Patents by Inventor Gregory W. Fowler

Gregory W. Fowler 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: 9182882
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage device is configured to perform three-dimensional (3D) modeling. A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application executing on a multi-touch device. An input touch event and input gesture for creating a new 3D geometric form is received. Dynamically, in real-time as the input gesture is received, the new 3D geometric form is created and displayed. The shape of the new 3D geometric form corresponds to the input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Patent number: 8947429
    Abstract: A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application executing on a multi-touch device. A visual representation of a grid system tool is displayed in an active modeling plane and has three separate regions that determine the type of operation to be performed. An existing 3D form is displayed on the tool. A starting touch event of a gesture is received over the existing 3D form within one of the regions. As the gesture is received in the computer, the 3D form may be dynamically extended by adding 3D geometry to the 3D form (thereby adding faces to the 3D form). Alternatively, the 3D form may be scaled (i.e., if the starting touch event occurs over a visual scale grip. Alternatively, if the gesture consists of two taps, a bridge may be created joining the two tapped locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Patent number: 8902222
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provides the ability to perform a three-dimensional (3D) modeling operation. A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application. A visual representation (having three separate regions) of a grid system tool is displayed on a digital modeling canvas of the 3D modeling application. The grid system controls whether a gesture is captured as a modeling operation or a navigation operation. A starting touch event (of the gesture) is received in/on one of the three separate regions. The region where the starting touch event is received determines the operation that is to be performed/selected. The operation may be a 3D geometry creation operation, a restroking operation, or a navigation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Patent number: 8860726
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage device provides the ability to manipulate an object in a three-dimensional (3D) modeling system. A first object is displayed and then selected in the 3D modeling system. In response to the selecting, a transform manipulator is displayed displaying coincident with the first object. The transform manipulator includes a two-dimensional (2D) control plane object and grips located on the 2D control plane object. One of the grips is activated and used to manipulate the first object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Jason Bellenger, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Publication number: 20130181986
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage device is configured to perform three-dimensional (3D) modeling. A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application executing on a multi-touch device. An input touch event and input gesture for creating a new 3D geometric form is received. Dynamically, in real-time as the input gesture is received, the new 3D geometric form is created and displayed. The shape of the new 3D geometric form corresponds to the input gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Publication number: 20130181987
    Abstract: A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application executing on a multi-touch device. A visual representation of a grid system tool is displayed in an active modeling plane and has three separate regions that determine the type of operation to be performed. An existing 3D form is displayed on the tool. A starting touch event of a gesture is received over the existing 3D form within one of the regions. As the gesture is received in the computer, the 3D form may be dynamically extended by adding 3D geometry to the 3D form (thereby adding faces to the 3D form). Alternatively, the 3D form may be scaled (i.e., if the starting touch event occurs over a visual scale grip. Alternatively, if the gesture consists of two taps, a bridge may be created joining the two tapped locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Publication number: 20130181972
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage medium provides the ability to perform a three-dimensional (3D) modeling operation. A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application. A visual representation (having three separate regions) of a grid system tool is displayed on a digital modeling canvas of the 3D modeling application. The grid system controls whether a gesture is captured as a modeling operation or a navigation operation. A starting touch event (of the gesture) is received in/on one of the three separate regions. The region where the starting touch event is received determines the operation that is to be performed/selected. The operation may be a 3D geometry creation operation, a restroking operation, or a navigation operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Vincent Ma, Hans-Frederick Brown
  • Publication number: 20120262458
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and computer readable storage device provides the ability to manipulate an object in a three-dimensional (3D) modeling system. A first object is displayed and then selected in the 3D modeling system. In response to the selecting, a transform manipulator is displayed displaying coincident with the first object. The transform manipulator includes a two-dimensional (2D) control plane object and grips located on the 2D control plane object. One of the grips is activated and used to manipulate the first object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Fowler, Jason Bellenger, Hans-Frederick Brown