US4600919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three dimensional animation
Assignee: New York Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1982-08-03
•
Granted: 1986-07-15
•
Expires: 2002-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to an improved method and apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation. A plurality of key frames are stored, each key frame including a common figure having one or more joints, and each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb. Each joint is defined in each frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine the three-dimensional position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed. A plurality of in-between frames are generated, the in-between frames including the common figure having one or more joints and limbs corresponding to the joints and limbs of the common figure in the key frames. The parameters of the joints of the in-between frames are obtained by interpolating in three dimensions, the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of the corresponding joints of the key frames. In the preferred embodiment, the joints of each figure are arranged in hierarchical order, and the positional coordinates and rotational orientations of the local coordinate system for a particular joint are determined with respect to the local coordinate system of the next higher joint in the hierarchy. Also, the operator can control the interpolation during display of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.
Inventors
- 👤 Garland Stern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T13/00; G06T13/20; G06T13/40; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36171; G05B2219/40; G05B2219/40395; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45176; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/949; Y10S345/95; Y10S345/951; Y10S345/953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of key frames, each including a common figure having one or more joints, each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb, each joint being defined in each key frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine in three dimensions the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed; generating a plurality of in-between frames which include said common figure having one or more joints and associated limbs corresponding to the joints and associated limbs of said common figure in successive key frames, the parameters of the joints of an in-between frame being obtained as follows: (a) performing an interpolation, in each dimension, of the position, rotational orientation, and scale factor, for the local coordinate system associated with a joint, such that the interpolated parameter values of the joint lie between the parameter values associated with the corresponding joints of the successive key frames; and (b) repeating step (a) for other joints of said common figure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of key frames, each including a common figure having one or more joints, each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb, each joint being defined in each key frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine in three dimensions the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed; generating a plurality of in-between frames which include said common figure having one or more joints and associated limbs corresponding to the joints and associated limbs of said common figure in successive key frames, the parameters of the joints of an in-between frame being obtained as follows: (a) performing an interpolation, in each dimension, of the position, rotational orientation, and scale factor, for the local coordinate system associated with a joint, such that the interpolated parameter values of the joint lie between the parameter values associated with the corresponding joints of the successive key frames; and (b) repeating step (a) for other joints of said common figure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as defined by claim 1, wherein the joints of each figure are arranged in a hierarchical order, and wherein the positional coordinates and rotational orientations of the local coordinate system for a particular joint are determined with respect to the local coordinate system of the next higher joint in the hierarchy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 1, further comprising the step of operator-controlling the interpolation, during generation of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 2, further comprising the step of operator-controlling the interpolation, during generation of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 2, further comprising the steps of determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 3, further comprising the steps of determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined by claim 4, further comprising the steps of determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined by claim 7, wherein said step of controlling the interpolation comprises operator-controlling, during display of the figure in said sequence of video frames, the three-dimensional components of position, rotational orientation, or scaling of the joint associated with said limb.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined by claim 8, wherein said step of controlling the interpolation comprises operator-controlling, during display of the figure in said sequence of video frames, the three-dimensional components of position, rotational orientation, or scaling of the joint associated with said limb.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by claim 9, wherein said operator-controlling of three-dimensional components comprises manipulating a joystick during said display of the figure in said sequence of video frames.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by claim 10, wherein said operator-controlling of three-dimensional components comprises manipulating a joystick during said display of the figure in said sequence of video frames.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as defined by claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a curve representative of a component of the three-dimensional interpolation of the position, rotational orientation, or scale factors of a figure limb; operator-modifying said curve; and storing joint parameters corresponding to values of the modified curve; so as to modify motion of said figure limb during said sequence of video frames.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as defined by claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying a curve representative of a component of the three-dimensional interpolation of the position, rotational orientation, or scale factors of a figure limb; operator-modifying said curve; and storing joint parameters corresponding to values of the modified curve; so as to modify motion of said figure limb during said sequence of video frames.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation, comprising: means for storing a plurality of key frames, each including a common figure having one or more joints, each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb, each joint being defined in each key frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine in three dimensions the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed; and means for generating a plurality of in-between frames which include said common figure having one or more joints and associated limbs corresponding to the joints and associated limbs of said common figure in successive key frames; said means for generating in-between frames including means for obtaining the parameters of the joints of an in-between frame by performing an interpolation, in each dimension, of the position, rotational orientation, and scale factor, for the local coordinate system associated with each joint, such that the interpolated parameter values of the joint lie between the parameter values associated with the corresponding joints of the successive key frames.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation, comprising: means for storing a plurality of key frames, each including a common figure having one or more joints, each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb, each joint being defined in each key frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine in three dimensions the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed; and means for generating a plurality of in-between frames which include said common figure having one or more joints and associated limbs corresponding to the joints and associated limbs of said common figure in successive key frames; said means for generating in-between frames including means for obtaining the parameters of the joints of an in-between frame by performing an interpolation, in each dimension, of the position, rotational orientation, and scale factor, for the local coordinate system associated with each joint, such that the interpolated parameter values of the joint lie between the parameter values associated with the corresponding joints of the successive key frames.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein the joints of each figure are arranged in a hierarchical order, and wherein the positional coordinates and rotational orientations of the local coordinate system for a particular joint are determined with respect to the local coordinate system of the next higher joint in the hierarchy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15, further comprising means for operator controlling the interpolation, during generation of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 16, further comprising means for operator controlling the interpolation, during generation of the in-between frames, so as to change the motion of a figure limb.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15, further comprising means for determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and means for displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 16, further comprising means for determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and means for displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 17, further comprising means for determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and means for displaying the figure on a screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 18, further comprising means for determining the two-dimensional coordinates of said figure as viewed from an imaginary camera perspective, and means for displaying the figure on a screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |