Virtual Model Sub-Section Display for Portable BIM Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Facility Information Modeling (FIM) electronic models are not readily accessible on portable devices due to memory limitations, causing devices to shut down when trying to load large file sizes.
Innovation Solution
Methods for displaying a sub-section of the virtual model based on the user's field of view and the device's memory capacity, using proximity-based object streaming to manage memory loading, prioritizing important objects, and optimizing display by sorting and streaming model objects based on size, proximity, and relevance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the entire BIM/FIM model is loaded onto the portable device, then the user can access complete building and facility data, but the device memory is exceeded causing the device to shut down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complete BIM/FIM model into multiple sub-sections based on spatial proximity to the user's field of view. Only the necessary sub-sections within a defined threshold distance are loaded into memory, while the rest remain on the server. This segmentation allows the device to access meaningful portions of the model without overwhelming its limited memory capacity, preventing shutdowns while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential portions of the model data that are currently needed for display based on the user's field of view and proximity criteria. By taking out only the necessary sub-sections rather than loading the entire model, the system preserves device memory for critical operations and avoids the harmful effect of memory overflow that would cause device shutdown.
2Loss of information
If the entire BIM/FIM model is loaded onto the portable device, then the user can view complete three-dimensional information, but the device memory limit is exceeded causing immediate shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the model into manageable sub-sections based on spatial proximity to the user's current view. This allows the device to load and display relevant building data without attempting to load the entire model, thereby avoiding memory limit violations that would cause shutdown and make the device unusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the complete model data and the portable device. The server stores the full BIM/FIM model and selectively provides only the necessary sub-sections to the device based on proximity criteria. This intermediary architecture enables continuous access to building data while protecting the device from memory overload.
3Speed
If model objects are loaded in no particular order, then the display can be generated quickly, but the memory load exceeds the maximum capacity causing application crash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting of model objects based on their proximity to the user's field of view before loading them into memory. By pre-ordering objects according to spatial relevance and loading them in that sequence, the system ensures that the most important objects are loaded first while staying within memory limits, preventing application crashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by loading only the necessary subset of model objects that fall within the proximity threshold rather than loading all objects. This partial loading approach generates display content at an acceptable speed while deliberately limiting the total memory consumption to stay below the maximum capacity, ensuring application stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to devices and methods for displaying a sub-section of a virtual model. In certain aspects, methods herein involve determining a portion of a virtual model within a user's field of view, determining a maximum load value that can be accommodated by the device, and displaying a sub-section of the virtual model based upon the portion that is within the user's field of view and the maximum load value accommodated by the device. In other aspects, devices herein include hardware and software that cause a CPU of the device to determine a portion of a virtual model within a user's field of view, determine a maximum load value that can be accommodated by the device, and display a sub-section of the virtual model based upon the portion that is within the user's field of view and the maximum load value accommodated by the device.