Methods and apparatus for system and device design

• US 6,868,370 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Woolner, John, Garofalo, Barry, Burbridge, David, Steffen, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US09/574,564
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: 703/1, 703/22, 709/101, 709/102, 709/202, 700/83, 700/286, 706/46, 345/441, 702/184, 707/102
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A system includes a database stored on a server utilized for collecting information throughout a plant and/or component design process. The system provides access to engineering data for all parties simultaneously, even if team members are in different parts of the world and allows changes and/or corrections to engineering documents through remote access. The system also is robust enough to handle large volumes of documents and users.

Claims

1. A method for system design of a plant using a web-based system including a server and at least one device connected to the server via a network, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving application data from a user via the device;

integrating the received data into a database;

utilizing the integrated data to monitor design activities;

collecting monitored design activity data;

displaying the collected data through a web interface to a person; and

red-lining a drawing over the network by executing a computer program, the drawing pertaining to the plant.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the step of receiving data related to the design of the plant.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the steps of:

gathering engineering data and information from multiple phases of design project;

utilizing the gathered data and information to make decisions regarding construction of the plant; and

assessing needs and opportunities of the plant design to improve management of the plant construction project.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the step of receiving application data via a network.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the step of receiving application data via at least one of a WAN, a LAN, an intranet, and the Internet.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the steps of:

receiving login information from the user;

receiving a project selection from the user; and

determining a functionality available to the user and information the user can view based on a user level permission provided to the user.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the step of receiving red-lined drawings from the user.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of integrating the received data into a database comprises the step of storing project data on a server remote from the system.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a site administration command; and

transmitting a site administration page to the user for selection of one of an edit news block, an edit safety message block, and edit project team block, and an edit contact block.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data from a user comprises the step of receiving application data from a team member.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprises the step of creating a team member by:

creating an application user in the system; and

assigning the team member to a project.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying a list of design issues.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of displaying the collected data comprises the step of limiting access to the collected data in accordance with permissions given to the user.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of receiving application data comprises the step of receiving information pertaining to concept, scope, pre-engineering, detailed engineering, and construction of the plant.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of utilizing the information for designing the plant.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of displaying the collected data comprises the step of displaying a project schedule, a phone list, an organizational chart, an executive summary, meeting minutes, and progress reports.

17. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling drawings, including redlined drawings, to be created.

18. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said red-lining a drawing pertaining to the plant includes red-lining the drawing by executing a Java program.

19. A system for design of a plant, said system comprising:

a device; and

a server connected to said device and configured to receive plant application information data from a user via said device, utilize the application information data to monitor design activities, collect monitored design activity data, and display information obtained from monitoring the design activities through a web interface to a user, and red-line a drawing pertaining to the plant when the drawing is viewed over a network.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to receive data related to the design of the plant during construction of the plant.

21. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to integrate the received information into a database.

22. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to track and provide notices regarding plant progress.

23. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to:

gather engineering data and information from multiple phases of a project;

utilize the gathered data and information to make decisions regarding construction of the plant; and

assess needs and opportunities of the plant design to improve management of the plant construction project.

24. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to:

receive login information from the user;

receive a project selection from the user; and

determine a functionality available to the user and information the user can view based on a user level permission provided to the user.

25. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to receive red-lined drawings from the user.

26. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to store project data on a server remote from the system.

27. A system in accordance with claim 19 further configured to:

receive a site administration command; and

transmit a site administration page to the user for selection of one of an edit news block, an edit safety message block, an edit project team block, and an edit contact block.

28. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to receive application data from a team member.

29. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to limit access to the collected data in accordance with permissions given to the user.

30. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said server further configured to receive information pertaining to concept, scope, pre-engineering, detailed engineering, and construction of the plant.

31. A system in accordance with claim 19 further configured to utilize information for designing the plant.