Abstract: A subdivision level determination unit (13) in a curved surface subdivision apparatus (10) accepts an input of information about control points that define a shape of a curved surface and determines the subdivision level for the surface. Next, it sets, for a subdivision processing operation control unit (16), a control table corresponding to the determined subdivision level. The subdivision processing operation control unit (16) executes the subdivision processing while controlling a work memory unit (14) and a subdivision processing operation unit (15) based on the set control table.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) graphic generation apparatus and its generation method according to the present invention generate high quality 3D graphics from two-dimensional (2D) graphics such as characters, without requiring difficult operations. Triangulation is performed using outline data corresponding to a sequence of all points which form an outline of a 2D graphic including a 2D character or the like, and thereafter configurations of the triangles are changed using the outline segments. The generated triangles are judged whether or not they are components of the character, and triangles that have been judged as the components are spatially moved, thereby generating the top surface. Further, side surfaces are generated by connecting corresponding points, thereby generating a 3D graphic.

Abstract: An image object content generation device has a key generation unit that generates a key that is a reference for distinguishing an object pixel from a background pixel per pixel of an inputted image signal, a frame size changing unit that changes a frame size of the image signal, and a low frequency component passing unit that removes high frequency components of the image signal which was processed in the frame size changing unit. The image object generation device also has a pixel compensation unit that performs a padding processing to the image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit by using Low Pass Extrapolation padding algorithm, and a pixel selecting unit that selects one of the Image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit and the image signal which was processed in the pixel compensation unit.

Abstract: An animation data generation apparatus that supplies a state where a character string can be read in a part of 3D character animation generated based on functions. The apparatus includes an interface unit for setting characters which are used for animation, time allocation between 3D character animations in a moving standstill state, and the type of the animation in the moving state. The apparatus also includes a calculation unit for calculating the number of frames corresponding to animation based on the time allocation, and a generation unit for generating animation data in the standstill state so that 3D characters corresponding to the set characters can be read, and for generating data of the 3D character animation in a moving state so as to link to the data of the animation in the standstill state by using the number of calculated frames and a function corresponding to the set animation.

Abstract: A communication system is provided, which includes: a transmitter for transmitting multi-dimensional stream data capable of representing a CG scene; and a receiver for receiving the multi-dimensional stream data.

Abstract: A mobile terminal device, which is capable of displaying personal information, time information, and group information in a manner that enables a user to easily understand the relationship among such information, as well as capable of displaying such information in a manner that clarifies their relationship by seamlessly moving viewpoint positions, comprises: an object unit 100a for generating and storing various objects making up a 3D object; a database unit 100b for storing information displayed on the 3D object; a mode unit 100c for selecting a display mode shown on the screen; a cursor unit 100d for performing input processing of the cursor key; a decision key unit 100e used by the user when selecting desired information from plural pieces of displayed information; a viewpoint unit 100f for moving the viewpoint according to a user input; a rendering unit 100g for rendering various objects based on their position information; and a display unit 100h for generating and displaying an image to be shown on the

Abstract: A curved surface image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention that can render an object at higher speed and in higher quality by performing image processing using NURBS data includes: a data input unit 101 for receiving NURBS data; a coordinate transformation unit 102 for performing coordinate transformation on NURBS data; an animation control unit 103 for controlling animation data of each frame to be rendered; a data transformation unit 104 for transforming NURBS data into rational Bezier data; a patch division unit 105 for subdividing a rational Bezier surface patch; a normal determination unit 106 for calculating normals of control points of a divided surface patch; a perspective transformation unit 107 for performing perspective transformation on a divided surface patch; and a rendering unit 108 for rendering a surface patch.

Abstract: An object shape transformation device 10, for a start, accepts from a user a setting of shape information of an object at the time before and after the transformation and a parameter that controls growth potential affecting shape transformation of an object in a user interface unit 100. Then the device 10 calculates the growth potential required for shape transformation in a growth potential calculation unit 110 and decides a transformation path using the calculated growth potential in a growth path calculation unit 120. Next, the device 10 decides the shape of the object using the calculated transformation path and a temporal parameter in an object shape decision unit 130 and an object display unit 140 displays the object.

Abstract: In a map display device, a surface storing unit stores surface information which defines a curved surface having a form that depends on positions of portions of a map which are to be enlarged and/or contracted. A mapping unit maps the map onto the curved surface defined by the surface information. A projecting/displaying unit projects the mapped map onto a flat virtual screen, and displays the projected image. Here, by defining the curved surface so that each part of the curved surface forms an intended angle with a line of sight in the projection, the image is displayed with desired portions enlarged and/or contracted, while maintaining connections of roads. The same effect can also be achieved by projecting the map onto a virtual screen having the form of the curved surface.

Abstract: An animation control unit 1 specifies shape data, hierarchical structure data, a group table, and state information. A character state calculating unit 3 obtains the specified shape data from a shape data storing unit 5, the hierarchical structure data from a hierarchical structure storing unit 4, and the group table from a table storing unit 2. The character state calculating unit 3 also obtains motion data shown in the specified state information from a motion data storing unit 6 and specifies, from the obtained motion data, motion data identified by each group number. In accordance with the obtained hierarchical structure data, the character state calculating unit 3 corrects the shape data by using the specified motion data. A three-dimensional rendering unit 7 renders the corrected shape data to generate an image, and a display unit 9 displays the generated image.

Abstract: A vehicle information recording system 100 includes a picture acquiring unit 101a placed in a vehicle that takes a picture of surroundings and generates picture data showing the picture, a vehicle data receiving unit 107 placed in the vehicle that receives other vehicle data concerning another vehicle shown in the picture acquired by the picture acquiring unit 101a, an acquired information sending unit 103 placed in the vehicle that sends data including the picture data and the other vehicle data outside of the vehicle, a receiving unit 104 placed outside of the vehicle that receives the data sent by the acquired information sending unit 103, an encoding unit 105 placed outside of the vehicle that encodes the other vehicle data among the data received by the receiving unit 104 and adds the encoded data to the picture data as related data, and a recording unit 106 placed outside of the vehicle that records the picture data to which the other vehicle data is added by the encoding unit 105.

Abstract: A communication unit 1 carries out voice communication, and a character background selection input unit 2 selects a CG character corresponding to a communication partner. A voice/music processing unit 5 performs voice/music processing required for the communication, a voice/music converting unit 6 converts voice and music, and a voice/music output unit outputs the voice and music. A voice input unit 8 acquires voice. A voice analyzing unit 9 analyzes the voice, and an emotion presuming unit 10 presumes an emotion based on the result of the voice analysis. A lips motion control unit 11, a body motion control unit 12 and an expression control unit 13 send control information to a 3-D image drawing unit 14 to generate an image, and a display unit 15 displays the image.

Abstract: A communication system is provided, which includes: a transmitter for transmitting multi-dimensional stream data capable of representing a CG scene; and a receiver for receiving the multi-dimensional stream data.

Abstract: When a user indicates a portion of a map to be enlarged or contracted, a surface generating unit generates surfaces by gradually changing a surface from a first shape to a second shape, the first shape corresponding to a position of a map portion previously indicated and the second shape corresponding to a position of the map portion currently indicated. A mapping unit maps the map onto the generated surfaces in sequence, to obtain mapped images. A projecting/displaying unit sequentially projects the mapped images onto a flat virtual screen, and displays the projected images. Thus, the desired portion of the map can be enlarged/contracted, while maintaining connections of roads. Also, the map display can be transformed smoothly, even when the target of enlargement/contraction changes from one map portion to another according to the user's indications. This helps the user comprehend the contents of the map quickly and accurately.

Abstract: A video distribution device 10 is a device communicating with a video receiving device 20 via a communication network 30, which includes a video acquisition unit 110 that acquires plural videos taken from various perspectives, a video analysis unit 120 that analyzes a detail contained in the video on a video basis and generates its analysis result as content information, and a video matching unit 130 that verifies a conformity level of each content information with preference information notified by a viewer, decides a video to be distributed, and distributes the video.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) graphic generation apparatus and its generation method according to the present invention generate high quality 3D graphics from two-dimensional (2D) graphics such as characters, without requiring difficult operations. Triangulation is performed using outline data corresponding to a sequence of all points which form an outline of a 2D graphic including a 2D character or the like, and thereafter configurations of the triangles are changed using the outline segments. The generated triangles are judged whether or not they are components of the character, and triangles that have been judged as the components are spatially moved, thereby generating the top surface. Further, side surfaces are generated by connecting corresponding points, thereby generating a 3D graphic.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of transmitting and receiving data streams representing 3-dimensional virtual space, the apparatus comprising: a transmitting member; a receiving member; and a transfer member for connecting the transmitting member and the receiving member in bidirectional manner; wherein a shape data stream, a motion data stream and an audio data stream representing a shape and a motion of a skeletal structure in 3-DCG and a sound synchronous with the motion, respectively are transmitted to the receiving member from the transmitting member such that the receiving member generates the 3-DCG through synchronization of the motion data stream and the audio data stream.

Abstract: In a reproduction device 1, a content element selecting unit 101 selects a content and a background video material, a foreground video material and a sound material via a dialogue with a user, and sends the selected content and materials to a distribution device 2 via a sending and receiving unit 103. A content controlling unit 102 performs a request and controls of content data such as a sending request, a receiving control management, a time control, a display control of a video material, and an output control of video data, based on scene description data which is sent from the distribution device 2. A content displaying device 104 and a content sound outputting unit 105 reproduce video data and sound data which are outputted from the content controlling unit 102.

Abstract: An apparatus generating a closed-loop periodic motion data from open time-series motion data given for moving a multi-joint rigid body object, and comprising an open periodic motion generating unit for making local movements of a multi-joint rigid body object periodic and generating an open periodic time-series motion data, a closed-loop motion generating unit for reading out the position data of the whole object among the open periodic time-series motion data, generating the position data of the whole object made its motion closed-loop, replacing the position data of the whole object among open periodic time-series motion data stored in a storage unit with the generated data, and storing the generated data in the storage unit.

Abstract: An advertisement-added content distributing device 10 includes a database 181, an advertisement selecting unit 131, and a content distributing unit 132. The database 181 includes a plurality of advertisements, and the ad selecting unit 131 selects at least one advertisement from the advertisements in the database 181. The content distributing unit 132 distributes the selected advertisement together with a requested content to a member viewer terminal device 20 used by a viewer who has made a request for distribution of the content.