Europaisches Patentamt i> European Patent Office Publication number: 0 317 465 Office europeen des brevets A2

EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(5) Application number: 88480030.1 Int.CI.4: G 06 F 1/00 G 06 F 3/023 @ Date of filing: 13.09.88

© Priority: 18.11.87 US 122295 Miller, irwin 1440 Willow Lane S.W. © Date of publication of application: Rochester MN 55902 (US) 24.05.89 Bulletin 89/21 Schablitsky, James Allen Rte1,Box102 © Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB Kasson MN 55944 (US)

© International Business Machines Steinman, Anthony Victor Applicant: 1412 Windsor S.W. Corporation Drive Old Orchard Road Rochester MN 55902 (US) 10504 Armonk.N.Y. (US) Shanklin, Johnnie Dean 2115 8th Avenue N.E. @ Inventor: Allen, LindaMay Patterson Rochester MN 55904 (US) 705 14th St. N.E. Rochester MN 55904 (US) Taylor, Deanna Christine 2630 11th Avenue N.W. Elshaug, Ronald George Rochester MN 55901 (US) 5601 North Highway 63 Lot No.65 Rochester MN 55904 (US) Walberg, Darrel Clifford 404 24th Street S.W. Harney, Carrie Lynn Rochester MN 55902 (US) 1856 Terracewood Drive N.W. Rochester MN 55901 (US) Miller, Irwin _ionel RR1,Box639 Rollings, Glen Everett Pine Island MN 55963 (US) 1537 Kings Court, S.E. Rochester MN 55904 (US) Suther III, Thomas Wilson Box 299 Lemmon, Wayne Lawrence Oronoco Minnesota 55960 (US) 2227 14th Avenue N.W. Rochester MN 55901 (US) Wojtczak, Eugene Paul 510 26th Street Nordstrom, Michael Lawrence N.W.Rochester Minnesota 55901 (US) 715 6th Street S.W. Oronoco, MN 55960 (US) Murray, Gerald David 1817 16th Street N.W.Rochester Minnesota 55901 (US) 1O

Bundesdruckerei Berlin (54) Customized instruction generator. R0987-022 (g) Customized instructions for installation of a device having multiple variable components is described, and are generated by an instruction generator program. A device description file lists a desired set of components for the device. Each of the components is broken down into one or more installation tasks, and the tasks are sequenced in a desired order for installation of the device. Text and graphic modules for inclusion in the instructions are varied based on the physical characteristics of the components, and their interconnection. Scaled line draw- ings are also generated based on information about each component and its placement in the device. EP 0 317 465 A2

Description

CUSTOMIZED INSTRUCTION GENERATOR

The invention relates to instructions for installing the computer system. Each of the components is and changing systems, and in particular to the broken down by the generator into one or more generation of instructions for installing and changing s installation tasks, and the tasks are sequenced in a or upgrading systems. desired order for installation of the components. The Computer systems are made up of multiple sequence of tasks is then assembled into an components which a customer may be required to installation guide which is customized to each assemble. Sometimes, a customer may desire to system. expand a computer system, and may be required to 10 The sequencing of the installation tasks is done by add components. The assembly or addition of an expert system, which incorporates knowledge of components usually requires the placing of compo- installation experts into a series of rules. The experts nents in the correct physical position relative to have defined a detailed sequence of goals with other components and the cabling of the compo- associated tasks. The expert system sorts on the nents together. It can be a complex task depending 15 goals according to the list of desired components. It on the number of components making up the provides a list of all tasks required, sequenced in computer system. proper order. Prior computer systems have been shipped to The installat