3D Facility Model Annotation System for Readability and Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for annotating 3D displays face issues such as annotations becoming unreadable or disappearing when the model is rotated, and visual continuity problems due to overlapping or collapsing annotations during zooming and user manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The system adapts annotations to rotations and varying levels of detail by determining context based on user interaction and building management system data, allowing for context-driven, non-overlapping annotations that maintain visual continuity by offsetting or dimming occluding annotations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If annotations are fixed to floor or wall of 3D model, then annotations are displayed on specific surfaces, but annotations become unreadable or disappear when model is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making annotations rotate together with the 3D model rather than remaining fixed. The annotation rotation mechanism ensures that annotations maintain their orientation relative to the model's current view, preventing them from becoming unreadable or disappearing when the model is rotated. This dynamic adjustment of annotation orientation resolves the contradiction between easy placement and continuous readability.
2Loss of information
If annotations are displayed on 3D model, then object properties and state information are visible, but annotations collapse on one another when display is zoomed out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving annotations from a 2D surface-based placement to a 3D space-based placement. Annotations are positioned in three-dimensional space around the model rather than being constrained to surfaces, allowing them to maintain proper spacing and orientation even when the view is zoomed out. This spatial redistribution prevents annotation collapse while preserving information visibility.
3Loss of information
If all annotations are displayed simultaneously, then complete information is provided, but visual continuity is lost during user manipulation due to occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively displaying annotations based on their visibility and relevance in the current view. Rather than displaying all annotations simultaneously, the system adjusts annotation visibility locally - showing only those that are visible and pertinent in the current perspective while hiding or dimming those that would cause occlusions or are not visible. This maintains information completeness for relevant elements while preserving visual continuity during model manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for annotating three-dimensional displays are described herein. One method includes displaying, by a computing device, a particular view of a 3D model of a facility, the 3D model including a plurality of objects, each object associated with a respective annotation, determining a context associated with the 3D model, and displaying a subset of the plurality of annotations associated with a respective subset of the plurality of objects based on the context.