System and method for creating, generating and processing user-defined generic specs

Abstract

An automated system and method for defining, creating, presenting, completing and processing generic specs. A spec server is coupled with a data base management system. The spec server comprises a content editor, a page builder, a content reader, a rule processor, a template generator and a compatibility engine. An industry expert creates a domain tree comprising information associated with a particular domain. Each domain tree includes questions, options and rules pertaining the generation of specs in the domain. The content editor is used to create, modify and maintain the domain trees. Once a domain tree is constructed, the industry expert uses the content editor to define a plurality of components. Components are constructed by selecting a subset of the domain tree in accordance with the requirements of the associated component. This subset is referred to as a component tree. A spec template is created for each product spec. Spec templates are created by defining one or more components that comprise the spec. Components can be defined as optional or required by specifying a minimum and maximum number for each component. Optional components are selectively included by users completing the spec. Users access the spec server via the Internet. The page builder dynamically builds custom pages and presents them to users via a web browser. The content of the web pages depends on previous answers and selections from the user. A rule processor interprets rules defined by the industry expert and sets flags used by the page builder to turn on or turn off certain options presented to the user. The compatibility engine compares completed specs with one another to find specs that are compatible. The template generator uses additional rules supplied by the industry expert to generate customized outputs.