2D Model Representation Visibility Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional model systems lose data due to overlapping components, leading to incomplete representations as visible edges are removed, resulting in missing segments of lines.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine the visibility of graphics based on component orientation, define display rules to control visibility, and store graphics separately from structures, allowing for interactive configuration and preservation of multiple configurations in a single illustration file.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If overlapped segments of lines are removed to preserve appearance of components, then component appearance is preserved, but visible components may be missing segments of lines that represent them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent appearance preservationVSAvoidmissing line segments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments line graphics into multiple portions based on component overlap relationships. Each line is divided into segments that can be independently controlled for visibility, allowing the system to preserve appearance of overlapping components while maintaining complete geometric information through separate line segment representations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic visibility control of line segments based on component orientation and overlap conditions. Display rules dynamically determine which line segments should be visible or hidden based on the selected configuration and spatial relationships, allowing the representation to adapt to different viewing scenarios while preserving all underlying geometric data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If multiple configurations are stored in a single illustration file, then storage efficiency is improved, but file complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidfile structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal illustration file structure that can represent multiple configurations through a single file. The file contains component definitions, line graphics, and display rules that work together to represent different spatial arrangements, allowing one file to serve multiple configuration purposes without requiring separate files for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a configurational dimension to the illustration file by incorporating display rules that define component orientations and overlap relationships. This additional dimensional information allows the same geometric data to represent multiple configurations by varying the application of display rules rather than creating separate geometric representations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9159161B1Systems and methods for creating a two-dimensional representation of a model

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method of creating a two-dimensional representation of a model. The method includes receiving data corresponding to a first component and at least one second component of the model, defining a first component representation, defining the at least one second component representation, determining a visibility of the plurality of graphics of the first component representation, determining a visibility of the plurality of graphics of the at least one second component representation, defining a structure of the first component representation, defining a structure of the at least one second component representation, defining one or more display rules, and generating an illustration file.