A computationally efficient analytical method determines when two quadric surfaces, such as ellipsoids surfaces, share the same volume by adding an extra dimension to the solution space for providing extradimensional product matrices defining degenerate quadric surfaces. The method then examines computed eigenvalues associated the product matrices to determine when the two quadric surfaces share the same volume or when surface projected areas based on viewing angle share the same area. The method provides direct share volume results based on comparisons of the eigenvalues that can be rapidly computed. The method can be use for collision avoidance detection where the objects are modeled by quadric surfaces.
        
            Warning of Approaching Collision or Impingement in Three-Dimensional Space
      
      
      Warning of Approaching Collision or Impingement in Three-Dimensional Space
Issue
       Date
          
            
            Publication Date
          
          
            Patent No.
          
          
            6,694,283
          
        
            Category
          
                                                    Algorithm and Method
        
                                                                               Keywords:  eigenvalue,  collision avoidance
            
      
                                                                                                                           International Class:  G06T7/00,  G08G5/04,  G01C17/00,  G01C19/00