Path determination facilitation method
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method to facilitate determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations and that avoids at least one predetermined area, comprising:
- identifying the plurality of specific locations;
identifying the at least one predetermined area to be avoided;
in a processor;
using a genetic algorithm to identify a preferred path that includes the plurality of specific locations, the genetic algorithm not altering characteristics of the preferred path and wherein the preferred path is identified by the genetic algorithm without consideration of the at least one predetermined area;
processing the preferred path using an A* algorithm to provide a selected path having a minimum distance around the at least one predetermined area such that the selected path includes the plurality of specific locations and avoids the at least one predetermined area;
wherein the plurality of specific locations comprise locations to be sprayed during a printing process.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One facilitates determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations (201). In an optional though preferred embodiment these specific locations comprise locations where a given functional ink will preferably be printed using a continuous printing spray. Also in an optional though preferred embodiment this path will also avoid at least one predetermined area (701) where such a functional ink should not be printed. In a preferred approach this process (100) generally provides for identifying (101) these specific locations and further identifying (102), when applicable, the one or more predetermined areas to be avoided. This process then preferably uses a processor to effect at least one (and preferably both) of using (103) a genetic algorithm to identify a preferred path that includes the plurality of specific locations and using (104) an A* algorithm to process a candidate path to provide a selected path that includes the plurality of specific locations while also avoiding the at least one predetermined area.
5 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method to facilitate determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations and that avoids at least one predetermined area, comprising:
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identifying the plurality of specific locations; identifying the at least one predetermined area to be avoided; in a processor; using a genetic algorithm to identify a preferred path that includes the plurality of specific locations, the genetic algorithm not altering characteristics of the preferred path and wherein the preferred path is identified by the genetic algorithm without consideration of the at least one predetermined area; processing the preferred path using an A* algorithm to provide a selected path having a minimum distance around the at least one predetermined area such that the selected path includes the plurality of specific locations and avoids the at least one predetermined area; wherein the plurality of specific locations comprise locations to be sprayed during a printing process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A processor-implemented method to facilitate determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations, comprising:
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identifying the plurality of specific locations wherein the plurality of specific locations comprise locations to be sprayed during a printing process; using a processor to process a genetic algorithm to identify a preferred path that includes the plurality of specific locations, wherein the genetic algorithm has at least one fixed length chromosome that includes at least one gene, wherein the at least one gene comprises at least one polyline, wherein the at least one polyline comprises multiple contiguous path segments and wherein the at least one gene includes an indication of a direction of traversal for the at least one polyline of the at least one gene. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A processor-implemented method to facilitate determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations and that avoids at least one predetermined area, comprising:
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identifying the plurality of specific locations; identifying the at least one predetermined area to be avoided and characterizing the at least one predetermined area to be avoided as a 2 dimensional polygon; using a processor, identifying a path candidate using a genetic algorithm and without considering the at least one predetermined area to be avoided, processing the path candidate using an A* algorithm to provide a selected path that includes the plurality of specific locations and that avoids the at least one predetermined area as a function, at least in part, of determining when a path candidate intersects the 2 dimensional polygon and then modifying that path candidate to provide a modified path candidate that includes some vertices of the 2 dimensional polygon such that the modified path candidate does not intersect the 2 dimensional polygon and such that a path length of the selected path is minimized; wherein the plurality of specific locations comprise locations to be sprayed during a printing process. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification