Synthonics Patent Secures Process for "Morphing" 3-D Images to Create Variations Rapidly; Software Licensing Firm Adds Fifth Patent for 3-D Digital Replication Technologies
Business Wire - June 30, 1998 10:31
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 1998-- Synthonics Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Synthonics Technologies, Inc. (OBB:SNNT), has secured a patent for a PC-based computer graphics technology that radically streamlines the 3-D image creation process for applications ranging from electronic commerce and computer gaming to medical diagnostics.
The new patent covers techniques for "morphing" generic 3-D models to become object-specific 3-D replicas by means of applying Synthonics' previously patented Rapid Virtual Reality(TM) (RVR(TM)) technology. This allows 3-D content developers to use the generic framework of all of the potential images in a given group to create an unlimited number of variations rapidly. The process dramatically reduces the time and costs associated with producing 3-D computer graphics replicas of real-life objects, according Dr. Charles Palm, chief technology officer, Synthonics Technologies.
Applications for the new technology are diverse and include video game personalization and online sales and marketing.
"Think of it as having a warehouse of generic object forms that can quickly be stretched and shaped to accurately represent something in real life," explained Palm. "Grab a human head form and mold it to look like yourself, or Tom Cruise. Grab a generic jacket form and shape it into a size 42 tuxedo or the jacket of a size 6 Anne Klein suit."
Medical Applications for RVR(TM)
The company's morphing tools have already been embedded in specialized software products being developed for Acuscape, Inc., Glendora, Calif., a joint venture between Synthonics and professional medical corporations.
"Acuscape is using RVR(TM) to morph the framework of a generic head into digital replicas of the heads of specific patients for diagnostics and treatment planning. Morphing is almost instantaneous once appropriate measurements are entered into the program," said Palm.
Acuscape can use as few as 20 patient measurements, such as the width of the eyes and the length of the nose, to produce a photorealistic 3-D replica of a patient's face. Additional measurements made from X-rays are used to shape the jaw, orient the teeth and morph other bone structures, according to Palm.
Synthonics developed the PC-based technology to eliminate the labor-intensive task of creating 3-D images from scratch. Day-to-day uses can vary from developing modifiable replicas of medical patients' heads and faces in order to show the results of planned treatments to producing unlimited variations of a retailer's merchandise in order to create online catalogs quickly and inexpensively. In computer gaming applications, personalized replicas of a player's face can be inserted in place of a character's, creating online and interactive "avatars" that add to the player's experience of being part of the game.
"Morphing images of real objects that have similar basic shapes can save an immense amount of time and expense for companies that deal with hundreds or thousands of objects at a time," Mike Budd, president and chief executive officer, Synthonics Technologies, said. "While traditional computer design methods can require specialized systems and software, our morphing process removes time-consuming steps and brings the common platform for content generation down to the standard PC."
"This is a valuable enabling technology for electronic commerce and online catalogs," noted Budd.
Entitled, "Method and Apparatus for Creation of Three-Dimensional Wireframes," Synthonics' patent encompasses a timesaving, one-of-a-kind approach to producing full-depth representations of 3-D objects using a prototypical wireframe for the source image to be morphed. The generic framework is then modified to support changes in subsequent images.
Undistorted Viewing of Replicas
Digital replicas created by Synthonics' process can also be viewed, interactively, from any orientation during the playback -- without distortion or loss of perspective -- in a number of free viewing programs supplied by the company.
"Some viewers are standalone packages, while others can be scripted and controlled by third-party software programs -- such as Macromedia, for scripted kiosk presentations," said Budd. "We also port replicas into other formats such as VRML 2 and Autodesk's 3DS."
VRML 2 files can be viewed in Sony's Community Place Browser and the Silicon Graphics Cosmo Player. 3DS files, used in Autodesk's 3D Studio and 3D Studio Max animation and rendering programs, are utilized to create scripted animations that are output in FLC, AVI or MPEG formats.
Synthonics plans to continue licensing the technique to medical technology and electronic commerce content development companies for use in producing digital replicas of patients and products in 3-D.
Growing List of Patents
Since 1997, Synthonics has been awarded five patents for a variety of software processes that make adding 3-D images and environments to all forms of graphical presentations more affordable and less time-consuming.
Chartered as a software development company that would license its technology for multiple applications, Synthonics has filed for a total of 16 U.S. and 10 international patents since 1995. The applications describe a variety of methods for creating and transmitting accurate 3-D digital images for use in interactive computer graphics.
About Synthonics
Synthonics licenses advanced 3-D digital replication software tools based on its patented RVR(TM) technology for use in CAD, virtual reality, animation and authoring software. As a standalone or embedded tool, RVR(TM) translates objects and environments into accurate 3-D digital replicas, quickly and affordably. Synthonics also offers a 3-D content generation capability for those companies that need custom content developed.
Synthonics' technology is ideal for creating 3-D graphical content for use in education, electronic commerce, medical imaging, archiving and computer-based training.
Synthonics Technologies, Inc. (Electronic Bulletin Board symbol "SNNT"), is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif. For information, call 818/707-6000, E-mail synthonics@synthonics.com, or visit the Web site: synthonics.com. --------
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