EP0463700A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method of and apparatus for generating an image
Assignee: Philips Electronics UK Ltd
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Filing: 1991-06-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-06-21
Abstract
Abstract The method of generating an image of objects in a three dimensional space for display on a two dimensional pixel array averages N renditions of the image, with each rendition having a sub-pixel offset from the previous rendition, to produce an anti-alias filtering effect. The N sub-pixel offsets are arranged to produce a basic array which ensures N times oversampling of a selected class or classes of image feature. For example, to give good antialias filtering of edges closely aligned with the x-y axes of the pixel array, the offsets are chosen to ensure bisection of the pixel area (A) at N points in each of x and y. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Jeremy Stuart Morris
- 👤 Paul Anthony Winser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/50; G06T15/503; G06F; G06F3/00; G06T11/00; G06T11/10; G06T11/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of generating, from primitive data comprising geometric and surface descriptions of a plurality of image primitives, an image of objects in a three dimensional space in a regular, two-dimensional pixel array having two principal axes, the method comprising: - using the primitive data to render a plurality (N) of point-sampled intermediate pixel arrays while imposing for each rendition a different offset between the primitivesand the sample points so as to define a basic array of N sample points distributed substantially over the area of each pixel; and - combining the N intermediate pixel arrays to generate a filtered pixel array constituting the desired image; characterized in that the N offsets are determined by: - selecting one or more classes of image feature for filtering; and - determining the N offsets of the basic array so as to ensure substantially N times oversampling of the selected class(es) of image feature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the selected class of image features comprises edges which are nearly aligned with one or the other principal axis of the pixel array, the N offsets being chosen so that the pixel area is divided at substantially N places in the direction of one or both of the principal axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the basic array of N sample points is a regular two-dimensioned array whose principal ones are not aligned with the principal axes of the pixel array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the offsets are chosen so that the sub-pixel array of sample points has a bias toward the periphery of the pixel area.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, in which different types of surface information are combined in the filtered image by using each type of surface information for a different subset of the renditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein different subsets of the renditions are performed using surface information relating to different primitives.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein different subsets of the renditions are performed using surface information from different texture maps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in Claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the renditions are ordered so as to group together the members of each of the said subsets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in Claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the renditions are ordered so as to disperse and interleave the members of the said subsets.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the image is part of a motion picture sequence generated in real time, the value of N being chosen adaptively in response to changes in the time required for each rendition so as to maximise N while maintaining a predetermined minimum image rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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