System and method for improved rendering of graphical rotations

Abstract

A system and method for rendering of graphical rotations. The system includes a processor coupled to system memory, a display device, and optionally a graphics accelerator. The processor operates on a matrix M with a matrix operator having the properties of consistency on rotations and attraction to rotations. The matrix operator may be applied more than once to achieve greater error attenuation. The processor, or alternatively the graphics accelerator, performs image graphical rendering calculations using resultant matrix L obtained from applying the matrix operator. A first approximate rotation representing a previous orientation for a graphical object, and a second approximate rotation matrix representing a desired rotation to be applied to the graphical object, are multiplied to obtain matrix M which represents an updated orientation for the graphical object. The second approximate rotation matrix is generated in response to a sensor input provided by a user or from orientation information stored in a data structure. Furthermore, an iterative method for generating a sequence of approximate rotation matrices in response to user input or stored control information, and for rendering a series of rotation updates of a graphical object on a display screen is also contemplated. The matrix M representing the result of a matrix multiplication step is updated periodically or pseudo-periodically using a matrix operator having the consistency and attraction properties.