Hi-resolution three-dimensional imaging apparatus for topographic and 3d models
First Claim
1. An automated system for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
- a data translator for translating the elevation data of the terrain into a plurality of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographical model so as to generate a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes;
at least one dispensing means for dispensing indicia onto an object based on said plurality of cross-sections so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model; and
a multi-axis driving device for driving the dispensing means so as to move in response to each of the two-dimensional contours of the plurality of cross-section planes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an automated system that includes a hi-resolution three-dimensional imaging apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The system incorporates one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of adjacent and parallel coloring-agent imaging paths or swaths (comprised of inks, dyes, paints, and/or pigments). The swaths are defined in simplified 2-axis surface contour-following printer-head movements by the system'"'"'s CPU, printer driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry. This multi-axis control of the system assures that each of the swaths are seamlessly rendered next to one another while also maintaining an optimal proximity between the upper surface of the 3D model and the nozzle end of one or more hi-resolution printer. A single coloring-agent such as black ink, may be used solely, or in combination with a plurality of colors such as a Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black or “CMYK” combination. The system also incorporates algorithms for applying accurately registered indicia of a prescribed color, or colors, onto the surface of models including man-made boundaries such as property lines, easements, right-of-ways, land-development features; naturally occurring boundaries such as ridges and flow-lines, bodies of water, lakes, lake-beds, rivers, river-beds and forested areas including tree varieties; lettering including the accommodation of a variety of fonts; graphical embellishments; and cartographic elements.
-
Citations
110 Claims
-
1. An automated system for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
a data translator for translating the elevation data of the terrain into a plurality of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographical model so as to generate a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes;
at least one dispensing means for dispensing indicia onto an object based on said plurality of cross-sections so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model; and
a multi-axis driving device for driving the dispensing means so as to move in response to each of the two-dimensional contours of the plurality of cross-section planes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
-
44. An automated system for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
a data translator for translating the elevation data of the terrain into a three-dimensional grid including a plurality of grid intersection points;
at least one dispensing means for dispensing indicia on the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model; and
a multi-axis driving device for driving the dispensing means to move in response to the three-dimensional grid in a serpentine pattern along rows of the grid intersection points in the three-dimensional grid. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
-
-
45. A hi-accuracy three-dimensional dispensing apparatus for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
a data translator for translating the elevation data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographical model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours along each of such cross-section planes;
at least one indicia printing device for printing onto an object so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model; and
a multi-axis driving device with the printing device being operatively mounted so as to move in response to the series of adjacent two-dimensional contours.
-
-
46. A hi-accuracy three-dimensional dispensing apparatus for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
a computer;
a multi-axis dispensing machine for dispensing indicia onto a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, the dispensing machine having a dispensing device for dispensing material onto the object and a driving device for driving the dispensing device in multiple axes in and around the object; and
a computer readable medium containing an algorithm for converting the elevation data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographical model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two dimensional contours in each of the cross-section planes, and an algorithm for controlling the multi-axis dispensing machine.
-
-
75. A computer program product for controlling a hi-accuracy three-dimensional dispensing apparatus for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
a data translating module for translating the elevation data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the terrain to be modeled and sequentially to a series of adjacent two dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes;
a dispensing module for controlling a dispensing device formed to dispense indicia onto an object so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model; and
a multi-axis driving module for controlling a driving device operatively connected to the dispensing device so as to move the dispensing device along the two-dimensional contour of each of the cross-section planes. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)
-
-
90. A computer-implemented method for dispensing indicia of a terrain on a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:
-
providing a computer and a multi-axis dispensing device;
translating via the computer elevation data of the terrain into a series of adjacent and parallel vertical cross-section planes of the topographical model and sequentially to a series of adjacent two-dimensional contours within each of the cross-section planes; and
driving a multi-axis dispensing device to dispense indicia onto an object in response to the two-dimensional contours of the cross-section planes so as to duplicate the terrain into the hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110)
-
Specification