US5754183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus and method for producing pixel data in dependence upon the shape of a sectional line extending between boundary lines of an object
Assignee: Cambridge Animation Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1996-05-06
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Granted: 1998-05-19
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Expires: 2016-05-06
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus for generating visible output images, including visually distinct images. A processor generates displayable image data by writing data to a frame store which is repeatedly read therefrom. An input, preferably in the form of a mouse, supplies operator defined input signals to the processor for defining boundary lines (B1, B2) of an object and a sectional line (51), which identifies two boundary lines as defining the object. In addition, a data store is provided for storing data generated in response to the input signals and for storing attribute data defining visual attributes of the objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Louis Charles Berend
- 👤 Mark Jonathan Williams
- 👤 Michael John Brocklehurst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/10; G06T11/20; G06T11/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An image processing apparatus for generating output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the apparatus comprising: a receiver for receiving object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, the sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of the respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape; and a renderer for processing the object data to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend upon the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An image processing apparatus for generating output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the apparatus comprising: a receiver for receiving object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, the sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of the respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape; and a renderer for processing the object data to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend upon the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sectional line is a first sectional line, wherein the object data further defines a second sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines and having a shape different to that of the first sectional line, such that said region is bounded by said first and second sectional lines and said first and second boundary lines, and wherein the renderer generates the pixel values within said region so as to depend upon the shape of the first sectional line and the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said renderer includes an interpolator for generating a plurality of interpolated sectional lines so as to sub-divide said region into a plurality of strips, each interpolated sectional line having a shape interpolated between the shape of the first sectional line and the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object data further defines a value of a visual attribute of the object along said sectional line, and wherein said renderer generates said pixel values so as to further depend upon said value of the visual attribute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said visual attribute is one of: color and opacity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said object data further defines a first value of a visual attribute along said first sectional line and a second value of said visual attribute along said second sectional line, and wherein said renderer generates said pixel values so as to further depend upon visual attribute values interpolated between said first value and said second value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object data defines the shape of said sectional line as a spline curve by reference to a plurality of geometric control points.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of operating an image processing apparatus to generate output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the method comprising the steps of: receiving object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, the sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of the respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape; and processing the object data to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend upon the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of operating an image processing apparatus to generate output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the method comprising the steps of: receiving object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, the sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of the respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape; and processing the object data to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend upon the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said sectional line is a first sectional line, wherein the object data further defines a second sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines and having a shape different to that of the first sectional line, such that said region is bounded by said first and second sectional lines and said first and second boundary lines, and wherein the pixel values within said region are generated so as to depend upon the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of processing the object data to generate an array of pixel values includes generating a plurality of interpolated sectional lines so as to sub-divide said region into a plurality of strips, each interpolated sectional line having a shape interpolated between the shape of the first sectional line and the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said object data further defines a value of a visual attribute of the object along said sectional line, and wherein said pixel values are generated so as to further depend upon said value of the visual attribute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said visual attribute is one of: color and opacity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said object data further defines a first value of a visual attribute along said first sectional line and a second value of said visual attribute along said second sectional line, and wherein said pixel values are generated so as to further depend upon visual attribute values interpolated between said first value and said second value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said object data defines the shape of said sectional line as a spline curve, by reference to a plurality of geometric control points.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating a signal conveying said output image data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of recording the signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating a display of said graphic objects from said output image data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer-useable medium having computer-readable instructions stored therein for causing a processor in an image processing apparatus to generate output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the instructions comprising instructions for causing the processor to process object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, said sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of a respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape, to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend on the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer-useable medium having computer-readable instructions stored therein for causing a processor in an image processing apparatus to generate output image data representing two-dimensional graphic objects, the instructions comprising instructions for causing the processor to process object data defining (i) first and second two-dimensional boundary lines of an object, each boundary line having a shape, (ii) a sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines, said sectional line having a shape, and (iii) first and second connection points where the sectional line meets the first and second boundary lines respectively, such that each said connection point has a position which is defined relative to the shape of a respective boundary line, without itself contributing to defining that shape, to generate an array of pixel values as said output image data, such that the values of pixels representing the object within a region bounded by the sectional line and by the first and second boundary lines depend on the shape of the sectional line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A computer-useable medium according to claim 18, wherein said sectional line is a first sectional line, wherein the object data further defines a second sectional line extending between said first and second boundary lines and having a shape different to that of the first sectional line, such that said region is bounded by said first and second sectional lines and said first and second boundary lines, and wherein the instructions comprise instructions for causing the processor to generate pixel values within said region which depend upon the shape of the first sectional line and the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer-useable medium according to claim 19, wherein said instructions comprise instructions for causing said processor to generate a plurality of interpolated sectional lines so as to sub-divide said region into a plurality of strips, each interpolated sectional line having a shape interpolated between the shape of the first sectional line and the shape of the second sectional line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer-useable medium according to claim 18, wherein said object data further defines a value of a visual attribute of the object along said sectional line, and wherein said instructions further comprise instructions for causing said processor to generate said pixel values so as to further depend upon said value of the visual attribute.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer-useable medium according to claim 19, wherein said object data further defines a first value of a visual attribute along said first sectional line and a second value of said visual attribute along said second sectional line, and wherein said instructions include further instructions for causing said processor to generate said pixel values so as to further depend upon visual attribute values interpolated between said first value and said second value.
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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) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |