Patent US6084593A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6084593A
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Surface net smoothing for surface representation from binary sampled data
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-14
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Granted: 2000-07-04
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Expires: 2018-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for generating a surface representation from binary sampled data includes means for iteratively smoothing the surface representation, while constraining the surface to conform to details in the surface of the binary data. Means are also provided to convert the surface representation into a form useful for polygon rendering and for volume rendering, with the subject system useable to generate a smooth surfaces for high quality rendering of objects stored as binary-sampled data.
Inventors
- 👤 Sarah F. Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G06T17/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a smooth surface representation of a surface of an object stored as binary coded data, comprising the steps of: identifying a set of surface cubes in a volume lattice, each having eight corner points and through which a portion of the surface of said object passes; creating a net of surface nodes that initially lie within the bounds of said surface cubes and are connected together with links between surface nodes in adjacent surface cubes; adjusting the positions of said surface nodes to alter the lengths of links between adjacent nodes so as to minimize link lengths, thus to relax said net, said position adjustment being such that no node is moved outside the bounds of its respective cube; and, rendering an image based on said relaxed net.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a smooth surface representation of a surface of an object stored as binary coded data, comprising the steps of: identifying a set of surface cubes in a volume lattice, each having eight corner points and through which a portion of the surface of said object passes; creating a net of surface nodes that initially lie within the bounds of said surface cubes and are connected together with links between surface nodes in adjacent surface cubes; adjusting the positions of said surface nodes to alter the lengths of links between adjacent nodes so as to minimize link lengths, thus to relax said net, said position adjustment being such that no node is moved outside the bounds of its respective cube; and, rendering an image based on said relaxed net.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said rendering step includes the steps of: calculating a 3D volume distance map, and encoding said distance map into a voxel data structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said 3D volume distance map calculating step includes the step of assigning to each element in said distance map the closest distance to the surface net.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said voxel structure has one value for image intensity and one value for distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The meted of claim 1, wherein said surface net nodes are initially at the center of their respective surface cubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein in the positioning of said surface nodes, said surface nodes are moved to a position mid-way between neighboring surface nodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said rendering step includes the steps of: triangulating the surface net; and, rendering the triangulated model using a rendering method.
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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) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |