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Interactive product configurator that allows modification to automated selections

  • US 8,458,050 B2
  • Filed: 11/13/2008
  • Issued: 06/04/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of operating a product configurator that comprises a constraint based network that comprises a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:

  • receiving one or more user selections from a user during a configuration session;

    generating one or more automatic selections during the configuration session to form a complete configuration when combined with the user selections, wherein the automatic selections are generated by a computer and wherein the automatic selections comprise configuration-defining selections that define the complete configuration, and non-configuration defining selections that support the configuration session;

    wherein for at least one of the automatic selections, the at least one automatic selection is propagated throughout the constraint network and the propagation affects one or more constraints;

    saving a prior state of a changed node, wherein the changed node corresponds to an affected constraint;

    associating the saved prior state with the at least one automatic selection;

    receiving a request from the user to change the configuration after forming the complete configuration;

    in response to the change request, entering a solution adjustment mode comprising;

    for each of the automatic selections, determining by the computer if the automatic selection is a first configuration-defining selection, or a first non-configuration defining selection;

    retaining by the computer the determined configuration-defining selections; and

    retracting by the computer the determined non-configuration defining selections, wherein the retracting comprises restoring a prior state of all nodes that were affected by each non-configuration defining selection when each non-configuration defining selection was asserted.

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