Abstract: In one embodiment, a semi-automated technique is used to reconstruct a vector-based model from a point cloud that represents a physical subject. At least a portion of the point cloud is displayed. A selection of a seed of points that correspond to a particular physical feature of the physical subject is received from a user. The selection is received with a flashlight virtual tool having a field of view. An automatic detection of a geometric primitive is performed based on the seed of points. The automatic detection uses an iterative algorithm that detects an initial geometric primitive based on the seed of points, uses the initial geometric primitive to determine an expanded set of points, and detects a refined geometric primitive based on the expanded set of points. A vector-based model is produced using the detected geometric primitive.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a viewer executing on an electronic device having a touch sensitive display shows a three-dimensional (3D) model of a building created using computer aided design (CAD) software. A plurality of selectable interface nodes are provided at respective locations within the 3D model. Each interface node is linked to at least one corresponding two-dimensional (2D) construction drawing that shows a section view, a plan view, an elevation view or a detail view of the building related to the location of the interface node. In response to receiving input from a user indicating selection of a particular interface node, a menu is displayed with one or more selectable menu options. In response to receiving additional input from the user indicating selection of a particular menu option, a corresponding 2D construction drawing for the particular interface node is displayed in context of the 3D model of the building.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flashlight virtual object is provided that has a field of view. Any portions of the representation that fall within the field of view of the flashlight virtual object are highlighted. The position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object is manipulated in three-dimensional (3-D) space using a pointing device that captures motion in two-dimensions, by translation of the flashlight virtual object about one or more of a plurality of user-selectable two-dimensional (2-D) planes, rotation of the flashlight virtual object about one or more of a plurality of user-selectable points, translation of the flashlight virtual object along, or parallel to, one or more of a plurality of user-selectable axis and/or automated movement to a nearest point.

Abstract: A method of leveraging computer technology to guide the user to create, display, and edit architectural and engineering information in ways specific to the architect's or engineer's needs in specification development is provided. This is provided in software that allows the automatic creation and management of architectural and/or engineering workflows, including but not limited to: procurement, quality assurance, and design, driven by engineering specifications and requirements contained therein and therewith. For each specification paragraph, in addition to the main textual component, appropriate attributes and/or elements are created and defined by a schema to support multitasking and the storing of related information for related purposes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for using a virtual mouse to interact with an electronic device. The virtual mouse is displayed on a touch screen display of the electronic device. The virtual mouse includes a pointer identifying a position, and a control region positioned proximate to, but offset from, the pointer. The control region includes a movement area for receiving touch input that is mapped to movement of the virtual mouse, and one or more buttons for performing one or more actions related to an item or point located at the identified position. In use, when touch input is received in the movement area of the virtual mouse, the virtual mouse, including the pointer, is moved. When, a button of the one or more buttons is pressed, an action is performed that is related to the item or point located at the identified position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a particular number of best entities are found in a database with a spatial index that satisfy both spatial criteria and entity filtering criteria. For each of a set of targets in the spatial index whose bounding box meets the spatial criteria, a spatial score is calculated. If the spatial score is less than a minimum spatial score in a current map of best entities and the current map is full, the target is excluded from further consideration. If the spatial score is not less than the minimum spatial score, when the target is an entity that meets the entity filtering criteria, the current map is updated to store the entity and the spatial score for the entity. When each of the targets in the spatial index has been subject to test or excluded from consideration, the current map is returned as a final result.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud is enhanced by use of a flashlight virtual object. The flashlight virtual object has a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone. A current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space of the point cloud is found. It is determined whether the any points of the point cloud fall within the inner cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner cone are highlighted. It is further determined whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer cone are highlighted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for maintaining semantics of a graph that corresponds to a model of a physical entity. Node data structures are defined, instantiations of which are used to represent primitive nodes and group nodes of the graph. Link data structures are defined, instantiations of which are used to represent primitive links and group links of the graph. A technique for grouping nodes of the graph is provided, which may be used to remove elements from the graph to create a simplified representation. A technique for ungrouping nodes of the graph is provided, which may be used to restore elements to the graph to return to an unsimplified representation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for exchanging a design of a structure between a modeling application and an analysis application. The model of the structure is scanned in the modeling application, to identify model elements and their interrelationships. Using the identified model elements and their interrelationships, an analytical interface model is generated within the modeling application that provides an abstracted representation of the structure. Such analytical interface model is viewable and modifiable within the user interface of the modeling application. Information regarding the analytical interface model is transferred to the analysis application. This information is used by the analysis application to create a separate analytical model maintained and used by the analysis application.

Abstract: A method of leveraging XML (eXtensible Markup Language) Technology, or similar modeling languages such as ontology definition languages, to provide attribution and multi-node data modeling, object orientation, classes, and linkage capabilities of such languages and technologies, specifically for authoring new and translating existing technical specifications in such a way that the base text content is augmented with additional information such as metadata, in such a way that other sub-specifications, data sheets, inspection and quality assurance documents, etc., do not need to be written separately, but instead become logical sub-components of the governing specifications themselves.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a viewer executing on an electronic device having a touch sensitive display shows a three-dimensional (3D) model of a building created using computer aided design (CAD) software. A plurality of selectable interface nodes are provided at respective locations within the 3D model. Each interface node is linked to at least one corresponding two-dimensional (2D) construction drawing that shows a section view, a plan view, an elevation view or a detail view of the building related to the location of the interface node. In response to receiving input from a user indicating selection of a particular interface node, a menu is displayed with one or more selectable menu options. In response to receiving additional input from the user indicating selection of a particular menu option, a corresponding 2D construction drawing for the particular interface node is displayed in context of the 3D model of the building.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a union of the bounding boxes is computed of entities in a relational database indexed by a spatial index, filtered according to some criteria. For each of a set of targets to be considered, a bounding box of the target is tested against a current range union result. If the bounding box is completely contained in the current range union result, the target is excluded from further consideration. Otherwise, the target is processed. When the target is an entity, it is determined whether the entity meets the entity filtering criteria. If so a union is computed and the current range union result updated. When each of the targets to be considered in the spatial index has been subject to test or excluded, the current range union result is returned as a final range union result.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a particular number of best entities are found in a database with a spatial index that satisfy both spatial criteria and entity filtering criteria. For each of a set of targets in the spatial index whose bounding box meets the spatial criteria, a spatial score is calculated. If the spatial score is less than a minimum spatial score in a current map of best entities and the current map is full, the target is excluded from further consideration. If the spatial score is not less than the minimum spatial score, when the target is an entity that meets the entity filtering criteria, the current map is updated to store the entity and the spatial score for the entity. When each of the targets in the spatial index has been subject to test or excluded from consideration, the current map is returned as a final result.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a criticality analysis of a water distribution network is provided. The method and system provides for segmentation of the system which allows a user to determine the set of elements that comprise segments, which in turn are the smallest portion of a water distribution system that can be isolated by valving. Isolating valves are included as elements in the set of elements that are used by an associated hydraulic solver engine to segment the water distribution network. Once the network has been segmented, a criticality analysis is performed whereby a hydraulic simulation is run for an outage of one or more segments, and the shortfall in demand supplied to other segments is calculated. The system provides for a linking of the ability to automatically identify segments with a hydraulic analysis model to enable a user not only to identify segments, but to rank their importance based on a variety of user defined metrics.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hydraulic simulation model corresponding to a real-world hydraulic network is loaded in a hydraulic modeling and simulation application executing on a computer system. The hydraulic simulation model represents leakages as pressure dependent emitter flow at selected nodes (leakage nodes). Optimization criteria include a specified maximum of possible leakage nodes. A genetic algorithm (GA) generates trial solutions for an optimization, each trial solution representing locations for leakage nodes and corresponding emitter coefficients. A hydraulic analysis is performed for the trial solutions to generated model-simulated results. The model-simulated results are compared to field-observed data for the real-world hydraulic network to generate goodness-of-fit values. The process is repeated until a particular goodness-of-fit value is achieved or a maximum number of iterations is reached.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique for determining a position of a user inside of a structure is disclosed. Acceleration and orientation data is captured by an inertial motion unit (IMU) affixed to the user. Range data is captured by one or more range finders affixed to the user. An estimate of the user's relative displacement is produced based on the acceleration and orientation data captured by the IMU. A cloud of particles is generated within a model of the structure based on the estimated relative displacement. One or more particle filters are applied to the cloud of particles to eliminate any particles of the cloud of particles that violate physical constraints and to eliminate any particles of the cloud of particles that are inconsistent with the range data. Then a statistical function is applied to the cloud of particles to determine a calculated position of the user.

Abstract: A software program and associated web-based portal is provided for industry-specific product comparison. The program and an associated web portal allows the user the ability to search multiple manufacturers' catalogs and to enter a query based upon customized search criteria. Query results are returned of products that satisfy the user's search criteria. The query is made available to manufacturers whose products are identified in the query results and a communication link is provided whereby such manufacturers can contact the user to discuss the product identified in the search. The user can respond using the message board associated with the web portal. The program and portal can also integrate updates to pump manufacturers' catalogs and can also produce best-fit solutions for users' design criteria.

Abstract: In one embodiment, improved techniques are provided for identifying and/or highlighting a graphic element. A multi-dimensional data structure corresponding to a visual representation of information may be created, wherein, for each active point in the visual representation of information, the multi-dimensional data structure has a corresponding location that stores a globally unique identifier (GUID) that indicates one or more graphic elements present at that point in the visual representation. A selection from a user of a selected point in the visual representation of information may be received. A location of the selected point may be used as an index into the multi-dimensional data structure to determine a particular location in the multi-dimensional data structure that coincides with the selected point. A particular GUID may be retrieved from the particular location and used to identify one or more graphic elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a special paper plot (referred to herein as a dynamic plot) for which corresponding metadata is maintained is printed. A mobile appliance obtains corresponding metadata for the dynamic plot. A camera of the mobile appliance computes an image of the dynamic plot. A position of the camera of the mobile appliance with respect to the dynamic plot is calculated from the image of the dynamic plot. Using the calculated position, information or icons are overlaid at particular locations in the image captured by the camera of the dynamic plot. The image captured by the camera of the dynamic with the overlaid information or icons is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile appliance. A user may add annotations beyond what is printed on the dynamic plot. This information may subsequently be shared with other users involved in the project.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a build orchestration framework orchestrates building of one or more individual buildable components of a deliverable software product. At least some buildable components reference respective sub components on which they depend. Building creates a structure associated with each respective buildable component of the one or more buildable components. In this structure, if the respective buildable component references a sub component on which the respective buildable component depends, a symbolic link is created to an output of a build of the sub component to provide access to the output of the sub component for use in building the respective buildable component. Further, in this structure, if the respective buildable component is used by another buildable component, a symbolic link is created to an output of a build of the respective buildable component.