Method for interpreting design data and associating manufacturing information with the data and software and systems for implementing the method

Patent 7353072 Issued on April 1, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 30, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Method and apparatus for receiving, storing and providing data corresponding to geometrically describable raw materials
Patent #: 5940806
Issued on: 08/17/1999
Inventor: Danial

Fabrication rules based automated design and manufacturing system and method
Patent #: 6110213
Issued on: 08/29/2000
Inventor: Vinciarelli, et al.

Automatic manufacturing evaluation method and system
Patent #: 6223092
Issued on: 04/24/2001
Inventor: Miyakawa, et al.

Manufacturing system and method for assembly of computer systems in a build-to-order environment
Patent #: 6236901
Issued on: 05/22/2001
Inventor: Goss

Custom design and manufacturing program for interior designs
Patent #: 6813610
Issued on: 11/02/2004
Inventor: Bienias

Fabrication rules based automated design and manufacturing system and method Patent #: 6847853
Issued on: 01/25/2005
Inventor: Vinciarelli, et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 11479505 filed on 06/30/2006

US Classes:

700/97, Design or planning700/117, Particular manufactured product or operation700/181, Specific programming format (e.g., macro)703/1, STRUCTURAL DESIGN716/11, Layout editor (e.g., updating)705/26, Electronic shopping (e.g., remote ordering)704/9Natural language

Examiners

Primary: Picard, Leo P.
Assistant: Rao, Seema S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton, LLP

International Classes

G06F 17/50
G06F 19/00

Abstract

A method of generating a manufacturing process for producing an assembly and a computer system or systems implementing the method. The method generally includes the steps of: designing at least one assembly to be produced having at least two components to be engaged to one another such that the area where the components are to be engaged thereby defines at least one contact area; generating a representation, typically a three-dimensional representation, of the assembly; assigning a unique identifier to each individual component of the assembly or, when a group of more than one identical components is utilized in the assembly, assigning identical unique identifiers to each component of the group, thereby identifying each component as identical; assigning manufacturing instructions to the contact area; and generating manufacturing instructions for the manufacturing process based at least in part on the identifier and the contact area.