Material Quantity Visualization Widget for LEED Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining the quantity of a particular material used in large and complex physical objects, such as buildings, are cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when multiple elements are made of the same material, as seen with concrete in LEED certification processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for visualizing the quantity of a material in a physical object by displaying a visual representation of the object, allowing user selection of features to filter and highlight elements made of specific materials, and providing a visual representation of the filtered model, using a computer system with a processor and memory to perform these steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual selection of each element is used to determine material composition, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual representation (copy) of the physical object model that displays material composition information directly. Instead of manually selecting each element, the system generates a visual copy showing which elements are made of specific materials, allowing users to quickly assess material quantities without tedious manual selection while maintaining measurement precision through automated identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual representation layer between the raw model data and the user. This intermediary display feature automatically aggregates and presents material composition information, serving as a mediator that translates complex model data into easily interpretable visual information about material quantities and distribution.
2Productivity
If automated filtering by material type is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional system that can perform multiple operations: displaying the visual representation, filtering by material type, highlighting specific materials, and providing quantitative information. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated system, improving productivity through automation while managing complexity by combining rather than multiplying separate components.
3Loss of information
If detailed visualization of each element's material composition is provided, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing users to focus on specific material types of interest rather than presenting all material information simultaneously. The filtering and highlighting features enable users to concentrate on particular materials (e.g., concrete, steel) without being overwhelmed by the complete set of material data, thus maintaining information completeness while improving ease of operation through selective visualization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for illustrating progress in achieving a goal of a system modeled by a computer program. In one embodiment, the invention is evidenced by a method comprising the steps of displaying a widget wherein the widget comprises a center portion representing a category of data represented by the computer program and the category of data includes n data points that must be fulfilled to achieve the goal and an outer portion, comprising a segment representing each one of the n data points; and updating the widget to represent each of the n data points that has been fulfilled by delineating each segment representing a fulfilled data point requirement from each segment representing a non-fulfilled data point requirement.