Patent Publication Number: US-2007112692-A1

Title: Drawing Take Off System

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/732,458, filed Nov. 1, 2005, which is relied on and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a drawing take off system and drawing take off method for estimating the price of building components or other components shown on a paper drawing of a construction project.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      For a manufacturer&#39;s representative, one of the most time intensive parts of the bid process for a construction project is selecting and pricing all of the manufacturer&#39;s components shown on the paper drawing of the construction project. In order to submit a bid for the construction project, the manufacturer&#39;s representative or estimator must accurately estimate the cost of the manufacturer&#39;s components required for the construction project. In order to estimate the cost of the manufacturer&#39;s components, the manufacturer&#39;s representative must “take off” all of the manufacturer&#39;s components from the paper drawing of the construction project.  
      In many cases the project drawing may include a number of different models of components from a single manufacture where each component model has a different price. Thus the estimator must not only take off all of the components from the project drawing, but the estimator must also keep track of how many components of each model have been taken off the drawing in order to calculate the total price of all of the components. This is an arduous task that requires many hours of manual labor. Many projects that are bid are not won by the manufacture&#39;s representative, so he or she must be able to bid as many projects as possible, while realizing only a certain percentage for a success rate.  
      Components may be taken off using a drawing digitizer pad. Existing drawing digitizers require a large digitizing pad to accommodate the project drawing. Such digitizers have an electromagnetic field and a transducer interruption to register the click of the digitizing pen on the project drawing. The need for a digitizing pad makes such existing solutions expensive and mobility restrictive. Further, the digitizing pen does not leave a mark on the paper project drawing, but only registers the coordinates on the digitizing pad. Because the “take off” process requires recording each component taken off the paper project drawing as well as recording the component in software, the lack of an ink mark on the paper project drawing does not allow the estimator to keep track of where he or she is on the paper project drawing.  
      Marking the paper project drawing could be accomplished by adding a custom ink cartridge to the digitizing pen. Such a custom ink cartridge may be hard to source and obtain, and a custom ink cartridge add to the digitizing pen does not solve the problem of the cost and inconvenience of a large digitizing pad.  
      Therefore, a need exists for a drawing take off system and a drawing take off method that allows an estimator to take off a manufacturer&#39;s components from a paper project drawing accurately.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To overcome the problems of the prior art, the present invention is a drawing take off system comprising a sleeve for holding a standard pen or marker that is connected to a computer having a software module. The software module maintains a list of each model of component required for the project, counts pen strokes for each individual component model taken off of the paper project drawing by the estimator, and calculates the cost for all of the components taken off of the paper project drawing.  
      Because the sleeve accepts a standard pen or marker, the pen can be quickly and easily interchanged thereby allowing for changes in ink color or simply replacement of an empty pen. The sleeve has switches or other means for registering the selection of each of the manufacturer&#39;s component models on the drawing and for counting the number of pen strokes for each component of each component model on the paper project drawing. Particularly, the sleeve has manually operated buttons or micro switches to select a component model and to count pen strokes. Alternatively, the sleeve may use other actuators for selecting the component models and for counting pen strokes, including without limit, pressure sensors, strain gauges, magnetic sensors, proximity sensors, sonar sensors, or other sensors or switches known to those skilled in the art.  
      The outputs from the micro switches or other sensors are connected to the computer via a wired or wireless connection. Particular, the output of the micro switches or other sensors may be connected to the computer via a USB port, an infrared port, a bluetooth port, or any other communication port known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
      The computer used in connection with the present invention may be a standard desktop personal computer but is preferably a laptop computer or a tablet computer with a touch screen.  
      The computer of the present invention includes a software module that maintains a list of each component model to be taken off of the paper project drawing, that counts pen strokes for each component of each component model taken off of the paper project drawing, and that calculates the total cost of all of the components taken off of the paper project drawing. Consequently, the estimator&#39;s job is simplified because the computer keeps track of the number of each component model that the estimator marks off of the paper project drawing. Further, once all of the components of each component model have been marked off of the paper project drawing, the software module calculates the total cost of all of the components taken off the paper project drawing. Such a drawing take off system and drawing take off method not only speeds up the process of taking components off of the paper project drawing, but also increases the accuracy of the estimator&#39;s estimate because the pen marks on the paper project drawing provide a clear indication that all of the components have been taken off and because the computer does the final cost calculation for all of components taken off of the paper project drawing.  
      Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a drawing take off system in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing of a pen sleeve for the drawing take off system in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a cross section view of the pen sleeve for the drawing take off system in accordance with the present invention taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the pen sleeve for the drawing take off system in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display used for entering project information for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display used for creating a list of component models for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display of for counting or taking off components for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display showing an estimate for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display for selecting the room schedule mode for a particular project for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display for entering project information in the room selection mode for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display for assigning components to rooms and floors in the room selection mode for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is screen shot showing an illustrative computer screen display of a parts list for the drawing take off method in accordance with the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  discloses a drawing take off system  10 , and  FIG. 5  discloses a drawing take off method  100 . The drawing take off system  10  is used to tabulate or “take off” components  14  shown on a paper project drawing  12 . The paper project drawing  12  is typically the drawing for a construction project such as a building. The components  14  represented on the drawing  12  are the components used in the construction of the building, such as heating and air conditioning components (ducts, diffusers, fans, etc.), electrical devices (electric panels, outlets, light fixtures, etc.), and building materials (metal studs, sheet rock, ceiling panels, flooring, etc.).  
