Abstract:
A method for embellishment placement may include receiving a parameter value defining a minimum distance between an embellishment and another feature of the item, defining points on the item, randomizing the points, eliminating one or more points based on the parameter value and leaving remaining points, the remaining points defining the positions for embellishments on the item, and manufacturing the item.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/047,149, filed Mar. 12, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,126,683, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/894,362 filed on Mar. 12, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a method for embellishment placement and, more specifically, to an automated method for determining positions for embellishments placement for items such as jewelry. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embellishments, such as stones or beads (raised portions of metal on a like metal substrate) are frequently used to decorate jewelry items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings, etc. In many cases, such as championship rings, it is desirable to have a plurality of small stones  12 , such as shown in the ring  10  of  FIG. 1 , to create visual impact. Similar visual impact can alternatively be created by providing metal beads  22  along the surface of the ring  20 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 . Regardless of the type of embellishment provided, for example stones or beads, it is often desirable that the placement of the embellishments fills the space on the ring and appears random. 
     Generally, to create placement positions for embellishments, a designer manually determines placement of each individual embellishment. Such manual determination is time-consuming and costly. Therefore, a need exists for an automated process for determining embellishment placement. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, an automated method for determining placement of embellishments for jewelry items is provided. 
     In one embodiment, a method for determining positions for embellishment placement on an item is provided. The method comprises determining and setting values for at least one parameter, setting points on the item and randomizing the points. The method further comprises eliminating points based on the at least one parameter and using the remaining points as positions for embellishments. 
     In another embodiment, a method for determining positions for embellishment placement on a ring is provided. The method includes providing a ring face having a perimeter and a center boundary, determining at least one parameter, and setting values for the at least one parameter. The method further includes creating offsets along the ring face, setting points on the offsets, and randomizing the points. The method then includes eliminating points based on the at least one parameter and using remaining points as positions for embellishments. 
     While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be apparent, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a ring having a decorative feature and a plurality of stones on the face thereof. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a ring having a decorative feature and a plurality of beads on the face thereof. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates workflow diagram of an automated method for determining embellishment placement in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the face of a jewelry item. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the face of a jewelry item having curves and points superimposed thereupon in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A method for embellishment placement is provided. More specifically, an automated method for determining placement of embellishments for items, such as jewelry items, is provided. Jewelry items, such as rings, often have a face that has one or more decorative features. In addition to a focal point, such as a large stone, letter, or icon, a plurality of small embellishments, such as stones or beads, may be provided on the face.  FIG. 1  illustrates a ring  10  having a decorative feature  16  provided on its face  14 . In addition to the decorative feature  16 , a letter in  FIG. 1 , the ring includes a plurality of small stones  12  and beads  13 . The decorative feature  16  may be a custom decorative detail such as a stone, a feature where paint, such as enamel paint, may be added, a detail that may be fixed in tooling, a letter or icon that may be filled with paint or may contain stones, etc. The beads  13  may comprise metallic knobs formed of the same metal as the substrate item. The beads  13  thus may add shininess and decoration similar to that of stones. The stones  12  and beads  13  are provided within and without the decorative feature  16 . Each stone  12  is set on the face  14  of the ring  10 , for example in prongs provided at the stone seat of each stone  12 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a ring  20  having a decorative feature  26  and a plurality of beads  22  on its face  24 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the beads substantially fill the face  24  outside of the decorative feature  26 . Stones and beads may be referred to interchangeably throughout this description and such discussion is intended to cover both as well as other types of embellishments. 
     While the present disclosure makes specific reference to rings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that portions of the disclosed method may be used to embellish any type of jewelry and may further be extended into other areas. Further, the method disclosed herein may be used for producing random patterns in a confined region on other items. For example, the method may be applied to diplomas, announcements, and other printed materials. Objects being embellished may comprise any surface including planar surfaces and/or curved surfaces, or any solid including faceted solids and triangulated models. As used herein, the term “embellishment” may refer to any feature placed on a surface of an item, including, for example printed features, physical features such as beads or stones, and others. 
