US6256595B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for manually selecting, displaying, and repositioning dimensions of a part model
Assignee: Amada Co Ltd
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Filing: 1998-03-04
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Granted: 2001-07-03
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Expires: 2018-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A dimensioning system is provided for a computer generated model of a sheet metal part including a plurality of entities. The dimensioning system comprises a model display, an indicator, a selector, a dimension defining system, and a dimension display. The model display displays a representation of the model on a display screen. The indicator indicates to a user candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected. The selector selects two entities of the model, based on an indicated candidate entity. The dimension defining system defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model. The dimension display displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension. A repositioning system is also provided for a computer generated model of a sheet metal part represented on a display screen. The sheet metal part has associated dimensions displayed along with the sheet metal part on the display screen. The repositioning system comprises a repositioner and a repositioned dimension display. The repositioner repositions the dimension to a desired position relative to the model. The repositioned dimension display displays the dimension at the desired position relative to the model.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Schwalb
- 👤 Elena Pashenkova
- 👤 Dmitry Leshchiner
- 👤 Kensuke Hazama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T19/00; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/012; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/964
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the selector comprising an attachment point selector which selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity; and a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model, the dimension defining system comprising a cuboid generator which generates a cuboid defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the cuboid, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as one of a straight line connecting the attachment points and as three adjacent edges of the cuboid, the three adjacent edges connecting the attachment points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the selector comprising an attachment point selector which selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity; and a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model, the dimension defining system comprising a cuboid generator which generates a cuboid defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the cuboid, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as one of a straight line connecting the attachment points and as three adjacent edges of the cuboid, the three adjacent edges connecting the attachment points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The dimensioning system of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator which indicates to a user candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected, and wherein each entity is selected based on an indicated candidate entity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The dimensioning system of claim 1 , further comprising a model display which displays a representation of the model on a display screen, and a dimension display which displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dimensioning system of claim 1 , wherein the geometric model comprises a 3-D sheet metal part model.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The dimensioning system of claim 4 , the selector comprising a line calculator which calculates two lines, one for each selected entity, each line representing one of the two selected entities, and the dimension display comprising a cylinder generator which generates a cylinder based upon the two lines, wherein the dimension between the selected entities comprises an angle measured between the two lines, and wherein a dimension information component is displayed on a portion of a perimeter of the cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The dimensioning system of claim 4 , further comprising a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dimensioning system of claim 1 , the dimension display comprising a visibility checker which checks whether both attachment points are visible from a user selected perspective of the model, wherein the dimension information is only displayed if one of the attachment points is determined to be visible from the user selected perspective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity; and a filter which prevents an undesirable one of the plurality of entities or predefined dimension from becoming the target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity; and a filter which prevents an undesirable one of the plurality of entities or predefined dimension from becoming the target.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dimensioning system of claim 4 , the dimension display comprising a visibility checker which checks whether both attachment points are visible from a user selected perspective of the model, wherein the dimension information is only displayed if one of the attachment points is determined to be visible from the user selected perspective.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; and a display which displays dimension information comprising text and an arrow line, the display further comprising a text repositioner which repositions the text to be centered relative to a portion of the arrow line visible from the user selected perspective.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; and a display which displays dimension information comprising text and an arrow line, the display further comprising a text repositioner which repositions the text to be centered relative to a portion of the arrow line visible from the user selected perspective.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The dimensioning system of claim 4 , in which the user events comprise mouse movement events.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dimensioning system of claim 11 , the plurality of entities comprising bend lines, faces and formings.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for selecting and displaying dimensions for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the method comprising: displaying a representation of the model on a display screen; indicating to a user candidate entities of the model in response to user events; selecting two entities of the model represented on the display screen, each entity being based on an indicated candidate entity; defining dimensions associated with the selected entities of the model; displaying, along with the model, the dimension information on the display screen, based on the defined dimension; and representing a sheet metal thickness in the model, wherein the defining further comprises selecting a side of the thickness from which to measure the dimension.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for selecting and displaying dimensions for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the method comprising: displaying a representation of the model on a display screen; indicating to a user candidate entities of the model in response to user events; selecting two entities of the model represented on the display screen, each entity being based on an indicated candidate entity; defining dimensions associated with the selected entities of the model; displaying, along with the model, the dimension information on the display screen, based on the defined dimension; and representing a sheet metal thickness in the model, wherein the defining further comprises selecting a side of the thickness from which to measure the dimension.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , in which the geometric model comprises 3-D sheet metal part model.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 14 , the defining comprising: defining the dimension as either an angle between the selected entities or as a distance between the selected entities; selecting, if the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, a measurement axis along which to measure the distance; and selecting, if the dimension is defined as an angle between the selected entities, either an obtuse measuring angle or an acute measuring angle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
The method of claim 15 , in which if the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, the selecting further comprises selecting an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity, and defining dimensions further comprises generating a cuboid defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the cuboid, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as either a straight line connecting the attachment points or as three adjacent edges of the cuboid, the three adjacent edges connecting the attachment points; and wherein if the dimension is defined as an angle, the selecting further comprises calculating two lines, one for each selected entity, each line representing one of the two selected entities, and displaying the dimension further comprises generating a cylinder based upon the two lines, wherein the dimension between the two selected entities comprises an angle measured between the two lines, and wherein a dimension information component is displayed on a portion of a perimeter of the cylinder.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for selecting and displaying dimensions for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the method comprising: displaying a representation of the model on a display screen, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; indicating, to a user candidate, entities of the model in response to user events; selecting two entities of the model represented on the display screen, each entity being based on an indicated candidate entity; defining dimensions associated with the selected entities of the model; displaying, along with the model, the dimension information on the display screen, based on the defined dimension; and representing a sheet metal thickness in the model, wherein the defining further comprises selecting a side of the thickness from which to measure the dimension.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for selecting and displaying dimensions for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the method comprising: displaying a representation of the model on a display screen, the geometric model comprising a 3-D sheet metal part model; indicating, to a user candidate, entities of the model in response to user events; selecting two entities of the model represented on the display screen, each entity being based on an indicated candidate entity; defining dimensions associated with the selected entities of the model; displaying, along with the model, the dimension information on the display screen, based on the defined dimension; and representing a sheet metal thickness in the model, wherein the defining further comprises selecting a side of the thickness from which to measure the dimension.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 , in which the user events comprise mouse movement events.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 , the plurality of entities comprising bend lines, faces and formings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
189 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the selector comprising an attachment point selector which selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity, a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model, the dimension defining system comprising a rectangle generator which generates a rectangle defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the rectangle, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as either a straight line connecting the attachment points or as two adjacent edges of the rectangle, the two adjacent edges connecting the attachment points; an indicator which indicates, to a user, candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected, each entity being selected based on an indicated candidate entity; a model display which displays a representation of the model on a display screen; and a dimension display which displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
189 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model, the selector comprising an attachment point selector which selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity, a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model, the dimension defining system comprising a rectangle generator which generates a rectangle defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the rectangle, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as either a straight line connecting the attachment points or as two adjacent edges of the rectangle, the two adjacent edges connecting the attachment points; an indicator which indicates, to a user, candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected, each entity being selected based on an indicated candidate entity; a model display which displays a representation of the model on a display screen; and a dimension display which displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
The dimensioning system of claim 20 , further comprising a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The dimensioning system of claim 20 , the dimension display comprising a visibility checker which checks whether both attachment points are visible from a user selected perspective of the model, wherein the dimension information is only displayed if one of the attachment points is determined to be visible from the user selected perspective.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , in which the geometric model comprises a sheet metal part model.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 23 , the defining comprising: defining the dimension as either an angle between the selected entities or as a distance between the selected entities; selecting, if the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, a measurement axis along which to measure the distance; and selecting, if the dimension is defined as an angle between the selected entities, either an obtuse measuring angle or an acute measuring angle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
263 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the geometric model, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model as either an angle between the selected entities or as a distance between the selected entities; and a selecting system that selects, when the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, a measurement axis along which to measure the distance; and selects, when the dimension is defined as an angle between the selected entities, either an obtuse measuring angle or an acute measuring angle; wherein when the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, the selecting system further selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity, and the dimension defining system further generates a rectangle defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the rectangle, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as either a straight line connecting the attachment points or as two adjacent edges of the rectangle, the two adjacent edges connecting the attachment points; wherein when the dimension is defined as an angle, the selecting system calculates two lines, one for each selected entity, each line representing one of the two selected entities; and wherein the dimension between the two selected entities comprises an angle measured between the two lines and a component of the dimension information is displayed as an arc between the two lines.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
263 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the geometric model, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model as either an angle between the selected entities or as a distance between the selected entities; and a selecting system that selects, when the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, a measurement axis along which to measure the distance; and selects, when the dimension is defined as an angle between the selected entities, either an obtuse measuring angle or an acute measuring angle; wherein when the dimension is defined as the distance between the selected entities, the selecting system further selects an attachment point corresponding to each selected entity, and the dimension defining system further generates a rectangle defined by the selected attachment points as opposite diagonal corners of the rectangle, the dimension between the attachment points being defined as either a straight line connecting the attachment points or as two adjacent edges of the rectangle, the two adjacent edges connecting the attachment points; wherein when the dimension is defined as an angle, the selecting system calculates two lines, one for each selected entity, each line representing one of the two selected entities; and wherein the dimension between the two selected entities comprises an angle measured between the two lines and a component of the dimension information is displayed as an arc between the two lines.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
179 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; an indicator which indicates, to a user, candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected, each entity being selected based on an indicated candidate entity; a model display which displays a representation of the model on a display screen; a dimension display which displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension; and a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
179 words
A dimensioning system for a computer generated geometric model including a plurality of entities, the geometric model comprising a sheet metal part model, the dimensioning system comprising: a selector which selects two entities of the model; a dimension defining system which defines each dimension associated with the selected entities of the model; an indicator which indicates, to a user, candidate entities of the model, in response to user events, that may be selected, each entity being selected based on an indicated candidate entity; a model display which displays a representation of the model on a display screen; a dimension display which displays dimension information on the display screen based on the defined dimension; and a picking order system which assigns priorities to the plurality of entities of the model and a predefined dimension of the model and, based upon the assigned priorities, picks either one of the plurality of entities of the model or the predefined dimension as a target for selecting, such that if the target is an entity of the model, the target is the candidate entity.
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