Method and system for construction project management using photo imaging measurements

Abstract

The present invention is a method and system of small construction project management by way of photo imaging and measurement capture for use by do-it-yourselfers, handymen and small contractors. The method and system operates on mobile computing devices and includes an image recognition system. By performing various imaging based measurements and then processing the resultant data, the method and system produces bills of materials. invoices, and receipts for the necessary tools and materials required by a construction project.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computerized method for providing construction project management, the method comprising:
 receiving project data for a project from a remote device running a project management application, wherein the project data includes a project name and at least one image with dimension information;   identifying a list of project information guides for the project based on at least one of the project name, image and dimension information;   communicating the list of project information guides to the project management application and receiving back a selected project information guide;   calculating required construction tools and materials for the project based on the selected project information guide and dimension information; and   providing a point of sale interface accessible by the project management application for purchasing required construction tools and materials from an eCommerce vendor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving project data comprises receiving project data in a project information relational database. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said project data further comprises:
 one or more project information guide web site addresses;   one or more tools; and   one or more materials.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying a list of project information guides comprises:
 analyzing project name data and the at least one image with dimension data;   searching for URLs based on the analyzing;   forwarding a list of project guide video URLs to the project management application; and   receiving a selected project guide video URL.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including inputting manually tools lists and materials lists from the project management application. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: performing photo image recognition, including:
 acquiring one or more photo images;   identifying said photo images; and   tagging said photo images.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein calculating required construction tools and required materials comprises:
 receiving recommended tools and recommended materials from said project information guides;   receiving project dimensions data; and   calculating required construction tools and materials.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a point of sale interface for purchasing required construction tools and required materials comprises:
 accessing a vendor eCommerce web server via network communications;   selecting required tools and required materials on said vendor eCommerce web server and communicating selected tools and materials to the project management application;   facilitating a transaction on said vendor eCommerce web server;   transmitting a transaction receipt to the project management application.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said dimension information includes calibration information. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when executed by a computer system provide construction project management, the computer program product comprising:
 program code for receiving project data for a project from a remote device running a project management application, wherein the project data includes a project name and at least one image with dimension information;   program code identifying a list of project information guides for the project based on at least one of the project name, image and dimension information;   program code for communicating the list of project information guides to the project management application and receiving back a selected project information guide;   program code for calculating required construction tools and materials for the project based on the selected project information guide and dimension information; and   program code for providing a point of sale interface accessible by the project management application for purchasing required construction tools and materials from an eCommerce vendor.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein the program code for identifying a list of project information guides comprises:
 program code for analyzing project name data and the at least one image with dimension data;   program code for searching for URLs based on the analyzing;   program code for forwarding a list of project guide video URLs to the project management application; and   program code for receiving a selected project guide video URL.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising: program code for performing photo image recognition, including program code for:
 acquiring one or more photo images;   identifying said photo images; and   tagging said photo images.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein the program code for calculating required construction tools and required materials comprises program code for:
 receiving recommended tools and recommended materials from said project information guides;   receiving dimension data; and   calculating required construction tools and materials.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein program code for providing a point of sale interface for purchasing required construction tools and required materials comprises program code for:
 accessing a vendor eCommerce web server via network communications;   selecting required tools and required materials on said vendor eCommerce web server and communicating selected tools and materials to the project management application;   facilitating a transaction on said vendor eCommerce web server; and   transmitting a transaction receipt to the project management application.