Building Department Integrated Solution for Plan Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Municipal building departments face inefficiencies due to lack of centralized data management, leading to errors, delays, and high costs in handling building plans and property information, with manual processes and paper-based systems causing inaccuracies and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The Building Department Integrated Solution (BDIS) provides a centralized relational database for storing and managing building data, enabling secure online access, real-time updates, and wireless communication for field personnel, reducing errors and streamlining processes through digital document management and collaborative review tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If paper-based manual processes are used for building plan management, then document storage and handling are simple, but data accuracy deteriorates due to numerous manual calculations and transcription errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual paper-based processes with an automated computer-based system. Building officials use handheld devices to input inspection data, which is automatically transmitted to and stored in a centralized database, eliminating manual calculations and transcription operations that caused errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of building plans and inspection records that can be accessed and viewed by multiple users simultaneously. Scanned building plans are stored in the database and can be accessed by building officials, owners, and other stakeholders without requiring physical document handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If inspectors manually travel to municipal office to pick up inspection schedules and submit reports, then data transfer is simple, but time efficiency deteriorates due to travel time and manual data transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidtime for data transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of physical travel and paper-based data transfer with electronic data transmission. Inspectors use handheld devices to access inspection schedules and submit reports electronically, with data automatically transmitted to the centralized database, eliminating travel time and manual data entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inspectors can independently access inspection schedules, submit reports, and view building plans using handheld devices without requiring visits to the municipal office. The system provides self-service capabilities that allow inspectors to complete administrative tasks remotely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If hard copy building plans are stored in large office spaces, then document security is simple, but storage costs and access time deteriorate due to massive space requirements and manual document retrieval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument retrieval timeVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Physical building plans are scanned and converted into digital copies that are stored in a centralized database. These digital copies can be accessed by multiple users simultaneously from any location, eliminating the need for large physical storage spaces and manual document retrieval while maintaining document availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If building plans are routed through multiple departments for approval, then review thoroughness is improved, but process efficiency deteriorates due to delays and potential document loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereview completenessVSAvoidapproval process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized database acts as an intermediary that coordinates the review process among multiple departments. Building plans are electronically distributed to relevant departments for review, and all comments and approvals are tracked and integrated in the database, ensuring thorough review while eliminating manual document routing and reducing delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7831628B1System and method for management of building department services

Publication Date: 2010.11.09 QUINTANA OSIRIS

AI summary

The present invention, known as, a Building Department Integrated Solution (BDIS), provides a new method and system of municipality building information management in a municipality's building department by providing a management tool that provides accuracy and improves efficiency in the processes. The present invention enables users to compile, access, provide and deliver accurate, relevant, secured and required building department data to building officials and/or homeowners/contractors. The present invention enables users to transmit plans, request inspections and retrieve inspection results along with any issued certifications via a network. Inspectors also retrieve and schedule inspection requests via the network. Upon completion of the inspection, inspectors may transmit inspection results and initiate issuance of certificates of completion via the network.