Terrain/seascape image generator with math model data base
First Claim
1. A method of real-time computer generation of visual scenes comprising the steps of:
- generating math models of land and sea elevation posts for the visual scene to be generated;
defining a horizontal field of view as a predetermined number of increments between sweeps perpendicular to a boresight from a view point;
defining a vertical field of view as a predetermined number of increments between view rays perpendicular to a boresight from a view point;
incrementing a predetermined change in range along the boresight from the view point and for each range increment, stepping a view ray down by an increment corresponding to an incremental change in the tangent of the view angle;
accumulating an elevation value of the view ray for each incremental change in the tangent of the view angle;
for each range increment, comparing the math model for land elevation posts with the math model for sea elevation posts and selecting the larger of the two;
comparing at each range increment the accumulated elevation value of the view ray with the selected math model of elevation posts; and
if a view ray strikes the selected elevation post, reading the data for that post to a display means, otherwise incrementing said math models of land and sea elevation posts.
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Abstract
A technique for the real-time computer generation of visual scenes of rolling terrain and sea waves is based on a view ray approach wherein an azimuth sweep is defined and an image profile is generated by incrementing range steps from the view point but employs a data base which is an on-line math model consisting of a summation of cosine functions rather than a grid data base. Math models are generated separately for both land and sea elevation posts for the scene to be generated. A horizontal field of view is defined as a predetermined number of increments between sweeps perpendicular to a boresight from a view point, and a vertical field of view is defined as a predetermined number of increments between view rays perpendicular to the boresight from the view point. The change in range is incremented along the boresight from the view point, and for each range increment, the view ray is stepped down by an increment corresponding to an incremental change in the tangent of the view angle. An elevation value of the view ray is accumulated for each incremental change in the tangent of the view angle. For each range increment, the math model for the land elevation posts is compared with the math model for the sea elevation posts, and the latter of the two is selected. At each range increment, the accumulated elevation value of the view ray is compared with the selected math model of elevation posts and, if a view ray strikes the selected elevation post, the data for that post is read to a display; otherwise, the math models of the land and sea elevation posts are incremented.
77 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of real-time computer generation of visual scenes comprising the steps of:
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generating math models of land and sea elevation posts for the visual scene to be generated; defining a horizontal field of view as a predetermined number of increments between sweeps perpendicular to a boresight from a view point; defining a vertical field of view as a predetermined number of increments between view rays perpendicular to a boresight from a view point; incrementing a predetermined change in range along the boresight from the view point and for each range increment, stepping a view ray down by an increment corresponding to an incremental change in the tangent of the view angle; accumulating an elevation value of the view ray for each incremental change in the tangent of the view angle; for each range increment, comparing the math model for land elevation posts with the math model for sea elevation posts and selecting the larger of the two; comparing at each range increment the accumulated elevation value of the view ray with the selected math model of elevation posts; and if a view ray strikes the selected elevation post, reading the data for that post to a display means, otherwise incrementing said math models of land and sea elevation posts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer image generator capable of the real time generation of visual scenes, comprising:
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means for generating math models of land and sea elevation posts for the visual scene to be generated; means for defining a horizontal field of view as a first predetermined number of increments between sweeps perpendicular to a boresight from a view point and for defining a vertical field of view as a second predetermined number of increments between view rays perpendicular to a boresight from the view point; means for incrementing a predetermined change in range along the boresight from the view point and for each range increment, stepping a view ray down by an increment corresponding to an incremental change in the tangent of the view angle; accumulation means for accumulating an elevation value of the view ray for each incremental change in the tangent of the view angle; first comparing means responsive to each range increment for comparing the math model for land elevation posts with the math model for sea elevation posts for the respective range increment and selecting the larger of the two; second comparing means responsive to each range increment for comparing the accumulated elevation value of the view ray with the math model of elevation posts selected by the first comparing means; and means responsive to said second comparing means for reading the data for an elevation post to a display means if a view ray strikes that selected elevation post, otherwise incrementing said math models of land and sea elevation posts. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for real-time generation of a visual scene comprising:
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synthesizing the elevation of a feature of the scene, wherein synthesizing includes generating a mathematical model representative of the elevation of the feature; and displaying the scene as would be observed from a viewpoint wherein the scene includes the feature when the feature is not occulted, wherein the mathematical model includes a summation of a plurality of sinusoidal functions. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for real-time generation of a visual scene comprising:
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synthesizing the elevation of a first feature of the scene; synthesizing the elevation of a second feature of the scene, wherein synthesizing the elevation of a second feature includes generating a mathematical model representative of the elevation of the second feature; and displaying the scene as would be observed from a viewpoint, wherein the scene includes the first feature when the first feature is not occulted and further the scene includes the second feature when the second feature is not occulted. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An image generator for generating a visual scene in real time, comprising:
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synthesis means for generating a first mathematical model representative of the elevation of as first feature of the scene to be generated and for generating a second mathematical model representative of the elevation of a second feature of the scene to be generated; and means for displaying the scene wherein the first feature is included in the scene when the first feature is not occulted and further wherein the second feature is included in the scene when the second feature is not occulted. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification