Configuration representation and modeling using configuration spaces
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of displaying configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the method comprising:
- selecting one of the product features; and
displaying representations of the product features of one or more of the families that relate to the selected product feature, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation.
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Abstract
Configuration spaces facilitate the useful presentation of data, particularly configuration data used for representing configured products. Products include features and common features can be grouped by families. For example, an automobile can include a transmission family. The transmission family could include features such as automatic transmission and 4-speed manual transmission. Configuration spaces can be achieved by consolidating selected data without loosing useful information. The degree of consolidation achieved can be significant enough to permit display of data using conventional display technology. Configuration spaces break down the “universe” of possible configurations into constituent spaces defined by groups of rules for a selected feature. Common dependencies between the selected feature and related features can be consolidated to produce a more minimal form of the data used for representing the selected features and related features. Configuration spaces can provide a useful graphical view of the breakdown of all rules written for a single feature or multiple features. The data present in this view can be analyzed to, for example, study the dependency paths of an existing configuration and better understand the impact of revising configuration relationships. Thus, configuration spaces aid in the creation and modification of configuration models.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of displaying configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the method comprising:
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selecting one of the product features; and displaying representations of the product features of one or more of the families that relate to the selected product feature, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of modeling a configuration of a product, wherein the product includes families of features, the method comprising:
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selecting a feature of the product; selecting one or more additional features of the product; associating the additional features with the selected feature using one or more configuration rules; and displaying a representation of the additional features organized in accordance with the configuration rules, wherein the additional features are grouped by family and organized into dependency relationships in accordance with the configuration rules, and additional features belonging to a common family and having common child-dependency paths are consolidated into respective feature superset representations. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A configuration space system to display configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the system comprising:
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a model, accessible by one or more processors, having a plurality of configuration rules, wherein each configuration rule relates a selected feature of a product to one or more additional features of the product via an optionality, wherein the product includes multiple families of features; and a processing engine, executable by the one or more processors, to determine dependency paths among the additional features and to display a representation of the additional features by family, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions stored therein and, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to display configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, wherein the computer readable instructions are further executable by the computer for:
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selecting one of the product features; and displaying representations of the product features of one or more of the families that relate to the selected product feature, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation.
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28. An apparatus to display configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the apparatus comprising:
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means for selecting one of a plurality of product features, wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies; and displaying representations of the product features of one or more of the families that relate to the selected product feature, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation.
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29. An apparatus to display configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the apparatus comprising:
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means for selecting a feature of a product, wherein the product includes families of features; means for selecting one or more additional features of the product; means for associating the additional features with the selected feature using one or more configuration rules; and means for displaying a representation of the additional features organized in accordance with the configuration rules, wherein the additional features are grouped by family and organized into dependency relationships in accordance with the configuration rules, and additional features belonging to a common family and having common child-dependency paths are consolidated into respective feature superset representations.
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Specification