Method and system for automated custom design of a storage assembly

US 8,014,979 B2
Filed: 01/13/2009
Issued: 09/06/2011
Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
Status: Active Grant

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1. A method for automated custom design of a storage assembly from a remote location connected to the internet comprising:

defining a storage location at a remote user terminal, wherein the definition of the storage location includes the length of each wall and the relative angles of each wall to each adjacent wall;

providing the definition for the storage location to a centralized computer processing and network server system connected to the internet;

computing usable space for the storage location based on the definition of the storage location, wherein the usable space satisfies allowance rules;

generating one or more layouts for a storage assembly based on the computed usable space, wherein the storage assembly includes at least one unit comprised of one or more components, wherein the one or more layouts have clearances for connecting walls, doorways, unit depths and wall angles according to the allowance rules;

displaying the one or more layouts for the storage assembly on the remote terminal; and

providing at a remote user terminal custom design options selectable by the remote user for customizing the storage assembly.

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Abstract

A custom storage assembly design module automates design of a storage assembly by automatically generating a recommended layout based on a user defined storage location. The design module, which can be communicatively coupled to a remote communications device including a monitor, provides custom design options in view of the recommended layout for the storage assembly, and monitors the selection of custom design options to avoid violation of allowance rules for the defined storage location. The design module displays the storage assembly with currently selected custom design options and also associated pricing information throughout the design process.

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11 Claims

1. A method for automated custom design of a storage assembly from a remote location connected to the internet comprising:
- defining a storage location at a remote user terminal, wherein the definition of the storage location includes the length of each wall and the relative angles of each wall to each adjacent wall;
  
  providing the definition for the storage location to a centralized computer processing and network server system connected to the internet;
  
  computing usable space for the storage location based on the definition of the storage location, wherein the usable space satisfies allowance rules;
  
  generating one or more layouts for a storage assembly based on the computed usable space, wherein the storage assembly includes at least one unit comprised of one or more components, wherein the one or more layouts have clearances for connecting walls, doorways, unit depths and wall angles according to the allowance rules;
  
  displaying the one or more layouts for the storage assembly on the remote terminal; and
  
  providing at a remote user terminal custom design options selectable by the remote user for customizing the storage assembly.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
    - automatically displaying at the terminal an updated layout for the storage assembly based on user input entered by the user at the terminal, wherein a unit in the updated recommended layout is automatically modified in item configuration or size based on the user input, subject to the allowance rules.
  - 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
    - displaying at the terminal a menu containing custom design options for a selected unit of the storage assembly; and
      
      automatically displaying at the terminal the selected unit of the storage assembly as modified by the design options selected by the user.
  - 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the custom design options for the selected unit include custom design options for a section and an item within the section.
  - 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
    - automatically modifying the layouts of the storage assembly, subject to the allowance rules, to maximize fit into the usable space based on the custom design options selected by the user.

6. A method for automated custom design of a storage assembly from a remote location connected to the internet comprising:
- displaying at a remote user terminal two or more predefined storage location templates, wherein the templates are general shapes of storage locations;
  
  prompting a user at the remote location to select one of the predefined storage location templates;
  
  prompting the user at a remote location to supply wall measurements of the storage location;
  
  creating a storage location definition based on the selected location template and the supplied wall measurement;
  
  computing usable space for the storage location based on the storage location definition of the storage location, wherein the usable space satisfies allowance rules;
  
  generating a recommended layout for a storage assembly based on the computed usable space, wherein the storage assembly includes at least one unit comprised of one or more components, wherein the recommended layout has clearances for connecting walls, doorways, unit depths and wall angles according to the allowance rules; and
  
  displaying the recommended layout for the storage assembly on the remote terminal.
- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising prompting the remote user to supply angle measurements of the storage location.
  - 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising displaying at the terminal custom design options selectable by the user for customizing the storage assembly.
  - 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the custom design options include custom design options for a section and an item within the section.
  - 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
    - automatically modifying the layouts of the storage assembly, subject to the allowance rules, to maximize fit into the usable space based on the custom design options selected by the user.
  - 11. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
    - displaying at the terminal a menu containing custom design options for a selected unit of the storage assembly; and
      
      automatically displaying at the terminal the selected unit of the storage assembly as modified by the design options selected by the user.

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Current Assignee
The STOW Company-Holland Incorporated
Original Assignee
Contemporary Closet Classics, LLC
Inventors
Burke, William, Jaworski, John, Madawala, Opendra Nishan
Primary Examiner(s)
PROCTOR, JASON SCOTT

Application Number

US12/352,765
Publication Number

US 20090119075A1
Time in Patent Office

966 Days
Field of Search

703/1, 703/6, 703/7, 700/97, 705/27, 705/29
US Class Current

703/1
CPC Class Codes

G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering

Method and system for automated custom design of a storage assembly

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Abstract

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11 Claims

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Method and system for automated custom design of a storage assembly

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Accused Products

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Abstract

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11 Claims

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