Generating 2D transitions using a 3D model

• US 20060209061A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Tzong-Jhy, Burch, Warren Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,450,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/00 Animation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/44 Morphing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence

Abstract

A system and method for generating a 2D transition between a first media object and a second media object. A 3D model is defined corresponding to a desired 2D transition pattern. A graphics processing unit (GPU) or a set of instructions generates a transition between the first media object and the second media object as a function of the defined 3D model. A transition generator maps a plurality of vertices of the first media object to a first mesh creating a first mapped media object where the first mesh relates to the 3D model. The transition generator maps a plurality of vertices of the second media object to a transition pattern mesh creating a second mapped media object where the transition pattern mesh relates to the 3D model. The GPU or the set of instructions renders the transition from the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object.

Claims

1. A method for generating a two dimensional transition between a first media object and a second media object using a graphics processing unit, said method comprising:

defining a three dimensional model corresponding to a desired two dimensional transition pattern; and

generating a transition between the first media object and the second media object as a function of the defined three dimensional model using the graphics processing unit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

mapping a plurality of vertices of the first media object in a two dimensional coordinate system to a first mesh to create a first mapped media object, wherein the first mesh relates to the three dimensional model;

mapping a plurality of vertices of the second media object to a transition pattern mesh to create a second mapped media object, wherein the transition pattern mesh relates to the three dimensional model; and

rendering the transition from the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object using the graphics processing unit.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising generating an alpha map including alpha values and wherein the rendering comprises rendering the transition from the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object and the alpha map as a function of run-time generation of the alpha map.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

calculating alpha values corresponding to the pixels along an edge intersecting the first media object and the second media object as a function of the alpha map; and

applying the calculated alpha values to the pixels in coordination with the rendering of the transition between the first media object and the second media object.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

calculating dissolved alpha values corresponding to the pixels along an edge intersecting the first media object and the second media object as a function of a dissolve map; and

applying the calculated dissolved alpha values to the pixels in coordination with the rendering between the transition of the first media object and the second media object.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the transition pattern mesh represents a three dimensional volume cube, wherein the three dimensional volume cube includes x-,y-, and z-coordinate parameters.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

mapping a plurality of vertices of a third media object to the received transition pattern mesh to create a third mapped media object; and

rendering the transition from the first mapped media object, the second mapped media object and the third mapped media object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more computer-readable media have computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 1.

9. A system for generating a two dimensional transition between a first media object and a second media object, said system comprising:

an interface for receiving said first media object, said second media object, and a transition pattern mesh;

a transition generator for mapping a plurality of vertices of the received first media object to a first mesh to create a first mapped media object, wherein said transition generator maps a plurality of vertices of the received second media object to the transition pattern mesh to create a second mapped media object; and

a graphics processor for rendering the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the graphics processor renders the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object, the second mapped media object, and an alpha map, said alpha map includes alpha values corresponding to a plurality of pixels locating along an edge where the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object intersect.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the transition pattern mesh represents a three dimensional volume cube, wherein the three dimensional volume cube includes x-,y-, and z-coordinate parameters.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein z-coordinate parameter of the transition pattern mesh represents a function of the progress of rendering.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the interface further receiving a third media object and wherein the graphics processor further rendering the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object, the second mapped media object and the third media object.

14. A system for generating a transition between a first media object and a second media object, said system comprising:

a first processor or first set of instructions for rendering the first media object and the second media object;

an interface for receiving said first media object, said second media object, and a transition pattern mesh;

a transition generator for mapping a plurality of vertices of the received first media object to a first mesh to create a first mapped media object, wherein said transition generator maps a plurality of vertices of the received second media object to the received transition pattern mesh to create a second mapped media object; and

a second processor or second set of instructions, independent of said first processor or first set of instructions, for rendering the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the second processor or the second set of instructions renders the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object, the second mapped media object, and an alpha map, said alpha map includes alpha values corresponding to a plurality of pixels locating along an edge where the first mapped media object and the second mapped media object intersect.

16. The system of claim 14 further comprising a frame buffer for storing at least one of the following for the second processor:

vertex data, texture data, or stencil data.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the transition pattern mesh represents a three dimensional volume cube, wherein the three dimensional volume cube includes x-,y-, and z-coordinate parameters.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the interface further receiving a dissolve map and wherein the second processor or the second set of instructions further rendering the transition between the first media object and the second media object from the first mapped media object, the second mapped media object and dissolved alpha values in the dissolved map.