Abstract: A method is described for modeling interactions between models. A first adaptively sampled distance field having a first spatial hierarchy for a first model is generated, and a second adaptively sampled distance field having a second spatial hierarchy for a second model is generated. During each time step, a potential overlap region is determined using the spatial hierarchies of the first and second adaptively sampled distance fields. When the potential overlap region is non-empty, a third adaptively sampled distance field is generated from the first and second adaptively sampled distance fields using a first interaction procedure and first properties and a fourth adaptively sampled distance field is generated from the first and second adaptively distance fields using a second interaction procedure and second properties to model the interactions between the first and second models.

Abstract: Data visualization apparatuses, computer-readable mediums, computer data signals embodied in a transmission medium, data visualization methods, and digital computer data visualization methods are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a data visualization apparatus includes an image device configured to provide a visual image; and digital processing circuitry coupled with the image device and configured to access data including a plurality of themes, to generate a thematic illustration corresponding to the themes and having a plurality of outer contour lines which are spaced at varying distances relative to a reference line, and to control the image device to depict the thematic illustration.

Abstract: To provide an image processing apparatus and method that enable high speed and high quality image drawing process. When a drawing instruction including drawing logical arithmetic process instruction is input to a drawing instruction converting unit, the drawing instruction converting mans converts the input drawing instruction to a drawing object and a drawing logical arithmetic process instruction and then stores these to a drawing object storing unit. A drawing logical arithmetic process instruction determining unit determines whether the drawing logical arithmetic process instruction has content to be drawn without logical arithmetic process or not.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for efficiently rendering a complex transparent scene. In furtherance of one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the step of determining a minimum number of overlapping translucent polygons required to substantially occlude an object or a surface in the scene; and culling away the object or the surface if the object is hidden behind more than the minimum number of overlapping polygons. Objectives of the present invention are achieved as processing efficiency is increased when substantially occluded objects are not further processed. In one embodiment of the invention, a Z-stack comprising a plurality of Z-maps is utilized to store depth information of potentially occluding polygons. A bounded volume approximation method may be used to determine the Z-values of the potentially occluding polygons to be stored in the Z-stack. Thereafter, potentially occluded polygons are tested against the Z-stack.

Abstract: A method models a plurality of graphics models by generating a first adaptively sampled distance field for a first model, and generating a second adaptively sampled distance field for a second model. Locations in the first adaptively are sampled distance field to determine a distance value for each location. The second adaptively sampled distance field is sampled at each location to determine a corresponding feature of the second adaptively sampled distance field. Then, each distance value is modified according to the corresponding feature to determine a second distance value for each location.

Abstract: In an object-image displaying apparatus, a plurality of part designating switches disposed at positions corresponding respectively to locations of parts in an object image to be composed are operated to read out a part pattern of the relevant part from a part-pattern memory, which previously stores a plurality of part patterns of each of the parts. The read out part patterns are combined into an object image, and the combined object image is displayed on a display device and is printed by a printer. Further, a plurality of part designating switches provided respectively in correspondence to a plurality of part images displayed on the display device are operated to read out a part pattern of the relevant part from among plural sorts of part patterns stored in a memory. The read out part patterns are combined into an object image, and the object image is displayed on the display device and is printed by the printer.

Abstract: The invention provides a subpixel accuracy registration technique where accuracy is not lost even where an image is subjected to deformation due to influences of the characteristics of the imaging device or noise. A fitting range setting device 105, sets a range of pixels of an input image with large differential values as a fitting range. A function fitting device 104, fits a mono-peak function for each fitting range, and obtains the edge position at subpixel accuracy. Registration is then effected with a pixel accuracy registration device 107. A corresponding candidate curve generating device 108, with respect to an edge point on a certain one image, makes a corresponding plurality of edge points on an other image corresponding candidate curves joined in a curve.

Abstract: Techniques and systems that provide interactions between a 3D representation of a selected pair of glasses and a fully-textured 3D face model are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an interactive platform is displayed to allow a user to select a pair of glasses and try the selected glasses on a user-provided 3D face model. The interactions provided in the platform include spatial adjustments of the glasses around the face model, various perspective views of the 3D face with the glasses on and other cosmetic alternations to the selected glasses. According to one application, when the user finishes the try-on process, the information about the glasses can be transmitted to a business that can subsequently produce a pair of customized glasses for the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image synthesis apparatus and an image synthesis method. According to the present invention, an image synthesis apparatus, for synthesizing a plurality of images to generate a synthesis image, selects for an image synthesis unit two or more images from among a plurality of images, and stores image information for the selected images, employs the stored image information to generate coordinate transformation parameters that are used to set a positional relationship for the selected images before these images are synthesized to obtain a single image, changes the generated coordinate transformation parameters by using as a reference a position location for an arbitrary image selected from among the plurality of images, provides the resultant coordinate transformation parameters as image synthesis information, and synthesizes the images in accordance with the image synthesis information.

Abstract: A method of blending images of segments of a view includes determining the position of a second segment of the view represented by a second image relative to a first segment of the view represented by a first image; dividing the second image into a first section and a second section, based on the determined positions; drawing the first image on a canvas; and drawing the first section of the second image on the canvas at the determined position so that a portion of the first section masks out a portion of the first image.

Abstract: A graphic image system comprising a video camera producing a first video signal defining a first image including a foreground object and a background, the foreground object preferably including an image of a human subject having a head with a face; an image position estimating system for identifying a position with respect to said foreground object, e.g., the head, the foreground object having features in constant physical relation to the position; and a computer, responsive to the position estimating system, for defining a mask region separating the foreground object from said background. The computer generates a second video signal including a portion corresponding to the mask region, responsive to said position estimating system, which preferably includes a character having a mask outline.

Abstract: A virtual space using a geometric model for forming a virtual environment is input, nongeometric model object expression data based on a multi-viewpoint image is acquired, geometric information is added to the acquired nongeometric model object expression data, and the nongeometric model object expression data is used as an object arranged or operated in the virtual space using the added geometric information or automatically moving in the space. The same effect as that obtained when the shape data of an object having a very complex shape is generated or reproduced can be easily obtained without generating or reproducing the shape data. In addition, the entire virtual space can be generated without holding an enormous amount of light space data, so that the object can be operated in the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A panorama picture synthesis apparatus synthesizes a panorama picture from a plurality of picture data obtained by capturing a plurality of parts of an object such that they overlap one another.

Abstract: The invention provides an image connecting method, an image connecting apparatus, and a storage medium on which an image connecting program is stored, for connecting a first image and a second image such that particular connecting areas are determined for the first image and the second image and the first and second images in the connecting areas are combined together thereby connecting the first and second images into a single image including no unnatural parts. The first image and the second image are decomposed into frequency components. The connecting area is determined for each frequency component such that the connecting area becomes narrower with the increase in the frequency of the frequency component, and the first and second images are combined in the connecting area for each frequency component. After that, particular partial images in the first and second images are designated.

Abstract: A system and method of rendering overlapping layers in a computer display, such as a windowing system, employs front-to-back assembly of the displayed image. An arbitrary number of overlapping elements, such as windows, can be presented, without requiring temporary storage space or additional off-screen buffers. The front-to-back assembly technique minimizes the number of memory transfers performed in connection with rendering an image, and avoids unnecessary reading and processing of pixels that will not contribute to the final image. Special effects such as semi-transparency, shadows, and irregular shapes can be accommodated and processed in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Method and system for overlaying at least three microarray images to obtain a multicolor composite image, which is then displayed on a monitor of a computer system. The microarray images are taken from a microarray scanner of a DNA microarray and can be viewed simultaneously through the use of the image overlays where each image is represented by a different color. Each pixel of the composite image is generated by the OR operator applied to all corresponding pixels of the microarray images. Registration of the microarray images can be altered with a keyboard or mouse of the computer system.

