Abstract: The invention relates to a method of acquiring simulated autostereoscopic video images of a scene to be viewed. On the basis of stored data containing three-dimensional information, it implements n simulated cameras, with n≧3, each generating an image of a scene on a given optical axis. The optical axes of the simulated cameras converge at a point situated at the same distance D from the simulated cameras. The scene to be viewed has a nearest point Pp and a farthest point Pe, and the inter-camera distance and the distance Dmin between the simulated cameras and the nearest point Pp are selected in such a manner that for focus varying between the nearest point Pp and the farthest point Pe the angle 2&agr; between two adjacent simulated cameras varies between a value not greater than 4.5° for the point Pp and a value not less than 0.2° for the point Pe.

Abstract: For a world that has a portion of the world distant from the point of view of the user represented in only two dimensions as a video on a video screen, when an object on the video screen undergoes a trajectory that takes at least a portion of it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location in the world that is represented by computer graphics, in addition to being able to continue to see such an object when it is rendered as computer graphics in the computer graphics part of the world, i.e., popped out from the video, one is able to interact with such an object. Thus, an object which pops out from a video into the computer graphics part of the world may be “investigated” by a viewer of the world. For example, the user could enter a store which popped out of the video, and engage in virtual shopping therein. The particular store which is actually entered may be customized on a per user basis, e.g., as a function of geography.

Abstract: A method of producing a frame sequence file from a two-dimensional virtual canvas includes receiving control instructions from a user and thereafter, producing frame sequence file frames by repeatedly mapping a virtual camera frame upon the virtual canvas in accordance with the control instructions, processing virtual canvas information within the mapped virtual camera frame in accordance with the control instructions, and saving the processed virtual canvas information as one frame in the frame sequence file. Additionally, the canvas artwork may be animated during frame sequence file generation.

Abstract: An ellipse filling graphics method in which the interior of an ellipse is filled with a single color by writing color data to memory positions designated by addresses corresponding to pixels in the ellipse, comprises the steps of (a) selecting a rectangle which is included in the ellipse, (b) writing color data to memory positions designated by addresses corresponding to pixels inside the selected rectangle, and (c) writing color data to memory positions designated by addresses corresponding to pixels inside the ellipse but outside the selected rectangle. The filling method requires 2({square root over (a2+L +b2+L )}−a) fewer line drawing operations to fill an ellipse, and about 0.8r fewer line drawing operations to fill a circle, compared to a conventional method.

Abstract: A limitation of a three dimensional world in which objects in the distance may be represented in only two dimensions as a video on a screen is that when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location which is represented by computer graphics, namely, any portion of the object that is no longer on the video screen disappears. To overcome this limitation, when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video on the video screen as currently configured, i.e., shaped and sized, the configuration of the screen is changed so that the object can continue to be displayed as video. The size and/or shape of the video screen is changed.

Abstract: Different limit surfaces are derived from the same initial arbitrary polygon mesh by sequentially combining different subdivision rules. This added freedom allows for the more efficiently modeling of objects in computer graphics including objects and characters with semi-sharp features.

Abstract: An interactive rendering system which can minimize computational demand while allowing a designer to manipulate one or more selected objects in a scene is disclosed. A scene is rendered to a scene buffer. One or more objects are selected and rendered to an object buffer. The scene is re-rendered to the scene buffer without the selected objects. As the selected objects move or change, they are re-rendered only in the object buffer and a display is generated by merging the objects buffer and the scene buffer. Because there is no need to render the background scene, most of the computational power can be dedicated to the selected objects. The perspective and depth relationship between the selected objects and the scene are maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering an object to have a bump texture begins when object parameters for the object are received. The object parameters include bump mapping coordinates and physical display coordinates. From this information, a first and second axis specific tables are generated to provide a plurality of axis specific bump intensity values. The first axis specific table relates to bump intensity values along a first axis of the bump and the second axis specific table relates to bump intensity values along a second axis of the bump map. In essence, the axis specific tables represent the bump map being mathematically repositioned to be in the same plane, with respect to the fixed coordinates of the display, as that of the object. With the tables generated, the object is rendered on a pixel by pixel basis, wherein the first and second axis specific tables are addressed for each pixel to retrieve a corresponding first and second intensity values (i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transforming images, in particular photographs, into stereoscopic images, and also to images, and visual or audiovisual programs including sequences of images obtained by said method, and in particular to motion pictures and video games. The invention is achieved by: separating an image background into complementary color components, that are advantageously red, blue, and green; displacing at least one of the color components relative to the others, advantageously by shifting two color components through small amplitudes in opposite directions with the third color component, typically green, remaining stationary, or by rotating two color components in opposite directions through small amplitudes, with the third color component remaining stationary; and superposing an image that forms a foreground for the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a three-dimensional joint position storing circuit for storing a three-dimensional coordinate position for each of available joints of an object at each frame for a standard action; a geometric data storing circuit for storing geometric data for at least a portion of the object based on unique coordinate systems for each of the available joints; a unique coordinate system determining circuit for determining the unique coordinate system for each of the available joints based on the stored three-dimensional coordinate positions; a three-dimensional joint angle computing circuit for computing a three-dimensional joint angle for at least one of the available joints based on a desired mode of action modification and the determined unique coordinate systems; a joint angle displacing circuit for displacing the three-dimensional joint angle for at least one of the available joints; a unique coordinate system generating circuit for generating the unique coordinate system for at least

Abstract: The apparent depth (416) of an apparent point (404) in a set of stereoscopic images (300) is altered by moving a region (502) in at least one image (300) which corresponds to the apparent point (404). The location of the regions (502) within each image (300) representing the apparent point (404), together with the geometry of the vantage point (306) locations, specifies the depth (316) of an actual point (304) in a scene. The region (502) corresponding to the apparent point (404) in one of the images (300) is then moved to another location in the image (300), in order to produce another set of images (300) in which the apparent depth (416) of the apparent point (404) has been altered. In other embodiments, portions of both images (300) are moved, to place the apparent point (404) at a desired location both in terms of apparent depth (416) and apparent epipolar location (314).

Abstract: A device is provided for generating output signals representing an image comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a respective location within the image. The device comprises one or more signal paths adapted to receive a first signal representing position of a surface to be displayed in an image and a second signal representing texture of at least a portion of the surface. A processing circuitry is adapted to determine a correspondence between a respective pixel in the image and an area of the texture. The correspondence is determined according to the first and second signals and position of the respective pixel within the image, and wherein the correspondence includes a homogeneous coordinate. The processing circuitry further generates a third signal representing the respective pixel.

Abstract: Auxiliary figures superscribed on an original picture displayed on a display are moved and deformed conforming to a clue of a perspective view of an original picture so as to obtain a vanishing point automatically, and three-dimensional information of the original picture is estimated. Further, a camera angle is set up by moving and deforming an auxiliary figure for setting up three-dimensional information, and a picture at that camera angle is formed.It is possible to convert an original picture into a picture seen from a desired camera angle easily. It becomes possible, when a three-dimensional picture is formed, to convert a two-dimensional picture into a picture seen from another visual point on a computer without requiring a picture from the front and while maintaining the resolution of the perspective view as is with the perspective view as an original picture.