as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (0) Pub. No.: US 2004/0162798 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Aug.19, 2004
`
`Mamoto etal.
`
`US 20040162798A1
`
`(54) KNOWLEDGE INFORMATION PROVIDING
`APPARATUS
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Masayuki Mamoto, Osaka (JP);
`Takashi Noguchi, Osaka (JP);
`Nobuyuki Kondou, Osaka (JP);
`Tatsuyuki Nakagawa, Osaka (JP);
`Hitoshi Kihara, Osaka (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`McDermott, Will & Emery
`600 13th Street, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20005-3096 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/648,188
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 27, 2003
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 28, 2002
`
`(IP) recccsccssesneeeessesneenes 2002-249441
`
`Inte C17 vacosesssessne G06F 17/00; GOON 5/02
`(51)
`(52) US. Che
`secsssssesstsitnttnessniesieninnnnite 706/50
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There are provided a user information database storing for
`each user the current level of skill in work of the user and
`information related to the history of the work performed by
`the user, and means for judging, when the predetermined
`work performed by an arbitrary user is terminated, the level
`of skill of the user again to update the current level of skill
`of the user in the user information database on the basis of
`
`the complexity of the contents of the work, information
`related to the evaluation of the results of the work,
`the
`number oftimes of keywordretrieval performed by the user
`during the work, the current level of skill of the user, and
`information related to the history of the work performed in
`the past by the user.
`
`
`
`LASER STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
`SYSTEM
`
`99
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER
`TERMINAL
`
`
`
`KNOWLEDGE
`PROVIDING
`SERVER
`
`
`
`31 pe 32Ea
`
`ACCESSIBLE AREA
`
`SERVER UNIT
`
`
`
`Shenzhen Tuozhu 1007
`
`1
`
`Shenzhen Tuozhu 1007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG. 1
`
`
`
`99
`LASER STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
`SYSTEM
`MONITORING
`CAMERA
`
`USER
`TERMINAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`KNOWLEDGE
`PROVIDING
`SERVER
`
`41
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 3 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG. 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DESIGN
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`
`OBJECT;
`GENERATE 3D DATA
`
`
`
` PLOTTER DATA
`
`
`
`|
`TO LASER
`STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
`
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
` REMOTELY OPERATE
`
`LASER STEREOLITHOGRAPHY§
`
`
`DEVICE,
`
`
`TO PERFORM WORK FOR
`
`
`MOLDING
`THREE-DIMENSIONAL
`OBJECT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG, 4
`
`PLOTTER DATA
`GENERATION
`PROCESSING
`
`ACQUIRE 3D DATA
`(STL DATA)
`
`1
`
`l
`
`12
`
`3D-DISPLAY OF
`OBJECT
`
`13
`
`FORM CONVERSION
`FOR PLOTTERS
`
`FORM EDIT
`FOR PLOTTERS
`
`1
`
`4
`
`15
`
`SLICE PARAMETER
`
`16
`
`SLICE
`CALCULATION
`
`Z1
`CHECK AND CORRECT
`CROSS SECTION DATA
`
`7
`
`18
`GENERATING PROCESSING
`OF SHAPE OF SUPPORT
`
`19
`
`CHECK AND CORRECT
`SHAPE OF SUPPORT
`
`RETURN
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`PROCESSING FOR
`
`REMOTELY OPERATING
`
`LASER STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
`DEVICE
`
`FIG.6
`
`USER TERMINAL]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`BASIC SCREEN
`
`
`DATA FOR
`102.
`
`|<. BASIC SCREEN
`
`KNOWLEDGE
`PROVIDING SERVER
`
`,
`
`BASIC SCREEN
`
`TRANSMIT DATA
`FOR DISPLAY IN
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.7
`
`(Ja[x)
`[|
`FILE(F) EDIT(E) DISPLAY(V) FAVORITE(A) TOOL(T) HELP(H)
`<5 RETURN
`
`
`
`password [7]
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
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`
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.9
`
`KNOWLEDGE
`PROVIDING SERVER
`
`/211
`
` TRANSMIT INFORMATION
`REPRESENTING
`
`PONDING T
`WORKNAME. RECEIVED WORK NAME
`(CHAPTER)
`FROM KNOWLEDGE DB
`
`USER TERMINAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT DATA OF
`MANUAL CONTENTS
`CORRESPONDING TO
`USER LEVEL
`
` DISPLAY MANUAL
`ON MANUAL
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`
`
`TEMPLATE
`CHANGE
`_ COMMAND
`
`CONTENTS
`
`
`
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMIT DATA OF
`
`MANUAL CONTENTS
`
`
`AT MINIMUM LEVEL
`
` DISPLAY MANUAL
`ON MANUAL
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2004/0162798 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 10 of 16
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`US 2004/0162798 Al
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`KNOWLEDGE
`PROVIDING SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`221
`
`RETRIEVAL OPERATION
`ON BASIC SCREEN OR
`
`EXTRACT
`MANUALDISPLAY SCREEN
`
`|INFORMATION OF
`rypeor
`122
`
`
`RMA
`|LTEM FROM KNOWLEDGE
`RETRIEVAL,
`
`beenSerneN _KEYWORD’s, |DB CORRESPONDING TO
`
`
`RETRIEVAL AND KEYWORD
`RECEIVED KEYWORD
`
`
`RETRIEVAL
`2123
`GENERATE
`
`DISPLAY RESULT J_RESULTDATA_
`AND TRANSMIT
`
`
`DATAASLIST
`
`
`RETRIEVAL
`RESULT DATA
`FOR LIST DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`|
`125
`TRANSMIT INFORMATION|SELECTED
`
`
`GENERATE AND
`OF SELECTEDITEMssF~~~___
`TRANSMIT DETAIL
`
`
`
`DATA
`°
`|
`126
`CORRESPONDING TO
`DISPLAY DETATL.
`SELECTED ITEM
`DATAINDETAILS
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`_7127
`CLICK DETAILS
`DISPLAY BUTTON
`as Ea
`TRANSMIT TEMPLATE|_ CoMMAND
`TRANSMIT DETAIL
`CHANGE COMMAND [~~ ~>-~~---%
`DATA FOR
`ELEMENTARY LEVEL
`USING TEMPLATE AT
`MINIMUM LEVEL
`
`
` GENERATE AND
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.12
`
`USER TERMINAL
`
`121
`
`124
`
`SELECT ITEM TO
`BE REFERRED TO
`
`weer
`[é-j
`DETAIL DAT
`
`129
`DISPLAY DETAILS
`|,----~—
`DISPLAY SCREEN
`DETAIL DATA
`
`Lee
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.13
`
`|
`[ FILE) EDIT(E) DISPLAY(V) FAVORITE(A) TOOL(T) HELP(H)
`|
`<& RETURN
`|
`
`ADDRESS| 8] http://xxxxx/xxx.xxx
`Ly!
`
`|
`
`
`
`LIST OF RESULTS
`
`r
`n
`(NUMBER |
`1OF CLAUSE,
`Tyee paras Fe TS a ie ae ee eea
`i
`1 Processing
`1 Generally, millimeter is a unit.
`;
`| Condition’
`| Confirm because there is a case where inch
`Setting
`1OF the like is a unit.
`
`i
`;
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
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`viol
`
`
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.15
`
` IS
`
`
`
`
`
`FILE(F) EDIT(E) DI“aFAVORITE(A)TOOL(T)HELP(H)[FILE(F)EDIT(E)DISPLAY(V)TOOL(T)FAVORITE(A)HELPH)
`
`.
`
`landtheknifemoves.=eee !
`
`
`
`"Aknifeciswightintocontactwithamodel
`\‘foralongtimesothatthe modelisliabletobe
`| destroyed when a molding time period ts increased
`
`
`Becauseittakeslong toperformexposure
`;
`-
`and coating per layer.
