DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION OF AN OBJECT

Applicant:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Under Ministry of Defence,
(A Govt. of India Undertaking)
Having address:
Dockyard Road, Mazagon,
Mumbai - 400010, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] This patent application claims priority from Indian Provisional Application 201821042602 filed on November 13, 2018.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a system for generating a virtual representation of an object.

BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, one or more equipment such as pipes, cables, ventilation trunks, and the like, are fitted in compartments of a structure such as a marine vessel and the like. A line-out inspection is performed by a user before fitting the equipment in order to validate the feasibility of the fitting of the components. The line-out inspection indicates physically marking the equipment to be fitted in the compartments. The line-out inspection involves modelling the compartments and the equipment to be fitted in the compartments in 3-D (Three-Dimensional) using a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Further, 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings are extracted from the 3-D model. The 2-D layout drawings of a cuboidal compartment consists of a minimum six views as six faces of a cube. The line-out inspection is then performed by the user based on the 2-D layout drawings. The user physically marks or line-out each equipment on the six faces. The equipment is fitted in the compartments of the structure after completion and clearance of the line-out inspection.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[004] One object of the present subject matter is to develop a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system for generating a virtual representation.
[005] Another object of the present subject matter is to create a virtual environment for virtually inspecting the installation of the equipment or mountings in a structure.
[006] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce time required due to the manual intervention in actually marking the routing, fitting and location of equipment or mountings in a structure for gauging its proper location and aesthetic appearance.
[007] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce cost required due to the manual intervention in actually marking the routing, fitting and location of equipment or mountings in a structure for gauging its proper location and aesthetic appearance.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to reduce manpower required due to the manual intervention in actually marking the routing, fitting and location of equipment or mountings in a structure for gauging its proper location and aesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY
[009] Before the present system for generating a virtual representation of an object is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a technology being implemented in the system for generating a virtual representation of an object. The aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0010] In one implementation, a system for generating a virtual representation of an object is disclosed. The system may comprise a module to generate a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of an object. The module may generate the 3-D representation from pre-stored 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of said object. Further, the system may comprise a server configured to store the 3-D representation of said object received from the module. Further, the system may comprise a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system communicatively coupled to the server. The VR imaging system may comprise a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. Further, the processor may be configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to receive the 3-D representation of said object from the server. Furthermore, the processor may simulate the 3-D representation of said object. Furthermore, the processor may process the 3-D representation of said object to extract one or more predefined features from the 3-D representation of said object. The processed 3-D representation may be displayed, thereby facilitating the generation of the virtual representation of said object for analyzing by a user.
[0011] In another implementation, said object may be a structure configured for installation of at least one equipment or mountings. Further, the virtual representation may be configured for a virtual inspection of said structure with the equipment and mountings virtually installed on said structure. Further, the virtual inspection may be configured with a virtual walk-through review of said structure along with the installed equipment or mountings for understanding packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment or mountings installed on said structure. Furthermore, the 3-D representation of said object may be configured to be simulated with an operator console.
[0012] In yet another implementation, a method for generating a virtual representation of an object is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of storing 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of an object in a user device. The method may further comprise generating a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of said object by a module, based on said 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of said object. The method may further comprise storing the 3-D representation of said object in a server. The method may further comprise receiving the 3-D representation of said object from the server by a processor of a VR (Virtual Reality) imaging system. The method may further comprise simulating the 3-D representation of said object by the processor. The method may further comprise processing the 3-D representation of said object to extract one or more predefined features from the 3-D representation of said object, by the processor. The method may further comprise displaying the processed 3-D representation to generate the virtual representation of said object for virtual inspection of said object with equipment and mountings virtually installed on the said object. The method may further comprise virtually inspecting the said object by a virtual walk-through review of said object along with the installed equipment and mountings for understanding the packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment and mountings installed on said structure either for clearance or for amendments in the 3-D representation. The method may further comprise repeating the above steps by storing the amended 2-D layout drawings of said object in the user device for the amendments in the said 3-D representation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawings:
[0014] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional process for line-out inspection of objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] Figure 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D illustrate a virtual inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] Figure 4 illustrates a graph showing a reduction in cost for performing an inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a graph showing a reduction in time for performing inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] Figure 6 illustrates a method 200 for generating a virtual representation of an object of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] The figures depicts an embodiment of the present disclosure for purpose of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structure and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "generating,", “receiving”, "comprising,", “storing” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems for generating a virtual representation of an object are now described. The disclosed embodiments for the for generating a virtual representation of an object are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0023] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure for generating a virtual representation of an object is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0024] Conventionally, one or more mountings or equipment is required to be fitted in compartments of a structure such as a marine vessel and the like. Before, fitting the equipment, a line-out inspection is performed by a user, in order to validate the feasibility of the fitting of the equipment. The line-out inspection involves steps of modelling the compartments and the equipment to be fitted in the compartments in 3-D (Three-Dimensional) using a CAD software. Further, 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings are extracted from the 3-D model. The 2-D layout drawings of a cuboidal compartment consists of a minimum six views as six faces of a cube. The line-out inspection is then performed by the user based on the 2-D layout drawings. The user physically marks or line-out each equipment on the six faces. In one case, the equipment is fitted in the compartments of the ship after completion and clearance of the line-out inspection. In another case, the line-out inspection may indicate a requirement of an amendment in the 2-D layout drawings. The amendments are then implemented manually by a user. In addition, the amendments at a later stage after the line-out inspection may require a welding of parts of the compartment, thereby reducing life of the marine vessel.
[0025] The line-out inspection performed physically by a user may be labor-intensive, thereby requiring more manpower, time and cost. Further, the conventional method may require an expert to perform the line-out inspection. In addition, the conventional method may require a high level of accuracy for performing the line-out inspection in order to avoid errors.
[0026] The present subject matter overcomes the above problems in the conventional method. The present subject matter discloses a system for generating a virtual representation of an object. The system comprises a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system coupled to a server. The VR imaging system is configured to receive a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of an object from the server. The object may be a structure configured for installation of at least one equipment or mountings. The VR imaging system may further simulate the 3-D representation of the object. Further, the 3-D representation of the object may be processed to extract one or more predefined features of the object for displaying. The processed 3-D representation of the object may be then displayed to users for performing a virtual inspection of said structure with the equipment and mountings virtually installed on the said structure. The virtual inspection may be configured with a virtual walk-through review of said structure along with the installed equipment or mountings. The virtual inspection may enable understanding packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment or mountings installed on said structure.
[0027] The present subject matter does away with the process of manual line-out inspection of objects. The present subject matter enables a visualization of the said structure along with the installed equipment or mountings. The visualization may enable virtual amendments to be implemented in a representation of the object.
Figure 1:
[0028] Referring now to figure 1, wherein the figure 1 discloses a conventional process for line-out inspection of objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The convention process illustrates a physical marking or line-out inspection performed by one or more users.
[0029] The user physically marks or line-out each equipment or mounting to be installed in a structure such as a compartment of a marine vessel and the like.
Figure 2:
[0030] Referring now to figure 2, the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The system 100 comprises user devices 102, a module 103, a server 104, an operator console 106, an image processor 108, a display management system 110, projectors 112, a screen 114, and a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system 116.
[0031] The system 100 may comprise one or more user devices 102. The one or more user devices 102 may be workstations. The one or more user devices 102 may be configured to store 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of an object. The object may be a structure. In one embodiment, the structure may be a compartment of a marine vessel and the like. The structure may comprise one or more equipment or mountings to be installed in the structure. In one embodiment, the equipment may be one or more of a pipe, a vent, a cable, a weapon, an engineering item and the like.
[0032] The one or more user devices 102 may be further linked to a module 103. In one embodiment, the module 103 may be a CAD (Computer Aided Design) module. The module 103 may be configured to generate a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of the object from the 2-D layout drawings of the object stored in the user device 102.
[0033] The system 100 may further comprise a server 104 linked to the module 103. The server 104 may be configured to store the 3-D representation of the object.
