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US5402531A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for producing offset surface and offset solid

Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-08-19
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2012-08-19
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Abstract

Abstract A connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces, selected from a plurality of connected original surfaces, is determined as to whether it is smooth, concave, or convex. Then, each of the original surfaces is offset at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface, to obtain an offset surface. Also, an original loop for each of the original surfaces is offset at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges to obtain an offset loop. Then, a new surface between two adjacent offset loops is interpolated when the connection condition is convex. A self-interference portion is removed when the connection condition is concave, so as to obtain a plurality of offset surfaces based on the plurality of original surfaces.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hideki Tamura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/10; G06T19/00; G06T19/20; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/20; G06T2219/2016

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a plurality of connected original surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one of which is the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a plurality of connected original surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one of which is the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the original surfaces are completely closed and represent a solid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 1, comprising: multiplying (1) the tangent vector of the edge at which the two original surfaces meet and (2) each of the remaining two vectors, to obtain the vector products.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 1, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 169 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a plurality of connected original surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vectors normal to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation and connection of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 169 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a plurality of connected original surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vectors normal to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation and connection of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 5, wherein: the original surfaces are completely closed and represent a solid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 5, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 201 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from part of a plurality of original connected surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces belonging to the part of the plurality of original connected surfaces, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one being the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet and multiplied by each of the remaining two tangent vectors; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 201 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from part of a plurality of original connected surfaces, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces belonging to the part of the plurality of original connected surfaces, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one being the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet and multiplied by each of the remaining two tangent vectors; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 8, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a part of a plurality of original surfaces connected, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between adjacent original surfaces belonging to the part of the plurality of original surfaces connected, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two normal vectors to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 180 words
A method for producing a plurality of offset surfaces from a part of a plurality of original surfaces connected, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between adjacent original surfaces belonging to the part of the plurality of original surfaces connected, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two normal vectors to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for an interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; producing a new surface in a new gap made after the interpolation between offset loops; and removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 10, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 201 words
A method for producing a hollow solid with a predetermined thickness, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent surfaces of a plurality of original surfaces that are completely closed as an original solid, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one being the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave to obtain an offset solid; turning the offset solid inside out to obtain an inverted offset solid; and merging the original solid and the inverted offset solid to obtain the hollow solid.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 201 words
A method for producing a hollow solid with a predetermined thickness, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent surfaces of a plurality of original surfaces that are completely closed as an original solid, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two vector products of vectors selected from three tangent vectors of edges joining at a vertex, one being the tangent vector of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of the original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave to obtain an offset solid; turning the offset solid inside out to obtain an inverted offset solid; and merging the original solid and the inverted offset solid to obtain the hollow solid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 12, comprising: multiplying (1) the tangent vector of the edge at which the two original surfaces meet and (2) each of the remaining two vectors, to obtain the vector products.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 12, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for producing a hollow solid with a predetermined thickness, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces of a plurality of original surfaces that are completely closed as an original solid, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two normal vectors to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave to obtain an offset solid; inverting the offset solid inside out to obtain an inverted offset solid; and merging the original solid and the inverted offset solid to obtain the hollow solid.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for producing a hollow solid with a predetermined thickness, the method comprising: judging a connection condition between two adjacent original surfaces of a plurality of original surfaces that are completely closed as an original solid, as to whether the connection condition is smooth, concave or convex, based on an angle between two normal vectors to the original surfaces at a point of the edge at which the two adjacent original surfaces meet; forming an offset surface by offsetting each of original surfaces at a predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface; forming an offset loop by offsetting an original loop for each of the original surfaces at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; producing a new surface between two adjacent offset loops for interpolation of the new surface when the connection condition is convex; removing a self interference portion when the connection condition is concave to obtain an offset solid; inverting the offset solid inside out to obtain an inverted offset solid; and merging the original solid and the inverted offset solid to obtain the hollow solid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of claim 15, comprising: taking several points on edges constituting an original loop; obtaining offset points by offsetting the several points at the predetermined distance along unit vectors normal to the original surface at its edges; and obtaining an offset loop from offset points and direction vectors at the respective offset points.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4569014A Cited
US4785399A Cited
US4791583A Cited
JPH0251779A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-03-27 1998-09-26 1999-03-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-03-27 2002-09-26 2003-03-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-03-27 2006-09-26 2007-03-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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