Abstract: A method of creating an image is disclosed. The image is formed by rendering at least a plurality of graphical objects to be composited according to a first hierarchical structure (eg. 4500) representing a compositing expression for the image. The first hierarchical structure (4500) includes a plurality of nodes each representing at least a component of the image or an operation for combining sub-expressions of the compositing expression. The method stores a second hierarchical structure (300) for at least one node of the first hierarchical structure (4500). The second hierarchical structure (300) indicates at least an unobscured region of an object associated with the node. A space in which the object is defined is partitioned into a plurality of regions.

Abstract: In computer graphics, the distal end of a hair being drawn is to be prevented from being lowered in massy feeling. To this end, a data storage unit stores three-dimensional coordinates of control points of a curve, and outputs these coordinate values to a curve approximating unit under control by a controller. The curve approximating unit generates a Bezier curve, using the coordinate values of the input control points, to output the generated Bezier curve to a z-coordinate comparator. The z-coordinate comparator stores the one of the coordinate values having the same x-components and y-components which is closest to a viewing point, that is, which has the maximum z-component. A reflected light intensity computing unit computes the intensity of the light reflected by the surface of the curve.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image processing has two processes. In a first process, a three-dimensional space including only a horizon appears on a display screen. By drawing a stroke line in the space, a wall having the stroke line as the base line is set as a canvas. A picture drawn by a user is mapped onto the canvas, resulting in a three-dimensional picture. By repeatedly setting the canvases and pictures, a desired scene can be constructed. A desired three-dimensional scene can further be obtained by rotating the canvas or moving the viewing point. In a second process, the base line of the canvas is constantly displaced between a first curve, a second curve, and an interpolation curve. The three-dimensional image pasted on the canvas is moved in accordance with the movement of the canvas. Thus, it appears to the user that the three-dimensional image is animating.

Abstract: An image processing system displaying an endoscopic image of a three-dimensional object from a desired viewpoint position and view direction. A three-dimensional model preparation unit prepares a three-dimensional model of the object and an endoscopic image preparation unit prepares a first image of the three-dimensional model as viewed from the viewpoint position and view direction. A simulated endoscopic examination of a virtual subject can be realized by permitting an operator to change the viewpoint position and view direction to coincide with the movement of a virtual endoscope. The usefulness of the virtual endoscope is enhanced with various features of the invention which facilitate control over the virtual endoscope and make the virtual images useful in the insertion of a real endoscope.

Abstract: Graphic data conversion method and graphic data conversion apparatus enable appropriate graphic data for a fault inspection equipment to be provided, in which unprepared increase of data-volume is avoided even when CAD data of a graphic form drawing equipment is made to convert into graphic data for the fault inspection equipment, and it is prevented that processing speed of the fault inspection equipment decreases caused by unnecessary region division. Graphic data whose region is divided among the CAD data is made to unify for generating graphic data which represents the whole original graphic form. Thereafter, the optimum graphic data for the fault inspection equipment is made to fleshly generate from the aforementioned graphic data in such a way as to match division-region that is determined by a file format of the fault inspection equipment.

Abstract: A method of quickly displaying a truly intended graphical object among graphical objects hidden in complex in the screen by a simple mouse operation. A group of graphical objects which are a set of a plurality of graphical objects is displayed on a display screen. Each graphical object is managed by a hierarchical structure and displayed in the display screen based on graphical definition data. When an operator selects one graphical object from a group of graphical objects, an operation tablet is generated. When the operator moves a pointer to the right on the operation tablet, graphical objects positioned fore side are changed to non-display one after another and a graphical object hiding behind them is revealed. By moving the pointer downwardly after the operator clicks the left button of a mouse, graphical objects of the same hierarchy as the focused graphical object are changed to non-display in unison so that a desired graphical object can be efficiently searched for selection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a design document for a product, with the product having product elements arranged in a hierarchical manner and stored in a relational database, is described. A selection is received for at least one product element. At least one performance value associated with the selected product element is received. A text segment associated with each selected product element is retrieved from the database. Selected text segments are then used to construct the design document.

Abstract: An image position adjustment device which can let the user adjust alignment between two or more images easily and efficiently includes a feature extraction section, a display image generation section, and a displaying order setting section. The feature extraction section generates feature images which provide the user with clues effective for image position adjustment procedure corresponding to each of the images. The display image generation section generates a ‘display image’ for part or the whole of an image which has been selected by the user as the target of image position adjustment, using corresponding part or the whole of the feature image of the selected image. And the displaying order setting section sets displaying order of images so that the display image which has been generated by the display image generation section using the feature image of the selected image can be displayed in front of other images, and lets a display section display the images according to the displaying order.