[0034] The system may further comprise a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system 116 communicatively coupled to the server (104). In one embodiment, the VR imaging system may utilize computer graphics and behavioral interfaces to simulate a virtual environment in a space fitted with a plurality of screens. The VR imaging system may allow a user to visualize a structure before construction, by creating a virtual environment of the structure. Further, the user may interact with one or more entities of the virtual environment.
[0035] The VR imaging system 116 may comprise a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. In one embodiment, the processor may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, at least one processor may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory.
[0036] The memory may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.
[0037] The VR imaging system 116 may further comprise an operator console 106. The operator console 106 may be configured to receive the 3-D representation of the object from the server 104. The operator console 106 may be further configured to simulate the 3-D representation of the object on the image processor 108. In one embodiment, the operator console 106 may be configured to drag the 3-D representation of the object from the server 104 to the image processor 108.
[0038] The VR imaging system 116 may further comprise the image processor 108. The image processor 108 may be configured to perform a processing on the 3-D representation of the object to extract one or more predefined features from the object. In one embodiment, the image processor 108 may perform a processing of the 3-D representation of the object to add effects in order to enhance the 3-D representation.
[0039] The VR imaging system 116 may further comprise the display management system 110. The display management system 110 may receive the 3-D representation of the object as an input from the image processor 108. In one embodiment, the display management system 110 may perform a blending of one or more inputs received from the image processor 108 to generate an output. Further, the display management system 110 may control the output to be displayed on the screen 114.
[0040] The VR imaging system 116 may further comprise the one more projectors 112. The one more projectors 112 may be configured to project the 3-D representation of the object on the screen 114. The screen 114 of the VR imaging system 116 may be configured to display the processed 3-D representation of the object. In one embodiment, the projector 112 may comprise of two projectors 112.1 and 112.2 to project the 3-D representation on the screen 114. The screen 114 may be a rear curved projection screen. Further, the screen 114 may be UV (Ultraviolet) resistant.
[0041] The 3-D representation of the object displayed on the screen 114 may be used for performing the virtual inspection of the object. More particularly, 3-D representation may be used for performing the virtual inspection of said structure with the equipment and mountings virtually installed on the said structure. The virtual inspection may be configured with a virtual walk-through review of said structure along with the installed equipment or mountings. The virtual inspection may enable understanding of packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment or mountings installed on said structure.
Figure 3:
[0042] Referring now to figure 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. The figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D illustrate a virtual inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0043] The figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D depict the virtual inspection of a structure with equipment or mountings installed. The virtual inspection indicates a walk-through review by a user, wherein the user may enter the structure to interact with entities such as the equipment or mountings in order to assess a feasibility of the installation of the equipment or mountings in the structure.
Figure 4:
[0044] Referring now to Figure 4. The figure 4 illustrates a graph showing a reduction in costs for performing inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0045] The figure 4 depicts a comparison of the costs incurred at multiple stages during inspection of objects by a conventional process (P15A) and by a process implemented in the present subject matter (P15B). The comparison indicates a reduction in costs by using the VR imaging system 116 of the present subject matter shown by P15B.
Figure 5:
[0046] Referring now to Figure 5. The figure 5 illustrates a graph showing a reduction in time for performing inspection of objects using the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0047] The figure 5 depicts a comparison of the time consumption at multiple stages during inspection of objects by a conventional process (P15A) and by a process implemented in the present subject matter (P15B). The comparison indicates a reduction in time consumption by using the VR imaging system 116 of the present subject matter shown by P15B.
Figure 6:
[0048] Referring now to figure 6. The figure 6 illustrates a method 200 for generating a virtual representation of an object, is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method 200 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like, that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method 200 may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[0049] The order in which the method 200 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 200 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 200 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 200 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 200 may be considered to be implemented in the above described system 100.
[0050] At block 202, the one or more user devices 102 may be configured to store 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of an object. In embodiment, the object may be a structure configured for installation of at least one equipment or mountings. Further, the one or more user devices 102 may be linked to a module 103.
[0051] At block 204, a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of the object may be generated by the module 103 from the 2-D layout drawing of the object. In one embodiment, the module may be a CAD (Computer Aided Design) module.
[0052] At block 206, the 3-D representation of the object may be stored in a server 104.
[0053] At block 208, the 3-D representation of the object stored in the server 104 may be received by a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system 116.
[0054] At block 210, the 3-D representation of the object may be simulated by an operator console 106 of the VR imaging system 116.
[0055] At block 212, the 3-D representation of the object may be processed by an image processor 108 to extract one or more predefined features from the 3-D representation of the object.
[0056] At block 214, the processed 3-D representation of the object may be received as an input by a display management system 110 from the image processor 108. Further, the display management system 110 may be configured to control the display of an output based on the input received. The 3-D representation of the object may be projected on the screen 114 by the one or more projectors 112.
[0057] At block 216, the displayed 3-D representation of the object may be virtually inspected by a virtual walk-through review of the object by a user. The virtual walk-through review of said object along with the installed equipment and mountings enables an understanding of packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment and mountings installed on said structure. The virtual walk-through review may lead to either a clearance of the 3-D representation or may require amendments to be made in the 3-D representation.
[0058] At block 218, the above steps implemented at blocks 202 to 216 may be repeated when the virtual walk-through review may indicate a requirement of amendments in the 3-D representation.
[0059] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
[0060] Some embodiments of the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object enable reduction in time, cost and manpower required for performing an inspection for installation of equipment or mountings in the structure.
[0061] Some embodiments of the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object eliminate a requirement of experts for performing the inspection for the installation of the equipment or mountings in the structure.
[0062] Some embodiments of the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object enable reduction in steps required for amendments in the installation of the equipment or mountings, by virtually implementing amendments in the 3-D representation using the VR imaging system.
[0063] Some embodiments of the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object enable increase in accuracy for performing the inspection for the installation of the equipment or mountings in the structure.
[0064] Although implementations for system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for the system 100 for generating a virtual representation of an object.
,CLAIMS:
1. A system (100) for generating a virtual representation of an object, the system (100) comprising:
a module (103) configured to generate a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of an object, wherein the module (103) generates the 3-D representation from pre-stored 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of said object;
a server (104) configured to store the 3-D representation of said object received from the module;
a Virtual Reality (VR) imaging system (VR) (116) communicatively coupled to the server (104), wherein the VR imaging system (116) comprises:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to receive the 3-D representation of said object from the server (104), to simulate the 3-D representation of said object, and to process the 3-D representation of said object to extract one or more predefined features from the 3-D representation of said object, wherein the processed 3-D representation is displayed, thereby facilitating the generation of the virtual representation of said object for analyzing by a user.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said object is a structure configured for installation of at least one equipment or mountings.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the virtual representation is configured for a virtual inspection of said structure with the equipment and mountings virtually installed on the said structure.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the virtual inspection is configured with a virtual walk-through review of said structure along with the installed equipment or mountings for understanding packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment or mountings installed on said structure.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 3-D representation of said object is configured to be simulated with an operator console (106).

6. A method (200) for virtual representation of an object, the method (200) comprising the steps of:
? storing 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of an object in a user device (102);
? generating a 3-D (Three-Dimensional) representation of said object by a module (103), based on said 2-D (Two-Dimensional) layout drawings of said object;
? storing the 3-D representation of said object in a server (104);
? receiving the 3-D representation of said object from the server (104) by a processor of a VR (Virtual Reality) imaging system (116);
? simulating the 3-D representation of said object by the processor;
? processing the 3-D representation of said object to extract one or more predefined features from the 3-D representation of said object, by the processor;
? displaying the processed 3-D representation to generate the virtual representation of said object for virtual inspection of said object with equipment and mountings virtually installed on the said object;
? virtually inspecting the said object by a virtual walk-through review of said object along with the installed equipment and mountings for understanding packaging constraints and aesthetic appearance of said equipment and mountings installed on said structure either for clearance or for amendments in the 3-D representation; and
? repeating the above steps by storing the amended 2-D layout drawings of said object in the user device (102) for the amendments in the said 3-D representation.