Custom Decorative Corner Profiles from Room Coordinate Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating custom decorative articles for complex installation areas, such as rooms with irregular geometry, are inefficient due to the need for precise cuts and accurate communication of room dimensions, often resulting in misalignment and waste.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining an edge profile of a custom decorative article using a device that receives coordinates of the installation area's corners, generates geometric characteristics, and outputs a profile for cutting or marking, allowing for on-site customization to fit the specific area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional methods are used to create custom decorative articles for complex installation areas, then precise cuts and accurate communication of room dimensions are required, but this results in misalignment and material waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual measurement and calculation methods with an automated image processing system. The system captures images of the installation area, automatically processes the images to determine geometric characteristics, and generates cutting patterns without requiring manual measurement tools or complex calculations by installers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the decorative article itself to guide the installation process. By printing the determined geometric characteristics and cutting patterns directly onto the decorative article, the article provides its own installation instructions, eliminating the need for separate measurement and communication steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If custom decorative articles are created for irregular geometry installation areas, then precise measurements and calculations are needed, but this increases installation time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom fit accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement, calculation, and marking processes with automated image capture and processing. The system quickly captures the installation area geometry through imaging and automatically determines the edge profile and cutting patterns, significantly reducing the time required for custom article preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs all measurements, calculations, and pattern generation before the actual installation process. By determining the edge profile and generating cutting patterns in advance through automated image processing, the system eliminates the need for complex on-site measurements and calculations during installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual methods are used to determine edge profiles for complex areas, then precise calculations are required, but this increases the complexity of the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge profile accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual calculation processes with automated image processing algorithms. The system uses software to automatically analyze captured images, calculate geometric characteristics, and determine edge profiles without requiring installers to perform complex mathematical computations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the installation area and the decorative article. This intermediary automatically captures, analyzes, and processes the geometric information, simplifying the overall process by eliminating the need for direct manual measurement and calculation between installers and the article

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12129666B2Custom decorative articles and systems, apparatus, and method for providing the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 SHAW IND GROUP INC

AI summary

A method for determining an edge profile of a custom decorative article to be installed in an installation area is disclosed, the installation area having a perimeter having a plurality of corners. A computing device receives data indicative of a plurality of coordinates corresponding to the plurality of corners of the perimeter of the installation area. Based on at least first, second, and third coordinates respectively corresponding to first, second, and third corners of the plurality of corners of the perimeter of the installation area, the computing device determines dimensional and/or geometric characteristics of a pair of opposed portions of the edge profile that, in an installed position, are configured to meet to form a corner of the custom decorative article when installed at the second corner of the perimeter of the installation area.