Associating computer-executable objects with timber frames within an architectural design environment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10922450-B2
Application number	US-201514915990-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2015
Priority date	Jun 9, 2014
Publication date	Feb 16, 2021
Grant date	Feb 16, 2021

Abstract

A computer system can incorporate a timber framework within a variable spatial framework by receiving input to divide the variable spatial framework into one or more independent spaces within the variable spatial framework. Upon receiving input to divide the variable spatial framework, the system can create at least a first independent space and a second independent space based upon the received input. Creating the first independent space and the second independent space can also include associating with at least the first independent space a first independently executable software object. Additionally, the method can include automatically incorporating a digital representation of a first timber framework into the first independent space. The first independently executable software object can determine the characteristics of the first timber framework.

First claim

I claim:

1. A method for creating a timber framework within a variable spatial framework for use in designing and manufacturing an architectural component, the method comprising:
receiving a variable spatial framework for use in designing and manufacturing an architectural component, wherein the variable spatial framework digitally defines the architectural component;
receiving input to divide the variable spatial framework into one or more independent spaces within the variable spatial framework;
creating at least a first independent space and a second independent space based upon the received input, wherein creating the first independent space and the second independent space includes:
associating with at least the first independent space a first independently executable software object and the second independent space a second independently executable software object, each of the first and second independently executable software objects being configured to communicate data to each other, and
wherein:
the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object each comprise a set of computer-executable instructions used in object-oriented program code, and
the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object each are associated with a different space and executable actions specific to the different spaces;

automatically incorporating a digital representation of a first timber framework into the first independent space, wherein the characteristics of the first timber framework are determined by the first independently executable software object;
receiving input to modify one or more characteristics associated with the first independent space; and
in response to the received input, automatically modifying the second independent space based on the received input, wherein automatically modifying the second independent space includes at least:
the first independently executable software object automatically sending a communication associated with the received input to the second independently executable software object; and
in response to receiving the communication, the second independently executable software object automatically modifying one or more characteristics associated with the second independent space,
wherein the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object are mutually configurable.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user specification defining a characteristic of the architectural component; and
automatically adjusting the first timber framework to account for the received user specification.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first independently executable software object performs at least a portion of the automatically adjusting the first timber framework.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the user specification comprises a material type that will be used to construct the object.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the user specification comprises a size measurement of the object that will be manufactured.

6. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the user specification comprises a thickness of a material that will be used to construct the object.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying a surface associated with a portion of the spatial framework, wherein the surface is representative of a physical surface in the architectural component; and
receiving input to divide the surface, the surface dividing input changing the surface into multiple independent surfaces.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the surface comprises a thickness that is also divided by the dividing input.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting the presence of a second timber framework within the second independent space, which is adjacent to the first independent space.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:
automatically combining at least a portion of the first timber framework and the second timber framework.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein combining at least a portion of the first timber framework and the second timber framework comprises:
identifying at least one adjacent feature in the first timber framework and the second timber framework that is equivalent; and
replacing the identified equivalent features with a single common feature.

12. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:
calculating structural integrity requirements for the architectural component, wherein calculating the structural integrity requirements includes accounting for the structural support provided by at least the first timber framework and the second timber framework; and
based upon the calculated structural integrity requirements, automatically incorporating into the first timber framework and the second timber framework support features.

13. In a computer-based system for automatically creating a timber framework within a variable spatial framework for use in designing and manufacturing an architectural component, the computer-based system comprising one or more processors for receiving and processing instructions, the instructions when executed by the one or more computer processors directing the computer-base system to perform a method comprising:
associating a first independently executable software object with a first independent space within a variable spatial framework;
associating a second independently executable software object with a second independent space within the variable spatial framework, wherein the first independent space and the second independent space are adjacent to each other within the variable spatial framework, each of the first and second independently executable software objects being configured to communicate data to each other, wherein:
the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object each comprise a set of computer-executable instructions used in object-oriented program code, and
the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object each are each associated with a different space and executable actions specific to the different spaces;

automatically incorporating a digital representation of a timber framework into the variable spatial framework, wherein the structure and characteristics of the timber framework are determined by at least both the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object;
receiving input to modify one or more characteristics associated with the first independent space; and
in response to the received input, automatically modifying the second independent space based on the received input, wherein automatically modifying the second independent space includes at least:
the first independently executable software object automatically sending a communication associated with the received input to the second independently executable software object; and
in response to receiving the communication, the second independently executable software object automatically modifying one or more characteristics associated with the second independent space,
wherein the first independently executable software object and the second independently executable software object are mutually configurable.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving a user specificati

Assignees

• Dirtt Env Solutions Inc
• Dirtt Environmental Solutions

Inventors

• Loberg Barrie A

Classifications

• E04C3/30

  Columns; Pillars; Struts (not designed for end loading E04C3/02; posts, masts, as independent structures E04H12/00) · CPC title

• G06F30/13 Primary

  Architectural design, e.g. computer-aided architectural design [CAAD] related to design of buildings, bridges, landscapes, production plants or roads · CPC title