based interface facilitates navigation. The user can
`select next and previous buttons, move a slider to jump
`ahead and behind, and select specific icons. All icons
`are defined on the process screen, and the user can
`jump to the process screen multiple ways. The pointer
`can be positioned on an icon to cause the definition of
`that icon to appear. There are many ways for the user to
`jump around as well as to be guided through a process,
`unlike web interfaces which are random interfaces that
`are not for designed for a particular process, such as
`found in the known Radiotherapy Department Toolkit. A
`selected process of the computer aided planning tod
`guides the user through steps of that particular process
`as a part of process.
`[0042]
`The process-based interface of the process
`screen shown in Fig. 2 enables the user to build a proc-
`ess based on a set of menu commands. The process(cid:173)
`based interface of the computer aided planning tool
`enables the user to focus on a selected process to plan
`and implement a project. In contrast, the known Radio(cid:173)
`therapy Department Toolkit lacks the guided, directed,
`and customizable tour of screens, for example, approxi(cid:173)
`mately 45 to 60 screens, of which only a portion, for
`example, 20 screens, are pertinent to any particular
`user, that is provided by the computer aided planning
`tool.
`[0043] The processes which are listed on the process
`screen shown in Fig. 2 are user definable so that the
`processes can be configured on a profession-specific
`basis, such as processes for planning an entire health(cid:173)
`care facility. Furthermore, a hospital administrator is
`likely to utilize different processes that an architect or a
`physicist. Consequently, the process-based interface
`can be redesigned. The resulting process screen is also
`a file which can be rendered unmodifiable, display-only 35
`information. This provides a flexible process-based plat(cid:173)
`form for the computer aided planning tool.
`[0044] The process screen shown in Fig. 2 enables a
`user to position the mouse pointer to highlight one of the
`identified processes under "Select a process ... " on the
`right hand side of the screen and view a description of
`that process below. Moreover, the features of the high(cid:173)
`lighted process appear on the left hand side of the
`screen. In the exemplary implementation of the compu-
`ter aided planning tool for planning a healthcare facility,
`the process screen can include the processes "Edit a
`department or room
`template," Explore Neoforma
`Healthcare," "Linac Shielding - New Construction,"
`"Linac Shielding - Retrofit," "Plan a new room or depart(cid:173)
`ment," and "Select a product," for example. The user
`can define other processes or delete one or more of the
`process selections listed on the process screen shown
`in Fig. 2 to provide a process-based interface that can
`be customized at the home page level.
`[0045] The processes can vary in complexity. In this
`regard, "Plan a new room or department" is a compre(cid:173)
`hensive process tool for planning and implementing
`departments and individual rooms of a healthcare facil-
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`ity and "Linac Shielding - New Construction" is a spe(cid:173)
`cialized process tool for designing and implementing
`shielding for a radiotherapy room at a healthcare facility.
`On the other hand, "Select a product" is a streamlined
`process for identifying products for implementation of a
`component of a project.
`[0046] Clicking mouse 18 on the highlighted process
`on which the pointer is positioned selects the identified
`process. As shown in Fig. 2, the highlighted process is
`"Explore Neoforma Healthcare." This can be desig(cid:173)
`nated as the default process and provides access to
`various screen galleries for the user to browse. Clicking
`mouse 18 causes "Explore Neoforma Healthcare" to be
`selected. This process enables the user to simply
`15 access and view screens contained in various screen
`galleries associated with the features on the left hand
`side of the process screen shown in Fig. 2. This process
`allows the user to navigate through screen galleries,
`rather than the screen galleries being tied to one of the
`20 other processes listed in the process screen and thus
`browse the program in overview fashion. The screen
`galleries comprise the following galleries.
`[0047] A department galley enables a user to view the
`overall scope of one component of a planning project.
`25 The screens contained in the department gallery pro(cid:173)
`vide the user a bird's-eye view of an entire department,
`such as a radiotherapy department. For example, Fig. 3
`illustrates such a department gallery screen accessed
`through the "Explore Neoforma Healthcare" process
`30 and displayed on monitor 14. The department gallery
`screen shown in Fig. 3 lists available room choices in
`the lower right portion of the screen which are linked to
`detailed descriptions and requirements of each room.
`The process from which the screen is entered, that is,
`"Explore Neoforma Healthcare," appears at the upper
`left hand corner of the screen shown in Fig. 3, while the
`screen being viewed by the user is identified in the lower
`right hand corner ("Department Gallery"). The depart(cid:173)
`ment gallery enables easy, mouse-driven navigation
`from room to room within the department. The depart(cid:173)
`ment gallery provides three-dimensional department
`visualization as shown in Fig. 3, as well as specific infor(cid:173)
`mation regarding the location and relationship of rooms
`for design optimization and implementation.
`[0048] As shown in the upper left portion of Fig. 3, the
`screen was submitted by a product vendor. The infor(cid:173)
`mation contained in the screen is therefore identifiable
`with a specific source and is unmodifiable, display-only
`information.
`[0049] A rooms gallery is enabled by the user select(cid:173)
`ing any room from the department gallery. The rooms
`gallery enables the user to access information stored in
`the relational database that provides an
`in-depth
`description of the equipment recommended for that
`room. The screens contained in the rooms gallery dis(cid:173)
`plays only product information relevant to the selected
`room, so that the product selection and evaluation proc(cid:173)
`ess is focused. The screens contained in the rooms gal-
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`lery also present product categories sorted in logical,
`functional, and room-determined groupings.
`[0050]
`A products gallery is enabled when the user
`selects any product category either by clicking the
`mouse on the three-dimensional representation of the
`category or by choosing from the categories listing. The
`screens contained in the products gallery display list(cid:173)
`ings of vendors and their products. The products gallery
`provides detailed descriptive information submitted by
`the vendor of the product for each of the listed products.
`The screens contained in the products gallery also ena-
`ble the user to review product highlights and choose
`vendors for further evaluation. The products gallery pro(cid:173)
`vides all of the relevant information needed for full eval(cid:173)
`uation of a product family or specific product for
`implementation of a component of the project being
`planned and potential purchase by the user. The
`screens contained in the products gallery provide
`detailed descriptions, features, benefits, and specifica(cid:173)
`tions relating to the products. The screens contained in
`the products gallery also preferably provide precise
`product drawings, photos, and/or graphics so that the
`user can gain an accurate understanding of the product.
`The products gallery also preferably directs the user to
`the product vendor and provides contact information for
`the vendor by the user clicking mouse 18 on the vendor
`logo or name.
`[0051]
`A company information gallery enables the
`vendor to promote its products to the user. The com(cid:173)
`pany information gallery contains screens that include
`corporate profile or background information, awarded
`certifications. and listings of the international markets in
`which the vendor is active. The company information
`gallery links to the products gallery screens for all prod(cid:173)
`ucts that the vendor has listed in the product catalog
`stored in the database. The screens contained in the
`company
`information gallery provide
`information
`regarding how the user can directly contact the vendor.
`[0052] Unlike other processes listed on the process
`screen, the process invoked by selection of "Explore
`Neoforma Healthcare" is a substantially unguided proc(cid:173)
`ess. This process also enables the user to browse tools
`available in connection with other listed processes. as
`well.
`A streamlined process selectable from the
`[0053]
`process screen shown in Fig. 2 is "Select a product."
`The user first positions the pointer on "Select a product"
`to highlight that process, as shown in Fig. 4, and clicks
`mouse 18 to select that process. Selection of the prod(cid:173)
`uct selection process causes the computer aided plan(cid:173)
`ning tool to access the company information gallery and
`display a screen, such as the product vendor screen
`shown in Fig. 5, which lists various products available
`from that vendor in the lower left portion of the screen.
`The user next performs the task of selecting a product
`by pointing to a desired product and dicking mouse 18.
`The computer aided planning tool user then accesses
`the product catalog in the database and accesses the
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`product gallery linked to the screen in the company
`information gallery shown in Fig. 5. This causes a
`screen in the product gallery, such as the screen shown
`in Fig. 6, to be displayed from which the user can com-
`plete the task of implementing a component of the
`project, for example, designation of the treatment couch
`shown in Fig. 6 for a radiotherapy department of a
`healthcare facility.
`[0054] "Linac Shielding - Retrofit" and "Linac Shielding
`- New Construction" are examples of more complicated
`processes selectable from the process screen shown in
`Fig. 2. The user first positions the pointer on "Linac
`Shielding - New Construction" to highlight that process,
`as shown in Fig. 7, and clicks mouse 18 to select that
`15 process. Alternatively, the user can position the pointer
`on "Linac Shielding - Retrofit" to highlight that process,
`as shown in Fig. 7, and clicks mouse 18 to select that
`process. There are slight differences between these two
`processes. but a majority of the screens utilized by
`these two processes are substantially similar. That is,
`the processes are both linked to shielding screens.
`[0055]
`For example, selection of the linac shielding
`process for new construction causes the computer
`aided planning tool to access product information stored
`in the database for all products in the healthcare indus(cid:173)
`try related to a linear accelerator room, bound intricately
`into the process of designing a linear accelerator room,
`and to jump immediately into a specialized tool for
`designing shielding in part based on access to applica-
`30 ble regulatory information contained in the library infor(cid:173)
`mation stored in the database. The user can set up
`project information for the shielding project.
`[0056] Additionally, the tool for designing shielding is
`linked to library information useful in the context of a
`35 shielding project, for example, information contained in
`the library stored on the database relating to similar
`projects implemented by others. That is, the user can
`access the room gallery and browse linear accelerator
`room information to obtain information within the proc-
`40 ess of designing shielding for a new construction
`project. This enables the user to explore a community(cid:173)
`based and edited library of information, while utilizing
`the specialized shielding tool.
`[0057] Library information stored in the database can
`45 also be accessed for used in calculations performed by
`the specialized shielding tool comprising the linac
`shielding process for new construction, such as regula(cid:173)
`tions issued by governmental agencies or other organi(cid:173)
`zations which have oversight responsibility for a project
`that involves shielding. For example, the screen shown
`in Fig. 9 lists common barriers found in a radiation ther(cid:173)
`apy room, such as walls and doors, as well as links to
`regulations relating to dose limits that apply to the
`design of barriers. As shown in the upper left hand por-
`tion of the screen shown in Fig. 9, regulations promul(cid:173)
`gated by Taiwan can be linked to the barrier design for
`shielding in the "Linac Shielding - New Construction"
`process.
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`Fig. 11, the shielding tool has not been enabled by the
`user to calculate shielding requirements, since the
`default is the "Calculation Off" button at the top of the
`table. The screen also illustrates that no specific vendor
`material has been selected for inclusion in the design
`for the shielding barrier being designed by the user in
`connection with the project being planned.
`[0061] The links to materials from vendors, for exam(cid:173)
`ple, specific components of material, such as modular
`walls, or shielding designs utilizing materials provided
`by various vendors in a design created by the user, are
`linked to the shielding tool for implementing a project. In
`this regard, the shielding tool is linked to a gallery of
`materials information stored in the database and linked
`to the shielding tool. The materials, such as lead and
`concrete blocks, can be generic and vendor-specific
`materials. The materials information includes parame(cid:173)
`ters of various materials, which are used by the shield-
`ing tool to calculate required thicknesses of materials
`utilized in the design of shielding for a radiation therapy
`room. The screen shown in Fig. 12 indicates selection
`of a vendor-specific concrete block material by position(cid:173)
`ing the pointer on the top "Concrete (normal)" line in the
`table shown in Fig. 11 and scrolling utilizing the up/down
`25 arrows to a vendor-specific concrete block material from
`the product catalog stored in the database and clicking
`mouse 18 on that material. The selection is linked to the
`"Linac Wall Materials" gallery in the gallery of materials
`information. The user can access the vendor-specific
`information for the wall material by clicking on the
`selected material in the table shown in Fig. 12, which
`causes material information to be displayed. The infor(cid:173)
`mation displayed in response to clicking on the material
`shown in the table in Fig. 12 is displayed in the screen
`35 shown in Fig. 13.
`[0062]
`The shielding tool automatically imports the
`parameters of the material selected by the user for cal(cid:173)
`culating the shielding thickness requirements for the
`selected materials. The calculations are initiated by the
`user selecting the "Auto" check box on the left hand side
`of the table shown in Fig. 12 and also selecting the "Cal-
`culation On" button above the center of the table. In the
`example calculation illustrated by the screen shown in
`Fig. 12, the thickness of lead is set by the user, and the
`45 shielding tool calculates the thickness of the selected
`concrete block material that is needed to satisfy the
`given dosage regulations. The shielding tool utilizes
`conventional shielding computations to determine thick(cid:173)
`nesses for materials and calculates thicknesses using
`the parameters of the selected material, as indicated by
`the partial product identification and density parameter
`which also appear in the screen shown in Fig. 13.
`[0063]
`The user can also access specific product
`information that is used in radiation therapy rooms. The
`information accessible to the user includes information
`from the materials gallery. For example, the screen
`shown in Fig. 13 is linked to the shielding tool shown in
`Figs. 11 and 12. If the user had simply browsed the
`
`[0058] The screen shown in Fig. 9 accessed through
`the linac shielding process for new construction is linked
`to regulatory information contained in the library infor(cid:173)
`mation stored in the database. As described above, the
`particular screen shown in Fig. 9 is linked to regulations
`promulgated by Taiwan. This evidences the flexibility of
`the computer aided planning tool to plan projects, such
`as radiation therapy rooms, worldwide. The regulations
`that apply to a specific project being planned by the user
`can also be selected by the user. The user can compare
`one project design to another as a function of the appli(cid:173)
`cable regulations in one part of world to another. For
`example, the applicable regulations can be regulations
`promulgated by the United States of America, instead of
`Taiwan, as shown in the radiation safety screen shown
`in Fig. 10. The screen shown in Fig. 10 displays the reg(cid:173)
`ulatory information with respect to radiation safety
`requirements in the United States contained in the
`library information stored in the database. The informa-
`tion contained in the library also contains information
`submitted by the community of entities which is supplied
`with the computer aided planning tool with respect to
`previous shielding designs, such as barrier walls, that
`the user can view for suggestions on how to create a
`wall for the project being planned.
`[0059] As in the case of product information stored in
`the database, library information can also be unmodifia-
`ble, display-only information or alternatively can be cus(cid:173)
`tomizable information which can be imported by the
`user utilizing a file manager program to be edited for use
`by the user. In this regard, a new file can be created
`through a files menu. The creator of the file can then
`determine whether the file is unmodifiable, display-only
`information or customizable information. In order to des(cid:173)
`ignate the file that is created as unmodifiable, display(cid:173)
`only information, the entity that creates the file includes
`the log-in name and unique password assigned to that
`entity with the file. For example, the source of the regu(cid:173)
`latory information displayed in the screen shown in Fig.
`10 is identified with the source of that information and is
`therefore unmodifiable, display-only information. By
`default, if no such log-in name or password is included,
`the information is customizable and can be imported by
`a user and modified for use. If the library information is
`designated as unmodifiable, display-only information,
`only the entity that created the file can access that file
`and update the information in the file. Therefore, the
`maintenance responsibility for information in the library
`that is designated unmodifiable, display-only informa(cid:173)
`tion resides with the entity that created the file.
`[0060]
`The screen for the specialized shielding tool
`which comprises the linac shielding process for new
`construction is shown in Fig. 11. The shielding tool can
`be utilized by the user to optimize the design of barriers
`to obtain cost savings through linkage of parameters of
`various materials that can be utilized for a shielding
`design project to the shielding tool for calculating mate-
`rial thicknesses for barriers, such as walls. As shown in
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`materials gallery for a material for designing a barrier
`wall and selected the vendor-specific wall material dis(cid:173)
`played in the screen shown in Fig. 13, the user can
`import the material parameters contained in the file for
`the material through the file manager by invoking "Insert
`Wall" which appears at the left central portion of the
`screen shown in Fig. 12 and thus select the vendor-spe(cid:173)
`cific wall material for calculating the thickness of that
`material for the shielding project being planned.
`[0064] Also, as indicated above, the product gallery for
`radiation therapy rooms is accessible to the user
`through the linac shielding process for new construc(cid:173)
`tion. For example, vendor-specific equipment from the
`product gallery can be accessed through the "Linac
`Shielding - New Construction" process, as shown in Fig.
`14. The screen shown in Fig. 14 displays product infor(cid:173)
`mation with respect to vendor-specific equipment uti(cid:173)
`lized in a radiation therapy room at a healthcare facility.
`Consequently, there is also a link to the company infor(cid:173)
`mation gallery, as well, through the linac shielding proc-
`ess for new construction.
`[0065]
`In summary, the linac shielding process for new
`construction enables the user to plan a design based on
`community provided information, regulations, generic
`and vendor-specific materials that can be utilized, and 25
`vendor-specific products. Then, the shielding tool calcu(cid:173)
`lates material thicknesses for barriers when "Auto" and
`"Calculation On" which appear in the screen shown in
`Fig. 12 are selected by the user using the parameters of
`the materials selected by the user. The user can then
`access the company information gallery for more infor(cid:173)
`mation if the shielding design for the project being
`planned is satisfactory.
