Abstract: The present invention relates to an animation data generation apparatus that supplies a state where a character string can be read, in a part of 3D character animation generated on the basis of functions.

Abstract: A form analyzing unit (4) receives 2-D outline data stored in an outline data storing unit (3) via an outline data obtaining unit (2), and judges from the received 2-D outline data whether an outline of a character includes an outline of a hole formed in the character. If so, a top/bottom dividing unit (5) divides an area surrounded by the two outlines into convex polygons. A side generating unit (6) moves each divided structure element in a z-axis direction to generate a side plane of the 3-D character, and generates 3-D data for the character.

Abstract: A method for communicating and generating computer graphics animation data relates to transmission and reception of computer graphics animation data in a system comprising a server computer, a client computer, and a communication mediating means between the server computer and the client computer and performing generation of a computer graphics animation image in the client computer, and this method comprises the following stages: first stage of performing, in the server computer, formation and edition of animation data comprising configuration data of an object, configuration data of an environment where the object exists, attribute data, light source data, camera parameters, shading method, environment setting, environment managing and controlling method, and time series motion data for generating a motion of the object corresponding to the behavior of the object in a time series, and storing the animation data in a storage unit; second stage of transmitting the animation data stored in the storage unit of

Abstract: A transmitter of three-dimensional skeleton structure motions in which motion data of a skeleton structure in three-dimensional computer graphics (CG) is transmitted from a transmitting end to a receiving end to create at the receiving end animation data based on the transmitted skeleton structure motion data. The transmitter can transmit element motion data as time series data in which the element data is accompanied by connection methods, transmit initial information as CG animation data, and transfer CG animation data from a transmitting end computer to a receiving end computer.

Abstract: An image object content generation device 10 comprises a key generation unit 11 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 12 that changes a frame size of the image signal, a low frequency component passing unit 13 that removes high frequency components of the image signal which was processed in the frame size changing unit 12, a pixel compensation unit 14 that performs a padding processing to the image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit 13 by using Low Pass Extrapolation padding algorithm, and a pixel selecting unit 15 that selects one of the image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit 13 and the image signal which was processed in the pixel compensation unit 14.

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 closednb n-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 apparatus for navigating a moving object is provided for easing the action of an operator of the moving object. The apparatus has a map data acquiring section, a current position data acquiring section, an optimum route searching section for calculating an optimum route data from the map data, a forward map data acquiring section for generating a forward map data from the current position data and the optimum route data, a route navigation symbol data drawing section for generating a route navigation symbol image from the forward map data, and a stereoscopic image displaying section for displaying a three-dimensional form of the route navigation symbol image.

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: 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 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: In an interactive navigations system, when a server transmits map data to a mobile apparatus, an appropriate amount of charge is billed to the mobile apparatus. Also at route search, an optimal route is found more accurately.

Abstract: A transmitter-receiver of three-dimensional skeleton structure motions in which motion data of a skeleton structure in three-dimensional computer graphics (CG) is transmitted from a transmitting end to a receiving end and, based on the transmitted skeleton structure motion data, to create animation at the receiving end, the transmitter-receiver comprises (1) transmitting means for deciding either of transmitting formats: (a) the motion data of the skeleton structure is added to an initial information and then transmitted as time series data; and (b) the motion data of the skeleton structure is disassembled into element data characterizing the motions in three-dimensional virtual space and then transmitted as data in which the disassembled element data is accompanied by connection methods thereto, and then transmitting the initial information to which the motion data of the skeleton structure is added based on the decided transmission format, as CG animation data, the initial information including hierarchy da

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: A motion data connecting method and apparatus for generating a smooth, natural motion connecting an advancing motion and a following motion with a short calculation time and without imposing a condition such as an assumption of cyclic movement on the connected motions is disclosed. A process for connecting an advancing motion and a following motion comprises three process blocks: a first process block for obtaining the current time position, a second process block for calculating a synthesized attitude angle, and a third process block for obtaining a synthesized joint angle.

Abstract: A transmitter-receiver of three dimensional skeleton motions in which motion data of a skeleton structure in three-dimensional computer graphics (CG) is transmitted from a transmitting end to a receiving end using first and second formats. In the first format, initial information and time series data is interpreted to decide the posture of the skeleton structure according to kinematics, and in the second format, the initial information and data in which disassembled element data is accompanied by the connection methods thereto is interpreted to decide the posture of the skeleton structure according to kinematics.

Abstract: A shape data compression method for image generation by three-dimensional computer graphics, including a first stage inputting a code number and a quantization precision for encoding a three-dimensional coordinate point sequence and a two-dimensional coordinate point sequence, and reading the coordinate point sequence data. A second stage includes mapping transformed point sequences in a one-dimensional space. A third stage calculates an initial apace division width based on quantization precision, divides the normal space into partial spaces and analyzes distribution of the transformed point sequences therein, decides a division width and calculates distribution of transformed point sequences in each partial space at the division width. A fourth stage obtains a mean value of coordinate values of transformed point sequences distributed in the partial space, and encodes them to produce a code book. A fifth stage generates code sequences for encoding the transformed point sequences according to the code book.

Abstract: A transmitter-receiver of three-dimensional skeleton structure motions in which motion data in three-dimensional computer graphics (CG) is transmitted to create animation at the receiving end. The transmitter-receiver includes three sections: (1) a transmitter for selecting a transmitting format wherein: (a) the motion data is added to initial information and transmitted as time series data; or (b) the motion data is disassembled into element data characterizing the motions and transmitted with the disassembled element data accompanied by connection methods, and then transmitting the initial information to which the motion data is added based on the selected transmission format, as CG animation data, the initial information including data for defining hierarchical relationships among the skeleton structure, the initial state of the hierarchy data, constraint of the joints of skeletons, shape data for the skeletons, and data for attachment to the skeleton structure.

Abstract: A method of compressing one-dimensional time series data at uniform time intervals includes: a first process of inputting the one-dimensional time series data and an approximation accuracy thereof; a second process of calculating node candidates of an interpolation function approximating the one-dimensional time series data; a third process of optimizing positions of the node candidates; a fourth process of judging an error between one-dimensional time series data produced using the interpolation function, based on the node candidates at optimized positions, and the original one-dimensional time series data; a fifth process of judging an error between one-dimensional time series data produced using the interpolation function on the basis of the node candidates at optimized positions and the original one-dimensional time series data, and changing a node number and returning to the second process when the error exceeds a value based on the approximation accuracy; and a sixth process of outputting data of the no

Abstract: An apparatus of the invention generates an image including a plurality of pixels by mapping a plurality of texture data onto a surface of an object.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus used in the field of image processing such as Computer Graphics. The image generating apparatus comprises an input unit for setting data related to a shape of each polygon, an attribute-data-setting unit for setting physical-property attribute data of the polygons, a view-point-data setting unit for setting data related to a view point, a boundary-box-dividing unit for dividing a boundary box enclosing all the polygons into a set of voxels of equal-size with parameters for the boundary box and a linear conditional expression, a segment buffer for registering intersection data per segment for each light source consisting of a thread of a processor assigned for each segment on one polygon and a ray-intercepting polygon at the time of intensity computation per pixel, and an intensity computing unit for checking an intersection with the registered ray-intercepting polygon first when computing an adjacent pixel in the same segment.