Abstract:
A system for preparing and presenting a proposal at a property utilizes wide-area networking to retrieve an aerial photograph or satellite image of the property, onto which a sales person indicates the locations, types, and specifications of fixtures on the property that are available for upgrade/replacement. Once the image/photograph is complete, the system accesses current pricing and installation costs for the fixtures and generates a proposal that is provided to the property owner. This system provides for a single visit to a property to gather fixture location, type, specification; generate proposals; and seal a deal with the property owner. Since the replacement fixtures are more energy efficient than those that are existing, the proposal utilizes local energy rates to determine the amount of time before the replacement fixtures pay for themselves in reduce energy consumption and cost.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to making estimates for outdoor construction and more particularly to a system for estimating lighting needs based upon existing illumination. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are many situations in which a contractor/supplier needs to provide an estimate for a project. Many of these situations deal with estimating upgrades or replacement of existing outdoor items such as fixtures, landscaping, etc. 
         [0003]    In recent years, newer lighting technologies have emerged that provide similar light output at drastically reduced energy consumption. One such technology uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a source of light. High power LEDs (e.g. arrays of LEDs) provide sufficient light output to illuminate parking lots, back yards, etc. As such lighting technologies consume lower amounts of energy (e.g. electricity), these lighting technologies also cost less to operate. The savings in electricity costs over a period of time provides a return on the investment for upgrading to such technologies. This return on investment is often used to make it attractive for the property owner on the upgrade, especially when such newer lighting technologies provide longer lasting light sources, as LEDs are known to operate for upwards of ten years without the need for replacement. This longer life also provides enhanced rates of return as fewer service calls are needed to replace failed lamps. 
         [0004]    Currently, sales people will visit a property, draw a rough sketch of the property along with symbols for light fixtures, and note the size, type, and wattage of each light fixture. The sales person would then take the sketch home at night and prepares a drawing which includes the light fixtures, and then the sales person calculates the cost to replace each fixture to present a proposal to the property owner. This process is not only time consuming, but requires the sales person make at least two visits to the property, one to gather information and the other to present the proposal. Since two visits require the property owner be present twice, such is often an inconvenience for the property owner. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a system that will develop a proposal on-site, requiring only one visit to the property. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A system for preparing and presenting a proposal at a property utilizes wide-area networking to retrieve an aerial photograph or satellite image of the property, onto which a sales person indicates the locations, types, and specifications of fixtures on the property that are available for upgrade/replacement. Once the image/photograph is complete, the system accesses current pricing and installation costs for the fixtures and generates a proposal that is provided to the property owner. This system provides for a single visit to a property to gather fixture location, type, specification; generate proposals; and seal a deal with the property owner. Since the replacement fixtures are more energy efficient than those that are existing, the proposal utilizes local energy rates to determine the amount of time before the replacement fixtures pay for themselves in reduce energy consumption and cost. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the address of the property is used to find the aerial photograph and/or satellite image while in other embodiments; Global Positioning Service (e.g., GPS) technology is used to find the aerial photograph and/or satellite image. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a system for outdoor estimation of a premise includes a device for accessing the system (e.g. a cell phone or tablet computer); the device has a location determining subsystem (e.g. Global Positioning System—GPS). A server has at least one map and an application running on the device for accessing the system determines a location of the outdoor estimation and communicates the location of the outdoor estimation to the server. The server responds with a map from the at least one map; the map corresponds to the location of the outdoor estimation. The application accepts inputs including data of an existing object at the premise and responsive to such, the application displays an icon representing the existing object and the application provides for moving the icon representing the existing object to a location on the map corresponding the a location of the existing object on the premise. The application then accesses a database of replacement objects and retrieves data regarding a replacement object that corresponds to the existing object and calculates a break-even time from the data of the existing object, the data regarding a replacement object, an energy cost, and an expected usage of the replacement object. The application then displays the data regarding the existing object, the data regarding the replacement object, and the break-even time. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of outdoor estimation of a premise is disclosed including (a) determining a location of the outdoor estimation by a portable computing device and (b) sending the location of the outdoor estimation to a server. The server has at least one map. (c) The server responds with a map from the at least one map that corresponds to the location of the outdoor estimation. (d) The map is displayed on a display of the portable computing device. (e) inputs are accepted by the application; the inputs include data related to an existing lighting fixture at the premise. (f) Responsive to the inputs, the application displays an icon representing the existing lighting fixture on the map on the display. (g) Using the application, the icon representing the existing lighting fixture is relocated to a location on the map on the display corresponding to a location of the existing lighting fixture on the premise. (h) A database of replacement lighting fixtures is accessed by the application and data related to a replacement lighting fixture that corresponds to the existing lighting fixture is retrieved. (i) steps e-h are repeated for additional existing lighting fixtures at the premise. (j) The application calculates a break-even time from the data related to the existing lighting fixtures, the data related to the replacement lighting fixtures, an energy cost, and an expected usage time of the replacement lighting fixture and (k) displays the data regarding the existing lighting fixtures, the data regarding the replacement lighting fixtures, and the break-even time. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, program instructions tangibly embodied in a non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions running on a portable device for determining a location of the outdoor estimation and instructions for sending the location of the outdoor estimation to a server. The server has at least one map. Instructions running on the portable receive a map corresponding to the location of the outdoor estimation from the server and display the map on a display of the portable computing device. Instructions running on the portable device accept inputs. The inputs including data related to an existing lighting fixture at the premise. Responsive to the inputs, instructions running on the portable device display on the map on the display an icon representing the existing lighting fixture and relocate the icon representing the existing lighting fixture to a location on the map on the display corresponding the a location of the existing lighting fixture on the premise. Instructions running on the portable device access a database of replacement lighting fixtures and retrieving data related to a replacement lighting fixture that corresponds to the existing lighting fixture. The above steps are repeated for additional existing lighting fixtures at the premise. Instructions running on the portable device calculate a break-even time from the data related to the existing lighting fixtures, the data related to the replacement lighting fixtures, an energy cost, and an expected usage time of the replacement lighting fixture and displaying the data regarding the existing lighting fixtures, the data regarding the replacement lighting fixtures, and the break-even time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a data connection diagram of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a typical cell phone. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of a typical computer system such as a server or personal computer. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a first user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a third user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fourth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a fifth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sixth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a seventh user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates an eighth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a ninth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a tenth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates an eleventh user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a twelfth user interface of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary program flow of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates a second exemplary program flow of the estimation and quoting system. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  illustrates a third exemplary program flow of the estimation and quoting system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0031]    In general, the estimation and quoting system accesses an aerial photograph or satellite image and displays such on a display of a computer device. Onto that image, a salesperson indicates location, type, and specification of various fixtures that exist on the property and, once complete, the system for outdoor estimation used up-to-date replacement fixture cost and installation cost data to generate a proposal. Utilizing local electricity costs, the system for outdoor estimation also generates an estimated break-even date (time to break even), indicating when the replacement fixtures will pay for themselves. Although the term “sales person” is used throughout to indicate the person who utilizes the system for outdoor estimation and enters the data, there is no restriction as to who or the type of person who will perform such activities. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1  illustrates a data connection diagram of the exemplary system for outdoor estimation. In this example, one or more computing devices  10  such as tablet computers communicate through the cellular network  68  and/or through a wide area network  506  (e.g. the Internet) to a server computer  500 . 
         [0033]    The server computer  500  has access to data storage  502 , for example for storing a database of replacement devices  404 . Although one path between the computing devices  10  and the server  500  is through the cellular network  68  and/or the wide area network  506  as shown, any known data path is anticipated. For example, the Wi-Fi transceiver  96  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the computing device  10  is used to communicate directly with the wide area network  506 , which includes the Internet, and, consequently, with the server computer  500 . 
         [0034]    The server computer  500  transacts with the computing devices  10  through the network(s)  68 / 506  to present menus to/on the computing devices  10 , provide data to the computing devices  10 , and to communicate information such as the salesperson&#39;s location, etc. In some embodiments, the salesperson&#39;s login credentials (e.g., passwords, pins, secret codes) are stored local to the computing device  10 ; while in other embodiments, login credentials are stored in a data storage  502  (preferably in a secured area) requiring a connection to the server before login. 
         [0035]    The server computer  500  transacts with applications running on the computing devices  10 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, when the system for outdoor estimation application initiates on the computing device  10 , the geographic area of the computing device  10  is determined by reading the GPS subsystem  91  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the computing device  10  or by manual entry by a salesperson. Manual entry by a salesperson is made by, for example, entering a street address or by selecting/panning to a location on a map. 
         [0037]    The location from the GPS subsystem  91  is forwarded to the server  500  during initialization and periodically while the system for outdoor estimation application is active so as to keep the server  500  informed of location changes. 
         [0038]    The computing device  10  communicates with the server  500  and/or with an image/map server  515  to retrieve an aerial photograph or satellite image mapping  305  (see  FIGS. 5-11 ) based upon a location that is either directed from a GPS  91  or a location that is entered into the application by the sales person (e.g., street address, latitude/longitude, etc.). As will be shown, the aerial photograph or satellite image mapping  305  is adjustable (pan, zoom-in, zoom-out, crop, etc.) and there are directives for the salesperson to enter data directly associated with and appearing as overlays on the aerial photograph or satellite image mapping  305 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a schematic view of a typical computing device  10  is shown. The example computing device  10  represents a typical cell phone or tablet system used for accessing user interfaces (see  FIGS. 5-15 ) of the estimation and quoting system. This exemplary computing device  10  is shown in its simplest form. Different architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular computing device  10  system architecture or implementation. In this exemplary computing device  10 , a processor  70  executes or runs programs in a random access memory  75 . The programs are generally stored within a persistent memory  74  and loaded into the random access memory  75  when needed. Also accessible by the processor  70  is a SIM (subscriber information module) card  88  having a subscriber identification and often persistent storage. The processor  70  is any processor, typically a processor designed for phones. The persistent memory  74 , random access memory  75 , and SIM card are connected to the processor by, for example, a memory bus  72 . The random access memory  75  is any memory suitable for connection and operation with the selected processor  70 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. The persistent memory  74  is any type, configuration, capacity of memory suitable for persistently storing data, for example, flash memory, read only memory, battery-backed memory, magnetic memory, etc. In some exemplary computing devices  10 , the persistent memory  74  is removable, in the form of a memory card of appropriate format such as SD (secure digital) cards, micro SD cards, compact flash, etc. 
         [0040]    Also connected to the processor  70  is a system bus  82  for connecting to peripheral subsystems such as a cellular network interface  80 , a graphics adapter  84  and a touch screen interface  92 . The graphics adapter  84  receives commands from the processor  70  and controls what is depicted as a display image on the display  86 . The touch screen interface  92  provides navigation and selection features. 
         [0041]    In general, some portion of the persistent memory  74  and/or the SIM card  88  is used to store programs, executable code, phone numbers, contacts, and data, etc. In some embodiments, other data is stored in the persistent memory  74  such as audio files, video files, text messages, etc. 
         [0042]    The peripherals are examples and other devices are known in the industry such as Global Positioning Subsystem  91 , speakers, microphones, USB interfaces, Bluetooth transceiver  94 , Wi-Fi transceiver  96 , image sensors, temperature sensors, etc., the details of some of which are not shown for brevity and clarity reasons. 
         [0043]    The cellular network interface  80  connects the computing device  10  to the cellular network  68  through any cellular band and cellular protocol such as GSM, TDMA, LTE, etc., through a wireless medium  78 . There is no limitation on the type of cellular connection used. The cellular network interface  80  provides voice call, data, and messaging services to the computing device  10  through the cellular network. 
         [0044]    For local-area communications, in some embodiments, the computing devices  10  include a Bluetooth transceiver  94 , a Wi-Fi transceiver  96 , or both. Such features of computing devices  10  provide data communications between the computing devices  10  and data access points and/or other computers such as a personal computer (not shown). 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a schematic view of a typical computer system (e.g., server  500 ) is shown. The example computer system  500  represents a typical computer system used for back-end processing, generating reports, displaying data, etc. This exemplary computer system is shown in its simplest form. Different architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular computer system architecture or implementation. In this exemplary computer system, a processor  570  executes or runs programs in a random access memory  575 . The programs are generally stored within a persistent memory  574  and loaded into the random access memory  575  when needed. The processor  570  is any processor, typically a processor designed for computer systems with any number of core processing elements, etc. The random access memory  575  is connected to the processor by, for example, a memory bus  572 . The random access memory  575  is any memory suitable for connection and operation with the selected processor  570 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. The persistent memory  574  is any type, configuration, capacity of memory suitable for persistently storing data, for example, magnetic storage, flash memory, read only memory, battery-backed memory, magnetic memory, etc. The persistent memory  574  is typically interfaced to the processor  570  through a system bus  582 , or any other interface as known in the industry. 
         [0046]    Also shown connected to the processor  570  through the system bus  582  is a network interface  580  (e.g., for connecting to a data network  506 ), a graphics adapter  584  and a keyboard interface  592  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus—USB). The graphics adapter  584  receives commands from the processor  570  and controls what is depicted on a display image on the display  586 . The keyboard interface  592  provides navigation, data entry, and selection features. 
         [0047]    In general, some portion of the persistent memory  574  is used to store programs, executable code, voter data, contacts, and other data, etc. 
         [0048]    The peripherals are examples and other devices are known in the industry such as speakers, microphones, USB interfaces, Bluetooth transceivers, Wi-Fi transceivers, image sensors, temperature sensors, etc., the details of which are not shown for brevity and clarity reasons. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-15 , exemplary user interfaces of the estimation and quoting system are shown. Although many user interfaces are anticipated, one set of examples are shown. Although there are user interfaces that utilize a browser running on the user device (e.g., computing device  10 ), the examples shown utilize an application that runs on the user device (e.g. computing device  10 ). For brevity, in the remainder of the description, it is assumed that the computing device  10  is a tablet computer. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, a log-in/register user interface is included, as such is well known in the art, it is not shown for brevity reasons. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 4 , a sample starting user interface  300  is shown. In this, the display of the computing device  10  shows an interface  300  that indicates a current address  304  and has directives  306 / 308 / 309  as to what is done next. Selecting “GPS”  309  accesses the Global Positioning System (GPS)  91  of the computing device  10  to re-read the current location. It is also anticipated that the GPS  91  be read at start-up to determine the location of the computing device  10 . Selecting “Cancel”  308  cancels the operation. 
         [0052]    Selecting “Go”  306  initiates a transaction to the server  500  and/or the map server  515 . The computing device  10  sends the server  500  and/or the map server  515  a transaction including the location of the computing device  10 , for example, the coordinates returned from the GPS  91  or a street address  304 . The server  500  and/or the map server  515  use the location to find a map  305  that corresponds to that location (see  FIGS. 5-14 ). Responsive to this transaction, the map  305  is sent from the server  500  and/or the map server  515  to the computing device  10 . In one embodiment, satellite maps are stored in the map data  507  of the map server  515  and a map  305 , subset of a map  305 , or superset of a map  305  (e.g. a larger geographic area than is to be displayed) is sent back from the map server to the computing device  10 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the map  305  is the displayed as, for example, in user interface  310 . In this example, a property  309  is shown that has a parking lot. The user of the computing device then utilizes selects the “Existing”  320  directive to systematically annotate the property  309 , indicating the existing device  402  (see  FIG. 13 ) and a proposed replacement device for each location as is explained with  FIGS. 6-12 . The “Prop-rep” directive  360  is explained later. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-12 , a series of user interfaces are shown providing exemplary user interfaces for recording of existing devices  402  on the property  309  and for proposing suggested replacement devices for the existing devices  402 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the “Existing” directive  320  is a pull-down menu and, upon selecting the “Existing” directive  320 , a first pull-down menu  322  consisting of “Shoebox,” “Canopy,” and “Wallpack” devices is displayed. Selecting of the “Shoebox,” entry opens a second pull-down menu  324  as shown in  FIG. 7 , listing values of the devices (e.g. light wattages) that are known—from 250 Watt to 1080 Watt. Selecting the 250 Watt line presents a third drop-down menu  326  for selecting the technology of device that is possible with the selected value, for example, HPS (High Pressure Sodium) and MH (Metal Halide) as shown in  FIG. 8 . Upon selecting the technology (in this example, HPS  326 ), an existing device icon  330  is displayed (e.g. HS1). Now, the existing device icon  330  is dragged to the location where this existing device  402  is on the property  309  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Any level and hierarchy of pull-down menus  322 / 324 / 326  are anticipated depending upon the technologies or devices being proposed. For example, in a landscaping example, a first level pull-down might be for a type of item (e.g. tree, bush, plant, flower-bed, rock, rock-bed, etc.) and a second level might be for a type (e.g. red rock, grey rock, river rock, etc.) and a third level might be for the size (e.g. 1″, 2″, 3-4″, etc). 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the above steps have been repeated to add and place a second existing device  402 , HS1 device icon  332 . In  FIG. 11 , the above steps have been repeated to create a third existing device  402 , WP1 icon (Wall Pack)  340  and in  FIG. 12 , the third existing device  402 , WP1 (Wall Pack)  340  is shown being placed against a building of the property  309 . Any number of device icons  330 / 332 / 334  is added as a user investigates the property  309 . Once all device icons  330 / 332 / 334  have been added, the “prop-rep” directive is selected and flow proceeds to the calculating menu  400  shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , the calculating menu  400  is shown. A list of the existing devices  402  is shown along with proposed replacement devices  404 . For example, the first line of the list of the existing devices  402  and replacement devices  404  shows an existing high pressure sodium shoebox device with a value of 250 Watts and a suggested replacement device being an LED 55 W shoebox. It is fully anticipated that, in some embodiments, editing facilities are available to change one or more of the existing devices  402  and/or replacement devices  404 . For example, should the owner of the property  309  need a brighter replacement device  404  and/or a different color temperature replacement device  404 . In another example, a mistake is made and the existing fixture needs to be changed to a different wattage, etc. 
         [0057]    Once the list of existing devices  402  and corresponding replacement devices  404  is complete, the “Finish” directive  406  is selected and flow continues with the user interface  420  of  FIG. 13 . A “Cancel” directive  406  is shown for completeness. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , user interface  420  shows the costs  422  to provide and install and energy savings  424  from each replacement device  404 . Again, in some embodiments, editing features are provided to enable changes to the costs  422  and/or energy savings  424 , for example, to provide discounts, etc. Once costs  422  and/or energy savings  424  is complete, the “Finish” directive  426  is selected and flow continues with the user interface  440  of  FIG. 14 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , user interface  440  shows the costs  422  to provide and install and energy savings  424  from each replacement device  404 , the costs  422  and the energy savings  424 . A new line is displayed indicating how long it will take the replacement devices  404  to “pay for themselves.” As newer, more efficient technology is introduced, the cost of purchase and installation is offset by savings in the costs of energy consumption. For example, replacing a 250 Watt device with a 55 W device saves 195 Watt-hours of energy for every hour that the device is used. In the example shown in the interface  440 , a local cost per Kilowatt-hour  450  and an expected number of hours-per-day  452  is displayed (e.g., $0.105 per Kilowatt-hour and 12 hours per day). Using the local cost per Kilowatt-hour  450  and expected number of hours-per-day  452  in conjunction with the total cost  454  and the total energy savings  455 , a number of days to break-even  456  is calculated and displayed. Again, in some embodiments, editing features are provided to change the local cost per Kilowatt-hour  450  and the expected number of hours-per-day  452 , etc. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the user interface  440  includes a print directive  446  and a cancel directive  406 . It is anticipated that the user (e.g. estimator, salesperson) has a portable printer for printing the proposal at the property  309  and/or saves the proposal and prints the proposal at a different location that has a printer. 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, data used to determine the replacement devices  404  and default values for the local cost per Kilowatt-hour  450  and expected number of hours-per-day  452  are stored locally to the computing device  10 , for example, downloaded from the server  500 . In some embodiments, the data used to determine the replacement devices  404  and default values for the local cost per Kilowatt-hour  450  and expected number of hours-per-day  452  are retrieved from the server  500 . In some embodiments, the calculations of the total cost  454 , the total energy savings  455 , and the number of days to break-even  456  are calculated by computing device  10 . In some embodiments, the calculations of the total cost  454 , the total energy savings  455 , and the number of days to break-even  456  are calculated by the server  500 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , exemplary program flows of the estimation and quoting system are shown. In  FIG. 16 , the flow starts with getting the location  600  (for example, reading a GPS system  91  of the computing device  10  or entering a street address  304 ). A transaction is made with either the server  500  and/or the map server  515  providing the location and receiving back a map  305 , for example, a satellite image of the area around the location. The map is displayed  604 . Next, until ending  606 , an add-existing procedure  608  as described in  FIG. 18  is performed. The add-existing procedure  608  obtains the type and location of each existing device  402 . 
         [0063]    Upon ending  606  (e.g., all existing devices  402  have been added), flow continues with displaying  620  the list of existing devices  402  as shown in  FIG. 17 . The first existing device  402  is selected  622  and a loop begins  624 / 626 / 628  in which, for each existing device  402 , a replacement device  404  is determined and added/displayed  624 , along with the costs and energy savings for the replacement device  404 . If there are still more  626  existing device  402 , the next existing device  402  is selected  628  and the loop  624 / 626 / 628 . 
         [0064]    Once there are no more  626  existing devices  402 , the break-even time is calculated and displayed (e.g., number of days until breaking even on the investment of installing replacement devices  404 ) and a report/proposal is generated  632  for printing and/or sending to the owner of the property  309 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , the add-existing procedure  608  is described. The add-existing procedure  608  begins with getting the type  640  of existing device  402  (e.g. shoebox, canopy, wallpack), getting the wattage/size  642  of existing device  402  (e.g. 100 W, 150 W, 200 W), then getting the technology  644  of existing device  402  (e.g. e.g., halogen, high pressure sodium, metal halide). Once obtained, an existing device icon  330 / 332 / 340  is displayed  646  on the display  86  of the computing device  10 . The existing device icon  330 / 332 / 340  represents the existing device  402  as entered in the above steps  640 / 642 / 644 . Now, the existing device icon  330 / 332 / 340  is placed  648  at the location on the map  305  corresponding to that existing device  402 . Using user interface technology that is known for moving an object on a display, the existing device icon  330 / 332 / 340  is relocated on the map  305  to the location on the property  309  at which the existing device  402  is located. After placement of the existing device icon  330 / 332 / 340 , the existing device  402  (e.g. type, wattage/size, technology, location) is added to the list of existing devices  402 . 
         [0066]    It is anticipated that portions of the exemplary program flow execute on a user device such as a computing device  10  while portions of the exemplary program flow execute on the server  500  and/or map server  515 . 
         [0067]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0068]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.