Method and apparatus for automatically generating symbol images against a background image without collision utilizing distance-dependent attractive and repulsive forces in a computer simulation
First Claim
1. A method for automatically producing images containing a background image and symbol images of variable position in proximity to corresponding symbol images at predetermined locations on said background image, without overlap of said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images, comprising the steps of:
- inputting to a processor means and storing in a said first memory means signals corresponding to configurations and positions of said background image and said predetermined symbol images and configurations of said variable symbol images;
generating in said processor means signal sequences representing a distance-dependent attractive force between each variable symbol image and the corresponding predetermined symbol image, such attractive force increasing with the distance between such variable symbol image and such corresponding predetermined symbol image;
distance dependent repulsive forces between each variable symbol image and other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images in proximity to such variable symbol image, such repulsive force decreasing with increasing distance between such variable symbol image and such other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images; and
a retarding force between each such variable symbol image and the background image;
fixing and storing in a second memory means signals corresponding to an initial position of each such variable symbol image in proximity with the corresponding predetermined symbol image;
generating in said processor means signals corresponding to a non-overlapping position for each of such variable symbol images in proximity to such corresponding predetermined symbol images by simultaneously incrementally integrating the motion of such variable symbol images on such background image under the influence of said forces over an integration period made up of a plurality of such increments, and to update said initial position of such variable symbol images stored in said second memory means with the results of said such incremental integration;
outputting to an image generation means image generation signals corresponding to the configuration and position of said background image and said predetermined symbol images and the configuration and updated position of said variable symbol images; and
generating an output image including said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images in accordance with said image generation signals.
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Abstract
A method for automatically placing objects on a surface in proximity to corresponding predetermined locations without collision with such locations or other objects by defining a distance dependent attractive force between each object and the corresponding location which increases with increasing distance between the object and the location, and defining distance dependent repulsive force between each object and its neighboring objects and locations, such repulsive force decreasing with increasing distance. The initial position for each object is established in proximity with the corresponding location in accordance with predetermined criteria. Thereafter the motion of the objects under the influence of such forces and of a frictional retarding force are determined by marginally stable incremental integration of such motion. The objects are statically placed at a predetermined target distance from the corresponding location at the position around the location at which the sum of the absolute values of the magnitudes of the forces acting on the object is at a minimum.
29 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for automatically producing images containing a background image and symbol images of variable position in proximity to corresponding symbol images at predetermined locations on said background image, without overlap of said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images, comprising the steps of:
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inputting to a processor means and storing in a said first memory means signals corresponding to configurations and positions of said background image and said predetermined symbol images and configurations of said variable symbol images; generating in said processor means signal sequences representing a distance-dependent attractive force between each variable symbol image and the corresponding predetermined symbol image, such attractive force increasing with the distance between such variable symbol image and such corresponding predetermined symbol image;
distance dependent repulsive forces between each variable symbol image and other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images in proximity to such variable symbol image, such repulsive force decreasing with increasing distance between such variable symbol image and such other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images; and
a retarding force between each such variable symbol image and the background image;fixing and storing in a second memory means signals corresponding to an initial position of each such variable symbol image in proximity with the corresponding predetermined symbol image; generating in said processor means signals corresponding to a non-overlapping position for each of such variable symbol images in proximity to such corresponding predetermined symbol images by simultaneously incrementally integrating the motion of such variable symbol images on such background image under the influence of said forces over an integration period made up of a plurality of such increments, and to update said initial position of such variable symbol images stored in said second memory means with the results of said such incremental integration; outputting to an image generation means image generation signals corresponding to the configuration and position of said background image and said predetermined symbol images and the configuration and updated position of said variable symbol images; and generating an output image including said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images in accordance with said image generation signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for automatically producing images containing a background image and symbol images of variable position in proximity to corresponding symbol images at predetermined locations on said background image, without overlap of said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images, comprising the steps of:
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inputting to a processor means and storing in a memory means signals corresponding to said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images; generating in said processor means signal sequences representing a distance-dependent repulsive forces between each variable symbol image and other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images in proximity to such variable symbol image, such repulsive force decreasing with increasing distance between such variable symbol image and such other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images; generating signals corresponding to a non-overlapping position for each of such variable symbol images in proximity to such corresponding predetermined symbol images by static placing of each of said variable symbol images at a predetermined proximity around said corresponding predetermined symbol image when the weighted sum of the absolute value of the magnitude of the forces acting on such a variable symbol image is the minimum; outputting to an image generation means image generation signals corresponding to the configuration and position of said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images; and generating an output image including said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images in accordance with said image generation signals. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An image generation system for automatically producing images including a background image and symbol images of variable position in proximity to corresponding symbol images at predetermined locations on said background image, without overlap of said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images, comprising:
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interface means for generating digital image signals corresponding to a physical configuration and position of said variable symbol images, said predetermined symbol images and said background image; first memory means for storing said digital signals corresponding to said background image, said variable symbol images and said predetermined symbol images; processor means responsive to a control program for generating and transferring to an image generation means signals specifying the configuration and positions of said symbol and background images said processor means being adapted to generate signal sequences representing a distance-dependent attractive force between each variable symbol image and the corresponding predetermined symbol image, such attractive force increasing with the distance between such variable symbol image and such corresponding predetermined symbol image;
distance-dependent repulsive forces between each variable symbol image and other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images in proximity to such variable symbol image, such repulsive force decreasing with increasing distance between such variable symbol image and such other variable symbol images and predetermined symbol images; and
a retarding force between each such variable symbol image and the background image;second memory means for storing digital signals corresponding to an initial position of each said variable symbol image established by said processor means, said processor means being further adapted to generate signals corresponding to a non-overlapping position for each of such variable symbol image in proximity to such corresponding predetermined symbol images by simultaneously incrementally integrating the motion of such variable symbol images on such background image under the influence of said forces over an integration period made up of a plurality of such increments, and to update said initial position of such variable symbol images stored in said second memory means with the results of said such incremental integration; and image generation means for producing said variable symbol images, said predetermined symbol images and said background image in response to signals generated by said processor means specifying the configuration and positions of said images. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification