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`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
`
`1.
`
`(Currently Amended) A method for using computer assisted configuration
`
`technology lo generate one or more attribute prioritized configuration answers to one or
`
`more configuration queries, the method comprising:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system, wherein the
`
`configuration queries include a selection of one or more parts of a product;
`
`processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined configuration
`
`rules-attributes model to determine valid configuration answers~
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`prioritizing the valid configuration answers JlReFitii!ed by one or more
`
`]lFedetermined product attributes in the combined configuration rules(cid:173)
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`attributes model; and
`
`providing at leasl a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client systemL
`
`wherein the valid configuration answers are prioritized by one or more of
`
`the product attributes.
`
`2.
`
`(Original)
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein to determine valid
`
`configuration answers prioritized by one or more predetermined attributes comprises:
`
`processing valid configuration answers with an attribute based preference
`
`algorithm.
`
`3.
`
`(Original)
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein providing at least a subset
`
`of the valid configuration answers to the client system comprises providing a
`
`predetermined number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`4.
`of the valid configuration answers to the client system comprises providing a user
`
`The method of claim 1 wherein providing at least a subset
`
`(Original)
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`selected number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration answers to a user.
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`-6of15-
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`Serial No. 11/034,141
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`5.
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`(Original)
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`The method of claim 1 further comprising:
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`predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated with
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`respective configuration answers;
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`storing the predetermined values; and
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`retrieving the stored predetermined values associated with a particular valid
`
`configuration answer if the particular valid configuration is an answer to
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`one or more of the configuration queries.
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`6.
`
`(Original)
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`The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more
`
`configuration queries comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of the
`
`products from the group comprising: vehicles, computers, and financial products.
`
`7.
`
`(Currently Amended) A computer system to generate one or more
`
`attribute prioritized configuration answers to one or more configuration queries, the
`
`system comprising:
`
`a processor; and
`
`a storage medium having data encoded therein, the data comprising processor
`
`executable code for:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to determine valid
`
`configuration answers~
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`prioritizing the valid configuration answers )'lfieriti;;ea by one or more
`
`)'lfeaetermiflea product attributes in the combined configuration
`
`rules-attributes model; and
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`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client
`
`system, wherein the valid configuration answers are prioritized by
`
`one or more of the product attributes.
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`-7 ofl5-
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`Serial No. 11/034,141
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`8.
`
`(Original)
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`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the data further
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`2
`........... L_
`4
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`comprises processor executable code for:
`____ pr()c_essin_g:yalidc()nfiguration answers with an attribute basedprefere11c_e
`algorithm.
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`9,
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`(Original)
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`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the code for
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system further
`
`comprises code for providing a predetermined number of attribute-prioritized valid
`
`configuration answers to a user.
`
`10.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the code for
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system further
`
`comprises code for providing a user selected number of attribute-prioritized valid
`
`configuration answers to a user.
`
`11.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer system of clain1 7 wherein the data further
`
`comprises processor executable code for:
`
`predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated with
`
`respective configuration answers;
`
`storing the predetermined values; and
`
`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.
`
`12.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the one or more
`
`configuration queries comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of the
`
`products from the group comprising: vehicles, computers, and financial products.
`
`13.
`
`(Currently Amended) A computer storage medium comprising data
`
`embedded therein to cause a computer system to generate one or more attribute
`
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`prioritized configuration answers to one or more configuration queries, wherein the data
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`comprises processor executable code for:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`processi11gthe one or more configuralionqueriesusinga combi11edgo11figµralion
`
`rules-attributes model to determine valid configuration answers~
`
`prioritizing the valid configuration answers prieritiilea by one or more
`
`preaetermiflea product attributes in the combined configuration rulcs-
`attributes model; and
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`providing the valid configuration answers to the client system, wherein the valid
`
`configuration answers are prioritized by one or more of lhe product
`
`attributes.
`
`14.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein lhe data
`further comprises processor executable code for:
`
`(Original)
`
`processing valid configuration answers with an attribute based preference
`
`algorithm.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the
`15.
`code for providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system
`
`(Original)
`
`further comprises code for providing a predetermined number of attribute-prioritized
`
`valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`16.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the
`
`code for providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system
`
`further comprises code for providing a user selected number of attribute-prioritized valid
`configuration answers to a user.
`
`17.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the data
`further comprises processor executable code for:
`
`(Original)
`
`predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated with
`
`respective configuration answers;
`
`storing the predetermined values; and
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`-9of15-
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`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.
`
`18.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the one
`
`or more configuration queries comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of
`
`the products from the group comprising: vehicles, computers, and financial products.
`
`19.
`
`(Currently Amended) A computer system to generate one or more
`
`attribute prioritized configuration answers to one or more configuration queries, the
`
`system comprising:
`
`means for receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`means for processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to detemrine valid configuration
`
`answers~
`
`means for prioritizing the valid configuration answers prieritizea by one or more
`
`preaetefHlieea product attributes in the combined configuration rules-
`
`attributes model; and
`
`means for providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the
`
`client system, wherein the valid configuration answers are prioritized by
`
`one or more of the product attributes.
`
`20.
`
`(Original)
`
`The computer system of claim 19 further comprising:
`
`means for predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated
`
`with respective configuration answers;
`
`means for storing the predetermined values; and
`
`means for 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.
`
`-10of15-
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`21.
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`(New) The method of claim 1 further comprising:
`
`receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to be
`
`prioritized;
`
`wherein prioritizing the valid configuration answers by one or more product attributes
`
`in the combined configuration rules-attributes model further comprises
`
`prioritizing the valid configuration answers by each selected product attribute.
`
`22.
`
`(New) The computer system of claim 7 wherein the data further comprises
`
`processor executable code for:
`
`receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to be
`
`prioritized; and
`
`prioritizing the valid configuration answers by each selected product attribute.
`
`23.
`
`(New) The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the data further
`
`comprises processor executable code for:
`
`receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to be
`
`prioritized; and
`
`prioritizing the valid configuration answers by each selected product attribute.
`
`24.
`
`(New) The computer system of claim 19 wherein the system further
`
`comprises:
`
`means for receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more product attributes to
`
`be prioritized; and
`
`means for prioritizing the valid configuration answers by each selected product
`
`attribute.
`
`-llof15-
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`Serial No. 11/034,141
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`
`
`Attorney Docket No.: T00128
`
`WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
`
`1.
`A method for using computer assisted configuration technology to
`·· ··· --------2-generate one or more attribute piiorffizeaconfiguration answers-fo one or more - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -
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`7
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`configuration queries, the method comprising:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to determine valid configuration
`
`answers prioritized by one or more predetermined attributes; and
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client
`
`system.
`
`2.
`
`The method of claim I wherein to determine valid configuration
`
`answers prioritized by one or more predetermined attributes comprises:
`
`processing valid configuration answers with an attribute based preference
`
`algorithm.
`
`3.
`configuration answers to the client system comprises providing a predetermined
`
`The method of claim I wherein providing at least a subset of the valid
`
`number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`4.
`
`The method of claim I wherein providing at least a subset of the valid
`
`configuration answers to the client system comprises providing a user selected
`
`number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`5.
`
`The method of claim 1 further comprising:
`
`predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated
`
`with respective configuration answers;
`
`storing the predetermined values; and
`
`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.
`
`-17-
`
`
`
`AttomeyDocketNo,; T00128
`
`6.
`
`The method of claim I wherein the one or more configuration queries
`
`comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of the products from the
`2
`------ --------3-greup-eemprising:-vehieles,-eomputers,-and-financial-product·~.------------------
`
`7.
`
`A computer system to generate one or more attribute prioritized
`
`configuration answers to one or more configuration queries, the system comprising:
`
`a processor; and
`
`a storage medium having data encoded therein, the data comprising processor
`
`executable code for:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to determine valid
`
`configuration answers prioritized by one or more
`
`predetermined attributes; and
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the
`client system.
`
`8.
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the data further comprises
`
`processor executable code for:
`
`processing valid configuration answers with an attribute based preference
`algorithm.
`
`9.
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the code for providing at least
`
`a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system further comprises code
`
`for providing a predetermined number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration
`
`answers to a user.
`
`10.
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the code for providing at least
`
`a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system further comprises code
`
`for providing a user selected number of attribute-prioritized valid configuration
`answers to a user.
`
`2
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`-18-
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`
`
`Attorney Docket No.~ TOOI28
`
`11.
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the data further comprises
`
`2
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`processor executable code for:
`
`------cT-----;13FedeteFmining-values-ofone-or-more-combinations-ofattributes-assoctated-----------
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`with respective configuration answers;
`
`storing the predetermined values; and
`
`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.
`
`12.
`
`The computer system of claim 7 wherein the one or more configuration
`
`queries comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of the products from
`
`the group comprising: vehicles, computers, and financial products.
`
`13,
`
`A 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 configuration queries, wherein the data comprises processor
`
`executable code for:
`
`receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to determine valid configuration
`
`answers prioritized by one or more predetermined attributes; and
`
`providing the valid configuration answers to the client system.
`
`14.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the data further
`
`comprises processor executable code for:
`
`processing valid configuration answers with an attribute based preference
`
`algorithm.
`
`15.
`
`The computer storage medium ofclaim 13 wherein the code for
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system
`
`further comprises code for providing a predetermined number of attribute-prioritized
`
`valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`-19-
`
`
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TOO 128
`
`16.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the code for
`
`providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the client system
`
`further-eomprises-eede-for-prtwiding-a-user-selected-number-of-attribute-priuritized
`
`valid configuration answers to a user.
`
`17.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the data further
`
`comprises processor executable code for:
`
`predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes associated
`
`with respective configuration answers;
`
`storing the predetermined values; and
`
`retrieving the stored predetermined values associated with a particular valid
`
`configuration answer ifthe particular valid configuration is an answer
`
`to one or more of the configuration queries.
`
`18.
`
`The computer storage medium of claim 13 wherein the one or more
`
`configuration queries comprise configuration queries to configure at least one of the
`
`products from the group comprising: vehicles, computers, and financial products.
`
`19.
`
`A computer system to generate one or more attribute prioritized
`
`configuration answers to one or more configuration queries, the system comprising:
`
`means for receiving one or more configuration queries from a client system;
`
`means for processing the one or more configuration queries using a combined
`
`configuration rules-attributes model to determine valid configuration
`
`answers prioritized by one or more predetermined attributes; and
`
`means for providing at least a subset of the valid configuration answers to the
`
`client system.
`
`20.
`
`The computer system of claim 19 further comprising:
`
`means for predetermining values of one or more combinations of attributes
`
`associated with respective configuration answers;
`
`means for storing the predetermined values; and
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`2
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`-20-
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`
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`Attorney Docket No.: TOO 128
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`5
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`means for 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.
`
`-21-
`
`