Data reduction and representation method for graphic articulation parameters gaps
First Claim
1. A method of reducing the number of parameters which must be conveyed to a decoder to animate an object, comprising the steps of:
- identifying at least one defining parameter which defines the animation of a portion of an object,identifying at least one derived parameter which can be interpolated from said at least one defining parameter,specifying interpolation functions which enable respective ones of said derived parameters to be interpolated from said at least one defining parameter, andarranging said parameters in a data structure which includes the identities of said at least one derived parameter and said at least one defining parameter and which indicates from which of said defining parameters each of said derived parameters can be interpolated,said interpolation functions and said data structure when conveyed to a decoder enabling said decoder to interpolate said derived parameters from said defining parameters and thereby reduce the number of parameters that must be conveyed to said decoder to animate an object.
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Abstract
A data reduction and representation method reduces the number of graphic articulation parameters (GAPs) that must be stored or transmitted to animate an object. A number of GAPs are identified that can be interpolated from other GAPs. A directed graph is created which depicts the identities of the "derived" GAPs, the "defining" GAPs from which derived GAPs can be interpolated, and the relationship between them. The GAPs reside at nodes on the graph which are interconnected with directed links that indicate the "parent" to "child" relationships, with each link representing an interpolation function which defines how the derived GAPs are interpolated from the defining GAPs. The graph and interpolation functions are conveyed to a decoder. Frames containing defining GAPs are then sent to the decoder, which performs the interpolations as directed by the graph and using the interpolation functions to reconstruct the derived GAPs.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of reducing the number of parameters which must be conveyed to a decoder to animate an object, comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one defining parameter which defines the animation of a portion of an object, identifying at least one derived parameter which can be interpolated from said at least one defining parameter, specifying interpolation functions which enable respective ones of said derived parameters to be interpolated from said at least one defining parameter, and arranging said parameters in a data structure which includes the identities of said at least one derived parameter and said at least one defining parameter and which indicates from which of said defining parameters each of said derived parameters can be interpolated, said interpolation functions and said data structure when conveyed to a decoder enabling said decoder to interpolate said derived parameters from said defining parameters and thereby reduce the number of parameters that must be conveyed to said decoder to animate an object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of reducing the number of graphic articulation parameters (GAPs) which must be conveyed to a decoder to animate an object, comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one defining set of GAPs which defines the animation of a portion of an object, identifying at least one derived set of GAPs which can be interpolated from said at least one defining set, specifying a respective interpolation function for each of said at least one derived sets, each of said interpolation functions enabling its respective derived set to be interpolated from one of said defining sets, and arranging said defining sets and said derived sets in a directed graph comprising a plurality of child and parent nodes, each child and parent node comprising a derived set and a defining set from which said derived set can be interpolated, respectively, said nodes interconnected with directed links which indicate from which of said parent nodes said child nodes can be interpolated, said interpolation functions and said data structure when conveyed to a decoder enabling said decoder to interpolate said derived sets from said defining sets and thereby reduce the number of GAPs that must be conveyed to said decoder to animate an object. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of conveying a group of graphic articulation parameters (GAPs) which define the animation of an object to a decoder, in which some of said GAPs in said group are interpolated from others of said GAPs in said group such that the number of GAPs that must be conveyed is less than the number in said group, comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one defining set of GAPs which defines the animation of a portion of an object, identifying at least one derived set of GAPs which can be interpolated from said at least one defining set, specifying a respective interpolation function for each of said at least one derived sets, each of said interpolation functions enabling its respective derived set to be interpolated from one of said defining sets, arranging said defining sets and said derived sets in a directed graph which comprises a plurality of child and parent nodes, each child and parent node comprising a derived set and a defining set from which said derived set can be interpolated, respectively, said nodes interconnected with directed links which indicate from which of said parent nodes said child nodes can be interpolated, conveying said directed graph and said interpolation functions to a decoder, conveying the GAPs of at least one of said defining sets to said decoder, and interpolating said child nodes from their respective parent nodes as indicated in said directed graph using said respective interpolation functions to provide all of the GAPs in said group, said method reducing the number of GAPs that must be conveyed to said decoder to define the animation of an object. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification