SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENDING BUILDING MODULES OVER A NETWORK

Abstract: A system for vending building modules comprising a computer network and a plurality of interfaces available on the computer network. The network comprises at least one server and at least one terminal. The at least one terminal includes a display and at least one input device. The interfaces are for display on the displays of the terminals and may be responsive to input from the input devices of the terminals. The interfaces include at least one initiation interface for initiating a purchase of a building module, at least one selection interface for selecting a building module design, and at least one purchase interface for completing a purchase transaction. A method for vending building modules comprising a computer network and a plurality of interfaces available on the computer network is also described.

Description: SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENDING BUILDING MODULES OVER A NETWORK Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of direct sales of residential building modules. Background of the Invention Many of the homes dominating the American landscape no longer provide adequate space to meet the needs and desires of the American family. One to three bedroom homes, homes lacking a family room or den, and homes with only single car garages are insufficient for many families' needs. Further, home offices have become increasingly popular and have placed additional demands on the space available in many existing homes. While moving to a larger home may be an option for some families, others cannot afford the expense and inconvenience of moving. Existing relationships with community schools and activities, local houses of worship and other conveniences, and nearby friends and family may also be a deterrent to moving. Further, as cities and suburbs expand, and the available spaces for new development decrease, something will need to be done about the functionally obsolete, though otherwise desirable, existing homes. Unfortunately, the prospect of adding a housing addition can be daunting. Hiring an architect to design a compatible addition can be expensive and time consuming. A new design may take 2-3 months to prepare and customization of the design to the homeowner's needs may require considerable time and effort from the homeowner. After preparation, review of the plans for the appropriate building permits may take 6-10 weeks. Finding an available contractor and getting financing for both the design and building stages may require additional time and effort. Engaging a contractor to build the addition increases the expenses and even the hardiest do-it-yourselfer generally lacks the tools and expertise to construct an entire addition from the ground up. Homeowners may have difficulty finding a contractor they can trust and may fear being overcharged or provided with sub-standard workmanship and materials. Reliable and inexpensive architects and contractors may be difficult to find. Homeowners may also be discouraged by the time and mess associated with the construction of a housing addition. Construction of an addition, even after permits are in place, typically takes 2-3 months and may be made longer by weather delays, inspection delays, building mistakes, lack of contractor and sub-contractor availability, and other delays. Protracted construction on an existing property can wreak havoc with family routines, strain relationships with neighbors, and render the general aesthetics and decrease the utility of the existing property for the duration of the construction. There is a need for a fast and inexpensive way to design and construct a housing addition. Kit construction, the use of a pre-fabricated kit to construct a building, has been around for many years. Perhaps the most common forms of kit construction are log home kits and the kits used by some contractors to construct a large number of similar tract homes. In many kits, wall frames and trusses are pre-fabricated at a factory and delivered to the building site. The wall frames may include window and door frames, and exterior wall frames may have plywood or similar coverings pre-installed on their exteriors. At the building site, the frames and trusses are positioned using a building crane and attached using pneumatic nail guns or similar devices. Further framing may be required on-site. Plywood exteriors may be added to the walls and roof and the roof may be covered, for example, by shingles or other roofing materials. The various house systems, such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC may be installed. Windows and doors may be installed. Drywall may be added on the interior of walls and ceilings and various stages of finishing work, such as painting and installing siding, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, molding, and other items, may be completed. Such building kits may require special equipment, such as building cranes to assemble. They may require special expertise for installing house systems and finishing. They may be challenging to customize or redesign due to the use of large, building specific, pre-fabricated sections. They may require considerable on-site labor to assemble and complete and on-site completion may provide considerable opportunity for human error, failed inspections, and other delays. Moreover, such building kits may be incompatible with existing buildings, lot sizes, and lot shapes. Panelized construction may provide a way to greatly expedite on-site construction for a building module. Panelized construction may be particularly beneficial for increasing the speed and efficiency with which a housing addition can be built. Panelized construction may allow a considerable amount of the construction to be done in a factory off-site. Such off-site construction may benefit from mass production, resident expertise, and superior quality control. Panelized construction also allows a building module design to be broken down into manageable portions, such as 4' wide wall, roof, and floor sections. Because the panels may be substantially flat and of fairly standardized size, it is practical to move large numbers of them over great distances using conventional hauling methods. Panelized construction may also facilitate interchangeability and customization of building module designs. By using standardized wall, ceiling, and floor panels and standardized connections, building modules may be easily redesigned and customized. Interior and exterior walls may be shifted and interchanged to provide a near infinite variety of designs based on a relatively small selection of panels. Variety of design and customization may be particularly beneficial to housing additions. Different homeowners may have radically varying needs. Some may need additional bedroom space, while other may need additional garage space, a home office, or a family room, playroom, or utility room. The efficiency of panelized construction may be further enhanced by providing as much of the construction as is feasible pre-installed in the panel. A panel may include a frame which provides the structure of the building module. Pre-installation of doors, windows, and skylights within the panel frames may substantially decrease on-site building time. Pre-installing insulation and both interior and exterior wall covering layers on the frame may also substantially decrease on site-building time. For example, a panel may have pre-installed insulation, as well as drywall on its interior surfaces and sheeting and siding on its exterior surfaces. Another way to improve on-site building times is to provide one or more house systems at least partially built into the panels. For example, panels may be pre-installed with electrical wiring and outlet boxes and electrical fixture housings. Panels may also be pre-installed with other wire networks, such as cable, telephone, audio wiring, security systems, and others. Panels may also be pre-installed with portions of a plumbing, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system. Another way to increase the speed with which a panelized building module may be completed is to construct the panels and building module designs to meet or exceed the residential building codes of jurisdictions in which the building modules may be constructed. While this may not directly increase the actual speed with which the building module is assembled, it may radically decrease the time required to secure permits and inspections. Further, it may prevent costly delays, rebuilds and modifications due to failed inspections. Due to the complexity, importance, and expense of residential housing additions, sales of such housing additions have traditionally required lengthy person-to-person negotiations. Further, the complex task of constructing the negotiated building module has required direct supervision of building activities to ensure that the terms of the contract are met. Information needs to be exchanged between purchaser, seller, and builder to facilitate the purchase agreement and successful fulfillment of the purchaser's building needs. Purchasing and construction of building modules, even based on panelized construction, may require access to substantial information resources. Homeowners may need assistance in deciding whether a housing addition is desirable and feasible. They may need assistance in selecting and customizing such a housing addition. They may also need assistance in securing financing, preparing necessary documents, securing permits and inspections, and finding contractors, supplies, and equipment. Additional instructions, guidance, and technical support may be helpful for both contractors and Do- It- Yourselfer homeowners (DIYs). For a vendor of building modules, providing these services may be prohibitively expensive and difficult. Many steps may be necessary for generating buyer interest, selecting and customizing an appropriate building module, securing financing for the buyer, consummating the transaction, facilitating related transactions, and ensuring completion of the building module to advertised standards. These steps may be difficult to achieve remotely or over a widespread geographic market due to regional variations in building regulations, practices, and preferences. These and other drawbacks of prior art systems are overcome by the various embodiments of the invention. Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to overcome these drawbacks discussed above as well as others by providing a system and method of vending building modules based on panelized construction over a computer network. These and other objects of the preferred embodiments are achieved by a system for vending building modules comprising a computer network and a plurality of interfaces available on the computer network. The computer network comprises at least one server and at least one terminal. The at least one terminal includes a display and at least one input device. The interfaces are available to the at least one terminal for display on the display and are responsive to input from the at least one input device of the terminal. The interfaces include at least one initiation interface for initiating a purchase of a building module; at least one selection interface for selecting a building module design, and at least one purchase interface for completing a purchase transaction. These and other objects of the invention may also be achieved by a method of vending a building module. The method comprises the steps of providing, via a computer, a description of a plurality of building module designs; accepting, via the computer, a selection of one of the plurality of a building module designs by a purchaser; and completing, via the computer, a purchase agreement for purchase by the purchaser of a building module kit for the selected building module design. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for selling and overseeing the construction of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for selling and overseeing the construction of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a web site architecture for a system of selling and overseeing the construction of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In one embodiment of the invention, a computer network of information resources may facilitate one or more portions of a process of selecting, purchasing, and constructing a building module. Information on the computer network can be intuitively arranged to make the process easy and attractive to potential purchasers. The computer network may also provide a purchaser with access to providers of associated products and services, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions. The network may also facilitate communication and data sharing among a vendor of such building modules, purchasers, local agents, providers of associated products and services, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and other entities. Networking allows the use of centralized data repositories, a convergence of server and terminal driven applications, and more efficient allocation of data storage and processing tasks. The network may also provide a way to oversee or provide technical support for construction of the building module, thereby ensuring quality control. Quality control may build consumer trust and goodwill, which are central to the success of centralized sales organizations and electronic businesses. In one embodiment, building modules based on a system of panelized residential housing additions may be marketed by a centralized vendor over the network.. A customizable system of panelized residential housing additions may be expressly designed for compatibility with a wide variety of homes, compliance with the building requirements of most U.S. localities, customizability to individual purchaser needs, affordability, minimal construction time, and superior quality control. Such a system may be marketed over a regional, multi-regional, national, or international computer network. The computer network may include a plurality of computers connected via various communication devices, such as modems, network cards, serial connections, or other communication devices. For example, the Internet may provide at least a portion of the network. The Internet provides considerable advantages to a vendor of building modules endeavoring to serve a widespread geographic market. The World Wide Web of the Internet provides the vendor with access to an existing population base of potential purchasers of building modules. An increasing number of local agents, providers of associated products and services, government agencies, financial institutions, and other entities already maintain connections to the Internet. The vender of building modules may be able to use the existing infrastructure of the Internet to facilitate centralized marketing of building modules, as well as construction oversight. The vendor may use a system of web pages, transactional and informational databases and applications, business-to-business applications, and electronic communications to achieve centralized marketing of building modules. Figure 1 shows a system for selling and overseeing the construction of a building module according to one embodiment of the invention. A computer network 100 is comprised of a plurality of user modules connected via communication devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106. For example, as shown in Figure 1, a Government Agency module 120, a Local Agent module 130, an Associated Services module 140, a Financial Institution module 150, and a plurality of Consumer modules 160 and 170 are connected to a Vendor module 110. Each of the modules 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 may include a plurality of servers, personal computers, local area networks, or other devices. Communication devices 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106 allow data transfer among the various modules. Modules 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 may represent any manner of electronically exchanging information with the associated entity (such as the vendor, government agency, local agent, etc.). Manners of electronically exchanging information may include data exchange via direct computer-to-computer data sharing, web site access, file transfer protocol, electronic mail, facsimile, telephone, or other methods. Vendor module 110 comprises a web server 111 and a transaction server 112. Web server 111 may host a vendor's web site. The vendor's web site may comprise a plurality of documents and files linked by hypertext links. Transaction server 112 may be connected to web server 111 and may provide back end transactional data processing and storage in response to data submitted across the Internet to web server 111. Web server 111 and transaction server 112 may be maintained at the same or different locations and may or may not be operated by the vendor itself. Any combination of servers, including application servers, transactional servers, data storage and retrieval servers, web servers, and other servers may be part of Vendor module 110. Vendor module 110 may further comprise a local area network or be part of a local area network. Vendor module 110 may also comprise any number of terminal devices, including personal computers and shared hardware of various sorts, such as printers, facsimile machines, and other devices. Government Agency module 120 represents government agencies enabled for electronic communication. Such agencies may include local building departments, housing and urban development authorities, conservation and environmental agencies, and other agencies. Government Agency module 120 may also represent shared resources and organizations that act as compilers or clearinghouses of information relating to building standards and regulations or other regulations impacting building and land use. Government Agency module 120 may also represent one or more local building authorities responsible for permitting and inspection of residential building. Government Agency module 120 may enable electronic submission, processing, and issuance of building permits, design pre-approvals, and inspection appointments. Government Agency module 120 may also provide informational resources for aiding vendors, homeowners, and builders in complying with local building and land use regulations. Government Agency module 120 may be available to users via electronic mail, a web site, or other electronic communications. Local Agent module 130 represents local agents of the vendor enabled for electronic communication. Such local agents may include retailers licensed to sell and provide technical support for sales to DIYs or contractors. Local agents may also include local franchisees or licensed builders or a local employee of the vendor who performs quality control and technical support roles. Electronic communication with and connection to such local agents may allow increased data sharing, coordination of marketing and quality control efforts, and convenience for purchasers. Local Agent module 130 may be available to users via electronic mail, a web site, a pager, facsimile, a wireless communication device (such as a web enabled cellular phone), business-to- business connectivity, or other electronic communications. Associated Services module 140 represents electronic businesses, national and international product and service providers, and local product and service providers. For example, Associated Services module 140 may represent one or more electronic businesses selling building and finishing equipment and supplies. Additionally, Associated Services module 140 may represent local builders, equipment rental and sales companies, suppliers of building and finishing materials, plumbers, painters, surveyors, interior designers and other local businesses to which purchasers may be referred electronically. Associated Services module 140 may be available to users via electronic mail, a web site, a pager, facsimile, a wireless communication device (such as a web enabled cellular phone), business-to-business connectivity, or other electronic communications. Financial Institution module 150 represents financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and other lenders. For example, Financial Institution module 150 may represent a financial institution enabling electronic application, pre- approval, final approval, and/or funds transfer. Additionally, Financial Institution module 150 may represent an electronic loan search and comparison engine capable of connecting a purchaser with a selected lender. Financial Institution module 150 may also be an electronically enabled preferred lender associated with the vendor and capable of providing rapid application processing and approval and providing efficient and secure funds transfer. Financial Institution module 150 may be available to users via electronic mail, a web site, a pager, facsimile, a wireless communication device (such as a web enabled cellular phone), business-to-business connectivity, or other electronic communications. Consumer modules 160 and 170 may represent purchasers or potential purchasers capable of electronic communication. For example, consumer modules 160 and 170 may represent homeowners with access to Internet capable personal computers at home, at work, at school or at a public cluster (such as at a public library, municipal center, Internet cafe, etc.). Alternatively, consumer modules 160 and 170 may represent kiosks, workstations, or personal computers located in a retail store or mall, such as a home or hardware super store. Consumer modules 160 and 170 may also be portions of a local area network. Consumer modules 160 and 170 may comprise terminal devices, such as personal computers, with audio and video displays and various input devices, such keyboards, mice, scanners, digital cameras, or other input devices. The terminal device of Consumer modules 160 and 170 may comprise an interactive television or another specialized electronic device. Consumer modules 160 and 170 may use a communication device to connect to the Internet or a local area network. Consumer modules 160 and 170 may be able to access and input information via electronic mail, a web site, a pager, facsimile, a wireless communication device (such as a web enabled cellular phone), or other electronic communications. In Figure 2, the steps of a process for vending and overseeing the construction of a building module according to an embodiment of the invention are shown. These steps may be carried out across a computer network, such as the network depicted in Figure 1 and described above. A vendor may provide a centralized resource for coordinating the steps of vending and purchasing a building module and building, having built, and overseeing the building of the purchased building module. The vendor may interact electronically with a plurality of other entities to accomplish one or more steps of the method. Other entities involved in the process taught by the invention may include: one or more government agencies, one or more local agents, one or more associated service providers, one or more financial institutions, and/or one or more consumers. As shown in Figure 2, the steps of the vending process may include, in step 210, introduction to the process of purchasing and building a building module; in step 220, choosing a building module design; in step 230, customizing the chosen building module design; in step 240, purchasing the building module, which may include step 245, financing the building module; in step 250, building the building module; and step 260, finishing the building module. Step 210, introduction to the process of purchasing and building a building module, may include the sub-step of providing a customer with necessary background information, details about the process, convenience, and other enticements to initiate a building module purchase. The customer may be a potential or actual customer and may be a homeowner consumer, building contractor, or other entity. An electronic resource for providing information to customers and other entities may provide a hub for Step 210. This hub may be an electronic resource such as Vendor module 110, shown in Figure 1. Vendor module 110 may be represented by a resource locator (such as an URL) that allows others to access data across a network (such as the Internet). Step 210, may further include the sub-step of gaining the interest of potential purchasers. For example, purchaser interest may be generated via links to Vendor module 110 from other electronic media, such as from search engines, advertisements or other links from web sites catering to groups with related interests, electronic mail links, links in interactive television programs or advertisements, or other electronic links. Purchaser interest may also be generated via traditional methods of print, radio, television, telephone, direct mail, direct sales, displays in retail stores, and other advertising media and provide information for accessing Vendor module 110 (such as a web address, URL, keyword, etc.). A referral system which rewards existing purchasers with discounts or similar incentives for providing contact information or directing other potential purchasers to Vendor module 110 may also be used. The referral system may be automated within Vendor module 110 to automatically provide the incentives to existing purchasers and initiate contact with referred potential purchasers. Step 210, may further include the sub-step of providing information, from the Vendor module 110 to a potential purchaser for generating purchaser interest, inspiring trust, and encouraging a purchase. These functions may be performed by electronic information, such as multimedia presentations imbedded in one or more hypertext documents, disposed in Vendor module 110 and accessible via the network. Additionally, information about the vendor and the vendor's experience in the field may be provided. Information for contacting the vendor directly may also be provided. Such contact information may include phone numbers, addresses, locations of local agents, electronic forms, electronic mail links, or other information. Descriptions of available building modules may also be provided. These descriptions may include description of a plurality of designs and customization options, including a plurality of floor plans, specifications, pictures of completed building modules, and three dimensional virtual tours of the building modules. Descriptions of the purchase, building, and finishing process may also be provided. The process description may further include a detailed explanation of the building modules, other products, services, and technical support provided by the vendor or associated entities. Moreover, the process description may include a step-by-step explanation and timeline for the various stages of permitting, building, inspecting, and finishing required to complete a building module. Reviews and purchaser testimonials may also be provided. Such reviews may include professional reviews and periodical articles and may contain links to electronic publications, chat groups, and other network resources. Customer testimonials may include publication of customer comments. In one embodiment, Vendor module 110 may provide a forum, such as an electronic chat group, news group, or bulletin board service, for customer comments, reviews, experiences, questions, and answers relating to the vendor's products and services. In step 210, Vendor module 110 may further provide information that is a resource for attracting network users, whether potential purchasers or not, and which dovetails with the vendor's offered products and services. For example, Vendor module 110 may provide electronic forms for financing applications, surveys, inspections, or other forms useful to purchasers of building modules and contractors. Vendor module 110 may also provide a database of local building requirements, local permitting requirements, local government agencies and contact information, local providers of associated services, and other information useful to purchasers of building modules and contractors. Vendor module 110 may further provide a mortgage calculator, a form for determining available financing and budgeting for a housing module, and electronic connections to one or more financial institutions for providing financing pre-approval. In step 220, a potential purchaser is provided with a plurality of building module design choices and using an interactive procedure select one from among the plurality of building module design choices that is appropriate to the purchaser's needs and desires. The choices and interactive procedure may be provided through an electronic resource accessible over a network, such as Vendor module 110 in Figure 1. The purchaser's selection of a building module design may be submitted via the network and recorded by Vendor module 110. The plurality of building module designs are organized by a number of structural features and floor plans, specifications, base cost, photographs of completed building modules, and three dimensional virtual reality tours of such building module designs may be provided. The plurality of building module designs may include designs based on a panelized construction system of residential housing additions. The structural features used to organize the plurality of building module designs may include the number of floors, square footage, foundation size required, or functional features, such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets or the presence of an office, study, family room, greenhouse, garage, utility room, kitchen, or other room. Organization in this manner may allow potential purchasers to browse the plurality of building module designs and select the building module design most appropriate to their needs. Step 220, further includes using an interactive process for viewing and selecting one from among the plurality of building module designs based on information provided by the potential purchaser. For example, a series of questions may be provided for evaluating the needs and desires of the potential purchaser. The questions may be provided and responses compiled through one or more electronic forms on Vendor module 110. The questions may be designed to ascertain information about the potential purchaser's present living situation, including a description of the potential purchaser's existing home, lot, family, and other information. For example, the potential purchaser's might be asked how many rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms are in the potential purchaser's existing house or how many children, pets, or cars the potential purchaser's has. Questions may be designed to ascertain information about the potential purchasers future plans for expanding the family or working from home.. Questions may also be designed to ascertain the structural and functional requirements of the potential purchaser for a building module. For example, the potential purchaser might be asked about his/her desire for a greenhouse or family room. Answers to the questions may be compiled and compared to profiles associated with specific designs in order to provide the potential purchaser with suggestions as to which design might best suit the potential purchaser's needs. Profiles may be based on the functional and structural characteristics of the design, the profiles of past purchasers, or other evaluative criteria. Additionally, the regulatoiy requirements of the locality in which the potential purchaser intends to build may be compared to the specifications of the building module designs to ensure that a proposed building module design meets such regulatory requirements. After a specific building module design is proposed to the potential purchaser, he/she may accept the proposed building module design, flag the proposed building modules design for later consideration, view similar building module designs, reject the proposed building module design and continue or restart the interactive process. The profile of the potential purchaser may be iteratively modified in response to further questions and/or the potential purchaser's acceptance or rejection of proposed building module designs. In step 230, the potential purchaser may choose optional features and finishing materials, or may modify the chosen building module design. For example, choices may be made based on lists of available options or an interactive procedure. The choices and interactive procedure may be provided through an electronic resource accessible over a network, such as the Vendor module 110 in Figure 1. The optional features and finishing materials may include additional features such as: ceiling fans, skylights, bay windows, extra windows, fireplaces, built-in bookshelves, built-in closet organizers, ceiling panels, pre-installed phone, cable, security, or speaker systems, and other features. The optional features may also include design alternatives and selections such as: siding materials, roofing materials, door designs, window designs, lighting configurations, heating/cooling units, some fixtures and other features. The finishing materials may include: carpet, tile, resilient flooring, hardwood, paint, molding, cabinetry, some fixtures, appliances, window treatments, and other materials. These lists are by no means exhaustive and are included to be illustrative of a portion of the options only. The potential purchaser may also make structural modifications to the layout for selected building module design. The ability of a purchaser to customize a building module in this way may be limited by structural requirements for the building. However, a panelized construction system may provide a great deal of flexibility in modifying building module designs, particularly internal layouts. The modifications which may be made to the selected design include reducing the number of, expanding the number of, or relocating doors and windows in the building module, shifting internal walls to change room dimensions and layout, or redefining the function of a room to redefine other options or features. However, any such modifications should take into account the need for resultant the resultant design to comply with building regulatory requirements. Where the design may be based on a system of panelized construction and the procedure for modifying designs ensures that the resultant designs comply with the limitations of the pre-fabricated panels. Vendor module 110 may also provide a list of available options for display to the potential purchaser over the network. The list may be organized by structure, spatially, stage of building, room, class of materials, or other method for intuitive navigation by the potential purchaser. Option listings may include specifications, costs, pictures, and other information about the option. The purchaser may be able to select options from the list over the network. Step 230 further includes providing an interactive process for viewing and selecting customized features and options and/or modifying the design based on purchaser provided information. Such interactive process may be substantially as described above for Step 220. For example, a series of questions may be provided for purchaser responses. Purchaser responses and the purchaser profile compiled during the design selection procedure step may be used to suggest further options, propose themes or optional packages, or otherwise guide the purchaser through the process of completing customization of the building module design. Because customization may be an extended process, Vendor module 110 may include storage means for mamtaining information to allow a purchaser to discontinue the selection process and restart from the same point at a later time. The customization of the building module need not be completed before proceeding to step 240. In step 240, the potential purchaser completes a purchase transaction for a building kit based on the customized building module design selected in steps 220 and 230. The step of completing the purchase transaction includes evaluating the selected building module, completing a purchase agreement. The step of completing a purchase transaction may be provided through an electronic resource accessible over a network, such as the Vendor module 110 in Figure 1. The, evaluation of the selected building module may include providing the purchaser with information about the selected building module. For example, a virtual tour may be provided of the building module selected. A standard virtual tour for the building module design may be modified to take into account any customization, including layout changes, floor and wall coverings and colors, and other customized features selected by the purchaser. The virtual tour may also add furniture, window treatments, and other embellishments reflecting the selections made by the customer. Additionally, an image of the exterior of the selected building module may be provided. Where the selected building module is a housing addition, an image may be generated showing the building module integrated with the purchaser's existing home. Standardized images based on house style may be provided and selected by the purchaser to provide this existing home image. The purchaser may also be able to generate and transmit images of the existing home using a digital camera, scanner, or other device for generating an electronic image. The vendor may use the submitted image to provide a combined image of the existing home with the selected building module. In step 240, information may also be provided to the purchaser relating to the estimated costs of purchasing, building, and finishing the selected building module. The cost information provided may include the cost of a building kit based on the customized building module design, estimated costs of local surveys, permits, and inspections, estimated cost of materials not provided in the kit, estimated cost to build, and estimated cost to finish. Price quotes for vendor services and materials, price estimates for preferred providers of associated services, and price estimates of "off-the-street" providers of associated services may also be provided to facilitate comparison by the purchaser. Electronic links to providers of associated services on the network may also be provided. Estimated cost to build and finish for contractors and estimated cost to do-it-yourself, including renting necessary equipment and purchasing necessary materials, may also be provided. A timeline for completion of the building module may also be provided. The timeline may include such factors as availability of the kit, time requirements for the permit approval process, stages of construction (including the availability of vendor affiliated contractors where appropriate), inspection times, regional building season consideration, and other considerations. The timeline may be estimated and contingent upon activities by the purchaser and other entities. The evaluation portion of Step 240 may be integrated with the design selection and customization procedures of Steps 220 and 230 such that a purchaser may periodically evaluate and re-select or re-customize the selected building module based upon considerations brought to light during the evaluation. For example, the evaluation process may provide suggestions for customization and design changes that may be made to lower costs or shorten the timeline. Step 240, further includes the completion of a purchase agreement by formalizing a contract between the vendor and the purchaser for the selected building module. This step may further include entering into a contract for the sale of a kit containing a substantial portion of the materials for the selected and customized building module design. The contract may also include provisions for associated services. During this step, the purchaser is taken step-by-step through the provisions of the contract. The vendor may provide information to comply with mandatory disclosure requirements in the vendor and/or purchaser's jurisdiction. The contract may be completed by electronic submission. For example, an initial deposit of the purchase price by the customer may be made by credit card, electronic funds transfer, or other electronic payment method. The contract may be contingent upon the purchaser's securing of financing for the purchase price. In step 245, means may not be provided for facilitating payment options, potentially through a third party, for payment of the costs of the building module. Such facilitating payment options may include providing a loan or mortgage, providing a deferred payment plan, providing refinancing for an existing loan or mortgage of the purchaser, or other payment options. The vendor or an associated financial institution may provide financing directly. Vendor module 110 may facilitate such a financing transaction. By the selection of and a transaction with a third party financial institution. Step 245, may further comprise the sub-steps of providing information on available financing, evaluating the availability of financing for the purchaser, applying for financing, providing notice of financing approval, completing the financing agreement, and providing for the transfer of funds. A series of explanations and questions may be provided to the purchaser. An example may be provided of one or more financing options. The example may be based on building kit costs, other cost estimates, financial information submitted in other phases of a transaction with the purchaser, and/or questions or forms in the present transaction. The example may also be based on a refinance of the purchaser's mortgage on an existing home plus the cost of the new building module. The purchaser may be prompted to provide information necessary to evaluate the availability of financing. Through a form or series of questions calculated to provide a preliminary evaluation of the purchaser's present income, debt load, and credit history. The information may be used to propose financing options or financial institutions which may be willing to provide financing for the purchaser. If, based upon the evaluation, financing is unlikely to be available for the building module selected by the purchaser, the customer may be prompted to return to the selection and/or customization procedure and offered options to decrease the cost of the proposed building module and bring it within range of available financing. Electronic submission of an application for financing may be enabled. The purchaser may be prompted for any additional information necessary to complete the application process. For example, the purchaser may be prompted to provide electronic payment of fees for processing a financing application, such as credit report fees, appraisal fees, and other fees. Notification of approval for financing may also be provided. Electronic connection to one or more credit agencies may allow rapid automatic evaluation of approval of a submitted application. Rapid evaluation may allow rapid notification. Notification may be provided via the network in an electronic document available to the purchaser or via other notification methods, such as electronic mail, pager, telephone, facsimile, or other methods. Completion of the financing agreement may also be done electronically. Completion may include compiling documentation in support of information provided on the purchaser's application, such as account statements, tax forms, pay stubs, and other documentation. Checklists or other forms may also be provided electronically for coordinating document submissions. The complied documentation may be submitted electronically via facsimile, scanner, or another input device. Electronic verification of application data may preclude the need for further document submissions. Electronic transmission of financed funds to the vendor may be provided automatically based on completion of the financing agreement by the customer. Completion of the financing agreement and/or electronic transmission of funds may automatically fulfill conditions in Vendor module 110 to complete step 240 and/or initiate portions of step 250. In step 250, the selected building module is constructed. Step 250 may include the sub-steps of coordinating the entities and events required to build the selected building module. Such coordination may comprise providing information on the building process, providing a building kit for the selected building module, facilitating acquisition of building permits and inspections, and providing technical support and quality control for the building process. An electronic resource available over the computer network, such as the Vendor module 110, may provide such information for purchasers and other entities. Building services may be provided by the vendor, an associated contractor, an unassociated contractor, or the customer. Step 250, may further include the sub-step of providing a detailed explanation of the stages of building for the selected building module. The explanation may include an estimated timeline for the various stages of building. The timeline may be based on actual information about building kit availability and transport time, availability of contractors, inspectors, or other entities, local permitting and inspection times, and other factors. A purchaser may interactively modify the timeline to account for the purchaser's schedule, preferred closing and/or move-in date, or other factors. Timeline may comprise one or more checklists of activities to be completed by the vendor, customer, or other entities. In one embodiment, electronic referrals and contact information may be provided for providers of associated services, such as building supply and rental businesses, contractors, and others. In step 250, a building kit for the selected building module may be provided by the vendor. The timing of delivery of the building kit and the location for delivery may be interactively determined via questions to the purchaser and data on building kit production and availability. A complete list of components to be included in the building kit may be provided. Vendor module 110 may provide information for updating the purchaser on the progress of building kit production and delivery and may include an automated notification system for any changes in status. In step 250, information may also be provided to facilitate acquisition of permits and inspections for the building module. The information provided may include contact information for local permitting and inspection authorities, checklists and forms for providing proper documentation for applying for permits and inspections, building module plans and specifications meeting the requirements of local permitting and inspection authorities, and other information. A procedure for acquiring permits and inspections through local agents may also be provided. Additionally, technical support and quality control oversight may be provided or coordinated using Vendor module 110. Floor plans and technical drawings may also be provided. Detailed instructions for the assembly of materials provided in the building kit may also be provided. Such detailed instructions may be in the form of multimedia instructional materials for assembling the components in the building kit. Answers to frequently asked questions may also be provided. Additionally, a resource for sharing problems and solutions of prior purchasers who selected the same or similar kits may be provided. Moreover, procedures for submitting questions or initiating communications with one or more technical support specialists may also be provided. Procedures for submitting a request for on-site technical support from a local agent may be provided. Finally, a timeline for vendor initiated inspections, consultations, or other activities for ensuring building quality on-site may be provided. In step 260, the selected building module is finished. Services similar to those for building the building module may be offered. Information on the finishing process, and finishing materials in the building kit may be provided. Additionally, information for facilitating purchase of finishing materials or services, and technical support and quality control for the building process may be provided. An electronic resource available over a network, such as Vendor module 110, may provide such information for purchasers and other entities. Finishing services may be provided by the vendor, an associated contractor, an unassociated contractor, or the purchaser. Steps 210, 220, 230, 240, 245, 250, and 260 may wholly or partially be completed with the assistance of a centralized information and communication resource, such as Vendor module 110. The steps need not be completed in the order described and an actual transaction may involve completion of portions of the procedures described under each step in any order. The steps and the procedures and information described thereunder may be linked such that a purchaser is lead conveniently and intuitively through the process of purchasing and building a building module. The electronic information and procedures described under the steps above may be supplemented by similar information and procedures not involving electronic resources disposed on a network. As shown in Figure 3, an embodiment of the invention may comprise a plurality of interfaces for guiding a purchaser through the steps described in Figure 2. An interface architecture 300 is provided for arranging the interfaces through which a purchaser accesses the information and procedures disposed on a network, such as network 100. The plurality of associated interfaces in interface architecture 300 may include a web site on the World Wide Web. The interfaces may further include one or more documents, such as HTML documents or documents in other electronic formats, disposed at an electronic location, such as an URL or a location defined by other electronic data structures. The documents may be linked to one another and to resources outside the interface architecture 300 by pointers, such as hypertext links or other systems for connecting electronic resources. The documents may comprise elements for receiving and displaying variable data and/or directing data to one or more applications, databases, or other systems for storing or manipulating electronic data. Index interface 310 may provide an interface for introducing and describing the general content of the interfaces of interface architecture 300. For example, Index interface 310 may provide a connection point for pointers from other resources on network 100 and may direct network users to other interfaces in interface architecture 300. Contact Information interface 311, Vendor Description interface 312, Design Descriptions interface 313, Purchase Process interface 314, Forms interface 315, Reviews interface 316, and Introduction to Process interface 317 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures of step 210, relating to introduction to the process of purchasing and building a building module. Contact Information interface 311 may provide information on and procedures for contacting the vendor. Vendor Description interface 312 may provide a description of the vendor, its employees, and building experience. Design Descriptions interface 313 may provide floor plans, specifications, and other descriptive information related to a plurality of panelized building module designs. Purchase Process interface 314 may direct the purchaser to interfaces for completing various steps of the purchasing, building, and finishing process. Forms interface 315 may provide a resource of electronic forms, checklists, and local building regulations useful to customers and other network users. Reviews interface 316 may provide a forum for professional and customer comments and reviews of vendor products and services. Introduction to Process interface 314 may describe the various steps of the purchasing, building, and finishing process and provide a comparison to competing processes. Choosing a Design interface 321 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures described above for step 220, relating to choosing a building module design. Customizing a Design interface 331 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures described above for step 230, relating to customizing a building module design. Purchasing a Module interface 341 may include one or more portion of the information and procedures described above for step 240, relating to purchasing a building module. Financing a Module interface 346 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures described above for step 245, relating to financing a building module. Building a Module interface 351 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures described above for step 250, relating to building a building module. Finishing a Module interface 361 may include one or more portions of the information and procedures described above for step 260, relating to finishing a building module. This invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments. These embodiments are intended to be illustrative only. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to these preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: Claims What is claimed is: 1. A system for vending building modules comprising: a computer network, said computer network including: at least one server; and at least one terminal, said at least one terminal connected to said at least one server via a communication device, said at least one terminal including: a display; and at least one input device; a plurality of interfaces available to said at least one terminal on said network for display on said display and responsive to input from said at least one input device, said plurality of interfaces including: at least one initiation interface for initiating a purchase of a building module; at least one selection interface for selecting a building module design; and at least one purchase interface for completing a purchase transaction. 2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interfaces further comprises at least one customization interface for customizing said building module design. 3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interfaces further comprises at least one financing interface for securing financing for a purchaser. 4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interfaces further comprises at least one explanation interface for providing an explanation of the process of building a building module. 5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interfaces further comprises at least one associated services interface for initiating a transaction for associated services. 6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interfaces further comprises at least one permitting interface for assisting in acquiring a building permit. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer network comprises the Internet. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of interfaces comprises a web site on the World Wide Web. 9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said network comprises a local area network. 10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said building module comprises a residential housing addition based on panelized construction. 11. A method of vending a building module comprising the steps of: providing, via a computer, a description of a plurality of building module designs; accepting, via the computer, a selection of one of said plurality of building module designs by a purchaser; completing, via the computer, a purchase agreement for purchaser of a building module kit of the selected building module design. 12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of delivering the building module kit for the selected building module design to a location specified via the computer by the purchaser. 13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of facilitating, via the computer, customization of the selected building module design. 14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of accepting via the computer, an application for financing of the purchase of the selected building module design. 15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of facilitating, via the computer, preparation and submission of materials for acquiring a building permit in a location specified by the purchaser. 16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of verifying that the selected building module design meets a plurality of building regulations in a location specified by the purchaser. 17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of offering, via the computer, a plurality of services related to building module construction and finishing. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of selecting at least one service from the plurality of services offered and accepting, via the computer, payment information for the at least one service. 19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of offering via the computer technical support for constructing the selected building module design. 20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the selected building module design is a design for a residential housing addition based on panelized construction.

Inventors: WEISS ARVIN, WEISS, ARVIN
Applicants: FAIRFAX EXPRESS CORP, FAIRFAX EXPRESS CORP.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q10, G06Q30, G06Q50