Dynamic Product Configuration for Custom Option Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing relational database management systems (RDBMS) struggle with handling data definitions and compatibility issues for custom manufactured products, particularly framed or mounted items, due to the impracticality of generating fixed records for countless permutations and infinite attribute variations, leading to storage inefficiencies and inflexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically configures custom product options based on user interactions, using a product options view platform with components like a template generator, user action tracker, and product options engine to generate triggers and attributes, allowing for dynamic customization and visualization of products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed records are generated for every conceivable product permutation in RDBMS, then product compatibility and attribute matching can be resolved, but storage requirements become impractical and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product configuration system into modular components: product templates define structures, attribute definitions specify parameters, and configuration rules establish relationships. This segmentation allows the system to handle product permutations without pre-generating all possible records, resolving the storage issue while maintaining compatibility checking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pre-defined records to dynamic configuration generation. Product configurations are created on-demand based on user selections and system rules, allowing the system to adapt to any product permutation without storing all possibilities in advance. This dynamic approach resolves both the storage constraint and compatibility resolution requirement.
2Reliability
If extensive programming of stored procedures or custom code is used in RDBMS, then product attribute matching and compatibility can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where the product configuration engine automatically generates valid configurations based on predefined templates and rules, eliminating the need for extensive custom programming. The system serves itself by autonomously determining attribute compatibility and generating product definitions without requiring complex stored procedures or custom code for each product type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal product templates and attribute definitions that can be applied across multiple product types. A single configuration engine handles diverse products (framed prints, mounted items, etc.) using the same framework, reducing programming complexity while maintaining accurate attribute matching through reusable, multi-functional configuration rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom manufactured products with arbitrary attributes are allowed, then product versatility and adaptability improve, but handling data definitions and compatibility becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages product versatility through parameter-based configuration. Attribute definitions specify allowed values, ranges, and relationships for each product type. The configuration engine evaluates user selections against these parameters and generates valid configurations, allowing arbitrary customization within defined constraints without increasing data definition complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration rules as an intermediary layer between product templates and attribute definitions. These rules mediate the complexity by encoding compatibility logic and constraints in a manageable format, allowing the system to handle versatile custom products while keeping data definition handling straightforward through rule-based validation and generation.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method comprises: generating a user interface configured to allow selecting a product from a plurality of products that are customizable and displaying the user interface on a display device of a user computer; receiving, via the user interface, a selection of a particular product, from the plurality of products, that require customization; in response to receiving the selection of the particular product, automatically generating a plurality of customization options available for customizing the particular product; receiving one or more triggers of a plurality of triggers, generated based on customization options selected from the plurality of customization options; automatically generating one or more corresponding customization attribute values for the particular product; automatically generating one or more digital representations of the particular product, and displaying the digital representations of the particular product on the display device of the user computer.