US5367622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic template system and method
Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1992-11-16
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Granted: 1994-11-22
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Expires: 2012-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An electronic template includes components stored with corresponding dimensional data. Each component is assigned an insertion point by which a user may interface with a computer-aided design operating system for indicating the desired position and rotational orientation of a selected component. First selected components comprise primary components, and typically have further accessory attachment points designated thereon, whereby subsequent accessory components may be automatically connected in the design to its primary component with which it mates. The accessory attachment point defines a target for insertion of the accessory component, thereby maintaining positional accuracy without requiring the user to determine positioning relationships for mating parts. Once entered into the design, the user may draw on the component dimensional data for calculating dimensions on the drawing.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Coggins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/10; G06T; G06T19/00; G06T19/20; G06F2111/00; G06F2111/20; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/20; G06T2219/2004; G06T2219/2008; G06T2219/2016; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/964
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A process for operating a computer-aided design system, such as having microprocessor, a memory device, and a monitor for producing designs in a given design field, said process comprising: electronically reading from an electronic catalog including a multiplicity of respective graphics form representations of a plurality of respective product components for possible use in a given design produced within said given design field, including assigning a predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective representation; storing in said memory device a selected plurality of said respective graphics form representations read from said electronic catalog; specifying to said microprocessor a particular respective product component graphics form representation to be extracted from said memory device; indicating a field point within said design field where said CAD insertion point of said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component is to be inserted into the design being produced; determining a rotation angle for said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component about its CAD insertion point; and thereafter automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned in said given design field at said field point indicated therein, and with said specified graphics form representation rotated at said determined rotation angle about its CAD insertion point; whereby a graphics form representation of a desired product component may be selected and automatically positioned within the design being produced in the given design field with minimized user manipulations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A process for operating a computer-aided design system, such as having microprocessor, a memory device, and a monitor for producing designs in a given design field, said process comprising: electronically reading from an electronic catalog including a multiplicity of respective graphics form representations of a plurality of respective product components for possible use in a given design produced within said given design field, including assigning a predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective representation; storing in said memory device a selected plurality of said respective graphics form representations read from said electronic catalog; specifying to said microprocessor a particular respective product component graphics form representation to be extracted from said memory device; indicating a field point within said design field where said CAD insertion point of said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component is to be inserted into the design being produced; determining a rotation angle for said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component about its CAD insertion point; and thereafter automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned in said given design field at said field point indicated therein, and with said specified graphics form representation rotated at said determined rotation angle about its CAD insertion point; whereby a graphics form representation of a desired product component may be selected and automatically positioned within the design being produced in the given design field with minimized user manipulations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said storing step includes storing at least certain of the graphics form representations in designated families, and said specifying step includes selecting from said memory device a family of related components, which family includes a plurality of respective components of differing types and/or sizes within such family.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as in claim 2, wherein said specifying step includes selecting within said family an individual respective component of a particular type and size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 3, wherein said specifying step further includes selecting a particular view of the selected individual respective component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said computer-aided design system further includes an output device for outputting a hard copy drawing of the design produced within said design field, and wherein said process further includes the step of outputting a hard copy drawing of the design produced within said design field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process as in claim 1, wherein said product components comprise primary components, and wherein said storing step includes assigning a predesignated accessory attachment point on each graphics form representation of each respective primary component, whereby accessory components may be attached thereto at such accessory attachment point for joining such respective primary component and an accessory component in a given design being produced within a given design field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
A process as in claim 6, further including: storing in said memory device a plurality of respective graphics form representations for respective physical accessory components for possible mating with specified primary components in a given design being produced within said given design field, including assigning a predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective graphics form representation; after automatic entry of the specified primary component into said design field, specifying to said microprocessor a particular respective graphics form representation for each respective accessory component to be extracted from said memory device; and thereafter automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of an accessory component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned co-existent with said predesignated accessory attachment point of the graphics form representation of said specified primary component, and with relative rotation of said accessory component representation relative said CAD insertion point thereof automatically determined in accordance with the operative relationship between the specified primary component and the specified accessory component; whereby the graphics form representation of said specified accessory component is automatically mated with the graphics form representation of said specified primary component in the design being produced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process as in claim 7, wherein said storing step includes storing at least certain of the graphics form representations for the accessory components in designated families, and said accessory component specifying step includes selecting from said memory device a family of related accessory components, which family includes a plurality of respective accessory components of differing types and/or sizes within such family.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as in claim 8, wherein said accessory component specifying step further includes selecting within said family an individual respective accessory component of a particular type and size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as in claim 7, wherein said accessory component specifying step is restricted to selection of only accessory components which are operative with the primary component to which they are to be mated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process as in claim 7, wherein: said storing step includes assigning more than one predesignated accessory attachment point to graphics form representations for certain of the respective primary components; and said process further includes an intermediate step of designating a particular one of such multiple accessory attachment points for a specified primary component as a target for mating of an accessory component representation CAD insertion point thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as in claim 7, wherein said storing step includes storing dimensional data for each of the respective graphics form representations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
244 words
A computer-aided design system for producing designs in a given field, said system comprising: catalog means for electronically reading from an electronic catalog including a plurality of respective graphics form representations for a plurality of respective physical product components for possible use in given design produced within said given design field, including assigning a predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective representation; a memory device for storing a selected plurality of said respective graphics form representations read catalog means; a microprocessor, operatively associated with said memory device, for specifying under user-control a particular respective product component graphics form representation to be extracted from said memory device, including indicating a field point within said design field where said CAD insertion point of said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component is to be inserted into the design being produced, determining a rotation angle for said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component about its CAD insertion point, and thereafter automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned in said given design field at said field point indicated therein, and with said specified graphics form representation rotated at said determined rotation angle about its CAD insertion point; whereby a graphics form representation of a desired product component may be selected and automatically positioned within the design being produced in the given design field with minimized user manipulations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
244 words
A computer-aided design system for producing designs in a given field, said system comprising: catalog means for electronically reading from an electronic catalog including a plurality of respective graphics form representations for a plurality of respective physical product components for possible use in given design produced within said given design field, including assigning a predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective representation; a memory device for storing a selected plurality of said respective graphics form representations read catalog means; a microprocessor, operatively associated with said memory device, for specifying under user-control a particular respective product component graphics form representation to be extracted from said memory device, including indicating a field point within said design field where said CAD insertion point of said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component is to be inserted into the design being produced, determining a rotation angle for said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component about its CAD insertion point, and thereafter automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of said particular product component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned in said given design field at said field point indicated therein, and with said specified graphics form representation rotated at said determined rotation angle about its CAD insertion point; whereby a graphics form representation of a desired product component may be selected and automatically positioned within the design being produced in the given design field with minimized user manipulations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said memory device includes therein graphics form representations of components stored in family designations, and said microprocessor is further operative under user-control for selecting from said memory device a family of related components, which family includes a plurality of respective components of differing types and/or sizes within such family.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 14, wherein said microprocessor is further operative for selecting within said family an individual respective component of a particular type and size.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as in claim 15, wherein said memory device includes therein respective plural views of each respective stored component, and said microprocessor is further operative under user-control for selecting a particular stored view of the selected individual respective component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 14, further including an output device for outputting a hard copy drawing of the design produced within said design field.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein said product components comprise primary components, and wherein said memory device includes stored therein an assigned predesignated accessory attachment point on each graphics form representation of each respective primary component, whereby accessory components may be attached thereto at such accessory attachment point for joining such respective primary component and an accessory component in a given design being produced within a given design field.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
198 words
A system as in claim 18, wherein: said memory device includes stored therein a plurality of respective graphics form representations for respective physical accessory components for possible mating with specified primary components in a given design being produced within said given design field, including having an assigned predesignated CAD insertion point on each respective graphics form representation; after automatic entry of the specified primary component into said design field, said microprocessor is operative under user-control for specifying a particular respective graphics form representation for each respective accessory component to be extracted from said memory device, and thereafter for automatically entering said specified graphics form representation of an accessory component into said design field, with said CAD insertion point thereof positioned co-existent with said predesignated accessory attachment point of the graphics form representation of said specified primary component, and with relative rotation of said accessory component representation relative said CAD insertion point thereof automatically determined in accordance with the operative relationship between the specified primary component and the specified accessory component; whereby the graphics form representation of said specified accessory component is automatically mated with the graphics form representation of said specified primary component in the design being produced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said memory device includes graphics form representations for at least certain of the accessory components stored therein in family designations, and further includes stored therein respective plural views of each respective stored component, and said microprocessor is further operative under user-control for initially selecting from said memory device a family of related accessory components, which family includes a plurality of respective accessory components of differing types and/or sizes within such family, and for subsequently selecting within said family an individual respective accessory component of a particular type and size.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said microprocessor is operative for restricting specifying accessory components to only those which are operative with the primary component to which they are to be mated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein: said memory device includes stored therein more than one assigned predesignated accessory attachment point for graphics form representations for certain of the respective primary components; and said microprocessor is operative under user-control for designating a particular one of such multiple accessory attachment points for a specified primary component as a target for mating of an accessory component representation CAD insertion point thereto.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 19, wherein said memory device includes stored therein dimensional data for each of the respective graphics form representations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electronic template system for aiding a system user in producing computer-generated designs, comprising: an electronic catalog of information concerning predetermined primary physical components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective primary component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each representation, data in said electronic catalog including a selected identifier indicative of catalog information; and a microprocessor, operatively associated with said electronic catalog, for selectively withdrawing primary component information therefrom for use in a given design being produced, said microprocessor operative to detect presence of said selected identifier to facilitate assurance of authenticity of said primary component information; wherein said microprocessor is operative for being commanded by a system user so as to select a desired primary component, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired primary component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at a user-designated field point in the design, and with such desired primary component representation situated in a user-designated rotation about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electronic template system for aiding a system user in producing computer-generated designs, comprising: an electronic catalog of information concerning predetermined primary physical components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective primary component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each representation, data in said electronic catalog including a selected identifier indicative of catalog information; and a microprocessor, operatively associated with said electronic catalog, for selectively withdrawing primary component information therefrom for use in a given design being produced, said microprocessor operative to detect presence of said selected identifier to facilitate assurance of authenticity of said primary component information; wherein said microprocessor is operative for being commanded by a system user so as to select a desired primary component, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired primary component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at a user-designated field point in the design, and with such desired primary component representation situated in a user-designated rotation about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as in claim 24, further including a monitor device, operatively associated with said microprocessor, for permitting a user of said electronic template system to observe a design being produced, including observation of entries thereto of graphics form component representations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 24, wherein: said electronic catalog further includes a precoded target associated with each primary component representation, for permitting acquisition of graphics form representation of accessory components at such target.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
A system as in claim 26, wherein: said electronic catalog further includes information concerning accessory components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective accessory component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each accessory component representation; and said microprocessor is operative for being commanded by a system user so as to select a desired accessory component, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired accessory component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at the precoded target for the primary component representation with which such accessory component representation is to mate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system as in claim 26, wherein: said catalog includes plural precoded targets for at least certain of said primary component representations; and said microprocessor is operative for being commanded by a system user prior to entering said accessory component representation to the design, so as to select a particular one of plural precoded targets to which the accessory component representation predefined insertion point is to be mated.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of operating an electronic template system for aiding a system user and producing computer-generated designs, comprising: providing an electronic catalog of information concerning predetermined primary physical components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective primary component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each component representation, data in said electronic catalog including a selected identifier indicative of catalog information; providing a microprocessor, operatively associated with said electronic catalog, for selectively withdrawing primary component information therefrom for use in a given design being produced, said microprocessor operative to detect presence of said selected identifier to facilitate assurance of authenticity of said primary component information; and operating said microprocessor under system user control so as to designate desired position and orientation for a desired primary component representation, whereby said microprocessor is operative so as to select a desired primary component from said electronic catalog, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired primary component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at a user-designated field point in the design, and with such desired primary component representation situated in a user-designated rotation about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
213 words
A method of operating an electronic template system for aiding a system user and producing computer-generated designs, comprising: providing an electronic catalog of information concerning predetermined primary physical components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective primary component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each component representation, data in said electronic catalog including a selected identifier indicative of catalog information; providing a microprocessor, operatively associated with said electronic catalog, for selectively withdrawing primary component information therefrom for use in a given design being produced, said microprocessor operative to detect presence of said selected identifier to facilitate assurance of authenticity of said primary component information; and operating said microprocessor under system user control so as to designate desired position and orientation for a desired primary component representation, whereby said microprocessor is operative so as to select a desired primary component from said electronic catalog, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired primary component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at a user-designated field point in the design, and with such desired primary component representation situated in a user-designated rotation about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as in claim 29, further including providing a monitor device, operatively associated with said microprocessor, for permitting a user of said electronic template system to observe a design being produced therewith, including observation of entries thereto of graphics form component representations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 29, wherein: said electronic catalog further includes a precoded target associated with each primary component representation, for permitting acquisition of accessory components at such target.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
