US5321766A — Method and apparatus for system documentation

Claim 1

Independent Claim 168 words

A method for system documentation, which comprises photographing at least part of a system from at least two directions to obtain photographs with a camera having a film plane and a measuring grid plate in front of the film plane, digitizing the photographs, separately determining center lines for individual system parts, by determining at least two points along each center line, determining one of the points by taking at least two photographs from different directions; determining one image of a cross section of one system part through a selected surface point of the system part on each of the photographs; determining intersections of main axis of each image; and three-dimensionally determining and digitizing a point on the center line as an intersection of straight lines disposed perpendicularly to the photographs through the intersections of the main axes, and evaluating the digitized photographs and preparing a three-dimensional image of the system with a CAD method from the course of the center lines, for a three-dimensional representation of the system.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 168 words

A method for system documentation, which comprises photographing at least part of a system from at least two directions to obtain photographs with a camera having a film plane and a measuring grid plate in front of the film plane, digitizing the photographs, separately determining center lines for individual system parts, by determining at least two points along each center line, determining one of the points by taking at least two photographs from different directions; determining one image of a cross section of one system part through a selected surface point of the system part on each of the photographs; determining intersections of main axis of each image; and three-dimensionally determining and digitizing a point on the center line as an intersection of straight lines disposed perpendicularly to the photographs through the intersections of the main axes, and evaluating the digitized photographs and preparing a three-dimensional image of the system with a CAD method from the course of the center lines, for a three-dimensional representation of the system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises determining location coordinates for selected points from the photographs in an interface, and preparing a model to be shown on a screen in a CAD system from the location coordinates.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises determining the center line individually for individual system parts.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises taking three photographs from directions being mutually offset by 90°.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises smoothing the determined course of the center line by an error observation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 5, which comprises further smoothing the course of the initially determined center line with the method of least error squares.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises exactly determining only coordinates in axes perpendicular to a pipe axis, during the determination of the center line of a system part having the form of a straight tube.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 1, which comprises attaching a marking device on a system part having neither a corner nor an edge; and then photographing the system part.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 8, which comprises placing marking parts carrying numbers on the system part, as the marking device.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 163 words

An apparatus for system documentation, comprising a camera having a film plane and a measuring grid plate in front of said film plane for taking a photograph of at least part of a system, a digitizing apparatus for the photograph, an apparatus connected to said digitizing apparatus, said apparatus having means for determining a center line of the system part by determining at least two points along the center line, determining each of the points by taking at least two photographs from different directions; determining one image of a cross section of the system part through a selected surface point of the system part on each of the photographs; determining main axes for each image and determining intersections of the main axes; and three-dimensionally determining a point on the center line as an intersection of straight lines disposed perpendicularly to the photographs through the intersections of the main axes, and a CAD system connected downstream of said apparatus for determining the center line.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 163 words

An apparatus for system documentation, comprising a camera having a film plane and a measuring grid plate in front of said film plane for taking a photograph of at least part of a system, a digitizing apparatus for the photograph, an apparatus connected to said digitizing apparatus, said apparatus having means for determining a center line of the system part by determining at least two points along the center line, determining each of the points by taking at least two photographs from different directions; determining one image of a cross section of the system part through a selected surface point of the system part on each of the photographs; determining main axes for each image and determining intersections of the main axes; and three-dimensionally determining a point on the center line as an intersection of straight lines disposed perpendicularly to the photographs through the intersections of the main axes, and a CAD system connected downstream of said apparatus for determining the center line.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus according to claim 10, including a correction unit connected between said apparatus for determining the center line and said CAD system.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said digitizing apparatus, said apparatus for determining the center line and said correction unit together form an interface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus according to claim 10, including a screen connected to said CAD system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus according to claim 10, including a marking device disposed on said system part to be photographed having neither a corner nor an edge.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said marking device is a tape that is to be disposed on said system part and having marking parts.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-06-13	1997-12-13	1998-06-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-06-13	2001-12-13	2002-06-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-06-13	2005-12-13	2006-06-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for system documentation

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