Abstract:
A method and system that configures a product system from a plurality of product units selected by a user in an interactive session. The user first selects a profile of the product system layout. Then the user is presented with a plurality of product units from which to choose. As a product unit is selected, a plurality of attributes is presented for selection by the user. Also, each selected product unit is displayed in a configurator area in an order within the selected profile. The user can change the order at any time during the session without requiring any manually entered changes to the selected product units. In addition, changes can be made at any time to the attributes of a previously selected product unit without any need for making manually entered changes to any of the other previously selected units.

Description:
[0001]    This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/271,043, filed on Feb. 23, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a method and a system that allows a user to configure a product system with a plurality of individual product units with a minimal knowledge of the product unit designs or configuration rules.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    When a buyer decides to procure a product system, a consultant or dealer is consulted. For example, in the food industry, a restaurant may need a product system for a new menu or food offering. The product system might include one or more product units, such as a hot food table, a display case, a utility stand, a work table and the like. Notes of the consultation are taken and sent to personnel of a product system manufacturer. The manufacturing personnel translate the notes into a configuration of product units for the new product system. The product system configuration is returned to the dealer/consultant and buyer. Due to various factors, such as dimensions, desired arrangement order of the product units, customer traffic, number of employees who will use the product system, code standards and the like, the product system configuration may require several additional changes by the buyer and manufacturer before it becomes finalized.  
           [0004]    Known configurators have been used to configure a product system. However, these configurators have not been easy to use and, therefore, have required extensive user training to give the user a considerable knowledge of the product units so as to be able to use the configurators. Also, it is difficult with the known configurators to make changes in the attributes of any one product unit without requiring changes to other product units in the product system configuration. Also, there is no easy way to change the flow of the process of the configuration.  
           [0005]    There is a need for a user friendly method and configuration system for product units that can be easily used by users with minimal training.  
           [0006]    There is also a need for a method and configuration system that permits changes of various types to be made rapidly during the configuration process.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The method and system of the invention configures a food service product system based on selections of food service products made by a user during an interactive session. The method of the present invention displays an image of at least two of the food service products within a profile of the system. When an attribute of the profile or of one of the food service products is altered, the displayed image is then altered in response thereto.  
           [0008]    According to one aspect of the method, the attribute may be a positional order of food service product within the profile, a dimension of a food service product, a dimension of the profile or any combination thereof.  
           [0009]    According to another aspect of the method of the present invention, the profile is identified from a plurality of profiles. According to another aspect of the method, the food service products are selected from a plurality of food service products. The food service products may include an ice cream cabinet, a hot food table, a food display case, a utility stand, an equipment stand, a refrigerated work table, a fry dump station, cashier stand, utensil and tray dispenser, glass or cup rack/dispenser, tray storage unit, bread warmer, soft drink syrup storage, waste unit and a pre-wire electrical unit. According to another aspect of the method of the invention, the attribute is designated from a plurality of attributes, such as gas heat, electric heat, an electrical connection, a fill faucet, a drain, shelving, a door lock, opening, and an appearance of a door, a panel an others.  
           [0010]    According to another embodiment of the method of the present invention, at least two of the food service products are displayed in a positional order within a profile of the system. The positional order is altered in response to an instruction of a user. According to one aspect of this embodiment of the method, the profile is identified from a plurality of profiles. According to another aspect of this embodiment of the method, an attribute of one of the food service products is altered. According to another aspect of this embodiment of the method, the display of the food service products within the profile is changed in response to the altering of the attribute.  
           [0011]    According to still another embodiment of the method of the present invention, a plurality of profiles is presented to a user. A profile selected by the user is registered. A plurality of food service products is presented to the user. Any of these food service products that are selected by the user are registered. A plurality of attributes is presented to the user for each of the selected food service products. Any of these attributes selected by the user are registered. The selected food service products are displayed in a configuration order within the profile. Any change to the configuration order made by the user is registered and displayed with the food service products in the changed configuration order within the profile.  
           [0012]    According to yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention, a plurality of configuration profiles is presented to the user for selection. A configuration profile selected by the user is registered. A plurality of product units is presented to the user. As the user selects a product unit, a plurality of attributes therefor is presented to the user for selection. The selected product units and attributes are registered. The selected product units are displayed in a configuration order within the selected profile. The user can change the configuration order at any time during the session without redefining attributes of any of the product units. Any changes in the configuration order are displayed within the selected profile. Another aspect of the invention is that the user can make changes to already selected attributes of an already selected product unit at any time during the session without requiring any user entered changes to other already selected product units.  
           [0013]    The system of the present invention includes a processor and a memory and the means for performing the above noted three embodiments of the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in which the configuration system of the present invention can be used;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the computer of the system of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    FIGS.  3 - 13  depict dialog boxes of the configuration program of the computer of FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 14 and 15 depict arrangement order changes to the product configuration of the dialog box of FIG. 13; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of the configuration program of the configurator computer of FIG. 2. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    Referring to FIG. 1, a system  20  includes a configurator computer  22  that communicates with one or more user devices  24  via a network  26 . User devices  24  may be any suitable device upon which a browser may run, such as a personal computer, a telephone, a television set, a hand held computing device and the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of user devices is limited only by the capacity of network  26 . Network  26  may be an Internet, a World Wide Web (Web), an Intranet, a wired or wireless telephone network, and the like, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a user device  24  may communicate with configurator computer  22  via an off-line connection shown generally by dashed line  28 .  
         [0021]    Configurator computer  22  may be any suitable computer, presently known or developed in the future, that is capable of communicating with user devices  24  in a protocol that is compatible with the browser capability of user devices  24  and that is capable of running applications that supply web page data and interact with web page actions taken by user device  24 . Configurator computer  22  may be a single computer with a memory system for the storage of data or may comprise a plurality of computers that are interconnected directly, via network  26  or other network (not shown). Configurator computer  22  may be a single computer that communicates directly to network  26  or may be an application server computer that communicates to network  26  via a web server computer (not shown).  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 2, configurator computer  22  includes a processor  30 , a communications unit  32  and a memory  36  that are interconnected via a bus  34 . Memory  36  includes an operating system  38  and a configuration program  40  of the present invention. Other programs, such as utilities and other applications, may also be stored in memory  36 . All of these programs may be loaded into memory  36  from a storage medium, such as a disk  42 .  
         [0023]    Processor  30  is operable under the control of operating system  38  to execute configuration program  40  to present one or more screens, web pages and/or dialog boxes to user device  24  for an interactive session and to receive and interact with responses from user device  24 . The web pages, if frequently served, may reside in a cache (not shown) of memory  36 .  
         [0024]    The operator or user of user device  24  may be a buyer, dealer, a manufacturer or other user who wants to configure a product system with one or more product units. An illustrative product unit selection and configuration will be presented for a description of configuration program  40  for a typical session with user device  24 .  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 3, a screen (e.g., a display screen)  50  is presented to user device  24  for the user to select a profile of the configuration product system. Screen  50  includes a serving line tab  52  and chef&#39;s line tab  54 . Serving line tab  52  and chef&#39;s line tab  54  each contain a plurality of profiles. By way of example, serving line tab  52  is shown as selected, for example by a mouse click. Serving line tab  52  includes a plurality of serving line profiles  56 . For the purpose of example in the following description, it is assumed that the user selects a straight line profile  56 A, by positioning a cursor thereon and clicking with a mouse.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 4, a dialog box  58  will then be presented to user device  24 . Dialog box  58  begins a series of dialog box presentations that permit the user to define a lineup or order of desired product units for profile  56 A. Dialog box  58  includes a number of tabs for defining various features that apply globally to the product units of the product system being configured. To this end, dialog box  58  includes a left options tab  60 , a front/rear tab  62 , a right options tab  64 , a base options tab  66  and a size and restrictions tab  68 . By way of example, left options tab  60  is shown as selected in FIG. 4.  
         [0027]    Left options tab  60  includes an end options area  70  and a top left edge area  72 . End options area  70  includes a pair of boxes  74  and  76  for selection of an unfinished end or a finished end and an additional pair of boxes  78  and  80  for selection of a clockwise or a counterclockwise angle on the left end with the specification of the angle in degrees in a box  86 . Top left edge options area  72  includes a plurality of edge definitions  82 , each with an associated shape symbol for ease of selection. When left options tab  60  is completed, the user proceeds to complete front/rear options tab  62 , right options tab  64 , base options tab  66  and size and restrictions tab  68 . For the illustrative example, the user, when completing size and restrictions tab  68 , specifies a maximum length of 144 inches for an integral assembly of product units. Then the user chooses a lineup icon  84  to register the specified global data and to move on to the next dialog box.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 5, a dialog box  90  is next presented to user device  24 . Dialog box  90  includes a notation area  92 , a configuration area  94  and a product unit area  96 . Notation area  92  includes a notice that an assembly length of product units in a single assembly shall not exceed 144 inches. Configuration area  94  will be used during the interactive session to display product units as the user selects during the interactive session. Product units area  96  includes pictures or other images of a plurality of product units that are available to be configured into a product system. For the example of this description, the user selects a hot table product unit  98  by clicking on a pictured icon  99  thereof.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 6, a dialog box  102  is presented to user device  24  after pictured icon  99  is chosen for a selection of various attributes of hot table product unit  98 . Dialog box  102  includes an item area  104 , a heating unit area  106 , an openings area  108 , an electrical area  110 , an accessories area  112 , a drains area  114  and an additions area  116 . Item area  104  includes a display of hot table product unit  98 , an item No. box  118  and a make like box  120 . Item No. box  118  is usable by the user for entry of a user defined identity for the product unit. If a specific model number is entered in make like box  120 , configuration program  40  automatically enters the information for areas  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114 .  
         [0030]    If no entry is made in make like box  120 , the user must enter the information required for areas  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  and  114 . For example, if an electrical box  122  is selected in heating unit area  106 , one of the electrical connection boxes  124  or  126  must be selected in electrical area  110 . On the other hand, if a gas box  128  is selected in heating units area  106 , configuration program  40  will replace electrical area box  110  with a gas area (not shown) for selection of natural gas or propane. Openings area  108  includes boxes  130  for selection of the desired number of openings. When a number, such as the selected number  4 , has been entered, configuration program  40  displays an icon  132  having that number of openings.  
         [0031]    Accessories area  112  includes faucet boxes  134  and a cutting board box  136 . Drain area box  114  includes drain boxes. Additions area  116  includes an accessory models button  140  and a data box  142 . Operation of accessory models button allows selection of features or other options. These features are selected from a list (not shown) presented in data box  142  or typed in box  142 . When information has been entered in areas  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and/or area  116 , operation of a return button  144  causes a return to dialog box  90 .  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 7, dialog box  90  is shown with an update to configuration area  94  that includes a placeholder  150  for hot food table product unit  98 . Placeholder  150  is labeled with the word, hot, and defines the location of hot food table product unit  98  in the arrangement order of the product system. A symbol  148 , noted as Assy-1, identifies to what units hot food table unit  98  will be assembled as the session continues. To continue, the user selects a utility stand  146  as the next product unit by clicking on a pictured icon  147  thereof.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIG. 8, a dialog box  152  is presented to user device  24  after icon  147  is chosen for a selection of various attributes of utility stand product unit  146 . Dialog box  152  includes an item area  154 , a utility type area  156 , a unit length area  158 , a unit part area  160  and an additions area  162 . Item area  104  includes a display of various models for utility stand unit  146 , an item No. box  164  and a make like box  166 . The functions of item No. box  164  and make like box correspond to the functions of item No. box  118  and make like box  120  of FIG. 6.  
         [0034]    If no entry is made in make like box  166 , the user must enter the information required for areas  156 ,  158  and  160 . Utility types area  156  includes four different types of utility stands including an open shelf utility stand, which is shown selected at a box  164 . Unit length area  158  includes a length box  166  for entry of a length for utility stand  146 , which for the illustrative example is 48 inches.  
         [0035]    Unit part area  160  includes a number of tabs for defining various parts of utility stand  146 . To this end, unit part area  160  includes a shelving tab  168 , an urn trough tab  170 , a hot food wells tab  172 , a sink tab  174 , a cold pan tab  176  and a water station ice chest tab  178 . By way of example, shelving tab  168  is shown as selected in FIG. 8.  
         [0036]    Shelving tab  168  includes a fixed box  180 , an adjustable box  182 , a removable box  184 , a partial box  186 , a full apron box  188  and a nothing box  190 . Fixed shelving box  180  is selected for the illustrative example. When shelving tab  168  is completed, the user proceeds to complete the remainder of tabs  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176  and  178 .  
         [0037]    Additions area  162  includes an accessory models button  192  and a data box  194 . Operation of accessory models button  192  allows selection of features or other options. These features are selected from a list (not shown) presented in data box  194  or typed in box  194 . When information has been entered in areas  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  and/or  162 , a return button  196  causes a return to dialog box  90 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 9, dialog box  90  is again presented with an update to configuration area  94  that includes another placeholder  200  positioned adjacent to placeholder  150  for utility stand product unit  146 . Symbol  148  now has an extension over both placeholders  150  and  200  to signify that they are part of Assy-1. To continue, the user selects a refrigerated display unit  202  as the next product unit by clicking on a pictured icon  203  thereof.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 10, a dialog box  204  is presented to user device  24  after icon  203  is chosen for a selection of various attributes of refrigerated display unit  202 . Dialog box  204  includes an item area  206 , a refrigeration unit area  208 , a display case area  210 , a unit length area  212 , a front door area  214  and an additions area  216 . Item area  204  is substantially identical to item areas  104  and  154 , except that item area  204  is for refrigerated display unit  202 .  
         [0040]    If no entry is made in item area  206 , the user must enter the information required for areas  208 ,  210 ,  212  and  214 . Refrigeration unit area  208  includes a self contained box  218  and a remote box  220 . Self contained box  218  is shown as selected. Display case area  210  includes a mirrored back box  222 , a see through box  224 , a pass through box  226  and a depth box  228 . For the illustrative example, mirrored box  222  is selected and “24” is entered in depth box  228 . Unit length area  212  includes a length box  230  for 48 inches and a length box  232  for 72 inches, of which the latter is selected for the illustrative example.  
         [0041]    Front door area  214  includes a glass box  234 , a mirror box  236 , a one way box  238  and a door locks box  240 . Glass box  234  and door locks box  240  are shown as selected. Additions area  216  functions like additions areas  116  and  162  to add additional features to refrigerated display case  202 . When information has been entered in areas  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214  and/or  216 , operation of a return button  242  causes a return to dialog box  90 .  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 11, dialog box  90  is again presented with an update to configuration area  94  that includes another placeholder  244  for refrigerated display case unit  202  that is positioned adjacent to placeholder  200 . A symbol  246 , which is labeled as Assy-2, is positioned above placeholder  244  and is separate from symbol  148 . This signifies that refrigerated display case unit  202  is part of an assembly Assy-2 that is separate from Assy-1. Symbol  148  now has an extension over both placeholders  150  and  200  to signify that they are part of Assy-1.  
         [0043]    An aspect of the present invention is the ability to change attributes of a product unit that have already been specified without requiring manual entries to adjust other product units in the configuration. For example, the user can easily change the length of utility stand  146  by clicking on icon  147 .  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 12, dialog box  152  for utility stand  146  is again presented to user device  24 . The user changes the entry in box  166  from  48  to 72 inches (compare to FIG. 8). Operation of return button  196  causes dialog box  90  to again be presented to user device  24 .  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 13, it can be seen that placeholder  200  for utility stand  146  is longer and a message  248  is displayed. Message  248  indicates that assembly Assy-1 is now 132 inches long and that there are 12 inches left for the maximum  144  inches length that was previously specified.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIGS.  13 - 15 , another aspect of the invention is that the arrangement order or lineup of the product units in configuration area  94  can easily be changed by click and drag operations with a mouse. For example, placeholder  200  (utility stand  202 ) can be clicked and dragged to the left of placeholder  150  (hot food table  98 ) for an arrangement order shown in FIG. 14. Another change can be effected by clicking and dragging placeholder  244  to the left of placeholder  200  as shown in FIG. 15. This causes Assy-1 to include placeholder  244  (refrigerated display case  202 ) and Assy-2 to include placeholder  200  (utility stand  146 ) and placeholder  150  (hot food table  98 ). When the user is satisfied with the arrangement order, operation of return button  100  causes configuration program  40  to register the new order. The capability to easily change the order of the product units has some important advantages. For instance, the user can configure the product units in any order during the session and at any time rearrange their order. This allows the configuration procedure to start without delay due to indecision of product unit order. Also, by changing order the flow of the configured product system is changed.  
         [0047]    When the user is satisfied with the lineup of the selected product units and the attributes selected for each., clicking on a return button  100  returns to dialog box  58  of FIG. 4. At this point the user can change any of the global options or can end the session by clicking on a return button  85 .  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 16, configuration program  40  begins at step  260  by presenting screen  50  to the user for selection of a profile. Step  262  registers the profile selected by the user. Step  264  then presents dialog box  58  with global options for selection by the user. If return button  85  is chosen, step  267  ends configuration program  40 . If icon  84  is selected, step  265  responds by passing control to step  266 . Step  266  then registers any selected global options. Step  268  then presents a plurality of product units in dialog box  90 . Step  270  displays all selected product units in configuration area  94 . Step  272  records any changes made to the configuration order by the user and displays the changed configuration order.  
         [0049]    Step  274  determines if a product unit has been selected. If no, the user has clicked on return button  100  and step  264  is repeated. If yes, step  276  determines if the selected product is a new selection. If yes, step  278  presents a plurality of attributes for the newly selected product unit. Step  282  then registers the selected attributes and step  268  is repeated. If step  276  determines that the selected product unit is one that had previously been selected (old unit), step  280  presents the attributes for the old product unit. Step  282  then registers any changes made by the user to the attributes of the old unit. Step  268  is then repeated.  
         [0050]    The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.