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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Each of the steps of
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 d0. Another parameter may be the distance of an embellishment to a center boundary (for example, the center boundary 58 shown in
Reference is made to
As shown in
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.
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.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120116729 A1 | May 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60894362 | Mar 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12047149 | Mar 2008 | US |
Child | 13353465 | US |