Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Shape generating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-05
2001-12-11
Jankus, Almis R. (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Shape generating
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329992
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for generating a granular graphic pattern on a physical surface, based on the multiple usage of elementary shapes. Such granular patterns have in the form of structures and/or textures found application for producing many articles of manufacture. The effect of such patterns may lie only on the level of outward appearance of the final product, such as in dulling an otherwise gleaming surface, or for attaining outright embellishment. Other usage of such procedure is to render small future surface damages more or less invisible, to render the surface less slippery, or to indicate various surface parts as representing a particular functionality, such as a preferred grip area for human hands. The pattern may be applied to a primary product that is subsequently used for copying on secondary products, such as through chemical, physical or mechanical processes that by themselves have been in wide use in manufacturing.
If the size of the granularity is by itself sufficient to be recognized by a human person, the pattern is called a structure. If the size is smaller but still sufficient as to cause some visual effect, it is called a texture. The physically applying of the pattern to the product may be done by one of various known procedures, such as for example by laser writing, although general procedures of such applying have been known for long.
The inventor has recognized the need for improving the generating of the pattern itself, as defined in one or more of the following aspects, and in particular the application of randomization in such generating, as follows:
a. the pattern itself must be repeatedly reproducible,
b. the granularity should be scalable for use as texture,
c. the pattern should not cause uncontrollable and unwanted large-scale irregularities,
d. the pattern should allow using various different types of elementary shapes,
e. the basic generation parameters should be modifiable.
SUMMARY TO THE INVENTION
Now therefore, amongst other things, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for generating such patterns according to the preamble that can be rendered non-uniform in a carefully controllable and reproducible manner. In consequence, according to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for generating a granular graphic pattern on a physical surface based on the multiple usage of elementary shapes. According to the invent ion, this method defines at least two different transformation specifiers. Through introducing the non-uniformity on the basis of at least two independent parameters, the variability of the result is large, while the description and the manipulation of the parameters become an easy task. The non-uniformity can be described in terms of one or more specifiers that indicate the non-uniformity directly or indirectly. It has been found that the procedure can also realize superstructures in the pattern in a nicely controllable manner.
By itself, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,169 describes the producing of a simulated airbrush spray pattern comprising a random pattern of pixels in a video image, through creating multiple source arrays defining random variations of one or more video image parameters. The arrays are varied on a regular basis to create a random pattern in the image that simulates the effects of an airbrush spray. The present invention, through the usage of the elementary shapes, is more useful to generate the surface of a 3-D product, and offers a wider variability in attainable effects.
Advantageously, a shape transformation specifier and a location transformation specifier are subjected in parallel to various non-uniformizations for subsequent aggregation of the latter. This renders the two variations even more independent, so that the setting of required variability becomes a still easier task. In particular for realizing large-scale effects, the position and the actual shape can be decoupled from each other.
Advantageously, an actual location parameter value of an elementary shape before applying the location transformation specifier is retrocoupled for controlling non-uniformization of the shape transformation specifier. In this manner, the influencing of the individual elementary shapes is rendered straightforward, which facilitates the managing.
Advantageously, at least a part of said non-uniform specifiers are randomizing. As an alternative to deterministic non-uniformization, randomizing has been found a particularly effective mechanism for realizing all kinds of effects. This may bring about improved perception of the product and of its functionality. Alternatively, the effect may be subjective only. The manner of introducing the randomization maintains its reproducibility amongst successive products.
The invention also relates to a machine for applying such granular graphic pattern to a product, and to a primary product so manufactured. Particular examples of such products relate to domestic appliances and devices used for personal care, such as, for example, shavers. The invention also relates to a secondary product manufactured by copying such primary product. Further advantageous aspects of the invention are recited in dependent Claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5060169 (1991-10-01), Khosla
Bartlett Ernestine C.
Cunningham G. F.
Jankus Almis R.
Spain Norman N.
U.S. Philips Corporation
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