Abstract: Each interesting location on a screen of a portable unit is marked by a transparent flag or marker. Then, when the user scales up (magnifies the image) the map to view one of the locations, transparent arrows are placed on the screen identified with transparent location markers indicating the direction the user needs to move to arrive at the remaining locations marked earlier by markers. Either the portable unit can be moved while the map remains stationary or the device remains stationary while the map is moved by the touch screen. By following each transparent arrow, which constantly calculates the new direction as the view of the map changes, the user arrives at the desired location, often in a shortest distance, without getting lost. Once this location is viewed, the user can then proceed to follow a second transparent arrow corresponding to a second desired location.

Abstract: The present technique relates to a display device and method, and a program for presenting high-quality stereoscopic images in a simpler manner. A display unit is a four-viewpoint display device having a parallax barrier. On the display unit, block regions that are formed with pixels of channels CH0 through CH3 aligned in the parallax direction are aligned in the parallax direction. An allocation control unit allocates a parallax image for the left eye or a parallax image for the right eye to the pixels of each channel in block regions, in accordance with the viewpoint position of the user. For example, the same parallax image is allocated to pixels of two different channels adjacent to each other in the parallax direction. A generating unit generates a combined image by combining the parallax image for the right eye and the parallax image for the left eye in accordance with the allocation performed by the allocation control unit, and causes the display unit to stereoscopically display the combined image.

Abstract: A method of estimating a fragment count for the display of at least one three-dimensional (3D) object. The method comprises determining an ellipsoid representative of a set of vertices defined by coordinates of the at least one 3D object, applying a transformation to the ellipsoid, calculating a projection area of the transformed ellipsoid, and estimating the fragment count for the display of the 3D object based at least partly on the calculated projection area of the transformed ellipsoid.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for estimating a position in an image which an operator who observes the image is likely to observe as the candidate of a next position is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a next observation estimating unit that estimates a position selected from among a plurality of positions using a parameter indicating an operation history and information regarding an estimation result at least at a current time on the basis of a probability value obtained from a predetermined probability distribution and a displayed image generating unit that generates an image to be displayed so that at least the candidate of the next position is visually recognizable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering 2D grids using texture mapping and fragment shaders.

Abstract: A construction method of freeform surface shape based on XY-polynomial obtains a plurality of data points of a freeform surface according to an object point and an imaging point in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates system Oxyz. Each of the plurality of data points comprises a coordinate value Qi and a normal vector Ni. A first sum of squares e1(P) of coordinate differences in z direction between the coordinate value Qi and the freeform surface is applied, and by a second sum of squares e2(P) between the normal vector Ni of the data points and a normal vector ni of the freeform surface, a modulus of vector differences is acquired. An evaluation function ƒ(p)=e1(P)+we2(P) is proposed and a plurality of freeform surface shapes obtained by selecting and applying different weightings. A final freeform surface shape ?opt is chosen from the plurality of freeform surface shapes.

Abstract: Techniques for rendering realistic depictions of conversational gestures are provided. Embodiments include generating a data model for a first conversational gesture type, by analyzing captured video data to determine motion attribute data for a plurality of conversational gestures. Additionally, upon receiving a request to splice a gesture of the first conversational gesture type into a first animation, embodiments determine a locomotion of a first virtual character, while the first virtual character is interacting with a second virtual character within the first animation. A gesture of the first conversational gesture type is then stylized, using the generated data model and based on the determined locomotion of the first virtual character within the animation. Embodiments splice the stylized gesture into the locomotion of the first virtual character within the received animation data.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to cinematic volume renderings and volumetric Monte-Carlo path tracing. The present embodiments include systems and methods for integrating semantic information into cinematic volume renderings. Scan data of a volume is captured by a scanner and transmitted to a server or workstation for rendering. The scan data is received by a server or workstation. The server or workstation extracts semantic information and/or applies semantic processing to the scan data. A cinematic volume rendering is generated from the scan data and the extracted semantic information.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving spatial positions associated with a plurality of images. The method determines displacements of the images in opposing first and second horizontal directions, based on at least the spatial positions. The method then generates, using a processor, first and second composites of the images, based on the determined displacements.

Abstract: A cellular telephone device with a control unit sets a display mode of a display unit to any one of a first display mode for performing two-dimensional display, and a second display mode for performing three-dimensional display; the cellular telephone device displays both of first information and second information, which is subordinate information to the first information, on the display unit, in a case of being set to the second display mode; and the cellular telephone device displays any one of the first information and the second information on the display unit, in a case of being set to the first display mode.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of generating a virtual rig for animation of a virtual 3D representation (e.g., an avatar) of an object. Semantic identifiers are associated with vertices of the virtual 3D representation. Each of the semantic identifiers specifies a respective feature of the object. The virtual rig is generated based on association of the semantic identifiers with the respective vertices. The virtual rig is capable of maneuvering the mesh to multiple configurations to animate the virtual 3D representation. In an example, the semantic identifiers may be used to generate and/or place virtual items in combination with the mesh. In another example, the semantic identifiers may be used to define reference elements. The reference elements serve as references for maneuvering respective portions of the mesh and/or virtual items that are associated with those portions.

Abstract: The proposed method creates a detailed, accurate, frequency and amplitude-based three-dimensional moving display of digital audio files. It adds timestamps, used later in the process to achieve accurate synchronization between a moving display and playback of the analyzed audio file. It details how the analyzed data is processed and enhanced to prominently show the most fundamental elements in the audio file. The method proposes different layouts for displays and ways of showing separate elements of the audio simultaneously. Upcoming audio is displayed in locations that allow viewers to anticipate and react to events about to happen. It introduces the temporal plane of playback for clearly showing the part of the moving display that corresponds to the exact part of the analyzed audio that is playing. The temporal plane of playback demonstrates the direct correlation with the audio and accurate synchronization between sound and picture.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time. There is provided a method for persistent association of a graphic overlay with a virtual object in a displayable environment, comprising receiving a first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object in the displayable environment, determining a three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object, tracking a movement of the virtual object in the displayable environment by receiving one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object, and modifying the three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with animating and rendering an avatar are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the apparatus may comprise an avatar animation engine to receive a plurality of fur shell texture data maps associated with a furry avatar, and drive an avatar model to animate the furry avatar, using the plurality of fur shell texture data maps. The plurality of fur shell texture data maps may be generated through sampling of fur strands across a plurality of horizontal planes. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus for performing photon mapping, and the image processing apparatus may perform ray tracing for photon mapping, sample a ray space based on a result of the ray tracing, and perform pseudo photon mapping using the sampled ray space.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first motion path for an object, where an orientation of the object is not aligned with the first motion path for the object for at least a portion of the first motion path. The method also includes receiving a first motion path for a virtual camera and determining a speed of the object along the first motion path for the object. The method additionally includes calculating a second motion path for the object based on the speed of the object along the first motion path for the object and the orientation of the object, where the second motion path of the object is aligned with second motion path. The method further includes calculating a second motion path for the virtual camera based on a difference between the first motion path of the object and the second motion path of the object.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for inserting 3D graphic animation in a 3D image, each 3D graphic element of the graphic animation being defined in size and in depth for the insertion in a determined insertion zone of said 3D image. The method comprises the step of determining for the graphic element to be inserted a depth range with a maximum allowed depth value, replacing the out of range depth values by the maximum allowed depth value when depth values of the graphic element are out of range and compensating the depth difference between the depth values of the graphic element and the maximal allowed depth value in reducing the graphic element in size proportionally to the reduction of depth for the graphic element.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a map using a computer is based on data and weighted factors to minimize corresponding projection distortions. The method and system includes determining visualization goals from analyzing a set of datasets for a map using the computer. A set of visualization characteristics are calculated for each dataset based on the visualization goals using the computer. The visualization characteristics are analyzed to weight factors for each of the datasets. Each of the weighted factors is adjusted based on the relevance of each of the datasets for visualization of the map. An aggregate vector of weighted factors is calculated based on all of the datasets, and the map for visualization is generated based on the aggregate vector of weighted factors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for 3-Dimensional portrait reconstruction from a single photo. A face portion of a person depicted in a portrait photo is detected and a 3-Dimensional model of the person depicted in the portrait photo constructed. In one embodiment, constructing the 3-Dimensional model involves fitting hair portions of the portrait photo to one or more helices. In another embodiment, constructing the 3-Dimensional model involves applying positional and normal boundary conditions determined based on one or more relationships between face portion shape and hair portion shape. In yet another embodiment, constructing the 3-Dimensional model involves using shape from shading to capture fine-scale details in a form of surface normals, the shape from shading based on an adaptive albedo model and/or a lighting condition estimated based on shape fitting the face portion.