Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
  • G06Q40/04—Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Definitions

• the Bid System of the invention establishes a series of "overlays" to the construction plans, in which each overlay corresponds to a different trade or bidding category of work.
• the overlay provides a representational "surface”, aligned and oriented to the plans, upon which the detail nature of the work to be performed in a particular trade or category may be precisely topologically defined.
• the work in the overlay category contained in the plans is defined and functionally segregated by establishing selected topological subdivisions or of the overlay corresponding to the locations ofthe plan elements requiring the particular category of work.
• the Bid System is compatible with conventional architectural, engineering and construction plans, drawings and specifications currently used in construction projects.
• the Bid System is also compatible with conventional CAD systems, and the system includes means for file import, export and conversion.
• the primary input to the Bid System is preferably a complete set of conventional architectural or construction drawings, preferably including any engineering notes, bills of materials, custom features, items or designs, or other specifications provided with the drawings (these documents may be referred to collectively herein as the "drawings", "plans” or “plans and specifications”).
• boxes are generally preferred for simplicity, operator convenience, and consistency with conventional building plans.
• the scale of the coordinate system may be in arbitrary units, or may adopt the scale and units of the plans.
• Reference grid scales may be superimposed on the borders of the overlay for viewer convenience, in the manner of conventional street map coordinate grids.
• each of these alternative embodiments establish in the overlay a subdivision and/or segregation ofthe plan information related to a bid category so as to permit linking to contracts, bids and other documents, but each includes alternative subdivision methodology.
• the various overlay subdivision embodiments described herein may be used alone or in combination with each other.
• Object Trace Subdivision Embodiment In an alternative embodiment of the Bid System of the invention, the work described in the plans is defined by the establishment, on each relevant overlay, of a system of trace paths covering plan elements pertinent to the corresponding trade or category. Each trace path defines a contiguous surface region of the overlay (and corresponding aligned plan sheet). Each overlay may have as many trace paths as are necessary to completely define the bid category work. Each trace path is thus a representational object on the overlay corresponding in extent and general shape to the plan element or elements.
• the method of the invention may be carried out in phases during a project timeline, defining at appropriate stages the contractual obligations, scope of work and deliverables for the various persons and entities participating, such as architects, consultants, engineers, general contractors, and subcontractors.
• the Bid System may also include inputs and outputs from or to various entities such as building code inspectors and building control services monitoring progress on behalf of lenders.
• the Bid System includes defining and generating original bids and contracts, and also generating change orders which become necessary during construction.
• the method may also include importing data and contracts for project-related contractual services not specified in conventional architectural plans, such as waste removal, security services, and the like, followed by editing, bidding, and/or archiving these contracts within the Bid System.
• the data import, interlinking, document creation, archival storage, database and communications are under control of one or more computer programs which are coded to perform the functionalities described herein.
• the data import and interlinking steps of the Bid System method also may be used to import other information for project administration and monitoring purposes ("project documents"), such as progress reports, scheduling data, building inspector punch lists, and the like.
• project documents can be subdivided and assigned overlays and/or icons by category in the manner described above with respect to source records. These icons can then be associated and interlinked with the corresponding finalized subcontracts. Reports or displays may then be generated to present contract information in functional association with other relevant project information.
• the website-based operation management function of this second Internet embodiment may comprise a referral service oriented to such parties, in effect to create a Internet-connected community of affiliates, architects, financial institutions, contractors, insurance companies and building control groups. Such parties may enter into contractual or service relationships related to the Bid System operation, and also may provide advertising support for BSSP.
• the website may host on-line training, demonstrations, tutorials and technical support for the Bid System software for the above parties.
• One or more Bid System parties or other business entities may license Bid System software (typically from a BSSP as copyright owner or re-sale distributor) to permit the party to host selected Bid System functions and method steps on a webserver operated by the secondary provider.
• Secondary provider such as an architect or project owner
• Bid System software typically from a BSSP as copyright owner or re-sale distributor
• Exhibit A ofthe Appendix is a organizational chart of preferred subcontract categories and subcategories which may be used in creating overlays of the Bid System of the invention.
• the preferred computer-based embodiment of the Bid System includes menu-based checklists to assist the operator in creating the overlays. While not all categories/subcategories shown in Exhibit A will be needed for every project, particular subcategories may be activated or deactivated from the menu list to fit the particular project plans by the computer user interface, such as by clicking subcategory "buttons" with a mouse. The operator may then create a corresponding overlay for each plan sheet related to the overlay category.
• the organized checklist menus thus reduces the time required for the operator to completely analyze the plans and establish the needed overlays.
• an overlay box to describe framing floor joists will preferably include the full length of at least two or more adjacent joists and their respective end connections, thereby depicting the center- to-center joist spacing and both end connections, without the need for "box piercing" references or notations.
• each contract sheet preferably contains notations concerning any bid money amounts corresponding to work detailed on the particular page, and the running totals of subcontract amounts based on the preceding pages, much like check stubs in a check book.
• the electronic subcontract files may include embedded tables or spreadsheet-like objects on each page which are software-linked to similar tables or objects on both preceding and following page, so that a fully current and complete running total of subcontract amounts is automatically shown each page as bid revisions and additions are being entered into the database. Examples are shown in the upper and lower right-hand corners of each page of Exhibit B.
• the judgment and decision making input ofthe operator and checking personnel during the box creation step represents a functional analysis and digestion of the plans, and is passed by interlinkage to each subcontract, and is thus available to bidding subcontractors (240 in Fig. 23) to increase the speed and accuracy of the bids.
• bidding subcontractors 240 in Fig. 23
• any comments or corrections that may be noted by subcontractors during the bidding process may be used to revise and refine the boxes of the relevant overlay, prior to the final acceptance of bids.
• Revisions or additional detail sheets may be added to the plans in an iterative interaction between the architects, contractors, sub-contractors, engineers etc., and the BSSP (see Fig. 23), if ambiguities or omission are discovered during the bidding process.
• a framing contract will typically address a large number of pieces and substructures throughout, and thus benefit from the creation of a comparatively large number of boxes. Since the exterior walls are often laid out and erected first, the operator may put boxes on each elevation plan of exterior walls, followed by interior walls. Additional boxes may be applied to framing details such as doors, windows, archways, stairs, balconies, and the like. Likewise boxes may be drawn to isolate special hardware or other structural elements for clarity.
• electrical contract work may typically be best defined by subdividing the plans into rooms, and including a checklist of hardware specific to each room, with additional boxes to show elements such as conduits, service panels, and the like.
• Fig. 9 shows the box/overlay review sub-method.
• the BSSP creates a hard copy of the overlays superimposed on plans, and transmits this to the client and/or for review.
• the BSSP may export an equivalent electronic file viewable by the client. Preferably, this is via a project webpage assigned and available on the website 300, in Fig. 23.
• the client comments and corrections to the overlays/boxes are transmitted to the BSSP. Any clarification or plan changes that the client requests of the architect and/or any changes that the client requests in the overlays and boxes may documented by the BSSP on as addendum form, which is created logged and linked in the project database. Note that the architect optionally may also review the overlays/boxes recommendations in consultation with the client at this stage (see Fig. 13 re architect plan clarifications).
• Fig. 11 shows the Contractor plans/overlays/box review sub-method.
• the BSSP creates a hardcopy ofthe plans/overlays/boxes and transmits this to the contractor for review. Any changes in the box definitions desired by the contractor or requests for clarification are transmitted to the BSSP. Any changes or clarification that the contractor requests may documented by the BSSP on as addendum form, which is created logged and linked in the project database. Additionally and optionally, the contractor requests may be reviewed and approved by the client and/or architect at this stage.
• Fig. 12 shows the box and overlay edit and modification sub-method. In this example, the BSSP modifies the boxes and overlays according to the client/architect/contractor review instructions, if needed.
• Fig. 16 shows the contractor final review and acceptance of the plans.
• the BSSP creates hardcopy of the final plans and delivers to contractor for review.
• the contractor reviews plans and overlays and either asks for further clarification (see Fig. 12) or signs statement of acceptance for this version of overlays and boxes, and returns to the BSSP.
• the acceptance is then imported logged and linked.
• the contractor acknowledges/comments on the sequence of construction for the project in the documents.
• Contractor checks subcontract documents for accuracy, adds his fee to the document, and returns documents to Bid System.
• the date is logged.
• the owner and contractor review all subcontract documents, and place signatures on completed documents, and return to the BSSP.
• Fig. 21 is a class diagram of a preferred and exemplary embodiment ofthe Bid System of the invention, which breaks down the preferred method of operation into smaller components that focus on real world objects. These exemplary objects are easily translated into computer-readable code written in conventional object-oriented programming languages, such as C++ or Java.
• the sequence diagrams of Figs. 4-20 in turn tie the objects of the class diagram of Fig. 21 with the steps shown in Table 1.
• Table 1, included in the Appendix, is a logical view chart of the exemplary objects and operations depicted in the sequence diagrams of Figs. 4-20 and the class diagram of Fig. 21, giving descriptions which set forth the properties ofthe objects.
• Fig. 22 is a diagram of a central-server remote host Internet embodiment of the Bid
• the owners/developers can determine their preferences for a design for a particular property, and the related construction requirements for that design. This is particularly useful in cases in which the owner/developer does not have a precise idea in mind for the property, e.g., property owners wanting to build their "dream home", which may be vague or incomplete in important respects in one or more substantive aspects.
• the results are communicated to the owners/developers 140, e.g., by download, e-mail, hard copy, etc., and if so designated, to their architects 160.
• the owners/developers collaborate directly 280 or via Internet, LAN or WAN 120 with their architects on designing the project, including generation of the drawings and specifications.
• the Architect submits the drawings and specifications to the bid system 100. This may be done either via the web site 300 or via e-mail 700, and preferably posts a notification on the assigned project bulletin board to the owner/developer.
• the BSSP staffer retrieves and processes the drawings/specs sent by the architect by employing the program as described above to create the boxes and overlays, in the process, noting any discrepancies and communicates them to the designated parties, e.g., owners/developers and architects, typically via e-mail.
• the winning contractor notifies its sub-contractors via e-mail, who retrieve their bid packages from memory 500 for use in performing their work.
• e-mail electronic mail
• all participants submit the required paper (hard copy) documents for scanning and storage as electronic images for future access.
• the operator or bid engineer is the mam user ofthe Bid System who will be (BSSP) responsible for the maintenance of the entire life cycle ofthe project.
• LogAUBoxesCompletedDateO Date - Log date when the bid engineer completes all boxes on all overlays Operation Or TABLE 1 - Logic Objects And Attributes
• the Icon is one of the key component of the system m that it associates the visual aspects (i.e. boxes on drawings) with the verbal aspect (i.e. contracts) ofthe project.
• SelectOverlay 0 Overlay - The ability to select an overlay
• the grid determines the coordinate system chosen for a drawing.
• BOXES The boxes represent the area of the drawing that is bid upon. This will divide and conquer the project into smaller components to create a more accurate bid.
• HARD COPY The hard copy is a print out of the drawings, overlays, boxes, contracts and other associated documents to a project.
• each such contour or "box” is linked between the Drawings, the Contracts and other project documents by a "clickable” icon shown next to the contour description below. Click icon to open view menu for box (e.g., overlay/drawing view).
• the next contour locations Box 3 are on Drawing Number A-8 at location coordinates CCF 460 to DFA 460
• the next contour locations Box 5 are on Drawing Number A-8 at location coordinates CCF 390 to DFA 390
• the next contour locations Box 7 are on Drawing Number A-8 at location coordinates GCF 460 to HJA 460

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• 2000
  • 2000-06-05 CN CN00808483A patent/CN1402856A/zh active Pending
  • 2000-06-05 JP JP2001502038A patent/JP2003521022A/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2000-06-05 EP EP00975658A patent/EP1185946A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-06-05 WO PCT/US2000/015481 patent/WO2000075837A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-06-05 AU AU54649/00A patent/AU5464900A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-06-05 CA CA002369122A patent/CA2369122C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-12-07 US US11/296,995 patent/US20060085322A1/en not_active Abandoned

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