Hi-resolution three-dimensional imaging apparatus for topographic and 3d models

• US 7,291,364 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solid Terrain Modeling
• Original Assignee: Solid Terrain Modeling
• Inventors: Fisher, Mark E., Faulkner, Lawrence Q., Luton, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diacou; Ari M.
• Application Number:
  US09/958,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 427/427.2
• US Class Current: 427/427.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/06 for surveying; for geography, e.g. relief models globes G09B27/00; maps G09B29/00

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.

Claims

1. An automated system for dispensing ink onto a hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model, comprising:

a data translator that receives topological data pertaining to said hi-accuracy three dimensional topographical model, and determines adjacent and parallel two-dimensional ink-imaging paths within a spaced proximity to the topographical model based on said topographical data;

said data translator also receiving printable image content data and scaling the printable image content proportionate to the topography of the model;

an ink dispensing means positionable in accordance with said parallel and adjacent two-dimensional ink-imaging paths;

said ink dispensing means being responsive to said data translator to time the dispensing of ink in precise registration with existing surface features of said hi-accuracy three-dimensional topographical model and in accordance with the scale of said printable image content;

a multi-axis driving device for driving said ink dispensing means in accordance with said adjacent two-dimensional ink imaging paths; and

wherein the distance between said ink dispensing means and said topography is controlled when said multi-axis driving device drives said ink dispensing means in order to provide an optimum ink dispensing accuracy relative to the topographical complexity of each adjacent two-dimensional ink imaging path to maintain the precise registration.

2. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the data translator includes means for interpolating the elevation data of the terrain into grid data points of a predetermined 3D grid, and means for generating motion control codes based on said grid data points.

3. An automated system according to claim 2, wherein the indicia includes pixel data associated with grid data points of the 3D grid.

4. An automated system according to claim 3, wherein the pixel data is separated into separate color data sets.

5. An automated system according to claim 3, wherein the separate pixel data sets include separate data for each of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

6. An automated system according to claim 3, wherein the pixel data is formatted for gray scale.

7. An automated system according to claim 1 further comprising a stabilization means for reducing air pressure interference in and around the ink dispensing means so as to increase accuracy of the dispensing means.

8. An automated system according to claim 7, wherein the stabilization means is a chamber enclosing the system.

9. An automated system according to claim 7, wherein the stabilization means is a vacuum chamber within which air is pumped out.

10. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the ink dispensing means is formed to produce image resolutions between 100-1400 dpi.

11. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means dispenses at least one coloring-agent made from at least one of a dye, paint and pigment, so as to apply the indicia.

12. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means include at least one mechanical pen or marker.

13. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means include a CO₂, cutting laser for etching the model to create an image.

14. An automated system according to claim 13, wherein the dispensing means includes a plurality of dispensing elements, each element for dispensing a different coloring-agent.

15. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means is formed to dispense at least one of a magnetic material, a photo-reactive material, and an electrically conductive material.

16. An automated system according to claim 15, wherein the photo-reactive material is a photo-sensitive emulsion to be coated on the surface of the model and exposed under an enlarger in a darkroom.

17. An automated system according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive material is placed onto a three-dimensional surface in a precise pattern so as to be used as part of a display system.

18. An automated system according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive material is placed onto a control grid in a precise pattern for sensing a touch onto a three-dimensional surface.

19. An automated system according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive material is conductive ink.

20. An automated system according to claim 15, wherein the magnetic material is magnetic ink used in Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology.

21. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means includes a dispensing outlet, a dispensing reservoir for storing a fluid to be dispense via the dispensing outlet to the model, a dispensing pressure control means for maintaining fluid pressure in the reservoir so as to prevent uncontrolled variations in the dispensing means.

22. An automated system according to claim 21, wherein the dispensing pressure control means includes a pulse-shaped tube connected between the dispensing reservoir and the dispensing outlet so as to reduce or isolate the dispensing outlet from the fluid pressure fluctuation in the reservoir and thereby prevent uncontrolled variations in the dispensing means.

23. An automated system according to claim 22, wherein the tube made from metal.

24. An automated system according to claim 21, wherein the dispensing pressure control means includes a fluid pressure sensor in fluid communication with the dispensing reservoir for sensing the fluid pressure in the dispensing reservoir, a primary reservoir connecting to the dispensing reservoir via a valve so as to maintain a constant fluid pressure in the dispensing reservoir.

25. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the ink dispensing means includes at least one sensor for sensing the surface of the model so as to prevent the ink dispensing means from colliding with the model.

26. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the data translator includes means for interpolating the elevation data of the terrain into grid data points of a predetermined 3D grid, and the dispensing means is operatively connected with the multi-axis driving device so as to travel along a serpentine pattern in response to the grid data points of the 3D grid.

27. An automated system according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing means is operatively connected with the multi-axis driving device so as to travel along a serpentine pattern in response to the motion control codes.

28. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis driving device comprises a friction-reducing means for facilitating free movement in a single axis.

29. An automated system according to claim 28, wherein the friction-reducing means is a guide bearing.

30. An automated system according to claim 28, wherein the friction-reducing means is at least one of tongue-in-groove guide and a guide roller.

31. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis driving device comprises a horizontal guide means moving in a first direction and a second horizontal guide means moving in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.

32. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the driving device comprises means for determining motion paths and speeds for the ink dispensing means in response to the two dimensional contours of the ink imaging paths.

33. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the driving device includes means for determining motion paths and speeds for the dispensing means in response to motion control codes.

34. An automated system according to claim 33, wherein the determining means being further for determining the motion paths and speeds for the dispensing means in response to input information including a size of the dispensing means, a material of the dispensing means and a material of the object to be cut.

35. An automated system according to claim 34, wherein the determining means being further for determining the motion paths and speeds for the dispensing means in response to input information including a selected scale of the terrain to be made into the model.

36. An automated system according to claim 33, wherein the determining means being further for determining at least one of abnormalities and errors in the motion control codes and in input information so as to detect inconsistent parameters, radical changes in data or data errors.

37. An automated system according to claim 36, wherein the determining means being further for determining at least one of abnormalities and errors in the motion control codes and in input information so as to reconcile inconsistent parameters, radical changes in data for data errors.

38. An automated system according to claim 36, wherein said determining means is operatively connected to generate warning signals to a user in response to detected abnormalities and errors.

39. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis driving device includes at least one stepper motor.

40. An automated system according to claim 39, wherein the multi-axis driving device further includes at least one stepper motor-driven lead-screw per axis, and the dispensing means is affixed to and operative from one of the lead-screws.

41. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means includes a plurality of print heads, each of the print heads being operatively connected to dispense a coloring-agent different from the other print heads.

42. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each of the plurality of print heads includes a nozzle for dispensing a respective coloring-agent.

43. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 41, wherein each of the plurality of print heads includes a plurality of nozzle for dispensing a respective coloring-agent.

44. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means dispenses at least one coloring-agent made from an ink so as to apply the indicia.

45. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means include a nozzle.

46. An automated system according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing means is formed to dispense a fluorescent material.

47. An automated system according to claim 46, wherein the fluorescent material contains Organic Light Emitting Diodes.