Database-Driven Product Visualization Layering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating visualizations of customized consumer products are costly and resource-intensive, especially when dealing with numerous variations, as they require creating and storing large numbers of digital images or using resource-heavy software plugins, which can be risky for users' computers and are not easily scalable.
Innovation Solution
A database-driven system that dynamically compiles a photorealistic image of a consumer product by separating variable regions into distinct layers, each with a depth attribute, allowing for the creation of a single image from multiple layers, reducing the number of iterations and texture maps needed, and enabling dynamic generation and updating of images without requiring users to install additional software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional methods are used to generate visualizations for customized products with many variations, then the visualizations can be generated, but the cost and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the consumer product into multiple distinct layers (e.g., body, wheels, handlebars for a bicycle), where each layer can be independently varied. This segmentation allows the system to store and combine only the variable portions of products rather than creating complete product images for every possible variation, significantly reducing the total number of images needed while maintaining the ability to generate visualizations for numerous variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional shift from storing complete product images to storing layered components with depth attributes. By representing products as composite layers with depth information, the system can efficiently combine different layer variations to create product visualizations without needing to store every possible combination as a complete image, thus reducing storage requirements while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If resource-heavy software plugins are used to generate product visualizations, then the visualizations can be generated, but the complexity and risk to users increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified digital representation system that copies only the essential visual information needed for product visualization. Instead of using complex software plugins that require installation and configuration, the system uses a database of layered product components with depth attributes, allowing users to access and combine these pre-processed layers through a simpler interface without installing additional software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between the product design system and the user interface. This database stores pre-processed layered product information and depth attributes, serving as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between users and the visualization system. Users can query and combine layers from the database without needing to understand or install complex underlying software plugins.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete digital images of all product variations are created and stored, then all variations can be displayed, but the storage requirements and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments product representations into separate layers (e.g., chassis, body, accessories), where each layer contains only the variable elements for that specific component. This segmentation allows the system to store minimal data for each variation while maintaining comprehensive coverage through layer combination, significantly reducing storage requirements compared to storing complete product images for all variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic layer combination system where product visualizations are generated on-demand by combining different layer variations based on user selections. Rather than storing static complete images for all variations, the system dynamically assembles layers in real-time, reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to display any product variation. This dynamic approach allows efficient handling of frequent design changes without requiring complete image regeneration.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure includes a method for creating a database stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising: receiving a first plurality of images of variations of a first consumer product layer, each of the first plurality of images depicting a variation of the first consumer product layer, each of the variations comprising at least one surface. The method also includes receiving a second plurality of images of variations of a second consumer product layer, each of the second plurality of images depicting a variation of the first consumer product layer, each of the variations comprising at least one surface. The method further includes providing a first depth attribute to the first consumer product layer and a second depth attribute to the second consumer product layer. The method also includes storing the first plurality of images, the second plurality of images, the texture maps, and the plurality of textures in the database.