Design system for creating furniture layouts

• US 5,111,392 A
• Filed: 06/09/1989
• Issued: 05/05/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Malin, Stuart B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cass, Russell
• Application Number:
  US07/363,676
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/400
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/20 Configuration CAD, e.g. designing by assembling or positioning modules selected from libraries of predesigned modules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/18 Network design, e.g. design based on topological or interconnect aspects of utility systems, piping, heating ventilation air conditioning [HVAC] or cabling circuit design at the physical level G06F30/39; network planning tools for wireless communication networks H04W16/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/04 Architectural design, interior design
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2012 Colour editing, changing, or manipulating; Use of colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2016 Rotation, translation, scaling

Abstract

A process for designing an arrangement of furniture pieces from a predetermined system of furniture. The process can be initiated by selecting a predetermined thought starter shape or can be started by designing a beginning shape by selecting furniture element shapes from the system of furniture and combining them to form a basic shape. Once the basic shape has been selected, it can be modified, expanded, contracted, and replicated as desired within implementable increments consistent with the system of furniture. The program highlights where storage, privacy and electrical elements can be placed. At any time the finish, color, and fabric to be used can be determined. An updated cost and bill of materials is provided on the completion of each step of the design process including color, fabric and finishes.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for designing and costing an interior space based on a system of furniture products comprising the following steps:

selecting a basic shape for the furniture from a library of implementable shapes;

selecting a furniture configuration for the selected shape;

modifying any portion of said selected furniture configuration to increase or decrease the width or length of said furniture configuration in implementable increments;

replicating any portion of said selected furniture configuration;

selecting the furniture components for any end of said selected furniture configuration from a collection of implementable endings;

selecting any storage, privacy and electrical elements to complete said selected furniture configuration from a library of implementable elements;

specifying the finish, color and fabrics for any portion of or the overall furniture configuration from a predetermined collection of finishes, colors, and fabrics; and

making available a bill of materials in the course of and at the end of the design process.

2. A computer implemented method for designing and costing office interiors as defined in claim 1 wherein in the step of replicating any portion of the entire selected furniture configuration the entire furniture configuration can be replicated.

3. A computer implemented method for designing and costing an interior space as defined in claim 1 wherein the quantity, part number, fabric, finish, color and cost of each item is made available along with a total cost.

4. A computer implemented method for designing and costing an interior space as defined in claim 1 wherein more than one basic shape can be selected.

5. A computer implemented method for designing a furniture layout based upon a system of furniture products comprising the following steps:

selecting a basic shape on said computer representative of a grouping of furniture elements;

modifying on said computer any portion of said basic shape in implementable increments as allowed by the underlying program and the system of furniture products; and

selecting furniture elements for said basic shape from those furniture elements allowed by the underlying computer program which are compatible and connectable with the previously selected furniture elements in the basic shape.

6. A computer implemented program controlled method for designing a furniture layout based on a system of furniture comprising the following steps:

selecting a furniture configuration;

modifying any portion of the shape of the selected furniture configuration in the abstract while the underlying program only allows incremental changes consistent with the characteristics of the system of furniture.

7. A computer implemented method for designing a furniture layout while obtaining updated cost data comprising:

entering into said computer one or more characteristics desired in the basic furniture shape;

selecting a basic shape from the shape or shapes suggested by the computer based on an evaluation of the characteristics desired in the basic furniture shape;

selecting furniture pieces to fill out the basic shape by selecting said furniture piece from an implementable system of furniture;

selecting any units to complete the edges of the basic shape; and

making available a bill of materials in the course of and at the end of the design process.

8. A computer implemented method as set forth in claim 7, including the step of identifying where any storage, privacy and electrical elements can be placed to complete the furniture layout.

9. A computer implemented method for designing a furniture configuration based upon a system of furniture products comprising the following steps:

determining on said computer a basic shape for said furniture configuration;

manipulating on said computer any portion of said basic shape to arrive at a final shape for said furniture configuration; and

completing said furniture configuration with allowable furniture elements determined by said computer which are compatible and connectable with the previously selected furniture elements in the basic shape.