`| entsposi)MeeNeSony”
`the siediel is inerensed.
`
`1
`
`|
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.16
`
`
`
`LEX
`
`FILE(F) EDIT(E)SLEDEOOSPANCOPORTETOLDFAVORITE(A)TOOL(T)HELP(H)unoe)seusTouDeetrey—_|_Jenvenreey
`
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`
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`ATTBITIME,cisreducesttomakeshenumberetlayersassmallaspossible.* | ___
`
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`
`
`
`DETAILSL_66
`DETAILS DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 19,2004 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`FIG.17
`
`
`
`EXPERIENCE THREE
`
`309
`
`YES
`
` HAD SUCCESSFUL
`
`
`304
`
`MAINTAIN CURRENT
`USER LEVEL
`
`303.
`LOWER
`USER LEVEL BY ONE
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`Aug. 19, 2004
`
`KNOWLEDGE INFORMATION PROVIDING
`APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0001]
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a knowledge pro-
`viding apparatusthat is connected to a userterminal through
`a network, for example, and provides to the user terminal
`knowledge for supporting predetermined work performed
`by a user.
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`
`[0004] When a user is performing work using a user
`erminal, a particular user supportserver has been accessed
`from the user terminal, to acquire knowledge for supporting
`he work, for example, an electronic manual indicating the
`procedure for the work, or the like from the user support
`server, and display the acquired electronic manual on the
`ser terminal.
`
`[0005] An example of the user support server is one for
`displaying an electronic manual dependent on contents
`corresponding to the level of skill of a user. However, the
`level of skill of the user has been conventionally judged by
`he user himself or herself and set.
`
`[0006] Further example of the user support server is one
`for providing the procedure for work, the contents of the
`work, and know-how in the work. However, there exists no
`ser supportserver for providing information such as “what
`ndesirable results occur in a case where know-how in work
`is not used” and “the reason why the undesirable results
`occur”.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide, in
`a knowledge providing apparatus that provides, with respect
`o knowledge for supporting predetermined work performed
`by a user, the contents thereof correspondingto the level of
`skill of the user, a knowledge providing apparatus capable of
`judging the level of skill of the user again to automatically
`pdate the level of skill of the user every time the work is
`performed by the user.
`
`[0008] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a knowledge providing apparatusthat can also provide
`he procedure for work,
`the contents of the work, and
`know-how in the work as well as information such as “what
`ndesirable results occur i a case where the know-how in
`
`work is not used” and “the reason why the undesirable
`esults occur”.
`
`In a knowledge providing apparatus that is con-
`[0009]
`nected to a user terminal and provides, with respect
`to
`knowledge for supporting predetermined work performed
`by a user, the contents thereof correspondingto the level of
`skill of the user to the user terminal, and can provide
`knowledge of a particular type on the basis of a keyword
`etrieval operation, a first knowledge providing apparatus
`according to the present inventionis characterized by com-
`prising a user information database storing for each user the
`current level of skill in the work of the user and information
`
`elated to the history of the work performedbythe user; and
`means for judging, whenthe predetermined work performed
`by an arbitrary user is terminated, the level of skill of the
`
`
`
`
`user again to update the current level of skill of the user in
`the user information database on the basis of the complexity
`of the contents of the work,
`information related to the
`evaluation of the results of the work, the numberof times of
`keywordretrieval performed by the user during the work,
`the current level of skill of the user, and information related
`to the history of the work performed in the past by the user.
`The predetermined work performed by the user may be work
`performed by the user utilizing the user terminal (work
`performed on the user terminal) or may be work performed
`by the user without utilizing the user terminal.
`
`In a knowledge providing apparatus that is con-
`(0010]
`nected to a user terminal and provides to the user terminal
`knowledge for supporting predetermined work performed
`by a user, a second knowledge providing apparatus accord-
`ing to the present invention is characterized by comprising
`a knowledge database storing knowledge for supporting the
`work performed by the user; and means for reading out
`required information from the knowledge database on the
`basis of access from the user terminal, generating display
`data on the basis of the read knowledge, and transmitting the
`generated display data to the user terminal, the knowledge
`database storing for each work item in a predetermined unit
`the name of work, the contents of the work, and know-how
`in the work as well as undesirable results in a case where the
`
`know-howin the work is not used and the reason why the
`undesirable results occur. The predetermined work per-
`formed by the user may be work performed by the user
`utilizing the user terminal (work performed on the user
`terminal) or may be work performed by the user without
`utilizing the user terminal.
`
`[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects
`and advantages of the present invention will become more
`apparent from the following detailed description of the
`present
`invention when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`(0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configura-
`tion of a three-dimensional object generating system;
`
`FIG.2 is a schematic view showing an example of
`[0013]
`a part of the contents of a knowledge database 42;
`
`FIG.3 is a flow chart showing the overall proce-
`[0014]
`dure for generating a three-dimensional object;
`
`FIG.4 is a flow chart showing the procedure for
`[0015]
`generating plotter data for molding a three-dimensional
`object in the step 2 shown in FIG.3;
`
`[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure for
`remotely operating a laser stereolithography device 21 in the
`step 4 shown in FIG.3;
`
`FIG.6 is a flow chart showing the procedure for
`[0017]
`user authentication processing;
`
`FIG.7 is a schematic view showing an example of
`[0018]
`a user authentication screen;
`
`FIG.8 is a schematic view showing an example of
`[0019]
`a basic screen;
`
`
`
`
`
`[0020] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure for
`manual reading processing;
`
`18
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`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`Aug. 19, 2004
`
`
`
`[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example
`of a manualdisplay screen corresponding to an elementary
`level (a level 1);
`
`[0022] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example
`of a manual display screen corresponding to an advanced
`level (a level 3)
`
`[0023] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for
`etrieving know-how anda failure case;
`
`[0024] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example
`of a result list display screen in a case where know-how
`etrieval is selected as the type ofretrieval:
`
`[0025] FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example
`of a know-howandfailure case details display screen in a
`case where know-howretrieval is selected as the type of
`etrieval;
`
`[0026] FIG. 15 a schematic view showing an example of
`a result
`list display screen in a case where failure case
`etrieval is selected as the type ofretrieval;
`
`[0027] FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an example
`of a know-howandfailure case details display screen in a
`case where failure case retrieval is selected as the type of
`etrieval; and
`
`[0028] FIG. 17is a flowchart showing the procedure for
`pdating a user level.
`
`body ofthe laser stereolithography device 21. Laser stere-
`olithography device controlling software for controlling the
`laser stereolithographydevice 21, for example,is installed in
`the laser stereolithography device controlling computer 23.
`Further, the laser stereolithography device controlling com-
`puter 23 comprises the function of communicating with the
`user terminal 1 through the network 10, and comprises a
`browseror dedicated software for accessing a server unit for
`a manager(hereinafter referred to as a managerserver unit)
`32 in the knowledge providing server 3.
`
`[0034] The monitoring camera 22 is connected to the
`network 10. The monitoring camera 22 comprises a zooming
`function and the function of changing the direction of
`monitoring. The monitoring camera 22 maybe connected to
`the network 10 through the laserstereolithography device
`controlling computer 23. A connecting method may beeither
`wire connection or radio connection.
`
`the monitoring camera 22 has an
`[0035] Furthermore,
`automatic focusing function in addition to the function of
`memorizing several places which are frequently seen by a
`user, and can automatically correct its focus. In the case of
`a three-dimensionalplotter, in which a molded object sinks
`in a liquid, such as a laser stereolithography device, the
`monitoring camera 22 may not, in some cases, be focused on
`an area which the user desires to confirm only by automatic
`focusing. In the case, the monitoring camera has a control
`menu for also allowing manual focusing.
`
`Installed in the user terminal 1 are 3D data gener-
`[0036]
`ating software for generating three-dimensional data (3D
`data) representing a three-dimensional object, plotter data
`generating software (hereinafter referred to as plotter data
`editor) for generating data for a laser stereolithography
`device (hereinafter referred to as plotter data) from the 3D
`data representing the three-dimensional object,
`remote
`operation software for remotely operating the laser stere-
`olithography device 21 by remotely operating the laser
`stereolithography device controlling software in the laser
`stereolithographydevice controlling computer 23 on the side
`of the laser stereolithography system 2, remote monitoring
`software for monitoring the operating conditionsof the laser
`stereolithography device 21 by receiving and displaying a
`video from the monitoring camera 22 on the side ofthe laser
`stereolithographysystem 2 as well as remotely operating the
`monitoring camera 22 (performing remote operations such
`as zooming and change in the monitoring position), and so
`forth.
`
`[0037] That is, the user terminal 1 comprises functions
`such as a 3D data generation function for generating the 3D
`data representing the three-dimensional object, a plotter data
`generation function for generating the plotter data from the
`3D data representing the three-dimensional object, a remote
`operation function for remotely operating the laser stere-
`olithography device 21, and a monitoring function for moni-
`toring the operating conditionsofthe laser stereolithography
`device 21. Further, the user terminal 1 comprises a browser
`or dedicated software for accessing a server unit for a user
`(hereinafter referred to as a user accessible area) 31 in the
`knowledge providing server 3.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0029] Referring now to the drawings, description is made
`of an embodiment in a case where the present inventionis
`applied to a three-dimensional object generating system.
`
`[1] Description of Configuration of
`Three-dimensional Object Generating System
`
`[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a three-
`dimensional-object generating system.
`
`[0031] The three-dimensional object generating system
`comprises a user terminal 1 connected to a network 10 such
`as the Internet, a laser stereolithography system 2 connected
`to the network 10, and a user support server (a knowledge
`providing apparatus, a knowledge providing server) 3 con-
`nected to the network 10. Although a plurality of user
`terminals 1 actually exist, only one user terminal 1 is
`illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`[0032] The laser stereolithography system 2 comprises a
`laser stereolithography device 21, a monitoring camera 22
`for imaging the operating conditions of the laser stere-
`olithography device 21, and a computer for controlling a
`laser stereolithography device (hereinafter referred to as a
`laser stereolithography device controlling computer) 23. The
`laser stereolithography device 21 performs such an opera-
`tion as to irradiate liquid ultraviolet curing resin with a laser
`beam to cure the ultraviolet curing resin is performed over
`a plurality of layers, thereby generating a three-dimensional
`object.
`
`Thelaser stereolithography device 21 is connected
`[0033]
`to the laser stereolithography device controlling computer
`23. Further, the laser stereolithography device controlling
`computer 23 may, in somecases, be incorporated in the main
`
`[0038] The knowledge providing server 3 comprisesthe
`user accessible area 31, the manager server unit 32, a user
`information database 41 for judging the level of a user, and
`a knowledge database 42 for storing knowledge provided in
`
`19
`
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`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`Aug. 19, 2004
`
`dimensional object molding cross section data) and support
`data are then generated from the 3D data (STL data)
`representing the three-dimensional object utilizing a plotter
`data generation function of the user terminal 1 (step 2). That
`is, plotter data for molding a three-dimensional object is
`generated. In this case, the user accesses the user accessible
`area 31 in the knowledge providing server 3 from the user
`terminal 1 to acquire the Web page for supporting plotter
`data generation work, thereby making it possible to utilize
`the knowledge provided by the knowledge providing server
`3. A support is a member for supporting, at the time of
`molding a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional
`object, and generated integrally with the three-dimensional
`object at the time of molding the three-dimensional object
`and removed after the completion.
`
`[0045] The generated plotter data is then transferred to the
`laser stereolithography device controlling computer 23 on
`the side of the laser stereolithography system 2 (step 3).
`
`[0046] Thereafter, the laser stereolithography device 21 on
`the side of the laser stereolithography system 2 is remotely
`operated utilizing the remote operation function and the
`monitoring function of the user terminal 1, to perform work
`for molding the three-dimensional object (step 4). In this
`case, the user accesses the user accessible area 31 in the
`knowledge providing server 3 from the user terminal 1, to
`acquire a Web page for supporting the work for remotely
`operating the laser stereolithography device 21,
`thereby
`makingit possible to utilize the knowledge provided by the
`knowledge providing server 3.
`
`order to support work performed by the user. The user
`accessible area 31 provides to each of the user terminals 1
`knowledge for supporting work performed by the user (in
`his example, work for generating the plotter data, work for
`emotely operating the laser stereolithography device 21,
`and post-processing work for a molded object) as a Web
`page or display on a screen using dedicated software. That
`is, an electronic manual including the procedure for work is
`provided, and know-how,a failure case, etc. are provided
`when the user retrieves the know-howandthe failure case.
`In this case, the contents of display are changed depending
`on the level of skill of the user (hereinafter referred to as a
`ser level).
`
`
`
`[0039] The manager server unit 32 provides a Web page
`for acquiring information from a manager onthe side ofthe
`laser stereolithography system 2. The managerserver unit 32
`feeds information obtained from the manager to the user
`information database 41 and the knowledge database 42.
`
`
`
`[0040] The user information database 41 stores for each
`ser ID a password previously registered by a user having
`he user ID, information representing the current user level
`of the user, and history information related to the user. The
`ser level is sudged on the basis of the complexity of the
`contents of work performed by the user, information related
`o the evaluation of the results of the work, the number of
`imes of retrieval performed during the work, etc., as
`described later. The history information includes the com-
`plexity of the contents of work performedin the past by the
`ser, information related to the evaluation of the results of
`he work, the numberoftimes ofretrieval performed during
`(a molded
`three-dimensional object.
`[0047] When a
`he work, etc. The complexity of the contents of the work
`object) is generated by the three-dimensional object molding
`performed by the user and the information related to the
`work, post-processing work for the obtained molded object
`evaluation of the results of the work are fed to the manager
`is performed. The post-processing work may be performed
`server unit 32 through the laser stereolithography device
`by the manager on the side of the laser stereolithography
`controlling computer 23 and the network 10 from the
`system 2, or maybe performed by the user going off to the
`manager on the side of the laser stereolithography system 2.
`place wherethe laser stereolithography system2is installed.
`[0041] The knowledge database 42stores, in each of work
`Examplesof the post-processing work for the molded object
`itemsin clause units specified by a “chapter” and a “clause”,
`include a washing step, a secondarycuring step, a support
`“the title of a clause (the name of work)”, “the contents of
`removal step, and a surface treatment step of the molded
`work”, a “demand”, “preconditions of know-how”, “know-
`object in this order. The secondarycuring step, the support
`how”, “undesirable results in a case where no know-howis
`removal step, and the surface treatment step may not,
`in
`sed”, “the reason why undesirable results occur (the cause
`some cases, be required depending on the type of resin and
`of undesirable results)”, “knowledge and wisdom related to
`a molding shape. Further, the secondary curing step and the
`know-howto be used”, a “fundamentalcause”, a “keyword”,
`support removal step may, in some cases, be carried outin
`a “FIG. 1 (a reference image 1)”, a “FIG. 2 (a reference
`the reverse order.
`image 2)”, etc., as shown in FIG.2. Although in FIG.2,
`only knowledge corresponding to the work item in Clause 1
`of Chapter 2 (2-01)are illustrated, knowledgealso actually
`exist in the other work items in clause units.
`
`[2] Description of Overall Procedure for Generating
`Three-dimensional Object
`
`FIG.3 showsthe overall procedure for generating
`[0042]
`a three-dimensional object.
`
`First, a three-dimensional object, for example, a
`[0043]
`casing of a portable telephoneset is designed utilizmg a 3D
`data generation function of the user terminal 1 (step 1). That
`is, 3D data (STL (Stereo Lithography) data) representing the
`three-dimensional object is generated.
`
`[0044] Data representing a cross section for molding a
`three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as three-
`
`[0048] Whentheuser goesoff to the place where the laser
`stereolithography system 2 is installed to perform the post-
`processing work, a computer put in the place wherethe laser
`stereolithography system 2 is installed and a computer (a
`portable computer) carried bythe user are connectedto the
`network to access the knowledge providing server 3,
`to
`acquire a Web page for supporting the post-processing work
`for the molded object, thereby makingit possible utilize the
`knowledge provided by the knowledge providing server 3.
`
`[3] Description of Procedure for Generating Plotter
`Data for Molding Three-dimensional Object in Step
`2 Shown in FIG. 3
`
`[0049] FIG. 4 showsthe procedure for generating plotter
`data for molding a three-dimensional object in the step 2
`shownin FIG,3.
`
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`
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`

`

`US 2004/0162798 Al
`
`Aug. 19, 2004
`
`[0050] The 3D data (STL data) representing the thee-
`dimensional object generated in the step 1 is first acquired
`(step 11). The three-dimensionalobject is 3D-displayed on
`the basis of the acquired STL data (step 12). The STL data
`is then converted into data representing a shape for a plotter
`corresponding to a format for a laser stereolithography
`device (step 13). The shape for a plotter is edited (step 14).
`Thatis, the direction ofslicing (the direction of molding) is
`determined by rotating a display image.
`
`[0060] The knowledge providing server 3 judges whether
`or not the passwordis correct on the basis of the password
`and the user ID sent from the user terminal 1 (step 201). The
`judgment
`is made by referring to the user information
`database 41. Further,
`the knowledge providing server 3
`judges, when the password is correct,
`the user level by
`referring to the user information database 41 and holds the
`results of the judgment (step 202), and transmits data for
`displaying a basic screen to the user terminal 1 (step 203).
`
`[0061] When the user terminal 1 receives the data for a
`[0051] After a slice parameter such asaslice pitch is set
`basic screen,
`the basic screen as shown in FIG. 8 is
`(step 15), slice calculation is carried out (step 16). Thatis,
`displayed on the user terminal 1 (step 102). The basic screen
`the 3D datais sliced, to generate molding cross section data.
`is constituted by a user operating display portion onthe left
`The obtained molding cross section data is checked and
`side and a manual display portion on the rightside.
`corrected (step 17).
`
`[0052] Processing for generating a support is then per-
`formed (step 18). The shape of the obtained support is
`checked and corrected (step 19).
`
`[4] Description of Procedure for Remotely
`Operating Laser Stereolithography Device 21 in
`Step 4 Shown in FIG. 3
`
`[0053] FIG. 5 showsthe procedure for remotely operating
`the laser stereolithography device 21 in the step 4 shown in
`FIG.3.
`
`First, processing for setting a molding parameteris
`[0054]
`performed (step 21). That
`is, a molding size, molding
`arrangement, exposure to light, a laser scanning pattern,
`coating, etc. are set.
`
`[0055] Molding work is then performed, thereby generat-
`ing a three-dimensional object (molded object) (step 22).
`
`[5] Description of Processing Performed between
`User Terminal 1 and Knowledge Providing Sever 3
`
`[0056] Examples of processing performed between the
`user terminal 1 and the knowledge providing server 3
`include user authentication processing, manualreading pro-
`cessing, and know-howand failurecase retrieval processing.
`Further, the knowledge providing server 3 performs, after
`he work performed by the useris terminated, processingfor
`pdating the knowledgelevel of the user (user level). The
`processing will be hereinafter described.
`
`[0062] User information, an operation portion for know-
`how and failure case retrieval, and a table of contents for
`manual reading are displayed on the user operating display
`portion. As the user information, the nameandthelevel(the
`level of skill) of the user are displayed. The user levels are
`of three types, i.e., an elementary level (level 1), an inter-
`mediate level (level 2),