Computer generated objects having magnets and targets

• US 5,923,335 A
• Filed: 06/19/1996
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc. (CAE Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MultiGen, Inc. (Safeguard Scientifics (Delaware), Inc.)
• Inventors: Mapes, Daniel Paul, Mlyniec, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US08/668,066
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419, 345/420, 345/433, 345/437, 345/438, 345/474, 345/121, 345/339, 345/348, 364/468.02, 364/468.03, 364/468.04, 364/474.24, 364/474.28, 364/474.84
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for generating objects configured for assembly into a scene during assembly time. The method includes the step of associating a magnet with a first object. Further, the method includes the step of associating a target with a second object. The magnet is configured to search for the target within a predefined search range when the magnet is activated. The magnet and the target have alignment data for permitting the first object and the second object to align themselves relative to each other in accordance with the alignment data during the assembly time.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for generating objects configured for assembly into a scene during assembly time, comprising:

associating a magnet with a first object; and

associating a target with a second object, said target having a searchable target attribute that is independent of said second object'"'"'s geometry, said magnet being configured to search for said target within a predefined search range when said magnet is activated, said magnet and said target having alignment data for permitting said first object and said second object to align themselves relative to each other in accordance with said alignment data during said assembly time.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

bringing said first object and said second object within said predefined search range.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said magnet is a position magnet primitive.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said magnet is a torsion magnet primitive.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said magnet is a magnet composite, said magnet composite comprising at least two magnets.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said magnet composite is a dependent magnet composite, said at least two magnets of said dependent magnet composite behave cooperatively to align said first object and said second object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said dependent magnet composite is a pin-helper composite, said pin-helper composite comprising a position magnet primitive and a torsion magnet primitive, said torsion magnet primitive being activated after said position magnet primitive completes its behavior.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said dependent magnet composite is a weld-helper composite, said weld-helper composite comprising a position magnet composite and two torsion magnet composites.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said magnet composite is an independent magnet composite, said at least two magnets of said independent magnet composite behave independently while aligning said first object and said second object.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said searchable target attribute represents an abstract attribute.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said searchable target attribute is a non-visual attribute specified only for assembly purpose.

12. A computer implemented method for assembling a first object and a second object into a scene, comprising:

applying a magnet to a first geometry, said first geometry being associated with said first object;

applying a target to a second geometry, said second geometry being associated with said second object, said target having a searchable target attribute that is independent of said second object'"'"'s geometry; and

activating said magnet upon a predefined condition, thereby permitting said magnet to search for said target within a predefined search range, said magnet completes its predefined behavior with respect to said target if a search by said magnet is successful, thereby aligning said first object and said second object relative to each other in accordance with alignment data contained in said magnet and said target.

13. A computer implemented method for assembling a scene, comprising:

providing a first object, said first object having an associated target; and

providing a second object, said second object having an associated magnet, said target having a searchable target attribute that is independent of said second object'"'"'s geometry, said magnet being configured to search for said target within a predefined search range when said magnet is activated, said magnet and said target having alignment data for permitting said first object and said second object to align themselves relative to each other in accordance with said alignment data.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

bringing said first object and said second object within said predefined search range.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said magnet is a position magnet primitive.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said magnet is a torsion magnet primitive.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein said magnet is a magnet composite, said magnet composite comprising at least two magnets.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said magnet composite is a dependent magnet composite, said at least two magnets of said dependent magnet composite behave cooperatively to align said first object and said second object.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said dependent magnet composite is a pin-helper composite, said pin-helper composite comprising a position magnet primitive and a torsion magnet primitive, said torsion magnet primitive being activated after said position magnet primitive completes its behavior.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said dependent magnet composite is a weld-helper composite, said weld-helper composite comprising a position magnet composite and two torsion magnet composites.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein said searchable target attribute represents an abstract attribute.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said searchable target attribute is a non-visual attribute specified only for assembly purpose.