`[0066] Another process selectable from the process
`screen shown in Fig. 2 is "Edit a department or room
`template." The user first positions the pointer on "Edit a
`department or room template" to highlight that process,
`as shown in Fig. 15 and then clicks mouse 18 to select
`that process. Selection of the department or room tem(cid:173)
`plate editing process causes the computer aided plan(cid:173)
`ning tool to access the screens linked to department
`templates. For example,
`the department template
`screens include templates for different departments,
`such as different templates for a radiation therapy
`department at a healthcare facility. A screen which pro(cid:173)
`vides one exemplary department template for a radia-
`tion therapy department is shown in Fig. 16. Since this
`screen identifies the source of the displayed information
`in the upper right portion of the screen, the department
`template shown in Fig. 16 comprises unmodifiable, dis(cid:173)
`play-only information. In contrast, any department tem(cid:173)
`plate which
`is modifiable, such as a department
`template in a file created by the user or customizable
`because the source of the information is not identified,
`can be imported by the user and modified to design a
`department relating to the project.
`[0067] As shown in Fig. 16, the screen lists various
`rooms included in the radiation therapy department
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`included in the particular department template that
`appears in the screen. The user can position the pointer
`on an individual room identified in the list of rooms and
`click mouse 18 to access the screen that corresponds to
`the selected room. Therefore, the user can navigate
`among rooms of the department shown in the depart-
`ment level screen shown in Fig. 16.
`[0068]
`Finally, another process selectable from the
`process screen shown in Fig. 2 is "Plan a new room or
`department." The user first positions the pointer on
`"Plan a new room or department" to highlight that proc-
`ess, as shown in Fig. 17, and clicks mouse 18 to select
`that process. Selection of the new room or department
`planning process causes the computer aided planning
`tool
`to access the department planning template
`screens, such as the department planning template
`screen for a radiation therapy department shown in Fig.
`18. The templates enable the user to view the designs
`and implementations of similar projects and learn from
`the prior experience of others who have planned those
`projects. These templates enable the user to design a
`department based on gleaning an understanding of
`information displayed in screens which consist of
`unmodifiable, display-only information indicated when
`the particular template is identified with the source that
`submitted the template or by selecting a screen that dis-
`plays customizable information and importing that tem(cid:173)
`plate so that the design embodied in the department
`template can be edited as needed to create a design for
`the department being planned. Therefore, the user can
`create a design or import a template if not designated
`unmodifiable, display-only information.
`[0069]
`The rooms which comprise the department,
`such as the radiation therapy department profiled in the
`35 screen shown in Fig. 18, are linked to the department
`planning template. The rooms templates linked to the
`department planning template can be selected by the
`user locating the pointer to one or more rooms listed in
`the department planning template and clicking mouse
`18 on the individual rooms. One of the room planning
`templates accessible upon selection of the "Administra(cid:173)
`tion Office" from the department planning template
`shown in Fig. 18 is illustrated by the room planning tem(cid:173)
`plate for the "Administration Office" shown in Fig. 19.
`[0070] The department and room planning templates
`which are accessed by the "Plan a new room or depart(cid:173)
`ment process" can be created by any entity which is
`supplied with the computer aided planning tool. The
`entity can create a file that becomes a department
`50 and/or room template and designate those/that tem(cid:173)
`plate unmodifiable, display-only information by including
`the log-in name and unique password of that entity or
`customizable information by not including the entity log(cid:173)
`in name and unique password. If the source of the tem-
`55 plate is identified, the responsibility for maintaining the
`template resides with the identified source, which is the
`only entity that has access to the information through
`log-in name and unique password to update or other-
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`wise modify the information. For example, the depart(cid:173)
`ment planning and room planning templates shown in
`Figs. 18 and 19 are customizable department and room
`information which can be imported by the user and
`edited to create a design for a project being planned by
`the user. Templates can be individually or collectively
`incorporated into the project being planned by the user.
`[0071] As illustrated by the screen shown in Fig. 19,
`the room planning template can be further linked to
`product information in the products gallery. The user
`can access the products gallery to complete the proc-
`ess of planning a project by pertorming the task of
`implementing the components of the project, such as
`selecting the equipment, furniture, and accessories,
`such as interior decorating appointments, based on
`positioning the pointer on the products listed in the room
`planning template listed in the screen shown in Fig. 19
`and double clicking on the products.
