WO2019144200A1

WO2019144200A1 - Build planning and approval system, building permit application process system and digital interfaces therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2019144200A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/050062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas James Young
Original assignee: UDrew Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-29
Filing date: 2019-01-29
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Also published as: AU2019210711A1

Abstract

Process and system for obtaining compliance to building rules and authorisation to erect a structure on a plot of land. A graphical display has a plurality of screen areas and pictorial representations of a structure to be erected onsite. The pictorial representations are user manipulated between the screen areas for determination of allowability within local planning rules. The computer system has a processor for generating a plot/site plan, selection of the structure/material types; a comparator comparing at least one selected structure/material type with at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter (e.g. wind region, geology, coastal zone); and the computer system showing on the graphical display an indication of whether the selected structure/material type is permitted or not at the site based on the at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter, and provides an iterative loop to vary the structural/material types until approval is given.

Description

BUILD PLANNING AND APPROVAL SYSTEM, BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS SYSTEM AND DIGITAL INTERFACES THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a system, apparatus and/or method for build planning and approval.

[0002] The present invention is applicable to seeking approval from an authority, such as a regulatory or government agency or entity, for constructing or installing a structure at a site.

[0003] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to means for generating, preparing and submitting applications and structure plans for building approval and construction/installation purposes at a site.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0004] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0005] Most buildings or other structures to be erected or installed on site, such as on a plot of bare or occupied land or any renovation of an established building, structure or previously built on site, require a building permit.

[0006] On very few occasion a building approval (such as a permit or other authorisation, such as from a local government authority) is not required; these occasions are when construction, installation or renovation meet very specific guidelines allowing a land owner or other authorised person to erect or install a structure or conduct a renovation of their established structure or site without seeking approval of their recognised building approval authority, which is often a local council authority.

[0007] Building approval/permit applications are typically approved by government or other local authority entities. Particular examples of government entities that approve building permits are town or city councils, or state/county based councils.

[0008] Councils include within their staff specialized officers in a variety of departments for reviewing building permit applications and, if applicable, for approval of the application.

[0009] Currently, prosecution of the majority of building permit applications are cumbersome, time consuming and expensive. This is true for the applicant seeking approval of building permit, as well as for the authorising officer reviewing the application and any associated trades, contractors or professionals whom may be involved.

[0010] For seeking authorisation (such as a building permit) for erecting building structures onto a plot of land or for conducting renovations of existing building structures, the land owner initially prepares or has prepared by a qualified professional, for example, a set of drawings of the building structure or renovation that the land owners wishes to construct, along with a variety of documents specifying details of the plot of land the structure is proposed to be constructed upon. Typically, due to the land owner being unaware of the regulations defined for erecting building structures or for conducting renovations the drawings prepared by the landowner will need numerous modifications with numerous consults with various professionals and the council officers to ensure that the construction meets the council, engineering or other construction requirements. Typically, the process of liaising with the council office and other professionals in order amend the drawings is a frustrating task.

[001 1 ] After submission of the building permit application a council officer will have to thoroughly review the application to establish whether it meets the numerous requirements set by the city council and engineering parameters and construction standards. This is a time-consuming task because typically it requires several discussions between the land owner, the council officer and numerous professionals. The process of reviewing the application may also involve site visits from the council officer and even under circumstances engagement of surveyors, engineers or tradesman or other professionals to confirm whether the particular plot of land is subject to particular conditions that would allow construction of the particular building structure or conduct the particular renovation outlined in the application.

[0012] The above mentioned deficiencies of the building permit application process put stress on the financial resources of the both parties (the land owner and the council) as well as on the business relationship between the land owner and their particular council.

[0013] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer system to provide a graphical display including a plurality of screen areas and pictorial representations of at least one improvement to be erected or constructed at a site, the pictorial representations being displayed as icons for drag and drop manipulation by a user of the computer system between the screen areas for determining the suitability of erecting, installing or constructing the improvement at the site in response to the manipulation of the icons, the computer system comprising: at least one processor for generating a plan of the site at which the improvement is to be erect, installed or constructed; at least one selection of structure and/or material types to be used for erection, installation or construction a the site; at least one comparator arranged and configured to compare at least one selected structure and/or material type with at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter; and the computer system showing on the graphical display an indication of whether the selected at least one structure or material type is permitted or is not permitted at the site based on the at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter.

[0015] Preferably, data for use by the at least one processor is stored in at least one storage device, such as at least one digital memory device (e.g. a hard disc drive (HDD) or solid state memory device (SSD)).

[0016] The computer system may include at least one data storage device for storing one or more of data associated with the improvement, data associated with back end parameters that impose limitations to the type of improvement that may be erected, installed or constructed on the site, site geographical location and/or orientation information, images of the site provided by a satellite system and/or manned or unmanned flying craft, information provided by the user. [0017] The computer system may include a computer processor for executing program instructions and for retrieving at least some of the data stored in the at least one data storage device.

[0018] Preferably the graphical display includes providing at least one positioning indicator for showing whether an intended position of the structure or material is permitted or not permitted based on the at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter.

[0019] Preferably the at least one positioning indicator includes a colour variation to identify a difference between allowed and not allowed positioning of the structure or material at the site or that the intended position is within or outside of the permitted parameter(s).

[0020] Preferably the at least one parameter is set by a governing authority or regulatory body.

[0021 ] Preferably the computer system has access to an inventory of allowed structural components and/or materials. For example, data identifying structural components and/or materials meeting structural requirements can be stored electronically and made available to the computer system.

[0022] One or more representations or identifiers of structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials may be electronically stored for repeat display on the graphical display. For example, if multiple structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials are required for display, the computer system can replicate the same structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials from those stored without having to recreate each time.

[0023] Predefined and/or pre-approved structures may be stored in a storage device for preapproved application to a display of the site on the graphical display providing clearances and any other required spatial parameters are met, such as clearances to boundaries, overhangs, over lap with other structures, distance to utility supply sites, such as power poles, water supply taps, electrical cabinets, drains etc.

[0024] The computer system may include a computing means in communication with the computer processor, for storing program instructions for execution by the computer processor to do one of or any combination of two or more of: graphically display a screen area to be for permitting the user to provide user information and details of the site to the computer processor and storing the user information and the details of the site in the at least one data storage device; retrieve data from the at least one data storage device to graphically display an image associated with the site in a second screen area; determine particular conditions prevailing at the site; retrieve data from the at least one data storage device and graphically display another screen area for permitting the user to select pictorial representations stored in the at least one data storage device of the Improvement and to customise the Improvement by selecting type of materials and additional options stored in the at least one data storage device retrieved from the at least one data storage device; graphically display one or more icons associated with at least one the pictorial representation of the selected improvement in a first screen area; retrieve the back end parameters from the at least one data storage device and determining the limitations imposed on the Improvement selected by the user if the Improvement is to be erected, installed or constructed at particular locations of the site; graphically display on the second screen area including the image of the site, the areas where the erection, installation or construction of the improvement is not permitted; receive from the user a graphical indication that the icon or icons representative of the improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area; provide an indication to the user whether the improvement can be located at a particular location of the site during the user’s action of indicating to the computer processor that the icon representative of the improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area; and permit the user to place the icon on a particular location of the pictorial representation of the site; this particular location being representative of the particular location on the site where it is suitable to erect, install or construct the improvement.

[0025] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to interact with a user through a remote user device.

[0026] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to interact with third parties such as professionals and traders through a remote user device.

[0027] Preferably, the remote user device may comprise PC, laptops or mobile phones. [0028] Preferably, the computer system further comprises a number of data storage devices. For example, a data storage device may be provided for storing data related to the third parties.

[0029] Preferably, the computer system further comprises means for printing hard copies of the building plans to be generated by the system.

[0030] Preferably, the indication provided to the user by the system of where within the plot of land an improvement may be erected comprises generating within the second screen area including the image of the plot of land of at least a first area and at least a second area.

[0031 ] Preferably, the areas may include different shading to differentiate the areas from each other and from other areas of the plot of land.

[0032] Preferably, the first area indicates to the user the particular surface area of the plot of land where the improvement may be erected in order for approval of the building permit application to occur; the second area indicates to the user the particular surface area of the plot of land where erection of the improvement will most probably not be approved.

[0033] Preferably, the computer processor is adapted to generate the first and second areas based on the council regulations forming part of the back end parameters and stored in the second data storage device.

[0034] Preferably, the computer processor is adapted to provide an indication to the user at which location of the first area the pictorial representation of the improvement may be located in order to gain approval for the building permit application. [0035] Preferably, the graphical indication that the icon representative of the Improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area comprises a graphical drag-and-drop indication. This type of indication is used for fixed symmetrical design type improvements.

[0036] Preferably, the computer processor is adapted to vary particular characteristics of the icon of the improvement as the user drags the icon over the second screen area.

[0037] Preferably, the particular characteristics may be varying the colour of the pictorial representation or generating particular signs on the pictorial representation.

[0038] Preferably, if the icon is being dragged by the user to a location being spaced apart a particular distance from the boundary of the plot of land or any building structure the computer processor may colour the icon for example red if the particular distance is less than the prescribed distance between building structures and boundaries as set by the council regulations; by displacing the icon such that the distance between boundary of the plot of land or any building structure would be allowable for erecting the building structure, the computer processor may colour the icon for example green to indicate that approval is probable.

[0039] Preferably, the computer system may receive an indication from the user that the pictorial representation of the improvement is to be depicted at a particular location of the image of the plot of land.

[0040] Preferably, the user might click on the icon representing the pictorial representation of the improvement to drag the icon to a particular location within the image of the plot of land and at that particular location, the user may drop the icon. In this manner, the image of the plot of land may include the pictorial representation of the improvement permitting generation of the building plans for submission with the building permit application.

[0041 ] In an alternative arrangement, indication from the user that the pictorial representation of the improvement is to be depicted at a particular location of the image of the plot of land may comprise selecting the particular improvement to be located with the second screen area and subsequently clicking on one or more locations of the screen are to indicate to the computer processor the locations where the particular improvement should be located. This type of indication is used for continuous, multi-geometric, Double-Symmetrical, segmented design type improvements such as fence, walls, roof structures among others.

[0042] Preferably, the extension of the continuous design type improvements is indicated to the computer by clicking at the starting points and at the end points of the continuous design type improvements

[0043] Preferably, the computer processor generates the image associated with the plot of land by superposing a plurality of map layers.

[0044] Preferably, each map layer displays a particular GIS data.

[0045] Preferably, the map layers include streams and lakes water body’s, ground water, subterraneous and surface geology, surface terrain and topography, roads, political boundaries, parcels, building footprints, utility lines, GPS, Northerly directions and ortho-photo imagery.

[0046] Preferably, the map layers are drawn in particular order for generating the image of the plot of land.

[0047] Preferably, the map layers may be toggled by the user. [0048] Preferably, the computer processor may interact with the user for locate pictorial representation of building structures or renovations that are located on the actual plot of land but are not depicted in the image of the plot of land shown in the second screen area.

[0049] Preferably, the selection of the pictorial representations of the Improvement and to customise the Improvement is done via drop down lists shown pictorial representations of the improvements and additional options that may be selected by the user.

[0050] Preferably, the computer system graphically displays a further screen area including mandatory or optional fields to be filled out by the user with information related to the improvement and additional options selected.

[0051 ] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to provide the option of seeking approval for multiple different structures within the one building permit application.

[0052] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to insert a“self provided” structure.

[0053] Preferably, the user may use a pre-designed particular structure externally, and choose to upload and insert the pictorial representation of this structure in the first screen area.

[0054] Preferably, the particular conditions prevailing on the plot of land comprise Wind Regions, Corrosion Classification, Soil Type and Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL) Identification. [0055] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to generate building plans and a building permit application and subsequently submitting online the building plans and a building permit application to the regulatory body.

[0056] Preferably, the computer system is adapted to approve the building permit application.

[0057] In an alternative arrangement, the computer system may provide hard copies of the building permit application or submit the building application for a manual approval process to occur for approving the building permit application.

[0058] Preferably, the computer processor is adapted to provide a project management tool for providing an overview to the user of the construction process of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land.

[0059] One or more forms of the present invention may include assessing site properties and structure properties for use in determining allowability of erection of a structure at the site.

[0060] Structural properties may include type of structure (fence, shed, gazebo, patio, retaining wall, driveway etc.), type of materials (paving/slabs, wooden/concrete, fibreboard, steel fence panels, piers/footings, height of structure).

[0061 ] Site properties may include coastal proximity (such as for wind and corrosion considerations), wind region (such as tropical/storm regions), geology (e.g. soil types, drainage, rainfall etc.)

[0062] The site and structural properties/parameters are used by the system/methodology to determine a‘moment of resistance’ of the structure. That is, the typical wind load within a region in view of the soil type and rainfall to determine the expected effect of those environmental and geological factors relative to that type of structure. This is also checked against building codes for the site locality.

[0063] If the proposed structure and any related footings/foundations do not meet the requirements for that site locality, the parameters are reassessed, such as incrementing the concrete footing size and/or steel supports for/of the structure, and rechecking against building codes.

[0064] Once the structure properties and the site properties fall within building codes for that site locality, a‘pass’ indicator can be presented to the user, and optionally a request for a building permit may be submitted to the local authority to issue the building permit or the system may give automatic building compliance/permit authorisation where enabled by the local authority. Thus, the system and method may provide automatic building approval based on the‘pass’ assessment of the structural and site parameters against the building codes..

[0065] The structure variable may be used to depict a representation of the structure on the screen, and may be used to determine the amounts and types of materials, such as to create a‘pick list’ of materials.

[0066] One or more of the parameters may be varied until the structure meets the relevant building codes for that location in light of the environmental and geological factors.

[0067] An example of structure parameters and site parameters assessed by the system/methodology is provided by Tables 1 , 2A and 2B below: TABLE 1

TABLE 2A

TABLE 2B

[0068] Table 1 provides, by way of example, values for assessment of the structural requirements/parameters and site requirements/parameters. In this example, a fence structure is provided. However, this example is not to be taken as limiting the generality of the present invention.

[0069] Tables 2A and 2B provide ‘moment of resistance’ assessments for respective fence sections A-B and B-C determined by the system/method of the present invention structural and site parameters.

[0070] If the moment of resistance determination meets local authority requirements for that site, the structure is a‘pass’ and the build permit could be issued.

[0071 ] If the ‘moment of resistance’ assessment is a fail, the structural requirements/parameters, such as the piers, can be revaluated using an increased dimension/parameter until the structure becomes a ‘pass’ and the building permit can be issued. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention.

[0073] It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0074] Figure 1 a illustrates a particular arrangement of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for preparing and submitting applications for approval of building permits;

[0075] Figure 1 b illustrates a web browser displaying the graphical interface of the system to permit interaction between the system and the user of the system;

[0076] Figure 1 c illustrates a block diagram of particular arrangement of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for preparing and submitting applications for approval of building permits;

[0077] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart outlining a particular arrangement of the building approval system to be conducted by the system shown in figure 1 a;

[0078] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps for input of user and plot details of the building approval system shown in figure 1 ;

[0079] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps for determining the bushfire attack level of a particular site, such as a plot of land; [0080] Figure 5 shows a detail of a graphical user interface of a communication device of the owner of the plot of land for which building approval is requested;

[0081 ] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps for generating a pictorial representation of the improvement subject to the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0082] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps for defining the Engineering and Council Parameters of the construction type subject to the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0083] Figure 8 illustrates a particular back-end table used during the process of calculating the Engineering and Council Parameters used for the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0084] Figure 9 illustrates a spread sheet used for calculating the Engineering and Council Parameters of a Gazebo Roof Member used for the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0085] Figure 10 illustrates a spread sheet used for calculating the Engineering and Council Parameters of the Footings used for the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0086] Figure 1 1 illustrates a particular table showing a particular group of parameters which may be used during the process of calculating the Engineering and Council Parameters for establishing at which location within the particular plot of land a particular structure may be erected to gain automatic building approval using the system shown in figure 1 c; [0087] Figure 12 shows a particular view of a graphical user interface during the process of inserting onto an image of the plot of land of a pictorial representation of a particular gazebo structure for which approval is sought using the system shown in figure 1 c;

[0088] Figure 13 shows a particular view of a graphical user interface during the process of inserting onto a representation of the plot of land of a particular fence structure for which approval is sought using the system shown in figure 1 c;

[0089] Figure 14 shows a particular view of a graphical user interface during the process of inserting onto a representation of the plot of land of a pictorial representation of particular roof construction or extension for which approval is sought using the system shown in figure 1 c;

[0090] Figure 15 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps for issuance of the drawings and application form of the construction type subject to the building approval system shown in figure 1 c;

[0091 ] Figure 16 shows a particular view of a graphical user interface depicting the generated layout of a building plan for a front fence for which approval is sought using the system shown in figure 1 c;

[0092] Figures 17a and 17b show the process of generating the images of a particular component of a fence structure for which approval is sought using the system shown in figure 1 c;

[0093] Figure 18 shows the process of generating the images of a fence structure based on the particular components, and positioned to suit any offsets by boundaries or structure breaks, shown in figures 17b; [0094] Figure 19 shows the images of the top view (Layout) and side view (Elevation) of a fence structure based on the particular components shown in figures 17b;

[0095] Figures 20 to 22 illustrates the process of selecting which algorithm is utilised for generating the drawings of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land based on its design type; and

[0096] Figure 23 shows an example of a particular arrangement of an interactive calendar of project management tool of the system shown in figure 1 a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0097] The present invention comprises a system 10 for enabling individuals (users) to generate building permit applications for particular improvements to be erected on plot of lands. The term Improvements includes any construction (such as erection of building structures or renovations of existing building structures) to be undertaken on plots of land.

[0098] The system 10 also includes the option for submitting the building permit applications and plans generated by the system 10 to the respective council for approval of erection of the improvements at a particular plot of land 14.

[0099] Further, the system 10 is adapted set up a project management plan for control of the construction process of the improvement enabling users to interact with contractors for constructing the corresponding building structures.

[00100] The system will not only generate and submit accurate building plans to scale with elevations and council approval forms, but will also include options for the client to have all building materials locally sourced and delivered direct to the plot of land for a“do-it-yourself” build, including building guides. Alternatively, there may be the option to recruit, through an online directory, qualified tradespersons and professionals to undertake construction of the improvement.

[00101] The system 10 will significantly decrease turn-around times and costs, stress, reduced red tape and confusion, while giving the user full control of their own project from start to finish all in one place, with more efficiency and accuracy than ever before, eliminating potential human error and streamlining the process.

[00102] Referring now to figures 1 a to 1 c.

[00103] The invention relates to a system 10 comprising a council approval platform 12 (also referred to as Council Approval, document submission and Plans issue Platform) for preparing an application to request a permit for constructing an improvement on a plot of land 14. The improvement may include for example, the erection of a particular building structure on the plot of land 14 or for expanding and/or renovating an established building structure 18 already erected on the plot of land 14.

[00104] Figure 1 a shows a particular arrangement of a system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 10 comprises the council approval platform 12 that is adapted to interact with the users as well as with third parties such as suppliers or contractors.

[00105] In a particular arrangement, the council approval platform 12 comprises a computer processor, such as one or more commercially available Central Processing Units (CPUs) in the form of one-chip microprocessors, coupled to a communication device configured to communicate via a communication network. The communication device may be used to communicate, for example, with one or more remote user devices 13 and 28. The council approval platform 12 further includes an input device (for example, a mouse and/or keyboard to enter the back end tables and other parameters) and an output device (for example, a computer monitor to display reports and/or aggregated results to an administrator and permit the administrator to manage and control the council approval platform 12).

[00106] Further, the system 10 includes computing means (such as remote user and third party devices 13 and 28) having data sharing software program installed and/or directly integrated within the system. The computing means comprise electronic devices that include desktops, laptops, and servers. The computing means each include CPU, operating system, RAM, ROM storage and TCP/IP adapter card. Computing means are each coupled to input and output (I/O) devices through an I/O interface. The I/O interface includes any system for exchanging information to or from an external device. I/O devices include any known type of external device such as a display device (e.g., monitor), keyboard, mouse devices, printer, speakers, handheld device, facsimile, microphone, or webcam.

[00107] Further, the system 10 comprises a computing means such at least one server 16 including database farms. The data base farms store information required for the system 10 to generate the building permit application for submission to the council for approval. As will be explained with reference to the method of operation of the system 10, the information stored in the database farms may include (1 ) parameters for determining viability of the improvement at that particular plot of land 14 - these parameters are referred to as back end parameters, and (2) information provided by the third parties for the provision of services and building materials for construction of the improvement - these parameters are referred to as third party information.

[00108] The server(s) 16 may be associated and/or communicated with further servers 20. These servers 20 may provide all or part of the back end parameters to be used by the system 10 for generation of the building permit application. [00109] In some embodiments of the present invention, the server 16 comprises an internal database xx (for example, storing account information associated with a user of the system), and a third-party database 1670 (for example, storing account information associated with suppliers or contractors).

[001 10] According to some embodiments, the storage device xx further stores a report database xx including summary reports that have been generated for the users of the system, the administrator, and/or the suppliers or contractors.

[001 1 1] Note that the databases described herein are examples, and additional and/or different information may be stored therein. Moreover, various databases might be split or combined in accordance with any of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

[001 12] The computer processor communicates with the servers 16. The servers 16 store programs and/or council approval engine for controlling the computer processor. The computer processor performs instructions of the programs, and thereby operates in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention to be described below. For example, the processor may generate images of the plot of land 14 and generate the icons 58 (see figure 1 b) associated with the pictorial representations 50 of the improvement may be graphically displayed by the processor on the first screen area 47a, and the image of the plot of land 14 may graphically displayed in a second screen area 47b. An indication that a selected icon 58 will be manipulated for a drag and drop action may be received from a remote user (for example, via remoter user device 13). Based on the received indication, the processor will generate indications through the graphical display of the remoter user device 13 to the user of the system 10 whether, for example, the improvement is suitable for being erected at a particular location of the plot of land 14. [001 13] The programs may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The programs may furthermore include other program elements, such as an operating system, a database management system, and/or device drivers used by the computer processor to interface with any of the peripheral devices such printers 30, graphical displays 15, remote devices 13 and 28, among others.

[001 14] As used herein, information may be“received” by or“transmitted” to, for example: (i) the council approval platform 12 from another device; or (ii) a software application or module within the council approval platform 12 from another software application, module, or any other source.

[001 15] Furthermore, system 10 may also be associated and/or communicated with a satellite system 22. The satellite system 22 may be directly associated and/or communicated with the server(s) 16; alternatively, the satellite system 22 may be associated and/or communicated with the server(s) 20.

[001 16] The satellite system 22 comprises information related to the plot of land 14; an example of such information is a top view of the plot of land 14. As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the system 10, the top view of the plot of land 14 permits the system 10 to provide on a graphical interface including an image of the plot of land 14 for viewing by the user during interaction with the system 10 for generating the building permit application.

[001 17] As mentioned earlier, the system 10 may interact with a user; interaction occurs through computing means such as remote user device 13 (such as PC, laptops or mobile phones) associated and/or communicated with the council approval platform 12.

[001 18] Also, the system 10 may interact with third parties (such as suppliers or contractors) through computing means such as remote third party devices 28 (such as PC, laptops or mobile phones) associated and/or communicated with the council approval platform 12.

[001 19] The remote user devices 28 are adapted for inputting information related to the details of the third party and the type of services or goods (such as building materials) that may be provided by the third parties to the users during the council application process, or after approval of the building permit application for constructions of the improvement. This particular information will then be forwarded to the council approval platform 12 due to the fact that remote user device 13 and the council approval platform 12 are associated and/or communicated.

[00120] As used herein, the remote devices 13 and 28, and any other device such as computing means described herein may exchange information with the council application platform 12 via any communication network (not illustrated in figure 1 a) which may be one or more of a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a proprietary network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a Bluetooth network, a wireless LAN network, and/or an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet. Note that any device described herein may communicate via one or more such communication networks.

[00121] The remote user devices 13 and the third party user devices 28 might comprise, for example, personal computers (PCs) as shown in figure 1 a, wireless phones, tablets and/or laptop computers among others. These devices 13 and 28 comprise digital graphical interfaces 15 to permit the system 10 to interact with the users and the third parties.

[00122] For example, the remote user device 13 is adapted to transmit data representative of the information pertinent to a particular plot of land 14 to the council approval platform 12 permitting the interaction between the council approval platform 12 of system 10 and the user for generating the building permit application. Communication between the council approval platform 12 and the remote user device 13 may via a web browser 44 and/or a plug-in for a web browser to be described below with reference to figure 1 b.

[00123] Moreover, the system 10 comprises means for printing hard copies of the building plans to be attached to the building permit application; for this, the system 10 comprises printer means 30.

[00124] Figure 1 b illustrates a particular arrangement of a web browser 44 displayed in a graphical interface 15 of the remote user device 13 when associated and/or connected to the council approval platform 12. The web browser 44 allows the council approval platform 12 to interact with the user through a graphical interface 15 displaying a council application approval display 46.

[00125] As shown in figure 1 b, the council application approval display 46 comprises a plurality of windows that permit the council approval platform 12 to interact with the user. Each window permits the system 10 (while interacting with the user) completing of one of the steps of the method of operation of the system 10. To generate the building permit application form, the council approval platform 12 interacts with the user by providing to the user each of the windows via the council application approval display 46.

[00126] In a particular arrangement, access to a particular window is obtained when the user clicks on the tab 48 of the particular window. Alternatively, the council approval platform 12 may automatically activate a particular window after the system 10 and user have completed their interaction in a previous window. [00127] As shown in figure 1 b, the system 10 - after completion of the previous window titled “Selection” and the user having clicked on the tab “Insert Improvement” - may interact with the user for generating a proposed image 52 of the plot of land 14 depicting a pictorial representation 50 of the improvement mounted on the image 52 of the plot of land 14. Approval of the building permit application will occur if the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement is situated at a location which is suitable in accordance with the regulations set by council for erecting improvements at the plot of land 14. Generation of the proposed image 52 of the plot of land 14 depicting the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement includes inserting the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement onto the plot of land 14.

[00128] In particular, the window labelled “Insert Improvement” depicted in figure 1 b comprises a plurality of screen areas 47. A first screen area 47a is used for displaying the pictorial representations of the improvements to be erected in the plot of land 14 and that has been selected by the user in the previous window labelled selection.

[00129] As shown in figure 1 b, the first screen area 47a comprises the pictorial representations 50 of an improvement in the form of a shed. The pictorial representations 50 are in the form of objects (referred to as icons) that may be moved from the first screen area 47a to the second screen area 47b by the user using, for example, a mouse device that permits selection of the icon by, for example, clicking on the left hand button of the mouse device the icon and - while maintaining the left hand button clicked - dragging the icon to a particular location of the second screen area, and dropping the icon at that particular location by releasing the pressure exerted by the user’s finger on the left hand button of the mouse device.

[00130] As will be described at a later stage, in a particular arrangement, the council approval platform 12 is adapted to impede dropping the icon representative of the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement onto areas where construction of the improvement would not be permitted.

[00131] Further, a second screen area 47b (of the plurality of screen areas 47 displayed in the web browser 44) is used for displaying the image 52 of the plot of land 14. As shown in figure 1 b, the second screen area 47b comprises the image 52 of the plot of land 14 showing its boundaries and structures that have been erected on the plot of land 14.

[00132] The council approval platform 12 may receive an indication from the user that the particular pictorial representation 50 of the improvement is to be associated with the image 52 of the plot of land 14 at a specific location within the plot of land 14; in a particular arrangement, interaction between the council approval platform 12 and the user at this particular window (the “Insert Improvement”) may include generation within the image 52 of the plot of land 14 of at least a first area 54 and at least a second area 56. The areas 54 and 56 may include different shading to differentiate the areas 54 and 56 from each other and from other areas second screen area 47b including the image 52 of the plot of land 14.

[00133] The first area 54 indicates to the user the particular surface area of the plot of land 14 where the improvement 50 may be erected in order for approval of the building permit application to occur. The second area 56 indicates to the user the particular surface area of the plot of land 14 where erection of the improvement 50 will most probably not be approved.

[00134] The council approval platform 12 is adapted to generate the first and second areas based on the council regulations forming part of the back end parameters. [00135] For example, as shown in figure 1 b, the council approval platform 12 generates at the council application approval display 46 a shaded area indicating the second area 56 in which construction will not be permitted. In this manner, the council approval platform 12 generates at the council application approval display 46 the first and second areas 54 and 56 for visualisation by the user of the area where construction of the improvement would be permitted.

[00136] Further, the council approval platform 12 is adapted to provide an indication to the user at which location of the first area 54 the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement may be located in order to gain approval for the building permit application.

[00137] For example, the council approval platform 12 is adapted to vary particular characteristics of the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement; these particular characteristics may be varying the colour of the pictorial representation 50 or generating particular signs on the pictorial representation 50 - see figure 12.

[00138] As described earlier, the council approval platform 12 is adapted to interact with the user to provide the user with an indication where construction of the improvement is permitted; this allows generation of the building permit application by the council approval platform 12 including building plans depicting at which location of the plot of land 14 will the improvement be erected.

[00139] For the building plans to be generated by the council approval platform 12, the council application approval display 46 requires to depict the image 52 of the plot of land 14 incorporating the particular improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14. [00140] The council approval platform 12 is adapted to interact with the user for generating the particular image of the plot of land 14 incorporating the particular improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14.

[00141] In a particular arrangement, the council approval platform 12 may receive an indication from the user that the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement is to be depicted at a particular location of the image of the plot of land 14.

[00142] For example, the user might click on the icon 58 representing the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement to drag the icon 58 to a particular location within the image of the plot of land 14; at that particular location, the user may drop the icon 58. In this manner, the image of the plot of land 14 may include the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement permitting generation of the building plans for submission with the building permit application.

[00143] The system 10 provides a physical effect that is providing icons 58 representative of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14 that may be dragged over the image of the plot of land by the user to locate the icons at preferred and permit locations within the plot of land 14.

[00144] Further, another physical effect provided by the system 10 is to colour the icons depending on whether the icons are being dragged over areas of the image of the plot of land 14 where construction is not permitted (red coloured icon), where constructions is permitted (green coloured icon), and where constructions may be permitted (orange coloured icon).

[00145] As mentioned before, the council approval platform 12 is adapted to provide an indication to the user where the improvement could be erected within the plot of land 14 to ensure approval of the building permit application. This is particularly advantageous because the council approval platform 12 may indicate the user, while the user is dragging the icon 58 over the image of the plot of land 14, at which locations within the plot of land 14 the improvement may be erected.

[00146] For example, the council approval platform 12 may colour the icon 58 green when being dragged over the first area 54 indicating the user that the building permit application will be approved if the icon 58 is dropped at a particular location within the first area 54.

[00147] Alternatively, the council approval platform 12 may colour the icon 58 red when being dragged over the second area 56 indicating the user that the building permit application will not be approved if the icon 58 is dropped at a particular location within the first area 54.

[00148] However, there may be occasions that the council approval platform 12 may colour the icon 58 red when being dragged over the first area 54. For example, if the icon 58 is being dragged by the user to a location being spaced apart a particular distance from the boundary of the plot of land or any building structure the council approval platform 12 may colour the icon 58 red if the particular distance is less than the prescribed distance between building structures and boundaries as set by the council regulations.

[00149] Referring now to figure 1 c, figure 1 c illustrates a block diagram of the process using system 10 for preparing and submitting applications for approval of building permits and management of the project for erecting the improvement on the plot of land.

[00150] As mentioned before, the system 10 comprises the council approval platform 12 that permits interaction between the system 10 and the users for preparing the building permit application. For this, the council approval platform 12 provides a website to be displayed via the web browser 44 on the display 15 of the remote user devices 13. Interaction between the system 10 and the user is done via the website of the council approval platform 12.

[00151] Interaction between the system 10 and the user includes inputting information to the system 10. In particular, the user needs to provide for example the following user information: personal details of the land owner, location of the plot of land 14, type of improvement to be conducted and location within the plot of land where the improvement will be constructed.

[00152] The user may provide the user information by clicking via a mouse device on the tap labelled Input and filling out the corresponding textbox that are displayed in the web browser after the user has clicked on the Input Tab.

[00153] The system 10 is adapted to receive the information mentioned above for generating the image of the plot of land 14 and allow the system 10 to interact with the user, for the system 10 to generate the plan site. The plan site includes the image 52 of the plot of land 14 incorporating the pictorial representations of the improvement(s) to be erected on the plot of land 14. After generation of the plan site, the system 10 generates the building plans depicting the plot of land 14 incorporating the improvement.

[00154] The system 10, after interacting with the user which clicked via a mouse device on the tap labelled“Image” of the web browser 44, generates the image 52 of the plot of land 14.

[00155] For generating of the image 52 of the plot of land 14, the system 10 accesses satellite views of the plot of land 14 as well as the GIS data corresponding to the plot of land 14. The system 10 processes this information in order to provide an image of the plot of land 14. [00156] The image 52 of the plot of land 14 comprises a plurality of map layers. Each map layer displays a particular GIS data.

[00157] Examples of map layers include Water body’s, Ground water, Subterraneous and surface geology, surface terrain and topography, roads, political boundaries, parcels, building footprints, utility lines, GPS, Northerly directions and ortho-photo imagery.

[00158] The map layers are drawn in particular order for generating the image of the plot of land 14. By superposing the map layers the image of the plot of land 14 is generated, and may be toggled by the user when in the design stage for clarity.

[00159] On particular occasions the images of the plot of land 14 that has been generated as described above may not be representative of the conditions of the plot land 14 at the time of preparing and submitting the building permit application. This could be because the user may have erected an improvement without the council being aware of it. In this particular case the system 10 may interact with the user in order to locate a pictorial representation 50 of this particular improvement on the image of the plot of land 14; this interaction between system 10 and user is substantially the same was when the system 10 and user interact for inserting the pictorial representation of the improvement for which a building permit is requested using the system 10.

[00160] The system 10 provides the image 52 of the plot of the land 14 for the system 10 to be able to interact with the user during preparation of the plan site. The plan site is generated by locating pictorial representation(s) 50 of the particular improvement(s) to be erected on the plot of land 14.

[00161] The interaction between the system 10 and the users for generating the plan site was described above with reference to figure 1 b. [00162] After generation of the image 52 of the plot of the land 14, the type of improvement that will be constructed in the plot of land 14 may be selected by the system 10 interacting with the user. Interaction between the system 10 and the user occurs when the user clicks on the tab labelled Selection shown in the web browser 44 depicted in figure 1 b. By selecting this particular tab, the system 10 makes available to the user, for example, a plurality of pictorial representations 50 of improvements that may be selected.

[00163] Pictorial representations 50 of improvements may be accessible to the user through dropdown lists that allow, for example, the user to select from (1 ) a plurality of pre-designed improvements and (2) the building materials to be used and permitted for building the pre-designed improvements. Below are listed a plurality of improvements and the building materials:

le e

Drive Way Cross Over/Driveways er ma er a s as requ re se ec e

Pizza Oven/Fixed BBQ

Steps/Ramps

Gazeboes (all material types) Carports (All material types)

Patio’s (All types) Pools Spa’s (Concrete & Fiberglass) Signs (Free standing & fixed) Decking (All types) Awnings (All types) Modular structures Tilt up panel structures Sheds Roof design / Other structural beam layouts Awnings (All types) Misc forms and other details.

[00164] Various other options of automated process are not shown within the above table, such as other council third party forms such as, but not limited to; Neighbor compliance/consent forms; Shade impact analysis; Verge / footpath bonds and payments; Site bin delivery location; Material delivery locations; among many others.

[00165] As an example, the user may select, using first dropdown list showing the various options of pre-designed improvements, a Front Fence and using a second dropdown list showing the various options of materials available and permitted for using as building materials for constructing the Front Fence.

[00166] Further, subsequent to the selection of the type of improvement, several mandatory fields are required to be inputted by the user which are used to crosscheck the structure against council, engineering and surveying parameters (the Back-End parameters) to permit insertion of the pictorial representations 50 of improvements onto the image 52 of the plot of land 14, and to later generate the drawings and other details using said input dimensions.

[00167] Different improvements require different mandatory dimensions to be input. For example (see below), a gazebo specified to have brick piers and timber/tile roof may include the following dimensions to be inputted: Pier width, Pier Height, Roof pitch, Length & width of structure.

[00168] Whereas a retaining wall or swimming pool may be more specific in regards to the structures set-back from existing structures & boundaries, span of structure and overall size of structure. This will depend largely upon which primary materials were selected in the previous section (for example if the user chooses a structure preference such as, for using steel beams over timber beams), and determined by Council and Engineering restraints and parameters.

[00169] Other structures, such as‘drive way cross overs’, Sheds, Swimming pools, BBQs/Pizza Ovens will have several pre-selected dimension options for a quick selection as well as fully user customisable dimensions, based on individual predesigned parameters, giving the user a series of ‘pre-designed’ template structures which can be selected via a drop down list and edited in real time by the user; in this manner, custom dimensions does not need to be inputted by the user, but the option remains if so desired, to suit specific circumstances and/or preferences.

[00170] Non-structure related items, such as forms or details in relation to third parties, will also require unique details and fields to be input to allow generation of details.

[00171] Moreover, Additional Options to be added to the improvements may also be made accessible by the system 10 to the user. The Additional Options section allows the users to add non-structural (aesthetical) extras to the improvement that has been selected. These Additional Options may not be subject to the Back-end parameters and they may be ordered to the third parties after approval of the building permit application by the council.

[00172] An example of the type of Additional Options that may be available for a front brick, for example, fence can include, but is not limited to; Pier capping (Selections available based on pier dimensions specified, e.g. style, colour etc.), Panel infill (wrought iron, timber pickets, colours etc.), Rendered brick work (colour, style etc.), Paint (colour etc.), Gates (type: colour/style etc. and suppliers), Intercom system (etc.), D.I.Y. building guides; among others.

[00173] The additional options that are available to choose by the user will vary depending on which improvement(s) have been selected, the dimensions of the improvement, and, if applicable, the back-end parameters.

[00174] With reference to the drop downs lists provided by the system 10 that permit the users to view and select the pictorial representations 50 of the improvements, the materials for making the improvements and the Additional Options may include the options of permitting the display of a pictorial representation of the materials and Additional Options; these particular images may be next to a drop down list of the pictorial representations of particular improvements to be selected by the user. The materials for making the improvements and the Additional Options may be added by clicking an“add item” button, followed by sub-options, to permit the user to choose colour, style and/or among other options of the selected Additional Option or materials.

[00175] After the user has selected the type of improvements to be erected on the plot of land 14, the materials for making the improvements and the Additional Options, the system 10 permits interaction with the user to generate the plan site by permitting the insertion of the selected items onto the image of the plot of land 14. As mentioned before, the plan site includes the image 52 of the plot of land 14 incorporating the pictorial representation(s) 50 of the improvement(s) to be erected on the plot of land 14.

[00176] As explained with reference to figure 1 b, the insertion process may comprise a“drag and drop” operation of the icon 58 representing the pictorial representation 50 of the selected improvement onto the image of the plot of land 14. In the option where the users wishes to obtain automatic approval of building permit application, the system 10 permits the user to locate the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement only at locations of the plot of land 14 where the improvement complies with the council and engineering regulations (the back-end parameters).

[00177] The back-end parameters set limitations - due to for example safety concerns - to the type of improvement that may be erected. Examples of these limitations are, for example, the dimensions that a particular improvement may have; the particular location of the improvement within the plot of land 14, type of materials required for erecting the improvement; or whether it would be suitable at all for the improvement to be erected on the particular plot of land 14.

[00178] The back-end parameters as well as, for example, surveying regulation are grouped together in Back End Parameters. The back-end parameters may be stored in a database in a form of tables (back-end tables) to be read by the system 10 for generating a physical platform that may be displayed on the graphical interface 15 of the remote user device 13 to provide an indication to the user where a particular improvement may be located within the plot of land.

[00179] As described before with reference to figure 1 b when describing the generation of the plan site, the system 10 permits the user to locate the improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14 only at locations allowable by the Back end Parameters; this is done through the system 10 generating an image of the plot of land 14 that includes, based on the back end parameters, an indication where it is permitted on the plot of land 14 to locate the improvement; also, the system 10 provides access (via dropdown lists) to the user only of improvements, materials for building these improvement and additional options which may be allowable by the back end parameters.

[00180] The above described arrangements of the system 10 are particularly advantageous because it permits approval of the building permit without the need of liaising with the council official in charge of issuing the building permits. The reason that liaising with the council official is not necessary is that issuance of the building permit application has been conducted based on the back end parameters (i.e. the council, surveying and engineering parameters) thus there is certainty that the building permit application complies with all the relevant regulations - this is particularly true, because the users have no access to the back-end parameters.

[00181] This building permit approval process is referred to as Automatic Approval Process.

[00182] However, in an alternative arrangement, the system 10 may permit for particular type of improvements to locate the improvements at locations of the user’s preference which would not be allowable in accordance with the back-end parameters. Also, the system 10 may permit selection of particular type of improvements which would not be allowable in accordance with back-end parameters. This alternative arrangement will require manual submission by the user of the building permit application after issuance of the building permit application by the system 10. The system 10 is adapted to interact with the user in order to book an appointment with a council official.

[00183] Moreover, subsequent to the plan site generation, the building plans need to be generated. The building plans are an essential part of the building permit application. The building plans comprise the plan site depicting the plot of land incorporating the improvement(s) as well as the construction drawings of the improvement(s) shown in the plan site. Figure 16 shows a particular example of a building plan to be included in a building permit application for building a front brick fence.

[00184] Referring now to Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart outlining a particular arrangement of the method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for preparing and submitting for approval the building permit application.

[00185] As shown in Figure 2, this particular arrangement comprises a first step for inputting the personal details of the user (the land owner) to permit filling out the application form and retrieving the images of the plot of land 14 where the construction may be conducted.

[00186] The second step comprises generating the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement to be erected. As mentioned before, generating the pictorial representation 50 of the permits the user to establish which building structure or renovation would be permitted on the particular plot of land.

[00187] The third step comprises the steps of preparing the plan site as was described with reference to figure 1 b.

[00188] Step four relates to issuance of the drawings and filling out of the application form for approval of the building permit application.

[00189] A mentioned before, the system 10 is adapted for automatically accepting the building permit applications and subsequently submitting online the application form and drawings to the city council without having to liaise with any council officer - this referred to as the Automatic Approval Process. Alternatively, it is possible to proceed with manual approval process; as will be described later, the manual approval process may be used for circumstances wherein not all council and engineering parameters are met; but, the user would prefer to discuss in person with council officers the building permit application, or submit the plans to be manually checked by council officers, as per normal circumstances - this referred to as the Manual Approval Process.

[00190] Referring now to figures 3 to 5, these figures refer to the process for receiving the personal details of the landowner (the user) and the details of the plot of land 14 onto which an improvement will be erected or a renovation of an established building structure 18.

[00191] The personal details and the address may be entered by the user through the digital interface at a communication device of the user. The system 10 receives the personal details as well as the address of the plot of land 14 and collates these details for use in internal functions, title block information on drawings, and for filling out the building permit application forms later in the process of system 10. All the details are stored in the server 16 for use during the process of preparing and submitting the building permit application using the system 10.

[00192] The address of the plot of land 14 is used by the system 10 to obtain the satellite images provided by the satellite system 22 and display the satellite image of the plot of land on the digital interface 15 of the remote user device 13. In a particular arrangement, the satellite images are obtained using for example external services such as for example, Google Maps or Near Maps.

[00193] After display of the satellite image, the system 10 interacts with the user to confirm whether the image of the plot of land depicted in the display 15 is the plot of land where the improvement(s) will be erected. In a particular arrangement, the system 10 generates a request (for example via a pop-up window to be displayed in the display 15) to the user requesting the user to confirm that the image of the plot of land 14 displayed corresponds to the image of the plot of land 14 where the proposed improvement(s) will be erected; confirmation occurs when the user clicks on the corresponding OK button of the pop-up window.

[00194] After the confirmation process has happened, the system 10 retrieves relevant GIS data and other data. The extracted data is layered in order to form a digital combination dataset (DCD) to define the Image of Plot of Land. The DCD is in the form of a data base storing all relevant information acquired from all sources, to be used later within the process. In a particular arrangement, only local data relating directly to the plot of land 14 may be acquired in order for reduce the time required for retrieving the GIS data.

[00195] In an arrangement of the system 10 all data collected is scaled to form multiple interactive layers for simple interaction and calculations. Data collated per site include, but is not limited to; GPS, Satellite imagery (x3 images Scaled 1 :200, 1 :100 & 1 :20), Geographical GIS data, Property boundary GIS data, Property existing structures GIS data, Utility location GIS data, Utility design guides (tables), Dial before you dig’ GIS data, Water atlas GIS data (High res), Topographical GIS data / height above sea level datum GIS data (High res), Geological maps GIS (1 :50,000), Custom soil database info, Local council data and parameters (tables), Flooding information (Based on GIS among others), Bushfire information (various vegetation and topographical GIS data sets), Solar exposure potential (and shade) and others to be added as made available.

[00196] Further, system 10 then determines, using the retrieved GIS data, the Particular Conditions prevailing at the location of the plot of land 14. The system 10 will use these conditions in conjunction with the Back-End Parameters to determine the limitations that will be imposed on any improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14; for example, these conditions will determine whether the construction for which a building permit is being requested by the user is permissible. Also, the conditions of the plot of land, will determine the type of materials and dimensions of the building structure and location where the building structure may be erected within the boundaries of the plot of land 14.

[00197] Examples of the above-mentioned condition are Wind Regions, Corrosion Classification, Soil Type and Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL) Identification.

[00198] Below are explained in greater detail the above mentioned conditions:

[00199] Wind: Wind regions are defined by data and tables found within Engineering Australia codes AS4055 and calculated/modelled by layering with the GIS data.

[00200] The purpose of the wind classification is to allocate the correct structural parameters to ensure the structure is safe, structurally sound and adhering to Australian standards. The structural design of the structure is partly based on the result of the calculations.

[00201] The primary tables / information /figures referred from AS4055 to be used to derive calculations include:

[00202] Table 2.2, pg. 10. “Wind Classification from Wind Region and Site Conditions”.

[00203] “NOTES 1 -5” displayed on bottom of pg. 12.

[00204] Table 2.3 “Topographic Classification for Hills, Ridges or Escarpments”. [00205] Figure 2.2, pg. 14“Topographic Zones for Average Slope”

[00206] Corrosion Classification: Corrosion Classification is derived by using GIS data to calculate the distance of the site from saline water bodies, such as the ocean or briny bodies of water, and various topographical and geographical data including ‘breaking water / surf zones’, as this all affects the potential corrosion factors.

[00207] The purpose of the Corrosion Classification is to define the optimal materials in which to build the structure, in which to combat potential effects of corrosion on the materials specified and ensuring the structure adheres to Australian building standards for safety and longevity.

[00208] All parameters used to calculate the corrosion classification for individual sites is defined in the Australian Building Standards, specifically pgs. 49-52 and Table 5.1“Durability requirements” (pg. 52), which will be converted to digital parameters, thus ensuring suitable materials and incorporated within the design.

[00209] Soil type: Soil type calculations are derived from a number of sources by means of data extrapolation, amalgamation of vast data fields, in combination with GIS geological, topographical, geographical & hydrological data, layered over satellite images, followed by cross checking results with a uniquely developed data model which displays logs from over 3500 bore-logs with historical geotechnical lab results in order to analyse and calculate the regions geological profile, providing a back-end three dimensional geological cross section of each site to be used for calculations.

[00210] Using the GPS location of the plot of land 14, all GIS data sets are collated and linked to custom data bases which interpret the locations geological properties by linking and classifying the obtained GIS data to define a backend table which defines which footing design is to be deemed appropriate to suit the plot location’s geological region, that is derived from our back-end data and custom data sets.

[0021 1] In a particular arrangement, the system comprises software including algorithms that work in unison to identify exact locations and boundaries of soil regions by seeking correlations between all of the data sources and linking together using common features and symmetry, mapping how sediment profiles meander up to, for example, 2.5m in depth, by combining the final data derived from each backend table.

[00212] Combining with topographical GIS data, these results are then generated into a digital cross section, allowing a local visual representation of the geological profile to gain an understanding of the depth of the soil profiles.

[00213] Having an understanding of the depth of the soil profiles is important because the soil profiles of the terrain of the plot of land 14 will determine the footing allocations of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land; in particular a determination will be made based on the soil profiles of the number and type of footings required for erecting the building structure.

[00214] Typically, footings are designed for the worst case scenario using 4 categories listed below.

1. Sand / best case reactivity (smallest footings possible),

2. low reactivity / rare chance of clayey material (cautious footings allocated), • 3. high reactivity / worst case scenario. (Overkill footings to cover worst scenario),

• 4. Request a‘physical’ site investigation for custom footings, e.g. where a qualified Engineer or Technician inspects the site to determine custom footings through further analysis. Conditions may suit other less common circumstances, such as“Peat” or“fill” site recommendations.

[00215] Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL): The Bushfire Attack level (BAL) is calculated by using parameters set out in the Australian Standards (AS3959- 2009) and local council guidelines to digitally asses the BAL using GIS data for the following: Topography, Geological / geographical, Wind region calculations, Water table depths, Climatic Zones (including a custom Thornwaithe Index derived internally from custom and unique data sets), Vegetation regions, Lidar information (to cross check with topography & vegetation regions to determine overall vegetation height of the area).

[00216] The system 10 then combines with historical satellite imagery, which optically asses the colours and details of the images throughout various seasonal changes for a number of years. The colours and seasonal growth / decline of vegetation present identified within the historical images is combined with the GIS data stated above, which enables the specifics of the local vegetation to be easy assessed. This process is illustrated in the flow chart depicted in figure 4.

[00217] Referring now to figure 5. Typically, figure 5 would comply with the industry standard site plans. However, figure 5 herein shown is a schematic figure that for clarity purpose do not include all details such as topography, northerly direction, utilities, sewer line, among various other details.

[00218] Figure 5 shows a detail 32 of the digital interface 15 of the remote user device 13 when the system 10 is interacting with the user while the remote user device 13 is connected to the council approval platform 12. The detail 32 depicts a particular piece of land 34 incorporating the image 36 (also labelled in figure 1 b with the reference numeral 52) of the plot of land 14 surrounded by the land adjoining the plot of land 14.

[00219] As shown in Figure 5, the image 36 generated by the system 10 comprises an outer boundary 38. The boundary 38 is generated with the GSI data and shows the existing boundary 38 of the plot of land 14. The GSI data and its involvement in the process of generating the image of the plot of land 14 has been described above in relation to figure 1 b and 1 c.

[00220] After the system 10 has generated the image 38 of the plot of land 14 and displayed on the user’s digital interface 15, the system 10 interacts with the user to confirm whether the plot of land depicted in the image displayed in user’s digital interface 15 is actually the plot of land 14 where the improvement will be erected. Confirmation occurs by the user clicking through for example a mouse device onto the boundary 38.

[00221] Further, the system 10, using the GSI data, draws boundaries 40a and 40b around the existing building structures 18 and 42. The system 10 also provides the option to the user to confirm that the building structures 18 and 42 are currently on the plot of land 14; the system 10 receives the user’s confirmation by the user, for example, clicking through, for example, a mouse device onto the building structures 18 and 42. The user may also label the building structures 18 and 42 as“Existing Building Structures”.

[00222] Moreover, the system 10 may use the satellite system 22 to provide an image 38 of the plot of land 14 that is substantially a pictorial representation of the plot of land 14. This permits the system 10 to prepare an image 38 of the plot of land 14 (to be displayed in the digital interface 15) that is a representation of the current conditions of the plot of land 14. [00223] The system 10 includes recognition software for scanning the images of the satellite system 22 with the intention of, for example, identifying the presence of any building structure 43 which GIS data was not included in the previously retrieved GIS data. The system 10 provides the user with the option of selecting and confirming that the building structure 43 is currently on the plot of land 14; confirmation may occur by the user clicking on the boundary 40c of the building structure 43. The user may also label the building structure 43 as “Existing Building Structures” and may retrieve new GIS data for calculation purposes.

[00224] Referring now to Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 outlines the interaction process between the system 10 and the user for providing to the system 10 information of the particular improvement that will be constructed on the plot of land 14 to generate pictorial representations of the particular improvement. This information may include the type of improvement to be erected, materials used for constructing the improvement and Additional Options, and location - within the plot of land 14 - the improvement may be erected.

[00225] The system 10 comprises a database stored, for example, in the server 16 including digital libraries of pictorial representations of improvements that typically the users may wish to erect on their plot of lands. The libraries may also include representations of the type of materials used for constructing the improvement(s) as well as Additional Options that the user may add to the improvement(s).

[00226] The system 10 makes these libraries accessible to the users via dropdown lists displayed in the user’s digital interface 15. By Clicking on the lists, a list drops down showing the options that may be selected by the user. The system 10 may also include the option to have multiple structures by clicking“add structure” and repeating other specifications. This may be the case if a user wishes to construct multiple different structures within the one application. [00227] For example; a user may design a front fence and also choose to construct a gazebo at the back of the plot within the one plan. First the user may design and specify the fence. Once completed, the user has the option to“add another structure” whereas the process is repeated.

[00228] Alternatively, the system 10 is adapted to insert a “self-provided” structure from, for example, any Scaled DWG format digital file, specify dimensions and materials of this particular structure, as well as specifying additional ‘non-structural’ additional options in which to incorporate into the generated drawings. By“self provided” structure is meant a structure that is not included in the drop-down lists provided by the system 10; for example, the user may use a pre-designed particular structure externally, and choose to upload and insert the pictorial representation of this structure in the image 36 of the plot of land. Typically, the Manual approval process will be selected by the user for gaining acceptance of a building permit for these“self-provided” structures.

[00229] After selection of the particular improvement (or particular building structure components) the particular dimensions of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14 are inputted by the user through the digital interface.

[00230] Further, the materials and particular components used for erecting the improvement are also stored in a database of the server 16 accessible to the user through another drop down lists allowing the user to select from a series of pre-coded / designed improvements and its primary building materials as well as Additional Options to be used for constructing the improvement.

[00231] Examples of the initial automated type of structures of the improvements within the drop list include, but are not limited to the list shown below; also, each structure will have pre-defined options for material types to choose from, depending on what type of structure of the improvement has been chosen: Retaining Walls (All), Planters, Fences, Pizza oven / Fixed BBQs , Gazebos, Carports, Patios, Pools, Spas, Signs, Decking, Awnings, Modular structures, Tilt up panel structures, Sheds, Roof design / Other structural beam layouts, Awnings (All types), Retaining walls, Shade sails, Steps, Stairs, Drive ways and crossovers, Sports courts, Pole structures, Solar arrays, Concrete Slabs, Water tanks, Paving designs.

[00232] As was described before, based on the type of structure of the improvement, that has been selected a number of mandatory dimensions are required to be inputted by the user which are used to cross-check the type of structure against council and engineering parameters in order to insert the improvement into the site plan, and to later generate the drawings using said mandatory dimensions.

[00233] Different types of structures of the improvement require different mandatory dimensions to be inputted by the user. For example, a gazebo specified to have brick piers and timber / tile roof may include the following dimensions to be inputted by the user; Pier width, Pier Height, Roof pitch, Length & width of structure.

[00234] Whereas a retaining wall or swimming pool may be more specific in regards to the structures set-back from existing structures & boundaries, span of structure and overall size of structure. This will depend largely upon which primary materials were selected in the previous section, and determined by Council and Engineering restraints and parameters.

[00235] Other structures, such as‘drive way cross overs’, Sheds, Swimming pools, BBQ’s / Pizza Ovens will have a number of pre-selected dimension options for a quick selection as well as customisable dimensions, based on individual predesigned parameters, giving the user a series of ‘pre-designed’ structures which will not require custom dimensions to be input, which can be selected via a drop down list as described before.

[00236] Much like the previous sections, the Additional Options section allows the users to add non-structural extras to their structure which will not be affected by Engineering or council parameters, which will be drawn and labelled within the automated design, with an option of online ordering materials post drawing generation via suppliers.

[00237] An example of what additional options may be available for a front brick fence can include, but is not limited to; Pier capping (Selections available based on pier dimensions specified, e.g. style, colour etc.), Panel infill (wrought iron, timber pickets, colours etc.), Rendered brick work (colour, style etc.), Paint (colour etc.), Gates (type: colour / style etc. and suppliers), Intercom system (etc.), D.I.Y. building guides.

[00238] The additional options available will dependent on the type structure(s) that has been specified, the dimensions of the structure(s), council regulations and engineering parameters (if applicable). Each additional option will display a picture next to a drop down menu where the user may add as many additional items as they wish by clicking the“add item” button, followed by sub-options, such as colour or style of selected additional option, among other options.

[00239] Further, as mentioned before, with reference to figure 1 b, the system 10 is adapted to interact with the user to indicate to the user whether a preferred improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14 can be erected on the plot of land 14 and if so at what location of the plot of land 14 the preferred improvement may be erected. In a particular arrangement, the system 10 provides a physical platform, for example, in the form of a display of a computing device which allows the user to“drag and drop” icons 58 acting as pictorial representations of the improvements to be erected on the plot of land 14. [00240] The system 10 interacts with the user to advise the suitability of the improvement for the particular plot of land 14 and where (within the plot of land 14) the improvement can be erected; in an arrangement, this interaction is through colouring the icons 58 and shading particular locations of the image 36 of the plot of land 14. In this manner, the system 10 interacts with the user to indicate to the user whether a preferred improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14 can be erected on the plot of land 14 and if so at what location of the plot of land 14 the preferred improvement may be erected.

[00241] For the system 10 to interact with the user as described with reference to figure 1 b, the system 10 determines whether it is permissible to: (1 ) erect the particular improvement (as preferred by the user)on the plot of land 14, (2) at which location - within the plot of land 14 - the improvement may be erected, and (3) materials used for constructing the improvement and Additional Options; an assertive determination by the system 10 of the above will result in an automatic approval of the building permit application.

[00242] To determine the permissibility of a particular improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14, the system compares the information related to the improvement provided by the user against the Back-End Parameters; as mentioned before, the Back-End parameters include the Engineering and Council Parameters.

[00243] Referring now to figures 8 to 14. These figures refer to the process of defining the Engineering and Council Parameters.

[00244] Depending on the particular improvement that will be erected on the plot of land 14, the specific council and engineering parameters for the particular improvement will establish whether the particular improvement may be erected on the plot of land 14 and if so, at which location within the plot of land 14 can the improvement be placed so that it will comply with the Back-End parameters. [00245] Other visual‘toggle’ options will also be available to the user should they request, however may not be required by the Council or for Engineering purposes.

[00246] These include, but are not limited to;

• Street View elevation’s (Where he generated drawings are displayed over a google maps (or similar) photo, showing how the structure will look when viewing from the street. The plans are semi-transparently layered over the photo.

• Various‘heat’ maps, indicating a variety of options, including topographic contours, clay reactivity, wind potential, solar potential etc., which can be toggle displayed layered over the site plan or satellite image.

• Local Structure heights / impacts of shadowing.

[00247] The ability to be displayed on a portable device, such as a smart phone or tablet in the form of an application or‘mobile friendly’ website.

[00248] GPS structure positioning which allows users to physically walk around their selected location using their portable device in order to position the structure location, and adjust to suit.

[00249] These extra visual options will be available to print on request by the user for a nominal fee during this stage.

[00250] Referring now to figures 12 and 13. Figures 12 and 13 show two examples of the process of placing the pictorial representation 50 of the improvement onto the image 38 of the plot of land 14. [00251] In particular, figure 12 shows and describes the process of placing the pictorial representation 50 of a fixed symmetrical design type, such as a gazebo. For this particular type of design type, the process of placing the pictorial representation 50 comprises“dragging and dropping” the icon 58 (representing the improvement) onto the image 36 of the plot of land 14.

[00252] As represented in Figure 12, which is showing part of the process to insert a structure within a site plan, a basic gazebo (by way of example of a structure) is to be located adjacent an existing structure within a plot of land. The example shown in Figure 12 uses details previously input by the user or stored form a previous input, (section (iii), to generate basic structure requirements and dimensions into a simplified shape for insertion purposes.

[00253] The existing residence and lot dimensions (“existing site plan”) can be determined at an earlier input, such as“Input process (ii)., Annex A” within a “User input form”.

[00254] Once placed, a user can manually input exact measurements and adjust dimensions and structural components.

[00255] Satellite imagery and 3d view imagery can be toggled on the user view, such as when the site plan is not available. The user can double click and label inserted structures.

[00256] Figure 13 shows part of the process to insert a structure within a site plan. In particular, Figure 13 shows and describes the process of placing the pictorial representation of a continuous design type, such as a fence, by way of example. For this particular design type, the process of placing the pictorial representation comprises clicking on the path (along which the fence will be constructed) to define the ends of the fence and any openings along the fence (such as the gates); in particular, the process comprises clicking on end of the path (labelled as A in figure 13) and clicking at the opposite end of the path (labelled as B in figure 13) defining the starting point and the ending point of the fence.

[00257] User input can require:

i. a start point (‘A’) and

ii. an end point (‘B’) of the structure to be inserted are identified on the plot. iii. Any structure break, such as a gate or laneway, is then inserted.

[00258] A structure to be inserted on the [lot cannot be inserted within existing structures, such as buildings (within broken lines in Fig 13)

[00259] The location of a gate can be defined by clicking on the particular drop down list at“inserting openings” into the fence and from the corresponding drop down list (listing the type of suitable gates) selecting the type of gate to be inserted in the opening, and“dragging and dropping” the icon (representing the selected gate) onto the path along which the fence will be erected at the location along the length of the fence where the gate should be inserted.

[00260] Example of other structure ‘Design Types’ examples not shown include, but are not limited to:

• “Multi-Geometric” structure type (IE Unlimited occurrences of a structure with a repeating pattern, e.g. a modular high rise apartment complex or ‘honey combe-like’)

• “Tri-Symmetrical” Structure type (E.g. a structure with 3 symmetrical faces;

Such as 3 poles for a triangular shade sail, or a carport to be fixed to an existing wall) • “Double-Symmetrical” Structure type (E.g. a structure with 2 identical faces, such as a parapet wall.)

• “Single” Structure type (E.g. a pre-designed structure with multiple predefined standard dimensions, such as a BBQ / Pizza oven OR Pole structure, or structural beams and members where specified by the user, using Engineering parameters, in a “double click to insert fashion, or similar.)

• “Segmented” Structure type (e.g. A structure which can be segmented into defined portions for drawing generation, as defined by the user. For example, if designing a roof, the area is‘dissected’ into separate sections by the user whom draws a box outline over each square or rectangular section, followed by the angular pitches of the roof for each roof line (by double clicking). The algorithm generates each section individually and then‘stiches’ drawings together to form one solid structure, calculating all beams and members with reference to the engineering parameters.

[00261] Figure 14 shows an example for generating a roof layout using the “Segmented” Structure Type method, by using a series of boxes to identify each section.

[00262] The Structure Parameters are generated using (1 ) the details of the building structure (selected by the user) inputted by the user and (2) result of calculations performed to suit the building structure that has been selected by the user.

[00263] Structure Parameters are derived from Council building codes and Australian “Residential Design Codes” along with engineering parameters as defined by the Australian Engineering standards and confirmed by qualified structural engineers and are used to define maximum and minimum values of the dimensions of the selected building structure, the required distance between the selected building structure and other structures, beam sizes, footing requirements, etc... having as aim to define where the selected building structure can be built and what engineering components are required to meet Australian building standards.

[00264] All parameters are defined in tables (referred to as‘back-end’ tables), and are directly input by personnel authorised by the council and checked per local council and qualified engineers, allowing each council to add custom parameters in accordance with particular improvements that users may have selected and the region in which the council approving the particular improvement is located.

[00265] The ability for each relevant third party (ie Council, Engineer, Surveyor etc.) to simply amend or edit parameters is available through a back-end portal within the system 10. This allows relevant party’s to simply click“add item” for each new service OR“Edit item”, which will then display the fields in which must be defined for the process to be made available to the public and is only available to pre-approved third parties.

[00266] Various fields and options will be available for these third parties to input as to assist their organisation and requirements, such access privileges, user data, and a portal to contact the support staff of the support staff managing the system 10.

[00267] The users do not have access to the back-end tables and typically these back end - tables vary depending on each particular council; thus, the system 10 is adapted to be adjusted to each council using the system 10.

[00268] For example, once a particular council signs up for use of the system 10, the back-end tables for the particular council will be prepared and the system 10 will be updated to use these particular back-end tables when building permit applications concerning plots of land 14 of the particular council are prepared using the system 10.

[00269] An example of the engineering and local council parameters for a retaining wall could state:

• Engineering Parameter: A retaining wall can only be built if a 1 :1 ratio of height and distance is achieved away from any existing structure. Or max height of wall vs amount retained etc.

• Council Code Parameter: Retaining walls must be min XXm from a road and not exceed XXm in height, etc.

[00270] Further, beams, structural members and other structural engineering components are selected from pre-defined tables as defined by Australian standards.

[00271] For example, a timber roof is determined by the total span in which the member must reach, along with the load in which it carries, among other details such as joist spacing and connection details.

[00272] As shown in Figure 14, the steps involved can include:

1. Divide roof into square/rectangular sections by dragging a box (such as a green box) until all the roof sections are accounted for. A roof face may be shown in blue or maybe labelled‘X’, Ύ’,‘Z’ etc. 2. Click several‘roof faces’ and specify roof pitch for each. The user may only need to specify and input the roof pitch for several roof faces before the overall pitch/pitches are automatically calculated by an algorithm

3. All roof members will be generated and marked on the final layout with details specifying member sizes and notes.

[00273] Figure 8 is an example of what the back end table for a timber beam may look like. The system 10 comprises software having an algorithm that automatically selects the most suitable beam defined within the table, based on the structures specified dimensions and attributes.

[00274] The example shown in figure 8 shows how such data may be presented in order to look up and filter these specifications to suit dimensions of a specific structure and select the appropriate beams and members.

[00275] Figures 9 to 1 1 show examples of how parameters could be shown in the back end tables of the system 10.

[00276] After the structure(s) details have been inputted by the user, this simple ‘lookup’ back end table is used to define the engineering and council related design parameters which are used to generate the drawings for attachment to the building permit application, as well as to provide additional data for the next step in the process shown in Figure 7.

[00277] Figure 7 shows Placing the Structure onto the site, such as a Plot of Land, where these parameters are shown both visually to the user and in the form of‘Flints and tips’. [00278] Such‘Hints and tips’ are shown, for example, in Figure 12, stating, for example:

• “For Auto approval, your structure cannot be placed closer than XXmm from existing structure” OR“Cannot build here due to proximity of utilities” OR

• “Due to Engineering constraints, your structure must be between XXmm - YYmm in total length.”

OR

• “If you reduce the height of your structure by XXXXmm YOU CAN SAVE $XXXX on concrete and/or steel for your structure”

OR

• “By placing structure at this location, Instant approval option cannot be performed, however you may still request the council to check. Would you like to continue and submit the final plans to council for checking?”

• Data used for calculation purposes come from parameters that have been calculated automatically or inputted by the user, and included, but are not limited to using the data from the following fields: Satellite Imagery combined with Image recognition function / user input, GPS data, Geographical GIS data, Wind Region (Result from Calculations), Corrosion Classification (Result from Calculations), Soil Type (Result from Calculations) Bushfire Attack Level (Result from Calculations), Structure Specifications (IE Type, Dimensions etc.), Historical data [00279] Automatic guidance may be provided, such as compliance with rules. The rules pertaining to a particular attempt to locate a structure on a plot may be displayed. Rules may be, for example: i. Can only place structure on plot when displayed structure outline is green ii. Structure must be more than XXmm from boundary. A distance to boundary indicator may be shown. iii. Must be minimum XXmm from existing structure iv. Must meet all other council and engineering perimeters and parameters to have approval status v. Cannot build over specific utilities as defined from GIS data obtained from‘User Form Input’

[00280] Once all parameters are defined, the placement of the pictorial representation of the improvement within the specified site may occur.

[00281] As mentioned before, automatic approval of the building permit will be granted by dropping the pictorial representation of the improvement onto the image 36 of the plot of land 14 at the location where approval of the building permit application will be automatically granted.

[00282] The system 10 permits an automatic approval of the building permit application without the need for a council officer to review; this is possible because the system 10 is adapted to impede the user of modifying any of the building and engineering parameters due to the back-end tables being sheltered from any user viewing or amending thereof.

[00283] However, as mentioned before, the system 10 permits a manual approval of the building permit; this alternative option may be shown within a‘pop up’ window for the user to choose. If selected, the building permit application will be submitted to the council digitally via the system 10 for review of a council officer.

[00284] Figures 9 and 10 show a particular spreadsheet used for defining the backend parameters. The spreadsheet comprises table-flowcharts to define an end result based on the particular improvement to be erected and on the data inputted by the user of the system 10.

[00285] Figure 9 demonstrates how the selection of roof beams may be determined, with the process following the direction of the arrows and by narrowing down the options in each step ending with the defined beams for each section of the selected improvement (shown within the red circle).

[00286] Figure 10 demonstrates how the footings selection may be determined, with the process following the direction of the arrows and by narrowing down the options in each step ending with the defined parameters for each section of the selected improvement (shown within the red circle).

[00287] Figure 1 1 illustrates an example of how back-end parameters of a selected improvement may be defined based on the improvement details, user input and local council regulations. This example demonstrates some examples of the particular council parameters that are taken into account when deciding where a building structure may be located within the plot of land 14 as illustrated in figures 12 and 13. [00288] The examples shown in figures 12 and 13, of both engineering and council parameters, will vary in complexity and details depending on (1 ) the type of improvement that will be selected and (2) specific details and dimensions of the improvement and (3) back-end parameters.

[00289] The system 10 is adapted to generate and update a multitude of the backend parameters of the type shown in figure 11 , each table suited to its individual design type, and sub-categorized into each design type.

[00290] A certified engineer will co-develop all engineering related constraints (i.e. engineering parameters) as to suit all Australian building standards, whereas local council codes will be defined and input by suitably qualified local council Planning and Development departments.

[00291] During the process of preparing the building permit application, upon the user’s requests, extra engineering analysis can be undertaken to suit in case the user wishes the automated design to be customised. In this particular case a qualified engineering sub-contractor can define parameters customised to this particular case.

[00292] In order for Council Parameters to be defined, each local council must first specify which region the particular council has jurisdiction over. This process may be referred to as Add Region. The Add Region process comprises preparing all BackEnd Tables which include the back-end parameters of that particular council and making it accessible to the system 10 for interaction with the user and preparation of the building permit application.

[00293] Referring now to figures 15 to 22. These figures refer to the process of issuing the building plans of the improvement to be attached to the building permit application. [00294] The building plans include notes, tables and quantity estimations based on the type of improvement that has been has been selected by the user. The Building plans also include images of the plot of land 14 including the improvement to erected and drawings of the improvement.

[00295] The building plans are generated using all the data that has been calculated during the above-described processes including the information input by the user. All pre-defined drawing offsets (position of drawings within plans) are designated to ensure presentation do not overlaps and that drawings are scaled to suit Council and Engineering requirements.

[00296] The process for generating the buildings plan include the steps of: (1 ) generating the drawings of the improvement(s), (2) inserting the notes, tables into the building plans, (3) inserting the site plan into the building plans; and (4) calculating the quantity estimations and inserting them into the building plans,

[00297] The step of generating the drawings of the improvement is outlined in figures 20 to 22 and described below. For generating the drawings, the majority of improvements that users may wish to erect on their plot of land 14 are classified in accordance with“structure type”.

[00298] Examples of the different Structure Types the user can select include, but are not limited to;

[00299] Further, each of the Structure Types listed above are sub-categorised into Design Types’. Figure 16 shows a particular example of a building plan for erecting a front fence. As will be described below, fences are classified as Continuous Design types. Gazebos are classified as Fixed Symmetrical Design Type. Extending a roof structure to an established house for, for example, adding an additional living space to the house is classified as a Segmented Design Type.

[00300] As will become evident below when describing the process of generating the drawings, the sub-categorisation of particular Structure Types into particular Design Types is established on the algorithm that most efficiently is used to generate the drawings of the particular structure based on the properties of the particular design.

[00301] Examples of the‘Design types’ include to the following; Continuous (Such as a structure running from A to B - i.e. a retaining wall.) [00284] Multi- Geometric (A repeating‘honey comb’ structure - i.e. modular apartments), Fixed Symmetrical (Such as a structure with 4 faces - i.e. a shed), Tri-Symmetrical (A three-sided structure - i.e. A fixed carport), Double-Symmetrical (A structure with 90 degree 2 faces - i.e. a parapet wall), Single (A fixed dimension structure with number of minor size options-i.e. Tennis Court), Segmented (a structure which can be divided into known areas in which to define, in order to generate drawings- i.e. a suspended concrete slab)

[00302] Step 1 : Determining Design Type Algorithm

[00303] 1.0 Calculated Total dimension(s) of structure using data obtained from

"User Input Form" user input and calculations, with different methods for different structure types.

[00304] Assign start point as "A" and end point as "B" for "Continuous Structures." All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design to select the correct design details, notes and tables for the chosen structure. OR

[00305] 1.2 Use width / length for "2, 3, 4-sided Symmetrical structure‘design types’. " OR "Single structure ‘design types’." All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design, to select the correct design details for the chosen structure. OR

[00306] 1.3 Use specific structure dimensions (as specified in "User Input

Form") for "Multi- Geometric" ‘design types’." (Repeating designs). All

Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design, in to select the correct design details, notes and tables for the chosen structure. OR

[00307] 1.4 For“Segmented structure”‘design types’, the user is to segment image into divisible sections to define dimensions (See Annex A, Section Έ’, Figure: "Generating a Segmented Structure type". All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design, to select the correct design details, notes and tables for the chosen structure.

[00308] Step 2: Algorithm approaches per Design type.

[00309] 2.0 An Algorithm identifies and Divides into structure type into repeating segments using specific dimensions as‘boundary’ markers (or‘breaks’ between continuous structures, such as the distance of a gate or opening) for each loop, along with any other points defined by the user with the“User Input Form”. [00310] 2.1. For "Continuous structures"‘design types’: use total length divided into segments starting from boundary "A" and finishing at boundary "B", duplicating inserted images to suit structure and any openings and site boundary lines / overall length of structure.

[0031 1] For continuous structures that may not be set out as a straight line, users may define segments based on each change of direction the structure takes when inserting, such as: Starting at“A” to “B” TO“C” and finishing at location N.

[00312] All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design, to select the correct design details for the chosen structure. OR

[00313] 2.2. For "Symmetrically sided” (fixed structures) ‘design types’, the design is generated by segmenting the structure to suit overall dimensions (i.e. Height, width, length of structure), specific structure type and any spacing requirements obtained from user inputs OR pre-set / calculated Engineering / council parameters. Each symmetrical segment is replicated depending on the number of symmetrical faces (or sides) and stitched back together for the final drawing generation.

[00314] All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design, to select the correct design details for the chosen structure. OR

[00315] 2.3. For "Segmented Structures"‘design types’, the user must specify each segment of structure, by identifying individual segments of the structure by dragging and marking a separate ‘box’ shape to define each segment and inputting any required data, depending on what structure has been selected. [00316] The Algorithm generates drawings for each segment using relevant GIS & User input data to calculate dimensions of each segment, and therefore Engineering design (such as beam spans etc.), before stitching all segments back together in order to form one complete drawing.

[00317] All Engineering and Council parameters are defined in the form of backend tables in which the code references when generating design to select the correct design details for the chosen structure. These details are identified within the“User Input Form” process.

[00318] Step 3: Algorithm functions

[00319] 3.0 Algorithms loop through all obtained Structure Parameters which vary depending on what structure(s) have been selected. All input dimensions by user generate drawing data through running these‘looping’ algorithms until all applicable sides / symmetrical sections or total spans of structure are calculated to suit Engineering and Council parameters.

[00320] Step 4: Drawing‘simple’ shape components

[00321] 4.0 Drawing data is then translated and converted to images, using simple shapes (for example, circles, triangles etc..), boxes (for example, squares, rectangles) and lines and arrows, which have predefined traits, such as line thickness, texture, hatching / fill and colour, depending on what material or attribute they have been defined as. These are inserted and‘stitched’ together to form complex structure image components, based on the structure type selected and the defined Engineering and Council parameters and pre-defined definitions on how each‘simple shape’s offset from the last is set. This process is shown in figure 17a to 17b. [00322] Figures 17a and 17b to the left demonstrate how simple shapes are able to be generated and then stitched together to form individual structure sections, based on their relative positioning to the defined start point and specified dimensions.

[00323] As will be described below once the more complex objects (sections) have been defined, a looping process is initiated to create the final drawings. See figure 18 for the looping process.

[00324] 4.1 Once these‘simple’ shapes are defined and have been stitched to form x1 segment /‘face’ / side of the structure (based on the standard code per each preselected structure), the process is replicated and offset to suit parameters to suit the structure type and overall dimensions OR Total span of the structure, (if applicable).

[00325] 4.2 Positions and offsets of these‘simple’ shapes to form the more complex structures are calculated by specific defined offsets of the previous components as they are generated through these looping algorithms. Initially these offsets are based from a defined Start point of the specified structure (Both X and Y axis’s) and adjusted to suit cumulative dimensions as the loops progress, adjusting each inserted image.

[00326] Dimension arrows, specifying exact calculated spans of crucial components are simultaneously inserted as each loop is re-set, and obtaining text and span data direct from shape information details within the algorithm as they are generated.

[00327] Figure 18 shows an example of how a continuous structure is generated, by duplicating and editing the complex structures which resulted by stitching simple shapes together. [00328] Step 5: Final Drawings

[00329] 5.0 All structure image components are generated and stitched together and placed into their relevant drawing sections with the plans, scaled to suit drawing type (i.e. Layout, Sections, Elevations /Site plan) ensuring correct plan location and aesthetics to suit drafting standards & Engineering / Council parameters / drawing requirements.

[00330] 5.1 The offset position, scales and paper size of the final drawings within the plan are determined within each structures individual coding, adjusting to suit a variety of sizes depending on total drawings, and used to determine most suitable, economical and practical paper size for the plans, depending on the structures details and size.

[00331] The drawing offset is coded as to always position the individual drawings depending on other images generated, to a uniform ratio, ensuring centring and drawing distribution within the print area is always aesthetic.

[00332] Spacing ratios of drawings are dynamic in nature and positioning / presentation of the drawings on the page(s) will be determined each job and determined by sizes and dimensions of individual structures and notes.

[00333] 5.2 Much the same as the positioning / offsets of the‘simple’ shapes to form each segment (Similar as referred to in Step 4) the completed segments comprising of the simple shapes are positioned using offsets of previous images and the initial start point (using X and Y positions), using a loop procedure to generate each section before continuing to the next segment.

[00334] 5.3 Positions of continuous structures are also defined by‘structure breaks’, such as an inserted gate(s) or openings. [00335] The structure is divided into each section occurring between the ‘Structure breaks’ as well as the initial Start point (Shown as‘A’ in figure 19) and End point (Shown as‘B’ in figure 19) which were inputted by the user during preparation of the structure design, or the figure below, which briefly indicates how segments and offsets are generated through code.

[00336] Step 6: Inserting other relevant details within the plans

[00337] 6. Notes (i.e. Site specifications & earthworks) and building tables (i.e. concrete tables or Member schedules) are extracted from a backend data base where relevant and applicable text and/or components edited to suit specific Engineering and Council parameters, as well as structure type and dimensions, before being placed into their allocated area within the final plans.

[00338] Their positioning is largely determined by similar principles as described in Step 5 of this annex.

[00339] An example of a simple concrete table which has been altered to suit engineering constraints can be seen below:

[00340] Step 7: Generating Site Plan

[00341] 7. The Site Plan is derived from all information input and obtained throughout the“Inserting the structure” process, as demonstrated in figures 12, 13 and 14. [00342] All existing GIS data as well as any new GIS data generated is combined with the information regarding the inserted structure(s) and transposed into the building plans.

[00343] The size and scale of the site plan is largely defined by the Council parameters, and typically is set to 1 :200, but can be manually altered to suit requirements if necessary.

[00344] Key dimensions of the site plan are added to the building plans, such as boundary’s, existing structure offsets, height datum’s, topographical details & utilities, among others.

[00345] If the site is NOT to be levelled prior to construction (as specified by user / or recommended automatically during‘User input form’ Process), additional notes will be provided on the plans, as well as cross sections to provide a visual on how the structure will work with the topography.

[00346] Step 8: Quantity estimations

[00347] 8. Quantity estimates are generated by counting the number of simplified’objects’ as they are generated by the algorithm (see section 4), which are defined into material categories within the coding stage, where exact volumes are summed and catalogued for the user, based on back end definitions as defined by Engineering Parameters and basic volume calculations.

[00348] An example of how the quantities’ can be obtained using code is shown below:

[00349] Example Below: Calculating the Quantity of Bricks required for a brick wall with piers (Continuous structure type): [00350] CODING DEFINITIONS (can be):

• No. Piers = Nop

• Pier Width = pW

• Pier Height = pH

• No. Bricks per Pier course = BpC (obtained by pre-defined backend table)

• Brick Length =bL

• Brick Width =bW

• Brick Height = Bh

• Mortar thickness = Mt

• Height of wall between piers = Wh

• Total structure Length = TL

• Sum Width of openings (sum Width of structure breaks) = WSb

• No Openings (structure breaks) = Sb

• Calculations:

[00351] 1.0 Bricks per pier = ( (pH / bh) - ((pH / bh) x Mt) ) x BpC = Bpp

• Total Bricks for all Piers = Bpp x Nop = TBP

• 2.0 Total bricks for all Wall sections = TBW

• 2.1 TBW sq. m’s = (TL - (Wsb + ( Nop x Pw)) x Wh

• 2.2 Total bricks required = TBWR = (1 / bL) - ((1 / bL) x Mt) x TBW

[00352] TOTAL BRICKS ESTIMATED = TBP + TBW [00353] Each structure type and material being estimated utilises simple math to calculate materials. A 10% discrepancy margin is added to final calculation to allow for breakage etc. (This margin is variable depending on materials and can be specified by the user)

[00354] Step 9: Submit plans / pre- approval / manual submission

[00355] 9. If the user selects the option to“Submit plans for Automatic Council approval” (which is shown in the form of a pop up window after the plans have been generated) building Submission forms are automatically filled with data obtained through out the“User Input Form” and“Drawing generation” processes, to suit council standards and procedures.

[00356] Once selected, a PDF of the building plans, all council forms and other data regarding the structure is generated and submitted to the requested council department, as well as numerical & GIS data is formatted to suit council preferences to allow easy record formatting.

[00357] Internal options to Print are also available, however, larger plans will be referred to local printing companies for pickup of hardcopy’s, should the user require.

[00358] Step 10: Data retention

[00359] 10. All data is retained per structure designed and sorted into thorough internal databases to provide extensive data analytics to provide future service and research.

[00360] The system 10 further comprises a project management tool for providing an overview to the user of the construction process of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land 14. Figure 23 displays an example of the calendar of the project management tool.

[00361] The project of the construction process of the improvement is represented visually as an interactive calendar which by default highlights the recommended progression of the construction of the project and allows users to fully customise, add, adjust and display all features of the construction project of the improvement.

[00362] Furthermore, the system 10 comprises a project management tool for providing an overview to the suppliers and contractors. This tool is based on a visual and interactive calendar approach with addition features incorporated within and aims at assisting Trades and Retail companies in the following areas; Communicate direct with client, Confirm dates / arrival times, Confirm misc. details, Receive deposits, Track job progression, Automatic notification of changes within schedule, View statistics and job analytics, Generation of invoices, Record keeping, Displayed GPS details, such as travel time to destination, Auto quoting options for instant quotes to clients, Auto time frame estimations, Auto schedule adjustments if schedule is amended by any other party involved.

[00363] The ability to display and edit or adjust any / all details in the form of an app for a portable device and instantly inform others involved within the project of any changes which may affect their schedules.

[00364] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[00365] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [00366] Furthermore, various different terminologies are used in this specification which relate to graphical user interface elements, such as buttons, elements, regions, areas, media, and windows. It should be understood that these and other terminology refer to graphics that are displayable on a display screen and that can be interacted with (e.g., via touch screen, mouse devices and/or keyboard) or be associated with other graphical elements that can be interacted with by a user.

[00367] Further, the terms servers, computers, PCs, tablets, or similar computing devices as well as communication devices such as cell-phones are all considered to at least have processors for executing software stored in memory, communications components (e.g., Ethernet or wifi) for communicating with other devices across a data network, as well as input devices, such as touch screens, mouse devices, or keyboards, to interact with the software. The software may at least include an operating system, a web browser and sales system software.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A computer system to provide a graphical display including a plurality of screen areas and pictorial representations of at least one improvement to be erected or constructed at a site, the pictorial representations being displayed as one or more icons for manipulation by a user of the computer system between the screen areas for determining the suitability of erecting, installing or constructing the improvement at the site in response to the manipulation of the icons, the computer system comprising:

at least one processor for generating a plan of the site at which the improvement is to be erect, installed or constructed;

at least one selection of structure and/or material types to be used for erection, installation or construction a the site;

at least one comparator arranged and configured to compare at least one selected structure and/or material type with at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter; and

the computer system showing on the graphical display an indication of whether the selected at least one structure or material type is permitted or is not permitted at the site based on the at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein data for use by the at least one processor is stored in at least one storage device, such as at least one digital memory device.

3. The computer system of claim 1 , including at least one data storage device for storing one or more of data associated with the improvement, data associated with back end parameters that impose limitations to the type of improvement that may be erected, installed or constructed on the site, site geographical location and/or orientation information, images of the site provided by a satellite system and/or manned or unmanned flying craft, information provided by the user.

4. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, including a computer processor for executing program instructions and for retrieving at least some of the data stored in the at least one data storage device.

5. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, the graphical display including providing at least one positioning indicator for showing whether an intended position of the structure or material is permitted or not permitted based on the at least one permitted erection, installation or construction parameter.

6. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one positioning indicator includes a colour variation to identify a difference between allowed and not allowed positioning of the structure or material at the site or that the intended position is within or outside of the permitted parameter(s).

7. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one parameter is set by a governing authority or regulatory body.

8. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system has access to an inventory of allowed structural components and/or materials.

9. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more representations or identifiers of structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials are electronically stored for repeat display on the graphical display.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein for multiple structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials required for display on the graphical display, the computer system is enabled to replicate the same structural components, structural assemblies and/or materials from those stored without having to recreate for each use.

1 1. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more predefined and/or pre-approved structures are stored in a storage device for preapproved application to a display of the site on the graphical display providing clearances and any other required spatial parameters are met.

12. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system includes a computing means in communication with the computer processor, for storing program instructions for execution by the computer processor to do one of or any combination of two or more of:

graphically display a screen area to be for permitting the user to provide user information and details of the site to the computer processor and storing the user information and the details of the site in the at least one data storage device;

retrieve data from the at least one data storage device to graphically display an image associated with the site in a second screen area;

determine particular conditions prevailing at the site;

retrieve data from the at least one data storage device and graphically display another screen area for permitting the user to select pictorial representations stored in the at least one data storage device of the Improvement and to customise the Improvement by selecting type of materials and additional options stored in the at least one data storage device retrieved from the at least one data storage device;

graphically display one or more icons associated with at least one the pictorial representation of the selected improvement in a first screen area;

retrieve the back end parameters from the at least one data storage device and determining the limitations imposed on the Improvement selected by the user if the Improvement is to be erected, installed or constructed at particular locations of the site;

graphically display on the second screen area including the image of the site, the areas where the erection, installation or construction of the improvement is not permitted;

receive from the user a graphical indication that the icon or icons representative of the improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area;

provide an indication to the user whether the improvement can be located at a particular location of the site during the user’s action of indicating to the computer processor that the icon representative of the improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area; and

permit the user to place the icon on a particular location of the pictorial representation of the site; this particular location being representative of the particular location on the site where it is suitable to erect, install or construct the improvement.

The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, including at least one data storage device for storing one or more of data associated with the Improvements, data associated with back end parameters that impose limitations to the type of improvement that may be erected, installed or constructed on the site, site geographical location and/or orientation information, images of the site provided by a satellite system and/or manned or unmanned flying craft, information provided by the user;

a computer processor for executing program instructions and for retrieving at least some of the data stored in the at least one data storage device; and

a computing means in communication with the computer processor, for storing program instructions for execution by the computer processor to:

determine particular conditions prevailing at the site;

retrieve data from the at least one data storage device and graphically display another screen area for permitting the user to select pictorial representations stored in the at least one data storage device of the Improvement and to customise the Improvement by selecting type of materials and additional options stored in the at least one data storage device retrieved from the at least one data storage device; graphically display one or more icons associated with at least one pictorial representation of the selected improvement in a first screen area;

receive from the user a graphical indication that at least one said icon representative of the improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area;

permit the user to drop the icon on a particular location of the pictorial representation of the site; this particular location being representative of the particular location on the site where it is suitable to erect, install or construct the improvement.

13. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the site is a plot of land or body of water, or a combination of a plot of land and a body of water.

14. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one data storage device includes one of or a combination of any two or more of:

a first data storage device for storing the data associated with the improvements;

a second data storage device for storing the data associated with the back end parameters;

a third data storage device for storing the geographical location data;

a fourth data storage device for storing the images of the site;

a fifth data storage device for storing the information provided by the user; and

a sixth data storage device for storing data related to the third parties.

15. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is arranged and configured to interact with a user and/or one or more third parties through a remote user device.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the remote user device includes one or more of a PC, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone or a smart phone.

17. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, further including printing means for printing hard copies of the building plans to be generated by the computer system.

18. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indication provided to the user of where within the site the improvement can be erected, installed or constructed includes generating within the second screen area including the image of the site of at least a first area and at least a second area.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein the areas include shading to differentiate the areas from each other and/or from other areas of the site.

20. The computer system of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the first area indicates to the user the particular surface area of the site where the improvement can be erected, installed or constructed in order for approval of an approval permit application to occur; and the second area indicates to the user the particular surface area of the site where erection, installation or construction of the improvement will not be approved.

21. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer processor is arranged and configured to generate the first and second areas based on prevailing administrative regulations forming part of the back end parameters and stored in the at least one data storage device.

22. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer processor is arranged and configured to provide an indication to the user at which location of the first area the pictorial representation of the improvement can be located in order to gain approval for the permit application.

23. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical indication that the icon representative of the Improvement is to be associated with a particular location of the second screen area includes a graphical drag-and-drop indication.

24. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer processor is adapted to vary particular characteristics of the icon of the improvement as the user drags the icon over the second screen area.

25. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particular characteristics include varying one or more colours of the pictorial representation and/or generating particular signs on the pictorial representation.

26. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if the icon is being dragged by the user to a location being spaced apart a particular distance from a boundary of the site or any building structure, the computer processor adapts the icon if the particular distance is less than the prescribed distance between building structures and boundaries as set by authority regulations; by displacing the icon such that the distance between boundary of the site or any building structure would be allowable under the authority regulations for erecting, installing or constructing the Improvement, the computer processor further adapts the icon to indicate that the authority regulation approval is probable.

27. The computer system of claim 26, wherein the computer processor adapts and/or further adapts the icon by varying one or more of colour, size or shape of the icon.

28. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer processor receives an indication from the user that the pictorial representation of the Improvement is to be depicted at a particular location of the image of the site.

29. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user can select the icon representing the pictorial representation of the improvement to drag the icon to a particular location within the image of the plot of land and at that particular location, the user may drop/release the icon.

30. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an indication from the user that the pictorial representation of the improvement is to be depicted at a particular location of the image of the plot of land comprises selecting the particular improvement to be located with the second screen area and subsequently selecting on one or more locations of the screen are to indicate to the computer processor the locations where the particular improvement should be located.

31. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, further including selecting at the starting points and at the end points of the continuous design type improvements.

32. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer processor generates the image associated with site by superposing a plurality of map layers.

33. The computer system of claim 32, wherein each map layer displays a particular GIS data.

34. The computer system of claim 32 or 33, wherein the map layers include streams and lakes water body’s, ground water, subterraneous and surface geology, surface terrain and topography, roads, political boundaries, parcels, building footprints, utility lines, GPS, Northerly directions and orthophoto imagery.

35. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system graphically displays a further screen area including mandatory or optional fields to be filled out by the user with information related to the improvement and additional options selected.

36. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is adapted to provide the option of seeking approval for multiple different structures within the one building permit application.

37. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is adapted to insert a“self provided” structure onto the graphical display.

38. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user can utilise a pre-designed particular structure externally, and choose to upload and insert the pictorial representation of this structure in the first screen area.

39. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particular conditions prevailing on the site comprise Wind Regions, Corrosion Classification, Soil Type and Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL) Identification.

40. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is adapted to generate building plans and a building permit application and subsequently submitting online the building plans and a building permit application to the regulatory body.

41. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is adapted to approve the building permit application or provide hard copies of the building permit application or submit the building application for a manual approval process to occur for approving the building permit application.

42. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system is adapted to provide a project management tool for providing an overview to the user of the construction process of the improvement to be erected on the plot of land.

43. The computer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein footings for the construction, erection or installation are specified based on at least one soil or site type selected from one or more of sand, low reactivity soil/chance of clayey material high reactivity soil and an inspected soil type.