US2018210422A1PendingUtilityA1
Systems and methods for construction abstraction

Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 30, 2012Filed: Mar 19, 2018Published: Jul 26, 2018
Est. expiryNov 30, 2032(~6.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
G06F 30/00G05B 2219/49389F16B 12/02G05B 2219/45234G05B 19/4097G05B 2219/45174Y10T29/49629E04F 13/14E04C 2/00E04B 2/60G06F 17/50
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References
Claims
Abstract

A frame design and a sheathing design for a design model may be produced by the systems and methods described herein. A processor in communication with a database may receive a design model comprising building specifications. The processor may define a panel in the design model and generate the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel.
Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, with a processor in communication with a database, a design model comprising building specifications;   defining, with the processor, a panel in the design model; and   generating, with the processor, a frame design and a sheathing design for the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the defining of the panel comprises:
 identifying, with the processor, a structural block in the design model;   identifying, with the processor, a largest closed surface on the structural block and a closed surface closest to a ground place on the structural block;   determining, with the processor, a border of the largest closed surface;   determining, with the processor, a border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane;   transforming, with the processor, the border of the largest closed surface and the border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane into intersecting lines;   generating, with the processor, intersecting planes at predetermined intervals from the intersecting lines;   determining, with the processor, points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block;   splitting, with the processor, the structural block at the points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block; and   defining, with the processor, each split section of the structural block as a panel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generating of the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel comprises:
 receiving, with the processor, material and/or structural specifications;   extracting, with the processor, a frame surface design and a sheathing surface design from the panel according to the material and/or structural specifications;   extruding, with the processor, the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design according to the material and/or structural specifications;   subtracting, with the processor, the extruded frame surface design and the extruded sheathing surface design from the panel to determine the cavity; and   defining, with the processor, the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design as a panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating of the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel further comprises:
 identifying, with the processor, a largest closed surface on the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design and a closed surface closest to a ground place on the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design;   determining, with the processor, a border of the largest closed surface;   determining, with the processor, a border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane;   transforming, with the processor, the border of the largest closed surface and the border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane into intersecting lines;   generating, with the processor, intersecting planes at predetermined intervals from the intersecting lines;   determining, with the processor, points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design;   splitting, with the processor, the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design at the points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block; and   labeling, with the processor, each split section of the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating of the frame design for the panel comprises:
 identifying, with the processor, a plurality of frame members for the frame design;   determining, with the processor, points of intersection between the plurality of frame members;   splitting, with the processor, the frame design at the points of intersection between the frame members;   generating, with the processor, connectors configured to connect the plurality of frame members at the points of intersection; and   labeling, with the processor, each split section of the frame design.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating of the frame design for the panel comprises:
 generating, with the processor, a rib structure design for the frame design based on a load per area to be supported and/or a construction material characteristic.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the generating of the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel further comprises:
 receiving, with the processor, an opening for the panel;   subtracting, with the processor, the opening from the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design;   identifying, with the processor, a plurality of frame members for the frame design, wherein the frame members are not located at the opening;   determining, with the processor, points of intersection between the plurality of frame members;   splitting, with the processor, the frame design at the points of intersection between the frame members;   generating, with the processor, connectors configured to connect the plurality of frame members at the points of intersection; and   labeling, with the processor, each split section of the frame design.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, with the processor, a maximum dimension;   determining, with the processor, a dimension of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design;   when the dimension of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design is greater than the maximum dimension, defining, with the processor, a cutplane for the frame design and/or the sheathing design;   splitting, with the processor, the frame design and/or the sheathing design into a plurality of segments along the cutplane;   determining, with the processor, points of intersection between the plurality of segments;   generating, with the processor, connectors configured to connect the plurality of segments at the points of intersection; and   labeling, with the processor, each segment.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, with the processor, a maximum area;   determining, with the processor, an area of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design;   fitting, with the processor, the frame design and/or the sheathing design into the maximum area; and   generating, with the processor, a specification including the fit of the frame design and/or the sheathing design into the maximum area.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 checking, with the processor, the database to determine an availability of a component of the panel in an inventory;   when the component is available, removing, with the processor, the component from the database; and   when the component is not available, generating, with the processor, an order for the component.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising operating a computer numerical control (CNC) system according to the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating, with the processor, a surface design for the panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating of the surface design further comprises:
 identifying, with the processor, an exposed surface of the panel;   determining, with the processor, a border of the exposed surface;   transforming, with the processor, the border of the exposed surface into intersecting lines;   mapping, with the processor, the intersecting lines into a linear approximation to produce a two dimensional surface design;   extracting, with the processor, a border contour for the two dimensional surface design;   mapping, with the processor, a texture design to the two dimensional surface design;   generating, with the processor, a shape contour and a modified texture map corresponding to the two dimensional surface design and texture design.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the generating of the surface design further comprises:
 identifying, with the processor, an exposed surface of the panel;   approximating, with the processor, a triangle tessellation to a curvature of the exposed surface;   mapping, with the processor, a triangle to the triangle tessellation;   generating, with the processor, a two dimensional surface design from the mapped triangle;   extracting, with the processor, a border contour for the two dimensional surface design;   mapping, with the processor, a texture design to the two dimensional surface design;   generating, with the processor, a shape contour and a modified texture map corresponding to the two dimensional surface design and texture design.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising printing the surface design. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying, with the processor, a fixture design; and   modifying, with the processor, the panel to include space for the fixture design.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the identifying of the fixture design includes determining, with the processor, a fixture type. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising searching, with the processor, the database to determine a spatial requirement of the fixture type. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the modifying of the panel comprises:
 determining, with the processor, a best fit line within the panel for the fixture; and   subtracting, with the processor, a space along the best fit line from the frame design and/or the sheathing design.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising determining, with the processor, a dimension of the space based on a spatial requirement of the fixture design. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising subtracting, with the processor, an additional space from the frame design and/or the sheathing design based on a spatial requirement of the fixture design. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying, with the processor, a fixture design; and   generating, with the processor, assembly instructions for the fixture design.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the generating of the assembly instructions for the fixture design comprises determining a dimension of a pipe design and/or a conduit design. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the generating of the assembly instructions for the fixture design comprises:
 receiving, with the processor, a maximum dimension for each of a plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   locating, with the processor, an intersection point between the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   generating, with the processor, a joint design corresponding to the intersection point;   modifying, with the processor, the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs to accept the joint design;   when one of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs has a dimension greater than the maximum dimension, dividing, with the processor, the one of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs; and   labeling, with the processor, the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the generating of the assembly instructions for the fixture design further comprises:
 receiving, with the processor, a maximum length;   determining, with the processor, a length of each of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   fitting, with the processor, the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs into the maximum length; and   generating, with the processor, a specification including the fit of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs into the maximum length.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising operating a tubing system according to the assembly instructions for the fixture. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, with the processor, an intersection between the panel and another surface; and   generating, with the processor, a joint design for the intersection.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein:
 when the intersection is between the panel and a second panel, the joint design is a push joint design and the generating of the push joint design comprises extracting, with the processor, a cylinder from the panel at a point on the intersection and a corresponding cylinder from the second panel at a corresponding point on the intersection; and   when the intersection is between the panel and a floor or ceiling, the joint design is a slide joint design and the generating of the slide joint design comprises generating, with the processor, a joint hardware element design and extracting, with the processor, a space for the joint hardware element design from the panel.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating, with the processor, a visual model of a structure according to the frame design and the sheathing design; and   causing, with the processor, the visual model to be displayed on a display.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 receiving, with the processor, a user command associated with the visual model; and   performing, with the processor, an action in response to the user command, the action comprising modifying the visual model, associating a rating with the visual model, requesting a payment associated with the visual model, and/or generating construction instructions associated with the visual model.   
     
     
         31 . A system comprising:
 a database; and   a processor in communication with the database, the processor constructed and arranged to:
 receive a design model comprising building specifications; 
 define a panel in the design model; and 
 generate a frame design and a sheathing design for the panel. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to define the panel by:
 identifying a structural block in the design model;   identifying a largest closed surface on the structural block and a closed surface closest to a ground place on the structural block;   determining a border of the largest closed surface;   determining a border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane;   transforming the border of the largest closed surface and the border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane into intersecting lines;   generating intersecting planes at predetermined intervals from the intersecting lines;   determining points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block;   splitting the structural block at the points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block; and   defining each split section of the structural block as a panel.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel by:
 receiving material and/or structural specifications;   extracting a frame surface design and a sheathing surface design from the panel according to the material and/or structural specifications;   extruding the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design according to the material and/or structural specifications;   subtracting the extruded frame surface design and the extruded sheathing surface design from the panel to determine the cavity; and   defining the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design as a panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel by:
 identifying a largest closed surface on the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design and a closed surface closest to a ground place on the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design;   determining a border of the largest closed surface;   determining a border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane;   transforming the border of the largest closed surface and the border of the closed surface closest to the ground plane into intersecting lines;   generating intersecting planes at predetermined intervals from the intersecting lines;   determining points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design;   splitting the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design at the points of intersection between the intersecting planes and the structural block; and   labeling each split section of the panel comprising the frame design and the sheathing design.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the frame design for the panel by:
 identifying a plurality of frame members for the frame design;   determining points of intersection between the plurality of frame members;   splitting the frame design at the points of intersection between the frame members;   generating connectors configured to connect the plurality of frame members at the points of intersection; and   labeling each split section of the frame design.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the frame design for the panel by:
 generating a rib structure design for the frame design based on a load per area to be supported and/or a construction material characteristic.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel by:
 receiving an opening for the panel;   subtracting the opening from the frame surface design and the sheathing surface design;   identifying a plurality of frame members for the frame design, wherein the frame members are not located at the opening;   determining points of intersection between the plurality of frame members;   splitting the frame design at the points of intersection between the frame members;   generating connectors configured to connect the plurality of frame members at the points of intersection; and   labeling each split section of the frame design.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 receive a maximum dimension;   determine a dimension of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design;   when the dimension of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design is greater than the maximum dimension, define a cutplane for the frame design and/or the sheathing design;   split the frame design and/or the sheathing design into a plurality of segments along the cutplane;   determine points of intersection between the plurality of segments;   generate connectors configured to connect the plurality of segments at the points of intersection; and   label each segment.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 receive a maximum area;   determine an area of the frame design and/or of the sheathing design;   fit the frame design and/or the sheathing design into the maximum area; and   generate a specification including the fit of the frame design and/or the sheathing design into the maximum area.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 check the database to determine an availability of a component of the panel in an inventory;   when the component is available, remove the component from the database; and   when the component is not available, generate an order for the component.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to send the frame design and the sheathing design for the panel to a computer numerical control (CNC) system. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate a surface design for the panel. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate the surface design by:
 identifying an exposed surface of the panel;   determining a border of the exposed surface;   transforming the border of the exposed surface into intersecting lines;   mapping the intersecting lines into a linear approximation to produce a two dimensional surface design;   extracting a border contour for the two dimensional surface design e;   mapping a texture design to the two dimensional surface design;   generating a shape contour and a modified texture map corresponding to the two dimensional surface design and texture design.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate the surface design by:
 identifying an exposed surface of the panel;   approximating a triangle tessellation to a curvature of the exposed surface;   mapping a triangle to the triangle tessellation;   generating a two dimensional surface design from the mapped triangle;   extracting a border contour for the two dimensional surface design;   mapping a texture design to the two dimensional surface design;   generating a shape contour and a modified texture map corresponding to the two dimensional surface design and texture design.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to send the surface design to a printer. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 identify a fixture design; and   modify the panel to include space for the fixture design.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to identify the fixture design by determining a fixture type. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to search the database to determine a spatial requirement of the fixture type. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to modify the panel by:
 determining a best fit line within the panel for the fixture design; and   subtracting a space along the best fit line from the frame design and/or the sheathing design.   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to determine a dimension of the space based on a spatial requirement of the fixture design. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to subtract an additional space from the frame design and/or the sheathing design based on a spatial requirement of the fixture design. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 identify a fixture design; and   generate assembly instructions for the fixture design.   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the assembly instructions for the fixture design by determining a dimension of a pipe design and/or a conduit design. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the assembly instructions for the fixture design by:
 receiving a maximum dimension for each of a plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   locating an intersection point between the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   generating a joint design corresponding to the intersection point;   modifying the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs to accept the joint design;   when one of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs has a dimension greater than the maximum dimension, dividing the one of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs; and   labeling the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to generate the assembly instructions for the fixture design by:
 receiving a maximum length;   determining a length of each of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs;   fitting the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs into the maximum length; and   generating a specification including the fit of the plurality of pipe designs and/or conduit designs into the maximum length.   
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to send the assembly instructions for the fixture design to a tubing system. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 determine an intersection between the panel and another surface; and   generate a joint design for the intersection.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein:
 when the intersection is between the panel and a second panel, the joint design is a push joint design and the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the push joint design by extracting a cylinder from the panel at a point on the intersection and a corresponding cylinder from the second panel at a corresponding point on the intersection; and   when the intersection is between the panel and a floor or ceiling, the joint design is a slide joint design and the processor is constructed and arranged to generate the slide joint design by generating a joint hardware element design and extracting a space for the joint hardware element design from the panel.   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 generate a visual model of a structure according to the frame design and the sheathing design; and   cause the visual model to be displayed on a display.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the processor is further constructed and arranged to:
 receive a user command associated with the visual model; and   perform an action in response to the user command, the action comprising modifying the visual model, associating a rating with the visual model, requesting a payment associated with the visual model, and/or generating construction instructions associated with the visual model.
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