US6018347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for rendering three-dimensional images
Assignee: MultiGen Paradigm Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-10
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Granted: 2000-01-25
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Expires: 2017-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented method for modeling a three-dimensional image with polygons having different levels of detail. The method includes initially modeling the three-dimensional image with a first plurality of polygons at a first level of detail. The first level of detail represent the coarsest level of detail available for modeling the three-dimensional image. The first plurality of polygons are provided as part of an input data set. The method further includes comparing a distance between a first polygon of the first plurality of polygons and an eye point to a predefined threshold distance value associated with a level of detail of the first polygon. If the distance is less than the predefined threshold distance value, the method substitutes in a second plurality of polygons for the first polygon. The second plurality of polygons are at a second level of detail higher than the first level of detail and computed in advance prior to a commencement of the initial modeling step and provided as part of the input data set.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee R. Willis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A computer-implemented method for managing levels of detail of a first plurality of polygons representative of a portion of an image to be displayed on a computer display terminal, said portion representing a field of view of said image, said levels of detail being determined responsive to predefined display criteria, comprising: loading said first plurality of said polygons into a face queue; examining, from a top of said face queue, a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons, including placing said first polygon into a display list if said first polygon satisfies said predefined display criteria, and substituting a second polygon back into said face queue at a bottom of said face queue if said first polygon fails to satisfy said predefined display criteria, said second polygon representing a child polygon of said first polygon, said second polygon having a higher level of detail than said first polygon, wherein, at any given point in time, polygons in said face queue and said display list represent polygons employed to represent said portion of said image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A computer-implemented method for managing levels of detail of a first plurality of polygons representative of a portion of an image to be displayed on a computer display terminal, said portion representing a field of view of said image, said levels of detail being determined responsive to predefined display criteria, comprising: loading said first plurality of said polygons into a face queue; examining, from a top of said face queue, a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons, including placing said first polygon into a display list if said first polygon satisfies said predefined display criteria, and substituting a second polygon back into said face queue at a bottom of said face queue if said first polygon fails to satisfy said predefined display criteria, said second polygon representing a child polygon of said first polygon, said second polygon having a higher level of detail than said first polygon, wherein, at any given point in time, polygons in said face queue and said display list represent polygons employed to represent said portion of said image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predefined display criteria include a threshold criterion, said first polygon satisfying said threshold criterion if said first polygon is sufficiently detailed given its distance from said eye point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said threshold criterion is satisfied if a distance between all split vertices of said first polygon to said eyepoint is greater than a threshold value, said threshold value being associated with a level of detail of said first polygon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predefined display criteria include a field of view test, said first polygon satisfying said field of view test if said first polygon is within said field of view of said image in a next frame to be displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said predefined display criteria include a morphing test, said first polygon satisfying said morphing test if end vertices of said first polygon are not fully morphed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polygons in said face queue and said display list are displayed upon an expiration of a predefined time period irrespective of whether all polygons within said face queue have been examined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said predefined time period represents a time period determined by a predefined frame rate required to display said portion of said image in said field of view.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polygons in said face queue and said display list are displayed when all polygons in said face queue have been examined and placed into said display list.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first polygon and said second polygon are computed and stored in advance, thereby eliminating a need to compute said second polygon during said managing said levels of detail.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A computer-implemented method for modeling a three-dimensional image with polygons having different levels of detail, comprising: initially modeling said three-dimensional image with a first plurality of polygons at a first level of detail, said first level of detail representing the coarsest level of detail available for modeling said three-dimensional image, said first plurality of polygons being provided as part of an input data set; comparing a distance between a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons and an eye point to a predefined threshold distance value associated with a level of detail of said first polygon; and if said distance is less than said predefined threshold distance value, substituting in a second plurality of polygons for said first polygon, said second plurality of polygons being at a second level of detail higher than said first level of detail, said second plurality of polygons being computed in advance prior to a commencement of said initial modeling step and provided as part of said input data set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A computer-implemented method for modeling a three-dimensional image with polygons having different levels of detail, comprising: initially modeling said three-dimensional image with a first plurality of polygons at a first level of detail, said first level of detail representing the coarsest level of detail available for modeling said three-dimensional image, said first plurality of polygons being provided as part of an input data set; comparing a distance between a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons and an eye point to a predefined threshold distance value associated with a level of detail of said first polygon; and if said distance is less than said predefined threshold distance value, substituting in a second plurality of polygons for said first polygon, said second plurality of polygons being at a second level of detail higher than said first level of detail, said second plurality of polygons being computed in advance prior to a commencement of said initial modeling step and provided as part of said input data set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of loading said first plurality of polygons into a FIFO queue to facilitate said comparing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first polygon is taken from a top of said FIFO queue, said second plurality of polygons being loaded into a bottom of said FIFO queue for further comparison if said distance is less than said predefined threshold distance value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of removing said parent polygon from said FIFO queue if said distance is greater than said predefined threshold distance value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising: placing said first polygon into a display list for display on a computer display terminal if said distance is greater than said predefined threshold distance value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of loading said first plurality of polygons into a FIFO queue to facilitate said comparing step, wherein polygons in said FIFO queues and said display list represent polygons employed for displaying said three dimensional image at any given point in time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
185 words
A computer readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for managing levels of detail of a first plurality of polygons representative of a portion of an image to be displayed on a computer display terminal, said portion representing a field of view of said image, said levels of detail being determined responsive to predefined display criteria, said computer readable instructions including instructions for: loading said first plurality of said polygons into a face queue; examining, from a top of said face queue, a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons, including placing said first polygon into a display list if said first polygon satisfies said predefined display criteria, and substituting a second polygon back into said face queue at a bottom of said face queue if said first polygon fails to satisfy said predefined display criteria, said second polygon representing a child polygon of said first polygon, said second polygon having a higher level of detail than said first polygon, wherein, at any given point in time, polygons in said face queue and said display list represent polygons employed to represent said portion of said image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
185 words
A computer readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for managing levels of detail of a first plurality of polygons representative of a portion of an image to be displayed on a computer display terminal, said portion representing a field of view of said image, said levels of detail being determined responsive to predefined display criteria, said computer readable instructions including instructions for: loading said first plurality of said polygons into a face queue; examining, from a top of said face queue, a first polygon of said first plurality of polygons, including placing said first polygon into a display list if said first polygon satisfies said predefined display criteria, and substituting a second polygon back into said face queue at a bottom of said face queue if said first polygon fails to satisfy said predefined display criteria, said second polygon representing a child polygon of said first polygon, said second polygon having a higher level of detail than said first polygon, wherein, at any given point in time, polygons in said face queue and said display list represent polygons employed to represent said portion of said image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said predefined display criteria include a threshold criterion, said first polygon satisfying said threshold criterion if said first polygon is sufficiently detailed given its distance from said eye point.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said threshold criterion is satisfied if a distance between all split vertices of said first polygon to said eyepoint is greater than a threshold value, said threshold value being associated with a level of detail of said first polygon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said predefined display criteria include a field of view test, said first polygon satisfying said field of view test if said first polygon is within said field of view of said image in a next frame to be displayed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said predefined display criteria include a morphing test, said first polygon satisfying said morphing test if end vertices of said first polygon are not fully morphed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said polygons in said face queue and said display list are displayed upon an expiration of a predefined time period irrespective of whether all polygons within said face queue have been examined.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein said predefined time period represents a time period determined by a predefined frame rate required to display said portion of said image in said field of view.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said polygons in said face queue and said display list are displayed when all polygons in said face queue have been examined and placed into said display list.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein different portions of said image representing different fields of view are simultaneously displayed on said computer display terminal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein said first polygon and said second polygon are computed and stored in advance, thereby eliminating a need to compute said second polygon during said managing said levels of detail.
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) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |