# US 4,398,890 A · Representation of designs

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- Number: US 4,398,890 A
- Document ID: US4398890A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/243,822
- Filed: 1981-03-16
- Granted: 1983-08-16
- Earliest claimed: 1981-03-16
- Inventors: Kenneth C. Knowlton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398890A

## CPC

- G09B 29/00: Maps; Plans; Charts; Diagrams, e.g. route diagram (star maps G09B27/04; devices for holding or supporting maps A47B97/02; for computing purposes G06G1/14, G09B1/16; display boards G09F)
- G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B)

## Abstract

Representation of designs using pattern members such as domino pattern blocks. The design is subdivided into a plurality of subordinate areas which are assigned values in accordance with a prescribed characteristic such as brightness. The assigned values are coordinated with those of the pattern members which are then substituted into the subordinate areas to realize the desired patterned representation of the design.

## Claims

### Claim 1

The method of representing a design by pattern members in the form of whole dominoes, each having two approximately square halves, which comprises the steps of:
(1) subdividing the design into a plurality of subordinate areas;
(2) assigning a value to each subordinate area in accordance with a prescribed characteristic;
(3) coordinating the assigned values with values of the pattern members, including the evaluation of the pattern members in terms of groups of the sub-areas, which are evaluated in terms of a plurality of horizontal and vertical pairs, with a final pairing assignment made in accordance with the evaluation that enhances unbalance given by the numerical magnitudes of the difference of values of each pair of sub-areas and the pairing of sub-areas for producing maximal unblances are assigned to selective ones of the pattern members; and
(4) substituting the coordinated pattern members for the sub-areas; thereby to form a patterned representation of said design.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said prescribed characteristic is brightness.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein said design has a number of original brightness levels exceeding the maximum number of any pattern member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the design is created using a multiplicity of complete sets of dominoes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein each pattern member has a face which is either blank or bears on or more spots thereon.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the spots are of equal size.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the spots are arranged in a regular pattern.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the face is of a first background color and the spots are of a different color having a greater brightness level.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein the background color is black and the spot color is white.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein each member has two adjoining faces.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the adjoining faces are the same size.