Method for displaying and manipulating a floor layout display on a computer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers face difficulties in designing and visualizing carpet or carpet tile layouts due to cumbersome physical methods or limited interactive capabilities of existing computer design systems, which restrict real-time interaction and visualization in both 2D and 3D perspectives.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for generating a graphic display on a computer monitor that includes a floor layout or room scene, utilizing HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery to create an interactive interface with hover, drag, and activation events, allowing users to manipulate tile graphics, change patterns, colors, and orientations, and switch between 2D and 3D views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical carpet tiles are used for layout design, then customers can view and rearrange representative tiles, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of layout designVSAvoidtime for design process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital copies (graphics) of carpet tiles instead of physical tiles. The computer system displays graphical representations that can be manipulated without physical handling, eliminating the cumbersome nature of physical tile rearrangement while maintaining visual accuracy for design purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical manipulation of tiles with computer-based graphical manipulation. Users interact with digital representations through software interfaces, substituting physical handling with electronic control, thereby reducing time and effort required for layout design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional computer design systems are used, then layout design can be performed digitally, but interaction capabilities are limited and real-time manipulation is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteractive capabilityVSAvoidreal-time interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interaction capabilities where graphical representations of carpet tiles can be manipulated in real-time. The system allows users to drag, drop, rotate, and resize tile graphics dynamically, enabling flexible and intuitive control over layout design without the limitations of static or pre-programmed design systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a versatile design system that can handle multiple carpet tile types, patterns, and configurations within a single platform. The system universally supports various interaction modes and display configurations, making it adaptable to different design scenarios and user preferences.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If computer design systems are used, then digital layout visualization is possible, but the ability to visualize in various environments and perspectives is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental context
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables visualization of carpet tile layouts in multiple dimensions and perspectives. The system can display top-down views, angled perspectives, and integrate layouts into room environment contexts, allowing users to see how designs appear in actual spatial settings rather than flat two-dimensional representations only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2820535B1Method for displaying and manipulating a floor layout display on a computer
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 MILLIKEN & CO
  • EP2820535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2820535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2820535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A graphic display on a computer system with a floor layout having a canvas layer and an overlay layer. The canvas layer has tile graphics laid out in a grid, the tile graphics representing portions of the floor. The overlay layer has overlay containers corresponding to the tile graphics, the overlay layer having overlay zones and overlay graphics. Overlay functions associated with overlay zones in an overlay container manipulate the tile graphic associated with the overlay container. The overlay graphics of each overlay container are transparent until a hover event occurs over the associated overlay container. A tile pallet illustrates the tile graphics in the canvas layer of the floor layout. A tool layout display includes indicia associated with various functions that can manipulate the tile graphics in the flooring layout. A perspective flooring layout is displayed in a transparent window of an environmental mask with a perspective room design.