Configuration Representation and Modeling Using Configuration Spaces

Abstract

Configuration spaces facilitate the useful presentation of data, particularly configuration data used for representing configured products. Products include features, and common features can be grouped by families. Configuration spaces can be achieved by consolidating selected data without losing useful information. Configuration spaces break down the “universe” of possible configurations into constituent spaces defined by groups of rules for a selected feature. Common dependencies between the selected feature and related features can be consolidated to produce a more minimal form of the data used for representing the selected features and related features. Configuration spaces can provide a useful graphical view of the breakdown of all rules written for a single feature or multiple features. The data present in this view can be analyzed to, for example, study the dependency paths of an existing configuration and better understand the impact of revising configuration relationships.

1 . A method of displaying configuration relationships of a product wherein families of product features are related to each other through dependencies, the method comprising:
 selecting one of the product features; and   displaying representations of the product features of one or more of the families that relate to the selected product feature, wherein the product features of a family that have common child dependencies are consolidated into a single representation.   
     
     
         2 - 29 . (canceled)