Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of jewelry production systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and a system for generating three- dimensional (3D) printable files and models of snowflakes-based jewelry, as they are in nature - no two are alike.

Background of the invention

In the online jewelry industry, many of the jewelry offered for sale are rendered 3D jewelry, and for cost efficiency are casted and manufactured from a rubber mold, only after the sale has been made.

In order to design unique snowflake-based jewelry, the designer needs to design each piece of snowflake jewelry by hand or 3D software, and to visually search for other similar snowflakes previously made in order to ensure that no two snowflake- based jewelry are alike. Unfortunately, such a visual search is an impossible human task.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system which is capable of creating and manufacturing unique one-of-a kind snowflake jewelry, and several different and unique items of jewelry (e.g., up to 1,000 at a time) at once.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system which is capable of automatically generating endless variety of snowflakes-based jewelries, wherein each one is unique, from the design stage to a rendered final jewelry file or final product.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide one-of-a kind snowflake jewelry for overcoming metal casting properties of matter limitations, such as minimal thickness and width so the jewelry won't break. It is still another object of the present invention to make the 3D jewelry designer redundant, in a way that the designer will no longer need to design each piece of snowflake jewelry by hand or 3D software, as well as not to visually search for other similar snowflakes previously made.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a snowflake-based jewelry, comprising:

- creating two-dimensional (2D) data files that represent 2D snowflake shapes that are based on one or more pre-determined parameters;

- saving the created 2D data files to a database file that includes their 2D info (according to an embodiment of the invention, saving only the snowflakes which hasn't been previously made after cross-checking with the data base);

- converting said 2D data files to (three-dimensional) 3D model of meshes and objects, by setting mesh parameters and design preferences; and

- rendering and/or manufacturing the 3D model into a snowflake-based jewelry.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the pre-determined parameters comprising:

- selecting number of primary branches;

- setting general diameter/radius of the snowflake; and

- adding randomness.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises selecting how many different snowflakes to generate simultaneously using the selected pre-determined parameters. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:

- selecting number of secondary branches;

- determining a point on a primary branch from which the secondary branches start growing from/are attached too;

- determining a point on a primary branch from which the secondary branches end; and

- setting angles of secondary branches relative to the primary branches;.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises determining tertiary branches probability.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises setting proportions of primary, secondary and tertiary branches between themselves.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises setting proportions of secondary branches relatively to themselves, for changing secondary branch lengths throughout the primary branch.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises determining the minimal and maximal width of the branches, within these ranges the branches will be generated.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises outlining and indicting colors of the 2D snowflake shapes.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the setting mesh parameters and design preferences comprises automated pave stone and prongs setting preparations/holes, thereby making an option to "dig" holes and create prongs, on the snowflake surface by subtracting areas, so if casted, the metal would come out with a preparations for different types of stones and stone sizes. According to an embodiment of the invention, the automated pave stone and prongs setting preparations/holes comprises setting hole diameter, prongs size, and boundaries for subtraction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the setting mesh parameters and design preferences comprises stone setting automated placement, for allowing semi- automatically setting gemstones for rendering purposes.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the automated placement defining comprises different size, depth in metal and color and shape of stones on the 3D model.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a system for generating a snowflake-based jewelry, comprising:

- at least one processor; and

- a memory comprising computer-readable instructions which when executed by the at least one processor causes the processor to execute a snowflake-based jewelry generator, wherein the generator:

i. creates two-dimensional (2D) data files that represent 2D snowflake shapes that are based on one or more pre-determined parameters;

ii. filters out previously generated 2D shapes;

iii. saves the created 2D data files to a database file that includes their 2D info;

iv. converts said 2D data files to (three-dimensional) 3D model of meshes and objects, by setting mesh parameters and design preferences; and

v. renders and/or manufactures the 3D model into a snowflake-based jewelry.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising instructions which when executed by at least one processor causes the processor to perform the method of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a flow chart generally illustrating the method of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows plurality of different 2D shapes of snowflakes that are generated according to the same selected parameters after adding randomness, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows 3D meshes and objects of selected 2D shapes, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B show selected 3D snowflake generated by the system of the present invention; and

Figs. 5A and 5B show rendered and unrendered image of 3D snowflake, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The figures and the following description relate to some embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the system and method disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of the claimed invention. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the system enables to generate endless snowflake shapes or designs according to a combination of pre-determined parameters that are based on each snowflake geometrical parameters and coordinates, while filtering-out existing snowflakes that have been previously generated and their information saved in a database. In other words, the system enables to create and manufacture unique one-of-a kind snowflake jewelry with quality assurance that each snowflake-based jewelry item is unique, and that their properties are suitable for manufacturing in metal, e.g., in terms of properties such as width and depth.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the pre-determined parameters can be selected automatically or can be manually set by a user, e.g., by using Grasshopper ^® which is a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino's 3D modeling tools. The pre-determined parameters will be described in further details hereinafter. While the 3D generation of snowflakes shapes are described in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with an application program such as a graphical algorithm editor that runs on an operating system on a personal computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may also be implemented in combination with other application programs or program modules.

This cross-check with the database (i.e., filtering-out existing snowflakes that have been previously generated and saved), insures that no snowflake will be generated twice. Accordingly, upon detecting an attempt to save a snowflake previously generated and saved, the system may alert and notify that a specific snowflake wasn't save due to a similar existing one.

The system is configured to automatically generate endless 3D snowflake designs (e.g., up to 1,000 at once) based on pre-determined criteria (as will be described in further details hereinafter) from "zero" to a rendered final jewelry which is also practical for casting, in particular metal casting.

For example, the system makes it possible to create endless 1-12 sided unique one- of-a kind designs/snowflakes, thus, significantly reducing designing and manufacturing costs, time and effort, relatively the equivalent industry solutions, since its mostly automated and allows the user to apply chosen design parameters to all different snowflakes at once.

It should be noted that the system of the present invention is not limited for creating six-sided snowflakes (usually the ones with 6 or 12 sides are more familiar, as shown in Fig. 4B). The system can be used to generate any one-of-a-kind shape with the rules determined hereinafter, from 1 to 12 primary branches and optionally up to 20 secondary branches.

The system of the present invention enables one who is not a sole designer to assure that no two pieces of jewelry are alike, in massive unlimited quantities and bulk, all having the same theme - being all the same thing yet different from each other, like people.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the system considers and uses specific definitions that are specially adapted for jewelry making and casting, to insure that a minimal width and depth are tolerated when casting in metal (e.g., at least 0.6 mm).

The system of the present invention shortens the manufacturing time for a piece of jewelry since skipping a stage, not having to make a rubber mold out of a wax 3D printing (e.g., via material jetting ) for further castings, since only one piece of jewelry is made from each 3D wax model of a unique snowflake. It should be noted, that although wax 3D printing via material jetting is widely adopted across many industries and is especially useful for jewelry makers, print wax models using other 3D printing technologies can also be used, such as a classic FDM 3D printer.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, wax 3D printing and lost wax casting can be used to build the snowflake design when using this material. The wax 3D printing process is a type of stereolithography that uses a wax-like resin. Support structures are printed along with the model to make sure the wax model itself will be untouched when handling. These support structures are removed after the casting process (usually these support structures are used for making a funnel in the plaster and pouring the metal through that space into the mold). After 3D printing in wax, the models and the supporting structures are casted in metal. The casting procedure may involve the following: At first, the wax model/models are attached with the supporting wax structures to a wax 'tree', together with a bunch of other models. The tree is then placed in a flask and covered in a fine plaster. When the plaster solidifies, it forms the mold of the model and their supporting structures for casting the metal. The plaster mold is then put in an oven and heated for several hours to a point where the wax is completely burned out. Then, the molten metal is poured in to fill the cavities left by the wax through the supporting structures/funnels. Once the metal has cooled and solidified, the plaster mold is broken and the metal models and structures are removed, and the supporting structures are melted for re-use. Finally, the model is filed and sanded to get rid of the sprues. It will be sanded, polished, and/or set with stones or sandblasted according to the desired finish.

Fig. 1 is a flow chart generally illustrating the method of the invention for generating and manufacturing unique one-of-a kind snowflake jewelry, according to an embodiment of the invention.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the generation process of unique one- of-a kind snowflake jewelry may involve the following steps (as shortly indicated by blocs 10-14 in Fig. 1). However and unless otherwise indicated, the functions described herein may be performed by executable code and instructions stored in computer readable medium and running on one or more processor-based systems. With respect to the example processes described herein, not all the process states need to be reached, nor do the states have to be performed in the illustrated order. Furthermore, certain process states that are illustrated as being serially performed can be performed in parallel. At first (bloc 10), creating two-dimensional (2D) data files of snowflake shapes that are based on one or more of the following pre-determined parameters selections:

Selecting number of primary branches (e.g., 1 to 12 branches);

Setting general diameter/radius of the snowflake (e.g., up to 10 cm). According to an embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the snowflake does not influence on whether it's unique or not - meaning that if the size of it changes, then two Snowflakes with the same parametrical definition/coordinates but different diameter are still considered as "alike" and are not considered to be unique;

Adding randomness. Randomness may obtain from a pseudo-random number generator, e.g., an algorithm for generating a sequence of numbers whose properties approximate the properties of sequences of random numbers.

Counting, i.e., selecting how many different snowflakes to generate simultaneously using the selected parameters. For example, Fig. 2 shows 105 different 2D shapes of snowflakes that are generated according to the same selected parameters after adding the randomness, wherein each 2D shape is assigned with a different number. In this example, each snowflake comprises of 6 primary branches and the assigned number of each 2D shape appears in the lower left side of each snowflake as can be easily seen in the figure;

Selecting number of secondary branches (e.g., 0 to 20 secondary branches); Determining a point on a primary branch from which the secondary branches start growing from/are attached too (e.g., 0 being the center 1.0 being the end of the primary branch);

Determining A point on a primary branch from which the secondary branches end (e.g., 0 being the center 1.0 being the end of the primary branch);

Setting angles of secondary branches relative to the primary branches;

Applying tertiary branches probability by using a tertiary branches generator. For example, the tertiary branches generator can be based on the assumption that tertiary branches have a certain % of chance to appear, so if for example there are 3 secondary branches, an 50% of tertiary probability. It might be that for some snowflakes the generator will generate "0" tertiary branches, for some it will generate 1 or 2 or 3 tertiary branches, but statistically it will be 1.5 tertiary branches. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user may control/change the probability in the generator component, thus, for example,, it may generate the tertiary branches for each secondary branch.

Setting proportions of primary, secondary and tertiary branches between themselves;

Setting proportions of secondary branches relatively to themselves, i.e., an option to change secondary branch lengths throughout the primary branch; Determining the minimal and maximal width of the branches - within these ranges the branches will be generated;

Outlining and indicting colors of the 2D shapes.

At bloc 11, after setting a combination of one or more of these pre-determined parameters, filtering-out existing snowflakes that have been previously generated and saved (i.e., "cross-checking"). At bloc 12, there is an option to save the remaining 2D shapes after the filtration - either all the remaining 2D shapes, or to choose only selected ones (e.g., the most favorite shapes among the remaining 2D shapes), and save them to a database file that includes their 2D info.

At next, bloc 13, converting 2D info to 3D meshes and objects. At this step, the system converts 2D shapes to 3D model based on one or more of the following parameters (Fig. 3 shows examples of 3D models 301-310 that are converted from selected 2D shapes, according to an embodiment of the invention):

Setting a path file from which the selected 2D data files will be uploaded; Setting mesh parameters such as Height/thickness of the mesh/3D model (e.g., 0.6 mm-10.0 mm that is suitable for metal casting), rotated shape or not, mesh profile (i.e., determining the curvature of the surface of the mesh, e.g., curvature parameters can be selected on a scale of 1-4, where "1" being very arched, and "4" being flat), setting one-sided or double-sided (upper or lower) surface curvature, determining smoothness of the surface, edge length and trim distance.

Setting design preferences, such as:

o Center design: choosing different center shapes (circle, star, etc.) for the center of the snowflake, setting the shape diameter, rotated or not, hollow or not, hole(s) size, setting a single gem stone in the center, etc.

o Attachments: choosing a shape and size of the connector loop for a chain (e.g., as indicated by numeral SOU in Fig. 3) and its optimal location on a specific branch. User can choose multiple branches, and different attachment shapes and sizes.

o Ends of branches: choosing different shapes for branch endings (primary, secondary and tertiary branches), setting the shape, its diameter, hole(s) size, rotated or not, hollow or not, placing gem stones only on edge endings, etc.

o Outside ring: choosing a shape around the edges of the snowflake, such as a circle (e.g., as indicated by circle 401 of a 3D model of snowflake 400 in Fig. 4A), a star, etc., and thickness and width of the surrounding shape.

