Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Adjusting level of detail
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-29
2001-05-01
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Adjusting level of detail
C345S950000, C345S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226009
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the integration of computer graphics and video to provide a realistic three dimensional virtual reality experience.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The display of a three dimensional world to a viewer requires considerable computation power, and it is typically costly to develop the necessary highly detailed models required for doing so. In order to simplify the problem, a portion of the world that is in the distance may be represented in only two dimensions as a video displayed on a surface, e.g., a screen. By video it is meant the common usage of the term, such as the placing or projecting of predefined images on the surface, e.g., the electronic version of filmed moving pictures. Thus, such a world is essentially truncated in length to the screen on which the video is displayed. A great reduction in computation power and cost can be achieved by such an arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have recognized that a limitation of such a world occurs when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it to a location in the world that is not represented by the video on the video screen as currently configured, i.e., shaped and sized, but instead is a location which is represented by computer graphics, namely, that any portion of the object that is no longer on the video screen disappears. More specifically, the object disappears as it exits the screen. Therefore, in accordance with the principles of the invention, when an object within the field represented by the video undergoes a trajectory that takes it, or a portion thereof, to a location in the world that is not represented by the video but instead is a location which is currently represented by computer graphics, the configuration of the screen is changed so that the object can continue to be displayed as video. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the size and/or shape of the video screen is changed. For example, the video screen may be increased in overall size, or it may “grow” a specific appendage screen on which the object is displayed as video. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, if an additional appendage screen is “grown”, it need not be contiguous with the screen as previously configured. Such appendage screens may be sized, shaped, and located so that the video object continues to be visible, e.g., in front of, or to the side of, the previous shape of the video screen, rather than becoming invisible because it is no longer displayable within the video screen.
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Carraro Gianpaolo U.
Ensor James Robert
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Rosenthal Eugene J.
Stevenson Philip H.
Zimmerman Mark
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