Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that reduces variation in radiation therapy treatment planning among plurality of users within the same or different geographic locations. The system includes a method and an apparatus that provide users with the knowledge information and utilizing the knowledge information to contour target volumes for radiation treatment planning. The mode of operation includes utilizing a stand-alone workstation or a server computer connected to the plurality of thin client workstations.

Abstract: Surfaces without a global surface coordinate system are divided into surface regions having local surface coordinate systems to enable the caching of surface attribute values. Surface attribute functions are evaluated to determine surface attribute values for the surface regions. A surface attribute value for a surface region may include contributions from two or more adjacent surfaces. A multiresolution cache stores surface attribute values at different resolution levels for surface regions of one or more surfaces, which may be discontiguous. Surface attribute values for a surface are retrieved from the multiresolution cache by dividing the surface into surface regions at a desired resolution level and selecting a corresponding resolution level of the multiresolution cache. One or more cached surface attribute values are retrieved for each surface region.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for fast and accurate image segmentation through the application of a multi-stage classifier to an image data set. An image processing system is provided having a processor configured to apply a multi-stage classifier to the image data set to identify a distinctive region. The multi-stage classifier can include two or more component classifiers. The first component classifier can have a sensitivity level configured to identify one or more target regions in the image data set and the second component classifier can have a specificity level configured to confirm the presence of the distinctive region in any identified target regions. Also provided is a classification array having multiple multi-stage classifiers for identification and confirmation of more than one distinctive region or for the application of different classification configurations to the image data set to identify a specific distinctive region.

Abstract: A product modeling system and method are provided. On one embodiment, the product modeling system is used to model a piece of apparel, such as a shirt, with a design wherein the model with the design is used to display the piece of apparel with the design to a consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes selecting a subset of images from a set of captured images. A surface feature of one object is represented in the content of each selected subset image. The method also includes decomposing the surface feature content of each selected image to produce a model of representations of the object.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for processing textures in a graphical processing unit (GPU) are disclosed. Textures may be managed on a per region (e.g., tile) basis, which allows efficient use of texture memory. Moreover, very large textures may be used. Techniques provide for both texture streaming, as well as sparse textures. A GPU texture unit may be used to intelligently clamp LOD based on a shader specified value. The texture unit may provide feedback to the shader to allow the shader to react conditionally based on whether clamping was used, etc. Per region (e.g., per-tile) independent mipmap stacks may be used to allow very large textures.

Abstract: A method for obtaining and analyzing information objects including generating, collecting or discovering information objects. The information objects are signified at least in part using deliberately ambiguated signifier prompts, for example, linear scale opposing negatives or positives, and/or multi-dimensional signifier prompts. The information objects may comprise text or non-text fragments, and may be generated or selected. The responses to the signifier prompts are stored with the fragments to provide a dataset of signified fragments. The signified fragments may be analyzed based on the signifiers and can be utilized as part of an explorable knowledge repository, or objective measures can be created to aid in mass opinion capture or human attitude auditing. The fragments may be represented on a graphical template.

Abstract: A subregion-based image parameter recovery system and method for recovering image parameters from a single image containing a face taken under sub-optimal illumination conditions. The recovered image parameters (including albedo, illumination, and face geometry) can be used to generate face images under a new lighting environment. The method includes dividing the face in the image into numerous smaller regions, generating an albedo morphable model for each region, and using a Markov Random Fields (MRF)-based framework to model the spatial dependence between neighboring regions. Different types of regions are defined, including saturated, shadow, regular, and occluded regions. Each pixel in the image is classified and assigned to a region based on intensity, and then weighted based on its classification.

Abstract: A plurality of representative points are selected from a group of points obtained as results of shape measurement of an object, respective principal curvatures are calculated at the representative points on the basis of positional relationships between the representative point and a plurality of points existing around the representative point, a line of curvature is created on the basis of the principal curvatures of the representative points and a curved surface is generated using this line of curvature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for creating a parametric surface symmetric with respect to a given symmetry operation (20). The invention method: (i) identifies a mesh pattern (15a); (ii) creates a base mesh (15s) from the mesh pattern, according to a symmetry operation; (iii) subdivides the base mesh, at a given order, into a subdivided mesh defining elementary faces; and (iv) forms the parametric surface (16s) according to said faces. The base mesh is symmetric with respect to the symmetry operation such as a reflection symmetry. The invention further concerns computer program product and systems implementing the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for computer graphics processing. In use, a value is modified based on an algorithm. An operation is subsequently performed on pixel data taking into account the modified value.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for wrapping a two-dimensional texture conformally onto a surface of a three dimensional virtual object within an arbitrarily-shaped, user-defined region. The techniques provide minimum distortion and allow interactive manipulation of the mapped texture. The techniques feature an energy minimization scheme in which distances between points on the surface of the three-dimensional virtual object serve as set lengths for springs connecting points of a planar mesh. The planar mesh is adjusted to minimize spring energy, and then used to define a patch upon which a two-dimensional texture is superimposed. Points on the surface of the virtual object are then mapped to corresponding points of the texture. The invention also features a haptic/graphical user interface element that allows a user to interactively and intuitively adjust texture mapped within the arbitrary, user-defined region.

Abstract: A method for determining a pose of an object from a range image is presented. A distribution of poses for an object is determined from a model of the object. A set of reference poses is selected according to the distribution, such that more reference poses are selected for more probable poses than less probable poses. A reference image for each reference pose is generated, and the reference pose used to generate the reference image that best matches a range image including the object is assigned as the pose of the object.

Abstract: Mesh quilting for geometric texture synthesis involves synthesizing a geometric texture by quilting a mesh texture swatch. In an example embodiment, geometry is matched between a mesh texture swatch and a portion of a synthesized geometric texture. Correspondences are ascertained between elements of the mesh texture swatch and the portion of the synthesized geometric texture. The ascertained corresponding elements of the mesh texture swatch and the portion of the synthesized geometric texture are aligned via local deformation to create a new patch. The new patch is merged into an output texture space to grow the synthesized geometric texture.

Abstract: The invention generates the water grids in each of the visible range of the water wave maps and the third dimension coordinates according to the intersecting points. The third dimension coordinates are corresponded to the actual water height. Finally, the invention generates a water surface having the wave change according to the third dimension coordinates. And the invention can obtain the information of the water height dynamically, generate the water surface image having the light change, including the effect of reflection and refraction, according to the information of the water height, and make the water image corresponding to the actual water.

Abstract: An anisometric texture synthesis system and method for generating anisometric textures having a similar visual appearance as a given exemplar, but with varying orientation and scale. This variation is achieved by modifying the upsampling and correaction processes of the texture synthesis technique using a Jacobian field. The modified correaction process includes accessing only immediate neighbors of a pixel instead of non-local pixels. This constraint that only immediate neighbors be used also allows the generation of seamless anisometric surface textures. This is achieved by using indireaction maps containing indirection pointers that are used to jump from a set of pixels outside the boundary of a texture atlas chart to another chart. The system and method also includes an anisometric synthesis magnification technique that uses a Jacobian field to modify the magnification step of a synthesis magnification scheme and account for anisometry.

Abstract: A smooth curve is represented in a graphics texture by setting the texels that are inside the curve 80 to a value greater than a predetermined threshold value for the curve 80 and the texels that are outside the curve 80 to a value of less than the threshold value for the curve 80 (or vice-versa). Such representations of two smooth curves 80, 81 are packed into a single graphics texture (the same texel space) 82 by giving each curve 80, 81 a different threshold value, setting the texel values so that they are appropriately valued with respect to each curve's threshold value, and ensuring that the positions of the threshold value contours of the two curves do not actually overlap each other in the texture.

Abstract: A smooth curve is represented in a graphics texture by setting the texels that are inside the curve 1 to a value greater than a predetermined threshold value and the texels that are outside the curve 1 to a value less than the threshold value (or vice-versa). The texture value returned for a sampled position can thus be used to determine whether the sampled position should be treated as being inside the curve 1 or not. The texture is optimised for sampling using bi-linear filtering.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that perform cylindrical wrapping in software without the need for a dedicated hardware circuit. One example performs cylindrical wrapping in software running on shader hardware. In one specific example, the shader hardware is a unified shader that alternately processes geometry, vertex, and fragment information. This unified shader is formed using a number of single-instruction, multiple-data units. Another example provides a method of performing a cylindrical wrap that ensures that a correct texture portion is used for a triangle that is divided by a “seam” of the wrap. To achieve this, primitive vertices are sorted such that results are vertex order invariant. One vertex is selected as a reference. For the other vertices, a difference is found for each coordinate and a corresponding coordinate of the reference vertex. If the coordinates are near, no change is made. If the coordinates are distant, the coordinate is adjusted.

