James Frederick Blinn

Title: Innovations of James Frederick Blinn

Introduction

James Frederick Blinn is a prominent inventor based in Bellevue, WA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of computer graphics, holding a total of 11 patents. His work primarily focuses on real-time rendering techniques that enhance the capabilities of graphics hardware.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Real-time GPU rendering of piecewise algebraic surfaces." This innovation involves generating surfaces defined by Bézier tetrahedrons on programmable graphics hardware. The process includes custom programmed vertex processing, which computes a symmetric tensor and assigns its unique elements as vertex attribute data. This data is then interpolated by the graphics hardware to reconstruct the symmetric tensor at each pixel, allowing for the determination of the roots of the polynomial defining the surface. If no real roots exist, the pixel processing can exit early. Conversely, if roots do exist, the smallest root is used to compute a normal to a point on the surface, which aids in determining the color and depth of that pixel.

Another notable patent is "Resolution-independent curve rendering using programmable graphics hardware." This technique renders shapes defined partially by Bézier curves through a GPU-implemented method that identifies which side of the curve various screen points lie on. Specifically, it focuses on cubic Bézier curves and projects them to a canonical implicit form in a canonical texture space, allowing for efficient computation.

Career Highlights

James Frederick Blinn is currently associated with Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. His work has significantly influenced the development of graphics rendering techniques, making him a key figure in the industry.

Collaborations

He has collaborated with notable coworkers such as Charles T Loop and John Carlton Platt, contributing to various advancements in graphics technology.

Conclusion

James Frederick Blinn's innovative patents and contributions to computer graphics have established him as a leading inventor in the field. His work continues to influence the way graphics are rendered in modern technology.