Patent ID: 6182275
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for specifying a computer system comprising:providing a master data base of a first plurality of options that may be implemented on a computer system;presenting to a user via a user interface a list of a second plurality of options that may be implemented on a computer system, the second plurality of options selected from the first plurality of options maintained in the master data base;receiving an indication of a selected choice by a user from the second plurality of options presented to the user via the user interface;generating, in response to the indication of the selected choice, a list of a third plurality of options that may be implemented on a computer system, the generating step including accessing the master data base, performing a compatibility comparison, and selecting each option of the third plurality of options from the first plurality of options as a function of each option's compatibility with the selected choice, the compatibility comparison including reading a characteristic of each option of the first plurality of options and determining whether the corresponding option represents an option which is compatible with the selected choice;presenting to the user via the user interface, the list of the third plurality of options;indicating in a computer system readable data file the selection and part number of the selected choice; andassociating an executable file with the part number of the selected choice, the executable file for use during manufacture of the computer system.