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Method and apparatus for generating representations of 3-dimensional objects

Assignee: PTC Inc
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Filing: 1990-03-13
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Granted: 1991-04-23
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Expires: 2010-03-13
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Abstract

Abstract A computer aided design (CAD) system has the capability of operating in either a 2D or a 3D mode. In 2D mode, the system uses only instructions contained in a 2D instruction memory and executes only instructions relating to 2D geometry. Upon receipt of a command relating to 3D geometry, the system performs a 2D to 3D transformation, performs a topolgy check, transfers control to a 3D instruction memory and performs instructions relating to 3D geometry.

Inventors

  • 👤 Heinz Diebel
  • 👤 Ralf Peterhoff
  • 👤 Evelyn Thuemling

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 09:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 280 words
An apparatus for processing a representation of a three dimensional object and for depicting the representation on a display means, comprising: an input device; determination means, coupled to the input device for receiving a command from an input device and for determining whether the command is either a 2D command or a 3D command; 2D processing means, coupled to the determination means and selectable thereby in case that the command is a 2D command, for using the command to process the representation in a 2D mode; 2D memory means, coupled to the 2D processing means, for storing two dimensional data regarding the object; the 2D memory means comprising; a first part which is user accessible and which is operative for receiving the 2D view information; and a second part which is not user accessible and which contains other 2D view information created by a rendering processor; transformation means, coupled to the determination means and selectable thereby in case that the command is a 3D command, for transforming the two dimensional data stored in the 2D memory means into a three dimensional geometry, the transformation means comprising; a profile processor for transforming 2D geometry into 3D geometry; and the rendering processor for transforming 3D geometry information into 2D view information and for storing the 2D view information in the 2D memory means; 3D processing means, coupled to the transformation means for using the command to process the representation in a 3D mode; 3D memory means, coupled to the transformation and 3D processing means, for storing and receiving three dimensional data regarding the object; and wherein the display means is coupled to the 2D and 3D memory means for displaying the representation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 280 words
An apparatus for processing a representation of a three dimensional object and for depicting the representation on a display means, comprising: an input device; determination means, coupled to the input device for receiving a command from an input device and for determining whether the command is either a 2D command or a 3D command; 2D processing means, coupled to the determination means and selectable thereby in case that the command is a 2D command, for using the command to process the representation in a 2D mode; 2D memory means, coupled to the 2D processing means, for storing two dimensional data regarding the object; the 2D memory means comprising; a first part which is user accessible and which is operative for receiving the 2D view information; and a second part which is not user accessible and which contains other 2D view information created by a rendering processor; transformation means, coupled to the determination means and selectable thereby in case that the command is a 3D command, for transforming the two dimensional data stored in the 2D memory means into a three dimensional geometry, the transformation means comprising; a profile processor for transforming 2D geometry into 3D geometry; and the rendering processor for transforming 3D geometry information into 2D view information and for storing the 2D view information in the 2D memory means; 3D processing means, coupled to the transformation means for using the command to process the representation in a 3D mode; 3D memory means, coupled to the transformation and 3D processing means, for storing and receiving three dimensional data regarding the object; and wherein the display means is coupled to the 2D and 3D memory means for displaying the representation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the transformation means is further operative for performing a topology check.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 42 words
An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the transformation means comprises: a profile processor for transforming 2D geometry; and a rendering processor for transforming 3D geometry into 2D view information and for storing the 2D view information in the 2D memory means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 148 words
A method for processing a representation of a three dimensional object and for depicting the representation on a display, comprising: receiving a command by an input device; determining whether the command is either a 2D command or a 3D command by a determination means; processing the command in a 2D mode if the command is a 2D command by a 2D processing means; providing a transformation means comprising; a profile processor and a rendering processor; transforming 2D geometry into 3D geometry using the profile processor; transforming 3D geometry information into 2D view information and storing the 2D view information in the 2D memory means using the rendering processor; automatically transforming the representation into a 3D representation if the command is a 3D command by the transformation means and then processing the command in a 3D mode by a processing means; and displaying the representation by a display means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 148 words
A method for processing a representation of a three dimensional object and for depicting the representation on a display, comprising: receiving a command by an input device; determining whether the command is either a 2D command or a 3D command by a determination means; processing the command in a 2D mode if the command is a 2D command by a 2D processing means; providing a transformation means comprising; a profile processor and a rendering processor; transforming 2D geometry into 3D geometry using the profile processor; transforming 3D geometry information into 2D view information and storing the 2D view information in the 2D memory means using the rendering processor; automatically transforming the representation into a 3D representation if the command is a 3D command by the transformation means and then processing the command in a 3D mode by a processing means; and displaying the representation by a display means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 4, further including the step of performing a topology check by said transformation means after the step of transforming the representation.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4586145A Cited
US4549275A Cited
US4721952A Cited
US4641270A Cited
US4736306A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-04-22 1994-10-22 1995-04-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-04-22 1998-10-22 1999-04-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-04-22 2002-10-22 2003-04-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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