The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2005
David V. Winkler, Seattle, WA (US);
David V. Winkler, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A system and computer-implemented method for the creation of a structure using Lego building blocks is disclosed. Aspects of the methods are equally appropriate for numerous structures, including but not limited to, studs-up and studs-out configurations or a 'wall' style mosaic or a 'floor' style mosaic. Given the systems and methods disclosed, aspects of the invention are applicable to three-dimensional sculpture structures too. The system and method may use a recursive overlapping divide-and-conquer breadth-first search feature to improve the quality of the structures while only slightly, if at all, increasing the time and memory required. Furthermore, the system and method may use dithering algorithms and/or cost analysis to determine which building block can be used and placed to achieve high-quality structures. In another example, aspects of the invention may be used to more optimally schedule delivery trucks. In yet another example, aspects of the invention may be used to enhance handwriting recognition and speech recognition.