Abstract: A method of generating procedural textures for a plurality of natural phenomena, and an apparatus to perform the method, the method including inputting a set of common parameters required to represent the plurality of natural phenomena; inputting a set of specific parameters required to represent physical properties of at least one of the natural phenomena; generating a noise value using the common parameters and the specific parameters; determining which procedural texture is to be generated according to the common parameters; and generating the procedural texture according to the determination results using the noise value, the common parameters, and the specific parameters.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for reconstructing an image. During operation, the system receives an original image, wherein the original image includes a defective area to be reconstructed. The system also receives a reference to a texture image, which contains a texture to be used during the reconstruction. The system then divides the values of pixels in the defective area and surrounding boundary pixels, by the values of corresponding pixels in the texture image to produce a first intermediate image. Next, the system solves a partial differential equation (PDE) for non-boundary pixels in the first intermediate image subject to values of the boundary pixels in the first intermediate image to produce a second intermediate image. The system then multiplies the values of pixels in the second intermediate image by the values of corresponding pixels in the texture image to produce a replacement image.

Abstract: The generation of a random map for use in a video game may involve a random value generation function, with weighted texture and/or object values to control whether certain textures and/or objects are placed at certain locations on the map. Some locations may have no objects, or may have rivers or cliffs added. Additionally, equitable object placement for multiple players may be accomplished using object constraints. Closest point determination may be used for certain object types, while other objects may have constraints relaxed if initial placement efforts are unsuccessful. As a further addition, physical modeling of a humanoid form may be accomplished using a three-part model, where angles on the model drive the display of animation frames for the object.

Abstract: As for a multi-dimensional texture constituted by a plurality of textures different in photographing environment such as a viewing position or lighting conditions, texture images constituting the multi-dimensional texture are rearranged block by block or pixel by pixel, and converted into an anisotropic texture expressing anisotropic variations of the multi-dimensional texture in an area corresponding to the block or the pixel.

Abstract: Video conversion using a 3D graphics pipeline of a graphical processing unit (GPU) is disclosed. A plurality of video data formatted in a first video format is accessed from a memory unit. Moreover, the plurality of video data is converted from the first video format to a second video format using a 3D graphics pipeline of the GPU. The plurality of video data formatted in the second video format is sent to the memory unit. The 3D graphics pipeline applies a filtering technique. In an embodiment, the filtering technique is an interpolation technique.

Abstract: Mesh quilting for geometric texture synthesis involves synthesizing a geometric texture by quilting a mesh texture swatch. In an example embodiment, geometry is matched between a mesh texture swatch and a portion of a synthesized geometric texture. Correspondences are ascertained between elements of the mesh texture swatch and the portion of the synthesized geometric texture. The ascertained corresponding elements of the mesh texture swatch and the portion of the synthesized geometric texture are aligned via local deformation to create a new patch. The new patch is merged into an output texture space to grow the synthesized geometric texture.

Abstract: A technique for graphically processing perimeter information includes determining a polar representation of the perimeter of an object to define polar perimeter information, storing the polar perimeter information, retrieving the stored polar perimeter information using an overlay, and applying the retrieved polar perimeter information to provide a graphical effect within a scene (such as, but not limited to, a shadow effect).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating a multi-resolution three-dimensional model, and for extracting feature lines using texture images and geometric data from a three-dimensional model. First, contours are detected for texture images using an image processing on the texture-mapped three-dimensional mesh data. With respect to geometric data, a discrete curvature is measured. The geometric data is parametrized into parameters in a two-dimensional domain, and contour images are detected using an image processing. The detected two contour images are generated into one model map, which is then reversely mapped to a reverse three-dimensional model, then next feature lines are extracted. Accordingly, a multi-resolution three-dimensional model can be generated while maintaining the extracted feature lines.

Abstract: A system and method for merging carpet design image patterns in order to create a custom-designed patterned carpet image. A customized carpet image is defined by identifying a plurality of carpet design fields within a carpet and selecting a distinct design pattern from a plurality of selection options for each identified carpet design field in order to define a customized design field pattern. The customized design field pattern comprises the selected design pattern. Merging the customized design field patterns together defines an image of a custom-designed carpet. Further, a strike-off of the image of the custom-designed carpet image can be produced from the system and method.

Abstract: As for a multi-dimensional texture constituted by a plurality of textures different in photographing environment such as a viewing position or lighting conditions, texture images constituting the multi-dimensional texture are rearranged block by block or pixel by pixel, and converted into an anisotropic texture expressing anisotropic variations of the multi-dimensional texture in an area corresponding to the block or the pixel.

Abstract: A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium, a computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, and a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, all for providing a graphic image utilizing view-dependent texture data, including a graphic data code segment for providing data representing a graphic image and a texture data code segment in operational association with the graphic data code segment.

Abstract: Per-pixel luminosity adjustment uses a luminosity mask applied as a texture. In one embodiment, a luminosity texture is defined. Pixel data of an underlying image is converted to an image texture. The image texture is blended onto a target surface. The luminosity texture is also blended onto the target surface, thereby generating luminosity compensated pixel data for the image.

Abstract: A method for reducing occlusion in a presentation of a region-of-interest of an original image, the presentation generated by distorting the original image to produce a lens having a focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region defined by a shoulder drop-of function, comprising: scaling the focal region; and, for an input point in the shoulder region, determining a width for the shoulder region from a distance between a projection point for the input point to the focal region and an intersection point on a perimeter of the lens of a line constructed through the input point, the projection point, and the intersection point, to thereby reduce occlusion of the shoulder region by the focal region.

Abstract: An array of view-dependent sprited tiles provide different views of an image texture (e.g., structure, color, shading, illumination, transparency, as well as other image attributes). The different views of the image texture correspond to different viewing angles at which a user would see the tiles when they are applied to an image geometry. In one implementation, the view dependent sprited tiles are two-dimensional projections of three-dimensional structures. The projections maintain the dimensions (including shape) of the front surfaces of three-dimensional structures at different viewing angles. A projection that meets these characteristics is the oblique parallel projection.

Abstract: A technique for graphically processing perimeter information includes determining a polar representation of the perimeter of an object to define polar perimeter information, storing the polar perimeter information, retrieving the stored polar perimeter information using an overlay, and applying the retrieved polar perimeter information to provide a graphical effect within a scene (such as, but not limited to, a shadow effect).

Abstract: A method comprising generating a surface detail model using a modeling technique, and rendering surface detail in accordance with the developed surface detail model over an object surface. The described method enables computer-generated images containing representations of hair to be rendered in real time.

Abstract: Shortening a footprint is a technique to reduce the number of texture samples anisotropically filtered to determine a texture value associated with a graphics fragment. Reducing the number of texture samples anisotropically filtered reduces the number of texture samples read and simplifies the filter computation. Programmable knobs are used to shorten the footprint of a pixel in texture space thereby reducing the number of texture samples used during anisotropic filtering. These knobs permit a user to determine a balance between improved texture map performance and anisotropic texture filtering quality.

Abstract: A special effect device by which an entirely new special picture effect is to be implemented in accordance with a read address control system. The device includes an address signal generating unit 3 which generates a readout address signal for picture signals stored in a frame buffer 2 so that, by rupturing a picture portion of an area at an optional position of a picture in the frame buffer, defined by a circle having a radius of an optional size, with the center of the circle as a rupturing point, a folded picture portion will be obtained which has the circumference of the circle as a topological boundary.

Abstract: A secondary representative Z value memory includes a reduced-resolution representation of a primary representative Z value memory. Upon updating of a block of the primary representative Z value memory, one or more corresponding values are calculated for updating the reduced-resolution representation.

Abstract: A pencil-sketch image is rendered from three-dimensional (3D) data by determining a pencil-sketch texture for a polygon defined by the 3D data, projecting the polygon onto a two-dimensional surface, and mapping the pencil-sketch texture onto the polygon to render the pencil-sketch image. The pencil-sketch texture is determined by obtaining a value based on a normal vector to the polygon and a light vector between the polygon and a light source, classifying the polygon based on the value, and associating the pencil-sketch texture with the polygon based on the classification of the polygon.

Abstract: A system and process for adding a photorealistic rendering of a body of water to a virtual 3D scene or image and creating a video therefrom having interactive water effects. A region of water is added to an image by adding an area depicting the original scene as it would appear if reflected by still body of water. Then, the appearance of the added water region is distorted over a series of image frames in such a way as to simulate how the reflected scene would look if the surface of the water were in motion. The water can have dynamic waves and the user can interact with the water in numbers of ways, including generating ripples on the water surface and creating rain. In addition, these effects can be achieved at full screen resolution with the use of the latest graphics hardware by employing a texture shifting technique.

Abstract: A graphical display system comprises memory and a texture mapper. The memory stores a parametric texture map (PTM) and a non-parametric texture map (non-PTM). The texture mapper is configured to selectively apply, based on a viewing parameter of a graphical object, the PTM and the non-PTM to a pixel of the graphical object.

Abstract: One or more information attributes about an object is received. A determination is performed to find out if the one or more information attributes is in contention with geometry attributes of the object. When the one or more information attributes is in contention with the geometry attributes, the geometry attributes are modified to avoid contention with the one or more information attributes.

Abstract: A system and process for adding a photorealistic rendering of a body of water to a virtual 3D scene or image and creating a video therefrom having interactive water effects. A region of water is added to an image by adding an area depicting the original scene as it would appear if reflected by still body of water. Then, the appearance of the added water region is distorted over a series of image frames in such a way as to simulate how the reflected scene would look if the surface of the water were in motion. The water can have dynamic waves and the user can interact with the water in numbers of ways, including generating ripples on the water surface and creating rain. In addition, these effects can be achieved at full screen resolution with the use of the latest graphics hardware by employing a texture shifting technique.

Abstract: A texture mapping apparatus for jointing a plurality of texture images where mapping positions are partially overlapped so as to map the texture images on a surface of a three-dimensional model. The texture mapping apparatus has a texture cutting out section which extracts a boundary between a texture portion and a background portion for each of the texture images, a texture evaluating section which weights segments obtained by segmentalizing the texture portion correlatively with a distance from the boundary using boundary information obtained by the extraction of the boundary, and a texturing blending section which calculates a mapping value by means of weighted average for overlapped portions of the plural texture images.

Abstract: A method is for producing the bump mapping effect for a 3D object in a computer graphic. First, a shading vector is produced at one point of the surface of the 3D object. A shift coordinate with respect to this point is determined, according to the shading vector. According to the shift coordinate, a rotational calculation matrix is set up. Then, a diffuse color value with respect to this point is computed, which is equal to the difference between an adjacent rotation color value to this point and an averaged color value, wherein the averaged color value is defined as the sum and average of the color channels for R, G, and B with respect to this point, and the adjacent rotation color value is defined as a sum of the averaged color value with respect to a number of the adjacent points and the coefficient product with respect to the adjacent points in the rotational calculation matrix. Then, the emboss image value at this point is computed.

Abstract: An image generating device for displaying a model comprised of a plurality of polygons set in a virtual 3D space and simulating an object having at least one flat plane, the image generating device comprises: polygon storage means for storing coordinates of uneven polygon set; texture storage means for storing object textures to be adhered to the respective polygons of the uneven polygon set; coordinate processing means for moving the uneven polygon set by a specified amount in a specified direction; and texture displacement control means for displacing the adhering coordinates of the object textures to the respective polygons by the specified amount in an opposite direction from the specified direction.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information on a display screen of a computer, comprising the steps of scaling the visual information to produce a scaled representation to fit on the display screen the scaled representation containing the entire content of the visual information; selecting a region of interest within the scaled representation; applying a transformation to the scaled representation to improve the visual detail in the region of interest; and, displaying the transformed presentation on the display screen.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating a vector map in a hardware graphic pipeline. Initially, one of a plurality of transforms is selected in a hardware graphic pipeline. Further, input is processed in order to generate a vector map utilizing the selected transform in the hardware graphics pipeline. Subsequently, a plurality of pixel color values is rendered utilizing the vector map.

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective method of designing and manufacturing a plastic blow molded container having highly artistic sculptural relief. Computer software is utilized to graphically design a container skin shape, create 2-D artwork designs, add 3-D relief to the artwork designs, and apply the artwork to the container skin to develop a desired container. The graphics data of the desired container is utilized to make blow molds which, in turn, are utilized to blow containers. A preferred container is disclosed which has a dome with an intricate fruit basket design.

Abstract: A first copy of an object is rendered using a texture sample selected from a texture image. This texture sample is selected from the texture image according to a first set of texture coordinates. The rendered object is stored in a frame buffer. Next, a second copy of the object is rendered using a second texture sample selected from the texture image. The second texture sample is selected from the texture image according to a second set of texture coordinates calculated in accordance with the first set of texture coordinates and one or more Jitter factors. The second set of calculated texture coordinates is displaced from the first set of texture coordinates along an axis of anisotropy. This second rendered copy of the object is then blended with the first rendered copy of the object to produce an object with anisotropic filtering. In embodiments of the invention, more than two copies of the object are rendered and blended together to form an object with anisotropic filtering.