Attribute prioritized configuration using a combined configuration-attribute data model

A computer system to generate one or more attribute prioritized configuration answers to one or more attribute-based configuration queries, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a storage medium, coupled to the processor, having data encoded therein, the data comprising code executable by the processor to configure the computer system into a machine for:
• receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
• processing the one or more configuration queries, configuration rules, and attribute based preference algorithm using a combined configuration rules-attributes model, a configuration-rules processing engine, and a preference algorithm to calculate valid configuration answers in accordance with the combined configuration rules-attributes model and preferences included in the preference algorithm, wherein a plurality of the configuration rules define relationships between parts of the product and a plurality of attributes of the parts, wherein:
• the attributes represent details about the parts;
• the preference algorithm limits a number of valid configuration answers to a proper subset of all possible valid configuration answers;
• the combined configuration rules-attributes model includes rules (A) defining relationships between parts and (B) defining relationships between parts and attributes;
• and
• for each configuration query, processing the configuration query configures the parts of the product and attributes of the parts in a single step;
• and
• predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated with respective configuration answers;
• storing the predetermined values;
• retrieving the stored predetermined values associated with a particular valid configuration answer if the particular valid configuration is an answer to one or more of the configuration queries;
• receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to be prioritized;
• prioritizing the valid configuration answers by one or more of the plurality of attributes in the combined configuration rules-attributes model;
• and
• providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers over a communications network to the client system to enable an application program of the client system to present at least the subset of the valid configuration answers, wherein the provided valid configuration answers are prioritized by one or more of the predetermined attributes.

A non-transitory computer storage medium comprising data embedded therein to cause a computer system to generate one or more attribute prioritized configuration answers to one or more attribute-based configuration queries, wherein the data comprises code that is executable by a processor of the computer system to configure the computer system into a machine for:

• receiving one or more attribute-based configuration queries from a client system;
• processing the one or more attribute-based configuration queries, configuration rules, and attribute based preference algorithm using a combined configuration rules-attributes model and a configuration-rules processing engine to calculate valid configuration answers in accordance with the combined configuration rules-attributes model, wherein a plurality of the configuration rules define relationships between parts of the product and a plurality of attributes of the parts, wherein:
• the attributes represent details about the parts;
• the preference algorithm limits a number of valid configuration answers to a proper subset of all possible valid configuration answers;
• the combined configuration rules-attributes model includes rules (A) defining relationships between parts and (B) defining relationships between parts and attributes;
• and
• for each configuration query, processing the configuration query configures the parts of the product and attributes of the parts in a single step;
• and
• predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated with respective configuration answers;
• storing the predetermined values;
• retrieving the stored predetermined values associated with a particular valid configuration answer if the particular valid configuration is an answer to one or more of the attribute-based configuration queries;
• receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to be prioritized;
• prioritizing the valid configuration answers by one or more of the plurality of attributes in the combined configuration rules-attributes model;
• and
• providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers over a communications network to the client system to enable an application program of the client system to present at least the subset of the valid configuration answers, wherein the provided valid configuration answers are prioritized by one or more of the predetermined attributes.