Computer graphics for animation by time-sequenced textures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer graphics system for generating a graphics animation image defined by a line of sight from a viewpoint, comprising:
- an image data processor and control apparatus to specify image data for a display of a subject with animate characteristics;
a geometric environmental data memory for storing three-dimensional geometric data for said display as in the form of multiple primitives, said three dimensional geometric data representative of at least one three-dimensional object being substantially transparent and positionable in various orientation and locations relative to said viewpoint, said object defined by a plurality of planes extending radially in three dimensions from a central axis, said object being rotatable about said central axis to enable surfaces of said planes to be alternately observable from said viewpoint;
a texture data memory for storing two-dimensional figure texture data for said display, texture map data representative of a plurality of varying static images of said subject; and
an image rendering pipeline coupled to receive said three-dimensional geometric data and said two-dimensional figure texture data under control of said processor and control apparatus to map said texture map data as texture onto said surfaces of said transparent object for providing a dynamic animated display of said subject in animation with said animate characteristics by time sequencing said figure texture data in combination with said geometric data and rotating said transparent object about said central axis.
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Abstract
In a computer graphics system, wherein three-dimensional data is processed to produce dynamic displays, two-dimensional texture images are sequentially mapped onto objects in the display to form movable animated figures. Objects receiving two-dimensional texture maps may be transparent and take specific forms for certain effects, for example, intersecting planes, stamps, moving objects, and so on. Texture maps are composed utilizing a variety of source devices including: computer graphics systems, video cameras, two-dimensional scanners.
79 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer graphics system for generating a graphics animation image defined by a line of sight from a viewpoint, comprising:
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an image data processor and control apparatus to specify image data for a display of a subject with animate characteristics; a geometric environmental data memory for storing three-dimensional geometric data for said display as in the form of multiple primitives, said three dimensional geometric data representative of at least one three-dimensional object being substantially transparent and positionable in various orientation and locations relative to said viewpoint, said object defined by a plurality of planes extending radially in three dimensions from a central axis, said object being rotatable about said central axis to enable surfaces of said planes to be alternately observable from said viewpoint; a texture data memory for storing two-dimensional figure texture data for said display, texture map data representative of a plurality of varying static images of said subject; and an image rendering pipeline coupled to receive said three-dimensional geometric data and said two-dimensional figure texture data under control of said processor and control apparatus to map said texture map data as texture onto said surfaces of said transparent object for providing a dynamic animated display of said subject in animation with said animate characteristics by time sequencing said figure texture data in combination with said geometric data and rotating said transparent object about said central axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A process for generating computer graphics displays of an animated sequence of a subject with animate characteristics, said displays defined by a line of sight from a viewpoint, comprising the stages of:
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developing geometric three-dimensional data representative of at least one transparent object positionable in various orientation and locations relative to said viewpoint, said object defined by a plurality of planes extending radially in three dimensions from a central axis, said object being rotatable about said central axis to enable surfaces of said planes to be alternately observable from said viewpoint; storing said geometric three-dimensional data; developing two-dimensional texture data representative of a plurality of varying static images of said subject; storing said two-dimensional texture data; mapping said two-dimensional texture data on said surfaces by pipeline operation and time sequencing to provide a texture mapped data sequence; and displaying said texture mapped data sequence as an animated display to provide said animated sequence in accordance with said plurality of varying static images, wherein said transparent object is rotated about said central axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification