Virtual structure data repository and directory

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer accessible system for electronically storing a model which communicates the physical attributes of a structure along with warranty, insurance and other information relative to that structure. The system of the present invention integrates physical information in a model which is displayed as a physical representation of the structure with other non-physical information. Selecting specific areas of the model provides access to data regarding physical or non-physical characteristics of that area of the structure and the contents thereof. Data relevant to warranties, insurance, maintenance or other information can be accessed by selecting portions of the model or indices attached or related to that portion. Equipment, appliances and other items within the structure may also be controlled by access through the computer model. Systems of the present invention allow multiple users to remotely access the information and model via a computer network, such as the Internet, in order to make informed decisions regarding the structure and its characteristics.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An electronic repository for storing and providing access to structure information, said repository comprising: 
 a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure; and    real and personal property data.    
     
     
         2 . The repository of  claim 1  wherein said model is a dimensionally accurate three-dimensional model.  
     
     
         3 . The repository of  claim 1  wherein said real and personal property data comprises a real property inventory and a personal property inventory wherein said real property inventory is stored so as to be distinct and conveniently severable from said personal property inventory.  
     
     
         4 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising projects data.  
     
     
         5 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising sponsor data.  
     
     
         6 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising scheduling data.  
     
     
         7 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising advertising data.  
     
     
         8 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising a private documents vault.  
     
     
         9 . The repository of  claim 1  further comprising learning objects.  
     
     
         10 . A method for storing and providing access to structure information, said method comprising: 
 storing a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    storing an inventory of items related to real property associated with said structure;    storing an inventory of items related to personal property of persons associated with said structure, wherein said inventories comprise warranty and insurance coverage information for said items; and    making said model and said inventories accessible to network users.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of storing warranty data relevant to said structure.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of storing warranty data relevant to said items.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of storing insurance policy data relevant to said structure.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of storing insurance policy data relevant to said items.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of storing alert data.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of providing learning objects  
     
     
         17 . A method for disseminating structure information through a computer network, said method comprising: 
 providing access to a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    providing access to an inventory of items related to real property associated with said structure;    providing access to an inventory of items related to personal property of persons associated with said structure; and    making said model and said inventories accessible to network users.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to warranty data relevant to said structure.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to projects data.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to sponsor data.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to scheduling data.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to advertising data.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to a private documents vault.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of providing access to learning objects.  
     
     
         25 . A system for storing and providing access to structure information, said system comprising: 
 storage for a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    storage for an inventory of items related to real property associated with said structure;    storage for an inventory of items related to personal property of persons associated with said structure, wherein said inventories comprise warranty and insurance coverage information for said items; and    network access to said model and said inventories.    
     
     
         26 . A computer readable medium for storing and providing access to structure information, said medium comprising instructions for: 
 storing a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    storing an inventory of items related to real property associated with said structure;    storing an inventory of items related to personal property of persons associated with said structure, wherein said inventories comprise warranty and insurance coverage information for said items; and    making said model and said inventories accessible to network users.    
     
     
         27 . A computer data signal embodied in an electronic transmission, said signal having the function of storing and providing access to structure information, said signal comprising instructions for: 
 storing a model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    storing an inventory of items related to real property associated with said structure;    storing an inventory of items related to personal property of persons associated with said structure, wherein said inventories comprise warranty and insurance coverage information for said items; and    making said model and said inventories accessible to network users.    
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for storing and providing access to structure information, said apparatus comprising: 
 an electronic model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    a computer-readable record of real property items associated with said structure and real property data;    a computer-readable record of personal property items associated with said structure and personal property data;    a computer-readable record of warranty data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items; and    a computer-readable record of insurance policy data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items;    wherein said apparatus stores and provides computer access to said model and said records.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a computer-readable record of valuation data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items wherein said apparatus further stores and provides computer access to said valuation data.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a computer-readable record of depreciation data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items wherein said apparatus further stores and provides computer access to said depreciation data.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising a computer-readable record of alert data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items wherein said apparatus further stores and provides computer access to said alert data and wherein said apparatus automatically notifies a user of impending alerts.  
     
     
         32 . A method for storing and providing access to structure information, said method comprising steps for: 
 creating and maintaining an electronic model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    creating and maintaining a computer-readable record of real property items associated with said structure and real property data;    creating and maintaining a computer-readable record of personal property items associated with said structure and personal property data;    creating and maintaining a computer-readable record of warranty data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items;    creating and maintaining a computer-readable record of insurance policy data relevant to an element selected from the group consisting of said structure, said real property items and said personal property items; and    providing computer access to said model and said records.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising steps for alerting a user regarding events related to an item.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising steps for providing a user with maintenance and modification information related to an element selected from the group consisting of an item or structure component.  
     
     
         35 . A method for remotely controlling an item, said method comprising steps for: 
 creating and maintaining an electronic model which accurately communicates dimensional characteristics of a structure;    creating and maintaining a computer-readable record of electronically controllable items associated with said structure, said items being represented as selectable elements in said electronic model;    providing control access to said items through selection of said selectable elements; and    providing computer network access to said model and said records.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein said items are selected from the group consisting of appliances, equipment and electronic devices.