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US4763280A
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Curvilinear dynamic image generation system
Assignee: Evans and Sutherland Computer Corp
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Filing: 1985-04-29
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2005-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for the production of real-time, computer-generated images as for projection on a curvilinear surface as on the inside of a dome. A general-purpose computer provides data for visual images and supplies the data in an ordered format. Such data is processed first with regard to viewpoint and second with regard to channel operation. Specifically, viewpoint processing incorporates an object manager and a polygon manager. Channel processing includes a geometric processor and a display processor. The display processor drives a projector for illuminating a spherical surface with the desired images. The geometric processor incorporates several well known elements including a rotator, clippers, a slope calculator and polygon buffer. Additionally, the geometric processor incorporates a segmenter and mapper which replaces the traditional perspective divider to process the data so as to generate images for curvilinear projection. The segmenter tests the character of polygon edges in spherical coordinate format and corrections are performed on data in the same format. Segmentation is performed on data in a rectangular coordinate format.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Robinson
- 👤 Robert A. Schumacker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/08; G06T15/00; G06T15/10; G06T17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An image generator system for curvilinear displays wherein images are developed from polygons having edges defined by signal-represented vertices, said generator comprising: means for providing processed vertices signals defining edges for a desired image; generator means for converting said processed vertices signals specifying edges to test vertices signals, which signals are in spherical coordinates and specify said edges at least in terms of two differential angles; means for testing said test vertices signals specifying edges with respect to predetermined segmentation criteria to provide signals representative of acceptance or rejection; means for segmenting said processed vertices signals defining an edge into other processed vertices signals defining plural equivalent edges, said means for segmenting connected for operation on occurrence of a rejection signal from said means for testing; means for cycling said processed vertices signals defining edges through said generator means to said means for testing and through said means for segmenting to said means for providing processed vertices signals, to ultimately attain corrected vertices signals defining said edges in accordance with said predetermined segmentation criteria; and means coupled to receive said corrected vertices signals for displaying images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image generator system for curvilinear displays wherein images are developed from polygons having edges defined by signal-represented vertices, said generator comprising: means for providing processed vertices signals defining edges for a desired image; generator means for converting said processed vertices signals specifying edges to test vertices signals, which signals are in spherical coordinates and specify said edges at least in terms of two differential angles; means for testing said test vertices signals specifying edges with respect to predetermined segmentation criteria to provide signals representative of acceptance or rejection; means for segmenting said processed vertices signals defining an edge into other processed vertices signals defining plural equivalent edges, said means for segmenting connected for operation on occurrence of a rejection signal from said means for testing; means for cycling said processed vertices signals defining edges through said generator means to said means for testing and through said means for segmenting to said means for providing processed vertices signals, to ultimately attain corrected vertices signals defining said edges in accordance with said predetermined segmentation criteria; and means coupled to receive said corrected vertices signals for displaying images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for segmenting bisects an edge as defined by a pair of processed vertices signals to provide two pairs of processed vertices signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said generator means for converting said processed vertices signals comprises apparatus for implementing the conversion formula: R=√X.sup.2 +Y.sup.2 +Z.sup.2 T=tan.sup.-1 (X/Y) P=tan.sup.-1 (√X.sup.2 +Y.sup.2 /Z) where T and P specify spherical coordinates and X, Y, and Z specify rectangular coordinates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said means for converting comprises means for generating test signals representative of differences in the quantities T and P for each edge and test signals representative of the maximum value of P for any part of an edge and means for testing said test signals against predetermined criteria.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for testing includes a look-up table means for distinguishing edges satisfactory for curvilinear display and wherein said look-up table is accessible on the basis of spherical coordinate angles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for displaying images comprises a curvilinear screen and a curvilinear projector for projecting images on said screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an image generator for curvilinear displays wherein images comprise polygons having edges defined by vertices, a segmenter-mapper apparatus comprising: means for receiving signals representative of vertices defining image edges for a display; test means for receiving signals defining said image edges in spherical coordinates wherein said edges are specified in at least two differential angles to test said image edges in accordance with predetermined segmentation criteria; segmentation means for receiving signals defining said image edges in rectangular coordinates for segmenting said image edges to provide signals representative of vertices defining plural image edges equivalent to a received edge; means for cycling signals defining said image edges in select coordinates between said test means and said segmentation means to attain signals defining image edges in accordance with said criteria; and means for correcting said signals defining said image edges in accordance with said criteria for curvilinear display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an image generator for curvilinear displays wherein images comprise polygons having edges defined by vertices, a segmenter-mapper apparatus comprising: means for receiving signals representative of vertices defining image edges for a display; test means for receiving signals defining said image edges in spherical coordinates wherein said edges are specified in at least two differential angles to test said image edges in accordance with predetermined segmentation criteria; segmentation means for receiving signals defining said image edges in rectangular coordinates for segmenting said image edges to provide signals representative of vertices defining plural image edges equivalent to a received edge; means for cycling signals defining said image edges in select coordinates between said test means and said segmentation means to attain signals defining image edges in accordance with said criteria; and means for correcting said signals defining said image edges in accordance with said criteria for curvilinear display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for receiving signals representative of vertices includes means for converting signals representative of vertices in rectangular coordinates to vertices in spherical coordinates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said spherical coordinates specify two angles and a distance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said test means comprises a table look-up computer structure entered solely on the basis of said signals derived from said two angles of spherical coordinates defining an edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said spherical coordinates specify two angles and a distance and includes computer means for implementing the computation: T=tan.sup.-1 (X/Y) P=tan.sup.-1 (√X.sup.2 +Y.sup.2 /Z) R=X.sup.2 +Y.sup.2 +Z.sup.2 wherein T, P and R specify spherical coordinates and X, Y and Z specify rectangular coordinates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said segmentation means includes an arithmetic structure for implementing the bisector expression: X=X1 (1-alpha)+X2 alpha Y=Y1 (1-alpha)+Y2 alpha Z=Z1 (1-alpha)+Z2 alpha I=(I1+I2)/2 where alpha=R1/(R1+R2).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A segmenter-mapper apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said test means includes a table means for distinguishing edges satisfactory for curvilinear display and wherein said table is accessible on the basis of spherical coordinate angles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |