Method of printing a 3D model from point cloud data
US11543800B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2210/56
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided, which convert points in a cloud into a model for 3D printing in a computationally efficient manner and while maintaining and possibly adjusting shape, volume and color information. Methods include deriving, from the points, a crude watertight mesh with respect to the points, e.g., an alpha shape, determining, using normal vectors associated with the points, locations of the points with respect to the mesh (e.g., as being inside, outside or within the model) and using the derived mesh to define the model with respect to the determined locations of the points. Combining the computational geometry approach with the field approach is synergetic and results in better information content of the resulting model for 3D printing while consuming less computational resources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.