# US 10,311,168 B2 · Method and system for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,311,168 B2 - Document ID: US10311168B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/245,817 - Filed: 2016-08-24 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-24 - Assignees: Aditazz, Inc. - Applicants: Aditazz, Inc. - Inventors: Robert Yu; Sudha Hajela; John Victor-Faichney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10311168B2 ## CPC - G16H 40/20: for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms - G06Q 10/0633: Workflow analysis - G06Q 50/22: Social work or social welfare, e.g. community support activities or counselling services - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method involves describing the relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within the building relative to a circulation pattern, describing constraints related to the areas of the function-specific blocks, and adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program, the method comprising: describing relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within a building relative to a circulation pattern; describing constraints related to areas of the function-specific blocks; and adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints; wherein describing the relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system involves identifying circulation elements and function-specific blocks with a handle and associating the handle with coordinates of corresponding vertices representing the area of the circulation elements and function-specific blocks. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks comprises maintaining the circulation pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within the architectural parti of the building taking into account workflow of services that are provided within the function-specific blocks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the handle is associated with a range of coordinates. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the solution as x and y variables that translate directly to the positions, areas, and aspect ratios of function-specific blocks. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising outputting a graphical depiction of the solution that includes the adjusted areas and/or aspect ratios. ### Claim 7 A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program, the method comprising: identifying knowns related to function-specific blocks that are placed in particular locations within a building relative to a circulation pattern; identifying unknowns related to the function-specific blocks as placed within the building relative to the circulation pattern; identifying constraints related to the function-specific blocks as placed within the building relative to the circulation pattern; and solving for the unknowns given the knowns and the constraints to adjust areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints; wherein describing the relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system involves identifying circulation elements and function-specific blocks with a handle and associating the handle with coordinates of corresponding vertices representing the area of the circulation elements and function-specific blocks. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks comprises maintaining the circulation pattern. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within the architectural parti of the building taking into account workflow of services that are provided within the function-specific blocks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks involves directing a solver to apply a particular space program to a previously modeled architectural parti having the same identified knowns. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the previously modeled architectural parti is selected from a library that includes at least one previously modeled architectural parti for at least one department using at least one building floor plan. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising outputting the solution as x and y variables that translate directly to positions, areas, and aspect ratios of function-specific blocks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising outputting a graphical depiction of the solution that includes the adjusted areas and/or aspect ratios. ### Claim 14 A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program, the method comprising: identifying knowns related to function-specific blocks that are placed in particular locations within a building relative to a circulation pattern; identifying unknowns related to the function-specific blocks as placed within the building relative to the circulation pattern; identifying constraints related to the function-specific blocks as placed within the building relative to the circulation pattern; solving for the unknowns given the knowns and the constraints to adjust areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints; and outputting the solution as x and y variables that translate directly to positions, areas, and aspect ratios of function-specific blocks. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks comprises maintaining the circulation pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within the architectural parti of the building taking into account workflow of services that are provided within the function-specific blocks. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein describing the relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system involves identifying circulation elements and function-specific blocks with a handle and associating the handle with coordinates of corresponding vertices representing the area of the circulation elements and function-specific blocks. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks involves directing a solver to apply a particular space program to a previously modeled architectural parti having the same identified knowns. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The computer-implemented method of claim 18, wherein the previously modeled architectural parti is selected from a library that includes at least one previously modeled architectural parti for at least one department using at least one building floor plan. ### Claim 20 A computer-implemented method for right-sizing function-specific blocks in a healthcare building with a given architectural parti to support a specific space program, the method comprising: describing relative locations of function-specific blocks using a coordinate system, wherein the function-specific blocks are placed in particular locations within a building relative to a circulation pattern; describing constraints related to areas of the function-specific blocks; adjusting the areas and/or aspect ratios of the function-specific blocks to find a solution that maintains the relative locations of the function-specific blocks while meeting the area constraints; and outputting the solution as x and y variables that translate directly to the positions, areas, and aspect ratios of function-specific blocks.