Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for providing an end user with a digital pen embedded with a spatially-aware miniature projector for use in a design environment. Paper documents are augmented to allow a user to access additional information and computational tools through projected interfaces. Virtual ink may be managed in single and multi-user environments to enhance collaboration and data management. The spatially-aware projector pen provides end-users with dynamic visual feedback and improved interaction capabilities.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide an alternative mechanism for copying files. A request to copy a first file from a first source location to a first target location is received. A first checksum value of the first file is determined and used in a query to find a second source location for a second file. The second file has a second checksum value that is equivalent to the first checksum value. Additionally, the second file is located at the second source location. A determination is made regarding whether to copy the first file from the first source location or the second file from the second source location. Thereafter, the first source file or the second source file is copied to the first target location based on the determining.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to render point cloud data. After obtaining point cloud data, polygons are fit to the point cloud data. A texture atlas is created for each of the polygons. A lookup table is generated from the texture atlases and maps each pixel to a corresponding texture location. When a scene is loaded for rendering/processing, the polygons and texture atlas are loaded and projected into an off-screen buffer that defines a depth map of the scene with approximations of a depth per pixel in screen space. The off-screen buffer is used as a lookup table to determine texture data to be rendered for the scene.

Abstract: A centralized design engine receives a problem specification from an end-user and classifies that problem specification in a large database of previously received problem specifications. Upon identifying similar problem specifications in the large database, the design engine selects design strategies associated with those similar problem specifications. A given design strategy includes one or more optimization algorithms, one or more geometry kernels, and one or more analysis tools. The design engine executes an optimization algorithm to generate a set of parameters that reflect geometry. The design engine then executes a geometry kernel to generate geometry that reflects those parameters, and generates analysis results for each geometry. The optimization algorithms may then improve the generated geometries based on the analysis results in an iterative fashion. When suitable geometries are discovered, the design engine displays the geometries to the end-user, along with the analysis results.

Abstract: Techniques for improving flexural strength in 3D-printed object. The techniques generally include identifying a portion of a 3D model corresponding to the 3D-printed object to which one or more support posts should be added and adding support post descriptors to the 3D model within such a portion. The support post descriptor defines a position and at least one dimension of a support post cavity and a position and at least one dimension of a support post, both having a height corresponding to at least two layers of 3D-printable material. The model, including the support post descriptors are transmitted to a 3D printer to print the 3D model, which includes a support post cavity and a support post having a height of at least two layers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for reconfigurable spaces. One of the methods includes identifying plan information relating to a space under evaluation. Constraints related to structures associated with the plan information are identified. Input regarding uses or elements to be included in a reconfigurable design for the space is received. A library of elements for inclusion in the space is evaluated, including determining one or more reconfigurable elements that satisfy the received input. A first configuration of a reconfigurable element is determined including a first placement in a first design associated with the space, and the first design in accordance with the first configuration is presented. A second different configuration is determined, including a second placement in a second different design associated with the space, and the second different design in accordance with the second different configuration is presented.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for construction field management and operations with building information modeling. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems for construction field management and operations, that include a central processing unit (CPU), and storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the CPU to: encode and map data structures and data sets received from Building Information Modeling software; select particular data structures and data sets relevant to at least one person associated with a construction project; transmit the selected data structures and data sets to a user terminal operated by the person; receive inputs made by the person to the selected data structures and data sets; and synchronize and update the data structures and data sets received from Building Information Modeling software based on the inputs received from the person.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus provide the ability to globally register point cloud scans. A first and a second three-dimensional (3D) point cloud are acquired. The point clouds have a subset of points in common and there is no prior knowledge on an alignment between the point clouds. Particular points that are likely to be identified in the other point cloud are detected. Information about a normal of each of the detected particular points is retrieved. A descriptor (that only describes 3D information) is built on each of the detected particular points. Matching pairs of descriptors are determined. Rigid transformation hypotheses are estimated (based on the matching pairs) and represent a transformation. The hypotheses are accumulated into a fitted space, selected based on density, and validated based on a scoring. One of the hypotheses is then selected as a registration.

Abstract: The generation of characters within computer animations is a labor intensive and expensive activity. Whereas prior art approaches have sought to reduce this loading by providing reference avatars, these do not fundamentally overcome the intensive steps in generating these reference avatars, and they provide limited variations to the businesses employing them. Accordingly the invention provides the user with a simple and intuitive mechanism to affect the weightings applied in establishing the physical characteristics of an avatar generated using an inheritance based avatar generator. The inheritance based generator allowing, for example, the user to select a first generation of four grandparents, affect the weightings in generating the second generation parents, and subsequently affect the weightings in generating the third generation off-spring avatar from these parents, therein providing a wide range of avatars from an initially limited set of avatars.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing systems and apparatus include, in one aspect, a material deposition system including an extruder for deposition materials, the extruder including two or more material entry ports, a mixing chamber, and an exit orifice; and a controller coupled with the extruder to dynamically change delivery rates of the deposition materials to be mixed in the mixing chamber before flowing from the exit orifice; wherein the controller combines a desired volume flow rate of material to flow from the exit orifice with a mix ratio to specify the delivery rates of the deposition materials. The system can include filament drive systems to feed the thermoplastic materials in filament form into the entry ports, and the controller can dynamically change the mix ratio when operating the filament drive systems to control one or more properties of the material to flow from the exit orifice.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for image rendering with per-frame buffer scene segmentation. A user specifies how geometric objects, light sources, and various types of rendering operations in a graphics scene are associated. A segmentation API translates scene data into specific instructions used by a rendering engine that cause the rendering engine to generate a set of scene segments within a set of user specified frame buffers. The scene segments may be composited together using a variable contribution value for each scene segment to generate a final image.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting an online tutorial. A method for presenting an online tutorial may generally include providing an interactive tutorial to a user. The interactive tutorial may include both tutorial content specifying steps to perform a task with an application and an application interface associated with the application used to perform the task. This method may also include recording the user interacting with the application interface to perform the task according to the steps specified by the interactive tutorial and augmenting the tutorial content with the recorded user interaction.

Abstract: A method and system provide the ability to modify a three-dimensional (3D) model in a shape editing system. The 3D model is obtained and faces of the model are selected as features (S). A subset (S?) of the model that are fixed are selected. Shape modification operations to be performed are prescribed. A deformation lattice is constructed by setting up a lattice structure with control points. Parametric space (u,v,w) is defined in terms of vertices of the lattice structure. Euclidean space (x,y,z) of the 3D model is mapped to the parametric space (u,v,w). The deformation lattice is evaluated by selecting control points, and either affine transformations are applied directly to the selected control points, or the deformation lattice is deformed based on a discrete fitting problem. The evaluated deformed model is then output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for semi-automatic quantity takeoff from computer aided design (CAD) drawings. For each drawing object a corresponding takeoff object is created. A takeoff object may include the dimension of geometry (e.g., numerical, lineal, area) to quantify, the object parameter to be quantified for all instances of the object, and the takeoff calculations to be performed. After a takeoff object is defined, the corresponding instances are automatically identified and quantified. The cost of each instance is then calculated and added to the project cost. Using automated methods, instead of manual techniques, reduces errors and increases the accuracy of the generated cost estimate. Advantageously, the takeoff objects may be saved in the system database and reused for different projects, thereby ensuring consistency between projects.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, computer program product, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to reconstruct a surface mesh. Photo image data is obtained from a set of overlapping photographic images. Scan data is obtained from a scanner. A point cloud is generated from a combination of the photo image data and the scan data. An initial rough mesh is estimated from the point cloud data. The initial rough mesh is iteratively refined into a refined mesh.

Abstract: Data can be serialized in such a manner as to facilitate later delta encoding, even when the serialization is performed using a lossy compression algorithm or an algorithm in which portions of the serialized data are encoded relative to other portions which may be modified. This can be achieved by approaches including preserving keyframe information across modified versions of a file, duplicating information from a previously created compressed file when serializing a later version, or adding change information showing differences between versions of a file during the serialization process.

Abstract: A user operations engine allows an end-user to select a specific region of a document. The user operations engine then provides the end-user with access to one or more video clips that demonstrate modifications that were made to the selected region of the document using one or more tools associated with a software application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including an electronic business card system including plural electronic business cards. Each card is a one-way dedicated presentation device for presenting information about a user to card-holder. The card is hand-held, associated with a single user, and includes a display element and a memory to store information associated with the user. Information is loaded onto the card for presentation on the display element. The card includes an electronic interface for receiving the information and commands for controlling presentation of at least a portion of the information on the display element. The card further includes a controller to control presentation of selected portions of the information based on configuration commands received via the electronic interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for modeling turbine parameters. One of the methods includes obtaining, along multiple points of a blade of a turbine from a minimum radius rmin of the blade to a maximum radius rmax of the blade, lift coefficients Cyi and drag coefficients Cxi. At the multiple points of the blade from rmin to rmax, corresponding components of an upstream fluid flow velocity vector uh,Ri and u?,Ri and components of a downstream fluid flow velocity uh,Li and u?,Li are obtained. Averaged directions ?i of the upstream and downstream fluid flow velocity vectors are computed using the components of the upstream fluid flow velocity vector uh,Ri and u?,Ri and the components of the downstream fluid flow velocity uh,Li and u?,Li. The total torque M of the turbine is computed including summing, from rmin to rmax, (Cxi sin ?i+Cyi cos ?i).

Abstract: A computing device for processing a video file. The video file comprises an audio track and contains at least one event comprising a scene of interest. One or more audio criteria that characterize the event are used to detect events using the audio track and an offset timestamp is recorded for each detected event. A set of offset timestamps may be produced for a set of detected events of the video file. The set of offset timestamps for the set of detected events may be used to time align and time adjust a set of real timestamps for a set of established events for the same video file. A user interface (UI) is provided that allows quick and easy search and playback of events of interest across multiple video files.