Totally integrated construction cost estimating, analysis, and reporting system
First Claim
1. In a totally integrated construction estimating, analysis, and reporting computer system having procedures which automatically determine, based on input parameters, individual algorithms and knowledge-based factors representative of various functional, physical, and geographic requirements of a facility, including a breakdown of materials at a facility system level which includes functional areas of primary and supporting facilities, and decreasing levels of a hierarchy down to an elemental level which includes material, labor, and equipment;
- wherein said system comprises;
manual-entry means for entering initial input parameters which include parameters indicative of the type, size and location of the facility;
knowledge base file means comprising data on functional, physical, and geographical construction requirements of the facility, and a plurality of algorithms representative of knowledge construction principles and human judgments applicable to the facility at said facility systems level, and other levels on down to the elemental level;
means for generating a model of the facility at said facility systems level and other levels on down to the elemental level including;
inference and control means using said knowledge base file means and said initial input parameters for determining a set of system parameters and default values thereof relating to the facility at a system level, with typical values being defined, means for modifying the system parameters by manual entries;
inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining subsystem parameters for a plurality of subsystems within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system parameters, means for modifying the subsystem parameters by manual entries;
inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining assembly category parameters for a plurality of assembly categories within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system and subsystem parameters, means for modifying the assembly category parameters by manual entries;
inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining assembly parameters for a plurality of assemblies within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system, subsystem and assembly category parameters, means for modifying the assembly parameters by manual entries;
inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining parameters for a plurality of line item elements within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system, subsystem, assembly category and assembly parameters, to determine material, equipment and labor inclusive in individual line items, means for modifying the parameters for the line items elements by manual entries.
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Accused Products
Abstract
CCMAS is an integrated construction cost generator which may be used to develop costs for construction projects; to analyze and estimate facilities associated with major weapons programs; for administrative, medical and support facilities as well as runway/taxiways; and for developing the life cycle costs for various construction projects. Its uses parametric estimating techniques with a finite field of both codified and unstructured data elements in a unique process which may be accomplished with or without detailed plans or specifications. The system contains more than 900 types of Air Force facilities as well as the quantities of each product required to complete each building type. Estimating tools used include direct costs, life cycle costs and modifiers. Direct costs are further broken down into generic models, a comparative system, and a quantity takeoff (QTO) system. CCMAS has been found to be three times more accurate than conventional architectural and engineering costing techniques.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a totally integrated construction estimating, analysis, and reporting computer system having procedures which automatically determine, based on input parameters, individual algorithms and knowledge-based factors representative of various functional, physical, and geographic requirements of a facility, including a breakdown of materials at a facility system level which includes functional areas of primary and supporting facilities, and decreasing levels of a hierarchy down to an elemental level which includes material, labor, and equipment;
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wherein said system comprises; manual-entry means for entering initial input parameters which include parameters indicative of the type, size and location of the facility; knowledge base file means comprising data on functional, physical, and geographical construction requirements of the facility, and a plurality of algorithms representative of knowledge construction principles and human judgments applicable to the facility at said facility systems level, and other levels on down to the elemental level; means for generating a model of the facility at said facility systems level and other levels on down to the elemental level including; inference and control means using said knowledge base file means and said initial input parameters for determining a set of system parameters and default values thereof relating to the facility at a system level, with typical values being defined, means for modifying the system parameters by manual entries; inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining subsystem parameters for a plurality of subsystems within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system parameters, means for modifying the subsystem parameters by manual entries; inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining assembly category parameters for a plurality of assembly categories within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system and subsystem parameters, means for modifying the assembly category parameters by manual entries; inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining assembly parameters for a plurality of assemblies within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system, subsystem and assembly category parameters, means for modifying the assembly parameters by manual entries; inference and control means using said knowledge base file means for determining parameters for a plurality of line item elements within the facility, as a function of said initial input parameters and said system, subsystem, assembly category and assembly parameters, to determine material, equipment and labor inclusive in individual line items, means for modifying the parameters for the line items elements by manual entries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In a totally integrated construction cost estimating, analysis, and reporting computer system having a body of procedures organized into sections and a series of modules under each section which automatically selects appropriate algorithms and factors from knowledge base tables to meet functional, physical, and geographic requirements of a total facility which includes a primary facility and associated supporting facilities organized in a work breakdown structure hierarchy;
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said system comprising; a means for adding modules to each section to enhance the overall system capability;
including means for providing for the addition of capabilities in one section which does not require modification to other sections, each section including means for automatically using the capabilities provided by any added modules in other sections;a data file means comprising historic, generic modeling and detailed cost buildup techniques;
inference and control means for selecting the historic, generic modeling, or detailed cost buildup techniques from said data file means;inference and control means using said knowledge-base file means to adjust the body of procedures and selected algorithms for functional, physical, and geographic requirements of primary and supporting facilities; inference and control means for parametrically translating functional, physical, and geographic requirements and need dates into specific systems, subsystems, assembly categories, assemblies, composites and elements necessary for construction; and a means for analyzing and reporting a facility cost estimate at the total facility, at the facility system level, at the facility subsystem level, at the assembly level; and
the elemental level. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification