Abstract: A valid configuration of a product is determined by a computer based on a complete product model. The initial product model includes variables with associated values, and rules, wherein the variables and rules define a configuration problem to be solved. Some variables of the initial product model are defined as scope variables. Based on the selected values for scope variables the initial product model is restricted by the computer to a simplified product model. The simplified product model is employed in order to set the values of the variables not being defined as scope variables in an iterative computer-implemented process.

Abstract: A valid configuration of a product is determined by a computer based on a complete product model. The initial product model includes variables with associated values, and rules, wherein the variables and rules define a configuration problem to be solved. Some variables of the initial product model are defined as scope variables. Based on the selected values for scope variables the initial product model is restricted by the computer to a simplified product model. The simplified product model is employed in order to set the values of the variables not being defined as scope variables in an iterative computer-implemented process.

Abstract: A complex product is composed of several parts, where each part may depend on the other. As a consequence of these inter-dependencies, the selection of one part might exclude other parts from being included in the finished product. A consistent configuration is a selection of parts where all inter-dependencies are satisfied. A computer program for computer-assisted configuration helps an end-user to make choices that will lead to a consistent product. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, Virtual Tabulation, is a method for keeping track of inter-dependencies among a large number of parts, to allow for the construction of an efficient and exact configuration program. Such a program allows interactive configuration over networks (e.g., the Internet). Another aspect of the invention, called Smart Search, allows a set of inter-dependencies among parts to be computed from a product database.

Abstract: A complex product is composed of several parts, where each part may depend on the other. As a consequence of these inter-dependencies, the selection of one part might exclude other parts from being included in the finished product. A consistent configuration is a selection of parts where all inter-dependencies are satisfied. A computer program for computer-assisted configuration helps an end-user to make choices that will lead to a consistent product. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, Virtual Tabulation, is a method for keeping track of inter-depencies among a large number of parts, to allow for the construction of an efficient and exact configuration program. Such a program allows interactive configuration over networks (e.g., the Internet). Another aspect of the invention, called Smart Search, allows a set of inter-dependencies among parts to be computed from a product database.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for analyzing a state based system model comprising a set of machines (M1, . . . ,Mn), said machines each comprising at least one possible state (pS1Mi, . . . ,pSkMi), each machine being in one of its comprised states at any given time, the dynamic behavior of said machines (M1, . . . ,Mn) being defined by predefined transitions between said states of each machine (M1, . . . ,Mn) and dependencies (D) between said machines (M1, . . . ,Mn) , initiating an initial set of at least one machine state (F) of said machines (M1, . . . ,Mn), initiating a goal set of machine states (A) representing a condition on states of a subset of machines (MI), and repeating the following steps until the analyzing has terminated positively and/or if the subset of machines (MI) comprises all of said machines (M1, . . .