Customizable Virtual Representation for Construction Product Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current construction project management systems fail to provide real-time inventory tracking, pricing, and installation cost estimates for customized construction products, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies in selection and purchase processes.
Innovation Solution
A computing device-based system that generates a customizable virtual representation for users to select and purchase construction products and associated installation products, providing real-time comparative pricing estimates and cost savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If currently known applications and systems provide cost estimates and virtual views for construction products, then users can make selections, but the systems fail to account for installation cost changes based on installation techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines construction product selection with installation product selection and installation cost estimation into a single integrated system. The system merges multiple functions (product catalog, installation guide, cost calculator, virtual visualization) into one unified platform that automatically computes total costs including installation based on selected installation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a product catalog, installation manual, cost estimator, and virtual visualization tool. By making the system universal and multi-functional, it provides comprehensive construction project planning capabilities without requiring multiple separate applications.
2Ease of operation
If customers proceed without construction industry knowledge, then they can access the system, but design revisions are repeated and accurate estimation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to independently complete construction project planning and cost estimation without requiring expert knowledge. It provides self-service capabilities through automated calculations, intelligent recommendations, and user-friendly interfaces that guide non-experts through the selection and estimation process accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about design choices, cost implications, and installation requirements. This feedback loop helps customers understand the consequences of their selections and make informed decisions, reducing the need for repeated design revisions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If architectural design changes are made, then customization is achieved, but real-time information sharing and quantity calculation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically updates all cost estimates, quantities, and project information in real-time as design changes are made. The automated calculation engine continuously recalculates based on modified parameters, ensuring that cost and quantity information remains current without manual intervention or time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores material quantities, installation requirements, and cost parameters for various construction products and configurations. This preliminary preparation enables rapid updates when design changes occur, as the system can quickly retrieve and recombine pre-computed data rather than calculating everything from scratch.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor-implemented method of providing a customizable virtual representation for selection and purchase of construction products and associated installation products, using a computing device is provided. The method includes generating and displaying a personalized set of selection options for the user based on a) a selection received from the user in a current interaction, b) a history of selections by the user in previous interactions, and c) a user preference data from online sources, on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the computing device, receiving a selection from the user in the personalized set of selection options via the GUI, and generating and displaying, a first multi-dimensional virtual representation of construction units with the selected personalized set of selection options, allowing user to modify the personalized set of selection options; and dynamically modifying the first multi-dimensional virtual representation and displaying a second multi-dimensional virtual representation based on modification of personalized set of selection options by user.