System and method for combining independent scene layers to form computer generated environments

• US 7,095,423 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cosman, Michael A., Bennion, Heber B., Dawson, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US10/622,884
• Publication Number:
  US 20040017385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 345419-428, 345/581, 345/582, 345629-641
• US Class Current: 345/629
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/36 Level of detail

Abstract

A system and method is provided for combining independent scene layers to form computer generated environments. The method includes the operation of constructing a terrain layer using stored terrain data. Another operation is generating a feature layer using feature layer data that is stored separately from the stored terrain data. The feature layer and the terrain layer can then be combined to form a composite scene.

Claims

1. A method for combining independent scene layers to form computer generated environments, comprising the steps of:

constructing a terrain layer using stored terrain data;

generating a feature layer using feature layer data that is configured to be modified independently and stored separately from the stored terrain data;

applying different run-time response rules to the terrain layer and the feature layer;

combining the feature layer and the terrain layer to form a composite environment; and

rendering the composite environment for viewing.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of generating a feature layer further comprises the step of generating a plurality of feature layers that are configured to be combined together with other feature and terrain layers.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the locations of features in the feature layer in reference to the terrain layer.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of rendering the composite environment for viewing further comprises the step of resolving conflicts between layers.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of defining different run-time response rules for the terrain layer and the feature layer.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of defining different run-time response rules for the terrain layer and the feature layer further comprises providing a level-of-detail control for the terrain layer and a separate level-of-detail control for the feature layer.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of defining different run-time response rules for the terrain layer and the feature layer further comprises specifying a field-of-view control for the terrain layer and a separate field-of-view control for the feature layer.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

modifying the feature layer; and

recompiling the feature layer independently from the terrain layer.

9. A method for combining independent scene layers to form computer generated environments, comprising the steps of:

a. constructing a terrain layer using stored terrain data;

b. generating a feature layer using feature layer data that is stored separately from the stored terrain data;

c. combining the feature layer and the terrain layer to form a composite environment; and

d. defining a run-time response rule for the terrain layer and a different run-time response rule for the feature layer.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of defining different run-time response rules for the terrain layer and the feature layer further comprises providing a level-of-detail control for the terrain layer and a separate level-of-detail control for the feature layer.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein the step of defining different run-time response rules for the terrain layer and the feature layer further comprises specifying a field-of-view control for the terrain layer and a separate field-of-view control for the feature layer.

12. A method for combining independent scene layers to form computer generated environments, comprising the steps of:

constructing a terrain layer using stored terrain data;

generating a feature layer using feature layer data that is configured to be modified independently and stored separately from the stored terrain data;

combining the feature layer and the terrain layer to form a composite environment; and

defining a run-time response rule for the terrain layer and a different run-time response rule for the feature layer.

13. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of rendering the composite environment for viewing.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the step of rendering the composite environment for viewing further comprises the step of applying different run-time response rules to the terrain layer and the feature layer.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the step of rendering the composite environment for viewing further comprises the step of resolving conflicts between layers.