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US6040835A
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System for depicting surfaces using volumetric distance maps
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-06
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2017-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A volumetric data representation for graphical objects encodes the distance of data elements to the nearest object surface, with means being provided for estimating the direction and magnitude of surface normals from the tance values. The subject system can be used to accurately reconstruct the normal direction of a slowly varying surface in volume sampled data for high quality Volume Rendering, accurate force reflection in haptic feedback, and accurate force calculation and object penetration estimation in physically-based graphics.
Inventors
- 👤 Sarah F. Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
In a volumetric data representation system for graphical objects in which graphical objects are generated from volumetric data elements, means for encoding the distance of a volumetric data element to the nearest object surface point; and, means responsive to the distance of said volumetric data element to the nearest object surface point for estimating a surface normal thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a volumetric data representation system for graphical objects in which graphical objects are generated from volumetric data elements, means for encoding the distance of a volumetric data element to the nearest object surface point; and, means responsive to the distance of said volumetric data element to the nearest object surface point for estimating a surface normal thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, and further including means responsive to the distance of said volumetric data element to the nearest object surface point for estimating the magnitude of said surface normal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said distance encoding means includes means for generating a discrete volumetric distance map and means for generating a gradient vector at any point in the space that contains said surface from said distance map, said gradient pointing in the direction of a surface normal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3, wherein a zero distance map value indicates the presence of a surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 3, wherein a positive distance value indicates that said volumetric data element is inside said object.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for generating a volumetric distance map for a graphical object stored in a memory as voxels of a volume data set, comprising the steps of: measuring, for each voxel, a distance from that voxel to a nearest surface voxel; and, storing, with each voxel, the measured distance between that voxel and the nearest surface voxel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for generating a volumetric distance map for a graphical object stored in a memory as voxels of a volume data set, comprising the steps of: measuring, for each voxel, a distance from that voxel to a nearest surface voxel; and, storing, with each voxel, the measured distance between that voxel and the nearest surface voxel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: estimating a surface normal of each voxel from the measured distances.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: selecting an arbitrary viewing angle after storing the distances; rendering the volume data set according to the arbitrary viewing angle, the measured distances, and the estimated surface normals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4835712A
Cited
US5793375A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |