Patent US5631840A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5631840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatuses for generating sculptured surfaces
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-20
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Granted: 1997-05-20
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Expires: 2015-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for generating sculptured surfaces which enables a sculptured surface of a specified radius to be generated easily between two free curves. A plurality of base points are set on a first free curve, and a plurality of planes are generated at each of the base points using, as the normal, a tangent of the first free line, the planes including that base point. A plurality of intersections of the second free curve and the plurality of planes are determined. A plurality of circular arcs of a specified radius are generated on each of the plurality of planes using the base point and the intersection as endpoints. A sculptured surface is then generated based on the first free curve, the second free curve, and the plurality of circular arcs.
Inventors
- 👤 Miwa Ooka
- 👤 Tetsuzo Kuragano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for generating a sculptured surface corresponding to a track of a sphere rotated between a first and a second free curves in a three-dimensional space, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of base points on said first free curve and generating a plurality of planes, each of said planes having each of said base points with a tangent of the first free curve at each of said base points to be a normal to said each plane; determining a plurality of intersections of said second free curve and said plurality of planes; generating a plurality of circular arcs of a specified radius on each of said plurality of planes using said base point and said intersection as endpoints; and generating a sculptured surface based on said first free curve, said second free curve, and said plurality of circular arcs.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for generating a sculptured surface corresponding to a track of a sphere rotated between a first and a second free curves in a three-dimensional space, comprising the steps of: setting a plurality of base points on said first free curve and generating a plurality of planes, each of said planes having each of said base points with a tangent of the first free curve at each of said base points to be a normal to said each plane; determining a plurality of intersections of said second free curve and said plurality of planes; generating a plurality of circular arcs of a specified radius on each of said plurality of planes using said base point and said intersection as endpoints; and generating a sculptured surface based on said first free curve, said second free curve, and said plurality of circular arcs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method for generating a sculptured surface according to claim 1 wherein said circular arcs are obtained by: determining a first and a second circular arcs of a specified radius using said base point on said first free curve and said intersection on said second free curve as endpoints; determining a cross product of a tangential vector of said free curve at said base point and a directional vector from said base point to said second free curve; determining a first and a second tangents of said first and second circular arcs at said base point; and generating only said first or second circular arc with said first or second tangent, respectively, that is closer to said cross product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method for generating a sculptured surface according to claim 1 wherein said sculptured surface is approximately generated by means of least square approximation based on said first free curve, said second free curve, said plurality of circular arcs, and a group of points on a selected circular arc.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for generating a sculptured surface corresponding to a track of a sphere rotated between a first free curve and a second free curve in a three-dimensional space, comprising: a plane generation means for setting a plurality of base points on said first free curve and generating a plurality of planes, each of said planes having each of said base points with a tangent of said first free curve at each of said base points to be a normal to each of said planes; an intersection detection means for determining a plurality of intersections of said second free curve and said plurality of planes generated by said plane generation means; a circular arc generation means for generating a plurality of circular arcs of a specified radius on each of said plurality of planes using said base point and said intersection as endpoints; and a sculptured surface generation means for generating a sculptured surface based on said first free curve, said second free curve, and said plurality of circular arcs.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for generating a sculptured surface corresponding to a track of a sphere rotated between a first free curve and a second free curve in a three-dimensional space, comprising: a plane generation means for setting a plurality of base points on said first free curve and generating a plurality of planes, each of said planes having each of said base points with a tangent of said first free curve at each of said base points to be a normal to each of said planes; an intersection detection means for determining a plurality of intersections of said second free curve and said plurality of planes generated by said plane generation means; a circular arc generation means for generating a plurality of circular arcs of a specified radius on each of said plurality of planes using said base point and said intersection as endpoints; and a sculptured surface generation means for generating a sculptured surface based on said first free curve, said second free curve, and said plurality of circular arcs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
The apparatus for generating a sculptured surface according to claim 4 wherein said circular arc generation means comprises the steps of: determining a first and a second circular arcs of a specified radius using said base point on said first free curve and said intersection on said second free curve as endpoints; determining a cross product of a tangential vector of said first free curve at said base point and a directional vector from said base point to said second free curve; determining a first and a second tangents of said first and second circular arcs at said base point; and generating only said first or second circular arc with said first or second tangent, respectively that is closer to said cross product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus for generating a sculptured surface according to claim 4 wherein said sculptured surface generation means approximately generates a sculptured surface by means of least square approximation based on said first free curve, said second free curve, said plurality of circular arcs, and a group of points on a selected circular arc.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-11-18 | 2001-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-19 | 2004-11-18 | 2005-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-19 | 2008-11-18 | 2009-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |