×

Method for the creation of animated graphics

  • US 5,506,949 A
  • Filed: 08/23/1993
  • Issued: 04/09/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a computer having a first memory storage location for storing postures of a character or entity, a second memory storage location for storing states of a setting, a third memory storage location for storing scenes, and a display for showing scenes, wherein a posture of a character or entity is a particular orientation or positioning of that character or entity in space, a state of a setting is the view of a setting from a particular viewpoint, and a scene is created by combining a posture of a character with a state of a setting, a computer-assisted method for the creation of animated graphics, comprising:

  • (a) defining a character or entity for being animated;

    (b) defining a setting in which the character or entity is to be animated and the settinghaving at least one reference, with each reference being one of a point, a surface, and a plane for supporting the character or entity;

    (c) storing a first posture of the character or entity in the first memory storage location;

    (d) storing a second posture of the character or entity in the first memory storage location;

    (e) storing a first state of the setting in the second memory storage location;

    (f) storing a second state of the setting in the second memory storage location;

    (g) defining a first pivot on the character or entity;

    (h) positioning the first posture of the character or entity in the first state of the setting such that the first pivot is supported by a reference of the setting;

    (i) defining a second pivot on the character or entity;

    (j) positioning the second posture of the character or entity in the first state of the setting with the first pivot supported by the reference of the setting and coincident with the position of the first pivot of the first posture;

    (k) determining a point of intersection of the second pivot of the postures with a reference of the first state of the setting;

    (l) locating the point of intersection of the second pivot on a reference of the second state of the setting; and

    (m) positioning the second posture of the character or entity in the second state of the setting such that the second pivot is supported by a reference at the intersection point.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×