Generation of texture maps for use in 3D computer graphics
First Claim
1. A method of processing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model, to generate texture data from the images for use in rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model, the method comprising:
- generating a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view, wherein the steps are performed on a computer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of texture maps for a 3D computer model of an object are generated by processing images of the object, data defining the computer model, and data defining the relative positions and orientations of the images and computer model. A respective texture map is generated for the viewing position and direction of each image. Each texture map stores texture data for all parts of the computer model which are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and also texture data for all invisible parts of the computer model. Each texture map therefore stores texture data that can be used for rendering accurate images of the 3D computer model over a wide range of viewing positions and directions.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of processing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model, to generate texture data from the images for use in rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model, the method comprising:
generating a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view, wherein the steps are performed on a computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of generating texture data for use in rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model, the method comprising:
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storing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model; and processing the data to generate a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view, wherein the steps are performed on a computer.
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16. A method of rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model, the method comprising:
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receiving data defining a viewing position and direction from which the image is to be rendered; selecting a texture map for rendering the image from among a plurality of texture maps, wherein each texture map is associated with a camera viewing position and direction and defines texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible from the associated viewing position and direction, and wherein the selection of the texture map for rendering is made in dependence upon the received viewing direction and the viewing directions associated with the texture maps; and rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model from the received viewing position and direction using texture data from the selected texture map to generate pixel data, wherein the steps are performed on a computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for processing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model, to generate texture data from the images for use in rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model, the apparatus comprising:
a texture map generator operable to generate a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. Apparatus for generating texture data for use in rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model, the apparatus comprising:
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a data store configured to store data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model; and a texture map generator operable to process the data to generate a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view.
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32. Apparatus for rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model comprising:
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a data receiver operable to receive data defining a viewing position and direction from which an image is to be rendered; a texture map selector operable to select a texture map for rendering the image from among a plurality of texture maps, wherein each texture map is associated with a camera viewing position and direction and defines texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible from the associated viewing position and direction, and wherein the texture map selector is operable to select the texture map for rendering in dependence upon the received viewing direction and the viewing directions associated with the texture maps; and an image renderer operable to render an image of the three-dimensional computer model from the received viewing position and direction using texture data from the selected texture map.
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33. Apparatus for processing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model, to generate texture data from the images for use in rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model, the apparatus comprising:
means for generating a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view.
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34. Apparatus for generating texture data for use in rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model, the apparatus comprising:
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means for storing data defining a three-dimensional computer model of the surface of an object, image data defining a plurality of different images of the object, and data defining the position and direction of each image and the three-dimensional computer model; and means for processing the data to generate a plurality of texture maps, each texture map being associated with a respective view of the three-dimensional computer model and each texture map defining texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible in the corresponding view and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible in the corresponding view.
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35. Apparatus for rendering an image of a three-dimensional computer model comprising:
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means for receiving data defining a viewing position and direction from which an image is to be rendered; selecting means for selecting a texture map for rendering the image from among a plurality of texture maps, wherein each texture map is associated with a camera viewing position and direction and defines texture data for parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and at least some parts of the three-dimensional computer model that are not visible from the associated viewing position and direction, and wherein the selecting means is operable to select the texture map for rendering in dependence upon the received viewing direction and the viewing directions associated with the texture maps; and means for rendering an image of the three-dimensional computer model from the received viewing position and direction using texture data from the selected texture map.
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Specification