Method and apparatus for interactively designing custom decorative stonework

• US 20050004783A1
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Richard Carey
• Original Assignee: Richard Carey
• Inventors: Carey, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/783,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004783A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/10 Constructive solid geometry [CSG] using solid primitives, e.g. cylinders, cubes

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided to interactively design custom, decorative stonework. Through the use of a computer network, a user can design stonework to aesthetically enhance property or buildings. To date, though, a user either had to possess knowledge of architecture or interact with someone who did. However, now, a person can easily choose aesthetically pleasing features based on pictures of other designs. That way, there is an at least partially automated and easily usable process and apparatus to design custom, decorative stonework, reducing overall transaction costs.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interactively designing custom, decorative stonework, comprising:

a plurality of data modules, wherein the plurality of data modules at least comprise an architectural pictures module at least having a plurality of architectural pictures, a units module, a parts module, and a profiles module;

a correlation module, wherein the correlation is at least configured to map data from the plurality of data modules;

a transfer protocol server, wherein the transfer protocol server is at least coupled to a computer network; and

an application module, wherein the application module is at least;

coupled to the transfer protocol server;

coupled to the correlation module; and

configured to interactively design custom, decorative stonework.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the correlation unit further comprises at least mapping units onto architectural pictures.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the correlation unit further comprises at least mapping parts onto architectural pictures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data modules further comprises a costs module.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the correlation unit further comprises at least mapping costs onto architectural pictures.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the application module further comprises at least having the ability to estimate costs of a user defined specification.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data modules further comprises a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing module.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the correlation unit further comprises at least mapping CAD drawings onto architectural pictures.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the application module further comprises at least having the ability to draw a user defined specification.

10. A method for interactively designing custom, decorative stonework, comprising:

accessing an application over a computer network;

selecting an architectural picture of a plurality of architectural pictures provided by the application;

at least mapping units and costs to the architectural picture;

selecting at least one architectural feature of the architectural picture;

storing the at least one architectural feature;

drawing a specification based one the at least one architectural feature; and

estimating a cost of manufacturing the decorative, custom stonework of the specification.

11. The method of claim 11, the method further comprises:

mapping a definition to the at least one architectural feature; and

displaying the definition to a user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises at least mapping at least one CAD drawing to the at least one architectural feature.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

presenting the specification and the costs to a user;

determining if a bid is requested based on the specification and the costs; and

placing an order based on the bid.

14. A computer program product for interactively designing custom, decorative stonework, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:

computer code for accessing an application over a computer network;

computer code for selecting an architectural picture of a plurality of architectural pictures provided by the application;

computer code for at least mapping units and costs to the architectural picture;

computer code for selecting at least one architectural feature of the architectural picture;

computer code for storing the at least one architectural feature;

computer code for drawing a specification based on the at least one architectural feature; and

computer code for estimating a cost of manufacturing the decorative, custom stonework of the specification.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer program product further comprises:

computer code for mapping a definition to the at least one architectural feature; and

computer code for displaying the definition to a user.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer program product further comprises computer code for at least mapping at least one CAD drawing to the at least one architectural feature.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer program product further comprises:

computer code for presenting the specification and the costs to a user;

computer code for determining if a bid is requested based on the specification and the costs; and

computer code for placing an order based on the bid.

18. A processor for interactively designing custom, decorative stonework, the processor including a computer program comprising:

computer code for accessing an application over a computer network;

computer code for selecting an architectural picture of a plurality of architectural pictures provided by the application;

computer code for at least mapping units and costs to the architectural picture;

computer code for selecting at least one architectural feature of the architectural picture;

computer code for storing the at least one architectural feature;

computer code for drawing a specification based one the at least one architectural feature; and

computer code for estimating a cost of manufacturing the decorative, custom stonework of the specification.

19. The computer code of claim 18, wherein the computer code further comprises:

computer code for mapping a definition to the at least one architectural feature; and

computer code for displaying the definition to a user.

20. The computer code of claim 18, wherein the computer code further comprises computer code for at least mapping at least one CAD drawing to the at least one architectural feature.

21. The computer code of claim 18, wherein the computer code further comprises:

computer code for presenting the specification and the costs to a user;

computer code for determining if a bid is requested based on the specification and the costs; and

computer code for placing an order based on the bid.