Abstract:
The present invention, known as, a Building Department Integrated Solution (BDIS), provides a new method and system of municipality building information management in a municipality&#39;s building department by providing a management tool that provides accuracy and improves efficiency in the processes. The present invention enables users to compile, access, provide and deliver accurate, relevant, secured and required building department data to building officials and/or homeowners/contractors. The present invention enables users to transmit plans, request inspections and retrieve inspection results along with any issued certifications via a network. Inspectors also retrieve and schedule inspection requests via the network. Upon completion of the inspection, inspectors may transmit inspection results and initiate issuance of certificates of completion via the network.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present relates to a system and method for municipality building and property information management. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Today, most municipal building departments function in the same manner that they did 50 years ago. Many municipalities and counties lack a centralized system that can give officials/citizens accurate and real-time data related to buildings and properties within the municipality. Plans processing, reviews, fees calculations, property information, document storage and handling involve usually inefficient paper based processes. In many instances, involuntary errors occur because of numerous manual calculations using handwritten notes. Inspectors with the building department lose time related to travel to and from the municipal office in order to pick up the inspections schedules, then go back to designated field locations and prepare a report for that inspection. In most of the cases, mistakes occur between transferring data from paper to a computer or a final report by another person. In order to increase efficiency, new ways to mitigate data transfer errors are very necessary. 
     Another problem facing municipalities and counties involve the massive office space required to store building plans that are routinely filed with the municipality. Hard copy, paper, plans and reviews are very inefficient for many reasons: (1) a municipality bears a considerable cost related to building plan distribution and storage; (2) building plan distribution and tracking can require a significant amount of time; (3) clients or owners must interpret handwritten comments from multiple reviewers; and (4) a set of building plans must be routed thorough multiple departments for approval often leading to delays and lost documents. Some municipalities maintain websites that offer owners/clients the option of consulting on-line information about processes and procedures, but none of them offer the opportunity to view actual submitted plans scanned at the original size, pictures or comments within the inspection records about a designated property. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, known as, a Building Department Integrated Solution (BDIS), provides a new method and system of municipal building and property information management that provides a management tool that improves accuracy and efficiency in information flow. The present invention enables users to compile, access, provide and deliver accurate, relevant, secured and required building department data to building officials and/or homeowners/contractors. 
     The present invention stores, maintains, and provides access to all current data related to a property along with the history of a property including construction plans during the “life” of a property, pictures concerning inspections, code enforcement violations and any other related documents. A relational database stores the building data, where the database may be searched and analyzed for related uses. The database also includes a document archive that stores documents necessary to support the processes mentioned above. 
     The BDIS includes a unique numbering system that identifies building plans and permits. The BDIS provides safe and secure online access to property data, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each user of the BDIS has a user profile with a specific access rights and all user entries or transactions into the system are stored for future reference. The BDIS reduces costs, improves processes efficiency and integrates the flow of information between municipality officials and owners/contractors. The BDIS also provides municipalities with a full set of services and database applications that: control the information database of the building department; assemble data and documents online; modify data and documents in real time; and deliver any data and documents as required. 
     The BDIS enables field personnel to use cutting edge technology such as wireless communication devices, i.e., handheld PDA/cellular phone with internet access and camera. The wireless technology enables the field personnel to access any critical data directly at the job site and to supply real-time inspections results to the municipality&#39;s building department for owners and/or clients. The BDIS also provides the municipalities with a system that enables department personnel to receive investigate and follow up complaints via a “online complaints and inspection records” feature, and maintain records of those issues related to a designated property. System users may advantageously, from their home or office, have access to scanned plans visualization, schedule inspections and review inspection results. The BDIS advantageously enables the following for the system user: immediate job turnaround; efficient scheduled inspections; and accurate documentation. 
     The BDIS provides a paper-less solution for handling documents, plans, and multiple reports available for the municipality&#39;s building officials. The BDIS includes scanned documents in digital form and thus productively manages large technical documents. Documents and plans are scanned using a large format scanner and uploaded into a system that reduces costs, errors and time. The system establishes a digital process for collaborating on the review stage of proposed construction projects. The BDIS approach provides a level of integration to the review process and creates a more efficient workflow between the owner and the plans examiner. 
     The BDIS also includes a plan review management feature. The review feature uses existing technology and easy-to-use tools to review plans on screen, perform mark up and revise entire sheet sets. Keeping track of traditional pencil markups on paper sheets is difficult, costly and inefficient. The on-screen plans review approach provides a review cycle which is streamlined and allows project team members to work with a review set just as they do with paper sheet sets. The building official or plan reviewer can systematically walkthrough the revisions, track comments and review status of changes. Municipalities can thus increase productivity, improve efficiency and reduce expenses by: modernizing their plan review process; and using document software such as Adobe PDF Technology (Portable Document Format) that allows reviewers to easily look at a set of plans while preserving the fidelity of the original plans. 
     The use of the BDIS enables users to access or update critical data in real-time. The BDIS allows municipality officials to access information and ensure that an inspection is never delayed because of the limited access to critical data. By making BDIS available via wireless devices and “thin clients”, field inspectors may realize improved time efficiency and improve building department processes that contribute to the success of the municipality management. Having BDIS available at the fingertips, allows field inspectors to respond immediately to owners/contractors and to other municipality-related inquiries on the go. 
     The implementation of the BDIS creates virtual building departments, i.e., the car, the construction sites. Inspectors now will use their time more productively which translates into improved effectiveness and increased profits. The BDIS provides a powerful tool that allows a field inspector to work without boundaries with tremendous time savings. Existing wireless network technologies such as 3G enables the transfer of data and at rates comparable to wired modems. The BDIS also works across multiple devices such as pocket pc&#39;s, PDA&#39;s, PDA/cellular phones, wireless data transfer devices, laptops and desk top computers. 
     The existing manual and paper-based processes presently used are inadequate for the expected level of information flow that plans reviews and field inspections require. The BDIS provides communication from the field, the ability to incorporate photographs into the inspections and code enforcements reports, and to send messages to the field inspectors. The BDIS system also enables field inspectors to update their field device, i.e., PDA, pocket pc, PDA/cellular phone, cellular phone or digital camera, via the internet. Field inspectors, therefore, do not have to report to the main facility to update their systems. The field inspectors&#39; devices may include a browser-based wireless application that enables the transfer of streamline updates and any other necessary data. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a general process flow according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an overview of the BDIS features according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  shows an exemplary plans processing flow according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a continuation of the plans processing flow according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a data flow for a process application according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an exemplary plans review process for fee assignment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a continuation of the plans review process for fee assignment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an inspection process according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an overview of end user templates according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an exemplary pocket PC application of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a system overview of the BDIS system  100  is shown. The system is depicted with server side and client side views. On the server side, a server/BDIS database  106  stores various data to be accessed by system users via the internet  104 . The data stored on the BDIS database  106   a  includes property data  109 , design plans  108  and inspection photographs  107 . The data stored on the BDIS database  106   a  may be uploaded at a municipal building department facility or via the internet through system users and/or departmental officials. System users are depicted on the client&#39;s side of the BDIS  100  overview. Departmental building officials  101  may access the BDIS database  106   a  via the internet or through system connections at the building department municipality office. A field inspector may use a field device  102  to access and to upload various data onto the BDIS database  106   a  via the internet  104 . Other system user includes property owners and contractors  103  who also may enter data and access data via the internet  104  as stored on the BDIS database  106   a . The system users may access the BDIS database  106   a  by using a graphical user interface  105  that includes various pull down menus and icons for quick access and input. The initial screen on the graphical user interface  105  is a log on screen where a system user inputs user names and access codes in order to gain access to the BDIS database  106   a . Each system user would have specific database rights and an access profile. A system user&#39;s access may be limited to specific properties related to the system user and the functions necessary for the user to carry out BDIS activities. Access to the BDIS database  106   a  allows system users to download the property data  109 , design plans  108  and any related inspection photos  107 . Also, the field inspectors may supplement the BDIS database with additional photographs and property data. The system allows a property owner/contractor  103  to check for inspection results, code enforcement violations, review plans, in PDF formats, and add comments as necessary. Advantageously, the property owners/contractors  103  may also schedule field inspections for specific projects. Essentially, all system users gain access to various data from the BDIS system in a fairly user-friendly and readily accessible environment. Such data includes legal information such as legal description and lot number, tax data, inspection statuses or process statuses, permit information, code enforcement violations and general property data related to properties stored within the database. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a more detailed overview of the BDIS database is displayed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , data related to four subject areas may be stored upon the BDIS database  106   a . Data related to general property data  202 , plans data  203 , fees data  205  and inspection data  204  are all stored on the BDIS database  106   a . Property data  202  includes property history  206 , G.I.S. data  207  and multiple reports  208 . The planning related data  203  includes scanned documents  209 , plan reviews and comments  210 , process approvals  211  and submission documents  212 . In relation to fees  205 , the three principal fees may include process/permit fees  217 , fee payment status  216  and any customized fee schedules  215  related to specific inspections and/or plan requests. In the area of an inspection data  204 , the BDIS includes inspection pictures and reports  214  and inspection schedules  213 . 
     The property history  206  includes specific items such as legal description, tax information, code violations and permit histories. The violations may also include any photographs of the violations themselves and any subsequent repairs in relation to the code violations. Accordingly, the property data  202  would also include a geographical information system (G.I.S.) where items such as the property&#39;s location, utilities used, any environmental data and zoning classifications are stored. The BDIS database  106   a  provides any building official with access to multiple reports and plans related to any property within the municipality&#39;s jurisdiction. Building officials may also check for fees and inspection records in relation to property data within the BDIS database. Inspectors may advantageously use the system to review scheduled inspections, report inspection results and to upload any photographs associated with the properties. 
     Any plans associated with the properties stored in the BDIS system are stored in Adobe PDF format and readily accessible by building officials, owners/contractors and any building inspectors. The PDF format allows users to view the plans that are readily available for downloading on any users&#39; computers. Also, any plan reviewers may insert comments within the PDF file that are legible and accurate and, therefore, eliminating any problems related to handwritten notes. The BDIS database system minimizes the papers associated with any municipal building department, allows easy access and creates opportunities for greater efficiency in relation to the building department. The BDIS system efficiency is particularly prominent in regard to the handling of plans. A user submits a set of plans associated with a building construction project to the municipality for approval. If any changes are necessary after review by the plan reviewers, then the user must submit an entire new set of plans with changes and comments. Furthermore for each subsequent revision, the user must submit a complete new set of plans. The BDIS avoids the development of this potential paper log by allowing the user to upload revisions electronically and thus avoid the resubmission of hard copies of subsequent plans. The BDIS system therefore speeds up any plans processing procedures associated with the particular building department. 
     Owners/contractors can submit plans via the internet and then receive issued permits also via the internet. Inspections may be scheduled on-line by the owner/contractor and then inspectors post the inspection results which the owner/contractor may retrieve at any time. Any fees required for any specific process or permits may also be readily tracked and paid via the BDIS system. The BDIS system includes an on-line fee payment feature that allows owners/contractors to submit payment for any necessary permits and inspections. Also, building officials may readily keep track of all records related to payments and assess any code violation fees via the system. The BDIS system keeps the users thereof readily advised of fee amounts that may be associated with the various permits for a building project. Fees associated with the permits can vary such as flat fees, fees based on square footage or constructor estimates and/or building types. The BDIS system advantageously calculates changes and additional fee requirements based on the periodic updates supplied by users. The BDIS system essentially eliminates mathematical and clerical mistakes through the automation of fee calculation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3  ( 3 A &amp;  3 B), a diagram of the BDIS system process is displayed.  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary process as envisioned by the BDIS plans processing flow. Initially, a contractor/owner files an application  301 . A data entry person enters the application into the system,  302 . The user may then print a copy of the application for review,  303  and a copy of the application is printed with a process number is assigned to it,  304 . Each discipline associated with the submitted plan application receives a copy of the application,  305 . The plan reviewer enters any comments regarding the plans and issues associated fees,  306 . Once the plan reviewer has entered the information into the system, the user receives notification that the plans have been reviewed and that are ready to be picked up,  307 . If any corrections are needed within the plans, the plan reviewer posts comments within the plans,  309 . The user may then make any necessary corrections and resubmit the plans for further review by the plan reviewers  310 . Once the user receives approved plans  311 , the plans are scanned digitally for storage on the BDIS database  312 . A user, after the fees have been determined, may submit payment of the fees via the BDIS system  313  and then the BDIS system, of course, issues an electronic permit  314 . After the permit has been issued, a user may pick up the approved set of plans  315  and then commence construction in accord with the municipality&#39;s building code  316 . 
     Once the user has commenced construction, the user then can log back into the BDIS system and schedule inspections by building inspectors with the municipality  318 . Accordingly, building inspectors review the BDIS system on a daily basis in order to schedule inspections  319 . Once the inspection is complete, the inspector submits the results via the BDIS system  320  and transmits notice to the user. The status of the various inspections that may be associated with a project may be continuously reviewed by the system,  321 . The system may transmit periodic alerts to users regarding the status of the inspections. Upon completion of the final inspection  322 , the inspector submits a certificate of completion for the designated building  323 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a general overview of the application processing steps is shown. The process shown in  FIG. 4  relates to an application that may be physically filed by a user and then submitted to a city clerk for entry upon receipt from the user. Within this particular process, the user does not log directly into the system but a data entry person with the municipality enters the data associated with the application by logging into the BDIS system  402 . Similar to  FIG. 3 , a data entry person logs onto the system,  401 ,  402 , in order to input the application into the system and the appropriate data associated with the application such as the address  404 ,  406 ,  407 , selection of the type of property  403 , the desired permit  408  and the specific construction. As in  FIG. 3 , once all data related to the application is entered and transferred to the appropriate form  409 , the application is printed out for review by a reviewer  410 . The complete application is submitted to various disciplines for review for proper permits and to detect any errors,  411 . If any errors exist then the application is sent back for correction and additional review. If no errors exist then the application is saved in the BDIS database,  412 . The system makes the application available for review via the BDIS system,  413 . Plans that may accompany the application are distributed to each appropriate design department,  414 . The system also distributes a copy of the application to the owner/user,  415 . The system then checks to see if the data entry person desires to process any further applications,  416 . A copy of the completed application is then distributed to the user who submitted the handwritten application,  415 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  ( 5 A &amp;  5 B), a detailed overview of the plans review processing steps is displayed. A plans reviewer receives an application for review,  501 , and then logs into the system as a plan reviewer,  502 . The plan reviewer examines a set of plans and verifies if any comments, such as code compliance or design notes, are necessary in regards to a specific building trade,  504 . If the plans do not require any comments then the reviewer designates that the plans have been reviewed,  505 . The reviewer then reviews a process menu in order to assign fees associated with the plans,  508 . After the reviewer selects the appropriate fees, the system attaches the fee requirements with the plans,  509 . The plan reviewer logs out of the system,  510 , after the system attaches the process fees to the designated plans. 
