Method and system for design and drafting

US 5,929,856 A
Filed: 07/30/1997
Issued: 07/27/1999
Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1993
Status: Expired due to Term

First Claim

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1. A method for automatically creating a dimension indicator to define the size of a geometric object for a user of a computer-aided design and drafting system, comprising:

providing programming means for controlling the system into(a) displaying at least one geometric object;

(b) determining the geometry of the displayed object;

(c) choosing one of a plurality of possible dimension indicators for the object based on the determination in step (b);

(d) displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator; and

(e) displaying the dimension indicator in the vicinity of the placement location.

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Abstract

A dimension indicator is automatically created to define the size of a geometric object or the spatial relationship between two geometric objects for a user of a computer-aided design and drafting system by the data processing steps of displaying one or more geometric objects; determining the geometry of one or more of the displayed objects; choosing one of a plurality of possible dimension indicators for the object(s) based on the determination in the previous step; displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator; and then displaying the dimension indicator in the vicinity of the placement location.

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20 Claims

1. A method for automatically creating a dimension indicator to define the size of a geometric object for a user of a computer-aided design and drafting system, comprising:
- providing programming means for controlling the system into(a) displaying at least one geometric object;
  
  (b) determining the geometry of the displayed object;
  
  (c) choosing one of a plurality of possible dimension indicators for the object based on the determination in step (b);
  
  (d) displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator; and
  
  (e) displaying the dimension indicator in the vicinity of the placement location.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes:
    - allowing a user to select the displayed object; and
      
      identifying one of a plurality of possible geometries as the geometry of the selected object.
  - 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of possible geometries includes a circle, an arc, a line, and a spline.
  - 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the plurality of possible dimension indicators includes a diameter indicator, a radius indicator, and a length indicator.
  - 5. The method of claim 2 wherein allowing the user to select the displayed object includes:
    - accepting input from the user; and
      
      moving a cursor to the object in response to the input from the user.
  - 6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) includes:
    - accepting input from a user; and
      
      moving the image in response to the input from the user until the placement location is selected.
  - 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, based on the placement location indicated in step (d):
    - choosing one of a plurality of possible orientations, with respect to the object, for the chosen dimension indicator.
  - 8. The method of claim 7 wherein step (e) includes displaying the dimension indicator in the chosen orientation.
  - 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of possible dimension indicators includes a diameter indicator, a radius indicator, and a length indicator.

10. A method for automatically creating a dimension indicator to define the spatial relationship between two geometric objects for a user of a computer-aided design and drafting system, comprising:
- providing programming means for controlling the system into(a) displaying at least two geometric objects;
  
  (b) determining the geometry of a first one of the displayed objects;
  
  (c) determining the geometry of a second one of the displayed objects;
  
  (d) choosing one of a plurality of possible dimension indicators for the first and second objects based on the determinations in steps (b) and (c);
  
  (e) displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator; and
  
  (f) displaying the dimension indicator in the vicinity of the placement location.
- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- - 11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) includes:
    - allowing a user to select the first object; and
      
      identifying one of a plurality of possible geometries as the geometry of the first object.
  - 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of possible geometries includes a line and a point.
  - 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of possible dimension indicators includes a linear separation distance indicator and an angular separation indicator.
  - 14. The method of claim 11 wherein allowing the user to select the first object includes:
    - accepting input from the user; and
      
      moving a cursor to the first object in response to the input from the user.
  - 15. The method of claim 10 wherein step (c) includes:
    - allowing a user to select the second object; and
      
      identifying one of a plurality of possible geometries as the geometry of the second object.
  - 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the plurality of possible geometries includes a line and a point.
  - 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of possible dimension indicators includes a linear separation distance indicator and an angular separation indicator.
  - 18. The method of claim 15 wherein allowing the user to select the second object includes:
    - accepting input from the user; and
      
      moving a cursor to the second object in response to the input from the user.
  - 19. The method of claim 10 wherein step (e) includes:
    - accepting input from a user; and
      
      moving the image in response to the input from the user until the placement location is selected.

20. A computer-aided design and drafting system, comprising:
- a computer having at least a memory and a processor;
  
  a display device coupled to the computer;
  
  a cursor controlling device coupled to the computer for generating signals indicative of desired movement on the display device; and
  
  programming means for operating the computer, comprising;
  
  (a) means for displaying at least one geometric object on the display device;
  
  (b) means for determining the geometry of the displayed object;
  
  (c) means for choosing, based on the determination made by the geometry determining means, a dimension indicator for the object from a plurality of possible dimension indicators stored in the memory;
  
  (d) means for displaying an image of the chosen dimension indicator on the display device, in response to the signals generated by the cursor controlling device, until a placement location is selected for the chosen dimension indicator on the display device via the cursor controlling device; and
  
  (e) means for displaying the dimension indicator on the display device in the vicinity of the placement location.

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Current Assignee
Auto-Dimensions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
Original Assignee
Softech Incorporated
Inventors
LoNegro, Rene, Wells, Stuart
Primary Examiner(s)
HUYNH, BA

Application Number

US08/902,665
Time in Patent Office

727 Days
Field of Search

707/502, 707/500, 707/501, 345/347, 345/348, 345/964, 345/349, 345/352, 345/353, 345/354
US Class Current

715/839
CPC Class Codes

G06T 19/00   Manipulating 3D models or i...

G06T 2219/012   Dimensioning, tolerancing

Y10S 715/964   CAD or CAM, e.g. interactiv...

Method and system for design and drafting

First Claim

9 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

77 Citations

20 Claims

Specification

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Method and system for design and drafting

First Claim

9 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

77 Citations

20 Claims

Specification

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Use Cases

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