Modeling using thin plate spline technology

• US 9,582,615 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2014
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jostens Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jostens Incorporated (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Carbonera, Carlos D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rampuria, Satish
• Application Number:
  US14/156,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 700 98-129
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

A method of modeling may include obtaining an input file defining a first geometry, establishing a control related to the first geometry, adjusting the control, and using a thin plate spline transform to adjust the first geometry to a second geometry based on the control.

Claims

1. A method for creating a model of a bezel of a ring, comprising:

accessing an input stereo lithographic (STL) file defining two dimensional text arranged in an annular shape having an inner boundary curve and an outer boundary curve arranged in a plane;

receiving input regarding the adjustment of the size of one of the inner and outer boundary curves;

using a first thin plate spline transform to cause the text to expand or contract based on the boundary curve adjustment to define adjusted text;

extruding the adjusted text to create three dimensional adjusted text; and

receiving input regarding the adjustment of the location of one of the inner and outer boundary curves in a direction generally out of the plane; and

using a second thin plate spline transform to cause the three dimensional adjusted text to rotate out of the plane about one of the inner and outer boundary curves to define a model of bezel text for the ring.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a solid model union with a base bezel and the bezel text.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second plurality of points are arranged on a center plane of the ring.

3. A method for adjusting the size of a ring, comprising:

obtaining an stereo lithographic (STL) file defining a surface of a ring;

receiving input regarding a plurality of source control points;

receiving input regarding a plurality of target control points; and

mapping the plurality of source control points to the plurality of target control points and using a thin plate spline transform to adjust the STL file to define a new surface of the ring;

wherein the plurality of source control points include a first plurality of points arranged along an outer surface of the ring and a second plurality of points arranged along an inner surface of the ring;

wherein the plurality of target control points include corresponding control points that are offset from the source control points by a selected distance thereby maintaining a thickness of the ring.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising printing a physical model by inputting the adjusted STL file into a rapid prototyping machine.