Automated system for assisting the architectural process

• US 20060010081A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Visions Computer Imaging Systems Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Visions Computer Imaging Systems Ltd.
• Inventors: Williams, Charles W.
• Application Number:
  US11/184,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20060010081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

There is disclosed an automated system for assisting the architectural process on an open-network. The system may include a data entry means for user-selected project features and at least one catalogue database from which the user-selected feature is identified. The system may further incorporate filtering means for providing a graphical interface with filtered data associated with a user-selected feature, at least one user database which stores a unique identifier of the user-selected feature, automated selection means for incorporating data associated with the user-selected feature into at least one document, and generation means for creating an architectural document, such as a specification, detail, or schedule. The system may include at least one remote catalogue database from which the user-selected feature is identified. Included are tracking the architectural process, querying a user database or a group of user databases, and generating Industry Foundation Class tags for industry compatibility searching.

Claims

1. A method for automating preparation of an architectural contractual document including aspects of a detail portion, specification portion and schedule portion, the method comprising:

maintaining a library database populated with a plurality of architectural members, each of the plurality having associated database entries for schedule, vendor catalog, drawing detail, and specification;

graphically interacting with a user to compile a user database of selected ones of the plurality of architectural members; and

producing a selected aspect of an architectural contractual document with reference to the user database.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the produced selected aspect to the user; and

interactively receiving user edits of the produced selected aspect to produce a final aspect.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

saving the final aspect in response to a user selection in a selected characterization selected from a group consisting of per project, per project type, and per office standard.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving and tracking a user flagging designation for a data entry item of the user database.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

generating a report segregated by flagging designation including data selected from a group consisting of a data entry item, identification of a user who flagged the data entry item, date information associated with the flagging designation, and a closure status of the flagging designation.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein each data entry item is hierarchically arranged and a flagging of a subservient data entry item flags higher levels of the hierarchy.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising saving a current user database as a data entry template.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein saving the current user database as the data entry template comprises selecting to save from a group consisting of saving as edits per project, saving as edits per project type, and saving as edits per office standard.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the selected aspect of an architectural contractual document with reference to the user database further comprises generating a product material data description in a selected one of the aspects of the specification and the schedule.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the selected aspect of an architectural contractual document with reference to the user database comprises generating a spreadsheet, and responding to a user command to hide a selected column in the spreadsheet.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising interactively generating a data entry form layout associated with the user database.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

in response to a user selection for creating a new worksheet, receiving content labels from the user for the new worksheet.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising globally performing a unit conversion of a user database in response to a user command.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising tracking a current user identification and date/time for modifications to the user database.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory;

a program contained in memory for automating preparation of an architectural contractual document, the program operatively configured to maintain a library database populated with a plurality of architectural members, each of the plurality having associated database entries for schedule, vendor catalog, drawing detail, and specification, to graphically interact with a user to compile a user database of selected ones of the plurality of architectural members, and to produce a selected aspect of an architectural contractual document with reference to the user database.

16. A program product, comprising:

a program for automating preparation of an architectural contractual document, the program operatively configured to maintain a library database populated with a plurality of architectural members, each of the plurality having associated database entries for schedule, vendor catalog, drawing detail, and specification, to graphically interact with a user to compile a user database of selected ones of the plurality of architectural members, and to produce a selected aspect of an architectural contractual document with reference to the user database; and

a signal bearing media bearing the program.

17. The program product of claim 16, wherein the signal bearing media includes transmission type media.

18. The program product of claim 16, wherein the signal bearing media includes recordable media.