Abstract: Disclosed is an animation method of deformable objects using an oriented material point and generalized spring model. The animation method comprises the following steps of: modeling a structure of a deformable object into oriented material points and generalized springs; initializing forces and torques acting on the material points, calculating the forces acting on the material points owing to collision of the material points and gravity, calculating the spring forces and torques acting on the material points, obtaining new positions and postures of the material points; updating positions, velocities, postures and angular velocities of the material points based upon physics, and displaying and storing updated results. The oriented material point and generalized spring model of the invention contains the principle of the conventional mass-spring model, but can animate deformable objects or express their structures in more intuitive manner over the conventional mass-spring model.

Abstract: The present invention specifies the characteristic of a driving transistor provided in a pixel and corrects a video signal to be inputted to the pixel based on the specification. As a result, a light emitting device and its driving method in which influence of fluctuation in characteristic among transistors is removed to obtain clear multi-gray scale are provided. The present invention can also provide a light emitting device and its driving method in which a change with age in amount of current flowing between two electrodes of a light emitting element is reduced to obtain clear multi-gray scale display.

Abstract: Complex computer graphics forms and motions can be constructed either by hand or with motion or geometry capture technologies, once they are created, they are difficult to modify, particularly at runtime. Interpolation provides a way to leverage artist-generated source material. Methodologies for efficient runtime interpolation between multiple forms or multiple motion segments enables computers to perform more realistic animation in real-time. Shape interpolation is applied to predefined figures to create smoothly skinned figures that deform in natural ways. Predefined figures are selected using a search technique that reduces the amount of interpolation required to produce real-time animation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sending structured data from a transmitter (1) to a receiver (3) through a network environment (2). The method includes partitioning the structured data into at least one scene by inserting scene delimiter statements, where each scene includes at least one object. Within a scene the method includes opening a stream by inserting a first stream delimiter command, and within the stream, using at least one of an object addition, deletion and modification command. The open stream is closed by inserting a second stream delimiter command. The resulting structured data is transmitted through the network environment, such as through an RF link between a wireless system network operator (5) and a mobile station (100).

Abstract: A display system 100 includes a light source 110 and a color wheel 114. An optical section 112 is arranged to receive light from the light source 110 and to direct the light toward a color wheel 114. A digital micromirror device 122 is arranged to receive the light from the color wheel 114 and to direct image data toward a display. The image data includes an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The array of pixels is arranged as curved color bands during a first time period and rectangular color bands during a second time period. The second time period being concurrent with but of a shorter duration than the first time period.

Abstract: Complex computer graphics forms and motions can be constructed either by hand or with motion or geometry capture technologies, once they are created, they are difficult to modify, particularly at runtime. Interpolation provides a way to leverage artist-generated source material. Methodologies for efficient runtime interpolation between multiple forms or multiple motion segments enables computers to perform more realistic animation in real-time. Shape interpolation is applied to predefined figures to create smoothly skinned figures that deform in natural ways. Predefined figures are selected using a search technique that reduces the amount of interpolation required to produce real-time animation.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a shape memory in which object shape data are prerecorded, a processing component which establishes coordinate values for objects in a three-dimensional virtual space based on the shape data in the shape memory, a conversion component which receives the coordinate values from the processing component and converts the coordinate values to a visual field coordinate system based on a prescribed view point, a view point establishment component which establishes a position of the view point based on the situation between an object in the three-dimensional virtual space serving as a predetermined reference and being virtually defined in the three-dimensional virtual space without any input by a user, and which sends the position to the conversion component, and an imaging component which adds a predetermined texture to a shape data of the visual field coordinate system converted by the conversion component.

Abstract: A system and method of converting frame-based animation into interpolator-based animation is provided. The system and method includes a) identifying each unique combination of animation object and associated depth identified in frame instructions for the plurality of frames of the frame-based animation; b) for each identified unique combination, identifying the display properties associated with the animation object of the combination through the successive frames; and c) for each identified display property for each identified unique combination, creating an interpolator that specifies the animation object of the combination and any changes that occur in the display property for the specified animation object throughout the plurality of frames.

Abstract: A technique for solving an inverse-kinematic problem by interpolating solutions from examples. Example poses or motions of an object are collected and annotated. The annotations are essentially parameters for a function—i.e., the function X(p) generates degree-of-freedom values of an object that is posed in a manner that satisfies parameters p. The analytic function X is interpolated from these examples and improved automatically based on kinematic measurements. Preferably, the interpolation is created by taking a weighted sum of cardinal basis functions having linear and radial parts, Preferably, the interpolation is a weighted sum of cardinal basis functions having linear and radial portions.

Abstract: In a display status modifying apparatus, objects each including a temporally continuous picture of an arbitrary shape are received from outside, the objects are displayed on a predetermined display unit according to display specification information that specifies display status of the objects, and specified content of the display specification information is modified according to a modification instruction for modifying the display status of the objects displayed on the display unit, input via an input unit. Accordingly, intention of a user can be reflected, serving to popularize distribution of picture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating communication about a document between two users creates autonomous, animated computer characters, or avatars, which are then attached to the document under discussion. The avatar is created by one user, who need not be the author of the document, and is attached to the document to represent a point of view. The avatar represents the physical likeness of its creator. The avatar is animated, using an avatar scripting language, to perform specified behaviors including pointing, walking and changing facial expressions. The avatar includes audio files that are synchronized with movement of the avatar's mouth to provide an audio message.

Abstract: On displaying, in a video game device, an image of a player character and images of non-player characters, together with one type of background image from at least two or more switchable types of background images, the background images are changed from one to another only while the player character disappears after completion of a particular operation mode.

Abstract: 3-D models of various types of objects such as a robot body, and a peripheral equipment, a machine, a part (workpiece), of the robot, are stored in an object library in advance. Dimension line data of an edge line of which dimension can be changed, and constraint condition for constraining coordinate positions of apexes which can be changed are also stored in the object library. A model having the shape corresponding to the shape of the object to be used is selected from the object library, and the dimension of the shape is set. The dimension of the selected model is modified so that the shape of the model corresponds to the shape of the actual object. Using the model of which dimension was adjusted, animation motion of the robot is formed on a display screen. With the above arrangement, it is possible to easily set and change object 3-D models relating to a robot motion.

Abstract: An image display method including dividing an original image for one frame period into a plurality of subfield images, arranging the subfield images in a direction of a time axis in an order of brightness of the subfield images, and displaying the arranged subfield images in the order of the brightness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for finding a triangle mesh that interpolates a set of points obtained from a scanning system. A ball-pivoting algorithm computes a triangle mesh interpolating a given point cloud. The disclosed ball-pivoting algorithm triangulates a set of points by “rolling” a ball of radius r on the point cloud. The points are surface samples acquired with multiple range scans of an object. The ball-pivoting algorithm starts with a seed triangle, and pivots the ball of a given radius, r, around an edge of the triangle. During the pivoting operation, the ball revolves around the edge while keeping in contact with the edge's endpoints. The ball pivots until it touches another scan point, forming another triangle. The ball-pivoting operation continues until all reachable edges have been tried, and then starts from another seed triangle, until all scan points have been considered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating motion blur, depth of field, and screen door effects when rendering three-dimensional graphics data are disclosed. A graphics system configured with a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit is disclosed. The graphics processor may be configured to use a sample mask to select different subsets of sample coordinates to be rendered for a particular frame. Each subset may be rendered applying a different set of attributes, and the resulting samples may then be stored together in the sample buffer. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may be configured to filter the samples into output pixels that are provided to a display device.

Abstract: Motion data of a model object is blended based on individual blend ratios ?A and ?B that are set for each bone of a skeleton. The individual blend ratios ?B for bones at end portions of the skeleton (weapons, hands, and feet) are high whereas those for main structural components (pelvis and chest) are low. A general blend ratio ? that is set uniformly for all the bones of the skeleton is also used. A plurality of motion control sections are made to operate simultaneously in parallel to select the motion data, based on motion scripts in which motion data to be selected and motion script switching conditions are defined, and the selected motion data is blended. A group of transitional motion scripts and a group of attack motion scripts are allocated to the first and second motion control sections, and transitional motions and attack motions are blended.

Abstract: An image display control method and its system for this method in an information processing unit sequentially changing a series of image contents to display images on the screen. Image content information for displaying image contents on the information processing unit and screen transition process information for performing an screen transition process on a series of image contents are made separate and generated separately. One frame of the display image of the information processing unit consists of one parent frame and two child frames in the parent frame. The image content information is stored in one child frame and the screen transition process information is stored in the other child frame, and a series of image contents is sequentially moved to display images on the screen.

Abstract: In the present invention, for an unprocessed joint, a joint index and a joint rotation angle are obtained (S25, S27). For the unprocessed vertex corresponding to the obtained joint index, a vertex index and a weight w for the vertex are obtained. On the basis of the weight w and the rotation angle in the current frame, coordinate values of the vertex buffer are changed. A quarternion q1 according to the joint rotation angle in the current frame and a unit quarternion are sphere-linear interpolated with the weight w. From the resultant quarternion q, a conversion matrix R is determined for the joint. An overall conversion matrix M is obtained as M=RJTB, where a matrix T represents a relative coordinates from a parent joint, a matrix J represents a basic rotation angle, and B denotes a conversion matrix of the parent joint.

Abstract: A method for generating realistic image data of particle system objects locations of which change as time passes, in a light operation load and a little storage capacity. The method for generating image data of a virtual space viewed from a predetermined view point, comprises: providing a particle system object group comprising at least one particle system object in the virtual space, according to a predetermined rule, continuously or intermittently; determining a displacement point in the virtual space; moving the displacement point in a predetermined direction as time passes; and moving the particle system object group on the basis of the displacement point.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for capturing the motion of a first moving object in a cartoon and retargeting this motion onto the motion of a second moving object. In the invention a digitized video of a cartoon having the first moving object is input and a user is permitted to select from the digitized video a plurality of key shapes of the first moving object as the first moving moves in the digitized video. The motion of the first moving object is captured as motion parameter data by performing a transform of the motion of the first moving object according to each of the key shapes. Thereafter, the motion of the first moving object is retargeted to the second moving object by mapping the motion parameter data onto the second moving object.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the regions, approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

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 method and apparatus is disclosed that facilitates realistic navigation of visual content by displaying an interpolated image during navigation and a more exact image when the navigation ceases. Methodologies are disclosed for rendering and displaying “tiles”, portions of the visual content at different levels of detail to minimize perceivable discontinuities.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the region, approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the region approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: A region data describing method for describing, over a plurality of frames, region data about the region of an arbitrary object in a video, the method specifying the object region in the video with at least either of an approximate figure approximating the region or characteristic points of the region, approximating a trajectory obtained by arranging position data of the representative points or the characteristic point in a direction in which frames proceed with a predetermined function and describing the parameter of the function as region data. Thus, the region of a predetermined object in the video can be described with a small quantity of data. Moreover, creation and handling of data can easily be performed.

Abstract: Animation data is produced in a data processing system that has storage, a processor, a visual display (102) and a manual input device (103). A simulated three-dimensional world-space is displayed to a user and an animatable actor is displayed in the world-space. First input data is received from a user specifying a desired location and orientation of the actor to which the actor is to animate towards from a starting location. The processor is instructed to generate first animation data using a first processing technique possibly using a forward kinematic solver. The processor is instructed to generate second animation data using a second processing technique, in response to the same input data, possibly using an inverse kinematic solver. Second input data defines a blend parameter for blending between the first animation data and the second animation data.

Abstract: Method for managing Presentation Time in a digital rendering system for presentation of temporally-ordered data when the digital rendering system includes a Variable Rate Presentation capability. In a particular, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for converting Presentation Time to Data Time, and for reporting Presentation Time when only one time can be returned.

Abstract: The invention provides an interpolation processing apparatus, an interpolation processing method and an image display apparatus wherein, when applied, for example, to format conversion for which a programmable video digital signal processor is used, processes such as format conversion can be executed by a comparatively simple process. The programmable video digital signal processor includes a plurality of element processors whose operations are controlled simultaneously and parallelly. The element processors are controlled so as to produce corresponding weighting coefficients based on number data individually allocated thereto. Where image data, for example, for one line are successively inputted to and processed by the element processors, an interpolation process is performed by an arithmetic operation process common to the element processors in which the position information of the number of lines or like is used as a variable.

Abstract: Automated summarization of digital video sequences is accomplished using a vector rank filter. The consecutive frames of a digital video sequence can be represented as feature vectors which are successively accumulated in a set of vectors. The distortion of the set by the addition of each successive vector or the cumulative distance from each successive vector to all other vectors in the set is determined by a vector rank filter. When the distortion exceeds a threshold value the end of a video segment is detected. Each frame in a video segment can be ranked according to its relative similarity to the other frames of the set by applying the vector rank filter to the feature vectors representing the video frames. To produce a summary of a video sequence which is most representative of the content of the sequence, frames are chosen that correspond to vectors that are the least distant to or produce the least distortion of the set of vectors representing the segment.

Abstract: System and method for generating video frames. The system includes a frame generator which generates one or more intermediate frames based upon one base frames. Each of the base frames are comprised of a plurality of macroblocks. Furthermore, one or more of the macroblocks have a motion vector. The macroblocks are comprised of a plurality of pixels. In the frame generation process, the frame generator performs a number of steps such as: (i) determines whether frame generation is appropriate, (ii) examines the first and second base frames to check for the presence of textual characters, (iii) selects a frame generation method based upon information in the first and second frames, (iv) filters the generated frames. In one embodiment, the system includes a server computer having an encoder, a client computer having a decoder, and a network connecting the server computer to the client computer.

Abstract: A character in a video game space is represented realistically and the demo screen is made enjoyable for a user. A start demo display processing unit 100 comprises a motion order assigning unit 101 which refers to any of a plurality of motion probability setting tables 111 based on the player selection in the player setting unit 122 and randomly assigns, based on the probability, the order of arrangement for the motions, a motion reproduction assigning unit 102 for assigning the reproduction of motion in this order to the image processing unit 11, and a motion interpolation assigning unit 103 for assigning to the image processing unit 11 the interpolation to the next motion close to completion of a motion.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and a system for progressively aging an image a first predetermined period of time, and a second predetermined period of time, and outputting the resultant, progressively aged images to show an individual the personalized benefits that they might expect to realize by using a personal care product. Thus, there is an output that is personalized and unique to each user of the system. The present invention also provides a method and a system for developing new personal care products.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing information, and a program and a program storing medium are disclosed in which a user can surely recognize the change of images when they are operated. Upon detection of an operation, a processing manager applies, every predetermined period, a transition function to an elapsed time from the detection of the operation to compute a ratio of the movement of an image to a distance from the current position of the displayed image to a destination specified by the operation. On the basis of the obtained ratio of the movement of the image, the processing manger specifies a display position of the image toward the destination. A content processing routine controls the display so that the image is displayed at the specified position every predetermined period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the motion reconstruction method from inter-frame feature correspondences of a singular video stream using a motion library.

Abstract: A method of integrating two independent simulations including running a first simulation simulating changes in an object over time. The first simulation includes a first simulation output reflective of a state of the first simulation at one or more predefined times. A second simulation is run concurrently simulating changes in a second object over time. An interaction between the first and second simulations is defined resulting in an integrated simulation output without affecting the first simulation state.

Abstract: A nonlinear editing system for audio, video and/or other source materials comprises a system to define at least one time line representing the edit, the time line being represented in the editing system as an operator graph. The operator graph includes operators, representing sources and time-based effects, and time varying connections therebetween. For each period of the defined time line wherein the connections do not change, a expression tree comprising a simplified representation of the operators and the connections required to render that portion of the time line is extracted. Each expression tree can be examined to ensure that all of the required sources and/or connections are available to render that portion of the time line in real time and, if this is not the case, a determination can be made of which portions of the expression tree can be pre-rendered to an intermediate result, the intermediate result being substituted into expression tree to provide real time rendering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional skeleton data compression apparatus for compressing a skeleton data amount without degrading rendering quality of a three-dimensional object. A weight detecting part detects weight information that is a numerical value obtained from input skeleton data, showing a degree of the influence of the movement of a skeleton on a vertex, and a weight compressing part deletes a value equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value. The skeleton compressing part conducts first skeleton compression with respect to a skeleton having no polygon vertex in which an effective weight value is set. The skeleton compressing part also detects relative movement between skeletons, and second skeleton compression is performed to reduce/integrate a skeleton group integrated without relative movement into a unified skeleton. If required, masks are put on skeletons that are not to be subjected to skeleton compression.

Abstract: The invention comprises establishing means for establishing the state of impact between a vehicle and a road surface specified by polygons in a virtual space, and generating means for generating image data representing a state where a vehicle moves along the road surface whilst maintaining the aforementioned state of impact. The establishing means comprises means for determining impact establishing data at an impact position of the vehicle by interpolation from vertex for the road surface polygons, correcting means for correcting this interpolated impact establishing data in accordance with indentations in the road surface, and specifying means for specifying the impact of the vehicle on the road surface in accordance with the corrected impact establishing data.

Abstract: A method for rendering a motion blur image comprises generating first information concerning three vertexes in a two-dimensional triangle image as an object at two points of time to obtain second information concerning six vertexes, dividing into three tetrahedrons a triangular prism formed by the six vertexes in a three-dimensional space defined by a pixel coordinate axis of the two-dimensional triangle image and a time axis, and subjecting each of the three tetrahedrons to linear processing to obtain rendering information for a motion blur image.

Abstract: There is provided a database storing motion components, each of which includes motion information representative of a performance motion trajectory corresponding to a subdivided performance pattern for each musical instrument or part along with sounded point markers specifying tone-generation timing in the motion information. Motion components corresponding to the performance information are sequentially read out from the database to create basic motion information, and a three-dimensional picture is generated on the basis of the basic motion information and visually shown on a graphic display unit. Picture to be thus displayed can be selected optionally via a musical instrument change switch, player change switch and stage change switch, and the selected picture can be displayed in any desired direction by means of a viewpoint change switch.

Abstract: A system and process for generating a new video sequence from frames taken from an input video clip. Generally, this involves computing a similarity value between each of the frames of the input video clip and each of the other frames. For each frame, the similarity values associated therewith are analyzed to identify potentially acceptable transitions between it and the remaining frames. A transition is considered acceptable if it would appear smooth to a person viewing a video containing the frames, or at least if the transition is one of the best available. A new video sequence is then synthesized using the identified transitions to specify an order in which the frames associated with these transitions are to be played. Finally, the new video sequence is rendered by playing the frames of the input video clip in the order specified in the synthesizing procedure.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of providing information to a viewer of a video through a video player (14) on a display such as a computer screen or television screen. A program allows an operator to create links between specific information and dynamic objects (10) within the changing scenes (12) of the video. The subject invention uses a program to establish and store the links. The operator can create the links manually or the program can identify features of the object (10) and then maintain the link when the dynamic object (10) changes in size or shape. The program records all of the links and compiles the information into an interface (18). The interface (18) is transparent and is positioned over the video player (14) on the screen (16). The program synchronizes the links to the video. A viewer, while watching the video, can select one of the objects (10) in the scene (12).

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus stores plural image data and displays one of the image data, which image data represent a growing plant (animal) or represent a series of motions of an animal. The apparatus further stores plural element data for growing the plant (animal). When one of the element data is selected, another image data of the plant (animal) is displayed in place of the previously displayed imaged data to show how the plant (animal) grew up thank to the selected element data. The apparatus is provided with a sensor for detecting motion of a user. Detecting the motion of the user, the apparatus displays new image data representing a motion of the animal in place of the previously displayed image data to show how the animal reacts to the user's motion.

Abstract: A set of mechanisms provides consistency, responsiveness, and integrity, to allow high-realism in a distributed network simulation environment. Consistency is achieved by executing the same computation with the same inputs on multiple machines. Responsiveness is achieved by executing the parts of the computation that affect the user's object earlier on the user's machine than on the server for the user's object. Integrity is achieved by executing all computations authoritatively on the server. The ability to run different parts of a shared computation at varying times on different machines is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and displaying representations of holographic images comprises a display device, digital image data, a simulation module configured to create a representation of a holographic image and display the representation on the display device, and a processor configured to control the simulation module. The digital image data may include a sequence of images selected by a user by utilizing a selection module. An inspection module inspects the sequence of images for errors. An image sizing module manipulates the digital image data to conform to a size of a final stereogram, and a color module manipulates the digital image data to conform to a color of the final stereogram. A sequence repair module fills any gaps in the sequence of images. When the user determines that the representation is satisfactory, an image data formatter configures the digital image data to conform to requirements of a service provider.

Abstract: A method of control of playback of motion for playing back motion of a character more realistically, including determining a motion playback routine in accordance with a value of a parameter expressing the condition of the character, for example, a stress value reflecting the cumulative amount of a plurality of instances of damage and being restored along with the elapse of time after damage is sustained, when a factor affecting movement of the character or an incident in the game arises due to another game element during the playback of the motion of the character, for example, when being attacked by another character; playing back new motion in accordance with the determined routine; and playing back motions B and C based on motion data stored in advance when the stress value is “large” or “intermediate” and combining the motion data defining the motion being played back and other motion data stored in advance when the stress value is “small”.

Abstract: An encoding method and apparatus of deformation information of a 3-dimensional (3D) object are provided. The encoding method of deformation information of a 3-Dimensional (3D) object, in which information on vertices forming the shape of the 3D object is described by a key framing method for performing deformation of the 3D object, the encoding method includes: (a) extracting keys indicating positions of key frames on a time axis, key values indicating characteristics information of key frames, and relation information, by parsing node information of the 3D object; (b) generating vertex connectivity information from the related information; (c) generating differential values for each of the keys from which temporal data redundancy is to be removed, and key values from which spatiotemporal data redundancy is to be removed, based on the vertex connectivity information; (d) quantizing the differential values; and (e) removing redundancy among bits and generating compressed bit stream through entropy encoding.

Abstract: Generic, abstract, encapsulated, expandable and maintainable techniques for modeling and animating computer graphics display objects can be used in a variety of different computer applications and platforms including, for example, video games developed for inexpensive home 3D video game platforms. An abstract simulation entity definition for use in real time computer simulation and animation encapsulates both the physical and behavioral characteristics of a display object. The simulation entity provides a unique “genetic plan” containing abstract attributes that may be shared among objects. Each simulation entity has the knowledge or know-how of common operations, and the ability to communicate with other simulation entities.