Cad Or Cam (e.g., Interactive Design Tools) Patents (Class 715/964)
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Patent number: 8072466Abstract: A medical examination apparatus for acquisition of slice images of an examination subject, such as a magnetic resonance apparatus, has a control device for controlling the image acquisition procedure having at least one associated monitor on which graphic elements serving for adjustment of the image acquisition modalities can be displayed. The graphic elements can be positioned by the user via an input unit with regard to the image simultaneously displayed on the monitor. The control device controls the image acquisition procedure dependent on the position and type of the graphic elements. Some of the displayed graphic elements can be coupled to one another as needed in terms of their positional relationship so that, given a position change of a selected graphic element, all graphic elements coupled therewith can mutually be moved with retention of their positional relationship with one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Harder, Christian Köglmeier
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Patent number: 8065623Abstract: A system for designing a work area enables a user to initially specify a particular item to be designed into the work area from a number of different items contained in the system. The system utilizes stored information concerning the item to graphically display the selected item to the individual. Once the item has been selected, the system enables the individual to incorporate the item into the work area, along with other items. The system indicates the item on a display using a “ghost image”. The dimensions of the item can be varied from preselected dimensions and other components can be interconnected or positioned in the work area. The system can provide feedback to the user regarding what components can be added at any particular location. The system determines the proper style, width, height, options, position, and rotation for the item and any interconnected components to create a valid design.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey G. Bohlman
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Patent number: 8049762Abstract: Architectural structure design methods, architectural structure design apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described according to some aspects of the disclosure. In one aspect, an architectural structure design method includes responsive to user input, modifying a visual representation of an architectural structure, wherein the visual representation comprises an object of the architectural structure, first displaying the visual representation comprising the object at a first moment in time, wherein the object is positioned at a first location of a display screen, responsive to user input, selecting an attribute for the object from a second location of the display screen which is different than the first location of the display screen, responsive to user input, associating the attribute with the object after the selecting, and displaying the visual representation comprising the object having the attribute at a second moment in time after the associating.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Chief Architect, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Wells, Jason Troye, Dermot Dempsey
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Patent number: 8041650Abstract: Methods and systems for directed creation of construction documentation are provided. Example embodiments provide a Directed Documentation System (a “DDS”), which directs, in a computer-assisted manner, the creation of a historical record of a portion or an entire construction project. In one embodiment, the DDS comprises a directed construction data organization process/component, a directed documentation data acquisition process/component, a construction documentation data retrieval process/component, and a construction documentation data distribution process/component. These components cooperate to direct the documentation of a construction project in a manner that insures that all desired aspects of the project are documented thoroughly and uniformly. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Inventors: Kieran Gaffey, Howard Marcus
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Patent number: 8040358Abstract: A method of propagating changes in a design model identifies a change to a changed element, creates steps to carry out the change, creates additional steps based on the change and on relationships between the changed element and other elements in the design model, and executes the steps to alter the model in a manner that reflects the change. The steps may be created in a manner that depends on other steps that have been created. A system for regenerating a design model comprises a model element, a step propagator, and a step executor. The step propagator receives a first step that represents changes in the model element, and produces a second step that represents other changes in the model element that are dependent on the first step, and the step executor executes the first and second steps.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Irwin Jungreis, Michael R. Lauer
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Patent number: 8027744Abstract: A design system for generating an object design for producing an engineered object, the design system includes an estimate generator, a layout drawing generator, and a design generator. The estimate generator generates a cost estimate based on at least one of a request for proposal defining the engineered object, components of the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The layout drawing generator generates a layout drawing based on at least one of the request for proposal, the engineered object, and engineering rules and knowledge. The design generator generates the object design based on a proposal and an order. The proposal is generated based on the cost estimate and the layout drawing. The order is generated based on the proposal.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Tramco, Inc.Inventors: Leon Trammell, Hiroshi Takaki
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Patent number: 8028242Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Jeffrey N. Correll, David W Fuller, III, Timothy J. Hayles, John R. Breyer, Jacob Kornerup
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Patent number: 8028241Abstract: Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, David W Fuller, III, Jeffrey N. Correll, Timothy J. Hayles, John R. Breyer, Jacob Kornerup
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Patent number: 8015503Abstract: To solve an overlap between a part table and components automatically and adequately in a drawing using a CAD. In a part table creating method for creating a part table including a plurality of rows of CAD data, an overlap between the part table and other geometric elements is detected. When the overlap is detected, the height of the respective rows of the part table is reduced to H1. When the overlap between the part table and the other geometric elements still remains even when the respective rows of the part table is reduced to the height H1, the number of overlapped rows between the part table and the geometric element are obtained. The portion of the overlapped rows is separated and moved in the direction to avoid the overlap with the geometric elements to separate into an original part table and a destination part table.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koichi Yahagi
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Patent number: 8015485Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing the spatial coordinates and visual attributes of objects within a user interface (UI). A Web UI ruler is executed within a UI comprising a plurality of objects. A first object and second object are selected. The Web UI Ruler then collects the spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second object and their relationship values are determined. The spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second objects, along with their corresponding relationship values, are modified and the modifications are applied to the target objects. The values are then stored in the Web UI ruler. These values can then be subsequently applied to one or more target objects. Alternatively, the stored values are exported as a cascading style sheet (CSS) class, which can then likewise be subsequently applied to one or more target objects.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yingxin Xing, Angela Richards Jones, Henri Fouotsop Meli, Stephanie Lee Walter, Tong Yu
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Patent number: 8010906Abstract: A property presentation and visualization method comprising measuring at least one room comprising a room length and a room width forming at least one measurement line, measuring at least one wall interruption comprising a wall interruption length and a wall interruption width, and measuring at least one outside space. The room measurement, wall interruption measurement, and outside space measurement are input to a processor. Textual information and at least one graphic image concerning the structure are input to the processor. A property overview image of the structure and the at least one outside space is formed using computer instructions, the room measurement, the wall interruption measurement, the measurement lines, the text information, and the graphic images. The property overview image is then output for viewing.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: JMMJ Resources, LLCInventors: Judith Sinnard, Marjorie Sinnard
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Patent number: 7974817Abstract: A computer acquires maximum lengths of a structure as measured along X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, and acquires numbers of divisions of line segments which extend along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, respectively, and have the maximum lengths, respectively. The computer then calculates a basic shape, which is the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped divided into a three-dimensional grid, on the basis of the maximum lengths and the numbers of divisions. The computer creates a basic frame of the structure from the basic shape by deleting a selected line, and adding a line between two selected grid points. The computer calculates structure data, which are three-dimensional data representing the structure, by arranging frame members, which are represented by three-dimensional frame member data, along lines between the grid points of the basic frame. The computer then outputs a drawing of the structure from the structure data.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignees: NIC Autotec, Inc., Armonicos Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Nishikawa, Masahiro Akiyama
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Patent number: 7969435Abstract: A three-dimensional object modeling tool is described that can derive the 2D cross sections of one or more lofted or unlofted surfaces, allowing those surfaces to be modified instantly. The modeling tool (loft tool) includes sub-tools for selecting a surface, moving a 2D section, editing a 2D section, creating a 2D section, and removing a 2D section. By analysis of the selected lofted surface and its faces, the loft tool can derive an appropriate number of 2D cross section to present to the user for manipulation. When deriving the 2D cross section the modeling tool operates by simplifying the curves making up the lofted surface, and from these can generate 2D cross section that can be easily manipulated and used to instantly update the lofted surface and redisplay it for further user modification.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: SpaceClaim Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Frank DeSimone, Daniel Dean, Dima Feinhaus
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Patent number: 7949961Abstract: A user interface for performing load analysis on various geometries is provided. The user interface is especially useful for performing load analysis operations on mobile platforms, for example an aircraft. The user interface includes an object display that lists a plurality of load objects that include object data. A plurality of menu displays list a plurality of load operations. A data display displays the object data associated with the plurality of load objects.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Scott W. Stevenson, Dean H. Wette, Bruce Shimel
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Patent number: 7924277Abstract: A three-dimensional model modification system for modifying a three-dimensional model, defined by a plurality of surfaces and representing an arbitrary object is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyuki Hattori, Hitoshi Misawa, Junji Ishida, Tadashi Kotani, Takaya Hashimoto
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Patent number: 7890303Abstract: A system for managing design parameters in a plurality of different CAD systems flexible for the plurality of different CAD systems having essentially different design purposes. In a method for managing design parameters being used in a plurality of different CAD systems, respectively, in order to prevent prolongation of the completion time of the entire design of a product, arbitrary design parameters in the design parameters being used in the plurality of different CAD systems, respectively, are brought into a virtually shared state among the plurality of different CAD systems. Design parameters in the virtually shared state and design parameters not in the virtually shared state are managed independently.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Zuken Inc.Inventor: Tatsuhiro Matsuda
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Patent number: 7886234Abstract: Methods for generating an embedded target image to be stored in a non-volatile memory device of an embedded system as firmware thereof are disclosed. A graphical user interface (GUI) editor is generated to facilitate a user in providing settings information for multiple pins of a chip installed in the embedded system. Source code is generated in response to operating results of the user of the GUI editor. Linking an object file compiled from the generated source code generates the embedded target image.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Mediatek Inc.Inventors: Hung-Kai Shih, Shih-Chang Hu, Chih-Wei Ko
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Patent number: 7844944Abstract: A design tool hierarchically presents information about a design with nested blocks. For example, the design tool presents scheduling information for the design in a hierarchical Gantt chart. The scheduling information includes hierarchical design schedule blocks which accurately depict the timing and scheduling of the nested blocks of the design. Each of the hierarchical design schedule blocks includes control steps numbered relative to the block. The scheduling information also includes a hierarchical list of scheduled operations for the design. The hierarchical list emphasizes which operations are associated with which nested blocks. The scheduling information further includes pseudo-operation icons that are easily differentiated from real operation icons in the hierarchical Gantt chart.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Mentor Graphics CorporationInventors: Peter Pius Gutberlet, Simon Joshua Waters, Bryan Darrell Bowyer
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Patent number: 7840091Abstract: A method includes displaying a reference polar coordinate system on a display screen, and displaying a radiation pattern image on the display screen in juxtaposition with the displayed reference polar coordinate system. In another aspect, an angled line is drawn on a display screen to represent the proposed layout of a leaky coaxial cable. A point of interest is selected that is spaced from the proposed cable layout, and one of the segments of the cable is determined as likely to produce a dominant level of irradiation with respect to the point of interest.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Baris Dundar, Raymond Rui-Feng Liao
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Patent number: 7831929Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for controlling a display on a computer-aided design (CAD) data editing screen, whereby commands more likely to be utilized are preferentially displayed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Hirasaka
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Systems and methods for using a single tool for the creation and modification of solids and surfaces
Patent number: 7830377Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and editing 3D solids and surfaces in an intuitive manner are described. A single tool infers the most-likely correct action based on its context to a particular geometry case. The single modification tool predicts a user's intended modification, and performs the predicted modification without recording related history information. The method includes receiving a selection of the at least one CAD object. The method also includes the tool automatically predicting the user's intended type of modification to the at least one CAD object based on the type of the at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of at least one surrounding CAD object. The tool can performing multiple types of modifications, and the modification is selected from the multiple types of modifications, without explicit commands from the user directing the type of modification to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: SpaceClaim Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Frank Desimone, Daniel Dean -
Patent number: 7823085Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Dassault SystemesInventors: Bernard Charles, Jean-Christophe Cros, Grégoire Debaisieux, Francois Perroux
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Patent number: 7797147Abstract: Model-based system monitoring includes accessing a model of a system that includes multiple components and identifying relationships among the multiple components based on the model of the system. A proposed change to at least one of the multiple components is identified. A determination is made regarding an expected impact on the system caused by the proposed change. This determination is made, at least in part, based on the model of the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Anders B. Vinberg, Anand Lakshminarayanan, Ashvinkumar J. Sanghvi, Vij Rajarajan, Vitaly Voloshin, Bassam Tabbara, Kevin Grealish, Rob Mensching, Geoffrey Outhred, Galen C. Hunt, Aamer Hydrie, Robert V. Welland
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Patent number: 7774170Abstract: According to one embodiment, a design/verification aid system adapted to aid design of a product and verification of the design, includes a design processing unit that executes a CAD process, which includes a part generation process to generate a part geometric model, a part addition process to add a part geometric model corresponding to another part to generate a whole geometric model corresponding to a product under design, and a part movement process to move a position of a predetermined part geometric model, an analytic model generation unit that generates an analytic model corresponding to a part geometric model, an analytic model edition unit that edits the generated analytic model in accordance with a content of the part addition or movement process and generates a whole analytic model, and an analysis unit that executes an analysis process to analyze the whole geometric model and displays an analytic result.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Tomohisa Fujinuma
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Patent number: 7768526Abstract: A method of propagating changes in a design model identifies a change to a changed element, creates steps to carry out the change, creates additional steps based on the change and on relationships between the changed element and other elements in the design model, and executes the steps to alter the model in a manner that reflects the change. The steps may be created in a manner that depends on other steps that have been created. A system for regenerating a design model comprises a model element, a step propagator, and a step executor. The step propagator receives a first step that represents changes in the model element, and produces a second step that represents other changes in the model element that are dependent on the first step, and the step executor executes the first and second steps.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Irwin Jungreis, Michael R. Lauer
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Patent number: 7755623Abstract: A method and system for computer aided design (CAD) is disclosed for designing geometric objects. The present invention interpolates and/or blends between such geometric objects sufficiently fast so that real time deformation of such objects occurs while deformation data is being input. Thus, a user designing with the present invention obtains immediate feedback to input modifications without separately entering a command for performing such deformations. The present invention utilizes novel computational techniques for blending between geometric objects, wherein weighted sums of points on the geometric objects are used in deriving a new blended geometric object. The present invention is particularly useful for designing the shape of surfaces. Thus, the present invention is applicable to various design domains such as the design of, e.g., bottles, vehicles, and watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: FreeDesign, Inc.Inventors: Alyn P. Rockwood, Scott A. Hagen, Lance Hagen, John Lee
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Patent number: 7752559Abstract: A software tool in a graphical modeling environment guides a user through the process of preparing a graphical model for embedded code generation. The software tool prompts the user to specify code generation goals for the embedded code and provides feedback to the user regarding the compliance of the graphical model with the specified goals. The software tool can perform selected checks and analysis on the graphical model prior to code generation to ensure compliance with specified conditions. The software tool update parameters of the graphical model to comply with the specified goals, to produce optimized target software based on the model.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: The Mathworks, Inc.Inventors: Peter Szpak, Thomas J. Erkkinen
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Patent number: 7743335Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program which accesses registers of a hardware device. In one embodiment, a register access node or primitive may be included in a graphical program, such that when the graphical program is executed on the computer system, the register access node is operable to access (i.e., either read or write) registers of a hardware device in the computer system. The method may comprise first displaying a register access node in the graphical program in response to user input. For example, the user may select the register access node from a palette and drag and drop the register access node onto a window of the graphical program being created. The user may then configure the register access node to access one or more registers of a selected hardware device, e.g., by using a user interface for performing this configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Steve Rogers, Jason King
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Systems and methods for using a single tool for the creation and modification of solids and surfaces
Patent number: 7733340Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and editing 3D solids and surfaces in an intuitive manner are described. A single tool infers the most-likely correct action based on its context to a particular geometry case. The tool predicts a user's intended modification, and performs the predicted modification without recording related history information. The method includes receiving a selection of at least one CAD object. The method also includes the tool automatically predicting the user's intended type of modification to the at least one CAD object based on the type of the at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of at least one surrounding (or related) CAD object. The tool can perform multiple types of modifications, and the modification is selected from the multiple types of modifications, without explicit commands from the user directing the type of modification.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Spaceclaim Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Frank Desimone, Daniel Dean -
Patent number: 7698643Abstract: A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD includes integrating means for referring to parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, which is separated from the parts information for storage and which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generate integrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated information and outputting a quantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a parts number column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same parts information and line information against each other and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in theType: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yuki Okada, Shingo Fujii, Takanori Fukagawa, Masahiko Nakahara, Yoshiaki Takahasi, Ryuichi Tachi, Norio Ahiko
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Patent number: 7694240Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for hanging protocol generation using gesture recognition. Certain embodiments provide a method for creating a hanging protocol based on gesture input in a clinical environment. The method includes specifying a hanging protocol specification using gesture-based input. The method also includes translating the gesture-based input into a hanging protocol. The method further includes facilitating display of clinical information based on the hanging protocol. Certain embodiments provide a gesture detection system. The system includes a sensor surface configured to detect gesture-based input made on the sensor surface. The gesture-based input specifies a hanging protocol layout. The system also includes a processor configured to identify the gesture-based input and translate the gesture to a corresponding hanging protocol definition for display of image and clinical data.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Murali Kumaran Kariathungal, Prakash Mahesh, Mark Morita, Stephen P. Roehm
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Patent number: 7692649Abstract: A computer implemented method of visualizing an infrastructure comprising: acquiring a cross section definition, the definition comprising points defining a link and link information, each of the points exhibiting a type; creating at least one three dimensional face linking points of a same type; assigning a face rendering for each of the created at least one three dimensional faces with a material definitional associated with the link information; and displaying the faces with the rendering. The invention also provides for a computing system operable to: acquire a cross section definition, the definition comprising points defining a link and link information, each of the points exhibiting a type; create at least one three dimensional face linking points of a same type; and assign a face rendering for each of the created at least one three dimensional faces with a material definitional associated with the link information.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: RDV Systems Ltd.Inventors: Nathan Elsberg, Alex Hazanov
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Patent number: 7689387Abstract: A computer implemented system, method, and article of manufacture provide access to a drawing. A server computer has one or more server component applications. One or more drawing files are created by a first drawing application and stored on the server computer. A search server component application executes on the server computer and provides a query engine that allows queries of the one or more drawing files to locate data. A conversion server component application executes on the server computer and dynamically convert the drawing files into a drawing file format viewable by a client application executing on a client compute. The server component applications are further configured to provide the one or more drawing files that have been dynamically converted to the client computer.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Brian Philip Mathews, Ratnakar G. Dev
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Patent number: 7688318Abstract: Reusing design data in a computer-aided design model includes automatically analyzing a computer-aided design file to identify a set of elements, storing information corresponding to each element in a manner enabling querying and retrieval of the information, presenting one element in a user interface upon retrieval of the information corresponding to the one element, selecting the presented element for inclusion in the model, and constructing the model by incorporating the presented element in the model. The information identifies corresponding elements to facilitate reproduction of at least one element. The information is data indicating a location in the computer-aided design file or data defining at least one of the elements. The stored information allows querying and searching for elements matching a search criterion in a manner free of opening the design file.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Dassault Systemes Solidworks CorporationInventors: Austin J. O'Malley, III, Parapura Thazathil Rajkumar, Timothy D. Gallagher, Bryson K. Kido, Vajrang Parvate
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Patent number: 7676765Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating a computer generated model and visualizing a change in projection plane before entering a projection creation command. After selection of a projection plane on the 3-D model, a generative drafting document can be created wherein the projection plane becomes the plane of the screen. The system can display a visualization of the projection of the model in plane with the screen, without generating a fully computed projection. Display of the visualization can provide increased efficiency in processing time as compared to a fully computed projection. The system can also display a graphical manipulator including a circular central region with a button in the middle, wherein clicking on the button can be used as a command to the system requesting creation of the projection. The graphical manipulator software tool can also include quadrants, wherein each quadrant is associated with a direction in relation to an orthogonal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Dassault SystemsInventors: Olivier Golibrodski, Pascal Pradeau
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Patent number: 7663637Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for overriding layer display properties in computer-aided design (CAD) viewports. A method of generating a display representation of a CAD drawing includes identifying one or more layers of the CAD drawing to include in the display representation. Each of the one or more layers may be associated with a set of drawing elements and a set of layer display properties. The method also includes identifying a viewport display property for a first layer of the one or more layers and generating the display representation. The display representation may include the drawing elements associated with the one or more layers, and the appearance of the drawing elements associated with the first layer is based on the viewport display property.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: AUTODESK, Inc.Inventors: Karen Elaine Mason, Qun Lu, Thomas Allen Stoeckel, Jr., Stewart A. Sabadell, Jose Madeira de Freitas Garcia, John G. Ford, III
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Patent number: 7663625Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for use in computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, computer-aided engineering and product lifecycle management. An efficient, non-centralized communications framework makes “synchronous” collaborative design possible. Users are resident at workstations that are connected in a peer-to-peer arrangement. In a collaborative design session, the model is resident in memory at each workstation. Modifications are made at any workstation, and commands, which are interpreted at each workstation to effect the modifications, are transmitted over the network. In addition, cell descriptors may be used to identify one or more geometric cells of a model. The cell descriptors are in the form of scripts specifying constraints or filters for identifying cells.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Dassault SystemesInventors: Valentin Chartier, Nicolas Esposito
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Patent number: 7657840Abstract: The present invention is a method for providing a navigable grid to allow for accessible drag-drop in visual modeling tools. The method includes receiving an input which selects an object. The method further includes providing a visual canvas on a display device. The method further includes overlaying the navigable grid onto the canvas, the overlying navigable grid being of a defined granularity, the defined granularity being based on an underlying application being implemented, the overlying navigable grid further being keyed input device-navigable based on the defined granularity. The method further includes designating a drop position on the navigable grid when a position input is received via a keyed input device. The method further includes dropping the object onto a destination position of the canvas when a drop command input is received. The drop position on the overlying navigable grid is directly aligned over the destination position of the canvas.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Becky J. Gibson, Richard S. Schwerdtfeger
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Patent number: 7644363Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for generating labels for drawing elements of a computer aided design (CAD) drawing that may include some unknown number of associated or related drawing elements. The method includes receiving a selection of a set of drawing elements in the CAD drawing that are associated with the first drawing element, receiving a selection of fields specifying attributes of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements to use in generating label content for a label of the first drawing element, and defining a label style based on the selection of the set of drawing elements and the selection of attributes of the of the drawing elements in the set of drawing elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Rogerson, Gary Blais, Kenneth W. Spalding, III, Patrick Haessly, Lisa Fox, Michael A. Appolo, III
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Patent number: 7636091Abstract: A method and system for computer aided design (CAD) is disclosed for designing geometric objects. The present invention interpolates and/or blends between such geometric objects sufficiently fast so that real time deformation of such objects occurs while deformation data is being input. Thus, a user designing with the present invention obtains immediate feedback to input modifications without separately entering a command for performing such deformations. The present invention utilizes novel computational techniques for blending between geometric objects, wherein weighted sums of points on the geometric objects are used in deriving a new blended geometric object. The present invention is particularly useful for designing the shape of surfaces. Thus, the present invention is applicable to various design domains such as the design of, e.g., bottles, vehicles, and watercraft.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: FreeDesign, Inc.Inventors: Alyn P. Rockwood, Scott A. Hagen, Lance Hagen, John Lee
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Patent number: 7626589Abstract: 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: December 1, 2009Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Torsten Berger
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Patent number: 7620904Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive an indication of an association between an identifier and a geometry piece of a mechanical design. The association is stored in response to the received indication. The instructions further operate to determine if at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected. Upon determining that at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected, the instructions operate to automatically generate and display a leader between the geometry piece and the identifier to visually denote the association between the identifier and the geometry piece. As a result, an improved way of generating and maintaining associations between identifiers and geometry pieces of a mechanical design, including automatic modification of leader termination on the mechanical design, is facilitated.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Davis, Anthony L. McCarty
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Patent number: 7603630Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for controlling a display on a computer-aided design (CAD) data editing screen, whereby commands more likely to be utilized are preferentially displayed.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Hirasaka
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Patent number: 7598968Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventors: Edward J. Connor, Craig Storms, Anandaraja Devan, Patrick Haessly, Scott Kent, Michael C. Rogerson, Kenneth W. Spalding, III
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Patent number: 7596757Abstract: A computer-implemented method of representing and manipulating a diagram that includes a representation of a plurality of interconnected business objects on a browser may include steps of displaying at least a portion of the diagram in an active area of the browser, displaying a diagram overview, the diagram overview including a representation of an entirety of the diagram and indicating a currently displayed portion of the diagram that is displayed in the active area. A selection of at least one of the plurality of business objects of the diagram displayed in the active area may be enabled. A selection of one of a plurality of canvas actions may then be enabled, each of the plurality of canvas actions enabling a user to take one of a corresponding plurality of actions on the selected at least one of the plurality of business objects.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Oracle International CorporationInventors: Luke Kowalski, Arjuna Wijeyekoon
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Patent number: 7594184Abstract: A user interface associated with a print stream processing software tool allows a user define a print stream process application by “drag and drop” interaction with the user interface. Actions may be inserted in an action list by “dragging” items from a pallet to an action list icon. Attributes of the actions may be “dragged” from an input file icon. The resulting actions may further be defined by “dragging” objects created by the actions to an output file icon. Rules to process a print stream are generated from the action list.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John A Julitz, John P Lynch, Kurt E. Konow, Eric C Olson, Richard J. Olson, Gary P. Chomuk
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Patent number: 7584436Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for controlling a display on a computer-aided design (CAD) data editing screen, whereby commands more likely to be utilized are preferentially displayed.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Hirasaka
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Patent number: 7577492Abstract: A machining unit corresponding to a cursor position in an editor section and in a synthetic model of a product model and a work model displayed in a model display section is highlight-displayed, and at the time of editing a created NC creation program, it is clearly determined to which machining unit on the model the cursor position in the editor section corresponds.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Kamiya, Hiroshi Katano, Kenji Iriguchi, Susumu Matsubara
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Patent number: 7571392Abstract: A system and method providing a user definable task based interface is described. A software program typically includes a number of tools. The tools may be utilized to perform operations on data, such as creating or editing a file using the software program. A user of the software program may organize the tools into tasks, based on the what the tools are used for. A task may be defined as a set of tools grouped to facilitate a particular work item. The task and associated tools are then presented together in the user interface. For example, a task may be to “draw a foundation.” The tools necessary for drawing a foundation may include measuring, drawing boundaries, etc. The tools for these steps in drawing the foundation may be grouped together into a task. The task and associated tools may then presented to a user via a user interface for the software program. For example, an icon representing the task “draw a foundation” may be presented in the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Bentley System, Inc.Inventor: Gino Cortesi
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Patent number: RE42414Abstract: A drawing management device for managing the drawing of an entire facility, such as a water supply facility, as digital information. This device includes a unit for storing drawings with priorities obtained by separating the entire facility drawing into sub-facility drawings located at plural levels, a selective display designating unit for displaying a desired sub-facility drawing obtained by selecting the number of levels considering the priority from the storing unit, and a display unit for displaying the desired sub-facility drawing in response to the signal from the selective display designating unit. By suitably selecting a desired level considering the priority, only a necessary and sufficient facility drawing can be displayed swiftly.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Fukushima, Mikio Yoda, Kazuo Tsutsui