Shading 3-dimensional computer generated images
US6741247B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T11/40
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for shading 3-dimensional computer generated images representing each object in the image by a set of flat polygons. Vertex data (x, y) is supplied for each vertex of the polygon along with data which defines the orientation of the surface of the polygon. Edge data is computed in edge processors. The edge data is equivalent to data which defines a surface which is perpendicular to a viewpoint and which faces inwardly towards the polygon. For each pixel which is used to view the portion of the image in which the polygon is located, a depth value is derived for each of these surfaces and, when the depth values indicate that the polygon is visible at the pixel, it is shaded accordingly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.