Abstract: A method and system for decorating includes product categories such as rugs, pillows, lamps, paints, window treatments, wall coverings such as wall papers and trims, artificial flowers, fabric furniture covers and other decorative items. Multiple motif collections are provided, each characterized by a subset of colors or other characteristics that are selected from a master set of colors or characteristics, and at least one other decorative driver such as fabric, pattern, texture or style. Each product is identified with one or more of the collections based on the product color and/or the presents of the other decorative driver. A separate key code mechanism, such as a hang tag and/or a product label or packaging for each motif collection, has an identifier for the subset of colors and the at least one decorative driver for that collection. The key code helps a consumer select those products in each category of interest, that fall within a desired collection.

Abstract: A modular fenestration system includes a collection of standardized functional units such as double hung window units, casement window units, picture window units, transom units, and the like. The functional units all share common sightlines, common glass set-back, common interfaces, common design language, and are sized according to a unique modular or incremental sizing grid. The sizing grid specifies individual window units in terms of the rough opening size in which they are designed to be installed. Individual functional units are easily combinable in a vast array of combinations to create a large number of possible composite window units. The above attributes of the functional units ensures that the composite window units are architecturally pleasing and appear as though they were custom crafted.

Abstract: A house toy and display including a base having a base fitting, and a plurality of room modules, each of the plurality of room modules having a floor and at least one wall. The floor has a room module fitting complementary in shape to the base fitting to retain the plurality of room modules on the base. In one embodiment, the base fitting is a recess formed in the base; and the room module fitting is the floor of the room module.

Abstract: A wall-mountable device including a body, a plurality of members extending from the body and defining a substantially cylindrical recess having a substantially annular ridge, and a tack having a post extending from a disc-shaped head, wherein the post is adapted to be inserted into a wall, the disc-shaped head is adapted to be inserted into the substantially cylindrical recess and entrapped by the substantially annular ridge, and the body is removably secured to the tack when the disc-shaped head is entrapped by the substantially annular ridge.

Abstract: A miniature house no larger than 4 inches in any dimension having a drawer that is extensible from one wall close to the base of the wall. The drawer serves a number of purposes according to the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, a porous pad is positioned in the drawer and serves as a medium for growing miniature plants—preferably mosses and grasses. Means for moisturizing the pad are provided. In other applications, the house is an interesting devoid for dispensing business cards. In another embodiment, the drawer holds watercolors and stamps enabling the user to apply his own arrangement of doors and window.

Abstract: An interior design system of the present disclosure can comprise a user interface configured to display a plurality of interior design components. The system may further comprise logic configured to receive a user selection of one of the components and display the selected component in the user interface. The logic may further be configured to receive a plurality of user inputs, via the user interface, the inputs related to characteristics of the selected component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interior design component selection. An apparatus for presenting a plurality of design components to a user has a first plurality of first design component samples and a second plurality of second design component samples. A binding mechanism is adapted to bind the first plurality of the first design component samples adjacent the second plurality of the second design component samples so that at least one design component sample of the first plurality and the second plurality can be viewed together. The binding mechanism is also configured to permit at least one design component sample of each of the first and the second pluralities to be moved about the binding mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying full size items for sale includes a shelving unit having a top and one or more shelves beneath the top on which items are displayed for sale. A miniature size article is displayed on the top, where the miniature size article includes a plurality of miniature size items associated with the miniature size article. Then, a plurality of full size items, corresponding to the miniature size items, are displayed on the shelves. A transparent cover can be disposed over the miniature size article. The miniature size scale article can be an article of furniture, such as a bed and such that the full scale items include bed accessories. Further, additional full size items, which are designed to coordinate with one or more of the plurality of full size items, and are also displayed on the shelves.

Abstract: A simplified and user-friendly reusable modular building block system, for use by the professional architect or home design enthusiast, allowing for the creation of custom architectural scale models of building designs similar in appearance and function to professional scale models produced in architects' offices is presented. The building block system pieces are comprised of interlocking injection-molded solid plastic parts and grouped in five classes of various corresponding shapes and sizes. The construction and grouping of the block system pieces can be connected together at the user's discretion in a limitless variety of creative configurations, thereby forming the walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, door and window openings, and other building design elements of an architectural model at 1:48 scale (¼?=1?-0?) based on the user's unique house design, or an existing design if so desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a plurality of removable permanently magnetized elements from a substrate comprising ferrite material. The method prints symbol images on the substrate with an offset, automatic sheet-fed press, and die cuts the symbol images on the substrate with an automatic sheet-fed die cutter to form a plurality of elements forming portions of the substrate. Thereafter, the method magnetizes the ferrite material to permanently magnetize the substrate and form the plurality of permanently magnetized elements. The method reduces wastage, permits for improved substrate registration, more accurate symbol placement on the substrate, higher production speeds, and reduced labor costs.

Abstract: A system and process for determining the optimal device layout and configuration within a gaming environment using a computer implemented environment module configured to generate spatial representations of the gaming environment and the configuration of the gaming device agents within the gaming environment using environment data and device agent data, a computer implemented player agent module configured to characterize gaming players within the gaming environment using player agent data, and a computer implemented optimization module for applying optimization criteria to the environment module and the player agent module to determine the optimal gaming device spatial orientations and gaming configurations.

Abstract: A computerized method, system and machine-readable medium to enable a user to remotely perform a decorating session on an electronic image are provided. The method includes: receiving, at a client computer, a user-supplied digital image having an area to be decorated; interactively mapping, at the client computer, the area to be decorated with a product to obtain a mapped image; transmitting the mapped image to a web server over a public communications network; and providing either the user or another user access to a user-selected web site supported by the web server over the public communications network to enable the user or other user to perform a decorating session. During the session, the user or other user electronically applies product images to the area to be decorated and views the results of the session prior to generating an order for the product.

Abstract: Software for designing interior and/or exterior spaces efficiently ensures that user intent is captured in a timely, practical manner. When a user creates an input, such as selecting a shape of a table to put into a design space, the design software creates an initial object that is managed as part of a data structure. Generally, the initial object includes a type element having one or more options. Program code in the created initial object determines an appropriate option based on any number of factors including, but not limited to, elements of the user's original input. A subsequent child object with a set of independent program code is also created, which has as its type the option determined from the previous initial object. The subsequent object also determines its options based on attributes of the user's input, and creates any additional child objects where appropriate.

Abstract: A furniture position planning apparatus is disclosed for helping to plan the furniture layout for a room. The furniture position planning apparatus includes multiple two-dimensional furniture representations. These furniture representations represent the broadest projected footprints of different furniture items, and are capable of being folded to a compact size for storage.

Abstract: Design software in accordance with an implementation of the present invention is configured to provide believable three-dimensional representations of user selections in real-time. Design elements that would otherwise be difficult to efficiently render three-dimensionally in real-time are prerendered for realistic visual effects, such as realistic shading, which correspond to various positions of the elements in a design space. Blanks of the visual effects for each position are then stored in a data store for visual effects. At run time, data associated with user design choices, as well as the blanks for any corresponding design elements are fed in one implementation to peripheral processing hardware, such as a GPU, which sends the processed data to a display device. The user is therefore able to view complex visual data of certain design choices efficiently with added realism.

Abstract: A home exterior selection kit includes a tower body having lateral sides, each having at least first and second areas configured to detachably engage a panel representing an exterior material.

Abstract: A method for producing a color recommendation for a structure or part of a structure to be painted which comprises selecting from a database containing images of structural archetypes stored on storage means of an archetype image that closely matches the structure to be painted, selecting a color or colors from a database comprising colors stored on storage means and applying the color or colors to the archetype to produce a color scheme and displaying the structure or part of the structure with the color applied.

Abstract: A method of facilitating visualization and specification of a countertop profile comprises the steps of: i) providing a model of a countertop having a central portion having front and rear edge portions, multiple front portions any one of which may be moved adjacent to a front edge portion of the central portion, and multiple rear portions any one of which may be moved adjacent to the upper rear edge portion of the central portion; ii) selecting a preferred front portion and moving it into alignment with the front edge portion of the central portion; and iii) selecting a preferred rear portion and moving it into alignment with the rear edge portion of the central portion so that a full countertop profile of preferred design is displayed. Most preferably the model comprises a display board having tracks wherein a selected front or rear portion may slide therealong into proper alignment with the central portion.

Abstract: A method for producing a color recommendation for at least a part of a structure to be painted which comprises the steps of: selecting, at a user terminal and from a first database on a remote server containing at least one image of structural archetypes stored in electronic format on a storage device, an archetype image that closely matches the structure to be painted, selecting, at the user terminal, a color(s) from a second database located at the remote server containing at least one color stored in electronic format on storage device; applying the color(s) at the remote server to the image to produce a color scheme; displaying, on a display unit of the user terminal, of the at least part of a structure with the color applied; and providing information from which paint corresponding to the color(s) in the color scheme can be identified.

Abstract: An instructional kit suited for teaching the necessary materials, methods and techniques for conventional stick built wood structures is provided. In accordance with the present invention, a kit for stick framing a true representation of a scale house model includes all of the framing members required to build a scale model house. Specifically, the kit includes precut framing members representing each of the correct members used in actual residential construction such as studs, rafters, sills, top plates, headers, etc. Also included in the kit are wall layout plans and detailed instructions regarding the proper construction of a residential house. The intent of the kit is to provide a self contained educational tool for teaching the necessary understanding of structural wood framing.

Abstract: An evolutionary and reusable device for delimiting and organising spaces and volumes, adaptable to the dimensions of an existing architectural space, is capable of being modified without accessories, easily and rapidly decorated by the user by means of decorative objects and expandable connected space elements of fixed and variable dimensions.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding consumers through a sophisticated evaluation process for selecting a product that satisfies desired aesthetic and physical objectives. An embodiment of the method and system enables a consumer from his/her home to select a fabric by systematically and efficiently evaluating a multitude of colors, as well as, other criteria, such as, design and material construction. From a virtual showroom of swatches, the system presents the consumer an image of the swatches that best satisfy the selected criteria.

Abstract: A simulation device for simulating images of at least one building includes a display (62) for displaying the images; an input (63, 64) for a user to input data; a memory (65) including a first memory field containing a layout (40) of the at least one building, which layout (40) contains references to all the utility spaces forming the layout, together with their performance characteristics, a second memory field containing a model (50) of the at least one building, which model (50) contains references to both physical and financial data of all the components forming the model, a processor (61) for: computing and showing elevations of and/or sections through the building, working from the layout of the model; calculating and showing the total expected investment costs and running costs for the building.

Abstract: A method is provided for sizing an environmental control system for controlling a temperature of a target. The method comprises the steps of: identifying the target that is to be temperature controlled by the environmental control system; selecting a desired temperature of the target that is to be temperature controlled; and determining optimal characteristics of the environmental control system. Preferably, the step of determining optimal characteristics of the environmental control system includes referring to a nomograph that charts numerical relationships of a plurality of variables. Preferably, variables charted on the nomograph include a temperature of discharge air that is to be discharged from the environmental control system, a temperature of ambient air surrounding the target, a distance between a discharge portion of the environmental control system and the target, and a volumetric flow rate of the discharge air.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for changing the appearance of an appliance. The system and method provide a magnetic sheet having a decorative pattern on one side thereof with a magnetic area or surface on an opposite side thereof. When the magnetic sheet is applied to cover the appliance, the decorative pattern decorates the appliance. A grid sheet is also provided for measuring and cutting the magnetic sheet to size.

Abstract: A device for displaying room wall and floor covering arrangements for selection by a purchaser includes a frame assembly having display panel support members for supporting at least one display panel in a display condition, the frame assembly being configured to resemble, along with at least one supported display panel positioned in the display condition, at least one room; and at least two surface covering display panels being mutually different in at least one appearance or composition characteristic, such at least one appearance or composition characteristic including at least one of color, pattern, material, texture, and geometrical composition.

Abstract: A system and a method for representing information, and a computer program product for implementing the method, which improve the representation of information in terms of user-friendliness. The information representation system contains a display device (1) for displaying information which is called up according to a current context. A context manager (23) manages context objects (6) and dynamically selects the context objects as a function of the current context of a user (3). The context manager also offers the selected context objects to the user for display. The context objects contain respective individual data records with information and functions, taken from a database(7), specific to the context. The context of the user is determined by a spacial position, a work object and/or a work task of the user.

Abstract: A system and method of selecting a color scheme of an actual environment by evaluating different color schemes in a virtual environment. To utilize the system, a virtual image of a real environment is created. This can he done by scanning photographs of the real environment into a computer. The real environment that contains a plurality of different surfaces having different colors and design patterns. The computer identifies the boundaries of each of said different surfaces in the virtual image that is created. The computer then considers each of the different surfaces as a variable field. Using a computer interface, a user selectively varies the colors and design patterns of any of the surfaces in the virtual image. The different surfaces are altered until the color scheme of the virtual image matches a desired color scheme.

Abstract: An industry specific plant model is developed by describing a physical description of each physical and logical object in the industry specific plant model. The industry specific objects are selected from an industry suite library that describes a behavior of each industry specific object in a workflow. The industry suite library can be extended with new descriptions of physical and logical objects. The industry suite library contains additionally also the rules which describe the behavior and the interaction of the objects.

Abstract: A device for displaying room wall and floor covering arrangements for selection by a purchaser includes a frame assembly having display panel support members for supporting at least one display panel in a display condition, the frame assembly being configured to resemble, along with at least one supported display panel positioned in the display condition, at least one room; and at least two surface covering display panels being mutually different in at least one appearance or composition characteristic, such at least one appearance or composition characteristic including at least one of color, pattern, material, texture, and geometrical composition.

Abstract: This invention is a computerized expert system for providing interior design by allowing a homeowner to enter interior design requirements and selecting interior design treatments according to the homeowner's design requirements so that a grouping of compatible interior design treatments is provided for the homeowner to be used in decorating the homeowner's home.

Abstract: An apparatus substitute is carried and installed in a clean room prior to installation of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The apparatus substitute is composed of separate assembling boxes and is provided with tentative utility connection parts having the same specifications with respect to utility connection parts of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. Each of the utility connection parts is temporarily connected to one of a utility line via respective joint pipes. In the utility connection works or temporary connection, an apparatus installation position can be adjusted; a position or a size of a support plate of a floor can be corrected; a route of a utility line or a position can be corrected; or an inspection with respect to each utility line can be performed.

Abstract: A device for displaying room wall and floor covering arrangements for selection by a purchaser includes a frame assembly having display panel support members for supporting at least one display panel in a display condition, the frame assembly being configured to resemble, along with at least one supported display panel positioned in the display condition, at least one room; and at least two surface covering display panels being mutually different in at least one appearance or composition characteristic, such at least one appearance or composition characteristic including at least one of color, pattern, material, texture, and geometrical composition.

Abstract: A room floor plan and visual seating chart organizer. Room floor planning involves arranging type, size and position of room fixtures, such as table, stages, podiums, lighting, dance floors, music/disc jockey area, doors, emergency exits, room walls, and general room artifacts. Seating chart planning involves arranging, and organizing seating preferences including place settings and preferences for guests, special needs guests, and key event people such as brides and grooms. Additionally, room floor plans and room fixtures, such as tables can be resized and scaled to a ratio, proportional to the actual event room fixtures and room dimensions. Further, once arranged and positioned room fixtures and person characterizations, such as key people, guest and special needs guests can be fastened to the room fixtures. A plurality of similar and or different strength or types of adhesives or fastens can be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides support apparatus for manufacturing equipment comprising a support pedestal having (1) a plurality of support legs, including at least one support leg aligned to each one of a plurality of load-bearing mounting feet found on the bottom of the manufacturing equipment to be supported by the pedestal, and a frame disposed on the plurality of support legs; and/or (2) a frame with an outline which substantially duplicates the bottom outline of the manufacturing equipment to be supported, and a plurality of support legs coupled to the frame. The support apparatus additionally may comprise at least one facilities connection locator fixedly mounted to the support frame so as to provide facilities connection locations for aligning facilities supply lines to the manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing housing employs a plurality of base platform sizes and then imposes restrictions on the number and sizes of rooms possible for each platform to develop a uniform building standardization wherein each subcontractor and manufacturer can achieve lower costs by standardization of materials.

Abstract: A process comprising identifying assets in a raw architectural CAD drawing, applying compliance and preferred criteria for creating detailed engineering specifications corresponding to said assets and producing detailed engineering CAD drawings and reports. Preferably, one or more preferred databases of criteria augment the criteria needed for compliance with local codes, said preferred databases including architecturally specific criteria and a client's professional, individual and preferred criteria. Repeated use results in ever more complete databases of preferred criteria for enabling a process requiring little or no additional intervention for processing subsequent CAD drawings. Apparatus embodying the process preferably include a computer and an interactive network system and having at least one client terminal for interacting with a client, downloading the client's raw CAD files and uploading detailed output CAD drawings to the client.

Abstract: This invention is a computerized expert system for providing interior design by allowing a homeowner to enter interior design requirements and selecting interior design treatments according to the homeowner's design requirements so that a grouping of compatible interior design treatments is provided for the homeowner to be used in decorating the homeowner's home.

Abstract: A toy building set comprising walls (1, 2) having at least one door opening (12, 13) which extends from the lower edge (15, 16) of the walls (1, 2,) and upwards in the position of use of the walls (1, 2) at a height and with a width corresponding to a door, said toy building set additionally comprising at least one door element (10) and one window element (2, 3), said toy building set comprising a door frame (11) which has a height and a width corresponding to the door opening (12, 13), said door frame (11) having coupling means for releasable, fixed mounting of the door frame in the door opening by means of complementary coupling means (17, 25) located at the wall opening (12, 13), said door element (10) having hinge parts (26) for releasable mounting in complementary hinge parts in the door opening (12, 13) or the door frame (11), said toy building set additionally comprising at least one window frame (8, 9) which has a width and a height corresponding to the width and the height of the door frame (11), sai

Abstract: Compliance with a standard is demonstrated by displaying a floor plan on a first computer. The displayed floor plan includes designated areas. Each designated area includes a corresponding communication link, and the designated areas are regulated by the standard. A message is transmitted to a second computer in response to selection of one of the designated areas by a user on the first computer. The message is dependent upon the communication link corresponding to the selected designated area and causes compliance information to be downloaded by the second computer to the first computer. The compliance information is displayed on the first computer and demonstrates that the selected designated area is in compliance with the standard.

Abstract: A human/machine interface for designing, monitoring and troubleshooting complex industrial control systems uses the paradigm of the factory floor to organize machines, control program portions and data as virtual spatially linked objects that may be moved in three dimensions to be joined with other spatially linked objects. The user may move within the virtual factory floor among the spatially linked objects followed by spatially indifferent objects which provide tools for monitoring and interacting with the spatially linked objects. Proximity of visual objects determines data sharing between objects.

Abstract: The present invention includes a unique mid-level room arrangement for a building structure such as a residential home. The building structure is comprised of at least one room on a first below ground level floor and at least one room on a second below ground level floor. The second below ground level floor is above the first below ground level floor, and a stairway connects the first below ground level floor to the second below ground level floor. The building is also comprised of at least one room on a generally ground level floor. The second below ground level floor is connected to the ground level floor by a stairway. There is also at least one room on an upper level floor above the ground level floor. A stairway connects the ground level floor with the upper level floor, and it has a landing at a location between the ground level floor and the upper level floor. At least one room is on a mid-level floor between the ground level floor and the upper level floor.

Abstract: A educational device for teaching art including a base member having a generally rectangular configuration. The base member has a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. The base member has a raised peripheral border disposed around a periphery of the upper surface thereof. The upper surface has a plurality of slots formed therein inwardly of the raised peripheral border and within a central portion thereof. A plurality of wall members extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base member inwardly of the raised peripheral border. Each of the wall members have tabs extending downwardly from lower ends thereof for being received within the slots of the base member. Upper ends of the wall members are secured together by clips. A pair of interior wall members extend inwardly from the wall members. The interior wall members are secured to the plurality of wall members by clips.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulation system for an amusement arcade, which generates a dynamic model relating to the amusement arcade and can inspect an operating condition of play machines, a flow of players and the like. This system comprises a parameter setting unit (12) having a play machine information setting unit for setting a parameter, which defines a construction of play machines constituting the amusement arcade, and a player information setting unit for setting a parameter, which defines properties of players who use play machines, a simulation executing unit (16) for executing simulation for each unit time of the amusement arcade on the basis of parameters set by the parameter setting unit (12), a result analyzing unit (21) for generating data indicative of a result of simulation on the basis of data obtained by simulation executed for a predetermined unit time, and a display unit (20) for indicating a picture corresponding to data obtained by the result analyzing unit (21).

Abstract: A method for constructing a physical scale model of a structure includes creating a computer model of a structure using a structure design program run on a personal computer, printing out views of the interior and exterior walls of the structure on adhesive-backed paper, affixing the pieces of paper bearing the printed views of the structure to pieces of rigid stock such as cardboard or foam core to create walls, then cutting or trimming the pieces as necessary and assembling them to form the three-dimensional scale model of the structure. A kit for practicing the method contains computer software for allowing a user to custom design a building, a supply of printer-compatible adhesive-backed paper, and a supply of rigid stock of the proper thickness to represent the scale thickness of the walls of the structure.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing layouts of building units on a quadrieral facility site, and layouts of personnel workstations and items of equipment (collectively "workplace elements") in quadrilateral subarea in the building units. There are inter-building-unit, and inter-workplace-element, operational criteria associated with the activity being performed in the facility. The well known multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) methodology is employed in optimizing building unit and workplace element configurations to suit the operational criteria. Measurement of population density index (PDI) is employed to judge whether candidate configurations of building units and workplace elements result in adverse crowdedness conditions. The PDI employed for this purpose as two novel aspects. One novelty of the PDI is its use of a "convex hull" (in the mathematical sense of the term) circumscribed about the perimetrical objects in a candidate configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a model house (10) having a transparent roof (12) and plurality of columns each securely mounted to a base (20). At least three first floor left-right beams (14LRA) which support at least four first floor back-front beams (14BFA). A flooring (24) is securely fastened onto the at least four first floor back-front beams (14BFA). At least two back-front lower beams securely fastened to at least two roof left-right lower beams. A roof left-right center beam (16LRC) is securely fastened to a top distal end of the left-middle-center column (18LMC) and the right-middle-center column (18RMC) by fasteners (22). A roof left-back support beam (16LBD) is securely fastened at a lower distal end to the roof left-right-back lower beam (16LRBL) and the roof back-front-back left lower beam (16BFLL). A roof left-front support beam (16LFD) is securely fastened at a lower distal end to the roof back-front-back left lower beam (16BFLL) and the roof left-right-front lower beam (16LRFL).

Abstract: A new Doll House Swivel Basement Add-On System for providing a basement in combination with a swivel base for an existing doll house thereby allowing a user to conveniently access all sides of the existing doll house. The inventive device includes a basement structure, a swivel base, a vehicle ramp, a porch, snap-on stairs, and a securing rim. The securing rim is for engaging a bottom portion of the exiting doll house. The swivel base allows the basement structure to rotate along with the existing doll house to allow the user access to all sides of the existing doll house.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for selecting surfacing material complementary to a predetermined cabinet finish. The device includes a display having sample display areas. The sample display areas include a resilient member formed with a plurality of recesses for receiving and removably retaining a plurality of surfacing samples selected in a predetermined manner and having characteristics making them complementary to a predetermined cabinet finish.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a group of coordinated fabrics is provided. The system consists of a display member, which displays characteristics of the selected fabrics. Markers or a computer processing unit are used to record the characteristics of the selected fabrics. When the recorded characteristics of the selected fabrics are arranged in a predetermined manner, the selected fabrics are coordinated. Once the selected fabrics have coordinated, they may be used for decorating an area, such as a room in a house.