      In order for a manufacturer or a manufacturer&#39;s representative to bid on the building project for the components  14  sold by the manufacture, the manufacturer&#39;s representative must submit an estimate of the cost of supplying the manufacturer&#39;s components to the construction project contractor. In order to submit such an estimate, the manufacturer&#39;s representative or estimator, using the information from the paper drawing  12 , must determine the different models of components  14  required, must count the number of each component model, and must calculate the total cost of all components  14  taken off of the paper drawing  12 . Further, if the contractor awards the bid for the project to the manufacturer, the manufacturer&#39;s representative must prepare a parts list for ordering the needed components  14 .  
      With referenced to  FIG. 1 , the drawing take off system  10  comprises a take off pen  16 , an interface connection  30 , and a computer  32  running a take off software module  34 . As will be described in greater detail below in connection with the drawing take off method  100  shown in  FIG. 5 , the manufacturer&#39;s representative first uses a component selection signal switch  28  ( FIG. 2 ) of a 4-way micro switch  24  on the take off pen  16  to select the model of component  14  required by the drawing  12  from a list of component models compiled in the software module  34 . The manufacturer&#39;s representative then uses a pen stroke signal switch  26  ( FIG. 2 ) of the 4-way micro switch  24  on the take off pen  16  to count each component  14  of each component model shown on the drawing  12 . As each component is counted by activation of the pen stroke signal switch  26 , the manufacturer&#39;s representative marks that component  14  on the drawing  12  with a marking pen  18  having a marking tip  19 . The outputs from the component selection signal switch  28  and the pen stroke signal switch  26  of the 4-way micro switch  24  of the take off pen  16  are transmitted via the interface connection  30  to the software module  34  on the computer  32  where the software module  34  selects the particular component model required by the drawing  12  from the stored component model list and counts the number of pen strokes. Once all of the components  14  have been marked on the drawing  12 , the software module  34  calculates the total cost of all of the components taken off of the drawing  12  and generates an estimate that can be submitted as part of bid to the contractor for the project.  
      Turning to  FIGS. 2-4 , the take off pen  16  comprises a sleeve  20  with a distal end  42  and a proximal end  44 . The sleeve  20  has a pen connector  22  that comprises an internal cylindrical chamber  23  extending the length of the sleeve  20  with a friction pad  38  and leaf spring  40  mounted within the chamber  23  ( FIG. 3 ). The internal cylindrical chamber  23  encircles the pen  18 , and the friction pad  38  and the leaf spring  40  together frictionally retain the marking pen  18  in the sleeve  20 . While the cylindrical chamber  23  with the friction pad  38  and the leaf spring  40  is shown for connecting the marking pen  18  to the sleeve  20 , clips or other temporary fasteners may be employed to connect the marking pen  18  to the sleeve  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the marking tip  19  of the pen  18  extends from chamber  23  at the distal end  42  of the sleeve  20 . In order to connect the pen  18  to the sleeve  20 , the marking tip  19  of the pen  18  is inserted into chamber  23  at the proximal end  44  of the sleeve  20  and slid until the marking tip extends from the chamber  23  at the distal end  42  of the sleeve  20  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In order to replace the pen  18 , the pen  18  is pulled from the chamber  23 , and another pen  18  is inserted into the chamber  23 . Consequently, the pens can be easily changed to change ink color or to replace an empty pen.  
      The 4-way micro switch  24  is mounted on the sleeve  20  of the take off pen  16  near the distal end  42  of the sleeve  20 . The location of the 4-way micro switch  24  allows the user to manipulate the 4-way micro switch  24  with the user&#39;s index finger when the user grips the take off pen  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 . By sliding the pen  18  within the chamber  23 , the most comfortable position for the 4-way micro switch  24  can be achieved for a particular user. While a 4-way micro switch  24  is shown and described above, a 5-way micro switch could be substituted to provide an additional software control function by pressing the center of the switch. Such an additional control function may be used in a variety of ways to control the software module  34  as known to person of ordinary skill in the art.  
      The 4-way micro switch  24  includes the pen stroke signal switch  26  and the component selection signal switch  28 . Manipulation of the component selection signal switch  28  generates a component selection signal on interface connection  30 . The component selection signal has two states. When the component selection signal switch  28  is move in a first direction, the component selection signal indicates to the software module  34 , via interface connection  30 , that the software module  34  should step in a first direction on the component model list compiled in the software module  34  to select a particular component model. When the component selection signal switch  28  is move in a second direction, the component selection signal indicates to the software module  34 , via interface connection  30 , that the software module  34  should step in a second direction on the component model list compiled in the software module  34  to select a particular component model.  
      Manipulation of the pen stroke signal switch  26  generates a pen stroke signal on interface connection  30 . The pen stroke signal has two states. When the pen stroke signal switch  26  is move in a first direction, the pen stroke signal indicates to the software module  34 , via interface connection  30 , that the software module  34  should increment the number of components  14  taken off of the drawing  12 . When the pen stroke signal switch  26  is move in a second direction, the pen stroke signal indicates to the software module  34  that the software module  34  should decrement the number of components  14  taken off of the drawing  12 .  
      While the pen stroke signal switch  26  is shown as a manually manipulated micro switch, the pen stroke signal switch  26  could be implemented by a sensor for sensing the stroke of the pen  18  on the paper drawing  12 . Particularly, the pen stroke signal switch  26  could include without limit, pressure sensors, strain gauges, magnetic sensors, proximity sensors, sonar sensors, or other sensors or switches known to those skilled in the art for sensing the stroke of the pen  18  on the paper drawing  12 .  
       FIG. 5  shows the drawing take off method  100  in accordance with the present invention for estimating the cost of supplying components shown on the paper project drawing  12 . The software module  34  on the computer  32  implements certain aspects of the drawing take off method  100 . The drawing take off method  100  starts at step  102 , where the user interacts with the software module  34  on computer  32  to create a job or project file for a project to be estimated. From step  102 , the method  100  proceeds to step  104 , where the user enters job or project information into the fields shown in  FIG. 6 .  
      From step  104 , the drawing take off method  100  proceeds to step  106 . At step  106 , the user selects the model selection tab  204  ( FIG. 6 ). When the user selects the model selection tab  204  ( FIG. 6 ), the drawing take off method  100  moves from step  106  to step  108 , and the software module  34  displays the screen shown in  FIG. 7 . At step  108 , and using the screen shown in  FIG. 7 , the user compiles a list of component models that are required by the drawing  12 .  
      The drawing take off method  100  moves from step  108  to step  110 , where the user connects the take off pen  16  to the computer  32 . From step  110 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  114 , where the user prints the project or building plans, which include the paper drawing  12 . Once the project or building plans are printed at step  114 , the drawing take off method moves to step  116 , where, in the case of a building, the user selects a particular floor of the building plans if the building has more than one floor.  
      From step  116 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  118 , where the user selects take off tab  218  shown in  FIG. 7 . By selecting tab  218  in  FIG. 7 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  120 , where the software module  34  displays the screen shown in  FIG. 8 . At step  120  the user, using the screen shown in  FIG. 8  and the component selection signal switch  28  on the take off pen  16 , selects the first component model from the component model list to be taken off of the drawing  12 . Once the first component model has been selected from the component model list at step  120 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  122 . At step  122 , the user marks each of the components  14  of the first component model on the drawing  12  with the pen  18  and uses pen stroke signal switch  26  on the take off pen  16  to increment the count in the software module  34  for the components  14  of the first component model on the drawing  12 . Once all of the components of the first component model have been marked by the pen  18  and counted by the software module  34  at step  122 , the drawing take off method  100  returns along path  126  to step  120 , and the user selects the second component model from the list of component models using the screen shown in  FIG. 8  and the component selection signal switch  28  on the take off pen  16 . With the second component model selected, step  122  is repeated in order to count the number of components  14  of the second component model found on the drawing  12 .  
      Once all of the components of the drawing  12  have been marked and counted, the drawing take off method  100  proceeds from step  122  to step  128 , where the software module  34  calculates the cost of all the components taken off of the drawing  12  and prints an estimate report such as that shown in  FIG. 9 .  
      From step  128 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  130 , where the estimate report is submitted to the contractor in connection with bidding for the project shown in the drawing  12 . Once the bid has been submitted at step  130 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to decision step  132 . At step  132 , the contractor decides whether to accept the bid and award the contract or to reject the bid. If the bid is rejected, the drawing take off method  100  follows the “no” branch  146  to step  134 , and the job or project file is closed. If on the other hand, the contract is awarded, the drawing take off method  100  follows the “yes” branch  148  from step  132  to step  136 , where the user enables the room schedule function by opening one of the projects  224  shown in  FIG. 10  by pressing button  220 .  
      Selection of the room schedule function at step  136  displays the screen shown in  FIG. 11 , where additional information can be added about the awarded project. From step  136 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  138 . At step  138 , the user creates a building layout. From step  138 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  140 , where the user can move components into the rooms or floors using the building layout that was created at step  138  ( FIG. 12 ). From step  140 , the drawing take off method  100  moves to step  142 , where the software module  34  automatically removes components from the take off tally as the components are placed in the appropriate rooms and floors of the building layout created at step  138 . Once the building layout has been completed (step  138 ) and the software module  34  has automatically tallied the components for the new floors and rooms (step  142 ), a parts list ( FIG. 13 ) is created at step  144  for ordering the components for the job or project that has been awarded.  
      While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.