Patents by Inventor Dale Zhao

Dale Zhao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11960868
    Abstract: A workflow engine processes a work problem to generate solutions for the work problem comprising a plurality of related optimization problems. The work problem may comprise a second optimization problem that is dependent on a first optimization problem, such that at least one solution for the first optimization problem is to be utilized as an initial solution for the second optimization problem. The workflow engine generates and stores a branch object for each optimization problem, each branch object specifying a solver engine assigned for processing the optimization problem and dependency information indicating a dependency relationship between the optimization problem and another optimization problem. The workflow engine processes the work problem based on the branch objects by initiating each solver engine to perform optimization operations on the assigned optimization problem based on the corresponding branch object to generate one or more solutions for the assigned optimization problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: David Benjamin, Dale Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240028787
    Abstract: One embodiment of a computer-implemented method for generating design solutions to one or more design problems comprises receiving a first design model that is associated with a first design problem; generating a first multi-dimensional data point based on the first design model; mapping the first design model to a first node of a trained self-organizing map based on the first multi-dimensional data point, wherein the first node corresponds to a first location within a design space; and displaying a visual representation of the first design model residing at the first location within the design space based on the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Dale ZHAO, David BENJAMIN, Rui WANG
  • Patent number: 11816397
    Abstract: A design simulator executes a rigid body simulation to position design elements within various design options according to configurations that meet design criteria while also promoting feasibility and desirability. The design simulator assigns physical properties to each design element, including a mass value and a velocity value. The design simulator then simulates rigid body interactions between design elements over a sequence of simulation steps. The design simulator stops the rigid body simulation when no collisions between design elements are detected or when other termination criteria are met. Once the rigid body simulation is complete, the final positions of each design element relative to one another represent a specific configuration of design elements for the corresponding design option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: David Benjamin, Dale Zhao, Lorenzo Villaggi
  • Publication number: 20230298291
    Abstract: A voxel-based design approach enables the creating and modifying of a design model comprising a 3D grid of discrete voxels that is represented by a voxel data structure. The voxel data structure comprises voxel-level entries, each entry corresponding to a voxel based on the 3D location within the 3D grid. The voxel data structure includes a design-level entry for storing design-level performance metrics. The system updates the voxel data structure to reflect user modifications to the design model and renders a visualization of the updated design model. The system displays a per-voxel heat map for the design model for a selected performance metric based on the voxel data structure. The design system displays multiple optimized design solutions based on corresponding optimized voxel data structures. The system generates the multiple optimized design solutions based on a voxel-based optimization technique. The system also performs a voxel-based recommendation visualization technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dale ZHAO, David BENJAMIN, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230297960
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method for generating a multi-objective model shared between multiple participants comprises receiving a first input associated with a first selectable component in a set of pre-defined selectable components associated with a shared design model, where the first selectable component is a first component type that is associated with a first persona in a plurality of personas, and each persona includes a distinct set of design goals that the shared design model represents in a multi-objective design problem, in response to the first input, modifying the shared design model to generate a modified shared design model that includes the first selectable component, and generating, based on the modified shared design model, a set of candidate design solutions that satisfy the distinct sets of design goals, where each candidate design solution includes additional selectable components of a second component type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230297728
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, during a real-time collaboration session including a plurality of participants, a first input associated with a first selectable component from a set of pre-defined selectable components associated with a shared design model, where the first selectable component is associated with a first participant in the plurality of participants, in response to receiving a confirmation of the first input, modifying the shared design model to generate an updated shared design model, wherein the first selectable component in the updated shared design model includes the modified first selectable component, and causing the updated shared design model to be synchronized with at least one other participant in a plurality of participants included in the real-time collaboration session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230297734
    Abstract: A voxel-based design approach enables the creating and modifying of a design model comprising a 3D grid of discrete voxels that is represented by a voxel data structure. The voxel data structure comprises voxel-level entries, each entry corresponding to a voxel based on the 3D location within the 3D grid. The voxel data structure includes a design-level entry for storing design-level performance metrics. The system updates the voxel data structure to reflect user modifications to the design model and renders a visualization of the updated design model. The system displays a per-voxel heat map for the design model for a selected performance metric based on the voxel data structure. The design system displays multiple optimized design solutions based on corresponding optimized voxel data structures. The system generates the multiple optimized design solutions based on a voxel-based optimization technique. The system also performs a voxel-based recommendation visualization technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dale ZHAO, David BENJAMIN, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230297928
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, during a real-time collaboration session, a first input associated with a first selectable component, where the first selectable component is included in a set of pre-defined selectable components associated with a shared design model, and the first selectable component is a first component type that includes a first set of characteristics, in response to receiving a confirmation of the first input, modifying the shared design model to generate a modified shared design model, where the modified shared design model includes the first selectable component, computing, based on the modified shared design model, a set of metrics including a first behavioral metric, computing, based on the set of metrics, a first collaboration score for a first participant and at least one other participant, and displaying a design space that includes the modified shared design model and the first collaboration score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230298259
    Abstract: A voxel-based design approach enables the creating and modifying of a design model comprising a 3D grid of discrete voxels that is represented by a voxel data structure. The voxel data structure comprises voxel-level entries, each entry corresponding to a voxel based on the 3D location within the 3D grid. The voxel data structure includes a design-level entry for storing design-level performance metrics. The system updates the voxel data structure to reflect user modifications to the design model and renders a visualization of the updated design model. The system displays a per-voxel heat map for the design model for a selected performance metric based on the voxel data structure. The design system displays multiple optimized design solutions based on corresponding optimized voxel data structures. The system generates the multiple optimized design solutions based on a voxel-based optimization technique. The system also performs a voxel-based recommendation visualization technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Dale ZHAO, David BENJAMIN, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20230281349
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an intent-driven layout application automatically generates design for floor spaces. The intent-driven layout application generates a logic formula based on a statement of a design intent and at least one fuzzy geometric predicate. The intent-driven layout application computes, for a first spatial object, a set of desirability values for a set of candidate placements within a first design based on the logic formula. Based on the set of desirability values, the intent-driven layout application selects a first candidate placement from the set of candidate placements. Subsequently, the intent-driven layout application generates a second design based on the first design, where the first spatial object has the first candidate placement within the second design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yi WANG, Mehdi NOURBAKHSH, Dale ZHAO
  • Patent number: 11640487
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for space frame design involves constructing a load stress map in a geometrical boundary representation of a design space, defining attachment points and load application points in the design space, creating a starting network of interconnecting lines between each two of the attachment points and load application points in the design space, assigning load application factors to each line of the starting network of interconnecting lines based on values of the load stress map, generating potential space frame designs by culling different subsets of lines of the starting network of interconnecting lines for each potential space frame design according to variable culling parameters, evaluating the potential space frame designs with respect to optimization parameters, combining the culling parameters for the potential space frame designs the performance score of which is above a predefined performance threshold, and iterating the steps of generating potential space frame designs and e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: David Benjamin, Danil Nagy, Damon Lau, Dale Zhao
  • Patent number: 11501029
    Abstract: A design engine for designing an object using structural analysis. The design engine generates a lattice structure for the object comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of lines connecting the nodes. The lattice structure is optimized to remove one or more lines using structural analysis based on at least one load-related design requirement. Several design options are provided for generating and optimizing the lattice structure. The design engine then generates a 3D model of the object by thickening each line of the lattice structure into a pipe volume. The thickness of each pipe is determined using structural analysis based on the at least one load-related design requirement. The 3D model represents the volume of the object and is exportable to a fabrication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: David Benjamin, Danil Nagy, Dale Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220318440
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing manufacturing facilities. A design application imports a computer-aided design (CAD) model and metadata associated with a manufacturing facility to generate a data set that specifies geometric and manufacturing constraints of the manufacturing facility. The design application performs optimization operations based on the data set to identify one or more high-performing designs that assign components to docks in the manufacturing facility. The optimization operations can include genetic optimization operations that generate multiple generations of designs, each of which is evaluated based on a travel distance, congestion, and number of turns associated with paths traversed by components for the design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Damon LAU, David BENJAMIN, James STODDART, Lorenzo VILLAGGI, Dale ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20220318446
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing manufacturing facilities. A design application imports a computer-aided design (CAD) model and metadata associated with a manufacturing facility to generate a data set that specifies geometric and manufacturing constraints of the manufacturing facility. The design application performs optimization operations based on the data set to identify one or more high-performing designs that assign components to docks in the manufacturing facility. The optimization operations can include genetic optimization operations that generate multiple generations of designs, each of which is evaluated based on a travel distance, congestion, and number of turns associated with paths traversed by components for the design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Damon LAU, David BENJAMIN, James STODDART, Lorenzo VILLAGGI, Dale ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20220318445
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing manufacturing facilities. A design application imports a computer-aided design (CAD) model and metadata associated with a manufacturing facility to generate a data set that specifies geometric and manufacturing constraints of the manufacturing facility. The design application performs optimization operations based on the data set to identify one or more high-performing designs that assign components to docks in the manufacturing facility. The optimization operations can include genetic optimization operations that generate multiple generations of designs, each of which is evaluated based on a travel distance, congestion, and number of turns associated with paths traversed by components for the design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Damon Lau, David Benjamin, James Stoddart, Lorenzo Villaggi, Dale Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220100920
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for space frame design involves constructing a load stress map in a geometrical boundary representation of a design space, defining attachment points and load application points in the design space, creating a starting network of interconnecting lines between each two of the attachment points and load application points in the design space, assigning load application factors to each line of the starting network of interconnecting lines based on values of the load stress map, generating potential space frame designs by culling different subsets of lines of the starting network of interconnecting lines for each potential space frame design according to variable culling parameters, evaluating the potential space frame designs with respect to optimization parameters, combining the culling parameters for the potential space frame designs the performance score of which is above a predefined performance threshold, and iterating the steps of generating potential space frame designs and e
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Danil NAGY, Damon LAU, Dale ZHAO
  • Patent number: 11126760
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for space frame design involves constructing a load stress map in a geometrical boundary representation of a design space, defining attachment points and load application points in the design space, creating a starting network of interconnecting lines between each two of the attachment points and load application points in the design space, assigning load application factors to each line of the starting network of interconnecting lines based on values of the load stress map, generating potential space frame designs by culling different subsets of lines of the starting network of interconnecting lines for each potential space frame design according to variable culling parameters, evaluating the potential space frame designs with respect to optimization parameters, combining the culling parameters for the potential space frame designs the performance score of which is above a predefined performance threshold, and iterating the steps of generating potential space frame designs and e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: David Benjamin, Danil Nagy, Damon Lau, Dale Zhao
  • Publication number: 20210150094
    Abstract: A design simulator executes a rigid body simulation to position design elements within various design options according to configurations that meet design criteria while also promoting feasibility and desirability. The design simulator assigns physical properties to each design element, including a mass value and a velocity value. The design simulator then simulates rigid body interactions between design elements over a sequence of simulation steps. The design simulator stops the rigid body simulation when no collisions between design elements are detected or when other termination criteria are met. Once the rigid body simulation is complete, the final positions of each design element relative to one another represent a specific configuration of design elements for the corresponding design option.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Lorenzo VILLAGGI
  • Publication number: 20210150085
    Abstract: A design engine automatically generates designs for multi-family housing projects that simultaneously meet local construction regulations while also meeting specific financial targets. The design engine includes a design analyzer, a site analyzer, a design generator, and a design evaluator. The design analyzer generates design trends based on a historical database of designs. The site analyzer generates design criteria based on relevant construction regulations. The design generator generates design options that reflect the design trends while also adhering to the construction regulations. The design evaluator then analyzes the design options and generates various design metrics. Based on the design metrics, the design generator generates additional design options that better meet the design criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Lorenzo VILLAGGI
  • Publication number: 20210150095
    Abstract: A design engine is configured to automatically generate and position design elements within designs for a multi-family housing project that corresponds to a parcel of land. Each design simultaneously meets local construction regulations while also meeting specific financial targets. The design engine generates a site model that reflects geometric attributes of the parcel of land, a building model that describes one or more buildings configured to occupy the parcel of land, and a parking lot model that describes a parking lot configured to occupy a remaining portion of the parcel of land. A design simulator executes various types of physical simulations with the site model, the building model, and/or the parking lot model to generate a vast number of different design options having widely varying configurations of design elements. The design engine evaluates these design options to identify those which balance compliance with construction regulations and achievement of financial targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: David BENJAMIN, Dale ZHAO, Lorenzo VILLAGGI