Patent ID: 6915253

Claim:
A computer implemented method for facilitating configuration of one of a plurality of different products from a set of components which can be selectively combined in different ways to form a plurality of different component combinations that each serves as a respective said product, comprising the steps of: determining whether each said component in said set corresponds to a first component class involving components that are required in each said product without variation in quantity and type; determining whether each said component in said set corresponds to a second component class involving components that are required in each said product but that vary among said products with respect to at least one of quantity and type; determining whether each said component in said set corresponds to a third component class involving components that are present in some but not all of said products, the components corresponding to said second and third component classes collectively forming a component group; identifying a criteria set having a plurality of different states which each correspond to a respective one of said products; associating with each said state of said criteria set a definition of a combination of the components from said component group which is present in the corresponding product; determining whether the total percentage of said components corresponding to both of said first and second component classes represent at least 40% of the total number of said components in each of the products; and responding to a determination that the total percentage of said components corresponding to both of said first and second component classes does not represent at least 40% of the total number of said components in each of the products by effecting an adjustment which causes at least one of said components determined to correspond to said third component class to be treated as corresponding to said second component class rather than said third component class thereby adjusting the definition of the combination of components.