`[0072]
`If department planning and/or room planning
`templates are unmodifiable, display-only information
`identified with the entity which is the source of that infor(cid:173)
`mation or vendor-specific products are linked to the
`products listed in the room planning templates for imple(cid:173)
`menting components of the room, a link to the company
`information gallery exists. Therefore, the user can 25
`access information for contacting the identified entity or
`vendor, for example, the web and e-mail addresses, the
`telephone and facsimile transmission numbers, and
`street addresses, as well as the company profile, of the
`identified entity or vendor.
`[0073]
`The user can use an accessed web site
`address of a vendor, for example, to contact that vendor.
`The computer aided planning tool enables the user to
`connect to the web site of a vendor by positioning the
`pointer on the name or logo of the vendor in the screen
`which profiles that company in the company information
`gallery. For example, the vendor identified in the screen
`shown in Fig. 5 can be accessed through any product
`information
`screen or unmodifiable, display-only
`sourced by that vendor, and the user can position the
`pointer on the company name or logo and connect to
`the home page at the web site of that particular com(cid:173)
`pany by clicking mouse 18 from that screen. On the
`other hand, if the user positions the pointer on the com(cid:173)
`pany name or logo in a screen in the products gallery 45
`which includes a specific product reference, for exam-
`ple, on the name of the company identified in Fig. 13,
`and clicks mouse 18, the user is connected to the rele(cid:173)
`vant page at the vendor web site that contains informa-
`tion pertinent to the specific product. Therefore, the
`applicable web site page is directly accessible from the
`screen in the products gallery relating to that product,
`which obviates the need for the user to browse the web
`site of the vendor for specific product information.
`[0074] Once the user has planned the design for a
`project, including a department and room design, the
`user can utilize the computer aided planning tool to per(cid:173)
`form the task of actually planning the implementation of
`
`the various components of the project being planned,
`for example, the selection of products for implementa(cid:173)
`tion of the components incorporated into the design for
`the project. For example, the user can select a custom(cid:173)
`izable template for a department for a healthcare facility
`and select that template as the department planning
`template for the project being planned, as illustrated in
`the screen shown in Fig. 20. The user can then access
`the room planning template linked to that department
`planning template, as shown in Fig. 21. The user can
`then select products to implement the components of
`the room. In this regard, the user can browse the prod(cid:173)
`ucts gallery, and browsed product information can be
`actively added to the project being planned, as indi(cid:173)
`cated by the selection of a vendor-specific product in
`the first line of the table which appears in the screen
`shown in Fig. 21. In order to complete the task of imple(cid:173)
`menting the components of a project being planned, as
`well as determine the cost of the project, the user may
`need additional information from various vendors of
`products. This task can be facilitated by two-way con(cid:173)
`nectivity to the various vendors by user broadcasted e(cid:173)
`mail.
`[0075]
`After the user has completed the task of
`assembling a table of vendor-specific products for
`implementing the components of a project being
`planned, the user decides what, if any, additional prod(cid:173)
`uct information is needed. The user then generates pre(cid:173)
`formatted e-mail messages, for example, "I am [the user
`30 profiled under the user options]. I am requesting [check
`box(es)] about the [product from the products listed in
`the table shown in Fig. 21]." The check boxes appear in
`the lower left hand corner of the screen shown in Fig.
`21. These check boxes include "Information," "Quote,"
`and "References." The user can also elect to add spe(cid:173)
`cific comments or requests which are appended to the
`pre-formatted e-mail message, for example, "Please
`quote in Yen." The additional information sought by the
`user positioning the pointer to one or more check boxes
`and clicking mouse 18 is then assembled into a pre-for(cid:173)
`matted e-mail message to the vendor of each product
`which appears in the table in the screen shown in Fig.
`21.
`[0076] The table which appears in the screen shown
`in Fig. 21 is linked to the company information gallery.
`Therefore, the e-mail addresses of the vendors which
`have e-mail addresses are accessed and assembled
`into the respective pre-formatted e-mail messages. If
`the vendor does not have an e-mail address, the
`request is e-mailed to the supplier of the computer
`aided planning tool, which in turn generates a facsimile
`transmission incorporating the request to the vendor.
`[0077] All of the e-mail requests that are to be broad(cid:173)
`cast are routed to an e-mail queue, which is accessible
`from the project being planned and mailed as part of the
`process. The e-mail requests are sent through a stand(cid:173)
`ard e-mail connection over the Internet.
`[0078] Each pre-formatted e-mail message also con-
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`IPR2023-00330 Page 00387
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