US6323879B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for determining the spacing of objects
Assignee: Autodesk Inc
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2001-11-27
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for determining the spacing of objects is described. According to the method, input is received that indicates bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid is also received. A set of generated parameter values for the particular type of grid is then generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and the input indicating bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of points for spacing objects is generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values. According to one aspect, a set of object information is received that identifies a particular object to be placed on the constraint at locations that are based on the set of points. According to another aspect, the set of object information identifies a bounding box that is associated with the particular object. The bounding box is then used to generate the set of generated parameters. According to another aspect, a set of object locations is determined by mapping the set of points to the constraint. In certain aspects, pivot point information is received that specifies the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points. Objects are placed on the target constraint such that the pivot points of the objects coincide with the object locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Sauerbrei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T19/00; G06T19/20; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/20; G06T2219/2004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for determining the spacing of objects the method comprising the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for determining the spacing of objects the method comprising the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprises the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating a copy of said particular object; and placing the copy of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprises the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating an instance of said particular object; and placing the instance of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
212 words
A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for determining the spacing of objects, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
212 words
A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for determining the spacing of objects, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , further comprising instructions for performing the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating a copy of said particular object; and placing the copy of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , further comprising instructions for performing the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating an instance of said particular object; and placing the instance of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing objects on said constraint includes the step of orientating one or more of said objects based on an intersection of the constraint and the pivot points for said one or more objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the step of placing objects on said constraint includes the step of orientating one or more of said objects based on an intersection of the constraint and the pivot points for said one or more objects.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
229 words
A system for determining the spacing of objects, the system comprising: a memory; one or more processors coupled to the memory; and a set of computer instructions contained in the memory, the set of computer instruction including computer instructions which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
229 words
A system for determining the spacing of objects, the system comprising: a memory; one or more processors coupled to the memory; and a set of computer instructions contained in the memory, the set of computer instruction including computer instructions which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: receiving data that defines a constraint; receiving input that specifies at least one attribute of said constraint, wherein said at least one attribute indicates bounds of at least one dimension of said constraint; receiving a set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid; generating a set of generated parameter values for said particular type of grid based on the at least one attribute and the set of supplied parameter values; generating a set of points for spacing objects based on said constraint, said set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values; mapping the set of points to said constraint to determine a set of object locations, wherein the set of object locations fall with the bounds of the constraint; receiving pivot point information, wherein the pivot point information specifies pivot points for the placement of objects relative to the generated set of points; and placing objects on said constraint such that the pivot points of said objects coincide with said object locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprises instructions for performing the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating a copy of said particular object; and placing the copy of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 9 , further comprises instructions for performing the steps of: identifying a particular object; generating an instance of said particular object; and placing the instance of said particular object at a particular point in said set of mapped points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein the step of placing objects on said constraint includes the step of orientating one or more of said objects based on an intersection of the constraint and the pivot points for said one or more objects.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-26 | 2005-05-28 | 2005-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | 2009-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | 2013-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |