US6720949B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Man machine interfaces and applications
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-08-21
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2018-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Affordable methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting position, attitude (orientation) or other object characteristic data to computers for the purpose of Computer Aided Design, Painting, Medicine, Teaching, Gaming, Toys, Simulations, Aids to the disabled, and internet or other experiences. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize electro-optical sensors, and particularly TV Cameras, providing optically inputted data from specialized datum's on objects and/or natural features of objects. Objects can be both static and in motion, from which individual datum positions and movements can be derived, also with respect to other objects both fixed and moving. Real-time photogrammetry is preferably used to determine relationships of portions of one or more datums with respect to a plurality of cameras or a single camera processed by a conventional PC.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
- 👤 Peter Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/219; A63F13/50; A63F13/52; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G06F3/017; G06F3/03; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0325; G06F3/033; G06F3/0346; G06F3/038; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0425; G06F3/0428; G06T; G06T19/00; G06T19/20; G06T7/00; G06T7/70; G06T7/73; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0008; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H50/00; G16H50/50; A63F13/213; A63F13/24; A63F13/245; A63F13/40; A63F13/42; A63F13/428; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1043; A63F2300/1062; A63F2300/1068; A63F2300/1075; A63F2300/1081; A63F2300/1087; A63F2300/1093; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/6045; A63F2300/66; A63F2300/69; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/20; G06T2219/2016; G06T2219/2021; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/321; G16H40/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for designing an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a computer having a display; b) providing a physical surrogate of said object; c) providing in said computer a data base of said object; d) using said data base, displaying a 3D representation of said object; e) electro-optically determining a position of said surrogate; f) determining the position of a freely movable member positioned by a person designing said object; and g) from said determined position, determining changes to said object data base to be made in said computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for designing an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a computer having a display; b) providing a physical surrogate of said object; c) providing in said computer a data base of said object; d) using said data base, displaying a 3D representation of said object; e) electro-optically determining a position of said surrogate; f) determining the position of a freely movable member positioned by a person designing said object; and g) from said determined position, determining changes to said object data base to be made in said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , where said surrogate is a vehicle model.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , where said surrogate is an arbitrary object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 , where said surrogate is a toy car.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electro-optical determination is made using at least one TV camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein a stereo pair of TV cameras are employed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein datums on said member are sensed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein datums are sensed in relation to the position of said surrogate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said member is positioned based on determination of information on said 3D display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein changes in the data base are reflected in changes to said 3D display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said steps f and g are repeated to effect a continued change in said data base and the display thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said steps e to g are repeated to effect a continued change in said data base and the display thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 including the further step of creating a new surrogate using said changed data base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , including the further step of sensing orientation as well as position of at least one of said surrogate or said member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the relative position of said member with respect to said surrogate is sensed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said changes to said data base effect a change in a surface shape of said 3D representation of said object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said surrogate is stationary.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said surrogate is moved in executing said design.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said surrogate is held in a hand of said person.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said member is said person's finger.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said member is said person's hand.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said member is held in the hand of said person.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said member has a known shape which is used to change said data base when moved by said person.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein information concerning said member is electro-optically communicated to said computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said data base downloaded from a file.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said data base is generated electro-optically from a physical object.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for designing an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a computer having a display; b) providing a physical surrogate of said object; c) providing in said computer a data base of said object; d) using said data base, displaying a 3D representation of said object; e) electro-optically determining the orientation of said surrogate; f) determining the orientation of a freely movable member positioned by a person designing said object; and g) from said determined orientation, determining changes to said object data base to be made in said computer.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for designing an object comprising the steps of: a) providing a computer having a display; b) providing a physical surrogate of said object; c) providing in said computer a data base of said object; d) using said data base, displaying a 3D representation of said object; e) electro-optically determining the orientation of said surrogate; f) determining the orientation of a freely movable member positioned by a person designing said object; and g) from said determined orientation, determining changes to said object data base to be made in said computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 27 , including the further step of determining the position of said surrogate and/or said member.
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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) | 2007-04-13 | 2007-10-13 | 2008-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-10-13 | 2012-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-13 | 2015-10-13 | 2016-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |