US5808616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shape modeling method and apparatus utilizing ordered parts lists for designating a part to be edited in a view
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-07
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Granted: 1998-09-15
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Expires: 2016-11-07
Abstract
Abstract In a computer operated three-dimensional shape modeler where a group of parts are to be edified, a view of the parts layout is selected by the designer and list of the parts is created in the computer memory for that view. A part in the list is designated as a target part. A designer sketches a two-dimensional figure, which relates to a design change, on surfaces of the group of parts in the layout view. A cross section of the designated target part is automatically set as a "sketch surface". The cross sectional shape of the selected surface of the target part is modified by the two-dimensional sketch figure. A second part is designated as the target part and that part is switched over the other parts in the list. A cross section of the second target part is also automatically set as a sketch surface. The cross sectional shape of the surface of the second target part is modified in a similar fashion as the modification to the first part. All remaining parts affected by the designer's sketch of the two-dimensional figure are designated, switched forward, sketch surfaces automatically set and their shapes modified. When all parts affected by the designer's sketch of the two-dimensional figure are modified, then the designer selects an appropriate three-dimensional shape generator. A three-dimensional shape model corresponding to the view of the group of modified parts is then generated and displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuma Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A modeling apparatus for generating and displaying three-dimensional figures representing a shape of a plurality of parts on a display screen, comprising: first designating means for designating a particular view associated with a surface of the plurality of parts to be sketched on, said surface representing a shape of the plurality of parts; sketching means for sketching, on the display screen, a desired two-dimensional figure on surfaces of the plurality of parts in the designated particular view; switching means for switching a target part over the plurality of parts and designating a surface of the switched-over part in the designated particular view; control means for permitting the sketching means to sketch a desired two-dimensional figure in the designated particular view on the surface of the switched-over part designated by the switching means; and generating means for generating and displaying three-dimensional figures in the designated particular view of the plurality of parts based upon the two-dimensional figures sketched.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A modeling apparatus for generating and displaying three-dimensional figures representing a shape of a plurality of parts on a display screen, comprising: first designating means for designating a particular view associated with a surface of the plurality of parts to be sketched on, said surface representing a shape of the plurality of parts; sketching means for sketching, on the display screen, a desired two-dimensional figure on surfaces of the plurality of parts in the designated particular view; switching means for switching a target part over the plurality of parts and designating a surface of the switched-over part in the designated particular view; control means for permitting the sketching means to sketch a desired two-dimensional figure in the designated particular view on the surface of the switched-over part designated by the switching means; and generating means for generating and displaying three-dimensional figures in the designated particular view of the plurality of parts based upon the two-dimensional figures sketched.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first designating means designates a direction of one surface representing a shape of said designated part as a particular view.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising second designating means for designating a generating method of generating a three-dimensional shape, wherein said generating means generates the three-dimensional shape, based upon the two-dimensional figure, by the generating method designated by said second designating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first designating means has: means for designating direction of a view on the display screen; and third designating means for designating the surface of the one part as the sketch surface in the designated direction of the view.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: memory means for storing the direction of the view designated by said third designating means; means for altering and designating a target part; and means for controlling the sketching means to sketch on a surface of the part altered and designated in the direction of the view stored by said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: fourth designating means for designating alteration of a target part; and means for selecting a specific part, from among a plurality of target parts, in accordance with a prescribed sequence whenever said fourth designating means designates alteration of a target part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sequence is capable of being changed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the direction of the view one among a front-side direction, top-side direction, right-side direction, left-side direction, bottom-side direction and back-side direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pseudo-three-dimensional image is displayed in addition to the designation direction of the view.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first designating means has: means for designating directions of different first and second views on the display screen; means for designating the surface of the one part in the direction of the first view; and said generating means generating the three-dimensional shape from the sketched two-dimensional shape utilizing a cross section of this part in the direction of the second view.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of generating and displaying three-dimensional figures representing a shape of a plurality of parts on a screen, comprising the steps of: (a) designating a particular view associated with a surface of the plurality of parts to be sketched on, said surface representing a shape of the plurality of parts; (b) sketching on the display screen, a desired two-dimensional figure on surfaces of the plurality of parts in the designated particular view; (c) switching a target part over the plurality of parts and designating a surface of the switched-over part; (d) sketching a desired two-dimensional figure in the designated particular view on the surface of the switched-over part designated in the switching step; and (e) generating and displaying three-dimensional figures in the designated particular view of the plurality of parts based upon the two-dimensional figures sketched.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of generating and displaying three-dimensional figures representing a shape of a plurality of parts on a screen, comprising the steps of: (a) designating a particular view associated with a surface of the plurality of parts to be sketched on, said surface representing a shape of the plurality of parts; (b) sketching on the display screen, a desired two-dimensional figure on surfaces of the plurality of parts in the designated particular view; (c) switching a target part over the plurality of parts and designating a surface of the switched-over part; (d) sketching a desired two-dimensional figure in the designated particular view on the surface of the switched-over part designated in the switching step; and (e) generating and displaying three-dimensional figures in the designated particular view of the plurality of parts based upon the two-dimensional figures sketched.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 11, wherein said step (a) designates a direction of one surface representing a shape of said designated part as a particular view.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising: designating a generating method of generating a three-dimensional shape; and generating the three-dimensional shape, based upon the two-dimensional figure, by the designated generating method.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: designating direction of a view on the display screen; and designating the surface of the one part as the sketch surface in the designated direction of the view.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: storing the designated direction of the view; altering a target part; and sketching on a surface of the altered target part in the direction of the view stored.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: designating alteration of a target part; and selecting a specific part, from among a plurality of target parts, in accordance with a prescribed sequence when ever alteration of a target part is designated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein said sequence is capable of being changed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein the direction of the view one among a front-side direction, top-side direction, right-side direction, left-side direction, bottom-side direction and back-side direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein a pseudo-three-dimensional image is displayed in addition to the designation direction of the view.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: designating direction of different first and second views on the display screen; designating the surface of the one part in the direction of the first view; and generating the three-dimensional shape from the sketched two-dimensional shape utilizing a cross section of this part in the direction of the second view.
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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) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |