for the integrated TMA system are viewable by the user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the graphical depiction may be rotated around an axis.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the axis is selectable by the user.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing a graphical interface to allow the user to configure the integrated TMA system, the graphical interface having a first area for displaying a graphical representation of an integrated TMA system, and a second area for displaying the selectable configuration options, wherein at least one individual option is capable of user selection from the second area by positioning and clicking of a mouse pointer over the individual option and dragging the individual option into the first area of the graphical interface; and

dynamically generating and updating the depiction of the integrated TMA system in the first area of the graphical interface in response to the user selection of selectable configuration options.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically and dynamically generating integrated system drawings for the integrated TMA system based on the user-selected configuration options.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically generating assembly information for use in assembly of the integrated TMA system, the assembly information based on the user-selected configuration options, and comprising at least one of a bill of materials, assembly drawings, electrical interconnect drawings, assembly instructions, or a combination thereof.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising automatically transmitting the assembly information to a manufacturing department for use in assembly of the integrated TMA system.

22. The method of 21, wherein the estimated completion date is determined using an adaptive formula, the adaptive formula being capable of adapting itself based on historical completion times for previously assembled and fulfilled integrated TMA systems.

31. A method for providing through a network cost information for integrated systems within test, measurement and automation (TMA) environments, comprising:

providing a plurality of selectable configuration options to a user through a network, the selectable configuration options representing features for a TMA system;

receiving information representing configuration options selected by a user;

identifying a plurality of TMA components for a TMA system that would satisfy the user-selected configuration options;

determining systems integration that would be required to satisfy the user-selected configuration options;

generating a price for the integrated TMA system, the price including a cost for the plurality of TMA components and a cost for the systems integration required to produce the integrated TMA system; and

providing the price to the user through the network.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of TMA components comprise hardware components, software components, or a combination of both.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of TMA components comprise one or more third party hardware components, one or more third party TMA-related software components, or a combination thereof.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising providing order status tracking information to the user through the network.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the network is the Internet.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the price for the integrated TMA system is determined based on the user-selected configuration options and one or more cost factors comprising at least one of a cost of materials to be used to assemble the integrated TMA system, a cost of software used to be used to assemble the integrated TMA system, a cost for assembly of the individual system components to form the integrated TMA system, a cost for engineering services related to configuration or assembly of the integrated TMA system, or a combination thereof.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the integrated TMA system price is determined automatically based on the user-selected configuration options.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the identifying step comprises automatically identifying two or more TMA components based upon the user-selected configuration options.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein the selectable configuration options comprise one or more pre-determined TMA system configurations, one or more pre-determined TMA system components, one or more user-definable TMA components, one or more user-definable TMA system features, or a mixture thereof.

42. The method of claim 31, further comprising determining an estimated completion date for the integrated TMA system based on the user-selected configuration options, and providing the estimated completion date to the user.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising automatically updating the estimated completion date upon a change to any of the user-selected configuration options.

44. The method of claim 31, further comprising generating a graphical depiction of the integrated TMA system based on the user-selected configuration options, and providing the graphical depiction to the user.

45. The method of claim 31, further comprising maintaining a database of TMA component information, and wherein the identifying step comprises retrieving component information from the database.

32. The method of 31, further comprising receiving an order for the integrated TMA system, and fulfilling the order with an integrated TMA system configured and built to meet the user-selected configuration options.

38. The method of 31, wherein the integrated TMA system price is determined using an adaptive formula, the adaptive formula capable of adapting itself based on historical cost data for assembly of previously assembled integrated TMA systems.