Abstract: A computer games apparatus includes a server operable under the control of a computer program to generate and store data defining a 3D game environment. Objects within that environment can be moved and/or changed in response to signals received by the server from player terminals. Those signals may be transmitted via the Internet and/or other networks. The server renders the object data into data defining one or more views of the 3D environment, which data can then be processed into a broadcastable form for receipt by a plurality of observers. The performance of the apparatus is unaffected by the number of observers actually in receipt of the broadcast data.

Abstract: A method for shading objects in a first image and a second image includes receiving a geometric description of a first object, performing once for both the first image and the second image, a first set of shading operations for the first object, performing a second set of shading operations for the first object in the first image, performing a third set of shading operations for the first object in the second image, combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the second set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the first image, and combining results of the first set of shading operations for the first object and results of the third set of shading operations for the first object to determine shading values of the first object in the second image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reordering the vertices of a graphics primitive. The vertices of the primitive are received in a circular order, but the position of the vertices in the circular order is arbitrary. The vertices include coordinates with respect to an origin. Comparison logic operates on the coordinates of each vertex to determine which vertex is the minimum vertex, which the vertex that is a minimum distance away from the origin. Once the minimum vertex is known, the vertices are shuffled into the proper order, with the minimum vertex in the lowest order position, the next vertex in circular order in the next position and so on. An apparatus saves the information for reordering the vertices, so that the order is preserved for parameter information for each vertex.

Abstract: A complete automatic sprite generation system uses first-order prediction for an initial estimation, delayed elimination for outlier rejection, and field-based sprite generation for an interlaced source. Optionally, higher-order prediction for the initial estimation may be used to handle more complicated motion. The invention is useful for generating sprites, e.g., for 3D sequences, stock tickers, interactive advertising and other uses. The invention addresses outlier and fast motion problems that are not handled by the existing MPEG-4 scheme. Automatic sprite generation is provided by performing shot detection (e.g., panning or zooming) on the input images to provide a group of successive images that share a common scene for use in forming a sprite. The initial estimation of motion parameter data for forming the sprite is improved by using the motion parameter data of at least two previous input images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided through which a model-based vision system for dentistry which assists in diagnosis, treatment planning and surgical simulation. The present invention includes an integrated computer vision system that constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) model of the patient's dental occlusion using an intra-oral video camera. A modified shape from shading technique, using perspective projection and camera calibration, extracts the 3-D information from a sequence of two-dimensional images of the jaw. Data fusion of range data and 3-D registration techniques develop a complete 3-D digital jaw model. Triangulation of the 3-D digital model is then performed, and optionally, a solid 3-D model is reconstructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of methods for synthesizing an intervisibility image consisting of pixels and representing the distribution, over a terrain overflown by an aircraft, of the intervisibility zones. This is a method of synthesizing an intervisibility image consisting of pixels and representing the distribution, over a terrain overflown by an aircraft, of the zones of indirect intervisibility between the aircraft and at least one potential threat, in which, on the one hand, a danger plain color is associated with the set of zones of indirect intervisibility and, on the other hand, a safety plain color distinct from the danger plain color is associated with the set of portions of range zones of the threats that are not covered by any zone of indirect intervisibility, and, in at least one mode of the method of synthesis, said plain colors may be modulated at each pixel by a shading cue (?sha) representative of the relief of the terrain at said pixel.

Abstract: A method of rendering a 2-D graphic object having a plurality of pixels to a 3-D graphic object is disclosed. At first, a directional relation corresponding to the pixels is determined to define relations between the pixels and edges of the 2-D graphic object. Then, z-axis parameters corresponding to the pixels are generated in response to the directional relation with an effect function, wherein the effect function renders the z-axis parameters responsive to a relation limit varied with directions of the directinoal relation or a mapping table defining offset values of the z-axis parameters, or both. Finally, the 3-D graphic object is rendered in response to the 2-D graphic object and the z-axis parameters.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for early Z-value based culling prior to pixel rendering in a graphics pipeline. In initial stages of processing, Z-value culling is performed on at least one pixel. Thereafter, the pixel is conditionally rendered. Whether the pixel is rendered or not is conditioned on results of the Z-value culling. By culling, or removing, the pixels that do not meet certain criteria prior to rendering, much processing is avoided in the rendering portion of the graphics pipeline.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data.

