Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-16
2001-05-15
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2772)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S420000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06232976
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computer-generated composite documents and, more particularly, to computer-generated dynamic composite documents within three-dimensional models.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At present, three-dimensional image rendering is a relatively expensive and time-consuming process. Typically, a three-dimensional image is an image of three-dimensional models in a computer-defined three-dimensional world viewed from a viewpoint within the three-dimensional world. Many times, the three-dimensional world includes a number of three-dimensional models that are spread throughout to create a virtual environment. Generally, an image of the three-dimensional models in the three-dimensional world can only view a portion of the three-dimensional models in the three-dimensional world. Assume a three-dimensional world includes dozens of three-dimensional models and an image to be generated is a perspective view that includes only four of the dozens of three-dimensional models. If a three-dimensional engine is required to render all of the dozens of three-dimensional models prior to generating an image that includes only four of the three-dimensional models, image rendering costs and processing time are unacceptably high. The answer to this rendering problem is to determine what three-dimensional models are to appear in the field of view of the to-be-generated image (based on a desired viewpoint) and render only those models that were determined to be within the field of view. Models that will not appear in the displayed output are not rendered, thereby minimizing rendering costs and processing time.
Markup documents generated by a markup document processing component, such as an HTML image renderer of an operating system utility, as described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/105,831, are rendered and stored in texture image files that are then mapped to three-dimensional models by a three-dimensional engine. Even though the three-dimensional engine understands how to save processing time and costs by only rendering those three-dimensional models that appear within the field of view, the markup document processing component still renders all markup documents that are assigned to textures on all of the three-dimensional models within the three-dimensional world.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the foregoing and other disadvantages. More specifically, the present invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for making a markup document processing component more efficient when rendering markup documents as texture on three-dimensional models.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a method, system and computer readable medium for generating images of three-dimensional models in a digital three-dimensional world, wherein the three-dimensional models include markup documents preassigned as texture, is provided. Information is received based on an input event. The information includes viewpoint information within a three-dimensional world that comprises a plurality of three-dimensional models. The three-dimensional models that are to be displayed are determined based on the received viewpoint information and the markup documents preassigned as texture to the three-dimensional models that are determined to be displayed are identified. Then, the identified markup documents are rendered and stored in texture image files based on the received information. The three-dimensional models that are determined to be displayed are rendered and the markup documents stored in the texture image files are mapped to the rendered three-dimensional models.
In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, the input event is a selection of an address that identifies the location of the information.
In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention, the received viewpoint information comprises information regarding a change in the viewpoint of a presently displayed image of the three-dimensional world. With regard to this aspect of the present invention the input event is an automatic or manual selection of a new viewpoint within the digital three-dimensional world.
As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a method, system and computer readable medium for efficiently rendering markup documents that are assigned as textures to three-dimensional models positioned in a digital three-dimensional world.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5678015 (1997-10-01), Goh
patent: 5831617 (1998-11-01), Bhukhanwala
patent: 5835094 (1998-11-01), Ermel et al.
patent: 6043818 (2000-03-01), Nakano et al.
Dalal Ketan K.
Lacey Stephen J.
Pieragostini Ian B.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Microsoft Corporation
Vo Cliff N.
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