Collective Behavior Modeling for Content Synthesis

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments for generating visual patterns that exhibit interesting group dynamics. Embodiments include methods and systems for synthesizing collective attribute modeling, such as collective behavior, using physics-inspired rules. In embodiments, multi-state energy functions allows for encoding a rich set of behavior with few control parameters. A disturbance-based control scheme allows for smooth transitions between the various stable configurations and exhibits interesting and complex dynamic behavior. Moreover, in embodiments, the disturbance propagation computation is global, allowing for very fast implementation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure (“FIG.”) 1 illustrates an exemplary potential function for modeling a collective behavior of a group according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary potential function with a plurality of stable minima, wherein the potential function may be used to model a collective behavior of a group according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is illustrates an exemplary two-dimensional potential function with a plurality of stable minima plotted as a function of particle separation along x and y axes, wherein the potential function may be used to model a collective behavior of a group according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-D depict two-dimensional simulation results showing several flocking behaviors of the particles resulting from an embodiment of a collective behavior model comprising a potential function and a global propagation model, wherein the number of clusters and the particle velocities are controlled by the parameters of the potential function, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depict three-dimensional fish tank simulation showing two schools of fish resulting from an embodiment of a collective behavior model comprising a potential function and a global propagation model according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a system for collective behavior modeling for content synthesis according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a method for computing pan-tilt-zoom components from a motion vector field according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8A-C depict three-dimensional simulation results showing several flocking behaviors of the group of fish resulting from an embodiment of a collective behavior model comprising a potential function and a global propagation model according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method for synthesizing collective behavior of a group according to an embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for modeling collective behavior of a group comprising a plurality of members, the method comprising: relating an attribute of each member of the plurality of members of the group using a potential function with at least one stable minimum; andusing a global propagation function to propagate a disturbance to the group.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the global propagation function is a diffusion-advection function.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the disturbance is initially applied to one or more of the plurality of members of the group and propagates according to the diffusion-advection function.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the disturbance is an impulse.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the disturbance is obtained by extracting a signal from an input video stream.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the potential function comprises a plurality of stable minima and the plurality of members transition between at least some of the plurality of stable minima.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the attribute comprises one or more characteristics of the plurality of members selected from the group of characteristics comprising position, motion, appearance, action, response, and behavior.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the potential function relates the attribute using more than one variable.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform at least the steps of claim 1.

10. A method for generating a simulation comprising a group that comprises a plurality of elements, the method comprising: modeling a collective behavior of the group using a potential function with at least one stable minimum that relates an attribute of each of the plurality of elements; andapplying an effect to the plurality of elements based upon a global diffusion-advection propagation function and an input signal.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the input signal is extracted from an input video stream.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising displaying the simulation in an area that surrounds or partially surrounds an area displaying the input video stream.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the attribute comprises one or more characteristics if the plurality of elements selected from the group of characteristics comprising position, motion, appearance, action, response, and behavior.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the potential function comprises a plurality of stable minima and the plurality of elements transition between at least some of the plurality of stable minima.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the potential function uses more than one variable to relate the attribute of each of the plurality of elements

16. A computer-readable medium comprising one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform at least the steps of claim 1.

17. A system that models collective behavior of a group comprising a plurality of members, the system comprising: a potential calculator that relates an attribute of each member of the plurality of members of the group using a potential function with at least one stable minimum; anda global propagation modeler that uses a global propagation function to propagate a disturbance to the group.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the global propagation function is a diffusion-advection function.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the disturbance is obtained by extracting a signal from an input video stream.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the disturbance is initially applied to one or more of the plurality of members of the group and propagates according to the diffusion-advection function and wherein the potential function comprises a plurality of stable minima and the plurality of members transition between at least some of the plurality of stable minima.