Patent Application
20140278268
The invention relates generally to the mapping of data between different documents associated a construction project, and more particularly to a computer-aided method for automatically resolving one-to-many and many-to-many mapping conflicts when mapping between files that are based on different classification standards.
A construction or renovation project is a collaborative effort that requires the collective skills of a number of different professionals and workers. Architects, engineers, designers, contractors and owners are all involved at various stages of the project, sometimes having very little direct communication with one another. Of course, a building is a complex structure that is constructed using a variety of components including, e.g., windows, doors, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, etc. The various components of the building must be selected and assembled together correctly, as specified by an overall plan for the project, and in accordance with accepted building practices and building codes. It is therefore common practice to produce drawings, models and specifications describing the work that is to be performed and the building components that are to be used. Such documents are utilized by the various professionals and workers during all stages of the project, and are largely responsible for the successful outcome of the project.
The use of computer-aided design and building-information-modeling processes has been gaining popularity in recent years. A Building Information Model (BIM) describes a building structure or topology (e.g., walls, doors, elevators, stairwells, location, shape and boundaries of the compartments, etc.) as semantic objects grouped into standard classes. Each class of objects has standard properties such as physical dimensions, but can also be assigned special properties such as the R-values for windows and doors, fire ratings for doors and walls, and trafficability of a space. Such BIM information can be used to rapidly and automatically generate 3D graphical renderings of buildings, as well as in a range of other applications from energy management to evacuation planning.
Building information models are typically described as assemblies, based on internationally recognized standards of classification such as UniFormat, Masterformat or OmniClass, among others. Such classification systems provide a consistent way to define building model elements, regardless of the complexities of the assemblies or model elements that they represent. It is also a very logical way to categorize building model elements, in which the components of the building are described as assemblies rather than constituent parts.
Specification documents, on the other hand, have been around for many years and little has changed in the way they are prepared. Specifications are written in a linear way, and are structured according to products, activities or construction requirements. For instance, in North America specifications are based on MasterFormat, a 50-division, material-specific organizational format which, according to the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), is an “organizational standard for specifications and is a master list of titles and numbers classified by work results for organizing data about construction requirements, products, and activities.” The specification document is written by a specification writer and reflects a myriad of decisions that have been made during the design process regarding the components of the building, such as for instance the specific type of each of the components and the number of units of each type of component required, etc. Commercial master specifications currently are provided as word processing files or as a database file. Each word processing file is a separate specification section. In the database iteration, the entire specification is stored in one file. In both cases, the user edits the contents of the master specification to achieve the appropriate information for the project at hand.
Of course, it is desirable to automate the process of creating or updating a specification document based on the information that is contained in a BIM. Automation of such tasks eliminates the need to employ specification writers, and facilitates more frequent updating of the specification document to reflect changes that are made to the BIM during the course of a construction project. Unfortunately, as noted above, often the BIM and the specification document are based on different classification standards. As a result, in many cases, an element does not map uniquely from the classification standard that is used for the BIM to classification standard that is used for the specification document. That is to say, an element is classified in the BIM according to the element type, the dimensions of the element, etc., whereas the same element is further classified in the specification document according to the materials from which the element is fabricated, etc. Since the two classification standards classify the same element with different levels of specificity, a problem arises in that an element in the BIM may be susceptible to being classified within a plurality of different classifications in the specification document. Resolving a one-to-many mapping conflict of this type requires making a decision, such that the element in the BIM can be assigned to a unique classification in the specification document. In the past, a specification writer made this decision based on other information relating to the design requirements for the element.
It would be beneficial to provide a method that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a computer-aided method, comprising: using a computer system, generating a data file including first data indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project, the classification in accordance with a first classification standard, and the data file including second data associated with the first data, the second data indicative of at least a label that is descriptive of the element of the construction project, the at least a label other than in accordance with the first classification standard; applying, by the computer system, a filtering rule based on the at least a label; and automatically mapping the element to a unique classification in accordance with a second classification standard based on the first data and based on a result of applying the filtering rule to the second data, wherein the classification in accordance with the first classification standard corresponds to a plurality of classifications in accordance with the second classification standard, the plurality of classifications including the unique classification.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a computer-aided method, comprising: receiving, at a computer system, first data that are indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project according to a first classification standard and second data that are associated with the first data, the second data indicative of a label that is descriptive of the element, the label being one of a plurality of predetermined labels; applying, by the computer system, a filtering rule based on the label; and automatically mapping the element to a unique classification of a second classification standard based on the first data and the second data and a result of applying the filtering rule, wherein the classification in accordance with the first classification standard corresponds to a plurality of classifications in accordance with the second classification standard, the plurality of classifications including the unique classification.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a computer-aided method, comprising: using a process in execution on a processor of a computer system, generating a first data file including first data indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project, the classification being in accordance with the UniFormat classification standard, the first data file further including second data associated with the first data, the second data indicative of at least a label that is descriptive of the element, and the at least a label being other than in accordance with the UniFormat classification standard; implementing, in a mapping module in execution on the processor of the computer system, filtering rules based on the at least a label; and accessing implemented filtering rules, and responsive to the first data and the second data and the implemented filtering rules, automatically mapping the element to a unique number and title of the MasterFormat classification standard.
In accordance with an aspect of at least one embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions for implementing a method, the method comprising: generating a first data file including first data indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project, the classification being in accordance with the UniFormat classification standard, the first data file further including second data associated with the first data, the second data indicative of at least a label that is descriptive of the element, and the at least a label being other than in accordance with the UniFormat classification standard; implementing filtering rules based on the at least a label; and accessing implemented filtering rules, and responsive to the first data and the second data and the implemented filtering rules, automatically mapping the element to a unique number and title of the MasterFormat classification standard.
The instant invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the several views, and in which:
The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Throughout the description and in the appended claims, the term “UniFormat” is intended to encompass variants including but not limited to the following: “UniFormat,” “UniFormat II,” “UniFormat 2010,” “GSA UniFormat,” “ASTM UniFormat” and “R.S. Means UniFormat” or any other similar standard.
With reference to
Processing system 102 includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically the processing system 102 that executes instructions provided on computer-readable media, such as on memory 104, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, a flash memory device, a USB device, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium.
Memory 104 includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 102. Mass storage device 106 provides non-volatile storage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one or more program modules such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein.
The system 100 includes one or more input devices 108 to enable a user to enter data and/or instructions. Examples of such input devices include a keyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touchscreen, or other pointing device, etc. Additionally, the system 100 includes one or more output devices 110 for providing human intelligible information to the user. Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, and the like.
As noted above, optionally the system 100 is in communication with other systems via a communication network, such as for instance the Internet. In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. As such, the system 100 may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality of networked devices.
In this specific example the label relates to the material from which Element A is fabricated, but alternatively the label is descriptive of another suitable property of the Element A. For instance, the label optionally relates to color, water resistance treatment, finish, order of completion in the project, commercial or residential, etc. Further, the label optionally includes synonyms and/or abbreviations for the material from which Element A is fabricated. Further optionally, the label is descriptive of more than one material from which Element A is fabricated, such as for instance wood/vinyl/aluminum. The primary material may be so identified and/or ranked higher than the other, minor materials.
Referring now to
As discussed previously a first classification standard is used to classify elements in the BIM, and a second classification standard is used to classify elements in the specification document. By way of a specific and non-limiting example, the BIM is based on the UniFormat classification standard and the specification document is based on the MasterFormat classification standard. As will be apparent, the MasterFormat classification standard includes many more classes than does the UniFormat classification standard. As a result, mapping from the BIM to the specification document may result in mapping uncertainties, such as for instance a one-to-many mapping conflict. That is to say, an element in the BIM may map onto a set of classifications in the specification document, the set of classifications relating to different materials from which the element is fabricated or to other characteristic properties of the element.
Referring still to
In the example that is discussed with reference to
Referring now to
As discussed previously a first classification standard is used to classify elements in the BIM, and a second classification standard is used to classify elements in the specification document. By way of a specific and non-limiting example, the BIM is based on the UniFormat classification standard and the specification document is based on the MasterFormat classification standard. As will be apparent, the MasterFormat classification standard includes many more classes than does the UniFormat classification standard. As a result, mapping from the BIM to the specification document may result in mapping uncertainties, such as for instance a one-to-many mapping. That is to say, an element in the BIM may map onto a set of classifications in the specification document, the set of classifications relating to different materials from which the element is fabricated.
At 500 first data and second data are received at a computer system, the first data being indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project according to a first classification standard and the second data associated with the first data and being indicative of a label that is descriptive of the element. For instance the label is one of a plurality of predetermined labels relating to materials from which the element is fabricated. At 502 a filtering rule is applied by the computer system, the filtering rule based on the label. At 504 the element is automatically mapped to a unique classification of a second classification standard based on the first data and the second data and a result of applying the filtering rule.
In this specific example the label relates to the material from which the element is fabricated, but alternatively the label is descriptive of another suitable property of the element. For instance, the label optionally relates to color, water resistance treatment, finish, order of completion in the project, commercial or residential, etc. Further, the label optionally includes synonyms and/or abbreviations for the material from which the element is fabricated. Further optionally, the label is descriptive of more than one material from which the element is fabricated, such as for instance wood/vinyl/aluminum. The primary material may be so identified and/or ranked higher than the other, minor materials.
Referring now to
As discussed previously a first classification standard is used to classify elements in the BIM, and a second classification standard is used to classify elements in the specification document. By way of a specific and non-limiting example, the BIM is based on the UniFormat classification standard and the specification document is based on the MasterFormat classification standard. As will be apparent, the MasterFormat classification standard includes many more classes than does the UniFormat classification standard. As a result, mapping from the BIM to the specification document may result in mapping uncertainties, such as for instance a one-to-many mapping conflict. That is to say, an element in the BIM may map onto a set of classifications in the specification document, the set of classifications relating to different materials from which the element is fabricated.
At 600, using a process in execution on a processor of a computer system, a first data file is generated. The first data file includes first data that are indicative of a classification of an element of a construction project, the classification being in accordance with the UniFormat classification standard. The first data file further includes second data associated with the first data, the second data indicative of at least a label that is descriptive of the element, and the at least a label being other than in accordance with the Uniformat classification standard. At 602 filtering rules are implemented, in a mapping module in execution on the processor of the computer system, based on the at least a label. At 604 implemented filtering rules are accessed and, responsive to the first data and the second data and the implemented filtering rules, the element is automatically mapped to a unique number and title of the MasterFormat classification standard.
In this specific example the label relates to the material from which the element is fabricated, but alternatively the label is descriptive of another suitable property of the element. For instance, the label optionally relates to color, water resistance treatment, finish, order of completion in the project, commercial or residential, etc. Further, the label optionally includes synonyms and/or abbreviations for the material from which the element is fabricated. Further optionally, the label is descriptive of more than one material from which the element is fabricated, such as for instance wood/vinyl/aluminum. The primary material may be so identified and/or ranked higher than the other, minor materials.
The methods described herein, with specific reference to
While the above description constitutes a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to further modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
