Building Instruction Generation via Deconstruction Sequence Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for generating building instructions for construction toy sets are labor-intensive, require skilled designers, and are not suitable for children to create and share their own models, especially for complex models where the number of possible instructions grows exponentially with the number of building elements.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that determines a sequential order of deconstruction steps for a building element model and reverses this order to obtain construction steps, using a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches to efficiently generate high-quality building instructions with minimal user interaction and computational resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If building instructions are generated manually by skilled designers, then the quality and ease of following the instructions is high, but the process is labor-intensive and requires great skill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of following instructionsVSAvoidlabor intensity of instruction generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to generate their own building instructions automatically through a computer-implemented method. The model processing system autonomously determines construction sequences and generates visual instructions without requiring manual design input, allowing children to create and share their own models independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of designing and drawing building instructions with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithmic processing to analyze building element connectivity, determine construction sequences, and generate visual step-by-step instructions, eliminating the need for skilled designers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If building instructions are generated for complex models with many building elements, then the completeness and detail of instructions is high, but the number of possible instructions grows exponentially making automatic generation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of building instructionsVSAvoidcomplexity of instruction generation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex model into individual building elements and processes them hierarchically. It identifies connectivity relationships between elements and generates instructions by processing subsets of elements in logical sequences, breaking down the exponentially complex problem into manageable segments that can be processed efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of instruction representation by using visual images showing subsets of building elements at different construction stages rather than traditional text-based instructions. This parameter change enables automatic generation while maintaining completeness, as the visual representation naturally captures the state of the model at each step without requiring complex textual descriptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional manual methods are used to generate building instructions, then high-quality instructions are produced, but the process is not suitable for children without reading skills or design experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of building instructionsVSAvoidaccessibility to children

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses visual copying of the model's actual state at different construction stages. Instead of requiring children to create original instructional content, the system automatically generates visual copies showing what the model looks like at each step, making instructions accessible to children without reading skills while maintaining high quality through accurate visual representation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system empowers children to independently generate and share their own building instructions through an automated process that requires no design experience. Children can load their models, and the system automatically produces visual step-by-step instructions that the child can then share with others, making the process accessible and encouraging creativity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7979251B2Automatic generation of building instructions for building element models

Publication Date: 2011.07.12 LEGO AS

AI summary

A computer-implemented method of generating building instructions for a building element model, the model including a plurality of building elements, the building instructions being indicative of a sequential order of construction steps for constructing the building element model, each construction step including adding at least one building element to the building element model. The method comprises determining, from a digital representation of the building element model, a sequential order of deconstruction steps for deconstructing the building element model into building elements, each deconstruction step including removing at least one building element from the building element model; and inverting the determined sequential order of deconstruction steps to obtain the sequential order of construction steps.