JP2013506933A - Integration of external data in electronic construction data management - Google Patents

Abstract

  Automatic in a hierarchical manner that allows activities and / or information outside of construction data to be coordinated to retrieve activities and / or information across multiple components, subcomponents, and / or work packages within a construction project Construction and quality control systems and methods are presented that are captured and associated with each other. Among other advantages, the conceived system and method not only allows for fast and coordinated retrieval of construction records, but also allows the work package to be dynamically modified according to the associated external information. To do.

Description

  This application claims priority to the international application of international application PCT / US / 09/59705, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The field of the invention is to automatically integrate external data into construction data management to track, verify, and / or archive various parameters in very complex construction environments.

  As engineering projects grow in complexity and scale, construction management has become increasingly important to manage costs and man-hours. In addition, when quality control records and certificates are required, or when work steps or operator traceability are required, management requirements are often important, especially in the construction of nuclear facilities.

  Numerous methods and systems are known in the art to assist in scheduling, material flow, and work progress monitoring. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0171790 describes a construction simulator in which work and material flow are simulated before execution. Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0033187 describes a construction management system in which construction and construction progress are represented graphically in a three-dimensional model to help optimize work flow. doing. Yet another known method presents a workflow optimizer in which bottlenecks are identified and advice for correction is provided, as taught in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0065826. Has been. Still further, International Publication No. 2004/008306 describes RFID labeling of construction components to improve and track construction progress.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0171790 US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0033187 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0065826 International Publication No. 2004/008306

  Although most of the known systems and methods described above have at least some advantages in one or more critical areas, nevertheless, various challenges remain. For example, certain parameters related to activities and / or information that exist outside the construction data are often maintained separately and cannot be easily retrieved with the selected construction data. In addition, in all or almost all known cases, most external activities and / or information are recorded manually, thus avoiding considerable time delays and human error. Such disadvantages include when quality control and / or quality assurance activities reveal one or more critical areas or items, and where the areas or items are distributed throughout a large construction project. The case is particularly undesirable.

  As a result, systems and methods are significantly improved to record, maintain and correlate external activities and / or information, especially when external activities and / or information are relevant to construction management and quality control. There is still a need.

  The subject matter of the present invention allows a large number of construction records associated with information to be quickly retrieved in a coordinated manner, and provides a rapid update of a construction work package that includes activities or items associated with the information. To enable, it relates to systems, configurations, and methods that automatically record external activities and / or information and / or associate external activities and / or information with one or more construction records.

  In one aspect of the present subject matter, a method is envisioned that facilitates retrieving information from a plurality of construction records maintained in a construction database on a construction database server in one step. In another step, information external to the plurality of construction records is automatically obtained and each of the construction records is associated with a plant component, a plant sub-component, and / or a work package. In yet another step, information is associated with one or more construction records, for example, so that multiple construction records can be automatically retrieved using the information. A user interface is configured to allow retrieval of a plurality of construction records based on the information.

  While not limited to the subject matter of the present invention, typically the construction database is one or more including an engineering database, a component database, a work package database, an archive database, a project document and data management database, and a material manager database. It is preferable to include a (logical or physical) sub-database. In general, the automatically obtaining steps include receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and / or from a barcode reader. More preferably, the method includes receiving a signal. In most embodiments, the information external to the plurality of construction records includes at least one of construction material related data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel related data.

  Each of the construction records is associated with at least two of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package, and / or one of a number of construction records belongs to one of the plant component, the plant subcomponent, and the work package. One of the multiple construction records belongs to another of the plant component, plant subcomponent and work package, and one of the multiple construction records and the other of the multiple construction records are not the same It is further conceived that there is no. Further, the step of associating the information with the construction record preferably includes automatic import in response to an import request and / or import from a portable device.

  In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method for automatically modifying a work package, plant component, or plant subcomponent of a construction project is envisaged. A preferred method includes maintaining a plurality of construction records each associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package in a construction database on a construction database server. In another step, information external to the plurality of construction records is automatically obtained, and then the information is associated with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records. In yet another step, the work package is modified based on the information, and in another step, a user interface is provided that is configured to allow retrieval of the modified work package.

  As noted above, the construction database generally includes one or more databases including an engineering database, a component database, a work package database, an archive database, a project document and data management database, and a material manager database. . Most typically, the automatically obtaining steps include receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and a bar code Selected from the group consisting of receiving signals from the leader, and information external to multiple construction records from construction material related data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel related data Is preferably selected from the following group.

  More preferably, the step of associating information with the construction record includes automatic import in response to an import request and / or import from a mobile device.

  Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary construction database with external data integration according to the present inventive subject matter. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary work package system with external data integration according to the present inventive subject matter. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the interrelationships between various aspects within a contemplated construction database and work package system.

  The subject matter of the present invention automatically obtains external data to allow for rapid (typically post-mortem) analysis of construction data and / or rapid modification of work packages based on obtained external information. And / or systems, configurations, and methods for automatically integrating external data into a construction database and / or work package system. In particularly preferred embodiments, the information is associated with at least one construction record in real time or near real time. As a result, elements and / or states of various plant components and plant subcomponents can be easily retrieved and analyzed based on information that may be essential for plant assembly or operation but is usually not associated with a construction database Please understand that you can. Similarly, work packages can be easily identified and modified based on information that may be essential to the assembly or operation of the plant, but usually again not associated with the construction database.

  Although the following description relates to a computer / server-based construction data processing system, various alternative configurations may be suitable and may be suitable for servers, interfaces, systems, databases, or other types of computers that operate individually or jointly. Note that various computing devices may be utilized including computing devices. It should be understood that the computing device includes a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium (eg, hard drive, RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). Software instructions preferably configure a computing device to provide a role, responsibility, or another function as described below for a particular device. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces are probably based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public key exchange, web service API, known financial transaction protocols, or another electronic information exchange method. Exchange data using standard protocols or algorithms. The data exchange is preferably performed over a packet switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or another type of packet switched network.

  It should be understood that the contemplated systems and methods are particularly advantageous for relatively complex engineering contracts, particularly for nuclear facilities where the most traceability of work to be performed is required. Such requirements require a significant amount of time to manage and track the progress of such work, so the known systems so far plan and distribute the construction work accurately and economically, Often failed to manage. In addition, conventional systems have also often created errors that are particularly undesirable when verification and progress tracking records are essential for safety.

  Among other desirable features, the conceived system and method allows for automatic acquisition of data outside the construction record, and further associates (preferably automatically) external data with at least a portion of the construction record. To be able to. Thus, it is possible with minimal operator input to save considerable time in modifying work packages as well as reviewing and / or analyzing construction projects. Furthermore, analysis and information retrieval is possible with the contemplated systems and methods, even if the data or records belong to completely different components or subcomponents in the plant. For example, if the external information is information about the batch number of the defective material, the contemplated system and method can facilitate identification of all plant components, subcomponents, and work packages that contained the material. And, in addition, modifications to existing work packages can avoid or replace defective materials.

  As used herein, the term “external” in combination with the term “information” or “data” describes the structure or function of a plant component or subcomponent and / or the contents of a work package. It refers to information or data that is not an essential parameter. For example, exemplary external data or information includes material related data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and / or personnel related data (described below).

  In one aspect of the present subject matter, a method is devised that facilitates retrieving information from a plurality of construction records, wherein the construction records are maintained in a construction database on a construction database server. Most preferably, information external to the construction record is automatically obtained, and in a further preferred aspect, each of the construction records is associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package. The external information is then associated with one or more construction records so that multiple construction records can be automatically retrieved, for example using the same external information. Preferably, a user interface configured to be able to retrieve a plurality of construction records based on external information is provided.

  It should be noted that associating external information with various construction records in the construction database also advantageously allows a way to automatically modify work packages for plant components or plant subcomponents of a construction project. In a particularly preferred method, various construction records are maintained in a construction database on a construction database server, and each of the construction records is associated with a plant component, plant subcomponent, and / or work package. Next, it is particularly preferable that a work package is generated using at least a part of the construction records and information outside the plurality of construction records is automatically obtained. Once the information is obtained, the information is then associated (preferably automatically) with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records, and the work package is modified based on the information. As mentioned above, it is generally preferred that the user interface be configured and provided to allow retrieval of the modified work package.

  For example, as exemplarily depicted in FIG. 1, a construction database 100 for a large construction project (eg, a nuclear power plant) is converted into a component database 120 (typically a project documentation and data management database, materials Engineering database 110 (most typically) that is logically coupled to a manager database, a component database, a database in which tool and skill certificates and calibration information are stored, a rules database, a quality control database, and an archive database Including engineering software and related functional modules). The component database 120 is logically coupled to a work package database 130 (typically including a work package system that functionally cooperates with various modules such as quality control modules, welding modules, certificate modules). The external data 140 is automatically obtained (eg, via sensors, push notifications, network data transfer, etc.) and at least one of at least one of the engineering database 110, the component database 120, and the work package database 130. Relayed to the component.

  FIG. 2 shows that a work package system 210 is logically coupled to various databases (eg, subject attribute database, component state database, archive database, and another functional module [live progress tracking module]), respectively. 1 exemplarily depicts detailed aspects of the system of FIG. 1 including a package query / planning section, a work package generator, a work package component status section, and a work package record section. Again, external data 240 is preferably obtained automatically, and is preferably automatically associated with one or more components of the work package system and / or associated database. Of course, it should be recognized that various permutations and arrangements other than those depicted in FIG. 1 may be considered suitable for use herein. For example, the construction database may be a physically single unit with several logical subunits. Similarly, the subunits are physically separated but may be logically connected using communication protocols well known in the art. Further details and aspects of a preferred construction database and work package system are provided in our co-pending international application PCT / US / 09/59705, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment, the construction database includes a plurality of records, and all known types of construction records are considered suitable for use herein. For example, appropriate records include engineering records (eg location descriptions, functional information, interrelation of multiple parts within a building or foundation), various component records (eg material type, weld type, etc.), numerous workpieces Includes package records (eg work expected to be completed, completed work, etc.), archive records, project documentation and data records, procurement records. Of course, the construction records envisioned herein may be stored in a single database on a single server, or in multiple independent or logically connected databases on physically separate servers. Please understand that.

  Next, it is preferred that the external information be obtained automatically (but not necessarily) via a number of routes. The specific path depends at least in part on the type of external information and the origin of the external information. For example, if the external information is a vendor record, the information may be provided in an electronic format using a data structure well known in the art (eg, XML, HTML, etc.) and accessing the vendor directly. May be imported into the construction database by request from the database or by manual input. On the other hand, if the external information is a quality control record (eg, welding record, X-ray image, etc.), the record may be generated from a dedicated field input device that is logically connected to the construction database. Alternatively, using software to allow mobile devices (eg smart phones, laptops, etc.) to provide external information (eg accident pictures, safety reports, etc.) over the wireless network to provide on-site report records It may be configured. In yet another contemplated aspect, external information may also be provided from one or more environmental sensors that may be at a construction site or at a remote location (eg, provided by an on-site and weather service). Weather related data). Further, conceivable external information may be provided by one or more RFID readers or transponders, video capture devices, and / or barcode readers.

  Thus, it should be understood that the external information may be provided to the construction database in the form of a single set of data, multiple sets of data, or continuous stream data. Further, depending on the type of data source, data transfer can be uploaded using a wireless connection (eg, cellular network, WiFi network, Bluetooth, etc.), or a local or wide area network (preferably restricted usage). It should be understood that another transfer using (with USB) may be made via a standard interface connection (eg USB2, RS323, etc.). As a result, it is generally preferred that external data be obtained automatically (ie, without manual user intervention) and further automatically transferred to the construction database. However, it should be noted that in at least some examples, external information may also be obtained manually and / or manually entered into the construction database.

  Among other suitable external information, external information includes construction material related data (eg lot number, heat number, delivery date, delivery location, storage location, etc.), vendor information (eg vendor identification, vendor location, etc.) ), Tool calibration data (eg pass / fail records, calibration expiration date, calibration personnel), quality control data (eg welding inspection records, ultrasonic records, X-ray records, etc.), weather data (eg temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity) And personnel-related data (eg, worker identification information, worker qualification records, work packages assigned to a particular worker, etc.). Using such external data is particularly advantageous when each one, two or more, or all of the construction records are associated with at least two of the plant component, the plant subcomponent, and the work package.

  Viewed from a different perspective, external information may be obtained in an automated manner and / or in response to user and / or operator requests and / or associated with one or more construction records. . The request may be provided from a user, a networked computer, and / or a mobile device. Most typically, the association of external information is performed by logically associating information with one or more fields in the construction database, and more preferably with one or more fields of at least one construction record. Is called. Alternatively, external information may also be stored in a physically and / or logically separate database and then logically connected to one or more construction records in the construction database. FIG. 3 exemplarily depicts a number of associations in the contemplated system and method.

  With the associations envisioned herein, using specific external information as a query facilitates one or more plant components / subcomponents and / or work packages that are related or affected by the external information Identify. Similarly, one of the many construction records belongs to one of the plant component, plant subcomponent, and work package, and the other of the many construction records is the other of the plant component, plant subcomponent, and work package. It is generally preferred that one of the multiple construction records belongs to one and the other of the multiple construction records is not the same. Thus, when data is associated with different components, subcomponents and / or work packages, essentially different records can be easily retrieved using external data.

  Thus, specific configurations and methods for integrating external data in electronic construction data management have been disclosed. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present invention should not be limited except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” refer to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, and the referenced element, component, or step is present, It should be construed as indicating that it may be used in combination with another element, component, or step that is not explicitly referenced. Further, if a definition or use of a term in a reference incorporated herein by reference does not match or contradicts the definition of that term provided herein, that provided herein The definition of the term applies and the definition of that term by reference does not apply.

Claims (15)

It is a method that makes it easy to extract information from multiple construction records,
Maintaining multiple construction records in the construction database on the construction database server;
Automatically obtaining information external to a plurality of construction records each associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package;
Associating information with at least one construction record of a plurality of construction records in a manner that allows information to be used to automatically retrieve a number of construction records;
Providing a user interface configured to allow retrieval of a plurality of construction records based on the information.   The method of claim 1, wherein the construction database includes a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records.   The steps of automatically obtaining include receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a barcode reader The method of claim 1, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of:   The method of claim 1, wherein information external to the plurality of construction records is selected from the group consisting of construction material related data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel related data.   The method of claim 1, wherein each of the construction records is associated with at least two of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package.   One of the many construction records belongs to one of the plant component, plant subcomponent and work package, the other one of the many construction records belongs to one of the plant component, plant subcomponent and work package, 6. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the multiple construction records and another of the multiple construction records are not the same.   One of the many construction records belongs to one of the plant component, plant subcomponent and work package, the other one of the many construction records belongs to one of the plant component, plant subcomponent and work package, The method of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of construction records and another of the plurality of construction records are not the same.   The method of claim 1, wherein associating the information with at least one construction record includes an automatic import in response to an import request.   The method of claim 1, wherein associating the information with at least one construction record includes importing from a mobile device. A method for automatically correcting work packages, plant components, or plant subcomponents of construction projects,
Maintaining a plurality of construction records, each associated with at least one of a plant component, a plant subcomponent, and a work package, in a construction database on a construction database server;
Automatically obtaining external information of multiple construction records;
Associating information with at least one construction record of the plurality of construction records;
Modifying the work package based on the information;
Providing a user interface configured to allow retrieval of the modified work package.   The method of claim 10, wherein the construction database includes a plurality of records selected from the group consisting of engineering records, component records, work package records, archive records, project document and data records, and procurement records.   The steps of automatically obtaining include receiving a vendor record, receiving a quality control record, receiving a field report record, receiving data from an environmental sensor, receiving an RFID signal, and receiving a signal from a barcode reader The method of claim 10, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of:   The method of claim 10, wherein information external to the plurality of construction records is selected from the group consisting of construction material related data, vendor information, tool calibration data, quality control data, weather data, and personnel related data.   The method of claim 10, wherein associating the information with the at least one construction record includes an automatic import in response to the import request.   The method of claim 10, wherein associating the information with at least one construction record comprises importing from a mobile device.

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