{
  "patent_number": "US 9182882",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How to Draw 3D Shapes on Touchscreens Using Your Fingers",
  "original_title": "Dynamic creation and modeling of solid models",
  "summary": "A method for creating 3D objects in design software by simply dragging your finger across a touchscreen, allowing the shape to grow in real-time as you move.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a way to make 3D modeling software responsive to touch inputs. When a user selects a tool and drags their finger across a screen, the software interprets that movement as a path for a new 3D object. As the finger moves, the system calculates and renders the object's geometry instantly. It specifically uses mathematical techniques like cubic b-splines and Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces to turn a simple finger swipe into a smooth, complex 3D shape.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover 3D modeling using traditional mouse and keyboard inputs.",
    "Does not cover importing pre-existing 3D files or scanning objects into the software.",
    "Does not cover non-real-time modeling where the shape only appears after the gesture is completed.",
    "Does not cover gestures that are not specifically mapped to the creation of new geometric forms."
  ],
  "filed": "2012-01-16",
  "granted": "2015-11-10",
  "expires": "2032-01-16",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Autodesk Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/autodesk-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Vincent Ma",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/vincent-ma"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hans-Frederick Brown",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hans-frederick-brown"
    },
    {
      "name": "Gregory W. Fowler",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/gregory-w-fowler"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 17,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "A method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage device is configured to perform three-dimensional (3D) modeling. A modeling tool is activated in a 3D modeling application executing on a multi-touch device. An input touch event and input gesture for creating a new 3D geometric form is received. Dynamically, in real-time as the input gesture is received, the new 3D geometric form is created and displayed. The shape of the new 3D geometric form corresponds to the input gesture.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9182882/dynamic-creation-and-modeling-of-solid-models",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9182882/dynamic-creation-and-modeling-of-solid-models/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US9182882",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "7812828",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Touchscreens Use Math to Recognize Your Fingers",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812828/ellipse-fitting-for-multi-touch-surfaces"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "8429565",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Touchscreen Gestures Use Physics to Feel Real",
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      "patentNumber": "7812826",
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      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "Adjusting Touchscreen Sensitivity Based on Device Tilt Angle",
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  ]
}