EP0259971A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Fast phong shading
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for efficiently determining shading intensities for objects defined by a plurality of polygons that are to be displayed in two dimensions. Shading intensities are developed by employing the vertex normals of the polygons and interpolating the normals for the pixels within the polygons through a power series approximation. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a two dimensional Taylor series approximation is employed (110, 120) to obtain intensity values. An interpolator (100) develops vector parameters for each polygon (100-140), and subsequent processors (150,160) evaluate the intensity of each pixel by applying the vector parameters to the pixel coordinates.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Gary Bishop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/50; G06T15/80; G06T15/83; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/30; G06F9/30003; G06F9/30007; G06F9/30036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for developing intensity signals for displaying objects described in two dimensions CHARACTERIZED BY first means responsive to input signals identifying coordinates of segments of said objects and normal vectors at vertices of said segments, for developing interpolation vector parameters; second means responsive to said first means for developing power series coefficients from said interpolation vector parameters; and third means responsive to said second means for combining said power series coefficients to develop intensity signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus for developing intensity signals for displaying objects described in two dimensions CHARACTERIZED BY first means responsive to input signals identifying coordinates of segments of said objects and normal vectors at vertices of said segments, for developing interpolation vector parameters; second means responsive to said first means for developing power series coefficients from said interpolation vector parameters; and third means responsive to said second means for combining said power series coefficients to develop intensity signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said first means comprises a memory; a processor for interacting with said memory and causing said memory to contain information describing said object; means responsive to said information for developing sets of coordinate points on said object and normal vectors at said coordinate points; interpolator means responsive to sets of coordinate points and to said normal vectors for developing interpolation vector parameters; and further comprises means responsive to said third means for placing said intensity signals in said memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said third means includes means for developing intensity signals corresponding to diffuse reflections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said third means includes means for developing intensity signals corresponding to diffuse reflections and specular reflections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said power series coefficients correspond to Taylor series coefficients approximating said interpolation vector parameters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for developing intensity signals for displaying objects described in two dimensions in terms of polygons. CHARACTERIZED BY combining coordinate values and normal vectors at the vertices of the polygons to develop a set of relationships defining the intensity of each pixel within each of said polygons; developing a power series approximation to said set of relationships; and evaluating said intensity signals in accordance with said power series.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for developing intensity signals for displaying objects described in two dimensions in terms of polygons. CHARACTERIZED BY combining coordinate values and normal vectors at the vertices of the polygons to develop a set of relationships defining the intensity of each pixel within each of said polygons; developing a power series approximation to said set of relationships; and evaluating said intensity signals in accordance with said power series.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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