Method and devices for assisting in the control of building operations

A portable terminal for assistance in the inspection of a construction work, comprising:

• a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by an operator on the work;
• a memory containing a work database, comprising files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of any defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures;
• and
• control and processing means allowing the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data,
• wherein the control and processing means are arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data.

A computer-readable medium, having control and processing software and at least one work database recorded thereon to be loaded in a portable terminal for assistance in the inspection of a construction work, said portable terminal comprising a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by an operator on the work, and a memory for containing said work database, wherein said work database comprises files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of any defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures, wherein said control and processing software is adapted to allow the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data, and wherein the control and processing software is arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data.

Software and database product, comprising control and processing software and at least one work database to be loaded in a portable terminal for assistance in the inspection of a construction work, said portable terminal comprising a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by an operator on the work, and a memory for containing said work database, wherein said work database comprises files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of any defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures, wherein said control and processing software is adapted to allow the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data, and wherein the control and processing software is arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data.

An analysis device to assist in the inspection of at least one construction work, comprising an analysis computer hosting an observations database and analysis software, wherein the observations database integrates updated defect description data obtained for at least one work by means of a portable terminal handed to an operator, said portable terminal comprising:

• a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by the operator on the work;
• a memory containing a work database, comprising files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of and defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures;
• and
• control and processing means allowing the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data,
• wherein the control and processing means are arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data,
• and wherein the analysis software is arranged to use the observations database to assist an analysis manager in the preparation of analysis reports further to effected surveys.

A computer-readable medium, having software and database modules recorded thereon, including analysis software and an observations database to be loaded in an analysis computer,

• wherein the observations database integrates updated defect description data obtained for at least one construction work by means of a portable terminal handed to an operator, said portable terminal comprising:
• a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by the operator on the work;
• a memory containing a work database, comprising files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of any defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures;
• and
• control and processing means allowing the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data,
• wherein the control and processing means are arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data,
• and wherein the analysis software is arranged to use the observations database to assist an analysis manager in the preparation of analysis reports further to effected surveys.

Software and database product, including analysis software and an observations database to be loaded in an analysis computer,

• wherein the observations database integrates updated defect description data obtained for at least one construction work by means of a portable terminal handed to an operator, said portable terminal comprising:
• a user interface, including a graphics interface to display views of the work and acquire information relating to observations made by the operator on the work;
• a memory containing a work database, comprising files defining the views of the work displayed on the graphics interface, data structures respectively associated with types of defects which may appear on the work, and description data of any defects previously observed on the work, organized according to the associated data structures;
• and
• control and processing means allowing the operator to control the display of views of the work from the work database, to control the acquisition of information relating to observed defects, and to update the defect description data,
• wherein the control and processing means are arranged to activate, in response to selection of a type of defect by the operator, by means of the associated data structure, a dialog with the operator for the acquisition of description parameters of the defect, to use the acquired description parameters to provide a representation of the defect on the view of the work displayed on the graphics interface, and to update the defect description data,
• and wherein the analysis software is arranged to use the observations database to assist an analysis manager in the preparation of analysis reports further to effected surveys.