o Adding a serial number and/or purity of metal (14K etc.) - an option to add a stamp on the back of the snowflake (e.g., letters and numbers), choosing the depth of the stamp into the snowflake, offset of stamp from shape edges area, choosing location of stamp, etc. o Applying texture on the surface: enabling to choose an image as texture (e.g., a black and white image file), to adjust angle/rotation and depth of the texture applied relatively to the snowflake, and density/width of texture. For example, a user may choose to apply texture to one or both sides of the snowflake.

o Automated pave stone and prongs setting preparations/holes: making an option to "dig" holes and create prongs, on the snowflake surface by subtracting areas, so if casted, the metal would come out with a preparations for different types of stones and stone sizes, setting hole diameter, prongs size, boundaries for subtraction, etc. o Stone setting automated placement: the system allows to semi- automatically setting gemstones for rendering purposes, defining different size, depth in metal, color and shape of stones on the SD model (e.g., as indicated by gemstone 402 in Fig. 4A), no actual holes underneath (will be described in further details hereinafter).

"Baking" - saving all definitions and design applied on the snowflake mesh and stones, as a mesh solid 3D object file (e.g., 3dm, obj, stl, etc.), a closed shape, ready for rendering and/or 3D printing (e.g., without stones but with stone placement locations).

Volume and price calculation - using a volume/weight formula for different metals, the code calculates prices for casting every mesh in different fine metals for cost effective decisions before casting, using adjustable price bar per cubic unit. It does the same with calculating stone prices for the snowflake, and overall price for entire piece. Figs. 4A and Fig. 4B show the price and volume of 3D models 400 and 410 at the bottom of each snowflake. For example, for snowflake 400 the calculated price is 101.18$ and the volume is 374.73mm ³ , and for snowflake 410 the calculated price is 72.62$ and the volume is 268.98mm ³ .

Outlining curves, mesh and stone colors of the 3D shapes.

At next, (bloc 14) rendering and/or manufacturing:

Rendering:

In the online jewelry industry, many of the jewelry offered for sale are rendered 3D jewelry, and for cost efficiency are casted and manufactured from a rubber mold, only after the sale has been made, so to allow such a thing with the snowflakes that are with paved, not single, gemstones across their surface, the automated pave stone and prongs setting preparations/holes can be used as described hereinabove. Alternatively, after "Baking" a model 3D object, adding simulated gemstones to the 3D model (e.g., without any stone-placement holes underneath them), only for - IB - visual purposes. Of course, the use of this step to pave stones is not needed regarding jewelry with no gemstones or with a single or a few gemstones, or with manufactured not rendered jewelry. Fig. 5A shows a rendered image of snowflake jewelry, while Fig. 5B shown an un-rendered image of a snowflake.

Manufacturing 3D printing in wax, casting, setting stones or other finishes:

Casting may involve the steps of printing 3D files in wax models, casting wax models in metal gold/silver (skipping making a rubber mold step, since making only 1 piece of each model), and final finishes and stone setting made by a jeweler or by dedicated automation means; or

Engraving the snowflake on a metal plate (or other material), using laser technology, setting stones and/or making other finishes, such as printing 3D files in wax models, casting wax models in metal gold/silver (skipping making a rubber mold step, since making only 1 piece of each model), and final finishes and stone setting made by a jeweler or by dedicated automation means.

The invention may be applied not only on a final result of jewelry, but also on any 3D printable models of snowflakes produced according to the method of the present invention, in any suitable materials such as wax, decoration, laser engraving of 2D designs generated, CNC products, glass & plastic, auto sewing machines, and any other use.

It should also be understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the order of operations described hereinabove has been selected for the sake of convenience and clarity only. The order of execution of operations may be modified, or operations of the method may be executed concurrently, with equivalent results. Moreover, the program modules that are used to create the 3D files described hereinabove include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

The terms, "for example", "e.g.", "optionally", as used hereinabove, are intended to introduce non-limiting examples. While certain references are made to certain example system components or services, other components and services can be used as well and/or the example components can be combined into fewer components and/or divided into further components. In addition, the example screen layouts, appearance, and terminology as depicted and described herein, are intended to be illustrative and exemplary, and in no way limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person the arrangement described herein results in a system which is capable of creating and manufacturing unique one-of-a kind snowflake jewelry.

All the above description and examples have been given for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Many different methods of generating 2D and 3D files and objects, electronic and logical elements can be employed, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.