CA2006686A1 - Ordering system using distributed graphics and centralized text - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A data input system uses locally stored graphic data in combination with centrally stored text data to aid in identifying items to be ordered. The text and graphic data is hierarchically organized to enable a desired item to be quickly and easily selected. Display of the graphic and text data is synchronized and the graphic and text data may be displayed simultaneously on two different displays; or switchable between text and graphics on a single display. An order for a desired item may be easily generated using the related text data for a selected item.

Description

~ Z8~ i86 . - , .: .

- 1 - 54,805 . ' ORDERING SYSTEM USING DISTRIBUTED
GRAPHICS AND CENTRALIZED TEXT ~;
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The present invention is r~lated to a data input system and, more particularly, to an order entry system using distributed graphic data and cenkralized text data.
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There are many types of computerized or automated ;
order entry systems in use today. One common type of system uses microfiche which typically contains computer generated output that is periodically distributed on microfiche to locations where items are -ordered. These locations may be retail stores or departments of a large organization. Similar systems are used in some libraries as card catalogs. While these systems are capable of associating graphic images with text data, all of the data is fixed and the text data can be changed only by distributing a new set of microfiche. In addition, these systems typically do not have an integrated facility for inputting order information. Another type of computerized order entry system uses centralized parts information files which -are accessible by a plurality of terminals for remote computers. The parts information may include part '."'' ,.

~` ;20066~36 - 2 -_ ' 54, aos numbers, part descriptions, part availability, price, etc. By maintaining the parts information at a central location, the information can be updated as the information, e.g., the availability and price, changes.
These systems provide an advantage in that once the correct part is identified, the part number and price stored in the parts informatio~ file can be transmitted as order data without any re-keying. This reduces the number of errors which can result in incorrect part numbers, etc.
When the parts being ordered are for a large, complex, unit such as a turbine generator in an electrical power plant, the process of identifying the correct par~ can be difficult and time consuming.
Text-only systems, whether printed, on microfiche, or computerized, can do little to simplify the process.
Isometric or perspective drawings of the parts can be very helpful, but the method used to organize the drawings is an important factor in reducing the time required to locate the correct part. In addition, providing current graphic information is difficult, since transmitting detailed graphic images, particularly over long distances of hundreds of miles, results in a system with extremely slow response time~

An object oP the present invention is to provide a ~~ata input system in which graphic and text data is displayed with an acceptable response time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a data entry system having hierarchically organized graphic data displayed with related text data.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying a desired part in a complex unit, easily and quickly.
A further object of- the present invention is to provide a method for processing an order in which the ~` ~2006~86 - 3 - 54,805 correct number is used throughout to iden~ify the item ordered.
The above objects are attained by providing a data input system, comprising a host computer system for storing text data; local computer means for storing graphic data having related text data stored in the host computer system, for displaying graphic data in response to operator control, for requesting from the local computer system the related graphic data corresponding to displayed text data and for receiving input data corresponding to the related text data; and ~ -communicating means for communicating between the host computer system and the local computer. The graphic data preferably includes parts diagrams arranged hierarchic~lly. A user can specify a portion of a displayed graphic image so that a more detailed graphic image will be displayed. In the preferred embodiment, the text data includes parts information.
The graphic data and text data may be displayed on seiparate display units or a single display unit may be used with the operator able to switch between the display of graphic and text data. In either case, when the graphic image is changed, e.g., when a more detailed graphic image is requested, the related text data is requested from the host computer to be available for display. The parts information in the displayed text data can be used to generate order data ;
which is transmitted from the local computer to the host computer.
Additional processing can be performed on the order data. The order data is stored on the host computer and can be retrieved therefrom for updating. ~
The updating may include adding an approval indication ;;
to produce approved order data. The approved order data is used to obtain the ordered part and to generate a bill for the customer.
These objects, together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent reside ;

~` Zl)0~6~6 _ 4 _ : 54,805 in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an order entry system according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a flowchart of the overall operation of a method according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hierarchical organization of parts diagrams according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical power generation unit as an example of a high level parts diagram;
Figs. 5a and 5b are a flowchart of a method according to the present invention for coordinating display of graphic and text data; and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main oil pump as an example of a low level parts diagram.

The shape of parts and the relationship of one part to another do not change significantly over time for most types of large equipment, even with the ~ passage of tens of years. Many types of heavy equipment used by industry has a useful life of 20, 30 3~ or more years. For example, turbine generators used by public utilities typically have a useful life of 40 years.
However, portions of such equipment may need to be replaced from time to time. In order to facilitate ordering the equipment, isometric or perspective drawings of the equipment can be used to identify a desired item. Due to the static nature of a part's visual appearance, graphic images of the parts can be .. . ~ . . :
.

Z~066~36 _ 5 _ 54,805 distributed to customers~ field offices, s~or~s, etc , ~hich are located close to the equipment. In the -preferred embodiment described below, it will be assumed that the customer is a public utility and parts diagrams 21 are stored at the location of a unit (turbine generator~ in part of a customer's local -~ ~-computer system 22. ;~
On the other hand, text data desc:ribing parts -information changes much more often. Information, such as lot size, lead time and price, related to manufacturing and distributing an item can change more than once per year. Therefore, it is advantageous to maintain such information in a centralized location where it can be maintained by the manufacturar or supplier o~ the part. Furthermore, text data can be transmitted relatively ~uickly, while a detailed drawing of an assembly of parts requires a significantly larger amount of time to transmit.
Therefore, a system according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1, where parts diagrams are stored near the location of a unit as part of the data stored on a customer's local computer system 22. While only a single local computer system 22 is illustrated in Fig. 1, it should be understood that there may be tens or hundreds of such computer systems connected to a supplier's parts information processor 24. As illustrated in Fig. l, the parts information text data 26 is stored on-line with the parts information processor 24. Thus, the parts information processor 24 serves as a host computer system for a number of local computer systems located on the sites of units for which a part may be ordered.
The local computers may be IBM PC/AT compatible with at least one EGA display and sufficient memory to store the graphic data. Preferably, the graphic data is compressed using any conventional or custom designe~
data compression routine. The creation, compression and decompression of graphic data can be performed by ~` Z~ 66~36 - 6 - ' 54,80S
one o~ ordinary skill in the art using commercially available software like AUTOCAD from AUTODESK and STORYBOARD PLUS ~rom IBM. The host computer 24 may be any large mainframe capable of handling communications via communication network 29 to the number of customer's computers 22 which access the parts information and order data 26.
A flowchart of the overall operation of the system is illustrated in Fig. 2. A user at the customer location logs on 30 to the host computer system 24 via the local computer 22. The first step after logging on is to determine 32 whether a requisition is to be created, updated or examined. Initially, a user, such as an engineer at a unit which needs parts, will want to proceed to view parts information and therefore processing will pass through the decision blocks for inquiring on the status of an order 34 and accessing stock information 36.
The first step that a user will ordinarily want to perform is to access 38 parts information. Therefore, a selection menu 40 will be displayed on a parts information display 42 (Fig. l) to enable the user to select a unit, assembly or item. Preferably, the logon operation 30 includes entering a user number which identifies a user profile stored with the parts information 26. The user profile identifies units for which the user may wish to order parts. Thus/ the ~ Farts information display 42 will contain a list of units at the user's location. Upon selecting a unit, a menu including the information in TABLE I may be displayed on the parts information display 42.

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TABLE I
PLANT/UNIT SERIAL ~LEMENT DESCRIPTION -1 UNIT #6 13A5601 HP TURBINE
2 UNIT ~6 13A5608 STEAM PIPING
3 UNIT ~6 13A5602 IP TURBINE

4 UNIT ~6 23A560~ LPl TURBI~E
UNIT ~6 23A4604 LP2 TURBINE
6 UNIT $6 84P550 GENERATOR
7 UNIT ~6 83P996 EXCITER
8 UNIT #6 13A5609 AUXILIARIES

The text and yraphic data associated with each unit is preferably organized hierarchically, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Associated with the menu of items in T~BLE 1 is a parts diagram of the unit, like that illustrated in Fig. 4. The numerals on the parts diagram correspond to the numerals in the first column of TABLE I.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the present invention ;
has two alternative embodiments. In the first embodiment, a single dual function display 42 is provided for both parts information (text data) and graphic data, i.e., parts diagrams. In a second '; ~`-`
embodiment of the present invention, display 42 is used ~
for text display only and a separate graphic display 44 ~ -is used for displaying parts diagrams.
In the first embodiment the user has an ~ ~pportunity when the menu containing TABLE I is displayed to optionally display 46 a parts diagram like that illustrated in Fig. 4. In the case of the second embodiment, the parts diagram illustrated in Fig. 4 is automatically displayed. Whether the display is automatic or selected by the user, the parts diagram is displayed 48 in a manner which will be described in -more detail with reference to Fig. 5.
As illustrated in Fig. 5, the first step is to display 49 a list which may be a list oP units at a plant or elements irl the only unit. The dPcision 46 of ' ' .~:'. ' .
. ~, , ~ . .

Z00~i6~
- 8 - ' 54,805 whether to display the parts diagram which is illustrated in Fig. 2 is also illustrated in Fig. 5.
It should be noted that in the dual display system a decision is automatically made to retrieve and display 50 the parts diagram for the highest level, e.g., a diagram like that illustrated in Fig. 4.
After displaying 50 the parts diagram for the highes~ level, the program returns to the list of elements 49 and awaits a response from the user in the form o~ operator control. In addition to the option to display the parts diagram in the single display embodiment, the user may exit the menu, select one of the elements 52a-52c (Fig. 3), or enter the item number of the part or assembly directly. Assuming the user selects 53 the first-listed element, high pressure turbine 52a (Fig. 3), the parts information related thereto will be transferred from the host computer 24 to the local computer 22 and displayed 54. A decision 55 may be made (in the single display embodiment) or is automatically made (in the dual display embodiment) to retrieve and display the parts diagram for the selected element, i.e., the high pressure turbine 52a. The list displayed 54 for the high pressure turbine diagram may include information like that listed in TABLE II.
TABLE II

ITEM PART NO. DESCRIPTION PRICE
~ ~ 013A560101 PEDESTAL GOVERNOR QUOTE
LOCATOR

once the parts diagram has been displayed 56 in the single display embodiment, the user may return 57 to the display 54 of the list of assemblies or select 58 one of the A-level assemblies 47a-47c (Fig. 3). In the latter case, processing returns to the retrieving r 20066~
:~ ., - 9 - 54,805 and displaying 56 of a parts diagram for the selected .
assembly. This is accomplished by retrieving from the :
host computer 24 parts information selected using the graphic display 44, then selecting ancl displaying the related parts diagram based on the parts information.
In the dual display embodiment or if the single display unit has been switched to the text mode, the use~ has the option of s~lecting 59 an item for -, ordering or displaying 60 the next level of assemblies or items. In the example, it will be assumed that the user selects the pedestal governor locator 47a ~Fig. 3) ~.
for display 61 of the subassembly list associated :
therewith. For example, a menu including the items listed in TABLE III will be displayed 61. The first three subassemblies 62a-62c are illustrated in Fig. 3.
TABLE III .. , ~ PART NO. DESCRIpTION ~Q U/M PRICI
1 680J149GOl MAIN OIL PUMP

2 4516D83G02 SPEED PICKUP MOUNT 1 :
3 732J855G02 PEDESTAL BASE ~ COVER 1 ;~
DETAIL :

7 4654D09G01 PRESSURE SWITCH 1 .

& CONTROL BLOCK
9 4703D76005 DIAPHRAGM VALVE 1 EACH 3,6 11 733J106G03 OPERATIONAL GAUGES ASSEMBLY 1 ;.: .
::-.. .
12 681J173G03 REMOTE OVERSPEED TRIP 1 EACH :

, ''... :' '~ ZC~066~36 - 10 - 54,805 In this example, processing has returned to the decision 55 of whether to display an element/assembly diagram. In the dual display ~mbodiment, the parts diagram corresponding to, e.g., the pedestal governor locator is automatically displayed.
The process of displaying increasingly more detailed graphic images can be repeated for as many levels of subassemblies as are present. For the purpose of illustration, it will be as~umed that th~ user chooses 60 to select for display 61 the first subassembly 6~a which is at the lowest level of parts diagrams. Thus, a menu including ~he items listed in TABLE IV will be displayed on text display 42. The more detailed parts diagrams are the ones most likely to be needed by even -15 frequent us~rs of the system. Therefore, the user is likely to request 55 the display 56 of a parts diagram for the selected subassembly which may be similar to the exploded perspective view illustrated in Fig. 6.
TABLE IV
680J149G0} MAIN OIL PUMP STATIONARY
~ PART NO. DESCRIPTION REO U/M PRlCE

2 460B932007DOWEL-TAPE~ .750 2 EACH 111.00 3 460B496012 ~HEXNUT HEAVY .750 2 EACH 2.50 - 4 272A973001 PIPE PLUG .25 3 EACH 37.00 460~496112HEXNUT HEAVY .750 15 EACH 2.20 6 10H0556010WASHER LOCK .750 15 EACH 0.70 7 627C855026STUD .750 X .325 15 EACH 109.00 .750 x 2.50 4 EACH19.00 9 270A365011PLUG - PIPE 3.000 1 EACH 61.00 Z00~.6~36 ~ 54,805 ITEM PART NO. DESCRIPTION REQ ~ PRICE
270A365004 PLUG - PIPE .500 2 EACH 2.80 12 270A364002 PLUG - PIPE .250 2 EA~H 1.00 13 460B561046 PI~ .750 X 2.88 2 EAC~ 36.00 ,;, - 14 389A060001 0 RING 4 EACH 9Q.OO `
As can be seen with reference to Fig. 6, there are more than 14 items referenced in the parts diagram. !
Therefore, continuation menus listing the additional --items can be brought up by the user. This will enable ``~i the user to select 59 one of the items represented by 63a-63c in Fig. 3 and enter 64 the quantity o~ an item to be ordered. The corresponding parts diagram~enables the user to distinguish between, e.g., items 7 and 8, 10 and 12 and 14 and 15 based upon their appearance or relationship with other parts in the subassembly. ;
As indicated in Fig., 5, using both the text display 42 and the graphic display 44, the user can select 6S, 66 a previous level of assembly. In the case of the text display 42, the previous list is retrieve~ and displayed 67, if selected 65 and whether selected or not, processing is returned to the option to display the ~-corresponding parts diagram. When the choice 66 to display the previous level is made from a display of graphic images in the single display embodiment, a test -~
- ~8 is made to determine whether the highest level assembly will be displayed. If not, the previous level parts diagram is retrieved and displayed 56. In the preferred embodiment, the display module is exited by returning to the highest level parts diagram 50, ~ ~-choosing 51 not to return to the text display and choosing 69 to display a previous level which is not part of the unit. If the choice at 69 is not to display ;~
a previous level illustration, a decision 70 may be made to select a different element, e.g., steam pipinq 52b, .

Z00~6~
.
- 12 -~ 54,805 which will be retrieved and d;.splayed 56, as described above for the high pressure turbine.
In this manner, the user can then select as many items as desired and return to the initial decision block 32 or if finished 71, logoff 72. Ordinarily, the user will enter an access requisition screen 73 to update or create the requisition. The items selected 40 can be added to a prior requisition or made part of a new requisition. This produces order data which is stored in file 26 of the host computer system.
The present invention may be usecl where the ordering is done by a person with tAe authority to place an order or by someone, such as a plant engineer, who i5 falniliar with the parts but lacks such authority. In the former case, a decision to send 74 the order may be made and the order may be processed 75. In the latter case, a requisition 76 may be printed and processed manually at the customer's location. Alternatively, the plant engineer may logoff 72 and at a later time a person with authority to approve an order may logon 30 and choose to update 32 the requisition.
The person with authority to approve the order will be termed a purchasing agent. The purchasing agent enters the access requisition screen 73 to retrieve the order data from the host computer to the local computer for display on the text display 42. Although only a single local computer 22 and text display 42 is illustrated in Fig. 1, it should be understood that the engineer and purchasing agent may use different computers at the same plant, or widely separated computers where the purchasing agent is at a separate headquarters some distance from the plant at which the engineer created the order data.
The purchasing agent can update the order data as necessary and add an approval indication to produce approved order data which is transmitted to the host computer 24. The approved order data, whether generated ;~
in a two-step process or by the initial user, can be .~ . . ..... . i. . .. . . . .. .

~ ()6~i86 ~ ~
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- 13 - ~4,805 processed in a conventional fashion. The system illustrated in Fig. 1 is an example where part of the -~
order processing occurs on an accounting processor 77 which is separate from the parts information processor 24. In addition-to initiating the manufacture or shipping of the ordered item, the processing of the order data will naturally include genleration of a bill.
In the illustrated embodiment, both bill and payment data may be transmitted over the communication network 29 using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). However, any conventional technique of processing an order can be used.
In addition to providing access to parts information ~ .
and unapproved order data, the present invention includes other capabilities related to items which are ordered. As illustrated in Fig. 2, if a user chooses 32 not to access a requisition 73, an opportunity is given to inquire 34 on the status of an order. An item and shipping status screen 78 is displayed so that the user can follow the processing of the order from initiation -through shipment. In addition, the user has an opportunity to choose 36 to access stock information.
The screens 80 which are made available at this point include the ability to cross reference supplier part number and customer part number and to maintain customer -stock information. If the customer chooses to maintain a customer/supplier cross reference, the customer cross ~~reference will be displayed on the menu screens, such ~L;
TA~LE I through TA~LE IV, in addition to the supplier part number. The customer stock information can be updated when an order is sent to the supplier and the customer is given access at screen 80 to update the ;:
customer stock às parts are used.
The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the detailed specification and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such faatures and advanta~es of the system which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

- 20066~6 - 14 - 54,805 Further, since numerOuS modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction ~:
and operation illustrated and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.

,

Claims (20)

1. A data input system, comprising:
a host computer system for storing text data;
local computer means for storing graphic data corresponding to the text data stored in said host computer system, for requesting text display data from said host computer system in response to operator control, for retrieving, from said local computer system, related graphic data corresponding to the text display data and for receiving input data corresponding to the text display data; and communication means for communicating between said host computer system and said local computer means.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the text data includes parts information, and wherein the graphic data includes parts diagrams displayable to a user of said local computer means.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the parts information includes at least one of a part number, a part description, an assembly number, number of parts in an assembly, units of measurement, lot size, lead time and price, for each of a plurality of parts.

4. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the parts information further includes a replacement part number when a different part is manufactured for an old part corresponding to the part number.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the text data is arranged hierarchically, wherein the operator control includes specification of a portion of a displayed graphic image, and wherein said local computer means responds to the specification of the portion of the displayed graphic image by displaying a more detailed graphic image.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein said local computer means retrieves the text display data corresponding to the more detailed graphic image from the host computer system in response to the specification thereof and then retrieves the related graphic data representing the more detailed graphic image.

7. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein said local computer means comprises:
a graphic display for displaying the graphic data; and a text display for displaying the related text data.

8. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein said local computer means comprises a dual function display switchable between display of the text display data and the related graphic data.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said local computer means comprises:

a graphic display for displaying the graphic data; and a text display for displaying the text data.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said local computer means comprises a dual function display switchable between display of the text display data and the related graphic data.

11. A method for inputting data, comprising the steps of:
(a) storing, on a host computer system, text data;
(b) storing, on a local computer system, graphic data corresponding to the text data stored in (a);
(c) requesting, by the local computer system from the host computer system, text display data in response to operator control;
(d) retrieving, from the local computer system, related graphic data corresponding to the text display data; and (e) receiving input data corresponding to the text display data.

12. A method for identifying parts in a unit, comprising the steps of:
(a) storing, in a host computer, parts information for units at a plurality of locations:
(b) storing, on a local computer at each of the locations, parts diagrams for all of the units at that location, the parts diagrams having related text data stored in the host computer;
(c) displaying, on the local computer, the parts diagrams for the units in response to operator control;
(d) transferring the related text data from the host computer to the local computer in response to operator controlled changes in the parts diagrams displayed on the local computer; and (e) selecting at least one item in the related text data corresponding to at least one desired part.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
(f) generating order data for the at least one desired part for use by a corresponding unit; and (g) storing the order data on the host computer.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
(h) receiving, at the host computer, an approval indication corresponding to the order data:
and (i) processing the order data on the host computer.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the following steps performed prior to step (h):
(j) retrieving the order data from the host computer to the local computer;
(k) updating the order data including adding the approval indication to produce approved order data;
and (l) transmitting the approved order data from the local computer to the host computer.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
(m) inputting customer inventory information from the local computer to the host computer; and (n) storing the customer inventory information on the host computer, and wherein step (i) includes updating the customer inventory information stored on the host computer.

17. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein step (a) comprises storing, as each item of the parts information, at least one of a part number, a part description, an assembly number, number of parts in an assembly, units of measurement, lot size, lead time and price.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein step (b) comprises storing a hierarchical association between the parts information, and wherein step (c) comprises displaying a more detailed parts diagram in response to an indication in the operator control of a portion of a less detailed parts diagram together with a request for display of the portion.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein step (d) comprises transferring from the host computer to the local computer the related text data corresponding to the more detailed parts diagram when the more detailed parts diagram is requested to be displayed on the local computer.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the parts number stored in the parts information is a supplier part number, and wherein said method further comprises the step of (f) storing a customer part number, corresponding to the supplier part number, on the host computer.