Patent ID: 8006214
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for generating a computer-based representation of a design having one or more shapes, the method comprising the steps of: representing each of the shapes in the design with one or more trapezoids, wherein a fixed number of non-vertical lines are used to define an x-coordinate of a left base, an x-coordinate of a right base and sides of each trapezoid with intersection points being formed between the non-vertical lines that define the sides of the trapezoids; using the x-coordinates of the bases and the intersection points of the non-vertical lines to divide one or more of the trapezoids into a plurality of disjoint trapezoids, wherein each disjoint trapezoid is defined by a combination of the same non-vertical lines that are used to define one or more of the trapezoids; and assigning an order to the x-coordinates of the bases and the intersection points of the non-vertical lines, wherein the x-coordinates of the bases and the intersection points of the non-vertical lines in the assigned order are representative of the design, wherein one or more of the steps are performed using a processor.