System and method for rapidly generating an optimal mesh model of a 3D object or surface
US5945996A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T17/20
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for the rapid creation of a mesh model depicting a real world object, terrain or other three-dimensional surface. The system inserts points into the mesh incrementally, building the mesh point by point. Before incremental building, the system orders the points so that each next point is a near neighbor to the previously inserted point. This ordering procedure optimizes mesh construction by guaranteeing a minimal time for locating the area on the mesh into which the next point will be inserted. The present invention also provides a system and method to ensure an optimal quality of mesh at any level of insertion or deletion, following systematized checking function to maintain quality such as that required in Delaunay triangulation. The system and method can also incorporate a history file to store data concerning the results of the checking to substantially reduce processing time in mesh regeneration applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.