       FIG. 3  is a workflow diagram illustrating an automated method  30  of determining embellishment placement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, parameters are determined regarding positioning of the embellishments [block  32 ]. Next, values for each parameter are entered [block  34 ]. Points are set on the item. Setting of the points may comprise creating offsets or curves along the portion of the item to be embellished [block  36 ] and setting points along the offsets [block  38 ]. These points are randomized [block  40 ]. Decorative feature(s), such as a large central stone, a letter or icon, or other, may be added [block  42 ]. Based on the added decorative feature(s) and the parameter values, points may be eliminated [block  44 ]. After points violating the parameter values have been eliminated, the remaining points comprise positions for embellishments. Because the method produces random placement of the embellishments, after positions have been established, the data may be compacted to open space for more positions. 
     Each of the steps of  FIG. 3  will now be discussed in more detail. 
     With specific reference to determining parameters regarding positioning of embellishments [block  32 ] and entering values for each parameter [block  34 ], such parameters may be, for example, relative distances of the embellishments to other features of the item. For example, one parameter may be the distance of one embellishment to another. This may be referred to as d 0 . Another parameter may be the distance of an embellishment to a center boundary (for example, the center boundary  58  shown in  FIG. 4 ). This may be referred to as d 1 . Another parameter may be the distance of an embellishment to prongs of a stone (shown at  60  of  FIG. 4 ) or to other feature of the item. This may be referred to as d 2 . Yet another parameter may be the distance of an embellishment to a stone seat (shown at  62  of  FIG. 4 ). This may be referred to as d 3 . Depending on the item being embellished, other parameters may be used. Further, not all of these parameters may be used. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 4  regarding the creation of offsets or curves (block  36  of  FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 4  illustrates the face  52  of an item  50 . The offsets or curves  54  are made around the perimeter  56  and center boundary  58  of the item  50 . These offsets or curves  54  may be uniformly spaced from one another, randomly spaced from one another, or pseudo randomly spaced from one another. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the offsets or curves  54  are uniformly spaced from one another. Generally, the curves may be set based on the parameter d 1 , the distance of any embellishment to the center boundary  58 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , points  64  are set along each of the offsets or curves  54  (block  38  of  FIG. 3 ). These points  64  are generally set uniformly along the offsets or curves  54 . For example, the points  64  may be provided spaced every 1/1000 or 5/1000 of an inch along each offset or curve  54 . In alternative embodiments, the points  64  may be set randomly or pseudo-randomly. These points  64  comprise data relating to embellishment placement. At creation, these points  64  may be numbered sequentially. Thus, the first point along a curve may be numbered 1, the next numbered 2, etc. Randomizing the points  64  (block  40  of  FIG. 3 ) may comprise shuffling the numbering of the points  64 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates decorative features  70  of the jewelry item  50  added over the offsets or curves  54 . Points  64  are eliminated based on the added features  70  as violating set parameter values (block  44  of  FIG. 3 ). Specifically, a data structure may be used to track features  70  and points  64  and compare the points  64  (or curve data) to the set parameters (d 0 , d 1 , d 2 , d 3 , etc.). Any points that violate the set parameters are eliminated. With respect to d 0 , the distance of one point to another, the points are eliminated sequentially, for example, in number order. Thus, if point  2  violates d 0  with respect to its position to point  1 , point  2  is eliminated. Because the points are randomly numbered, the points are eliminated randomly based on d 0  and such elimination will appear random. Generally, as many points as possible given the values set for the parameters will remain. After points violating the parameter values have been eliminated, the remaining points comprise positions for embellishments. 
     Any data structure may be used for tracking the points and comparing the points to the set parameters. For example, the data structure may be a tree, a data structure for bucket sorting, or another data structure. The type of data structure (and data) used sets whether algorithms for tracking and eliminating the points are two-dimensional or three-dimensional. For a three-dimensional structure, the data may be projected onto a surface. 
     Other factors may be input depending on the embellishment. For example, for stone embellishments, the number of stone seats, the total carats, the order of stone placement (for example, placement of large stones, then placement of small stones) may be input. These factors may be incorporated into algorithms used by the data structure. Stones are frequently set within prongs. Using the method to determine stone placement, the method may further include changing orientation of the prongs to fit more stones. 
     Generally, the description herein has related to embellishment placement on a substantially two dimensional substrate. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the system and method for embellishment placement may further be applied to three dimensional objects or substrates. 
     After positions for embellishments have been determined, such positions may be used to generate a tool path for creation of the item or may be used in a rapid prototyping process. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.