Microtexture for close-in detail
First Claim
1. In a computer image generation system, a method for defining detail including texture of a surface of an object of a scene to be displayed, wherein the object is disposed between a viewpoint and a proximate boundary of a predetermined maximum level of detail of the system, the method comprising:
- obtaining first data representative of the object at the maximum level of detail;
obtaining random data at a predetermined derived level of detail in response to a distance from the viewpoint to the object; and
combining the first data and the random data to form image data, wherein the image data define detail including texture of the surface of the object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a computer image generation system, as a viewpoint approaches a surface of an object and is closer than a predetermined threshold distance from the surface, a texture pattern obtained from cell data becomes fuzzy, and may not provide adequate motion cues for training, such as piloting an airplane. In accordance with the present invention, apparatus and method provide random data at a predetermined derived level of detail for combining with cell data to define the surface including texture of the object when the object is closer to the viewpoint than the threshold distance. The apparatus may be readily retrofitted into an existing system.
78 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a computer image generation system, a method for defining detail including texture of a surface of an object of a scene to be displayed, wherein the object is disposed between a viewpoint and a proximate boundary of a predetermined maximum level of detail of the system, the method comprising:
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obtaining first data representative of the object at the maximum level of detail; obtaining random data at a predetermined derived level of detail in response to a distance from the viewpoint to the object; and combining the first data and the random data to form image data, wherein the image data define detail including texture of the surface of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a computer image generation system for generating an image of an object, including a texture pattern for a surface of the object, from stored data by intensity control of pixels forming the image of the object, wherein the stored data include first and second cell data having a respective predetermined cell size and each cell having a predetermined intensity value, apparatus for supplementing the texture pattern when the object is between a viewpoint and a proximate boundary of a maximum level of detail area of the system, the apparatus comprising:
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switching means having a first input for receiving first cell data at a first level of detail and a second input for receiving random data at a derived level of detail, the switching means for supplying the first cell data when the object is beyond the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail and for supplying the random data when the object is between the viewpoint and the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail; and blending means having a first input for receiving second cell data at a second level of detail, the second level of detail being less than the first level of detail, and a second input coupled to the switching means, the blending means for blending the second cell data and the first cell data when the object is beyond the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail and for blending the second cell data and the random data when the object is between the viewpoint and proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. In a computer image generation system for generating an image of an object, including a texture pattern for a surface of the object, from stored data by intensity control of pixels forming the image of the object, wherein the stored data include first and second cells having a respective predetermined cell size, and each cell having a predetermined intensity value, apparatus for supplementing the texture pattern when the object is between a viewpoint and a proximate boundary of a maximum level of detail area of the system, the apparatus comprising:
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switching means having a first input for receiving the first cells at a first level of detail and a second input for receiving mini-cell data at a derived level of detail, the mini-cell data including randomized intensity values being independent from the intensity values of the first and second cells, the switching means for supplying the intensity values of the first cells when the object is beyond the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail and for supplying the intensity values of the mini-cell data when the object is between the viewpoint and the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail; first cell smoothing means having an input coupled to the switching means, the first cell smoothing means for smoothing intensity values from a predetermined plurality of first cells when the first cells are supplied by the switching means, the predetermined plurality of first cells determinable in response to the center of the image of a pixel to be displayed, and for smoothing intensity values from a predetermined plurality of data information centers when the mini-cell data are supplied by the switching means, the predetermined plurality of data information centers determinable in response to the center of the image of the pixel to be displayed; second cell smoothing means having an input for receiving intensity values of second cells, the second smoothing means for smoothing intensity values from a predetermined plurality of second cells, the predetermined plurality of second cells determinable in response to the center of the image of the pixel to be displayed; and blending means having a first input for receiving the smoothed intensity value of the second cells and a second input for receiving the smoothed intensity value of the first cells when the object is beyond the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail and for receiving the smoothed intensity value of the mini-cell data when the object is between the viewpoint and the proximate boundary of the maximum level of detail, the blending means for predeterminedly proportionately blending the smoothed intensity value of the second cells with the data available at the second input of the blending means for obtaining a composite intensity value for controlling the intensity of the pixel to be displayed. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification