Ralph E Jennings

US Patent:

20020089500, Jul 11, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/017148

Inventors:

Ralph Jennings - Stow MA, US
Thomas Massie - Windham NH, US
Bradley Payne - Andover MA, US
Walter Shannon - West Newton MA, US

International Classification:

G06T017/00

US Classification:

345/420000

Abstract:

Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession. Multiple alternative representations can be employed in the system and method.

US Patent:

20060109269, May 25, 2006

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/179038

Inventors:

Ralph Jennings - Stow MA, US
Thomas Massie - Windham NH, US
Bradley Payne - Andover MA, US
Walter Shannon - West Newton MA, US

Assignee:

SensAble Technologies, Inc. - Woburn MA

International Classification:

G06T 17/00

US Classification:

345424000

Abstract:

Systems and methods for modifying a virtual object stored within a computer. The systems and methods allow virtual object modifications that are otherwise computationally inconvenient. The virtual object is represented as a volumetric representation. A portion of the volumetric model is converted into an alternative representation. The alternative representation can be a representation having a different number of dimensions from the volumetric representations. A stimulus is applied to the alternative representation, for example by a user employing a force-feedback haptic interface. The response of the alternative representation to the stimulus is calculated. The change in shape of the virtual object is determined from the response of the alternative representation. The representations of the virtual object can be displayed at any time for the user. The user can be provided a force-feedback response. Multiple stimuli can be applied in succession. Multiple alternative representations can be employed in the system and method.

US Patent:

55420885, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Apr 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/235595

Inventors:

Ralph E. Jennings - Madison AL
Benjamin P. Haley - Madison AL
R. D. Holland - Somerville AL
Deborah K. Cecil - Madison AL
Anthony E. Tassone - Madison AL

Assignee:

Intergraph Corporation - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

G06F 946

US Classification:

395650

Abstract:

A system is disclosed which enables a user of a computer system to have direct control over the priorities assigned to the execution of tasks requested by the user. The user establishes a user tolerance level indicative of the delay the user is willing to tolerate before a task is assigned to background manager. Then whenever a task is requested by the user, a calculation is made to determine whether the task will require more or less time than the user tolerance. If the task requires more time, it is assigned to the control of a background manager, while if it requires less time, it is executed to completion immediately without further instruction from the user. The background manager handles the execution of all background tasks, maintaining the proper order for data consistency, yet allowing the user to rearrange execution priorities when necessary.