Video Annotation System for Construction Plan Defect Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional construction document management systems lack the capability to effectively associate, modify, and report on comments related to construction plans, limiting the ability of entities involved in construction projects to collaborate and manage changes efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing electronic construction-related documents, enabling users to search, filter, and report on comments, with features such as metadata association, video and audio file annotation, and graphical annotation tools, allowing for the display and management of comments directly on plan sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional hardcopy blueprint type drawings or simple electronic drawings are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the capability to associate, modify, and comment on plans is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to associate, modify, and comment on plansVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: viewing electronic drawings, adding comments, associating metadata, generating reports, and coordinating among multiple entities (architects, contractors, public agencies). This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive plan management while maintaining a unified system interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments plan management into discrete commentable elements with specific coordinates on plan sheets. Each comment is an independent unit with associated metadata (category, subcategory, project type, discipline), allowing granular control and selective reporting on specific plan aspects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If conventional systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the capability to locate and generate reports with respect to plan comments is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocating and generating reports on plan commentsVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback mechanisms through automated report generation that consolidates comments from multiple users and entities. Reports can be generated based on selected metadata criteria, providing structured feedback on plan review status and requiring corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary platform between multiple stakeholders (architects, design firms, contractors, public agencies), centralizing comment storage and report generation. This intermediary function enables efficient information exchange and coordinated plan review without requiring direct communication between all parties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users need to add and manage comments on plan sheets, then collaboration capability improves, but the complexity of managing and locating comments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration capabilityVSAvoidmanaging and locating comments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Comments are associated with specific local coordinates on plan sheets, allowing users to precisely locate comments related to specific plan elements. This local association enables efficient navigation and context-aware comment management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses metadata parameters (category, subcategory, project type, discipline) to organize and filter comments. Users can change the viewing parameters by selecting different metadata criteria, making it easy to locate relevant comments without manually searching through all comments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9792024B2Systems and methods for management and processing of electronic documents using video annotations

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 E PLAN INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for managing and processing building plan documents including plan sheets. A toolbox of building project-related annotation tools comprising geometrical shapes and corresponding metadata indicating a criticality of a building project related defect is provided. An interface enables a selection of one or more video frames from a video file. A video frame editing area enables a user to drag and drop a shape over a portion of a frame displayed in the editing area to highlight a building defect. An interface enables the user to define a relationship between a video file and a building-related task. A user annotation, comprising a geometrical shape and corresponding metadata indicating a criticality of a building project related defect, of a video frame is received. An association of the video file with a first building project-related task is generated. A search interface enables the user to search for annotated video files associated with building projects.