US5490240A — System and method of generating interactive compu…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 191 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a plurality of three dimensional (3D) texture data sets, each of the 3D texture data sets being at a distinct level of detail; level of detail determining means for determining a level of detail of a pixel associated with said polygon; texture data set selecting means for selecting a first 3D texture data set and a second 3D texture data set from said plurality of 3D texture data sets in accordance with said pixel level of detail such that said first 3D texture data set represents a magnification of said pixel, and said second 3D texture data set represents a minification of said pixel; pixel mapping means for mapping said pixel to a first position within said first 3D texture data set and a second position within said second 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; and pixel value generating means for generating a display value for said pixel in accordance with said mapping of said pixel to said first and second positions.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 191 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a plurality of three dimensional (3D) texture data sets, each of the 3D texture data sets being at a distinct level of detail; level of detail determining means for determining a level of detail of a pixel associated with said polygon; texture data set selecting means for selecting a first 3D texture data set and a second 3D texture data set from said plurality of 3D texture data sets in accordance with said pixel level of detail such that said first 3D texture data set represents a magnification of said pixel, and said second 3D texture data set represents a minification of said pixel; pixel mapping means for mapping said pixel to a first position within said first 3D texture data set and a second position within said second 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; and pixel value generating means for generating a display value for said pixel in accordance with said mapping of said pixel to said first and second positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 64 words

The apparatus of claim 1 in which dimensions of said 3D texture data sets are scaled to a predetermined range, said polygon orientation defining means comprising means for assigning three texture coordinates to each vertex of said polygon, each of said texture coordinates being within said predetermined range such that said polygon is similarly oriented relative to all of said 3D texture data sets.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 62 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pixel mapping means comprises means for calculating scaled object-space three dimensional texture coordinates (S ,T, U) for the pixel for each of said first and second 3D texture data sets in accordance with: S=(S/w)/(1/w) T=(T/w)/(1/w) U=(U/w)/(1/w) wherein S/w, T/w, and U/w represent scaled screen-space three dimensional texture coordinates and 1/w represents a perspective correction term.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 124 words

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pixel value generating means comprises: texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said first 3D texture data set surrounding said first position, and for identifying N texels of said second 3D texture data set surrounding said second position; intermediate pixel value producing means for producing a first intermediate pixel value as a function of values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set, and for producing a second intermediate pixel value as a function of values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set; and display value producing means for producing said display value for said pixel as a function of said first and second intermediate pixel values.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said display value producing means comprises means for interpolating among said first and second intermediate pixel values to thereby produce said display value.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 89 words

The apparatus of claim 4 in which each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets represents an image attribute, wherein said intermediate pixel value producing means comprises means for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set to thereby produce said first intermediate pixel value, and for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set to thereby produce said second intermediate pixel value.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 165 words

The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a table having a plurality of indexed entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets representing an index to said table, said intermediate pixel value producing means comprising: means for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set to produce a first interpolated index to said table, and for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set to produce a second interpolated index to said table; and means for accessing said table using said first and second interpolated indices and for extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table accesses to thereby produce said first and second intermediate pixel values, said first and second intermediate pixel values being respectively set equal to said extracted image attributes.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 113 words

The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a table having a plurality of indexed entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets representing an index to said table, said intermediate pixel value producing means comprising: means for accessing said table using said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets and for extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table accesses; and means for interpolating among said extracted image attributes to thereby produce said first and second intermediate pixel values.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 173 words

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of: (a) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a plurality of three dimensional (3D) texture data sets, each of the 3D texture data sets being at a distinct level of detail; (b) determining a level of detail of a pixel associated with said polygon; (c) selecting a first 3D texture data set and a second 3D texture data set from said plurality of 3D texture data sets in accordance with said pixel level of detail such that said first 3D texture data set represents a magnification of said pixel, and said second 3D texture data set represents a minification of said pixel; (d) mapping said pixel to a first position within said first 3D texture data set and a second position within said second 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; and (e) generating a display value for said pixel in accordance with said mapping of said pixel to said first and second positions.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 173 words

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of: (a) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a plurality of three dimensional (3D) texture data sets, each of the 3D texture data sets being at a distinct level of detail; (b) determining a level of detail of a pixel associated with said polygon; (c) selecting a first 3D texture data set and a second 3D texture data set from said plurality of 3D texture data sets in accordance with said pixel level of detail such that said first 3D texture data set represents a magnification of said pixel, and said second 3D texture data set represents a minification of said pixel; (d) mapping said pixel to a first position within said first 3D texture data set and a second position within said second 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; and (e) generating a display value for said pixel in accordance with said mapping of said pixel to said first and second positions.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 9 in which dimensions of said 3D texture data sets are scaled to a predetermined range, step (a) comprising the step of assigning three texture coordinates to each vertex of said polygon, each of said texture coordinates corresponding to a respective dimension of said 3D texture data sets and being within said predetermined range such that said polygon is similarly oriented relative to all of said 3D texture data sets.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 9, wherein step (d) comprises the step of calculating scaled object-space three dimensional texture coordinates (S,T,U) for the pixel for each of said first and second 3D texture data sets in accordance with: S=(S/w)/(1/w) T=(T/w)/(1/w) U=(U/w)/(1/w) wherein S/w, T/w, and U/w represent scaled screen-space three dimensional texture coordinates and 1/w represents a perspective correction term.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 108 words

The method of claim 9, wherein step (e) comprises the steps of: (i) identifying N texels of said first 3D texture data set surrounding said first position, and N texels of said second 3D texture data set surrounding said second position; (ii) producing a first intermediate pixel value as a function of values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set, and a second intermediate pixel value as a function of values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set; and (iii) producing said display value for said pixel as a function of said first and second intermediate pixel values.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 12, wherein step (iii) comprises the step of interpolating among said first and second intermediate pixel values to thereby produce said display value.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 85 words

The method of claim 12 in which each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets represents an image attribute, wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set to thereby produce said first intermediate pixel value; and interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set to thereby produce said second intermediate pixel value.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 160 words

The method of claim 12 in which a table having a plurality of indexed entries is defined, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets representing an index to said table, wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels of said first 3D texture data set to produce a first interpolated index to said table, and among said values associated with said identified texels of said second 3D texture data set to produce a second interpolated index to said table; and accessing said table using said first and second interpolated indices and extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table accesses to thereby produce said first and second intermediate pixel values, said first and second intermediate pixel values being respectively set equal to said extracted image attributes.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 110 words

The method of claim 12, in which a table having a plurality of indexed entries is defined, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets representing an index to said table, wherein step (ii) comprises the steps of: accessing said table using said values associated with said identified texels of said first and second 3D texture data sets and extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table accesses; and interpolating among said extracted image attributes to thereby produce said first and second intermediate pixel values.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 174 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: a storage device for storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set, said storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set; polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set; pixel mapping means for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position; linear address generating means for generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels; means for obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks; and pixel value generating means for generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 174 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: a storage device for storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set, said storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set; polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set; pixel mapping means for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position; linear address generating means for generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels; means for obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks; and pixel value generating means for generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 95 words

The apparatus of claim 17 in which said 3D texture data set is from a collection of images having varying levels of detail, dimensions of said images having said varying levels of detail being scaled to a predetermined range, said polygon orientation defining means comprising means for assigning three of texture coordinates to each vertex of said polygon, each of said texture coordinates corresponding to a respective dimension of images in said 3D texture data set and being within said predetermined range such that said polygon is similarly oriented relative to all of said images.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said pixel mapping means comprises means for calculating scaled object-space three dimensional texture coordinates (S, T, U) for the pixel in accordance with: S=(S/w)/(1/w) T=(T/w)/(1/w) U=(U/w)/(1/w) wherein S/w, T/w, and U/w represent scaled screen-space three dimensional texture coordinates and 1/w represents a perspective correction term.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 17 in which each of said values associated with said identified texels represents an image attribute, wherein said pixel value generating means comprises means for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels to thereby produce said pixel value.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 109 words

The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a table having a plurality of indexed entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels representing an index to said table, said pixel value generating means comprising: means for interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels to produce an interpolated index to said table; and means for accessing said table using said interpolated index and for extracting an image attribute from said table in accordance with said table access to thereby produce said pixel value, said pixel value being set equal to said extracted image attribute.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 87 words

The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a table having a plurality of indexed entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, said values associated with said identified texels representing indices to said table, said pixel value generating means comprising: means for accessing said table using said values associated with said identified texels and for extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table access; and means for interpolating among said extracted image attributes to thereby produce said pixel value.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of: (a) storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set in a storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set; (b) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set; (c) mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; (d) identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position; (e) generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels; (f) obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks; and (g) generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising the steps of: (a) storing a three dimensional (3D) texture data set in a storage device comprising N memory banks each storing a predetermined portion of said 3D texture data set; (b) defining an orientation of a polygon relative to said 3D texture data set; (c) mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to an object-space position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; (d) identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said object-space position; (e) generating linear addresses from object-space addresses associated with said identified texels; (f) obtaining N values associated with said identified texels by accessing said storage device using said linear addresses, one of said values being obtained from each of said memory banks; and (g) generating a value for said pixel as a function of said values associated with said identified texels.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 92 words

The method of claim 23 in which said 3D texture data set is from a collection of images having varying levels of detail, dimensions of said images having said varying levels of detail being scaled to a predetermined range, step (b) comprising the step of assigning three texture coordinates to each vertex of said polygon, each of said texture coordinates corresponding to a respective dimension of images in said 3D texture data set and being within said predetermined range such that said polygon is similarly oriented relative to all of said images.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 23, wherein step (c) comprises the step of calculating scaled object-space three dimensional texture coordinates (S, T, U) for the pixel in accordance with: S=(S/w)/(1/w) T=(T/w)/(1/w) U=(U/w)/(1/w) wherein S/w, T/w, and U/w represent scaled screen-space three dimensional texture coordinates and 1/w represents a perspective correction term.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 23 in which each of said values associated with said identified texels represents an image attribute, wherein step (g) comprises the step of interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels to thereby produce said pixel value.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 107 words

The method of claim 23 in which a table having a plurality of indexed entries is defined, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, each of said values associated with said identified texels representing an index to said table, wherein step (g) comprises the steps of: interpolating among said values associated with said identified texels to produce an interpolated index to said table; and accessing said table using said interpolated index and extracting an image attribute from said table in accordance with said table access to thereby produce said pixel value, said pixel value being set equal to said extracted image attribute.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 85 words

The method of claim 23 in which a table having a plurality of indexed entries is defined, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said indexed entries, said values associated with said identified texels representing indices to said table, wherein step (g) comprises the steps of: accessing said table using said values associated with said identified texels and extracting image attributes from said table in accordance with said table access; and interpolating among said extracted image attributes to thereby produce said pixel value.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 169 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a three dimensional (3D) texture data set; pixel mapping means, coupled to said polygon orientation defining means, for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to a position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; storage means for storing a plurality of entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said entries; texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said position, each of said texels being associated with a value representing an address to said storage means; means for interpolating among values associated with said identified texels to produce an interpolated address to said storage means; and means for extracting an image attribute from said storage means using said interpolated address to thereby produce a value for said pixel, said pixel value being set equal to said extracted image attribute.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 169 words

An apparatus for interactively generating computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures, comprising: polygon orientation defining means for defining an orientation of a polygon relative to a three dimensional (3D) texture data set; pixel mapping means, coupled to said polygon orientation defining means, for mapping a pixel associated with said polygon to a position within said 3D texture data set in accordance with said orientation; storage means for storing a plurality of entries, a distinct image attribute being stored in each of said entries; texel identifying means for identifying N texels of said 3D texture data set surrounding said position, each of said texels being associated with a value representing an address to said storage means; means for interpolating among values associated with said identified texels to produce an interpolated address to said storage means; and means for extracting an image attribute from said storage means using said interpolated address to thereby produce a value for said pixel, said pixel value being set equal to said extracted image attribute.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-02-05	1999-08-07	2000-02-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-02-05	2003-08-07	2004-02-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-02-05	2007-08-07	2008-02-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method of generating interactive computer graphic images incorporating three dimensional textures

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