Automated system for assisting the architectural process

摘要

There is disclosed an automated system for assisting the architectural process on an open-network. The system may include a data entry means for user-selected project features and at least one catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. The system may further incorporate filtering means for providing a graphical interface with filtered data associated with a user-selected feature, at least one user database which stores a unique identifier of the user-selected feature, automated selection means for incorporating data associated with the user-selected feature into at least one document, and generation means for creating an architectural document, such as a specification, detail, or schedule. The system may include at least one remote catalog database from which the user-selected feature is identified. Included are tracking the architectural process, querying a user database or a group of user databases, and generating Industry Foundation Class tags for industry compatibility searching.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method for automating generation of an architectural contract document for a building, the method comprising using a computer comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a set of instructions operable to configure the computer to perform a set of acts, the set of acts comprising:
a) providing an architectural work category specific form to a user by sending, to a user computer, data operable to cause the user computer to display the architectural work category specific form, wherein the provided architectural work category specific form comprises a drop down box from a set of one or more drop down boxes and at least one additional data entry tool, wherein:
i) the at least one additional data entry tool is operable by the user to specify a value for a first attribute of an architectural feature corresponding to the architectural work category to which the provided architectural work category specific form is specific; andii) the drop down box is operable by the user to specify a value for a second attribute of the architecture feature corresponding to the architectural work category to which the provided architectural work category specific form is specific; b) receiving a user specified value for the first attribute of the architectural feature from the at least one additional data entry tool; c) associating the user specified value received from the at least one additional data entry tool with a unique identifier; d) based on the user specified value for the first attribute, filtering choices for values of the second attribute of the architectural feature presented by the drop down box based on:
i) comparing the unique identifier associated with the user specified value for the first attribute against items in one or more stored catalogs; andii) defining, as the filtered choices for values for the second attribute, a set of values for that attribute for items in the one or more stored catalogs which comply with the user specified value for the first attribute; e) sending, to the user computer, data operable to limit choices for the user to specify for the value of the second attribute of the architectural feature displayed by the drop down box to the filtered choices; f) after receiving a selection of a choice from the filtered choices from the drop down box, providing a catalog page from the one or more stored catalogs for the user to select a catalog item compatible with the selected choice from the filtered choices to populate values for attributes of the selected catalog item into the architectural work category specific form; g) based on selection of the catalog item, populating values for attributes of the selected catalog item into the architectural work category specific form; h) generating an industry foundation class XML file based on:
i) the values for attributes of the selected catalog item populated into the architectural work category specific form; andii) the user specified value for the first attribute received from the at least one additional data entry tool; i) a determining if the selected catalog item is in drawing format; j) determining if a second selected catalog item is in drawing format; k) generating a drawing comprising the architectural feature by performing a set of acts comprising:
i) inserting into the drawing the selected catalog item when the selected catalog item was determined to be in drawing format; andii) inserting into the drawing the second selected catalog item when the second selected catalog item was determined to be in drawing format.