Abstract: Personality traits displayed on a workbench are grouped into a character profile that is utilized in determining the personality and/or specific actions of a synthetic character. The personality traits are selectable by an operator from graduated dials. The personality traits may also be displayed in the form of selectable attributes or trait indicative behaviors that, when selected, are mapped into predetermined amounts of each trait in the character profile. The character profile is utilized to compute activation levels for primary behaviors, which are selected to influence or direct behavior of the synthetic character. Secondary behaviors are also selected, but discarded if conflicting with the selected primary behaviors. When behaviors are selected, the corresponding behaviors are translated into classes of ‘personality effectors’ that modulate the synthetic character's behavioral expression to reflect the desired set of traits.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid processing of scene-graph-based data and/or programs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may be configured to utilize a scene graph directly. In another embodiment, the system may be configured to generate a plurality of structures and thread that manage the data originally received as part of the scene graph. The structures and threads may be configured to convey information about state changes through the use of messaging. The system may include support for messaging between threads, messaging with time and/or event stamps, epochs to ensure consistency, and ancillary structures such as render-bins, geometry structures, and rendering environment structures.

Abstract: An electronic device (9) has an interactive screen display (27) which is interactive with a stylus (10). The electronic device (9) has an actuator (30) associated with an engagement member (18) of a housing (16) of the device. The actuator (30) is actuated when the stylus (10) engages the engagement member (20) to provide an activation signal indicative of the stylus engaging or disengaging the engagement member (20). As a result, the electronic device (9) or display screen is inactivated or activated when the stylus (10) engages the engagement member (20).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing a graphical representation that describes the appearance of an object from a plurality of viewing directions. Compressing includes accessing the graphical representation, removing redundant descriptive information from the graphical representation and representing the remaining information for efficient rendering, such as rendering with hardware-assisted computation.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and associated method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for lighting the graphics data. During use, the graphics pipeline system is capable of carrying out a fog and blending operation.

Abstract: In a computer graphics apparatus, a three-dimensional object is modelled using a mesh of triangles which approximate the object surface. To display images, each triangle is sub-divided into smaller triangles, which do not necessarily lie in the same plane as the original triangle. In this way, the curvature of the object surface can be more accurately modelled. A parametric patch, such as a Bernstein-Bezier triangular patch or Heron patch, is used to determine how to divide each triangle into smaller non-planar triangles. In addition, the number of non-planar triangles is determined using the size of the original triangle in the current or a preceding frame of image data. The non-planar triangles are stored for use in subsequent frames which require the same number of non-planar triangles, thereby reducing processing requirements.

Abstract: In a computer graphics apparatus, a three-dimensional object is modelled using a mesh of triangles which approximate the object surface. To display images, each triangle is sub-divided into smaller triangles, which do not necessarily lie in the same plane as the original triangle. In this way, the curvature of the object surface can be more accurately modelled. A parametric patch, such as a Bernstein-Bezier triangular patch or Heron patch, is used to determine how to divide each triangle into smaller non-planar triangles. In addition, the number of non-planar triangles is determined using the size of the original triangle in the current or a preceding frame of image data. The non-planar triangles are stored for use in subsequent frames which require the same number of non-planar triangles, thereby reducing processing requirements.

Abstract: 2D imposters representing 3D graphical objects, such as virtual spectators in a simulated sports arena, are dynamically displayed at predefined locations relative to an arbitrarily movable camera position in a virtual space. A hierarchical data structure is created with branches corresponding to iteratively subdivided groups of imposter data structures and is used to store polygon vertices, texture data, and other 2D imposter data generated during run-time. Center locations of the hierarchically divided groupings are used to determine a common projection location within a current view volume at which each 2D imposter is projected as an oriented image from each corresponding animated 3D graphical object. Sets of contiguous 2D imposter data are determined based on currently visible groupings of predefined locations that do not require rendering as 3D graphical objects due to their distance from the camera position. Each set of contiguous 2D imposters is rendered with a single draw primitive.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. A slide-out operation for sliding a virtual page out from the virtual three-dimensional book may be provided. The display system may also include a “rocker book” feature, wherein a book shifts between a first view and a second view. Moreover, the display system may display the virtual pages in a plurality of size formats, wherein a selection function may be provided for selecting among the plurality of size formats. Finally, a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for producing images of a virtual three-dimensional book is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a synthetic image wherein a specific object region is extracted, a three-dimensional shape information is extracted, and a video image and a CG image are drawn compoundly. A three dimensional shape information to the specific object region called a video image object, and the video object is be synthesized with CG images is created and stored on a hard disk. By using this data, a synthetic image is generated in non-real time fashion.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and method are provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving graphics data. The transform module serves to transform the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the graphics data received from the lighting module. During use, an antialiasing feature is implemented on the single semiconductor platform to improve a quality of the graphics rendering.