A glass pane geometry configuration user interface

Abstract

The present system is designed for online configuration of glass pane geometry and comprises a computer device in operable communication with a web server to display a configuration interface on a digital display. This interface includes a visualisation panel configured to display a geometric rendering of a glass pane, alongside various geometric controls for dynamic adjustment which allow users to modify the shape, size, and other attributes of the glass pane in real-time, without requiring page refreshes. Additional features include controls for adjusting the scale, pan, rotation, and specific dimensions of the rendering, as well as inputs for configuring cutouts, holes, and corner radii. The system may leverage client-side code to provide immediate visual feedback based on user interactions, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the design process. These geometric controls simplify the customisation of glass panes, making it accessible to a wide range of users across different industries.

Description

A glass pane geometry configuration user interfaceField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing. Specifically, it pertains to systems and methods for the online configuration and customisation of glass pane geometries, facilitating the design process through a web-based interface that dynamically adjusts visual representations based on user inputs.Background

[0002] In various industries, the use of glass panes with customised geometries is prevalent. Such industries include construction, automotive, and consumer electronics, where precise and often complex glass shapes are required to meet specific functional and aesthetic requirements. Traditionally, the configuration and customisation of glass panes have been labour-intensive processes, often involving manual drafting and physical prototyping. These methods are time-consuming, prone to errors, and require significant expertise.

[0003] With the advent of digital technologies, computer-aided design (CAD) software has provided some relief by allowing for virtual prototyping and more accurate specifications. However, these solutions typically demand specialised software and training, limiting accessibility for users who do not possess technical expertise. Moreover, traditional CAD systems may lack the real-time interactivity and seamless integration needed for efficient design modifications and immediate visual feedback.

[0004] The rise of web-based applications has opened new possibilities for remote and collaborative design processes. By leveraging the connectivity of the Internet, web-based platforms can facilitate the sharing and modification of design specifications without the need for specialised software installations. These platforms can potentially simplify the customisation process, making it more accessible to a broader range of users, including those in remote locations or without advanced technical skills.

[0005] Despite these advancements, there remains a need for a user-friendly and versatile solution that allows for the rapid and accurate configuration of glass pane geometries. Such a solution would ideally combine the ease of use associated with web-based interfaces with the robust functionality of traditional CAD systems, enabling users to create precise and customised glass pane designs efficiently. This approach would enhance productivity, reduce the likelihood of errors, and make the design process more accessible to a wider audience.Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] The described user interface is designed for online configuration of glass pane geometry. This interface comprises a visualisation panel configured to display a geometric rendering of a glass pane alongside a plurality of adjacent configuration controls, including geometric controls. The system dynamically adjusts the displayed geometric rendering based on user interaction with these controls, offering a seamless and intuitive experience for configuring glass panes.

[0007] The visualisation panel may include optional controls for adjusting the scale, panning, and rotating the geometric rendering, enhancing the user's ability to manipulate and inspect the glass pane's geometry. The panel may also be capable of displaying calculated lengths of the edges of the geometric rendering, with selectable edge icons to reveal respective edge lengths, and corner numbering at respective corners, with selectable corner icons to display corner numbers. These features facilitate precise adjustments and measurements, contributing to the accuracy of the configuration process.

[0008] The geometric controls may include a shape selection control, allowing users to dynamically adjust the shape of the geometric rendering. For non-rectangular shapes, an optional interior edge width adjustment input is provided. Height and width inputs are available to adjust the relative dimensions of the geometric rendering, with the system configured to display a calculated weight based on a density parameter, height, and width inputs. A thickness input further refines the weight calculation, ensuring comprehensive control over the rendering's properties.

[0009] The interface controls may also comprise runout control comprising corner selection, offset, and runout orientation inputs, enabling dynamic adjustments to the rendering with minimal input complexity. A radius corner control with a corner selection and radius input may allow for precise control over corner radii, enhancing the versatility of the design process. A hole input control, with radius and XY position offset inputs, and a cutout control, including inputs for centre, side, corner, and hinge cutouts, as well as dimension and position offsets, may provide extensive customisation options. The cutout rendering can be displayed with distance offsets to adjacent edges and dimension indicators, with on-screen adjustable handles to modify the cutout dimensions interactively.

[0010] The web server may be configured to serve a webpage to the computer device containing client-side code that dynamically adjusts the geometric rendering without requiring page refreshes. This client-side code monitors user interactions, such as loss of focus and key-up events, to adjust the visualisation responsively. This realtime interaction capability enhances user experience by providing immediate visual feedback on adjustments, streamlining the configuration process, and reducing the time and effort required to achieve the desired glass pane specifications.

[0011] The particular geometric controls integrated into the system provide technical advantages by enabling quick and easy on-screen configuration of various types of glass pane geometry in a versatile manner. These controls, including the shape selection, height and width inputs, runout control, radius corner control, hole input control, and cutout control, are designed to offer users an intuitive interface for manipulating complex geometrical attributes with minimal effort. The shape selection control allows users to seamlessly switch between rectangular and non-rectangular shapes, while the height and width inputs facilitate rapid adjustments to overall dimensions. The runout control, with its simplified corner selection, offset, and orientation inputs, streamlines the process of applying precise geometric modifications. The radius corner control and hole input control offer further customisation by allowing detailed adjustments to corner radii and hole placements,respectively. Additionally, the cutout control, with its comprehensive dimension and position offset inputs, enables the creation of various cutout shapes with ease.

[0012] These features collectively ensure that users can efficiently design and modify glass pane geometries to meet specific requirements, enhancing productivity and reducing the potential for errors in the configuration process. The dynamic adjustment capabilities which may be provided by these controls, coupled with the real-time visual feedback, ensure that the system is not only user-friendly but also highly effective in managing diverse and intricate glass pane designs.

[0013] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1 shows a system configured to a control a glass pane geometry configuration user interface online;

[0016] Figure 2 shows the glass pane geometry configuration user interface in accordance with an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 3 shows an exemplary visualisation panel configured to display a geometric rendering of a glass pane for configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 4 shows rendering of corners in accordance with an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 shows rendering of edges in accordance with an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 shows a shape selection control in accordance with an input;

[0021] Figure 7 shows a glass selection control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 8 shows a run out control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 9 shows a glass type configuration control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 10 shows a radius corner control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 1 1 shows a holes control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 12 shows various types of cutout controls in accordance with an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 13 shows a cutout control in accordance with an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 14 shows rendering of a virtual cutout responsive to interaction with the cutout control in accordance with an embodiment.Description of Embodiments

[0029] Figure 1 shows a system 100 configured for online configuration of glass pane geometry. The system 100 comprises a computer device 101 (such as a personal computing device, mobile phone, or the like) in operable communication with a server 102 via a wide area network 103, such as the Internet. The computer device 101 comprises a processor 104 for processing digital data. The computer device 101 further comprises a memory device 105 in operable communication with the processor 104 via a system bus 106. The memory device 105 is configured for storing digital data, including computer program code instructions. In use, the processor 104 fetches these computer program code instructions and associated data from the memory device 105 for interpretation and execution. The computer device may execute a web browser application 107 which interacts with the server 102.

[0030]

[0031] The computer device 104 comprises a data interface 108 for sending and receiving data across the wide area network 103. Furthermore, the computer device 104 comprises a digital display 109. The browser 107 interacts with the web server 102 to display a configuration interface 1 10, as shown in Figure 2, on the digital display 109. The server 102 similarly comprises the aforementioned processor 104, data interface 108, bus 106, and memory device 105. The computer program code instructions may be logically divided into a plurality of computer program code instruction controllers 1 11 . These controllers 1 1 1 may comprise rendering controllers for controlling the configuration interface 110.

[0032]

[0033] Figure 2 shows the configuration interface 1 10 in accordance with an embodiment. The configuration interface 1 10 comprises a visualisation panel 1 12configured to display a geometric rendering 113 of a glass pane. The interface 110 comprises a plurality of adjacent configuration controls 114, including geometric controls. As will be described in further detail below, the system 100 is configured to dynamically adjust the displayed geometric rendering 1 13 of the glass pane within the visualisation panel 112 according to user interaction with these geometric controls.

[0034] Figure 3 shows the visualisation panel 1 12 in further detail. The web server 102 may be configured to serve a webpage to the computer device 101 comprising client-side code (such as JavaScript) which is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering 1 13 without page refreshes. As such, as the user interacts with the geometric controls, the visualisation 113 may be dynamically adjusted by the client-side code. For example, the client-side code may monitor loss of focus or key- up events of various inputs of the geometric controls and dynamically adjust the visualisation 113 responsively. The visualisation panel 1 12 may comprise controls 115 to adjust the scale of the geometric rendering 1 13. Furthermore, the visualisation panel 112 may comprise controls 1 16 to pan the geometric rendering 113. Furthermore, the visualisation panel 1 12 may comprise controls 1 17 to rotate the geometric rendering 113.

[0035] With reference to Figure 5, the geometric rendering 1 13 displays edges 1 14 and corners 1 15. In embodiments, the visualisation panel 112 is configured to display calculated lengths 116 of edges 1 14. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the edge 1 14 allocated edge number 6 is displayed as having a length of 1600 mm. The visualisation panel 112 may display edge icons 117 which are selectable to display the calculated lengths 1 16. With reference to Figure 5, the visualisation panel 112 may be configured to display corner numbering 1 18 at respective corners 115. For example, in Figure 4, the visualisation panel 112 displays a corner allocated corner 5. The visualisation panel 1 12 may be configured to display corner icons 1 19 which are selectable to display the corner number 1 18. These corner numbers 118 are used with reference to the geometric controls as will be described in further detail below.

[0036] With reference to Figure 6, the geometric controls may comprise a shape selection control 120 for the selection of various shapes of glass panes, wherein the system 100 is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering 1 13 accordingly. In the example shown, the available shapes may comprise rectangular shapes 121 and non-rectangular shapes 122. If a non-rectangular shape is selected, the interface 110 may be configured to display an interior edge width adjustment control 123 shown in Figure 7 to adjust the dimension of at least one interior edge 114. The system 100 may dynamically update the geometric rendering 113 responsive to interaction with the interior edge width adjustment control 123.

[0037] As is further shown in Figure 7, the geometric controls may comprise height and width inputs 124, wherein the system 100 is configured to adjust the relative dimensions of the geometric rendering 1 13 accordingly. These height and width inputs 124 may correspond to maximum heights and widths for non-rectangular shapes. The system 100 may be configured with a density parameter, and the interface 110 is configured to dynamically display a calculated weight 125 as shown in Figure 7. In the example shown, the density parameter is 2.5 kg per millimetre of thickness per square metre. With reference to Figure 9, the geometric controls may comprise a thickness input 126, wherein the calculated weight 125 dynamically adjusts according to the specified thickness.

[0038] Figure 7 shows the geometric controls comprise a runout control 127 comprising a corner selection input 128, an offset input 129, and a runout orientation input 130. As such, the system 100 is configured to dynamically adjust the display of the runout of the geometric rendering 113 at any specified corner with just three inputs. Figure 9 shows the configuration controls comprise glass type configuration controls 131 and an edge work configuration control 132.

[0039] Figure 10 shows the geometric controls comprise a radius corner control 133 having a corner selection 134 and a radius corner input 135. The radius corner input 135 may take the form of a slider displaying the actual radius 136. The radius corner control 133 may have a corner selection 134 for each corner 1 15. Figure 1 1 shows the geometric controls comprise a hole input control 137 comprising a radius input138 and the positional offset input 139. The hole input control 137 may be configured to add any number of holes. Figure 12 shows the geometric controls comprise a cutout control 140. As shown in Figure 12, the cutout controls may comprise controls 140 for centre cutouts, side cutouts, corner cutouts, or hinge cutouts. Figure 13 shows the cutout control 140 in further detail which comprises a dimension input 141 and positional offset inputs 142.

[0040] The visualisation panel 1 12 may be configured to display the geometric rendering 1 13 with a representative cutout rendering 143 shown in Figure 14. The cutout rendering 143 may be displayed with a distance offset 144 from an adjacent edge 114. Furthermore, the cutout rendering 143 may comprise a dimensional display 145. The cutout rendering 143 may be displayed with adjustment handles 146 which may be used to adjust the width or height of the cutout rendering 143 individually or simultaneously. The system 100 may be configured to adjust the dimension inputs 141 of Figure 13 responsive to user on-screen interaction with the handles 146.

[0041] With reference to Figure 2, the configuration interface 1 10 may dynamically update a calculated price 147 for a glass pane configured according to the configuration controls. In other words, as the user interacts with the various configuration controls, the calculated price 147 may be dynamically updated. The server 102 may comprise e-commerce functionality or interact with an e-commerce server for facilitating payment and fulfilment of a glass pane specified according to these configurations. In embodiments, the server 102 may transmit a configuration specification document or file to a glass manufacturer, the file comprising a manufacture plan layout comprising the various dimensions of the glass pane. As can be appreciated from the above, the present configuration interface 1 10 may allow for the versatile configuration of most types of glass pane geometry in a single online user interface which does not require page refreshes.

[0042] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments ofthe invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A system comprising a computer device in operable communication with a web server and executing a web browser application interacting with the web server to display a configuration interface for configuring a glass pane on a digital display thereof, wherein the interface comprises a visualisation panel configured to display a geometric rendering of the glass pane and a plurality of adjacent configuration controls including geometric controls, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the displayed geometric rendering of the glass pane within the visualisation panel according to interaction with the geometric controls.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visualisation panel comprises controls to adjust the scale of the geometric rendering.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visualisation panel comprises controls to pan the geometric rendering.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visualisation panel comprises controls to rotate the geometric rendering.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visualisation panel is configured to display calculated lengths of edges of the geometric rendering.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the visualisation panel comprises edge icons, each selectable to display a calculated respective edge length.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rendering is configured to display corner numbering at respective corners of the geometric rendering.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the visualisation panel comprises corner icons, each selectable to display a corner number.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise a shape selection control, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the shape of the geometric rendering according to a shape selection.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein, for a non-rectangular shape selection, the interface is configured to display an interior edge width adjustment input to adjust at least one interior edge.11 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise height and width inputs, and wherein the system is configured to adjust the relative dimensions of the geometric rendering accordingly.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the height and width inputs correspond to respective maximum heights and widths for non-rectangular shapes.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the system is configured with a density parameter, and wherein the interface is configured to dynamically display a calculated weight according to the density parameter and height and width inputs.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the geometric controls comprise a thickness input, and wherein the calculated weight is dynamically adjusted according to a specified thickness.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise a runout control comprising a corner selection input, an offset input, and a runout orientation input, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering according to interaction with the runout control.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise a radius corner control having a corner selection and a radius input, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering according to interaction with the radius corner input.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the radius corner control has a corner selection for each corner.

18. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise a hole input control comprising a radius and XY position offset inputs, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering according to interaction with the hole input.

19. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the geometric controls comprise a cutout control, and wherein the system is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering according to interaction with the cutout control.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cutout input comprises at least one of a centre, side, corner, and hinge cutout inputs.21 . The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cutout input comprises dimension and position offset inputs.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the system is configured to display a cutout render according to interaction with the dimension and position offset inputs.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cutout rendering is displayed with at least one distance offset to an adjacent edge.

24. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cutout rendering is displayed with at least one dimension.

25. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cutout rendering comprises handles which can be adjusted on-screen, and wherein the system is configured to adjust the dimension inputs accordingly.

26. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the web server is configured to serve a webpage to the computer device comprising client-side code which is configured to dynamically adjust the geometric rendering without page refreshes, wherein, as such, the visualisation is dynamically adjusted by the client-side code responsive to user interaction with the geometric controls.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the client-side code monitors at least one of loss of focus and key-up events of inputs of the geometric controls to dynamically adjust the visualisation responsively.

Images