     The plans are then sent to the specific building trades to review for comments related to the specific building trade  511 . After all trades have reviewed the plans and no further comments need to be addressed, then a permit is issued that all building plans have been approved,  515 . If any trade review creates a need for further comments, then the owner/contactor receives notice regarding the status of the plans,  512 . The owner/contractor may then pick up plans,  513  and make necessary corrections for resubmission to the respective municipality,  514 . After all building plans are approved, the plans are then sent to be scanned and converted into a PDF file,  516 . Once the approved plans are scanned, a system administrator then uploads the plans into the system  517 . Once on the system, the plans are designated as ready for pick up,  518 , with the total fees associated with the building permits. In addition to PDF files of the plans, the BDIS system submits a notification to the user concerning the review status,  519 . Certain trades may complete review sooner than others and the user is always kept abreast of the status of the plans during the review process,  512 ,  519 . The user may then return to the municipality&#39;s office and submit payment of fees,  520 . The system then indicates that all fees are paid and issues a building permit  521 . After the system issues the permit, the owner/contractor may receive a hard copy print out of the building permit,  522 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an extensive overview of the inspection process is shown. Once the contractor is ready to start construction,  601 , the contractor may log into the BDIS system as a user. As construction progresses, a user may log onto the inspection schedule menu,  603  and schedule dates for inspection,  604 . On the date of inspection, the user may retrieve a copy of any set of plans related to the construction,  605 . When the inspectors are ready to start their daily inspections,  606 , each inspector using the BDIS system may routinely log onto the system as an inspector,  607 . The inspector receives information regarding scheduled daily inspections, via a handheld computing device, such as a PDA, cellphone, or combination thereof, or portable laptop computer,  608 . After receiving the list of scheduled inspections, the inspector may choose an address from the list of scheduled inspections,  609 . Once on the construction site, the inspector may record the results of the inspection on the portable computing device and may take electronic photographs of the construction site,  610 . After the inspection, the inspector may then log back into the system to submit current inspection results,  611 , which would include the uploading of any pictures, inspection comments and/or inspection reports  612 ,  613 . Included in the inspection results, the inspector designates the status of the inspection as passed or not passed,  614 . While on the job site, the inspector may print a receipt to give to the owner,  615 . The status of the inspection may then be viewed by the user on the system as either passed or not passed,  616 . Once all inspections have reached the status of passed, a certificate of completion may be issued in due course  618 . The inspector may also readily review the status of all inspections on the system and may instantly approve any final inspections in order to issue the certificate of completion,  619 . The inspector may then print a certificate of completion at the construction site upon the completion of the final inspection,  620 . Once the certificate of completion is issued, a user may readily access the certificate via the BDIS system. Also, if any rescheduling of inspections is needed, the user may merely reschedule these inspections via the BDIS system,  617 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an overview of the user connection to the BDIS system is shown. Typically, a user may use a desk top or lap top computer  701  and access the BDIS system via the computer and a “thin” client like an Internet browser. Once logged onto the system, the user views a graphical user interface (GUI)  702  in order to log into the system and then may retrieve or submit data into the system. Typically, the GUI  702  displays the plans review comments  703 , process fees  704 , scanned plans  705 , scheduled inspections  706  and any real-time results  707  that may be available. The graphical interface accordingly includes pull down menus and shortcut icons associated with the various databases and functions that are available in the BDIS system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an overview of the data exchange associated with inspectors is shown. Ideally, field inspectors may use a pocket PC in order to connect to the BDIS system and exchange data as needed for field inspections. Similarly, as with the users, a depiction of a pocket PC  801  is shown that includes a menu screen  802 . The field inspectors may log into the BDIS system via the menu screen  802  and access various information or data stored in the BDIS database. Field inspectors may view photographs, diagrams or comments  804 , property address selections,  803  and various building code issues,  805 . Advantageously, the inspectors may upload inspection reports, photographs and any related data via the upload screen  806 . This tool allows field inspectors to work more efficiently and to avoid errors that may be associated with paper documents. The pocket PC  801  may also include digital camera and cell phone functionality to even further expand the efficiency associated with the inspections. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.