Simulated Lighting for 3D Building Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to effectively display and understand the interior layout and details of a building from remote locations, especially under varying lighting conditions, as existing methods struggle to accurately simulate and present lighting information for three-dimensional building models.
Innovation Solution
The use of computing devices to generate and display simulated lighting information for three-dimensional building models based on external light sources, geographical location, and environmental factors, employing techniques like ambient occlusion and ray tracing to estimate light entry and reflection within the building, allowing users to specify conditions and view simulated lighting scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical travel to the building is required to view interior details, then accurate understanding of layout and details is achieved, but time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a three-dimensional computer model that replicates the building interior, allowing remote viewing of detailed layouts and features without physical presence. This digital copy preserves spatial relationships, dimensions, and visual characteristics while eliminating travel requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional representations to three-dimensional computer models, adding depth and spatial context. This dimensional enhancement enables more accurate visualization of interior layouts, ceiling heights, and spatial relationships while maintaining remote accessibility.
2Measurement precision
If complex lighting simulation techniques are used to achieve accurate lighting conditions, then visualization accuracy improves, but computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lighting simulation selectively to specific areas, times, and conditions rather than continuously across the entire model. Users can choose to simulate lighting for particular rooms, time periods, or scenarios, reducing overall computational burden while maintaining accuracy where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores lighting information for various conditions, times, and locations in advance. This preliminary computation allows rapid retrieval and display of lighting data during actual use, reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining simulation accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate and automated simulation of lighting conditions for building interiors, improving navigation and visualization, reducing computational resources, and providing valuable insights for architectural analysis and real estate purposes.
Implementation Method 1
employing techniques like ambient occlusion and ray tracing to estimate light entry and reflection within the building
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for using computing devices to perform automated operations related to, with respect to a computer model of a house or other building's interior, generating and displaying simulated lighting information in the model based on sunlight or other external light that is estimated to enter the building and be visible in particular rooms of the interior under specified conditions, such as using ambient occlusion and light transport matrix calculations. The computer model may be a 3D (three-dimensional) or 2.5D representation that is generated after the house is built and that shows physical components of the actual house's interior (e.g., walls), and may be displayed to a user of a client computing device in a displayed GUI (graphical user interface) via which the user specifies conditions for which the simulated lighting display is generated.