Abstract: A method for rendering shadows in a 3D virtual environment includes generating a depth rasterization map corresponding to a plurality of objects in a three-dimensional virtual environment and a shadow interval map with reference to the depth map and a predetermined path of a light source in the environment that casts light onto at least one object in the plurality of objects that generates a shadow in the three-dimensional virtual environment with a server computing device. The method includes transmitting the shadow interval map from the server to a client and generating, with a processor in the client, a graphical depiction of the virtual environment including at least one shadow generated with reference to the shadow interval map, the at least one shadow corresponding to the light source and the plurality of objects in the virtual environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating textured graphics includes identifying border colors of pixels around two texture images and generating arrangements of border texels from the border colors that are positioned next to the two images in a texture atlas. The method includes generating mip-maps of the texture atlas with texels in the jump level assigned with the border color of the corresponding textures in the full-resolution texture atlas instead of the averaged color of the textures that would be assigned using a traditional mip-map process. The method includes storing the texture atlas including the two texture images and the border texels in a memory for use in generating repeated textures on an object in a virtual environment using at least one of the texture images with a mip-map without seam artifacts between the repeated textures.

Abstract: A method of receiving input from a user includes providing a surface within reach of a hand of the user. A plurality of locations on the surface that are touched by the user are sensed. An alphanumeric character having a shape most similar to the plurality of touched locations on the surface is determined. The user is audibly or visually informed of the alphanumeric character and/or a word in which the alphanumeric character is included. Feedback is received from the user regarding whether the alphanumeric character and/or word is an alphanumeric character and/or word that the user intended to be determined in the determining step.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for rendering a route in a 3D virtual environment includes generating with a processor a 3D virtual environment including a plurality of 3D objects, the 3D virtual environment corresponding to a physical region, identifying with the processor a route for navigation through the 3D virtual environment corresponding to a route of travel through the physical region, generating with the processor and a display device a graphical rendering of the 3D virtual environment and the route with a height of the route being increased in regions of the 3D virtual environment where one or more of the plurality of 3D objects occludes a view of route, rendering of the route with partial transparency to provide visibility of objects occluded by the route and/or with navigation information, e.g. animated direction arrow, street names.

Abstract: A method for generating three-dimensional graphics includes generating a virtual environment in a server including a first object, second object and a direct illumination source. The method includes generating a virtual point light (VPL) in the virtual environment at an intersection between a ray from the direct illumination source and the first object, and sending data corresponding to the VPL to a client computing device through a data network. The method includes generating an illumination of the second object in the virtual environment with the VPL received from the server, and displaying the illuminated second object.

Abstract: A method of generating three-dimensional graphics enables the generation of performance and quality balanced sun position sensitive soft shadows for objects including three-dimensional models of buildings. The method includes identification of both convex and concave object shapes for the generation of the soft shadow meshes and the modification of the soft shadow meshes based on the position of a light source in a three-dimensional virtual environment to generate realistic shadow graphics including shadows that change shape in response to movement of the light source.

Abstract: A method of displaying a navigation map includes automatically determining a location of a vehicle. Three-dimensional or 2D data associated with buildings surrounding the vehicle is identified. A nonphotorealistic image of 3D objects around the vehicle is rendered based on the data. The nonphotorealistic image is electronically displayed to a user.

Abstract: Estimating a blur kernel distribution for visual iris recognition includes determining a first mathematical relationship between an in-focus position of a camera lens and a distance between the lens and an iris whose image is to be captured by the lens. A second mathematical relationship between the in-focus position of the lens and a standard deviation defining a Gaussian blur kernel distribution is estimated. The first mathematical relationship is used to ascertain a desired focus position of the lens based upon the actual position of the living being's eye at the point in time. The second mathematical relationship is used to calculate a standard deviation defining a Gaussian blur kernel distribution. The produced image is digitally unblurred by using the blur kernel distribution defined by the calculated standard deviation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for rendering a route in a 3D virtual environment includes generating with a processor a 3D virtual environment including a plurality of 3D objects, the 3D virtual environment corresponding to a physical region, identifying with the processor a route for navigation through the 3D virtual environment corresponding to a route of travel through the physical region, generating with the processor and a display device a graphical rendering of the 3D virtual environment and the route with a height of the route being increased in regions of the 3D virtual environment where one or more of the plurality of 3D objects occludes a view of route, rendering of the route with partial transparency to provide visibility of objects occluded by the route and/or with navigation information, e.g. animated direction arrow, street names.

Abstract: A method for rendering shadows in a 3D virtual environment includes generating a depth rasterization map corresponding to a plurality of objects in a three-dimensional virtual environment and a shadow interval map with reference to the depth map and a predetermined path of a light source in the environment that casts light onto at least one object in the plurality of objects that generates a shadow in the three-dimensional virtual environment with a server computing device. The method includes transmitting the shadow interval map from the server to a client and generating, with a processor in the client, a graphical depiction of the virtual environment including at least one shadow generated with reference to the shadow interval map, the at least one shadow corresponding to the light source and the plurality of objects in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for classification of three-dimensional structures in a virtual environment includes identifying a plurality of polygons in a structure located in a virtual environment, identifying a plurality of surface normals, each surface normal corresponding to one polygon in the plurality of polygons that are in the structure, identifying a variance of a distribution of the plurality of surface normals, generating a first classification for the structure in response to the variance being less than a predetermined threshold, and generating a graphical display of the structure with at least one visual aspect of the structure being modified with reference to the first classification.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dialog system that utilizes a multi-modal input interface for recognizing user input in human-machine interaction (HMI) systems are described. Embodiments include a component that receives user input from a plurality of different user input mechanisms (multi-modal input) and performs certain synchronization and disambiguation processes. The multi-modal input components synchronizes and integrates the information obtained from different modalities, disambiguates the input, and recovers from any errors that might be produced with respect to any of the user inputs. Such a system effectively addresses any ambiguity associated with the user input and corrects for errors in the human-machine interaction.

Abstract: A method for graphics in a three-dimensional virtual environment corresponding to a physical environment around a vehicle includes photographs in a plurality of directions extending outward from the vehicle, generating sensor data corresponding to a relative distance from the vehicle and a direction from the vehicle of an object in the physical environment, generating a default three-dimensional projection surface centered around a virtual representation of the vehicle in a virtual environment, deforming the three-dimensional projection surface at relative locations and distances corresponding to the sensor data, projecting the plurality of photographs onto the deformed three-dimensional projection surface, and displaying graphics corresponding to the deformed three-dimensional projection surface with the plurality of projected photographs with a display device.

Abstract: Methods for generating ground shadow and lighting effects for three-dimensional models include identifying polygon data for a three-dimensional model, generating a convex polygon around a base of the model, generating hard and soft shadow meshes in and around the base of the model, and rendering the model with the shadow meshes with a display device. Methods for generating wall shadows and lighting effects for the three dimensional models further include identifying an orientation and height of a polygon in the model that extends from a ground surface in a virtual environment, and rendering the model with a lighting texture applied to either the full polygon if the polygon height is less than a threshold height or to only a portion of the polygon below the threshold height if the polygon exceeds the threshold height.

Abstract: A method for displaying visual information in a navigation system includes displaying a map of a geographic region including a first plurality of map features where each map feature in the first plurality of map features having an associated priority level that is below a predetermined priority level is displayed with a reduced level of detail. The method further includes identifying a second threshold in response to receiving an input signal from an input device and generating a second display of the map, the second display of the map including a modified visual depiction for at least one map feature in the first plurality of map features.

Abstract: A method for graphics in a three-dimensional virtual environment corresponding to a physical environment around a vehicle includes photographs in a plurality of directions extending outward from the vehicle, generating sensor data corresponding to a relative distance from the vehicle and a direction from the vehicle of an object in the physical environment, generating a default three-dimensional projection surface centered around a virtual representation of the vehicle in a virtual environment, deforming the three-dimensional projection surface at relative locations and distances corresponding to the sensor data, projecting the plurality of photographs onto the deformed three-dimensional projection surface, and displaying graphics corresponding to the deformed three-dimensional projection surface with the plurality of projected photographs with a display device.

Abstract: A method for classification of three-dimensional structures in a virtual environment includes identifying a plurality of polygons in a structure located in a virtual environment, identifying a plurality of surface normals, each surface normal corresponding to one polygon in the plurality of polygons that are in the structure, identifying a variance of a distribution of the plurality of surface normals, generating a first classification for the structure in response to the variance being less than a predetermined threshold, and generating a graphical display of the structure with at least one visual aspect of the structure being modified with reference to the first classification.

Abstract: A method for generating three-dimensional graphics includes generating a virtual environment in a server including a first object, second object and a direct illumination source. The method includes generating a virtual point light (VPL) in the virtual environment at an intersection between a ray from the direct illumination source and the first object, and sending data corresponding to the VPL to a client computing device through a data network. The method includes generating an illumination of the second object in the virtual environment with the VPL received from the server, and displaying the illuminated second object.

Abstract: A graphics display system for driver information and driver assistance applications generates controllable and dynamic graphical effects in conjunction with 3D visualization of maps. The system generates a display of a map in a 3D virtual environment that responds to the environment changes in a dynamic and visually intuitive manner for a vehicle operator. The system processes environment information, including lighting condition, weather condition, and other data acquired from different sensors in the vehicle such as cameras and lighting sensors, or through networked information services. The graphics display can be integrated with different driver information and driver assistance system embodiments including mobile platforms, in-vehicle information systems, web platforms, and PC systems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating textured graphics includes identifying border colors of pixels around two texture images and generating arrangements of border texels from the border colors that are positioned next to the two images in a texture atlas. The method includes generating mip-maps of the texture atlas with texels in the jump level assigned with the border color of the corresponding textures in the full-resolution texture atlas instead of the averaged color of the textures that would be assigned using a traditional mip-map process. The method includes storing the texture atlas including the two texture images and the border texels in a memory for use in generating repeated textures on an object in a virtual environment using at least one of the texture images with a mip-map without seam artifacts between the repeated textures.