Systems and methods providing for remote system design
First Claim
1. A system providing for remote system design, comprising:
- a remote unit including a first data transfer device operable to allow an operator to transmit image and dimension information about a first location for a system to be installed, the remote unit further including a remote voice communicator and a display device; and
a base unit located at a second location and operable to receive the image and dimension information from the remote unit through a second data transfer device, the base unit including a base voice communicator allowing an operator of the base unit to communicate with a user of the remote voice communicator regarding the image and dimension information, the base unit further operable to transmit to the remote unit a system design generated using the image and dimension information, the system design capable of being displayed via the display device of the remote unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-way communication and data transfer system allows a field technician and a designer to work together to create a retrofit design for a flow system, make a cost estimate for the retrofit, and gather an approval from a customer all in a single visit to the customer site. The field technician can utilize a remote unit including a digital camera, data entry device, and communication device, which allows the technician to transfer images and dimension information about the existing system to a base unit. A designer can take this information from the base unit and generate a virtual design for a new system, allowing a virtual view and cost estimate to be generated for display to the customer. The technician and the designer can communicate during the process to improve the accuracy of the design and estimate.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system providing for remote system design, comprising:
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a remote unit including a first data transfer device operable to allow an operator to transmit image and dimension information about a first location for a system to be installed, the remote unit further including a remote voice communicator and a display device; and
a base unit located at a second location and operable to receive the image and dimension information from the remote unit through a second data transfer device, the base unit including a base voice communicator allowing an operator of the base unit to communicate with a user of the remote voice communicator regarding the image and dimension information, the base unit further operable to transmit to the remote unit a system design generated using the image and dimension information, the system design capable of being displayed via the display device of the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A remote unit for use in remote system design, comprising:
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an image capture device operable to capture an image of a location for a system to be designed;
a data entry device operable to allow entry of various dimensions for the location;
a data transfer device operable to provide for transmission of the image and various dimensions to a remote location, and receipt of system design information from the remote location; and
a communications device operable to provide communication between an operator of the remote unit and a user at the remote location regarding the image and various dimensions for use in generating the system design information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A base unit for use in remote system design, comprising:
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a data transfer device operable to provide for receipt from a remote unit of image and dimension information for a system to be designed;
a communications device operable to provide communication between an operator of the remote unit and a user of the base unit regarding the image and dimension information;
a design kit operable to allow the user to design the system using the image and dimension information; and
a graphics manipulation device operable to allow the user to create a virtual view of the system, the data transfer device further operable to transmit the virtual view of the system to the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of remote system design, comprising the steps of:
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gathering image and dimension information about a first location for which a system is to be designed using a remote unit;
transmitting the image and dimension information to a base unit at a second location;
establishing a verbal communication link between an operator of the remote unit and a user of the base unit in order to discuss the image and dimension information;
designing the system at the second location using the image and dimension information;
creating a virtual view of the system; and
transmitting the virtual view to the remote unit to be displayed to a potential customer for the system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of remote system design, comprising the steps of:
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gathering image and dimension information about a first location for which a system is to be designed using a remote unit;
transmitting the image and dimension information to a base unit at a second location;
communicating with a user of the base unit regarding the first location to provide any additional information about the first location;
receiving back from the base unit a virtual view for the system, as designed at the second location based upon the image and dimension information; and
displaying the virtual view and to a potential customer for the system. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method of remote system design, comprising the steps of:
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receiving image and dimension information from a remote unit for a system to be installed at a remote location;
communicating with an operator of the remote unit in order to discuss the image and dimension information;
designing a system using the image and dimension;
creating a virtual view of the system; and
transmitting the virtual view to the remote unit to be displayed to a potential customer. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium, comprising:
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a code segment including instructions for receiving image and dimension information about a first location for which a system is to be designed;
a code segment including instructions for transmitting the image and dimension information to a base unit at a second location;
a code segment including instructions for transmitting any additional information about the first location requested during communication with a user of the base unit;
a code segment including instructions for receiving back from the base unit a virtual view for the system, as designed at the second location based upon the image, dimension, and additional information; and
a code segment including instructions for displaying the virtual view.
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Specification