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EP0794517A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Virtual architecture method and apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Three-dimensional geometric data of an architecture is generated, and image mapping data is generated by mapping a texture representing a pattern on the surface of the generated three-dimensional geometric data. A reflection of a virtual space is generated on the basis of the generated three-dimensional geometric data and image mapping data, and is changed in correspondence with movement of the viewpoint and/or the line of sight of the operator, so that the operator can interactively experience the virtual space of the architecture. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- 👤 Toshikazu Ohshima
- 👤 Shinji Uchiyama
- 👤 Takashi Morino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A virtual architecture method comprising: the virtual space generation step of generating virtual space data of an architecture on the basis of an instruction of an operator; and the virtual space display step of displaying the virtual space data generated in the virtual space generation step on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual space generation step comprises the three-dimensional information generation step of generating three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture, and the image mapping step of generating image mapping data by mapping textures representing surface patterns onto individual portions of the three-dimensional geometric data generated in the three-dimensional information generation step, the virtual space data including the three-dimensional geometric data and the image mapping data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional information generation step includes the step of generating the three-dimensional geometric data on the basis of a plan of the architecture, and height information including a height of a ceiling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional information generation step includes the step of arranging the three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture at a center of a landscape space representing an exterior landscape of the architecture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional information generation step includes the step of reading and using three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture generated by another application program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional information generation step includes the step of reading three-dimensional geometric data of interior objects of the architecture generated by another application program, and arranging the three-dimensional geometric data inside the architecture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the image mapping step includes the step of mapping actually taken pictures of an interior of the architecture onto corresponding portions in the three-dimensional geometric data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the image mapping step includes the step of mapping an actually taken picture of a landscape onto the landscape space representing the exterior landscape of the architecture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the image mapping step includes the step of mapping a plurality of textures onto an identical portion of the three-dimensional geometric data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the virtual space display step includes the step of generating a reflection on the basis of the three-dimensional geometric data and the image mapping data of the virtual space data generated in the virtual space generation step, and changing displayed contents in correspondence with movement of a viewpoint and/or a line of sight of the operator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the virtual space display step includes the step of generating a reflection by switching a plurality of textures mapped on an identical portion in the three-dimensional geometric data generated in the virtual space generation step on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the virtual space display step includes the step of generating a reflection by moving three-dimensional geometric data of an interior object arranged inside the architecture generated in the virtual space generation step on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A virtual architecture apparatus comprising: virtual space generation means for generating virtual space data of an architecture on the basis of an instruction of an operator; and virtual space display means for displaying the virtual space data generated by said virtual space generation means on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said virtual space generation means comprises three-dimensional information generation means for generating three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture, and image mapping means for generating image mapping data by mapping textures representing surface patterns onto individual portions of the three-dimensional geometric data generated by said three-dimensional information generation means, the virtual space data including the three-dimensional geometric data and the image mapping data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said three-dimensional information generation means generates the three-dimensional geometric data on the basis of a plan of the architecture, and height information including a height of a ceiling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said three-dimensional information generation means arranges the three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture at a center of a landscape space representing an exterior landscape of the architecture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said three-dimensional information generation means reads and uses three-dimensional geometric data of the architecture generated by another application program.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said three-dimensional information generation means reads three-dimensional geometric data of interior objects of the architecture generated by another application program, and arranges the three-dimensional geometric data inside the architecture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said image mapping means maps actually taken pictures of an interior of the architecture onto corresponding portions in the three-dimensional geometric data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said image mapping means maps an actually taken picture of a landscape onto the landscape space representing the exterior landscape of the architecture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said image mapping means maps a plurality of textures onto an identical portion of the three-dimensional geometric data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said virtual space display means generates a reflection on the basis of the three-dimensional geometric data and the image mapping data of the virtual space data generated by said virtual space generation means, and changes displayed contents in correspondence with movement of a viewpoint and/or a line of sight of the operator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said virtual space display means generates a reflection by switching a plurality of textures mapped on an identical portion in the three-dimensional geometric data generated by said virtual space generation means on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said virtual space display means generates a reflection by moving three-dimensional geometric data of an interior object arranged inside the architecture generated by said virtual space generation means on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
67 words
A storage medium which stores a computer program for realizing a virtual architecture experience method, which comprises: the virtual space generation step of generating virtual space data of an architecture on the basis of an instruction of an operator; and the virtual space display step of displaying the virtual space data generated in the virtual space generation step on the basis of an instruction of the operator.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
106 words
Virtual reality apparatus for generating and displaying a virtual reality image of a structure, the apparatus comprising: user operable input means for inputting instructions; virtual space generating means for generating virtual reality space data for a structure in response to said user operable input means, wherein said virtual space generating means is adapted to be responsive to said user operable input means to assign three dimensional geometric data to features in the virtual reality domain, and to map textures representing surface patterns onto the features; and display means for displaying the virtual reality space data in dependence upon a viewing position in the virtual reality domain.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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