Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Animation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-08
2001-05-22
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Animation
C345S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236412
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND SCENE OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for generating an image, and more particularly to the technique that an actual scene image and an image produced by use of computer graphics are synthesized to produce a desired image.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the design of a vehicle such as an automobile is important and is determined using various methods. For instance, a designed vehicle runs in a background scene, and then it is determined whether or not the design of the vehicle matches the background scene. Hereinafter, this is referred to as “background scene simulation”.
The conventional background scene simulation is performed in the following procedure. That is, first, a designer designs the outer appearance of the vehicle. Next, a person who is called a modeler produces a large vehicle model of the actual size with clay based on this design. Colors and patterns are applied to the vehicle model, if necessary. On the other hand, a photograph of a background scene is prepared. Then, the vehicle model is located in front of the background scene photograph. Thus, it is determined whether or not the design of the vehicle model matches the background scene photograph.
The above procedure is repeated while the design of the vehicle model is modified. Thus, the design which matches the background scene most is finally adopted as the design of the vehicle. This method is effective to determine the design of the vehicle, which matches the background scene.
However, in this method, it is not possible to determine whether the vehicle running in the background scene matches the background scene, because the background scene and the vehicle model have stand still. Also, there is another problem in that the background scene simulation takes a great time, because the modification of the design of the vehicle model must be repeatedly performed.
By the way, in recent years, improvement of the performance of a computer and development of application technique are remarkable. Thus, the computer graphic technique is aggressively introduced into various fields. It is introduced in the design field of the vehicle. For example, a method is adopted in which an image is produced by use of the 3-dimensional computer graphics for the background scene simulation such that a vehicle model stands still in a background scene. According to this method, the above-mentioned problems can be eliminated, because it is not necessary to manufacture the vehicle model actually.
However, there is still another problem in that the still image of the vehicle model in the background scene is scarce in reality.
In addition, in Japanese Laid Open Patent Disclosure (JP-A-Heisei 7-93579), the technique is described in which an image of an “actual background scene” and an image of a vehicle mode produced by use of the 3-dimensional computer graphics are synthesized.
However, in this method, the actual background scene image and the vehicle model image are simply synthesized. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the vehicle model image does not match the actual background scene image so that the vehicle model image is seen to stand out from the actual background scene image, when the background scene simulation tries to be performed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is accomplished to solve the above problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for producing an image, in which the background scene simulation, which is wealthy in reality can be performed.
In order to achieve an aspect of the present invention, an image data producing system includes a scene data storage unit in which a first image data of a scene in which a dummy object is moving is stored, the object having indicators, a background data storage unit in which a second image data of the scene in which the dummy object is not present is stored, a calculating unit for determining an object movement data indicating movement of the dummy object based on the indicators of the dummy object of the first image data, a model data producing unit for producing a third image data of an object model which has the same movement as that of the dummy object, based on the object movement data, and a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the second image data and the third image data to produce a fourth image data of the scene in which the object model is moving.
The image data producing system may further include a model data storage unit in which a shape data of the object model is stored. In this case, the model data producing unit produces the third image data based on the object movement data and the shape data of the object model.
When the dummy object has at least three indicators, the calculating unit calculates three-dimensional movement of the dummy object in the first image data based on positions of the at least three indicators in the first image data to produce the object movement data.
The image data producing system may further include a reflection data storage unit in which a fifth image data of the scene in which the dummy object is not present and which is imaged by use of a fisheye lens is stored. In this case, the model data producing unit performs mapping the fifth image data on a portion of the third image data corresponding to a predetermined area of the object model.
The image data producing system may further include a reflection data storage unit in which a fifth image data of the scene in which the dummy object is not present and which is imaged by use of a fisheye lens is stored. In this case, the synthesizing unit performs mapping the fifth image data on a portion of the fourth image data corresponding to a predetermined area of the object model.
The image data producing system may further includes a camera which operates in response to operation control data, an instructing unit for generating the operation control data based on operations of a user, and a first storage processing unit for storing the first image data imaged by the camera in the scene data storage unit.
In this case, the image data producing system may further include a control data storage unit in which the operation control data is stored, and a second storage processing unit for controlling operations of the camera based on the operation control data stored in the control data storage unit when the dummy object is not present, and for storing the second image data imaged by the camera in the background data storage unit. Further, the image data producing system may include a reflection data storage unit in which a fifth image data, a third storage processing unit for controlling the operation of the camera with a fisheye lens based on the operation control data stored in the control data storage unit when the dummy object is not present, and for storing the fifth image data imaged by the camera in the reflection data storage unit. In this case, the synthesizing unit performs mapping of the fifth image data on a portion of the fourth image data corresponding to a predetermined area of the object model.
Alternatively, the image data producing system may further include an operation data storage unit in which an operation data indicating operations of the camera is stored, and a second storage processing unit for controlling operations of the camera based on the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit when the dummy object is not present, and for storing the second image data imaged by the camera in the background data storage unit. In this case, the image data producing system may further include a reflection data storage unit in which a fifth image data, and a third storage processing unit for controlling the operation of the camera with a fisheye lens based on the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit when the dummy object is not present, and for storing the fifth image data imaged by the camera in the reflection data storage unit. Also, the synthesizing unit performs mapping of the fifth im
Arent Fox Kintner & Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Padmanabhan Mano
Zimmerman Mark
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