Generative QA for Construction Project Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document data extraction and retrieval methods for large construction project data are time-consuming and lack accuracy, often requiring manual rules and lacking insight querying capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The system enables users to query construction project data via a natural language messaging interface, generating answers with sources, and automating data extraction and transformation into insights using large language models and embedding techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual data extraction methods are used, then accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata extraction accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data extraction processes with an automated AI-based system that uses large language models to extract, process, and retrieve information from construction documents. The system automatically processes documents, answers questions, and provides insights without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining accuracy while significantly reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If keyword search methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but information retrieval accuracy decreases for complex queries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch simplicityVSAvoidinformation retrieval accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple keyword search mechanisms with an AI-powered natural language processing system. Users can ask complex questions in natural language, and the system uses large language models to understand, interpret, and retrieve relevant information accurately, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving retrieval accuracy for complex queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the search parameter from simple keywords to natural language questions. The AI model processes these questions by converting them into search queries that can retrieve relevant information from construction documents, thereby improving accuracy while keeping the user interface simple and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated AI-based extraction is used, then speed increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an AI-based intermediary layer between the user and the construction documents. This intermediary system automatically processes, extracts, and retrieves information using large language models, thereby increasing processing speed. The system handles the complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to users, effectively managing the trade-off between speed and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If manual rule-based workflows are used, then reliability is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkflow reliabilityVSAvoiddata retrieval efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual rule-based workflows with an AI-powered automated system. The large language models process construction documents and retrieve information reliably, maintaining the trustworthiness of manual processes while dramatically improving productivity. The system can handle complex scenarios that manual rules cannot address, thereby improving both reliability and productivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250200399A1Methods and systems for generative question answering for construction project data
Publication Date: 2025.06.19 TRUNK TOOLS INC
  • US20250200399A1 patent drawing
  • US20250200399A1 patent drawing
  • US20250200399A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for generative question answering for construction project document. The method comprises: receiving a question from a user via a message interface, wherein the question is related to information from a plurality of construction project documents; identifying, using one or more large language models, one or more relevant documents from the plurality of construction project documents and one or more chunks relevant to the question, and generating an answer based at least in part on the one or more relevant documents and one or more chunks; and providing the answer and one or more links to the one or more relevant documents in a text message in the message interface.