114 words
A method as in claim 31, wherein: said electronic catalog further includes information concerning accessory components for selected usage in a design being produced, said catalog including a graphics form representation and corresponding dimensional data for each respective component and a location of a predefined insertion point on each accessory component representation; and said microprocessor is operated by a system user so as to select a desired accessory component, and thereafter automatically enter said graphics form representation of same into the design, with such desired accessory component representation entered with the predefined insertion point thereof located at the precoded target for the primary component representation with which such accessory component representation is to mate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as in claim 31, wherein: said catalog includes plural precoded targets for at least certain of said primary component representations; and said microprocessor is operated by a system user prior to entering said accessory component representation to the design, so as to select a particular one of plural precoded targets to which the accessory component representation predefined insertion point is to be mated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
153 words
An automatic component-matching design assistance system for operation within a computer process comprising a computer-aided design system including a microprocessor, for producing a design within a design field, said design assistance system including: an electronically stored catalog of a plurality of graphics form representations of respective physical primary components and accessory components with dimensional data stored for each of the respective components, and with a predefined insertion point assigned on each component representation, and a predefined accessory attachment point assigned on each primary component representation; and means operative with said microprocessor and under user direction for selecting from said catalog a desired respective primary component, and entering the graphics form representation of same into the design field with said predefined insertion point of such primary component representation situated at a user-designated position in the design field, and with such primary component representation oriented at a user-designated rotation angle about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
153 words
An automatic component-matching design assistance system for operation within a computer process comprising a computer-aided design system including a microprocessor, for producing a design within a design field, said design assistance system including: an electronically stored catalog of a plurality of graphics form representations of respective physical primary components and accessory components with dimensional data stored for each of the respective components, and with a predefined insertion point assigned on each component representation, and a predefined accessory attachment point assigned on each primary component representation; and means operative with said microprocessor and under user direction for selecting from said catalog a desired respective primary component, and entering the graphics form representation of same into the design field with said predefined insertion point of such primary component representation situated at a user-designated position in the design field, and with such primary component representation oriented at a user-designated rotation angle about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
81 words
A design assistance system as in claim 34, further including means operative with said microprocessor and under user direction for selecting from said catalog a desired respective accessory component, and for entering the graphics form representation of the selected accessory component into the design field with the location of said predefined insertion point of such accessory component representation automatically mated to the predefined accessory attachment point of the primary component representation, and with a predetermined rotation angle between such component representations.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer process for automatic component-matching design assistance for operation within a computer-aided design system including a microprocessor, for producing a design within a design field, said computer process including: providing an electronically stored catalog of a plurality of graphics form representations of respective physical primary components and accessory components with dimensional data stored for each of the respective components, and with a predefined insertion point assigned on each component representation, and a predefined accessory attachment point assigned on each primary component representation, data electronically stored in said catalog including a selected identifier indicative of genuine catalog information; reading selected data having said selected identifier from said electronically stored catalog; and operating said microprocessor under user direction for selecting from said selected data a desired respective primary component, and entering the graphics form representation of same into the design field with said predefined insertion point of such primary component representation situated at a user-designated position in the design field, and with such primary component representation oriented at a user-designated rotation angle about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer process for automatic component-matching design assistance for operation within a computer-aided design system including a microprocessor, for producing a design within a design field, said computer process including: providing an electronically stored catalog of a plurality of graphics form representations of respective physical primary components and accessory components with dimensional data stored for each of the respective components, and with a predefined insertion point assigned on each component representation, and a predefined accessory attachment point assigned on each primary component representation, data electronically stored in said catalog including a selected identifier indicative of genuine catalog information; reading selected data having said selected identifier from said electronically stored catalog; and operating said microprocessor under user direction for selecting from said selected data a desired respective primary component, and entering the graphics form representation of same into the design field with said predefined insertion point of such primary component representation situated at a user-designated position in the design field, and with such primary component representation oriented at a user-designated rotation angle about its predefined insertion point.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer process as in claim 36, further including operating said microprocessor under user direction for selecting from said catalog a desired respective accessory component, and for entering the graphics form representation of the selected accessory component into the design field with the location of said predefined insertion point of such accessory component representation automatically mated to the predefined accessory attachment point of the primary component representation, and with a predetermined rotation angle between such component representations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5165015A
Cited
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |