Importance

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Abstract

A computer-implemented graphics system defines an object-oriented framework for describing three-dimensional (3D) graphical objects, systems, and simulations. A 3D graphical image, a system, and a simulation are implemented as a directed multi-graph that includes a plurality of components defined by nodes connected by edges. A directed multi-graph engine in a graphics computer program processes the directed multi-graphs, wherein each node in the graph performs some specific function and the edges define relationships between the nodes. There are no restrictions on node types, and thus nodes may represent graphic objects (a visual representation), rules (rule-base behavior), attributes (data that does not affect the fundamental definition of the object), properties (data that affects the fundamental definition of the object), behaviors (methods), finite state machines (a sequence of actions and states), and any other user-defined component. There are no restrictions on edge types, and thus edges may represent event filters, connectivity, data, constraints, and any other user-defined relationship. Events traverse the graph, wherein the edges determine if and how traversal of the nodes is performed and any node may perform some sequence of operations in response to this traversal and the state of the graph.

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First Claim