Simulation Apparatus for Embossed Surface Reflection Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current simulation methods require actual object measurements for each combination of material and surface shape to estimate reflection characteristics, making it cumbersome to acquire reflection characteristics of objects with embossed surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A simulation apparatus and method that generates shape data for desired grains and secondary grains, allowing for the estimation of reflection characteristics without the need for actual object measurements, using databases for grain, secondary grain, and material optical characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If actual object measurements are performed for each combination of material and surface shape, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflection characteristics measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of surface shapes (grain patterns, secondary grain patterns) through shape data representation, and virtual copies of material properties through optical characteristic data. These digital models replace the need for physical measurement of every possible combination, allowing reflection characteristics to be estimated through computation rather than physical measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing shape data of various grain patterns and optical characteristics of various materials in databases. When a specific combination is needed, the system retrieves pre-stored data and combines it with shape data generation, rather than performing complete measurements from scratch for each combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If actual object measurements are performed for each combination of material and surface shape, then reliability of reflection characteristics data is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflection characteristics data reliabilityVSAvoidtime for acquiring reflection characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-acquiring and storing optical characteristics data for various materials and shape data for various grain patterns in databases. This preliminary preparation allows rapid retrieval and combination when specific combinations are needed, significantly reducing the time required compared to performing complete measurements for each combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reflection characteristics determination process into independent components: shape data (grain patterns, secondary grain patterns) and optical characteristics data (material properties). These segmented components can be independently retrieved from databases and combined through computation, eliminating the need for time-consuming complete measurements for each combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If measurements are performed for specific combinations of grain, secondary grain, and material, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBRDF measurement precisionVSAvoidease of acquiring reflection characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copies (shape data and optical characteristics data) to represent physical properties. These digital models can be easily manipulated, combined, and retrieved without the complexity of physical sample preparation and measurement, greatly simplifying the process while maintaining measurement precision through accurate computational modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal database structure that stores fundamental shape data and optical characteristics data that can be universally applied across multiple combinations. A single shape data set can be combined with multiple material optical characteristics, and vice versa, making the system versatile and easy to use for determining reflection characteristics of any combination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complete measurements are performed for all possible combinations, then adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different material and surface shape combinationsVSAvoidspeed of acquiring reflection characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments reflection characteristics into independent shape data components (grain patterns, secondary grain patterns) and material optical characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to handle any combination by simply retrieving and combining the relevant segmented data from databases, providing unlimited adaptability without the productivity penalty of pre-measuring all possible combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The database structure stores universal shape data and optical characteristics data that can serve multiple purposes and be combined in various ways. A single stored shape data set can be used with multiple material optical characteristics, and a single optical characteristics data set can be applied to multiple grain patterns, enabling the system to adapt to any combination rapidly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3514762B1Simulation apparatus, method of estimating reflection characteristics, and program
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3514762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514762B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3514762B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Reflection characteristics of light in an object having a surface that is embossed are easily acquired. A simulation apparatus 10 includes a grain shape database 101 that stores shape data of a grain; a secondary grain shape database 100 that stores shape data of a secondary grain; a material database 102 that stores data of optical characteristics specific to a material of an object; a combination shape generator 103 that generates shape data of a shape in which the secondary grain overlaps the grain by combining the shape data stored in the grain shape database 101 with the shape data stored in the secondary grain shape database 100; and a reflection characteristic estimation unit 105 that estimates the reflection characteristics of the light in the object by a simulation using the shape data that has been generated and the data stored in the material database 102.