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 occurs when a computer graphic object represented by computer graphics, e.g., in front of, to the side, above, or below the video screen, undergoes a trajectory that takes it to a location in the world that is not represented as computer graphics, but instead is within the field represented by the video, because such an object would disappear from view by the viewer. This limitation is overcome by having such an object be represented as video on the screen, rather than computer graphics. Thus, the computer graphics object “goes into the video” as video and remains visible to a viewer in front of the video screen, rather than becoming invisible because it is blocked from view by the video screen if it were to be generated at its proper location using computer graphic techniques.

Abstract: The overlay image processing device comprises: an image selector for selecting from among an m number of image signals one reference image signal and (n−1) number of superimposing image signals, where m is an integer greater than 2; a resolution converter for converting resolutions of the n number of selected image signals including the reference image signal and the (n−1) number of superimposing image signals into respective desired resolutions; and an image synthesizer for superimposing the (n−1) number of converted superimposing image signals on the converted reference signal.

Abstract: In a system and a method for generating an image that contains superimposed or fused image data, a first system acquires an image dataset from a subject and a second system obtains a video image of the subject. The positions of the first, the second systems in the acquisition of the image datasets are determined with the an arrangement for position determination, such as a navigation system, with reference to which the position of the image dataset acquired with the first system and the position of the video image dataset can be determined in space, so that the two image datasets can be superimposed or fused with one another. An arrangement also can be provided for generating a video image expanded with image data of the image dataset acquired with the first system.

Abstract: In a computer aided design system, an intelligent symbol is made up of graphical entities. Connectors join the entities to other entities at connection points. When the symbol is moved, the connectivity between entities must be maintained. A connection point positioning symbol is generated, forming part of a definition of the intelligent symbol. The connection point positioning symbol has a position and an angle which describe the connection point. The connection point positioning symbol can be displayed and then hidden from view. The connection point positioning symbol allows the user to edit a connection to the intelligent symbol.

Abstract: A 3D image of an object model and images of patterns of a garment are generated. The images of the respective patterns are three-dimensionally deformed by arranging them in corresponding portions of the 3D image of the object model in an image space, and calculating collision deformations caused when the respective patterns are pressed against the corresponding portions based on an externally inputted information on the garment. A stereoscopic image of the garment is generated by connecting the deformed 3D images of the respective patterns based on the information on the garment. Since the pattern images of the garment are so deformed as to be put on the object model in a virtual space of the computer graphics and the stereoscopic image of the garment is generated by connecting the deformed pattern images of the garment, there can be generated a stereoscopic image of the garment realistically representing a state of the garment when the garment is actually put on the object.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying garments over the Internet as though th garments were being draped over the body of a user. The method and system of the present invention fits articles of clothing to an image of a user over the Internet. The image of the user is derived from a picture of the user. Critical points are taken from the image of the user, and are used to adjust the spatial configuration of the clothing. The critical points within the volume of the article of clothing are adjusted to match the critical points of the image of the body of the user, such that the spatial configuration of the article of clothing matches the configuration which would be adopted if the user was actually wearing the article of clothing. The adjusted garment image is combined with the user image and is displayed.

Abstract: The shape processor is a rendering module that may be used to stream graphical objects having a predefined format into a frame buffer or a physical display. Documents to be rendered by the shape processor may be decomposed into primitive graphical objects and passed to the shape processor, which may in turn compose the objects for display. Composed objects are then blended into current video data on an object by object basis.

Abstract: In a map display device, a communications part 7 receives various information from an external system, and a map data arranging part 4 arranges in a map space object models each indicating those various information. Such data arrangement is done based on map data stored in a map data storage part 3, information from the communications part 7 and an input part 2, and object model display information stored in an object model display information storage part 6. A display 5 then displays a resultant map image. In such manner, various time-varying information are appropriately arranged for display on the map image so as to make a user intuitively understand what those information mean.

