US6131077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building
Assignee: First Graphics Inc
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Filing: 1998-04-30
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Granted: 2000-10-10
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Expires: 2018-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for designing and editing a distribution system for a building is disclosed. Elements of such distribution systems and requirements of relevant standard, are stored in a computer's memory. Building parameters are entered into a computer manually. The user identify the standard to be followed and the element to be optimized. The system divides the building into sections as appropriate to the user identified standard. The system then computes layout needed to comply with the selected standard. The layout is routed and sized to avoid building structural members, yet the elements of the layout are optimized for size and length. The apparatus prints out a hard copy of the design layout which can include an elements listing needed to complete the system. The design layout as well as the building parameters can be edited. The edited layout is checked for compliance with the identified standard as well as avoidance of building parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda M. Normann
- 👤 Charles L. Hines, III
- 👤 Gene Michael Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/10; G06F30/13; G06F30/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of designing a heating and air conditioning system for a building or a portion of a building having building element, the heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of heating and air conditioning system elements including delivery components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) storing, in digital form in first memory means, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) storing, in digital form in second memory means, an operational requirement that is comparable with the heating and air conditioning system; (c) entering into a computer the and dimensions of the building elements; (d) designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system to comply with the operational requirement comprising using the operational characteristics and the location and dimensions of the building elements; (e) displaying on a computer display the layout of the heating and air conditioning system; and (f) generating from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of designing a heating and air conditioning system for a building or a portion of a building having building element, the heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of heating and air conditioning system elements including delivery components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) storing, in digital form in first memory means, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) storing, in digital form in second memory means, an operational requirement that is comparable with the heating and air conditioning system; (c) entering into a computer the and dimensions of the building elements; (d) designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system to comply with the operational requirement comprising using the operational characteristics and the location and dimensions of the building elements; (e) displaying on a computer display the layout of the heating and air conditioning system; and (f) generating from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hard copy includes an elements listing, the elements listing being printed out in the order the heating and air conditioning system elements will be used.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the building elements include beams, columns, girders, and walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of designing the layout further comprises performing an obstruction analysis to ensure the layout does not intersect with the building elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of editing the location of at least one heating and air conditioning system element in the layout.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of editing the layout further comprises the steps of: obtaining the data necessary to effect the desired change, the data including which one of the heating and air conditioning system elements to be changed and a proposed change thereto; finding, in the first memory region, the operational characteristics of the proposed change to the heating and air conditioning system element; checking the operational requirement to determine if the proposed change is feasible; making the proposed change if feasible, or generating an error message if the proposed change is not feasible; and adjusting the layout to accommodate the proposed change.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of designing the layout further comprises optimizing any one of the heating and air conditioning system elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of designing another distribution system for the building in cooperation with the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the other distribution system is a sprinkler system and the delivery components are sprinkler heads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the other distribution system is an electrical system and the delivery components include electrical outlets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the other distribution system is a plumbing system and the delivery components include shutoff valves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of designing at least three distribution systems in cooperation with each other wherein one distribution system is a sprinkler system and the delivery components are sprinkler heads, and another distribution system is a plumbing system and the delivery components include shut off valves, and another distribution system is the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for designing a heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of distribution system elements including deliver components for a building or a portion of a building having building elements, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first memory location for storing operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) a second memory location for storing at least one heating and air conditioning system operational requirements; (c) means for entering the location and dimension of the building elements into a computer; (d) means for designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system which complies with the heating and air conditioning system operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; (e) a computer display for displaying the layout of the heating and air conditioning; and (f) means for generating from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for designing a heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of distribution system elements including deliver components for a building or a portion of a building having building elements, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first memory location for storing operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) a second memory location for storing at least one heating and air conditioning system operational requirements; (c) means for entering the location and dimension of the building elements into a computer; (d) means for designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system which complies with the heating and air conditioning system operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; (e) a computer display for displaying the layout of the heating and air conditioning; and (f) means for generating from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the hard copy includes an elements listing, the elements listing being printed out in the order the heating and air conditioning elements will be used.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the building elements include beams, columns, girders and walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for designing the layout further comprises means for performing an obstructions analysis to ensure the layout does not intersect with the building elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further including means for editing the location of at least one heating and air conditioning system element in the layout.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for editing further comprises: means for obtaining the data necessary to effect the desired change, the data including which one of the heating and air conditioning system elements to be changed and a proposed change thereto; means for checking the operational requirement to determine if the proposed change is feasible; means for making the proposed change if feasible, or generating an error message if the proposed change is not feasible; and means for adjusting the layout to accommodate the proposed change.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for designing the layout further comprises means for choosing any one of the heating and air conditioning system elements to be optimized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 further including means for designing another distribution system in cooperation with the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the other distribution system is a plumbing system and the delivery components include shutoff valves.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the other distribution system is an electrical system and the delivery components include electrical outlets.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
196 words
An article of manufacture having computer readable program means embodied therein for designing a heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of distribution system elements including delivery components, the computer readable program in said article of manufacture comprising: (a) computer readable code means for causing the computer to store, in a first memory region, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) computer readable code means for causing the computer to store, in a second memory region, an operational requirement from which the heating and air conditioning system can be evaluated; (c) computer readable code means for facilitating entry of the location and dimension of building elements; (d) computer readable code means for causing the computer to design a layout for the heating and air conditioning system which complies with the operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; (e) computer readable code means for causing the computer to display the layout of the heating and air conditioning system; and (f) computer readable code means for causing the computer to generate from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
196 words
An article of manufacture having computer readable program means embodied therein for designing a heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of distribution system elements including delivery components, the computer readable program in said article of manufacture comprising: (a) computer readable code means for causing the computer to store, in a first memory region, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) computer readable code means for causing the computer to store, in a second memory region, an operational requirement from which the heating and air conditioning system can be evaluated; (c) computer readable code means for facilitating entry of the location and dimension of building elements; (d) computer readable code means for causing the computer to design a layout for the heating and air conditioning system which complies with the operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; (e) computer readable code means for causing the computer to display the layout of the heating and air conditioning system; and (f) computer readable code means for causing the computer to generate from the layout a hard copy detailing the heating and air conditioning system.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of designing a heating and air conditioning system for a building or a portion of a building having building elements, the heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of delivery components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) storing, in a first memory region, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) storing, in a second memory region, and operational requirement that is comparable with the heating and air conditioning system; (c) entering into a computer the location and dimension of the building elements; (d) designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system to comply with the operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; and (e) displaying the layout of the heating and air conditioning system including the delivery components.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of designing a heating and air conditioning system for a building or a portion of a building having building elements, the heating and air conditioning system having a plurality of delivery components, the method comprising the steps of: (a) storing, in a first memory region, operational characteristics of at least one of the delivery components; (b) storing, in a second memory region, and operational requirement that is comparable with the heating and air conditioning system; (c) entering into a computer the location and dimension of the building elements; (d) designing a layout for the heating and air conditioning system to comply with the operational requirement by using the operational characteristics and the location and dimension of the building elements; and (e) displaying the layout of the heating and air conditioning system including the delivery components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the building elements include beams, columns, girders, and walls.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of designing the layout further comprises performing an obstructions analysis to ensure the layout does not intersect with the building elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 further including the step of editing the location of at least one delivery component in the layout.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of editing the layout further comprises the steps of: obtaining the data necessary to effect the desired change, the data including which one of the delivery components to be changed and a proposed change thereto; checking the operational requirement to determine if the proposed change is feasible; making the proposed change if feasible, or generating an error message if the proposed change is not feasible; and adjusting the layout to accommodate the proposed change.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the step of designing the layout further comprises optimizing the delivery components.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24, fur-her including the steps of: (a) designing a layout for a sprinkler system in cooperation with the heating and air conditioning system; and (b) displaying the layout of the sprinkler system including sprinkler heads.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24, further including the steps of: (a) designing a layout for an electrical system in cooperation with the heating and air conditioning system; and (b) displaying the layout of the electrical system including electrical outlets.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24, further including the steps of: (a) designing a layout for a plumbing system in cooperation with the heating and air conditioning system; and (b) displaying the layout of the plumbing system including shutoff valves.
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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) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |