Interactive exploded view diagram ordering tool

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and computer-readable medium for executing a method of placing an order for a sub-component (part) of a product, including generally three steps: displaying a diagram depicting sub-components of a product in an exploded view on a user screen; receiving a user selection of a sub-component to be ordered; and processing the selection of a sub-component to be ordered. Optionally, the method may allow the user to selectively view further information pertinent to displayed sub-components, such as their prices and specifications, or to selectively zoom in on and zoom out of the exploded view or to scroll the exploded view. The method thus assists the user when attempting to identify and/or order a sub-component for the product. The method may also be implemented in a stand-alone computer system.

1 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . A system for ordering a sub-component of a product, comprising: 
 means for displaying a diagram depicting sub-components of a product in an exploded view on a system screen;    means for displaying a materials list on the system screen, the materials list listing the sub-components of the product in an exploded view together with information concerning the listed sub-components;    means for receiving a user selection of a sub-component to be ordered;    means for displaying an order summary list on the system screen, the order summary list showing sub-components that have been selected to be ordered; and    means for processing the selection of a sub-component to be ordered.    
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising means for selectively displaying information concerning a sub-component in the diagram on the system screen in response to a user input identifying the sub-component, wherein the information concerning a sub-component comprises one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a picture or photograph of the sub-component;    (b) a key number of the sub-component;    (c) an identification number of the sub-component;    (d) a replacement/substitute identification number of the sub-component;    (e) a description of the sub-component;    (f) specifications/materials of the sub-component;    (g) a manufacturer/supplier of the sub-component;    (h) a manufacturer identification number of the sub-component;    (i) a stock-keeping-unit (SKU) number of the sub-component;    (j) the quantity of the sub-component(s) used in the product;    (k) other sub-components associated with the selected sub-component as part of a kit;    (l) the price of the sub-component;    (m) the price of the product as a whole;    (n) the availability of the sub-component;    (o) available varieties of the sub-component;    (p) an order icon for ordering the sub-component; and    (q) a menu listing one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of information items (a)-(p) above, wherein the method further comprises the step of selectively displaying a piece of information from the menu in response to a user input selecting one of information items (a) through (o), or processing the selection of a sub-component to be ordered in response to a user input selecting information item (p).