Abstract: A system and method for designing a wear article for an object comprises providing a virtual three-dimensional model of the object, including first data representing three dimensions of the object. Virtual two-dimensional patterns representing different portions of the wear article are assembled into a virtual three-dimensional wear article. The virtual three-dimensional wear article includes second data representing three dimensions of the wear article. A material type is associated with one or more of the virtual patterns and the virtual three-dimensional wear article. The material type has third data representing at least one physical property of the material type. In order to display the virtual three-dimensional wear article on the virtual three-dimensional model, the first and second data are compared to determine the non-intersection of the virtual three-dimensional wear article with the virtual three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A connector object supports bi-directional connections such that an instance of the connector object may behave as both a socket connector and as a plug connector. A first shape object and a second shape object having a first connector object and second connector object respectively that are instances of the same connector object are displayed on a display device. The first connector object is coupled to the second connector object wherein the first connector object and the second connector object behave both as sockets and plugs. An external connection manager resolves connections. The manager determines: (1) if shape connections should be resolved; and (2) one or more socket connector objects and plug connector objects that need to be updated from one or more other shapes coupled to the determined socket connector objects. Thereafter, the manager recursively updates each determined plug connector object.

Abstract: A method of processing weather data in real-time for graphical display is disclosed. A plurality of subsets of weather data defining a detectable volume of a weather event affecting a geographic area are received over a period of time. Each of the subsets defines a volumetric portion of the weather event, and each subset is processed as it is received to create a plurality of components, each corresponding to a particular volumetric portion of the weather event. Each component is associated with a graphical representation of the affected geographic area as each component becomes available to create a then current three-dimensional model of the detectable volume of the weather event. A graphical representation of the then current three-dimensional model may be displayed during the associating step such that a viewer can observe the graphical representation changing a component at a time over the period of time. A system for processing weather data in real-time for graphical display is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intelligent shape is displayed in conjunction with a CAD application program, wherein the intelligent shape selectively displays positioning and alignment aids on the monitor of the computer to assist a user in operating one or more functions of the host application program. When invoked, the intelligent shape displays plugs and sockets related to the shapes on the monitor and aids the user in positioning, aligning, rotating, and connecting shapes together.

Abstract: An image processing system according to the present invention aiming at providing a function capable of efficiently managing and utilizing image data, comprises a display unit for displaying on a screen a composite area as an aggregation of unit areas into which images are inserted, and an operation unit for inserting a processing target image into the unit area within the composite area.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for efficiently rendering a complex transparent scene. In furtherance of one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the step of determining a minimum number of overlapping translucent polygons required to substantially occlude an object or a surface in the scene; and culling away the object or the surface if the object is hidden behind more than the minimum number of overlapping polygons. Objectives of the present invention are achieved as processing efficiency is increased when substantially occluded objects are not further processed. In one embodiment of the invention, a Z-stack comprising a plurality of Z-maps is utilized to store depth information of potentially occluding polygons. A bounded volume approximation method may be used to determine the Z-values of the potentially occluding polygons to be stored in the Z-stack. Thereafter, potentially occluded polygons are tested against the Z-stack.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphic processing device includes an identifying portion for identifying whether the vertex data of a polygon to be drawn is an absolute value or a relative value, an operation unit for operating to obtain the absolute value of vertex data identified as a relative value by the identifying portion and a set up circuit for generating data necessary for drawing based on the absolute value of the vertex data obtained by the operation unit. The operation unit operates to obtain the absolute value of vertex data identified as a relative value by the identifying portion, and therefore the vertex data of a polygon can be expressed by a relative value. As a result, the data amount of polygon data can be reduced, which permits the drawing throughput to be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of realizing both a function of making the user walk freely in a virtual three-dimensional space and a function of making the user watch of an overall view of an object in the space. Two reference objects having a function of making a turn according to a view point and a function of revolving around an object, separately, are prepared in a virtual three-dimensional space. A user interface is provided with a function of switching the user's view point between the two reference objects and a function of controlling the turn and translation of the reference objects.