Three-dimensional image generator

• US 5,239,623 A
• Filed: 10/20/1989
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Company Limited
• Original Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Company Limited
• Inventors: Kawabe, Manabu, Tokuda, Kiyohito, Kato, Toshio, Sato, Takuro
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JANKUS, ALMIS R
• Application Number:
  US07/424,703
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 364/518-522, 364/554, 364/717, 340/729
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/60 of natural phenomena, e.g. rain, snow, water or plants
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering

Abstract

A three-dimensional image generator generates a random signal which it filters in two dimensions generate a realistic three-dimensional image of a natural object such as ocean waves or clouds. By performing the filtering operation repeatedly on overlapping intervals of the random signal, related images can be obtained to generate moving scenes at real-time rates. Two or more partial image generators can be connected in parallel to generate different directions of motion, or different parts of a complex scene. Within each partial image generator, two or more space filters can be connected in parallel to generate superimposed patterns, such as small ripples superimposed on large waves. This image generator is much faster than previous, fractal image generators.

Claims

1. A method for generating a three-dimensional image comprising the steps of:

generating a plurality of precursor image signals in a plurality of image generators;

combining said plurality of precursor image signals in a space synthesis means to generate a three-dimensional image signal;

processing said three-dimensional image signal thereby to rotate a three-dimensional image represented by said signal in a space rotation means according to a desired view; and

outputting said rotated three-dimensional image signal;

said step of generating a plurality of precursor image signals including;

generating a clock pulse signal;

converting said clock pulse signal into a random signal including a plurality of random values;

using a certain interval of said random signal wherein each one of said plurality of random values is correlated to one of a plurality of points with integer coordinates in an n-m plane representing a frequency domain;

filtering said plurality of points to attenuate certain ones of said plurality of points;

transforming said filtered plurality of points to coordinates of a space domain wherein a precursor image is generated;

generating other precursor images by repeating the previous three said steps using successive overlapping intervals wherein one of said successive overlapping intervals overlaps said interval;

rotating said coordinates of said space domain 90°

; and

adjusting a plurality of amplitudes of said precursor image and said other precursor images according to specified gain parameters;

wherein said further steps of said process comprise combining said precursor image and said other precursor images into a three-dimensional image;

transforming said three-dimensional image as it would be viewed from a certain position; and

outputting said transformed three-dimensional image.