4-D Construction Modeling Software for Visual Content Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques struggle to efficiently compare field-captured digital content with modeled digital content for infrastructure projects, particularly in terms of aligning and visualizing differences over time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 4-D construction modeling software that includes a cloud-based 4-D comparison service and a local 4-D modeling client, featuring a digital content alignment service and a 4-D difference engine to automatically align and compare digital content, highlighting differences through various visual interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual data entry is used to capture construction progress information, then data collection is simple and straightforward, but the data is less expressive and more time-consuming to collect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital cameras, laser scanners, and photogrammetry applications to create digital copies (photographs, point clouds, 3-D mesh models) of construction sites, replacing manual data entry with automated visual documentation that is both easy to collect and highly expressive
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry processes with automated optical and computational systems (cameras, laser scanners, photogrammetry software) that automatically capture and process construction progress information
2Quantity of substance
If field-captured digital content is used to represent actual construction progress, then the data is more expressive and easier to collect, but it becomes difficult to compare with modeled digital content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 4-D construction modeling software system as an intermediary that standardizes both field-captured digital content and modeled digital content into a common 4-D framework, enabling automated alignment and comparison through time-synchronized visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to traditional 3-D digital content by creating 4-D models that incorporate temporal information, allowing comparison of construction progress across different time points through time control channels and synchronized visualization
3Measurement precision
If users manually match and align digital content for comparison, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes very time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically align and synchronize digital content through self-service mechanisms, where the 4-D construction modeling software automatically matches field-captured content with modeled content using time stamps and spatial coordinates without requiring manual user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alignment actions by pre-synchronizing digital content during the data collection and import phase, where time control channels and automated alignment algorithms prepare the content for comparison in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustment during analysis
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate software applications are used to view different types of digital content, then each application can be optimized for its specific content type, but the comparison process becomes inefficient and differences are often overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate software applications into a single integrated 4-D construction modeling software system that can simultaneously display and compare different types of digital content (photographs, point clouds, 3-D models, CAD models) in a unified interface with synchronized time control channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal 4-D construction modeling software system that performs multiple functions (viewing, comparing, analyzing, documenting) across different digital content types within a single platform, eliminating the need to switch between specialized applications
Data Source
AI summary
In example embodiments, techniques are provided for visually comparing digital content for an infrastructure project according to time using 4-D construction modeling software. The 4-D construction modeling software includes a cloud-based 4-D comparison service and a local 4-D modeling client. The 4-D comparison service includes a digital content alignment service and a 4-D difference engine. The digital content alignment service aligns different pieces of digital content and produces views that provide visual comparison between different pieces of digital content. The 4-D difference engine automatically determines differences between different pieces of digital content. The 4-D modeling client includes a 4-D comparison user interface (UI) process that receives user input used to generate, and then displays a generated visual comparison between different pieces of digital content. The 4-D comparison UI utilizes time control channels for selecting digital content and comparison controls for selecting a type of visual comparison.