Hypergraph Database for Concurrent Multi-User Building Plan Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing and sharing building plans and photos across the lifecycle of a building are fragmented and lack effective version control, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in collaboration among stakeholders.
Innovation Solution
A method for providing concurrent multi-user access to a building representation markup hypergraph, which generates a hypergraph based on processed building representations and markup data, using a graph triple-store database and a GraphQL API, allowing simultaneous editing and updating of plans and photos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static file copies are downloaded by each user for individual viewing and editing, then users can access building plans and photos on their own devices, but version control issues and file synchronization problems arise between plan and photo files across building and lifecycle stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate building plan files and photo files into a unified hypergraph data structure. This consolidation allows all stakeholders to access and collaborate on a single synchronized source of truth, eliminating version control issues while maintaining ease of access through the unified digital platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central file service system with a hypergraph database as an intermediary between users and building data. This mediator manages all file versions, coordinates updates across plan and photo files, and ensures synchronization without requiring users to manually manage copies, thus preserving ease of access while preventing information loss.
2Productivity
If multi-user 3D CAD/BIM processes are used for concurrent online access, then real-time collaboration is enabled, but large architecture and engineering files with large amounts of static geometry data create performance and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large 3D CAD/BIM geometry data into a structured hypergraph format where building elements are divided into discrete nodes and relationships. This segmentation reduces the computational burden on user devices while maintaining real-time collaboration capabilities, as users interact with structured data representations rather than raw large-scale geometry files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the data representation from traditional large-scale 3D geometry files into a hypergraph data structure with defined nodes, edges, and properties. This parameter change in data organization enables efficient storage and retrieval, reducing device complexity requirements while supporting multi-user concurrent access and real-time collaboration.
3Loss of information
If proprietary 2D/3D CAD/BIM source files are used for building plans, then detailed construction information is available, but specialized software and training are required to view and edit the information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal hypergraph-based file service system that can represent and manipulate building information from various proprietary CAD/BIM sources through a common interface. This multi-functional platform allows users to view and edit detailed construction information without requiring specialized proprietary software or extensive training, as the system handles data conversion and presentation uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the hypergraph-based file service as an intermediary layer between proprietary CAD/BIM source files and end users. This mediator extracts and structures detailed construction information from various proprietary formats into a universal hypergraph representation, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with specialized software while preserving all construction information details.
4Loss of information
If traditional paper-pen markups on large sized sheets are used for technical coordination, then detailed annotations can be made, but the process is time-consuming and difficult to share and update concurrently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical paper-pen markup system with a digital hypergraph-based annotation system. Users can add, edit, and share markup and annotations directly on digital building representations through the file service platform. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming processes of physical markup handling while preserving all annotation details in a searchable, editable digital format accessible to multiple users concurrently.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing concurrent multi-user access to a building representation markup hypergraph, the methods comprising: receiving a building representation; generating a processed building representation from the building representation; receiving building representation markup data; generating a hypergraph based at least in part on the processed building representation and the representation markup data, wherein the hypergraph comprises a graph triple-store database; receiving a first access request from a first user; in response to receiving the first access request, providing access to the hypergraph to the first user; receiving a second access request from a second user; and in response to receiving the second access request, providing access to the hypergraph to the second user concurrent with providing access to the hypergraph to the first user.