3d Manipulations Patents (Class 345/653)
  • Patent number: 7479956
    Abstract: A method of garment fitting, selection and creation is provided. The invention provides for the scanning of an individual to provide a photo-realistic virtual 3-D image of the individual in a physically simulated 3-D garment and provides for the use of measurements of the individual to intelligently recommend garments, produce patterns for custom made garments, provide alteration suggestions to fit a garment to the particular individual. The measurements and the photo-realistic 3-D information is stored so that an individual does not need to re-input information or undergo multiple scans, and can shop from home using the previously obtained information profile. Measurements and suggestions can be used by the individual or automatically sent to a manufacturer, dressmaker or tailor for the creation or alteration of a garment to achieve a correct fit for the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Unique Solutions Design LTD.
    Inventor: Tanya Anne Shaw-Weeks
  • Publication number: 20080309680
    Abstract: A noise cancellation device for an image signal processing system includes a receiving end for receiving image signals, a 3D filtering unit for adjusting a filtering parameter according to a motion estimation value, and filtering the image signals and a former filtering result for generating a current filtering result, a motion detection unit for comparing the former filtering result and the image signals, so as to generate a current motion factor and the motion estimation value according to a former motion factor, a memory unit for receiving and storing the current filter result and the current motion factor as the former filtering result and the former motion factor, and an output end for outputting the current filtering result provided by the 3D filtering unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Teng-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 7446778
    Abstract: A system that implements a “tangent space brush,” allowing a user to paint directly onto a parameterized object, for example a three dimensional object. A tangent space brush projects coordinates from an input device to the world-space point on the surface of the 3D object. A normal is determined at that point and a brush image is projected from that point, along the normal, to the underlying surfaces. The system is implemented by providing a system that implements selecting a selected area of a displayed object, and projecting a brush directly onto a surface of the selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Maillot, Anna Lipka, Azam Khan
  • Patent number: 7420556
    Abstract: An information processing method and information processing apparatus facilitate selection of components which form a geometric model. Of a plurality of components which form a three-dimensional geometric mode, components which satisfy predetermined geometrical search criteria are searched for. The obtained components are set in a rendering mode different from that of other components. Therefore, even an occluded-component, which cannot be directly seen from outside a three-dimensional model, can be visually recognized and selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakazu Fujiki
  • Patent number: 7414627
    Abstract: A slanted viewer is provided to maximize data visibility. In the context of computer graphics and a rendering technique, the slanted viewer's use of three-dimensional rendering provides an instant view of full data without compromising the visibility of other view areas or data and with minimum user interactions. The slanted viewer combines the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional concepts to enhance, as well as to preserve, a well-established user interaction environment and navigation system. The slanted viewer serves effectively in viewers showing extended length of text or objects horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Shelley Lau
  • Patent number: 7407297
    Abstract: A system and method of mapping and/or projecting images onto a three-dimensional architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Ricardo Rivera
  • Patent number: 7394473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a program containing a browser capable of dealing with highly functional multimedia content in a straightforward manner, and a multimedia content. A reception terminal 113 accesses a server on a network 112 corresponding to an input URL. The server 124 distributes distribution software 243 to the reception terminal 113 via the network 112, the distribution software 243 being constituted of browser software 251 having specifications to be satisfied in order for a component to receive predetermined services, and a multimedia content 252 having a predetermined configuration. The reception terminal 113 displays the distributed multimedia content 252 on the distributed browser. The present invention is applicable to personal computers, digital electronic home appliances and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Asai
  • Patent number: 7384667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing simulated oil paintings by means of a variety of commercial software programs. A digital color image is created and printed on to a substrate. Also printed on to the same substrate and registered thereto, is a slow drying, clear, embossing liquid in the pattern of brush strokes derived from one or more of the colors printed on to the substrate. A thermographic powder is dusted onto the embossing liquid while still wet and excess powder removed. The substrate is then heated to dry and raise the brush stroke pattern of the embossing ink to create a three dimensional effect on the substrate. The raised brush stroke pattern in combination with printed color image creates a work that has the three dimensional effect simulating an original oil painting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Alberto Blanco
  • Patent number: 7330198
    Abstract: When the user touches a display screen, a touch-operated input device (7) detects a coordinate of a user-touched point on the display screen and a touch-input conversion program is executed to determine an axis, direction and speed of rotation of a three-dimensional object (40) on the basis of the user-defined coordinate, and give the information to a three-dimensional rendering program. The three-dimensional rendering program is executed to make a calculation for rotating the three-dimensional object (40) on the basis of the given information. The axis, direction and speed of the three-directional object rotation are repeatedly calculated in a fixed cycle only while the coordinate is kept defined by the user by continuously touching the display screen. Upon completion of each calculation, the results of calculation are given to the three-dimensional rendering program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Yamaguchi, Ken Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7324121
    Abstract: A method of repositioning a manipulator in relation to a viewport is provided in a system for interacting with a three-dimensional object configured with a manipulator. The object and the manipulator are drawn in the viewport and the position of the manipulator is constrained to lie along the viewing axis between the viewport and the object. The manipulator is represented by a geometry corresponding to the function of the manipulator. The position of the manipulator is modified as needed so that it is not obscured by other objects in the scene. Furthermore, the position of the manipulator is modified as needed following a rotation or scaling operation so that it is oriented for ease of selection by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Young
  • Patent number: 7319798
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional image is generated from an input 2-dimensional image based upon illuminative characteristics of the input image by filtering the 2-dimensional input image with filters of different orientations, outputting base shading images corresponding to the filters, extracting positive pixel values for each base shading image, calculating a difference between the pixel values of the input image and the extracted positive pixel values, calculating a median value of the calculated difference, selecting the filter to output a base shading image of smallest median, outputting a shading image by filtering the input image with the selected filter, combining the input image with the shading image and outputting the 3-dimensional image based upon the combined image. A previously selected filter for a preceding image can be considered when selecting a filter for a current image, enabling generation of 3-dimensional moving pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Cheol Kim, Yung-jun Park
  • Patent number: 7299101
    Abstract: Any issues associated with manufacture of a part are identified and highlighted on a part model. A software method and system then uses motion of the part model for communicating the manufacturability issues to the customer. The motion can include a repositioning of a part rendering to a preferred orientation position, a fly-around so the customer can appreciate the next zoom location, and then a zooming in on the issue desired to be shown. Alternatively or in conjunction with the zooming and fly-around motion, the orientation of the part rendering showing the manufacturability issues can be three-dimensionally manipulated such as with a click-drag-drop command of the customer's computer mouse. By adding a moveable aspect to the communication, customers can much better understand which changes are recommended or required of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Protomold Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lukis, Matthew Hartloff
  • Patent number: 7281229
    Abstract: A method in accordance with the present invention prepares an alternate view of an integrated circuit (IC) layout from a top view thereof by selecting an initial polygon representing and IC feature from the top view of the layout, where the initial polygon is defined by a plurality of initial points. The coordinates the plurality of initial points are mapped onto coordinates of a plurality of translated points that define a second polygon representing an alternate view of the initial polygon. The mapping uses at least one of either the height of the initial polygon or the width of the initial polygon. The method can be used, for example and without limitation, to generate a three dimensional view from the top view of the layout or a sectional view of the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Jayakannan Jayapalan
  • Publication number: 20070229547
    Abstract: An image processing device has an image presentation module that is fashioned for 3D representation of a 3D subject on an image display device, and has an interaction module with which an operator can interactively displace, rotate or zoom the 3D subject in the 3D representation. The image processing device furthermore has a mirror surface generation module that generates mirror surfaces that are freely definable by the operator via the interaction module in the 3D space of the 3D representation, and shows mirror images caused by the defined mirror surfaces on separate display areas of the image display device The analysis of a presented 3D subject thus can ensue with lower time expenditure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Bernhard Kidalka
  • Publication number: 20070229548
    Abstract: A method and an image processing device are disclosed for improved or even optimized pictorial representation of images with different contrast. In the case of at least one embodiment of the method, a 3D pictorial representation is generated from two 2D image data records, which represent images of the same object area with different contrast, by projecting the image of the first 2D image data record into a X-Z plane of a 3D space of the 3D pictorial representation, while preserving the gray-scale values of the image, by generating for each pixel of the first 2D image data record from a gray scale value of a corresponding pixel of the second 2D image data record a height value that represents this gray scale value, and displaying it as assigned Y-value of the projected image in the 3D display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Bernhard Kidalka
  • Patent number: 7272264
    Abstract: A method for hole-filling in 3D models includes identifying vertices adjacent to hole boundaries in a mesh of points on a digital image and constructing a signed distance function based on vertices adjacent to hole boundaries. A Radial Basis Function is fit based on the constructed signed distance function and evaluated on a grid, which include the hole. The points on the hole surface are extracted and meshed to fill the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hisham Emad El-Din ElShishiny, Fausto Bernardini, Holly Edith Rushmeier
  • Patent number: 7248270
    Abstract: A posing system for three-dimensional characters and other models uses a stroke-based gestural language to position elements of the characters in a three-dimensional environment. A user draws a stroke in a two-dimensional interface in connection with a portion of model. The drawn stroke corresponds to an element of the model, such as a particular body part. A software program interprets the stroke and applies it to the placement or posing of the corresponding element. Additional elements are posed as necessary to further define the way in which the model as a whole should be posed. With a number of appropriate strokes for each of the elements, an animator can position the model in the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Data Images LLC
    Inventor: Terran Boylan
  • Patent number: 7236178
    Abstract: A system that implements a “tangent space brush,” allowing a user to paint directly onto a parameterized object, for example a three dimensional object. A tangent space brush projects coordinates from an input device to the world-space point on the surface of the 3D object. A normal is determined at that point and a brush image is projected from that point, along the normal, to the underlying surfaces. The system is implemented by providing a system that implements selecting a selected area of a displayed object, and projecting a brush directly onto a surface of the selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Maillot, Anna Lipka, Azam Khan
  • Patent number: 7233327
    Abstract: Subdividing rotation between two poses in three dimensions may be accomplished in three parts. First, data defining the two poses is obtained from the animation or modeling interface. Second, a path associated with the two poses is determined. Third, using quaternion interpolation, the roll between the two poses is interpolated at intermediate positions along the path. The amount of roll at each of these intermediate positions then may be applied to three dimensional structures used for character rigging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Isner
  • Patent number: 7215325
    Abstract: Where an arbitrary point on an image is designated in the field of a medical image, it is generally designated on a sectional image, and an arbitrary point on a three-dimensional image cannot be designated. According to the invention the orientation of the three-dimensional image is controlled in a first direction corresponding to the operation of the user. When an arbitrary point of the three-dimensional image is designated by the user, a plane passing through that point and normal to a display screen is created and stored. Next, the three-dimensional image is oriented in a second direction, and an arbitrary point is designated in the second direction by the user. Then, there is created a straight line which passes through that point and which is normal to the display screen. Then, the coordinates of the intersection the stored screen and the straight line are determined, and the point having the coordinates of the intersection point is displayed on the three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Imagnosis Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 7212664
    Abstract: A method reconstructs or synthesizes heads from 3D models of heads and 2D silhouettes of heads. A 3D statistical model is generated from multiple real human heads. The 3D statistical model includes a model parameter in the form of basis vectors and corresponding coefficients. Multiple 2D silhouettes of a particular head are acquired using a camera for example. The 3D statistical model is fitted to multiple 2D silhouettes to determine a particular value of the model parameter corresponding to the plurality of 2D silhouettes. Then, the 3D statistical model is rendered according to the particular value of the model parameter to reconstruct the particular head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinho Lee, Baback Moghaddam, Hanspeter Pfister, Raghu Machiraju
  • Patent number: 7180528
    Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user to import a user-defined graphics edit into at least one template, the method including the steps of selecting, by the user, at least one first editable object, editing, by the user, at least part of the at least one first editable object, thereby producing a user-defined graphics edit, saving the user-defined graphics edit, selecting, by the user, a template containing at least one second editable object; and applying at least part of the user-defined graphics edit to at least part of the at least one second editable object within the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kwok, Chu & Schindler, LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Joseph Ghislain Bossut, Natasha Deganello, Adolfo Vide
  • Patent number: 7176915
    Abstract: Subdividing rotation between two poses in three dimensions may be accomplished in three parts. First, data defining the two poses is obtained from the animation or modeling interface. Second, a path associated with the two poses is determined. Third, using quaternion interpolation, the roll between the two poses is interpolated at intermediate positions along the path. The amount of roll at each of these intermediate positions then may be applied to three dimensional structures used for character rigging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Isner
  • Patent number: 7161600
    Abstract: An unprocessed cluster index and its amount of parallel movement are acquired. The order of processing clusters does not matter as long as the frame is the same. Subsequently, with respect to an unprocessed vertex corresponding to this acquired cluster index, a vertex index and the weight w of this vertex are obtained. Then, according to the amount of parallel movement and weight w in the same frame, the values of coordinates of the vertex buffer are changed. Since the cluster transformation is effected by parallel movement here, the order of processing clusters does not matter, and it is thereby possible to calculate the vertex coordinates after transformation by simple multiplication and addition alone without matrix operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Ryusuke Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7091991
    Abstract: A viewer for viewing stereo images either downloaded over a network, such as the Internet, or resident on a personal computer uses a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate the display of wireframes with or without texture applied in a variety of formats. In stereo mode, the GUI permits adjustment of the neutral plane and of camera offset. The file sizes utilized with the viewer are very small and permit rapid transmission over a network. The files contain wireframe information, texture map information and animation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Charles S. Palm, Brandie D. Lynn
  • Patent number: 7088377
    Abstract: A computer graphics and analysis application improvement providing calculation, regeneration, and display of mechanism solutions based on inputted desired functions such as part positions by extracting functional requirements data from such inputted data so that the designer or engineer can view the mechanism solutions in space and thereby design the desired mechanism or mechanisms. The computing application extracts the functional requirements data (such as point and angular references) from the inputted function data, such as part positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Jonathan B. Cook
  • Patent number: 7084888
    Abstract: The invention provides an orientation detection marker having a simple structure and capable of providing information enabling the remote measurement of the orientation of a controller. Light source unit 13 (orientation detection marker) provides so-called biaxial direction information composed of one axis on which dotted light sources 131 to 133 are disposed at equal intervals and another axis on which dotted light sources 131, 134 and 135 are disposed at the same interval as the above intervals and which intersects with the aforementioned one axis at the dotted light source 131 or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Konami Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Takahama, Hiroki Honda
  • Patent number: 7059729
    Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a screen which can rotate and provides a part for controlling view angle, a mirror group which comprises a plurality of mirrors arrayed in a ring form along a surface of a circular cone which sets a central axis as an axis of rotation of the screen, and a plurality of electronic projectors arranged at positions where oppose to mirror faces of the mirrors comprising the mirror group and project different image divisions representing different sides of an object to the different mirror faces, wherein each of the electronic projectors is arranged so as to project the image division to the mirror group, and each of the mirrors is arranged on optical path of optical system which the image division projected from the electronic projector is reflected on the mirror face and is projected to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoshino, Rieko Otsuka, Atsushi Ishibashi, Youichi Horii, Manabu Yanagimoto, Yukinobu Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7023436
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model processing apparatus is provided. The three-dimensional model processing apparatus can more really carry out a processing change of shape, color, and the like with respect to a three-dimensional object being displayed on a display by allowing an operator to operate an object tool in which a position change and an orientation change can be made and an editing tool in which relative distance with respect to the object tool can be changed to relatively move both tools such that the relative position between the object tool and the editing tool is detected to execute processing corresponding to, for example, shape change or color processing determined by the corresponding editing tool, thereby modifying attribute data of the object being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Segawa, Norikazu Hiraki, Hiroyuki Shioya, Yuichi Abe
  • Patent number: 7012601
    Abstract: A method for rapid rendering of a desired line in a volumetric display having a rotatable screen includes stepping the rotatable screen through a sequence of angular positions and, at each angular position, rendering, on the rotatable screen, a rasterized approximation of a line segment containing an intersection of the desired line and the rotatable screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Actuality Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Giovinco, Joshua Napoli
  • Patent number: 6999096
    Abstract: The method for rendering using symplectic ray tracing is comprised the step of fixing the location of observation, fixing view screen of observation, practicing the symplectic ray tracing, acquiring the information of the color where the light rays cross the surface of the objects, rendering the objects according to the information of the color acquired. The symplectic ray tracing of the present invention forms the Hamilton's canonical equation by applying the fast automatic differentiation techniques with the Hamiltonian H of the objects, and practices the symplectic integration by applying the symplectic Euler method to the formed Hamilton's canonical equation. The present invention can provide the apparatus and method for rendering which can visualize the phenomena in non-homogeneously transparent object or the four-dimensional black hole space time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventor: Tetsu Sato
  • Patent number: 6999071
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying three-dimensional images. In the method light beams (Le) are associated to several different screen points (P) of a screen (20). The light beams (Le) produce different views associated to different emission directions (E). The emission directions (E) are associated to the individual screen points (P). The light beams (Le) are generated by projecting light beams (Ld), according to the angle of the adjacent emitting directions. According to the invention, light beams (Le) without viewing direction information are generated, essentially simultaneously, with pixels (Cd) having different co-ordinates. These pixels (Cd) are pixels of a two-dimension display (50), and they are associated to different emitting directions (E) of the appropriate screen points (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Tibor Balogh
  • Patent number: 6977651
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model providing apparatus in which a customer can easily modify the input three-dimensional data. The apparatus comprises an input section (10) for inputting three-dimensional data, a server section (12) for managing the processes on the three-dimensional data from input to output, a providing section (14) for providing three-dimensional data, a communicating section for communicating the three-dimensional data between the input section, server section, and providing section, a receiving section (11) for receiving instruction contents from the customer, and a converting section (13) for modifying, processing, or converting the three-dimensional data according to the instruction contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Matsumoto, Kota Fujimura, Kazuhide Sugimoto, Yasuhiro Oue, Toru Kitamura, Osamu Ota
  • Patent number: 6975756
    Abstract: The invention features an improved, photo hull based method of generating a three-dimensional representation of a visual scene based upon a set of multi-view reference images. In one aspect, a visual hull containing the visual scene is computed. Visibility of points on the computed visual hull with respect to each reference image is computed. Photo-consistency of points on the computed visual hull along rays back-projected from a desired view is computed based upon reference images having visibility of the points. A photo hull containing the visual scene is generated by stepping along each back-projected ray. The photo-consistent points visible in the desired view are colored using color information contained in reference images having visibility of the photo-consistent points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Slabaugh, Ronald W. Schafer, Mathieu C. Hans
  • Patent number: 6956566
    Abstract: An apparatus, executing on a server or similar machine and a client machine, and a corresponding method, includes mechanisms for rendering a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object, and streaming the thus-rendered image to the client machine. The mechanisms include a rendering module that generates a first image, from a first point of view, having a plurality of pixels, as first image data for display on a client machine, and generates first depth information for one or more of the plurality of pixels, and a compression module that compresses the first image data and the first depth information, wherein the first image data and the first depth information are provided to the client machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Gelb
  • Patent number: 6914618
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention produce a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects. Each object is assigned to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image. The objects are rotatively displayed to produce the three-dimensional rotational image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Armin Weiss
  • Patent number: 6901356
    Abstract: The invention provides a simulation apparatus by which a problem upon designing can be found in the designing stage on the upstream without imposing an unnecessary working time to a designer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yuichi Arita
  • Patent number: 6847385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for hardware rotation is described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a direct access address translation component. The apparatus also includes a frame buffer coupled to the direct access address translation component. The apparatus further includes a 2D coordinate translation component. The apparatus also includes a 2D engine coupled to the 2D coordinate translation component and to the frame buffer. The apparatus further includes a 3D engine. The apparatus also include a 3D coordinate translation component coupled to the 3D engine and the frame buffer. As will be appreciated, further embodiments of the invention are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, and the specific details of a specific embodiment as described need not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Frido Garritsen
  • Patent number: 6831639
    Abstract: The present invention is for easily drawing a polygon model having borderlines at high-speed. The video game machine comprises a recording medium 200 for enlarging the 3-D model where a normal vector of each polygon faces the outside at a predetermined enlargement ratio, overlaying a back model, where a normal vector of each polygon faces the inside, onto the above model and storing the integrated model as a framed model in advance, and a drawing processor 10 for drawing only polygons facing the direction of the view point position of the virtual camera in a virtual game space on the monitor 22 based on the drawing instructions of the framed model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanibuchi, Katsuyoshi Endo, Hideki Nagahama, Atsuko Chikawa
  • Patent number: 6825856
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for viewing a depiction of an object (for example a solder joint) in a multi-dimensional manner, morphing the object's depiction using a graphical user interface to upper and lower acceptable tolerance limits and storing the tolerance limits for use in a test/inspection apparatus. The invention relates to the translation of human visual inspection-analysis of an object into physical quantifiable parameters used in an inspection device via a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Shane Fazzio, Dean C Buck
  • Publication number: 20040196301
    Abstract: Subdividing rotation between two poses in three dimensions may be accomplished in three parts. First, data defining the two poses is obtained from the animation or modeling interface. Second, a path associated with the two poses is determined. Third, using quaternion interpolation, the roll between the two poses is interpolated at intermediate positions along the path. The amount of roll at each of these intermediate positions then may be applied to three dimensional structures used for character rigging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Isner
  • Patent number: 6801218
    Abstract: A method for designing a kitchen which automatically transfers the utility locations and required clearances in a kitchen layout to a subsequent kitchen layout when the designer makes design changes. First, the method allows a designer to input the location and clearance requirements of a utility. Cabinets are placed over the utilities and then portions of the cabinets are removed to accommodate the clearance holes. When the designer makes changes to the cabinet design, the location of the utilities as well as their clearance requirements remain as part of the layout information. When subsequent cabinets are placed in the design, portions of those cabinets are removed to accommodate the utility clearance requirements inputted earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Susnjara
  • Patent number: 6774914
    Abstract: A method of selecting and displaying an item on a display screen uses a pointing and selecting device including a control button. Displayed, on the screen, are (i) a multifaceted three dimensional object having a fixed center and having at least one side including at least a representative window of a first item to select and display, and (ii) a fixed pointer. The representative window includes a link to the item to be selected and displayed. The three dimensional object is rotated on the screen about the fixed center with respect to three free orthogonal axes, by the manipulation of the pointing device. The representative window of the item to be selected and displayed is superimposed with the displayed pointer at the center of the three dimensional object, for the selection and display on the display screen of the item to be selected and displayed by pushing the control button of the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Z.A. Production
    Inventor: Maurice Benayoun
  • Patent number: 6754378
    Abstract: An image forming process for easily making an image drawing (ortho-image) in an actual place while confirming it in real time. Measuring of control points (at least three points) is performed (S110), and preparation is made for forming an ortho-image based on image data thereof and survey data. Where photographing is carried out from a plurality of directions, additional image measuring is performed (S140). Then, ortho-image formation is performed on a PC (S160). Here, if a formed ortho-image is not what is desired, ortho-image correction is performed (S180). After a satisfactory image is obtained (S200), the process moves to a next area to be measured, and the same operation is repeated. On the other hand, unless a satisfactory image is obtained, additional image measuring (S140) is performed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ito, Hitoshi Otani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Patent number: 6710783
    Abstract: In a presentation device for the two-dimensional presentation of the volume data elements of a volume dataset, parts of the volume dataset can be selected by prescribing boundary surfaces. The boundary surfaces are displaceable. The selected volume can be presented as a perspective image rotating around a basic rotational axis. The rotational axis is selectable dependent on the positions of the volume data elements of the selection dataset. The rotational axis can be automatically determined by a computer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alois Noettling
  • Patent number: 6697081
    Abstract: An image processing method is capable of generating an image containing graphics that are transformed without carrying out multiplying/dividing operations. Image data of a transformed graphic is generated from image data of a source graphic stored in an image memory, and also stored into a frame buffer. Coordinate values of points of the graphic being transformed are determined utilizing digital differential analysis (DDA) algorithm-based processes. Image data of a location specified by the horizontal and vertical coordinate values of each point on the source graphic is read out from the image memory, and written into the frame buffer as image data of each point on the horizontal line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Ito
  • Patent number: 6687399
    Abstract: A stereo synchronizing signal generator for liquid crystal shutter glasses is provided. The stereo synchronizing signal generator includes a signal generating unit to generate preliminary shuttering signals according to an image vertical synchronizing signals and a start signal. A signal delaying unit is provided to delay the preliminary shuttering signals according to a value, which can be changed by users. Then an output unit is provided to transmit the delayed shuttering signals to the liquid crystal shutter glasses. Due to that the signal generating unit generates a predetermined shuttering signal, such as right eye shuttering signal, at the rise edge of the start signal, the shuttering signals can always match up to the right image. Furthermore, the signal delaying unit can adjust the timing of the shuttering signal according to the value of the register, therefore the shuttering signals can always be synchronized with the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-tsung Chuang, Jen-min Yuan, Kwo-woei Yet
  • Patent number: 6674894
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for generating enhanced images of multiple dimensional data using a depth-buffer segmentation process. The method and system operate in a computer system modify the image by generating a reduced-dimensionality image data set from a multidimensional image by formulating a set of projection paths through image points selected from the multidimensional image, selecting an image point along each projection path, analyzing each image point to determine spatial similarities with at least one other point adjacent to the selected image point in a given dimension, and grouping the image point with the adjacent point or spatial similarities between the points is found thereby defining the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Parker, Andrew L. Alexander, John A. Roberts, Brian E. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20040001075
    Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows a user to physically rotate a three-dimensional volumetric display enclosure with a corresponding rotation of the display contents. The rotation of the enclosure is sampled with an encoder and the display is virtually rotated by a computer maintaining the scene by an amount corresponding to the physical rotation before being rendered. This allows the user to remain in one position while viewing different parts of the displayed scene corresponding to different viewpoints. The display contents can be rotated in direct correspondence with the display enclosure or with a gain (positive or negative) that accelerates the rotation of the contents with respect to the physical rotation of the enclosure. Any display widgets in the scene, such as a virtual keyboard, can be maintained stationary with respect to the user while scene contents rotate by applying a negative rotational gain to the widgets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravin Balakrishnan, Gordon Paul Kurtenbach, George William Fitzmaurice
  • Patent number: 6664986
    Abstract: In a computer system that includes a Central Processing Unit and an associated input device, storage device and display device, a method for displaying on the display device a virtual three-dimensional (3D) dental model at desired preset views, for orthodontic use. The virtual 3D dental model is stored on the storage device and is indicative of a 3D structure of an individual's dental arches. The method includes the steps of providing a graphic user interface (GUI) that includes a graphic representation of the dental model and a plurality of graphic symbols each representative of a desired pre-set view of the dental model from a desired direction. Selecting through the input device graphic symbol from among the plurality of graphic symbols. Moving the dental model to a pre-set view which corresponds to the graphic symbol, whilst retaining the model in zoom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cadent Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Baruch Nissenbaum