CAD system which designs 3-D models
First Claim
1. A computer aided design system for interactively designing three dimensional models in a computer network, said computer aided design system comprising:
- (a) a computer aided design server computer having a processor, a main memory, and a mass storage device connected by a bus;
(b) a data communication device connecting said server computer to a computer network;
(c) software program code stored on said server computer and executable by the processor, including;
(i) web based software means for publishing a web site on the computer network accessible to client computers;
(ii) scripting software code means for obtaining project data from a client computer over the network;
(iii) expert knowledge software means for evaluating the project data for compliance with heuristic rules and communicating a conflict to a client computer;
(iv) 3-D assembly software means for preparing a three dimensional computer aided design model based on the project data; and
(v) file transfer protocol means for transferring the three dimensional model to the client computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The computer aided design (CAD) system for interactively designing three dimensional models for architectural projects operates on a client-server model in a distributed network, such as the Internet. The server first elicits general project information from the client, then prompts the client for detail project information through a scripting process, preferably using voice recognition software. As components are added to the project, an expert knowledge system reviews the model against heuristic rules and for conflicts with component manufacturer specifications and building codes. The server then creates a 3-D model. The client can take a virtual walk through of the model, making any desired revisions. Upon completion, the server provides the client with a 3-D CAD model, two dimensional CAD drawings in plan, elevation and section as desired, and completed construction schedule specifications, budget, and other documentation.
307 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer aided design system for interactively designing three dimensional models in a computer network, said computer aided design system comprising:
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(a) a computer aided design server computer having a processor, a main memory, and a mass storage device connected by a bus;
(b) a data communication device connecting said server computer to a computer network;
(c) software program code stored on said server computer and executable by the processor, including;
(i) web based software means for publishing a web site on the computer network accessible to client computers;
(ii) scripting software code means for obtaining project data from a client computer over the network;
(iii) expert knowledge software means for evaluating the project data for compliance with heuristic rules and communicating a conflict to a client computer;
(iv) 3-D assembly software means for preparing a three dimensional computer aided design model based on the project data; and
(v) file transfer protocol means for transferring the three dimensional model to the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer program product that includes a medium readable by a processor, the medium having stored thereon a set of instructions for designing three dimensional models in a computer network, comprising:
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(a) a first sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to publish a web site on the computer network accessible to client computers;
(b) a second sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to obtain project data from a client computer over the network;
(c) a third sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to use expert knowledge for evaluating the project data for compliance with heuristic rules and to communicate a conflict to a client computer;
(d) a fourth sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to prepare a three dimensional computer aided design model based on the project data; and
(e) a fifth sequence of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes said processor to transfer the three dimensional model to the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. In a computer network having a computer aided design server computer connected to the network and at least one client computer connected to the network, a method for interactively designing three dimensional models on the server computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) publishing a web site on the network;
(b) logging a client computer into the web site;
(c) prompting the client computer to provide an item of project data;
(d) receiving the item of project data from the client computer;
(e) evaluating the item of project data for compliance with heuristic design rules and notifying the client computer of any conflict with the heuristic design rules;
(f) assembling the project data into a three dimensional computer aided design model;
(g) evaluating the three dimensional computer aided design model for compliance with heuristic design rules and notifying the client computer of any conflict with the heuristic design rules;
(h) repeating steps (c) through (g) until all items of project data have been received, evaluated, and assembled;
(i) assembling a file containing a finalized version of the three dimensional computer aided design model; and
(j) transferring the file to the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification