Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-30
2001-03-06
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2787)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
C712S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199157
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system, method and medium for configuring an item such as a machine, where the item can have a multitude of optional components. With reference to embodiments envisioning configuring a machine, the present invention allows a user to choose from various “options” (representative of machine components) so that the necessary aspects (e.g., software) for operating the desired machine can be implemented. In the course of choosing options, the present invention can guide the user to determine which additional options (and thus which other corresponding machine components) may, e.g., also be required to properly configure the machine in view of those options specifically chosen by the user. It is envisioned that properties of these options are determined by a user prior to choosing the options for configuring the machine.
II. Related Art
Software is increasingly found in various types of electrical and electromechanical devices. For example, over the past few years, devices such as automobiles and toaster ovens have been incorporated with more and increasingly sophisticated software.
Often, software used with a given piece of machinery is written for a particular machine (i.e., a specific configuration of a machine). However, there are also many situations where a “base-model” machine has numerous optional components that can be chosen, requiring a change in the software that is used to operate the machine. For example, many computers can be sold with numerous different options available (e.g., different types and different numbers of hard drives, memory systems, peripherals, etc.). Also, there may be devices that come equipped with numerous different features which a user may want to activate (or deactivate). In any event, it would be very burdensome and highly undesirable for the manufacturer to develop and maintain a complete copy of each type of software suitable for each of the different possible configurations of the machine that users may desire.
In some situations, schemes have been developed to sense which optional hardware components exist in a machine configuration, and automatically configure the software accordingly. These schemes require that each component have some feature that allows it to be identified, typically in the form of some electronic connection. However, a user may want to use components that are not manufactured with such identification features. Implementation of such a feature (either during or after manufacture) for each component can be an expensive and cumbersome proposition, significantly adding to the cost of each component, and thus making the finished machine more expensive.
To provide a user with an efficient and flexible scheme for configuring machines having multiple possible configurations, various techniques and schemes have been developed. One example was the development of the Masterfab Cluster Controller (MCC) by Applied Materials of Santa Clara, Calif. The MCC uses an inheritance-based control hierarchy scheme to assist a user in configuring the particular machine of their choosing. Specifically, the user can choose specific attribues relating to the desired machine configuration, wherein the attributes are stored for use with the machine during its operation.
However, schemes such as the MCC mentioned above are deficient in that the way a user had to configure the machines was still very cumbersome. In addition, such schemes, which often utilize a pure tree-based data model, do not assist the user in determining the relationship between the various components that could be configured. For example, they do not indicate whether certain components of the machine are necessary when other components are chosen, or whether certain components are mutually exclusive with one another (e.g., there are no rule-based constraints associated with them).
Consequently, what is needed is an efficient, “intelligent” scheme for assisting in the choosing of components for the configuration of a machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the problem described above by providing a system, method and medium for configuring an item such as a machine in a flexible and efficient manner. Specifically, and with regard to configuring machines, it is envisioned that a given machine may be manufactured with any number of user-selectable optional components (e.g., cars and computers often have numerous available optional components). To allow such a machine with a variety of potential components to be flexibly and efficiently configured (e.g., to have appropriate software attributes implemented to operate the machine) once, e.g., specific optional components have been chosen, the present invention utilizes “options.”
Options, represented by data in a computer, correspond to the optional components of the machine. They are selected by a user according to the optional components that the user desires to have as part of the machine. Each option is envisioned to be created to contain the necessary information to appropriately configure the corresponding optional component of the machine.
Specifically, in creating options corresponding to the optional components, the present invention contemplates that the options are instilled with various properties. In particular, it is envisioned that these properties include attributes and a form of constraint referred to as “locks.” The attributes can represent various features of the corresponding component, such as a specific settings to which a machine component should be set. The locks allow options to be related to other designated options in a variety of ways. For example, a lock can force one option to be chosen if a related option is specifically chosen by a user.
Embodiments of the present invention also envision that the options can be arranged in a hierarchical option tree. This, for example, allows a user to better visualize the structure of the machine in making decisions concerning configuration. In any event, utilizing this combination of option tree hierarchy and constraints helps allow the present invention to provide a flexible and convenient scheme for configuring an item such as a machine having numerous potential components.
Where certain properties may be utilized by more than one option, the present invention also contemplates the creation of an option class. The option class, which itself has various properties associated with it, can be associated with specified options such that those options then take on the properties of the option class (either in whole or in part).
Once the options are set up as described above, embodiments of the present invention then contemplate that the user can choose from those options within the option tree to configure a desired machine (having the desired components). The various requirements for operating the machine (e.g., certain portions of software and/or inputs thereof) are then implemented so that the machine can be appropriately operated.
Although the present invention is described primarily in terms of configuring machines, it should be understood that the various aspects of the present invention are applicable to various other types of items, as well.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5020059 (1991-05-01), Gorin et al.
patent: 5588148 (1996-12-01), Landis et al.
patent: 5644487 (1997-07-01), Duff et al.
patent: 5774689 (1998-06-01), Curtis et al.
patent: 5826065 (1998-10-01), Hinsberg, III et al.
patent: 5877819 (1999-03-01), Branson
patent: 5956337 (1999-09-01), Gaddis
patent: 6002854 (1999-12-01), Lynch et al.
Applied Materials, Inc.,Centura(TM) HDP Dielectric Etch, Operations Manual, Dec. 1995.
Ben-Haim Oded
Dov Dan Bar
Lauer Roy
Maimon Amotz
Palatnik Michael
Applied Materials Inc.
Hale & Dorr
Lee Thomas C.
Omar Omar A.
LandOfFree
System, method and medium for managing information does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System, method and medium for managing information, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System, method and medium for managing information will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2539693