Abstract:
An information system for the management of the new home construction process. The system is designed to be used by builders that reuse house plans or product information in the new homes they build. Three distinct steps in the process are used as the basis for the information model: product development, procurement and order fulfillment. The software is divided into three modules based upon three distinct dialects that must be related and communicated efficiently. The option module is used at on-site sales offices, facilitating the automated selection of defined builder options, creating a completed house design with pricing. The procurement/contracting module is used to maintain quotes and contract information on subcontractors responsible for constructing the new home. The production/scheduling module is used to manage the activities of all subcontractors, to ensure timely and efficient meeting of construction deadlines and the approval of all work as completed by subcontractors for payment. The information system uses semantic database tools. The semantic database stores information as objects, relationships, and role players for efficiency in reaching the finest levels of detailed information required to build a new home economically and at predetermined project levels.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/068,999, filed Dec 30, 1997. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an information system to be used in the construction of new homes. The system is designed to be used by builders that reuse house plans or product information in the new homes they build. Three distinct steps in the process are used as the basis for the information model: product development, procurement and order fulfillment. A “Core House”™ concept is employed, so that wherever an option is available all possible choices are uniquely defined. The software is divided into three modules based upon three distinct dialects that must be related and communicated efficiently. The first dialect involves marketing, design and sales price. The second dialect involves procurement, contracting and job cost. The last dialect involves production or construction precedence order. 
     The new invention provides and supports state-of-the-art software products and services for the homebuilding industry to manage and maintain all operating information in a single, comprehensive database. The unique approach relies on the concept of building a “Core House” with options versus the traditional concept of a base house with options. 
     Also, the new products and services use semantic database tools superior to the relational or object oriented database management system technology employed by other software providers to the industry. As a result, information is not maintained in tables, which typically cause relational or object oriented models to become inefficient before reaching the finest levels of detailed information required to build a new home. 
     The information is kept in one database. These features allow for maintenance of the system over time in one database without redundancy, avoiding system data overload and avoiding causes of system failure. 
     The new products define operating information to be used and reused in the following conditions: 
     as unique views of the company, project, and lot/new home; 
     as a collection of decisions made during the product development, procurement and order fulfillment processes, which allows the information to be shared by the new homebuilder&#39;s staff and communicated to numerous third parties including customers and subcontractors; and 
     as a basis for making informed decisions and planning future strategies. 
     To provide builders with a comprehensive management system from the new home sales function to the delivery of a finished product to the customer, the invention provides modules. They are the option module—used at on-site sales offices, facilitating the automated selection of defined builder options, creating a completed house design with pricing, the procurement/contracting module—used to maintain all quotes and contract information on subcontractors responsible for constructing the new home, and the production/scheduling module—used to manage the activities of all subcontractors, to ensure timely and efficient meeting of construction deadlines and the approval of all work as completed by subcontractors for payment. 
     These modules may be used independently to manage a builder&#39;s operations, or be linked with existing systems. In all cases, the information generated from these modules may be linked directly with builders&#39; office applications, accounting systems and/or CAD systems. As a comprehensive set of management tools, the invention contributes directly to users&#39; fiscal management and strategic planning initiatives. Additional modules are available. 
     Existing software products in the new home building industry have been developed using the existing concept of “base house with options”, which refers to the most basic or least expensive home that can be built as a starting point, while adding more expensive options to arrive at the desired house. However, from an information management point of view, the portion of the base house that must be removed to add a more expensive option is not defined. 
     The new software product relies on the new concept of “Core House”. This concept creates a hole at each location that an option is possible, requiring an option choice to be made to fill the hole. Each option choice triggers additional decisions unique to that option choice. The semantic database management structure used as the foundation of the new software products allows the option decision tree to be maintained in one comprehensive management system, and at a much more detailed level than customary relational or object oriented database structures, due to the numerous relationships inherent in the process. 
     Existing software products are organized to respond to simple yes and no questions. The new software accommodates three other kinds of decisions that typically arise in managing new home information. They are: 
     when there is more than one choice, but only one can be chosen (e.g. one of three front elevations must be chosen); 
     when a choice is directly dependent on the previous choice (e.g. the finish material to be used on the elevation chosen is to be siding or brick); and 
     when a choice is indirectly dependent on the previous choice due to the complexity of defining a three-dimensional architectural object (e.g. a plan choice affects a front elevation choice). 
     These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1-7 are part of the overall Meta Model for the system, assembled as shown in FIG.  8  and using the symbols shown in FIG. 9 to produce the overall meta model representation shown in FIGS.  10  and  11 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention provides a system for managing new home options. 
     The following is a summary outline of the concepts used in the development of the information system for new home builders. 
     1. The first point is that the new system  1  is intended for use by builders  501  that reuse house plans  305  or product information  304  in new homes  303 . 
     2. When information is reused, the process is similar to other manufacturing. Product development is provided by home builder marketing development of projects  207  and product version  304 . Procurement is provided by contracting  605  with suppliers and subcontractors  606 . Order fulfillment requires sales  404 , production or construction  611  of the new homes, and warranty service. 
     That is the basis for the new information model shown in parts in FIGS. 1-7 which join together as shown in FIG. 8 to produce the attached meta diagram of FIG.  10 . The symbols used in the drawings are described and shown in FIG.  9 . 
     Current thinking in the new home industry uses the concept of base house with options. The new system model uses the concept of “Core House” with options  307  and  310 . 
     The definition of a base house is the simplest or least expensive home that can be built, with more expensive options that can be added to the base house. However, from an information management point of view, the portion of the base house that must be removed to add the options is not defined. 
     With the new “Core House” concept, a hole is created at each location in which an option is possible. When an option exists, it means that more than one choice is possible. Any of the defined choices can be used to fill the holes, defining an instance of any one new home. 
     The new information system is based on new database technology known as a semantic database management system vs. a relational or objected oriented database management system. 
     That allows a number of advantages: 
     1. In the new system, none of the information is kept in look up tables, which cause the relational or objected oriented models to become inefficient before reaching the finest levels of detailed information required to build a new home. 
     2. All of the information in the new system is kept in one database without redundancy, which is important to the maintenance of the systems over a period of time, while still allowing three major views of the data: The company view, the project view and the lot or individual new home view. 
     The information in all existing applications is organized to respond to simple yes or no questions. To handle the complexity of the new home information it is necessary to respond to three other types of questions as well: 
     When there is more than one choice but only one can be chosen (example—One of three front elevations must be chosen), when a choice is directly dependent on the previous choice (example—the finish material to be used on the elevation chosen is to be siding or brick), and when a choice is in indirectly dependent on a previous choice due to the complexity of defining a three-dimensional architectural object (example—a plan choice affects a front elevation choice). 
     The basic language of new home building is architectural, but due to the specialization of tasks, (three) distinct dialects have emerged which must be related and communicated efficiently. That has been a primary objective of the new software. 
     The dialects are: The design, marketing and/or sales price dialect, the procurement or contracting/job cost dialect, and the production or construction precedence order of next/after dialect. 
     These dialects have defined the three modules the new software is divided into, and have driven the dynamic exchange of related information between each module. 
     The elements of the drawings are described in the charts (pages 1-25) in which the numbered elements are listed in alphabetical order at the end of the specification. 
     The system is similar to the three-step process used in manufacturing of (1) product development, (2) procurement, and (3) order fulfillment, with the final result being the attainment of continuous improvement through the analysis and reuse of information. The builder  501  continues his business on a project  207  by project  207  basis. A project may be a single lot  201 , or more than one lot  201 . Before a builder  501  commits to a project  207  in which homes  303  will be sold, market  205  feasibilities will be studied so the pace  102  of annual sales  101  relative to the builder&#39;s  501  selected annual curve  209  can be estimated. If the builder  501  determines to proceed with a project  207 , the builder  501  may form a separate entity  505  with other investors to purchase the land that may be located in one or more counties  206 . If the project  207  is large, the land may be purchased over a period of time through takedowns  202 . As the project  207  is purchased and lots  201  are defined, they may be organized by lots common  204  which all contain a common feature, and/or by release group  203  which is the order in which they will become available for sale. 
     Next the builder  501  will define the product versions  304  to be associated with the project  207  and on which lots  201  it is possible for them to be built. If the builder  501  does not have existing product versions  301  that he thinks will sell, he will employ an architect  302  to design one or more new products. If the architect  302  uses computer-aided design tools, he may organize the product into drawing files  305  that consist of drawings  308  organized into drawing blocks  311  based on the group  307  of options (front elevations), and variation number  310  such as front elevation A, B or C, etc. 
     When product versions  304  have been defined by the builder  501 , the procurement process is related to accounting  503  using the builder&#39;s  501  job cost categories  601  made up of tasks  603  broken down into phases  607  for payments. Payment will be related to the requested items  608  and required bid contract  604 , quote  605  from a vendor  606  contact  701 . The vendor  606  contact  701  is one of many addressees who relate to a number of klocations  702  at which they can be called by a telephone number  703 . A super type of addressee is a person  704  that has not been specifically identified in our meta model, such as a golf partner. 
     Some items  608  for which a quote  605  will be requested will have the property of a color. In some instances, such as vinyl flooring, this color is dependent upon the characteristic called a pattern  610  A quote will be received for each option as defined in the product version  304 , and the delta  602  between each related choice must be determined to obtain total cost based on the options selected. 
     This template is extended one more layer to include subphases  612  which do not involve accounting  503  but are necessary to define the precedence  611  of the construction sequence, such as various building inspections. 
     Now that the product development and procurement steps have been defined, the order fulfillment step begins with the builder  501  selected release group  203  of lots  201  and their possible product versions  304 . A sales person  208  will work with a customer  301  to select a lot  201  and/or a product version  304 . Once these are determined, the possible option groups  307  and variation numbers  310  are used for selection by the customer  301 , which will restrict  306  and/or demand  309  other options as the choices are made to define the customer&#39;s instance of a home  303 . 
     Demander and demandee, restrictor and restrictee relationships are assigned designations to the variations numbers, and the variations numbers are organized in groups according to the restrictor, restrictee, demander and demandee relationship designations. Based on the choices made, a sales contract  404  is written by the customer  301  to be negotiated  502  with the builder  501 . When the sales contract  404  is ratified, a deposit  402  will be held by the builder, while the customer obtains approval from a bank  405  for a mortgage  403  based on an appraisal  406 . The title  504  is checked and insurance  401  is written. 
     All of these are being accomplished by the customer  301  with the assistance of the sales person  208  while the builder&#39;s  501  superintendent  210  is constructing the home  303  as selected by the customer  301 . 
     During all steps in this process, changed  609  information is maintained. 
     The order fulfillment portion starts with a customer  301  working with a salesperson  208  to select and purchase a home  303 . First a lot is selected  201 , and the lot affects the possible product or home version  304  and controls the selected design of the home  303  by the customer  301 . The product version includes a group  307  of options, with secondary options  310 . Depending on the options selected, other options may be either restricted  306  or demanded  309 . 
     The selected groups  307  and variation numbers  310  are conveyed to create a task  603 . Based on the category  601 , the task generates a cost code which is given to accounting  503  and reported to the builder  501 , so that the price may be negotiated  502  with the customer  301  by the sales person  208 . The result is a sales contract  404 , which is written with the necessary insurance  401 , a deposit  402  tendered, a mortgage  403  created with a bank  405 , and an appraisal value  406 . A title  504  is created. Changes  609 , either new or old, are used to affect the sales contract  404 . 
     The creation of the task  603  contains phases  607  and subphases  612  which are reordered by precedents  611 . The task  603  accesses the bid contract  604  and confirms the quote  605  from a vendor  606 , which may be a subcontractor. All vendor information is retained with the contact  701 . Meanwhile, the variation number  310  and the group identification is supplied to the drawing block  311 , which creates a drawing  308  from a drawing file  305 , which identifies the specific instance of a product version  304  or home  303  which will be created. The drawing is provided to the customer  301 . The product version  304  and the lot number  201  update the project information  207 . 
     The system is originally set up by organizing a project  207  located in a county  206 , dividing the project into lots  201  and noting which lots are common  204  in characteristics. The lots are released in groups  203  as coordinated with the county  206 . 
     The system is originally set up by inserting projected annual sales  101  and a monthly estimate to the determine a pace  102 . The annual sales are projected according to a market  205 . The project  207  is divided into lots  201  with release groups  203  and input concerning the county. Common lots  204  are identified for lot type size and topography. A salesperson  208  is identified with the project  207 . One or more salespersons may be so identified. A field representative superintendent  210  is identified, and all information is supplied to the builder  501  who negotiates  502  the sales contract  404 , which takes into account the factors as previously stated. The information is provided to accounting, and the record is delivered to the entity  505 . Information from the builder  501  and accounting  503  is provided to category  601 , and tasks  603  are assigned. One task is the provision of documents from group  307 , with drawings  308  taken from drawing files  305 . 
     The basic outline provides a process for home building. The business is continued on a project by project basis. A project  207  can be one or many lots. Houses are sold on a lot by lot  201  basis, one at a time. 
     The product  304  or architectural plan with options is company information, with subcontract cost on a company (any project) basis or on an individual project basis. 
     Once the architect  302  has designed the product  304 , he is generally no longer involved in the process. 
     The products  304  are associated with the lots  201  within a project  207  on which they can be built. 
     The customer chooses a lot  201 , which provides available products  304  or a product  304 , which provides available lots  201  and the defined options  307 ,  310  the customer wants in his new home  303  based on the builder&#39;s  501  asking price  502 , which is typically negotiated  502  by the customer. 
     Any subcontract costs  605  are maintained for each product  304  with options  307 ,  310  on a continuous basis by the builder. 
     When the new home  303  is defined by the customer  301 , the builder  501  will know his current cost  503  for the new home. 
     The drawing file  305 , drawing  308  and drawing block  311  are the link to a CAD system set of plans for the product  304  with options  307 ,  310 . 
     The category  601 , task  603  and phase  607  are the link to the accounting  503  job cost system. 
     The product version  304 , group  307  and variation number  310  are how the option information is input in response to the four types of questions that need to be answered. 
     Lots common  204  are for expenses that apply to more than one lot  201 . 
     Release groups  203  are which lots  201  are available for sale in what sequence. 
     Pace  102  is the projected number of new homes  303  to be sold in a project  207  on an annual  209  basis. 
     The specification above outlines these major areas of FIG. 10 in the following order: 
     Projects (market feasibility and pace). 
     Products. 
     Architectural C.A.D. (computer aided design) structure. 
     Accounting, job cost. 
     Vendor quotes. 
     Construction precedence. 
     Personal information management. 
     New home sales and construction. 
     Change. 
     Building entity. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.