US6201546B1 — Systems and methods for generating three dimensio…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for creating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object from a number of two dimensional images, the method comprising: loading an initial two dimensional image; identifying a region of the at least one object in the loaded, two dimensional image; storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure; sequentially loading the remaining two-dimensional images; and for each of the remaining two dimensional images: identifying a relationship between the two dimensional image and at least one other, loaded two dimensional image, identifying a region of the at least one object in the two dimensional image, and storing data concerning the region, including information on its position with respect to other regions, and the texture of the region, in a data structure.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 129 words

A method for creating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object from a number of two dimensional images, the method comprising: loading an initial two dimensional image; identifying a region of the at least one object in the loaded, two dimensional image; storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure; sequentially loading the remaining two-dimensional images; and for each of the remaining two dimensional images: identifying a relationship between the two dimensional image and at least one other, loaded two dimensional image, identifying a region of the at least one object in the two dimensional image, and storing data concerning the region, including information on its position with respect to other regions, and the texture of the region, in a data structure.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 , and further comprising preprocessing the images to identify interrelationships between the images by viewing thumbnails of each image and identifying the interrelationships.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 1 , and further comprising identifying a dimension of a region in an image to provide a basis for correlating the relative size of the images.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1 , and further comprising acquiring the images with a wide angle lens.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 4 , and further comprising removing distortions in the image created by the wide angle lens.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 , and further comprising converting each image into a plane pixel array prior to processing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 , and further comprising transforming a region to align edges of connecting regions from first and second images.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying a region comprises identifying the vertices of the region using a clipping tool.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 8 , wherein identifying the vertices comprises identifying vertices of a four sided polygon.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 1 , and further providing real time display of a top view of the model.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 , and further providing a three dimensional view of the model that is updated as regions are added to the data structure.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein storing data in a data structure comprises storing data in a data structure that includes a WorldObject with data on the overall model, including a linked list of all regions, and a number of SurfaceObjects that contain data on each of the regions, including a pixel array with the texture for the region.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 , and further including defining openings in a region.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 13 , and further automatically aligning openings in back to back regions.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1 , and further defining regions that intersect another region at a line other than an edge of the region.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 67 words

A method for creating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object, the method comprising: identifying regions of the at least one object in a number of two dimensional images of the at least one object; interrelating the regions identified from the two dimensional images; and storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure that represents the model of the object.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 67 words

A method for creating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object, the method comprising: identifying regions of the at least one object in a number of two dimensional images of the at least one object; interrelating the regions identified from the two dimensional images; and storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure that represents the model of the object.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 16 , and further comprising preprocessing the two dimensional images to identify interrelationships between the two dimensional images by viewing thumbnails of each two dimensional image and identifying the interrelationships.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 16 , and further comprising identifying a dimension of a region in an image to provide a basis for correlating the relative size of the images.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 16 , and further comprising transforming a region to align edges of connecting regions from first and second images.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein identifying a region comprises identifying the vertices of the region using a clipping tool.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein identifying the vertices comprises identifying vertices of a four sided polygon.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 16 , and further providing real time display of a top view of the model.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 16 , and further providing a three dimensional view of the model that is updated as regions are added to the data structure.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein storing data in a data structure comprises storing data in a data structure that includes a WorldObject with data on the overall model, including a linked list of all regions, and a number of SurfaceObjects that contain data on each of the regions, including a pixel array with the texture for the region.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 16 , and further including defining openings in a region.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 25 , and further automatically aligning openings in back to back regions.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 16 , and further defining regions that intersect another region at a line other than an edge of the region.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 80 words

A method for generating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object, the method comprising: determining the dimensions, in pixels, of at least one source image; performing a series of transformations on target polygons of a selected model to resize the model so that its dimensions match those of the at least one source image; and mapping the texture from the at least one source image onto the correctly-sized polygons without having to distort or transform the image.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 80 words

A method for generating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object, the method comprising: determining the dimensions, in pixels, of at least one source image; performing a series of transformations on target polygons of a selected model to resize the model so that its dimensions match those of the at least one source image; and mapping the texture from the at least one source image onto the correctly-sized polygons without having to distort or transform the image.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising selecting a model from a library of models.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising posting the completed image to an Internet site.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising receiving the source image at an Internet site over the Internet.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 28 , wherein the source image comprises images for a packaging label.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 28 , wherein the source images comprises images for printed media.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising sub-dividing the image into a number of images for mapping to the polygons of the model.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 34 , wherein sub-dividing the image includes detecting the edges of the image.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising generating the source image from a data file.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 28 , and further comprising generating the source image from a format defining data file for a printed media.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 88 words

A method for generating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object from a single texture image, the method comprising: selecting a wire-frame base model; loading the single texture image; detecting the edges of the image to find an outline; subdividing the image into multiple images based on the selected model and the outline; determining image sizes; adjusting the dimensions of the model based on the dimensions of the images; applying the subdivided images to the adjusted model; and outputting the model into a selected format.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 88 words

A method for generating a three dimensional, textured model of at least one object from a single texture image, the method comprising: selecting a wire-frame base model; loading the single texture image; detecting the edges of the image to find an outline; subdividing the image into multiple images based on the selected model and the outline; determining image sizes; adjusting the dimensions of the model based on the dimensions of the images; applying the subdivided images to the adjusted model; and outputting the model into a selected format.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 38 , and further comprising posting the completed image to an Internet site in VRML format.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 38 , and further comprising receiving the source image at an Internet site over the Internet.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 38 , wherein the source image comprises an image for a packaging label.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 65 words

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing execution of a method comprising: identifying regions of the at least one object in a number of two dimensional images of the at least one object; interrelating the regions identified from the two dimensional images; and storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure that represents the model of the object.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 65 words

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing execution of a method comprising: identifying regions of the at least one object in a number of two dimensional images of the at least one object; interrelating the regions identified from the two dimensional images; and storing data concerning the region, including its texture, in a data structure that represents the model of the object.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 78 words

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing execution of a method comprising: determining the dimensions, in pixels, of at least one source image; performing a series of transformations on target polygons of a selected model to resize the model so that its dimensions match those of the at least one source image; and mapping the texture from the at least one source image onto the correctly-sized polygons without having to distort or transform the image.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 78 words

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing execution of a method comprising: determining the dimensions, in pixels, of at least one source image; performing a series of transformations on target polygons of a selected model to resize the model so that its dimensions match those of the at least one source image; and mapping the texture from the at least one source image onto the correctly-sized polygons without having to distort or transform the image.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-03-12	2004-09-11	2005-03-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-03-12	2008-09-11	2009-03-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-03-12	2012-09-11	2013-03-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Systems and methods for generating three dimensional, textured models

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