Patent ID: 6631364
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: G06F,G06K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of searching 3-dimensional models in a database, each 3-dimensional model represented by a 2-dimensional depiction, said method comprising:(a) obtaining a 3-dimensional search criteria model represented by a 2-dimensional depiction; (b) determining characteristic descriptors for each of the 3-dimensional models in the database and the 3-dimensional search criteria model, comprising: (bi) determining an orientation independent reference frame for each model; (bii) generating surface characteristic descriptors for each model on the basis of the orientation independent reference frame, the surface characteristic descriptors describing visible surface properties of each model; (biii) generating physical characteristic descriptors for each model on the basis of the orientation independent reference frame, the physical characteristic descriptors describing physical properties of each model; (c) determining differences between the surface and physical characteristic descriptors of the 3-dimensional search criteria model and the surface and physical characteristic descriptors of each of the 3-dimensional models in the database; (d) defining a variance range for the differences; and (e) providing the 2-dimensional depiction of the 3-dimensional models from the database for which the differences are within the variance range.