Automated re-use of structural components
First Claim
1. A computerized method for use in a computer system that includes one or more processors and a system memory, the method for automatically reusing existing physical components by visually modeling in a user interface a new structural design, in real-time, using a mixture of stock components that are in physical inventory or are installed in a pre-existing physical structure, and one or more new components that can be selected for installation into a new physical structure, comprising the acts of:
- importing an electronic stock file into the computer system, the electronic stock file including a plurality of existing components that represent a corresponding plurality of stock components that are currently used in an existing structure, or are otherwise available in physical inventory;
receiving user input that specifies a new design element of a new structural design in a design area of a user interface of a design application, wherein the new design element relates to a physical product that is new, and not available through physical inventory or an existing structure;
automatically identifying that one or more of the plurality of existing components matches the new design element;
automatically replacing the new design element with the matched, existing component in the design area in real time, such that a stock component is visibly specified in the new structural design in the design area; and
visually distinguishing the matched existing component from another new design element in the design area of the user interface in real-time so that the new structural design shows that it will be physically installed with at least one previously installed physical stock component and at least one new physical component;
wherein the design area provides real-time visual feedback that enables the user to reuse existing physical components and avoid unnecessary ordering of new components to complete a design.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus allow for easy and efficient structural design and/or reconfiguration while using existing stock components. One or more implementations allow a designer to import a stock file containing an inventory of stock components that are usable as part of a structural design. In particular, one or more implementations allow the stock components to be used in a structural design while tracking, in real-time, the availability of stock components. Furthermore, one or more implementations automatically correlate stock components with existing components of a structural design or with new components as a designer inserts them into the structural design. Additionally, one or more implementations visually distinguish between new components in the structural design and stock components in the structural design. Furthermore, one or more implementations auto-select or modify surrounding components in the structural design to match an inserted stock component.
262 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A computerized method for use in a computer system that includes one or more processors and a system memory, the method for automatically reusing existing physical components by visually modeling in a user interface a new structural design, in real-time, using a mixture of stock components that are in physical inventory or are installed in a pre-existing physical structure, and one or more new components that can be selected for installation into a new physical structure, comprising the acts of:
-
importing an electronic stock file into the computer system, the electronic stock file including a plurality of existing components that represent a corresponding plurality of stock components that are currently used in an existing structure, or are otherwise available in physical inventory; receiving user input that specifies a new design element of a new structural design in a design area of a user interface of a design application, wherein the new design element relates to a physical product that is new, and not available through physical inventory or an existing structure; automatically identifying that one or more of the plurality of existing components matches the new design element; automatically replacing the new design element with the matched, existing component in the design area in real time, such that a stock component is visibly specified in the new structural design in the design area; and visually distinguishing the matched existing component from another new design element in the design area of the user interface in real-time so that the new structural design shows that it will be physically installed with at least one previously installed physical stock component and at least one new physical component; wherein the design area provides real-time visual feedback that enables the user to reuse existing physical components and avoid unnecessary ordering of new components to complete a design. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A computerized method for use in a computer system including one or more processors and system memory, the computerized method for automatically modifying a structural design in a design area of a user interface in real-time based at least on matches in physical component type, the method comprising the acts of:
-
receiving a first structural design comprising a plurality of first components arranged in a design area displayed in a user interface, each component having a component type and relating to a first, physical component to be installed in a physical location; receiving a stock file, the stock file including a plurality of existing components corresponding to a plurality of stock components, the stock components comprising physical products that are installed in an existing second structural design or that exist in physical inventory; identifying one or more of the plurality of existing components that are usable in the first structural design based at least on a component type; associating the identified one or more of the plurality of existing components with the first structural design, such that an existing component is matched to one or more first components; automatically replacing one of the first components in the design area with a matched existing component, such that a first product is automatically replaced in the design area in real time with a stock component that matches at least the component type of the first component; and displaying through a user interface the design area showing at least one first component and the matched, existing component therein, such that the replaced component is visually distinguished from the at least one first component in the design area as being a stock component that is already installed in the second existing structural design; wherein the design area provides real-time visual feedback that enables the user to reuse existing physical components and avoids unnecessary ordering of new components to complete a design. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer program product for use on a computer system, comprising one or more non-transitory computer storage media, excluding carrier waves or signals, having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed a processor, cause the computer system to perform a method for visually creating a new structural design, in real time, using a mixture of stock components and one of more new components, comprising:
-
importing an electronic stock file into the computer system, the stock file including a plurality of existing components that represent a corresponding plurality of stock components that are currently installed in an existing structure, or are otherwise available in inventory; receiving user input that specifies a new design element of a new structural design, wherein a new design element relates to a physical component that is new, and not available through inventory or an existing structure; automatically identifying that one or more of the plurality of existing components matches the new design element; automatically replacing the new design element with the matched, existing component, such that a stock component is visibly specified in the new structural design in the design area; and visually distinguishing the matched existing component from another new design in the design area of the user interface in real-time so that the new structural design shows that it will be physically installed with at least one previously installed stock component and at least one new physical component; wherein the design area provides real-time visual feedback that enables the user to reuse existing physical components and avoid unnecessary ordering of new components to complete a design.
-
Specification