System and process for facilitating efficient communication of specifications for parts and assemblies with a mechanism for assigning responsibility selection
First Claim
1. A system for consummating, managing, and retrieving at least one digitally signed, legally binding contract between a consumer of manufacturing services and at least one manufacturing vendor over a network, the system comprising:
- a central controller for rendering a three-dimensional representation of an article design;
a transmitter for distributing the three-dimensional representation to the at least one manufacturing vendor over the network;
a receiver for receiving at least one digital signature; and
a processor capable of mapping the at least one digital signature to specific manufacturing instructions associated with at least one feature within the three-dimensional representation of the article design.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a comprehensive, integrated computer-based process and method for undertaking an engineering design and development effort in a virtual collaborative environment by facilitating communication of specifications for parts and assemblies for review and approval. Specifications for the fabrication of parts may be presented and reviewed by the user. By accepting or validating the specifications, the user may apply his/her digital signature, thereby confirming an understanding of the specifications and, according to an embodiment of the invention, creating a binding contract.
21 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for consummating, managing, and retrieving at least one digitally signed, legally binding contract between a consumer of manufacturing services and at least one manufacturing vendor over a network, the system comprising:
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a central controller for rendering a three-dimensional representation of an article design; a transmitter for distributing the three-dimensional representation to the at least one manufacturing vendor over the network; a receiver for receiving at least one digital signature; and a processor capable of mapping the at least one digital signature to specific manufacturing instructions associated with at least one feature within the three-dimensional representation of the article design. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for consummating, managing, and retrieving at least one digitally signed, legally binding contract between a consumer of manufacturing services and at least one manufacturing vendor over a network, the process comprising the steps of:
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distributing a three-dimensional representation of an article design to the at least one manufacturing vendor over the network; receiving at least one digital signature; and mapping the at least one digital signature to specific manufacturing instructions associated with at least one feature within the three-dimensional representation of the article design. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for consummating, managing, and retrieving at least one digitally signed, legally binding contract between a consumer of manufacturing services and at least one manufacturing vendor over a network, the process comprising the steps of:
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means for distributing a three-dimensional representation of an article design to the at least one manufacturing vendor over the network; means for receiving at least one digital signature; and means for mapping the at least one digital signature to specific manufacturing instructions associated with at least one feature within the three-dimensional representation of the article design.
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Specification