Systems and methods for evaluating building materials
First Claim
1. A method for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid, the method employing a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, the method comprising:
- entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a first item on the drawing;
entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a second item on the drawing;
the processor selecting a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics, wherein the fitting is selected from a group of fittings consisting of fittings accommodating a change in dimension between the two items, fittings accommodating a chance in direction between the two items, and fittings accommodating the connection of one or more additional items to the two items; and
producing a bid amount based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item, and the fitting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods which assist a contractor in producing a competitive bid proposal. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid. To produce the bid, the method relies upon a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device. According to the method, at least one characteristic of a first and a second item on the drawing are entered into the processor. The processor then selects a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics. A bid amount is then produced based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item and the fitting.
72 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid, the method employing a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, the method comprising:
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entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a first item on the drawing; entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a second item on the drawing; the processor selecting a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics, wherein the fitting is selected from a group of fittings consisting of fittings accommodating a change in dimension between the two items, fittings accommodating a chance in direction between the two items, and fittings accommodating the connection of one or more additional items to the two items; and producing a bid amount based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item, and the fitting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for estimating building materials needed for a project from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the project, the method employing a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, the method comprising:
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entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a first item on the drawing; entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a second item on the drawing; the processor selecting a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics, wherein the fitting is selected from a group of fittings consisting of fittings accommodating a change in dimension between the two items, fittings accommodating a chance in direction between the two items, and fittings accommodating the connection of one or more additional items to the two items; and displaying in real time on the display screen an image representative of the first and the second items. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. An estimating system, comprising:
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at least one drawing having various items to be included within an estimate; and a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, wherein the entry device may be employed to transfer information identifying characteristics of the various items from the drawing to the processor; wherein said processor selects a fitting for connecting at least two items which have been entered into the processor, wherein the fitting is selected from a group of fittings consisting of fittings accommodating a change in dimension between the two items, fittings accommodating a change in direction between the two items, and fittings accommodating the connection of one or more additional items to the two items. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A computer program product for generating fittings which connect a plurality of items, comprising:
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computer code that receives as input a first set of instructions, said first set of instructions including a characteristic of at least two items which are to be connected; computer code that generates a fitting to join said at least two items based on said first set of instructions, wherein the fitting is selected from a group of fittings consisting of fittings accommodating a chance in dimension between the two items, fittings accommodating a chance in direction between the two items, and fittings accommodating the connection of one or more additional items to the two items; and a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
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50. A method for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid, the method employing a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, the method comprising:
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entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a first item on the drawing; entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a second item on the drawing; the processor selecting a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics; producing a bid amount based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item, and the fitting; and determining peripherals needed to install the items in a building, wherein the peripherals are selected from the group of peripherals consisting of connectors, hangers, liners, treatments, and insulation.
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51. A method for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid, wherein the items are selected from a group of items consisting of ducts, pipes, electrical conduits, cables, walls, trenching, fencing, and curb and gutter, the method employing a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, the method comprising:
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entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a first item on the drawing; entering into the processor at least one characteristic of a second item on the drawing; the processor selecting a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics; producing a bid amount based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item, and the fitting.
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52. An estimating system, comprising:
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at least one drawing having various items to be included within an estimate; and a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, wherein the entry device may be employed to transfer information identifying characteristics of the various items from the drawing to the processor; wherein said processor selects a fitting for connecting at least two items which have been entered into the processor, and wherein the processor causes indicators to be displayed on the display screen at locations where other fittings are to be included.
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53. An estimating system, comprising:
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at least one drawing having various items to be included within an estimate; and a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, wherein the entry device may be employed to transfer information identifying characteristics of the various items from the drawing to the processor; wherein said processor selects a fitting for connecting at least two items which have been entered into the processor, and wherein the processor selects a modified fitting upon receiving an entry of information indicating that a third item is to be joined to the fitting.
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54. An estimating system, comprising:
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at least one drawing having various items to be included within an estimate; and a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, wherein the entry device may be employed to transfer information identifying characteristics of the various items from the drawing to the processor; wherein said processor selects a fitting for connecting at least two items which have been entered into the processor, and wherein the items are selected from a group of items consisting of ducts, pipes, electrical conduits, cables, and walls.
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55. An estimating system, comprising:
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at least one drawing having various items to be included within an estimate; and a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device, wherein the entry device may be employed to transfer information identifying characteristics of the various items from the drawing to the processor; wherein said processor selects a fitting for connecting at least two items which have been entered into the processor, wherein the processor selects the fitting from a list of fittings that are stored in the computer based at least in part on the shape and the size of the items to be attached.
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Specification