Patents by Inventor Walter C. Shannon
Walter C. Shannon 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).
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Patent number: 8963958Abstract: Techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. A haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon, III, Bob Tipton
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Patent number: 8576222Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joshua E. Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley A. Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas Harold Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 8456484Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Publication number: 20130009948Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon
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Patent number: 8174535Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Publication number: 20110202856Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Joshua Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Publication number: 20110169829Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon
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Patent number: 7889209Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sensable Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Berger, Elaine Chen, Walter C. Shannon
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Patent number: 7889195Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sensable Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 7864173Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 7710415Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Sensable Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ralph E. Jennings, Jr., Thomas Harold Massie, Bradley A. Payne, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 7259761Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 7149596Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for automatically modifying a computer model of an object to comply with a manufacturing constraint for production of the object. In one embodiment, the invention uses a voxel-based approach to automatically modify an arbitrarily-shaped model at any stage of the design process. For example, a method of the invention automatically modifies a model of a molded object to comply with a draft angle requirement.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Berger, Bradley A. Payne, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 7102635Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 6958752Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ralph E. Jennings, Jr., Thomas Harold Massie, Bradley A. Payne, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 6831640Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Patent number: 6792398Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Publication number: 20030128208Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon
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Patent number: 6552722Abstract: A user of a virtual object or computer model uses a haptic interface device in the real world to manipulate a virtual tool in a virtual environment to interact and modify the virtual object. The user uses the virtual tool in a sculpting mode to modify the shape of the virtual object by adding, removing, or modifying the material of the object. The user feels an interaction force from the virtual tool as it interacts with and modifies the virtual object. The designer can set geometric constraints, such as a constraint point, constraint line, or constraint surface, to limit or guide the movement of the virtual tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Loren Shih, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
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Publication number: 20020089500Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Ralph E. Jennings, Thomas Harold Massie, Bradley A. Payne, Walter C. Shannon