US5918219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for estimating construction project costs and schedules based on historical data
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-12-14
•
Granted: 1999-06-29
•
Expires: 2014-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A distinctive estimating method using a concise depiction, organization, and presentation of time, related to the number of items accomplished, to produce a Historical Data Block of information, that is a stable inference base. These Blocks of information can be stored, referenced, anatomized, multiplied or divided and restacked, to create other accurate totals and estimates. This stable Block easily allows the accurate calculation of future duration times and item quantity totals. The calculated item quantities can be used to calculate current item costs and totals, by using a current item cost database. Or the item totals can be printed and sent out, requesting a quote, or sent out as purchase orders. The accurate duration times can be used to automatically produce a schedule, concurrently with the estimate, by using a predefined templet. These duration times can also be used to calculate accurate: duration costs, employee goals for profit sharing, payroll, and insurance premiums, all of which increase the efficiency of management and the estimating processes.
Inventors
- 👤 John Philip Isherwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/04; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/201; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
A computer system for assisting in construction project cost estimating, comprising: a historical construction job database that stores historical construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; a user interface for entering project definition parameters that define portions of a user specified project for which a cost estimate is needed, and for displaying images, the displayed images including pictures of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions for which factual labor time quantity data is stored in the historical construction database; and project estimation means, including best historical construction job selection means for presenting on the user interface project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by the user and for prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and estimate computation means for retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the retrieved factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs, wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computation means combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
A computer system for assisting in construction project cost estimating, comprising: a historical construction job database that stores historical construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; a user interface for entering project definition parameters that define portions of a user specified project for which a cost estimate is needed, and for displaying images, the displayed images including pictures of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions for which factual labor time quantity data is stored in the historical construction database; and project estimation means, including best historical construction job selection means for presenting on the user interface project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by the user and for prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and estimate computation means for retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the retrieved factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs, wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computation means combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the estimate computation means computes averages, including the average labor time quantity data, from the data in the historical construction job database for the user selected previously completed construction jobs, and uses the computed averages as default values for generating cost estimates and job duration estimates; and the project estimation means includes control means for enabling the user to adjust the default values so as to generate modified job cost estimates and job duration estimates for the user specified project.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the project estimation means includes means for automatically developing a project schedule based on the generated job duration estimates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the project estimation means includes means for automating development of hour related insurance premiums.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the project estimation means includes means for automating development of hour related government contract certified payroll and reports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the project estimation means includes means for automating development of goals related to profit sharing.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
314 words
A method of estimating construction project costs, comprising the steps of: accessing a historical construction job database that stores construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; entering project definition parameters that define portions of a user specified project for which a cost estimate is needed, and displaying images, the displayed images including pictures of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions for which factual labor time quantity data is stored in the historical construction database; presenting to the user project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by the user; prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the retrieved factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and presenting the initial job duration estimate to the user; wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computing step combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
314 words
A method of estimating construction project costs, comprising the steps of: accessing a historical construction job database that stores construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; entering project definition parameters that define portions of a user specified project for which a cost estimate is needed, and displaying images, the displayed images including pictures of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions for which factual labor time quantity data is stored in the historical construction database; presenting to the user project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by the user; prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the retrieved factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and presenting the initial job duration estimate to the user; wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computing step combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 7, including: computing averages, including the average labor time quantity data, from the data in the historical construction job database for the user selected previously completed construction jobs; generating cost estimates and job duration estimates using the computed averages as default values; and enabling the user to adjust the default values so as to generate modified job cost estimates and job duration estimates for the user specified project.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, including automatically developing a project schedule based on the generated job duration estimates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7, including automatically developing hour related insurance premiums for the user specified project.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, including automatically developing hour related government contract certified payroll and reports for the user specified project.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, including automatically developing goals related to profit sharing for the user specified project.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
284 words
A computer program product for generating construction job cost and duration estimates, the program product comprising: a recording medium readable by a computer, comprising a historical construction job database that stores historical construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; best historical construction job selection means for presenting on a user interface project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by a user via the user interface, and for prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and estimate computation means for retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs; wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computation means combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
284 words
A computer program product for generating construction job cost and duration estimates, the program product comprising: a recording medium readable by a computer, comprising a historical construction job database that stores historical construction job data including, for a plurality of previously completed construction jobs and construction job portions, factual labor time quantity data, and factual project pictures; best historical construction job selection means for presenting on a user interface project pictures from the historical construction job database for ones of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions consistent with the project definition parameters entered by a user via the user interface, and for prompting the user to select one or more of the previously completed construction jobs and job portions that are most consistent with the user specified project based on a comparison by the user of the presented project pictures with what the user expects the user specified project to look like; and estimate computation means for retrieving the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs and computing an initial job cost estimate and an initial job duration estimate for the user specified project in accordance with the entered project definition parameters and the factual labor time quantity data in the historical construction job database for the one or more user selected previously completed construction jobs; wherein when the user selects more than one previously completed construction job, the estimate computation means combines the retrieved factual labor time quantity data for the user selected construction jobs to generate average labor time quantity data for use when computing the initial job cost estimate and initial job duration estimate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
The computer program product of claim 13, including: means for computing averages, including the average labor time quantity data, from the data in the historical construction job database for the user selected previously completed construction jobs; means for generating cost estimates and job duration estimates using the computed averages as default values; and means for enabling the user to adjust the default values so as to generate modified job cost estimates and job duration estimates for the user specified project.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 13, including means for automatically developing a project schedule based on the generated job duration estimates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 13, including means for automatically developing hour related insurance premiums for the user specified project.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 13, including means for automatically developing hour related government contract certified payroll and reports for the user specified project.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer program product of claim 13, including means for automatically developing goals related to profit sharing for the user specified project.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |