, i `l
Contents
1. UNITS REQ D determines the total number of individual units required at a programmed spacing e g the number of joists required at a selected spacing for a previously measured length of floor for example Suitable programs are provided to determine con struction cost estimates from stored material costs data and parameters calculated from the drawings KEYB D allows access to the computer keyboard unit 10 in order to enter written notations or to change descriptions of an item to be listed on a print out or to insert program commands in lieu of digitizing or voice activating them PRINT is the control commanding the printer unit 12 to print out designated information and calculations Clearly other programs or alternative programs may be provided for specific purposes A listing of the code for the computer program which operates a computer to perform the functions described above is disclosed with application Ser No 597 132 and such disclosure is hereby incorporated herein by specific reference It is entitled Computer Aided Coor dinate Digitizing System DDT VERS 2 2 This pro gram may also be used in the voice activated control system The initial set up of the system using a voice acti vated unit such as the Pronounce Speech Input System will now be described The Pronounce System is first trained to understand a chosen vocabulary of single or multiple word commands Each chosen word command is first sp2. phy angles volume units required Also included are computer control function boxes A third group 18 may list various mathematical func tions which can be carried out directly by the operator A fourth group 19 could provide numerical entry boxes and YES NO responses for entering data not available on the plan such as numerical scale depths or thick nesses weight per unit and so on The fifth group 20 may provide function boxes for carrying out direct measurements from a plan such as length and area A sixth group 21 may provide operations functions such as CE Clear RESTART and PAGE to record a plan page number The operations function COMP PROG activates a compensation program which allows the operator to compensate for stretching or shrinking of paper or Not to Scale NTS drawings The operator enters the longest vertical and longest horizontal dimen sions from the plans The program will then automati cally compensate for any future measurements made until the scale is changed by the operator The SCALE function is used to enter plan scales according to a key 22 printed on the control sheet Some or all of these functions may be provided by suitable programming of the system and the system may provide additional or alternative functions if de sired according to the particular application The method of making direct measurements using the system with either the voice recognition unit or the control sheet shown i
3. During the actual take off of the data from a plan the operator uses the stylus or cursor to take off positions on the plan and vocal commands the computer keyboard or the control sheet to control how the data is handled by the computer Thus calcula tions can be made quickly and accurately BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following is a brief description of the accompa nying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention FIG 1 is a schematic pictorial view of the digitizing system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention FIG 2is a block diagram of the major components of the system of FIG 1 FIG 3 is a plan view of a typical optional control sheet for use in the system of FIG 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In my earlier application Ser No 597 132 now U S Pat No 4 578 768 referred to above a computer aided coordinate digitizing system is described which basi cally comprises a digitizing device 1 which has been positioned on a flat surface 2 which may be suitable horizontal or elevated surface such as a table wall inclined drawing board blackboard or the like and a computer 3 associated with the digitizing device The digitizing device 1 is adapted to measure X Y positions on a map plan or other drawing placed on the flat surface 2 as described in more detail below 30 45 50 55 60 65 4 According to one embodiment the digitizing device 1 compris
4. in the computer memory or entered using the numbered boxes or the voice recognition unit A total weight will then be calculated by the computer PITCH is used to compute roofing areas based on the slope of the roof and the number of squares of roof ing required The total roof area is first calculated using POINT AREA The roof pitch is then entered The numbers of squares of roofing required is then reported AREA is used when a dimension not on the plan is needed For example if the length of all walls has been calculated using POINT LENGTH their area can be calculated by using the AREA program and entering the height of the walls MBF is used to convert lengths of lumber to mill board measure when the lengths have been measured using SEG LENGTH POINT LENGTH OR CON LENGTH TOPO is used in land engineering to trace topo graphical areas and to compute earth movement 15 20 30 40 45 60 65 8 ANGLE is used to determine any angle of a trian gle the length of the sides of a triangle or any area within a triangle VOL is used to determine a volume after an area has been measured For example if the volume of con crete in a slab floor is to be measured the area is first determined using POINT AREA The thickness or depth of the concrete floor is then entered The resul tant answer gives the volume of concrete contained in the floor
5. with a corre sponding X Y position relative to the microphones 6 and 7 The menu functions of FIG 3 or the keyboard 10 may additionally or alternatively be addressed via the Speech Input System which is preprogrammed to rec ognize one or more vocal commands and to initiate one or a string of computer functions called MACROS in response to chosen vocal commands The speech input System and program instructions can be arranged so that user input of a one word or short sentence com mand will initiate a string of sequential functions culmi nating in the display of a result on the screen in an equivalent manner to keyboard or control sheet entry of one or more commands to initiate a programmed se quence of events When the system has been set up with the control sheet 8 correctly positioned a plan or other drawing 13 is placed on the surface 2 in the field of the microphones 6 and 7 or on the electromagnetic or electrostatic board The system is then set up to perform any one of a series of measurements calculations and other programmed functions at the option of the operator by simply placing the stylus 5 or programmable cursor at appropriate 0 20 25 35 40 45 55 60 65 6 positions on plan 13 and entering appropriate com mands via microphone 32 or sheet 8 When the stylus 5 is placed at a point on the sheet 8 or plan 13 it emits a sound which is detected by the microphones to enable them to precis
6. 58 Field of Search 364 518 521 versity of California Santa Barbara 1983 Van Nos 364 513 5 559 560 381 43 trand Reinhold Company Inc 56 References Cited Primary Examiner Gary V Harkcom MICROPHONE U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 3 215 821 11 1965 Stenby 381 43 X 3 342 979 9 1967 Wright et al soe 377 24 3 342 979 9 1967 Wright et al 235 92 3 412 238 11 1968 Lineback woe 377 24 3 601 585 8 1971 Paulsen 377 24 3 602 902 8 1971 Madden 364 900 3 626 483 12 1971 Whetstone et al 181 0 5 3 821 491 6 1974 Whetstone et al 179 11 E 3 892 958 7 1975 364 709 3 946 157 3 1976 Dreyfus aia 4 145 742 3 1979 Olander et al 4 150 427 4 1979 Slawson 4 232 311 11 1980 Agneta 340 703 4 266 279 5 1981 Hines 364 726 4 279 015 7 1981 Edelman et al 364 200 4 280 121 7 1981 Crask 340 365 VL 4 314 330 2 1982 Slawson 364 192 4 393 271 7 1983 Fujinami et al 381 43 4 446 520 5 1984 Shigeta et al 364 400 4 467 410 8 1984 Kim 364 200 4 484 272 11 1984 Green 364 200 4 506 336 3 1985 364 518 4 524 421 6 1985 Searby et al 364 521 4 546 434 10 1985 Gio
7. T LENGTH is used to determine straight lengths or the perimeter length of a straight cornered structure and SEG LENGTH is used to determine the lengths of a series of segments or lines on a plan for example lines representing beams headers pipes and so on The lengths will be listed individually and a total will be computed COUNT UP and COUNT DOWN are used for counting individual items on a plan such as electrical outlets The FINISH command is used at the end of any measure ment made SAVE is used to store measurements in the computer s memory A series of programs are provided for carrying out sequential computations from measurements taken from a plan or map These programs can be designed for various applications of the system such as building construction real estate planning and land use high way departments transportation military and medical applications The programs provided via commands entered on the menu shown in FIG 3 the keyboard or via the voice recognition unit may be designed for building or construction applications but suitable pro grams could clearly be provided for the quantity and cost estimates necessary in other fields The function of the programs provided in a construc tion application will now be described briefly WEIGHT is used when a calculation of a total weight of material is desired An appropriate measure ment function and the weight per unit is either stored
8. United States Patent 11 Patent Number 4 811 243 Racine 4 Date of Patent Mar 7 1989 54 COMPUTER AIDED COORDINATE 4 567 567 1 1986 Lapeyre 364 109 DIGITIZING SYSTEM 4 573 187 2 1986 Bui etal 381 43 4 578 768 3 1986 Racine 364 560 76 Inventor Marsh V Racine 4069 Alameda Dr 4 586 035 4 1986 Baker et 340 712 San Diego Calif 92103 4 595 990 6 1986 Garwin et 364 518 Notice The portion of the term of this patent OTHER PUBLICATIONS to Mar 25 2003 has been Let s Get Right to the Point Computerized Construc tion Concepts Cooperation 1982 21 Appl No 812 513 Let s Get Right to the Point Texonics Corporation International U S A 1985 22 Filed Dec 23 1985 el File 7 Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol 12 No 3 Aug ays 1969 Gunn et al Softward Product Description Pre ees eee Das cision Design Builders Inc 1981 63 Continuation in part of Ser No 597 132 Apr 6 1984 Digitizer Routine PDB Inc Jun 22 1981 Construc Pat No 4 578 768 tion Computer Application Newsletter Apr 1983 51 Int CL4 GO6F 15 20 Duncan A Real Time Computing with 152 US CL 364 520 364 560 Applications to Data Acquisition and Control De 381 43 partment of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Uni
9. W3unsv3aW WAN sNouvAnowo sj VHu90ud lOHLNOO 391 3Q 23 W ALSAS LINNA ONA ot SNOILONn4J 83Z1I LI9IQ LOAN Ho334S INOI LI N 202 34 INOHAOYBIIW 4 811 243 1 COMPUTER AIDED COORDINATE DIGITIZING SYSTEM REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation in part of my appli cation Ser No 597 132 filed 4 6 84 for a Computer Aided Coordinate Digitizing System now U S Pat No 4 578 768 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a Computer Aided Coordinate Digitizing System for reading plans maps or other diagrams and for automatically calculating data such as material and cost estimates from the read ings 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the construction planning land survey real estate and many other industries it is often necessary to calcu late actual dimensions and parameters from blueprint plans diagrams and or make quantity estimates from the calculations It is tedious time consuming and often inaccurate to make such calculations by hand To make building cost estimates for example it is necessary to take dimensions from the plan scale these up to actual size calculate such parameters as area length or vol ume from the dimensions and then convert these pa rameters into quantities of materials required and their cost Inaccur
10. acies in such estimates will involve over or under ordering of materials and consequent problems If any subsequent changes are made to the plans the entire process must be repeated Digitizing devices for taking location readings from plans have been developed these devices generally comprising a sensor assembly and a signal generator in the form of a pointer which is placed at appropriate positions on a plan to generate a signal which is de tected by the sensor assembly to pinpoint the position of the pointer After the required location readings have been taken further calculations are normally required such as cal culations of dimensions area volume material quanti ties and so on SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a digitizing system in which calculations using digitizing location readings can be made speedily and accurately According to the present invention a Computer Aided Coordinate Digitizing System is provided for detecting coordinate positions on a flat surface on which construction drawings are placed and calculating desired parameters such as the cost of construction of a building depicted on the drawings from the detected positions The system comprises a digitizing device for determining a series of X Y coordinate positions on the surface comprising pointer means for placing at selected positions on the flat sur 5 10 25 30 40 45 face and sensor me
11. an en tering each specific command function manually The voice commands automatically address the basic menu functions provided above and automatically input the functions to the computer at the appropriate time All the operator has to do is initiate the operation by the appropriate vocal command and to digitize the appro priate quantities at a suitable time using the stylus or programmable cursor The cursor may be provided with keys and may be pre programmed to allow some commands to be entered at the cursor rather than via the control sheet keyboard or voice input unit 30 50 65 10 The digitizing device and control device can be inter faced to most computers using a compatible operating system This system is not necessarily designed exclusively for use in construction Takeoffs and estimates as herein described By modifying the control areas provided within boxes 9 printed on control sheet 8 utilizing pro grams indigenous to the user s requirements the system becomes a data input method applicable to Private A vi ation Medical Applications education transportation Marine technology architecture engineering military and others It will be clear that modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the Scope of the invention The invention is therefore not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is defined by the appended claims I claim 1 A computer aided coordinate digitizing sys
12. ans for detecting the positioning of 60 said pointer means and generating an X Y coordinate signal corresponding to said positioning a computer associated with said digitizing device and linking means for allowing said computer to receive said coordinate signals said computer having memory means for storing program instructions and said coordi nate signals said program instructions including means for using the generated X Y coordinate signals in re 65 2 sponse to respective computer control and calculating functions to calculate a series of selected parameters from the drawings and a voice activated control unit for operating the system the control unit comprising means for recognizing vocal commands of a user and converting vocal command into corresponding com puter control and calculating functions for operating the computer to perform the desired functions Thus the user or operator does not need to repeatedly go from the drawing to the computer keyboard and back but can use a microphone associated with the control unit to enter one or more vocal commands and enter data manually using the pointer The voice activated control unit may be used alone for controlling the system or in addition to a control sheet on which a series of control functions are printed on control area boxes When the control sheet is placed at a predetermined position on the flat surface relative to the sensor assembly and a plan to be digitized is als
13. as each corresponding to a selected computer func tion said computer program instructions further including means for associating pre selected X Y coordinate signals with selected computer func tions and means for positioning said control sheet such that each of said control areas coincides with a respective one of said pre selected X Y coordi nate positions 3 The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said user operated control means further includes a keyboard associated with said computer and switch means for selectively controlling said computer via said voice recognition means keyboard or said control sheet 4 The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voice recognition means includes means for recognition of vocal commands corresponding to numerical entry computer operating functions and activation of pro gram instructions stored in said computer 4 811 243 11 5 The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said voice recognition means includes means for recognizing a predetermined vocal command corresponding to a preselected sequence of control functions and for con verting said vocal command into the corresponding computer control signal for initiating each control func tion said computer program instructions including means for performing the preselected sequence of func tions in response to the respective control signal 6 The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said control functions comprise means for gener
14. ated with a keyboard unit 10 a video display unit 11 and a printer unit 12 as seen in FIGS 1 and 2 Any suitable computer and peripheral devices may be used An interface device 14 interfaces the computer 3 to the digitizing device 1 Suitable computers for use in this system include the KAYPRO IV or X or compatible models or the IBM PC PCXT PC Junior or other compatible mod els Any suitable computer speech input system may be used In the preferred embodiment of the invention a Pronounce Speech nput System which is produced by 4 811 243 5 Microphonics is used This system can be trained ac cording to instructions given in the associated user s manual to recognize new words in order to control a chosen application program Thus suitable programs can be set up for carrying out construction estimates as described in my earlier application Ser No 597 132 now U S Pat No 4 578 768 and the Speech Input Sys tem can be trained to activate a programmed string of functions in response to entry of a single word or short sentence culminating in a result being displayed on the screen 11 A series of different programs may be pro vided for activation by user chosen word commands The Pronounce Speech Input System consists of a circuit card or board which can be plugged into any IBM PC XT AT or IBM compatible computer a mi crophone which plugs into the circuit card and a pro gram which operates the system To operat
15. ating an estimate of the total cost of a building represented or a plan 7 The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pointer means comprises a programmable cursor for moving over said surface said cursor having cross hairs for centering at chosen cursor positions on said surface and means for generating a signal for detection by said sensor means 8 A method of generating an estimate of the cost of construction of a building represented by a plan com 20 25 30 35 45 50 55 65 12 prising a series of construction drawings comprising the steps of placing a series of construction drawings representing a building plan sequentially on a flat surface positioning a pointer device at a series of selected positions on each drawing monitoring the pointer device with a sensing device linked to a computer controlling the sensing device to generate a series of X Y coordinate signals corresponding to the posi tioning of the pointer device on the drawing providing the generated series of X Y coordinate signals as data input to the computer and controlling the computer by means of a voice recog nition device to respond to entry of at least one vocal command into the device to utilize the data input from the sensor device and program instruc tions stored in the memory of the computer to calculate a series of desired parameters and to gen erate from the calculated parameters an estimate of the cost of constructi
16. e sys tem with suitable programming of the computer to identify the control sheet used In one embodiment of the invention the sensor as sembly comprises a pair of linear microphones which are adapted to be placed coordinately to one another on a flat elevated surface and the pointer comprises a stylus adapted to emit a sound when touched to a sur face in the area monitored by the microphones such that the X coordinate position of the sound is detected by one microphone and the Y coordinate position of the sound is detected by the other microphone Alterna tively the pointer may comprise a programmable cur sor which can be moved across a surface until the de sired position lies under the cursor cross hairs and actu ated to produce a signal at that point for detection by a suitable sensor assembly To operate the system the operator will adopt the microphones and stylus or cursor to a suitable flat or elevated surface which may be a table drawing board wall or blackboard for example The microphones 4 811 243 3 preferably form an L shaped frame If used the control sheet is then positioned on the flat surface in any posi tion in the field covered by the microphones Since the computer may be preprogrammed to associate X Y coordinate data representing positions on a control sheet with the series of control functions provided on the sheet the stylus can be placed at various points on a plan or map on the surface to prod
17. e the system the microphones 6 and 7 and control sheet 8 if used must first be set up on the suit able flat surface The computer 3 may be prepro grammed to recognize X Y coordinate data corre sponding to control areas on the control sheet 9 as the appropriate control commands if a control sheet is used The program listing for setting up these coordi nates on a computer will be discussed below The con trol sheet 9 is utilized so that its control areas corre spond to the programmed X Y coordinate positions and it can be used as a control device for operating the computer by touching the stylus 5 to appropriate con trol areas on the sheet Alternatively the computer and voice recognition unit are preprogrammed to activate the same control commands or any keyboard function in response to entry of one or more vocal commands by a user as described in more detail below Any desired control functions may be entered by suitable vocal commands or provided on the control sheet or both The functions are associated with appro priate instructions in the computer s memory Various different control functions may be provided for differ ent applications of the system FIG 3 represents one suitable control sheet or menu on which a series of control areas are provided within boxes 9 printed on the sheet 8 Each box has one or more commands entry or control functions printed on it and each of these func tions will be associated in the computer
18. ello 364 300 RECOGNITION UN SYSTEM DIGITIZER DEVICE CONTROL FUNCTIONS SPEECH INPUT Assistant Examiner H R Herndon Attorney Agent or Firm Brown Martin Haller amp McClain 57 ABSTRACT A computer aided coordinate digitizing system is ar ranged to read data from construction drawings and make construction estimates from the data A digitizing device determines a series of X Y coordinate positions on a flat surface by means of a pointer placed at selected positions on the surface and a sensor assembly for de tecting the position of the pointer The device generates X Y coordinate signals which are transmitted to a com puter associated with the device The computer is pro grammed to use the received X Y coordinate signals to perform calculations in response to entry of computer control functions by an operator using a voice recogni tion unit which converts vocal commands into com puter control signals to operate the computer and initi ate the selected computer programs for performing construction estimates 8 Claims 2 Drawing Sheets KEYBOARD 10 UNIT VIDEO DISPLAY UNIT PRIN RINTER 2 UNIT US Patent 7 1989 Sheet 1 of 2 4 811 243 Le 22071707 205270109 25505555555 Sheet 2 of 2 4 811 243 Mar 7 1989 US Patent oman ep SNOMVU3dO SINB
19. ely pinpoint the position touched A sig nal representing the X Y coordinates of that position is them entered in the computer s memory The computer can be programmed to distinguish plan positions from control sheet positions and to operate accordingly if a control sheet is used The control sheet 8 shown in FIG 3 is provided with various types of control functions collected together in groups corresponding to programmed computer opera tions These control functions can also be addressed via the voice recognition unit 30 so that the unit 30 recog nizes one or more corresponding vocal commands en tered at the microphone and converts them into appro priate computer control signals initiating the desired operation or sequence of operations The functions of FIG 3 are examples of many possible command or control functions which may be provided in the system if desired A first group of functions 16 for making conversions from one set of units to another and vice versa may be provided In the example embodiment illustrated these conversions may include feet to yards square feet to Square yards inches to feet cubic feet to cubic yards pounds to tons and or metric measurements The second group 17 may provide a listing of various programs available in the computer for handling data for example such as Weight which is a program for calculating weight of material Also included in the preferred embodiment are pitch area MBF topogra
20. es a sensor assembly 4 and a pointer device 5 for giving out signals to be detected by the sensor as sembly In the preferred embodiment shown the sensor assembly 4 comprises a pair of sensitive linear micro phones 6 and 7 arranged in an L frame shape on the flat surface 2 left or right angle mounted to define X and Y coordinate directions on the surface The surface 2 may be any suitable flat surface such as a table drawing board wall or the like The pointer device 5 may com prise a pen like writing stylus similar to the type de Scribed in U S Pat No 3 626 483 which produces a sound wave generated by a spark when it is touched to a surface The microphones are preferably linear capac itor electric foil for construction microphones similar to the type described in U S Pat No 3 821 491 The digitizing device may alternatively comprise an electromagnetic or electrostatic tablet having a grid of sensors on which the control sheet and a plan map or other drawing can be placed Positions on the plan or map are detected when pressure or electrical charge for examples is applied to those positions Another alternative digitizing device comprises an electro mechanical articulated arm with a pointer of any type at its free end arm allows the pointer to be moved in the X Y and Z directions The articulated arm includes detectors for detecting such movements and may be calibrated with any suitable flat surface on which a plan map
21. n FIG 3 will now be described It will be understood that all the commands or functions described may be entered either via the speech input System by using the control sheet or via the keyboard at the option of the operator Preferably a switch is provided for selecting which control option is to be used and this may be foot operated so that the operator 4 811 243 7 can switch back and forth at will or by a simple voice command Alternatively the system may be operated by vocal commands alone with the keyboard control Sheet and control sheet position programming instruc tions omitted partially or entirely This provides a sim ple and easy method of operating the system If an operator wishes to find the area of a four cor nered design on a plan for example the plan scale is first entered by touching the stylus 5 or cursor to the SCALE box and the appropriate numerical boxes or by appropriate voice commands at microphone 32 The measurement box POINT AREA is then touched or the corresponding vocal command given The stylus or cursor is then touched to each corner of the design The area enclosed is then computed automatically and the result given on the view display To calculate the area or perimeter of a curved or other odd shaped design the operator gives the command TRACE AREA or CON LENGTH continuous length via the micro phone keyboard or control sheet and then traces the outline of the design The POIN
22. o placed in the monitored field the computer is set up to distinguish position data generated by placing the pointer at points on the plan from position data gener ated by placing the pointer at one of the control sheet boxes Thus the computer recognizes data generated by placing the pointer at a control box and identifies it as the appropriate command control function The voice activated control unit may be used in addition to or instead of the control sheet and a switch may be pro vided to select which control means is to be used This may be a foot switch or an ON OFF voice command for example so that the operator may switch back forth between control sheet commands and vocal commands if required The control sheet may be provided with computer operating functions as well as means for making alpha numerical entries means for making direct measure ments from data entered from a plan and means for effecting a series of programs to calculate and generate various desired information Other operating functions such as mathematical calculations and unit conversions in both metric or Imperial Math may be provided The computer is programmed such that each of the control position functions is identified correctly when the sheet is placed in the predetermined position relative to the sensor assembly Thus a variety of different control functions may be provided and different control sheets may be provided for different applications of th
23. oken into the microphone and the definition of that command is entered on the keyboard as described in the Pronounce User s Manual After a chosen word command is entered the keystrokes which are to be executed in response to that command are typed in and the command may be arranged to initiate one or a se quence of computer functions called MACROS From that point user entry of that word command will be equivalent to typing in the selected keystrokes on the keyboard Thus the keystroke definition or macro of a word command which is entered on the keyboard can be designed to perform a specific function or string of functions on subsequent entry of that command vocally in the microphone In the building estimating system described above a user can speak a single word or sentence in order to activate a string of programmed computer functions culminating in the end results for example a total cost or materials estimate being dis played on the screen Once the voice activated system is loaded or trained according to the specific applica tion program the program can be run using voice rather than a keyboard or control sheet Since a single spoken command can initiate a whole string of func tions the system becomes much faster to operate The system can be set up to perform as many multiple functions automatically in response to a single spoken command as desired by suitable entry of keystroke definitions to corres
24. on of a building represented by the construction drawings
25. or drawing to be measured can be placed The stylus 5 may be replaced by a programmable cursor 33 as shown in FIG 1 The cursor 33 is moved across the surface until the cross hairs are centered on the desired position and the cursor is then activated to produce a suitable signal for detection by the sensor assembly which may be microphones as shown in FIG 1 or an electromagnetic or electrostatic tablet as de scribed above in place of surface 2 In the latter case the cursor is arranged to fire a spark at the cross hairs In application Ser No 597 132 a control device is described which comprises a plastic control sheet or menu 8 adapted to be precisely positioned on the flat surface 2 in the field monitored by the microphones 6 as described in more detail below A series of computer functional control area boxes 9 are located on the con trol sheet 8 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention this control device is augmented or replaced by a control device for operating the system by voice entry of commands This device comprises a voice rec ognition unit or speech input system 30 connected to microphone 32 which may be any suitable microphone such as the headset microphone shown which plugs into the speech recognition unit 30 The voice recognition unit 30 is linked to transmit to the computer 3 control and calculating functions corresponding to vocal com mands entered at the microphone The computer 3 is associ
26. pond to the command Each time 4 811 243 9 that command is spoken the keystroke definition will be entered automatically to control the computer to perform selected function or functions Thus the user can produce multiple vocabularies each one referring to a specific application or category Of construction such as framing drywall concrete work site work and so on Takeoffs and estimates of any chosen type can then be run with the appropriate word command using the appropriate application pro gram Various different application programs can be provided on separate discs When the user has chosen a command vocabulary the Pronounce program is loaded into the computer s memory along with the chosen application program This system requires the operator only to digitize the quantities from the plan at the appropriate time and to initiate a chosen operation or sequence of operations by a single voice command This is much simpler than in previous systems where it was necessary for operators to perform each function manually in order to accom plish the desired result It is relatively easy and fast to use this system to make construction cost estimates A series of construction drawings representing a structure to be built are laid on the flat surface appropriate points are digitized and a sequence of calculations can be made on entry of one or more simple word commands to provide an estimated total cost of materials for the struct
27. tem for use in making construction estimates comprising a digitizing device for determining a series of X Y coordinate positions on a flat surface comprising pointer means for placing at selected positions on the flat surface and sensor means for detecting the position of said pointer means and generating a series of X Y coordinate data positions relative to selected positions on construction drawings placed on the flat surface corresponding to positioning of said pointer means at the selected positions a computer associated with said digitizing device and linking means for allowing said computer to re ceive said coordinate signals said computer having memory means for storing program instructions and said coordinate signals said program instruc tions including means for using said X Y coordi nate data positions to calculate a series of desired parameters relative to a structure represented on said construction drawings for generating an esti mate of the cost of construction of the structure and user operated control means for operating said sys tem comprising voice activated control means for recognizing voice word commands entered by a user and generating one or more computer control signals in response to each voice entered command 2 The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said user operated control means further includes a control sheet for placing on said flat surface said control sheet having a plurality of control are
28. uce X Y coordinate data recognized as positions by the computer and can be placed on various positions on the control sheet to effect control and handling of the data by the computer Alternatively or in addition to the control sheet a voice activated control system is provided for control of the computer by vocal commands only In an alternative embodiment the sensor assembly may comprise an electromagnetic or electrostatic tablet which itself comprises the flat surface on which the plan map or drawing is placed The control sheet is appropriately positioned on the tablet Such a tablet has a grid of sensors such that pressure or other signals applied at any point via a stylus or cursor device will be detected and a corresponding coordinate signal pro duced Another sensor assembly which may be used in the system comprises an electromechanical articulated arm with a pointer at its free end The arm includes detectors for sensing articulations of the arm and can be calibrated with a suitable flat surface such that X Y coordinate positions are detected by moving the pointer to selected places on the surface The computer is associated with a visual display de vice keyboard entry device and a printer device for obtaining printouts of information and calculations such as material and cost estimates for example With this digitizing system the operator only needs to use the computer keyboard for initial set up of the system to accept data
29. ure The digitizing system according to this invention is thus quick convenient and accurate to use The provi Sion of a voice operated control device which can be operated by vocal commands of an operator results in easy and convenient operation of the system since the operator does not have to lay down the stylus repeat edly in order to enter instructions at the computer key board This control device may be used alone to operate the system but a control sheet may optionally be pro vided in addition to the voice recognition unit for oper ation by the digitizing stylus or cursor as described above Thus the system may provide three different control devices the digitizer control sheet the key board and the speech input system All the necessary computer control and operating functions may be pro vided by both the voice recognition unit and the control sheet so that the operator can decide which control medium to use or alternatively certain commands may be provided via the voice recognition unit with others entered via the control sheet or keyboard for example When the voice recognition or speech input system 30 alone is used the system may be arranged to activate a string of computer functions automatically on entry of a single command consisting of one or more words and to display the result automatically The user can set up the system to perform as many multiple functions as they desire automatically This is much easier th
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search