Patent ID: 6912489
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: G06F,G06T

Abstract:
1. A simulation device for generating images of at least one building, comprising: a display for displaying the images; an input unit for a user to input data; a memory; and a processor that is connected to the display, the input unit and the memory, the processor being designed to store in the memory, on the basis of instructions input by the user via the input unit, at least the following data structures: a first memory field comprising data relating to a layout of the at least one building, which layout comprises a series of types of utility spaces and their three-dimensional positioning with respect to one another within the building, each type of utility space comprising one or more utility spaces, each utility space comprising a reference to one or more performance cards belonging to the utility space, each performance card being defined as a sum of data relating to a specified performance characteristic; a second memory field comprising data relating to references to component positions, which define locations of the components within the building, and each component position containing a reference to a component card which is defined as a sum of data which comprise material properties, planning data, investment cost data and running cost data relating to a component situated at a component position; the processor also being designed to: compute at least one of simulated elevations of and sections through the building and to show them on the display; and calculate the total expected investment costs and running costs by summing investment cost data and running cost data of the components and to show these costs on the display; wherein each utility space is defined as a required three-dimensional air volume only, for a specified application during use, such utility spaces also being defined for all physical components to be installed in said at least one building, and a model is defined as the layout of utility spaces and all the components forming the building, said model containing said references to said component positions.