Automatically incorporating third party features into a computer design schematic

Abstract

Methods and systems for automatically incorporating third party components into an architectural design can include identifying an interface of a third party feature with at least one sub-component of the architectural design. The method can also include automatically incorporating a third party feature into the interface. Additionally, the method can include automatically resolving anomalies that the incorporation of the third party feature creates.

I claim: 
     
         1 . In a computerized environment, a computerized method for incorporating third party features into an architectural design, the method comprising:
 generating an architectural design comprising one or more sub-components;   identifying an interface of a third party feature with at least one sub-component of the architectural design;   receiving an indication of the specifications of the third party feature; and   automatically incorporating the specifications of the third party feature into the interface, wherein:
 the interface is adaptable to receive a plurality of different third party features, and 
 automatically incorporating the specifications of the third party feature comprises automatically configuring a numerical control file to incorporate the specifications the third party feature. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein identifying the interface comprises:
 identifying a first sub-component and a second sub-component;   determining that a particular area of the first sub-component will be in physical communication with the second sub-component; and   associating the interface with the particular area.   
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the third party feature comprises a particular carpentry joint. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the particular carpentry joint comprises a joint selected from the group consisting of a bridle joint, a scarf joint, a butt joint, a miter joint, a lap joint, a box joint, a dovetail joint, a dado joint, a groove joint, a tongue and groove joint, a mortise and tenon joint, a bridsmouth joint, a finger joint, a halved joint, and a splice joint. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein identifying the interface comprises:
 identifying a first sub-component;   determining that the first sub-component will be in physical communication with a hardware component; and   associating the interface with the first sub-component.   
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the third party feature comprises a particular hardware component. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a first configuration file, wherein the first configuration file comprises a first listing of third-party features that are associated with a particular manufacturer; and   automatically determining that the interface is associated with a specific third-party feature listed in the first configuration file.   
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 receiving a second configuration file, wherein the second configuration file comprises a different listing of third party features that are associated with another manufacturer; and   automatically determining that the interface is associated with a specific third-party feature listed in the second configuration file.   
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically resolving anomalies created by the incorporation of the third party feature.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein automatically resolving anomalies comprises:
 adjusting a size of at least one sub-component of the architectural design to accommodate the third party feature.   
     
     
         11 . In a computerized environment, a computerized method for incorporating third party features into an architectural design, the method comprising:
 generating within a computer aided drafting program an architectural design for an architectural element;   identifying one or more interfaces for manufacturer specific components within the architectural element;   receiving a configuration list, wherein the configuration list comprises manufacturer specific components and manufacturer specific specifications for a particular manufacturer;   automatically identifying manufacturer specific components and manufacturer specific specifications from the configuration list that correspond with the one or more interfaces; and   automatically incorporating the manufacturer specific components into the architectural design, such that the design represents a mixture of user design format and formatting from the incorporated manufacturer-specific components and specifications.   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein automatically incorporating the manufacturer specific components into the architectural design, comprises:
 determining that one or more of the manufacturer specific components require a third party feature to be incorporated within the architectural design; and   automatically adjusting the architectural design to incorporate the third party feature.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 automatically incorporating the third party feature into a computer numerical control file.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the third party feature comprises a specific carpentry joint. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the third party feature requires a specific millwork operation. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 automatically resolving an inconsistency that is generated by the incorporation of the manufacturer specific component into the architectural design.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein automatically resolving an inconsistency comprises:
 identifying that a particular manufacturer specific component is not properly sized to fit within an interface for the particular manufacturer specific component; and   automatically adjusting the architectural design to properly incorporate the particular manufacturing specific component.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein automatically resolving an inconsistency comprises:
 identifying that a particular manufacturer specific component comprises a specific type of carpentry joint;   determining that the incorporation of the specific type of carpentry joint creates an anomaly within the architectural design; and   automatically adjusting the architectural design to resolve the anomaly.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the same architectural design is used independently by a first manufacturer and a second manufacturer, such that:
 the architectural design relies upon a first configuration list to automatically incorporate a first set of manufacturer specific components from the first manufacturer into the architectural design; and   the architectural design relies upon a second configuration list to automatically incorporate a second set of manufacturer specific components from the second manufacturer into the architectural design.   
     
     
         20 . A computer-based system comprising one or more processors configured to execute computer-executable instructions for a method for incorporating third party features into an architectural design, the method comprising:
 generating an architectural design comprising one or more sub-components;   identifying an interface of a third party feature with at least one sub-component of the architectural design;   receiving an indication of the third party feature;   automatically incorporating the third party feature into the interface; and   automatically resolving anomalies that the incorporation of the third party feature creates.