IP Library Granted Patent US 7,492,374
Granted Patent B2
US 7,492,374 · App. 10/883,021 · Granted Feb 17, 2009

Computer aided design file processing

Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,492,374
App. No.
10/883,021
Granted
Feb 17, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

One implementation provides a method for processing a first representation of a geometry of a component that is stored in a computer file. In this implementation, the method includes analyzing the first representation of the geometry of the component, and, upon analysis, generating a second, non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component from the first representation, the second representation being at least partially independent of a rotation or a translation of the component in space.

Claims (22)

1. A method for processing a first representation of a geometry of a component that is stored in a computer file, the method comprising:

analyzing, using a computing device, the first representation of the geometry of the component; and

upon analysis, generating a second, non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component from the first representation, wherein the second representation is at least partially independent of a rotation or a translation of the component in space, and wherein generating the second non-invertible representation includes simulating a distribution of a field over a surface of the geometry of the component as boundary conditions for a solution to a differential equation, the solution comprising a mathematically expanded set of coefficients comprising a unique representation of the boundary conditions, and wherein a non-invertibility aspect of the second, non-invertible representation is derived from an inherent non-invertibility of the solution of the differential equation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the differential equation is Poisson's equation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the field comprises an electrostatic charge.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising grouping the second non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component with a set of preexisting representations of geometries of similar components.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the method comprises grouping the second non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component with the set of preexisting representations of geometries of similar components if the second non-invertible representation satisfies a threshold of similarity associated with the preexisting representations in the set.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising generating a third representation of an exemplary geometry for the components in the set that is based upon the preexisting representations and the second non-invertible representation.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the third representation has a minimum total dissimilarity with respect to the preexisting representations and the second non-invertible representation.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving user input to create the first representation of the geometry of the component; and

storing the first representation in the computer file.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geometry of the components includes a shape and a size of the component.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises an object capable of being represented in a three-dimensional coordinate system.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer file is a computer-aided design (CAD) file, and wherein the first representation of the geometry of the component comprises a CAD model.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the second non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component in a second computer file.

13. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer readable storage device, the computer program product including instructions that, when executed, perform operations for processing a first representation of a geometry of a component that is stored in a computer file, the operations comprising:

analyzing the first representation of the geometry of the component; and

upon analysis, generating a second, non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component from the first representation, wherein the second representation is at least partially independent of a rotation or a translation of the component in space, and wherein generating the second non-invertible representation includes simulating a distribution of a field over a surface of the geometry of the component as boundary conditions for a solution to a differential equation, the solution comprising a mathematically expanded set of coefficients comprising a unique representation of the boundary conditions, and wherein a non-invertibility aspect of the second, non-invertible representation is derived from an inherent non-invertibility of the solution of the differential equation.

14. A system for processing a first representation of a geometry of a component that is stored in a computer file, the system comprising:

means for analyzing the first representation of the geometry of the component; and

upon analysis, means for generating a second, non-invertible representation of the geometry of the component from the first representation, wherein the second representation is at least partially independent of a rotation or a translation of the component in space, and wherein generating the second non-invertible representation includes simulating a distribution of a field over a surface of the geometry of the component as boundary conditions for a solution to a differential equation, the solution comprising a mathematically expanded set of coefficients comprising a unique representation of the boundary conditions, and wherein a non-invertibility aspect of the second, non-invertible representation is derived from an inherent non-invertibility of the solution of the differential equation.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 16, 2015
From: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 035205/0056 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Oct 19, 2006
From: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECH
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 018412/0258 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2004
From: QAMHIYAH, ABIR ZIYAD; FLUGRAD, DONALD
To: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
Reel/Frame 015107/0853 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060004549A1 · Jan 5, 2006