David G. Kirkpatrick

Bio: David G. Kirkpatrick is an academic researcher from University of British Columbia. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Planar graph & Vertex (geometry). The author has an hindex of 45, co-authored 188 publication(s) receiving 9301 citation(s). Previous affiliations of David G. Kirkpatrick include IBM & University of Washington.

On the shape of a set of points in the plane

Abstract: A generalization of the convex hull of a finite set of points in the plane is introduced and analyzed. This generalization leads to a family of straight-line graphs, " \alpha -shapes," which seem to capture the intuitive notions of "fine shape" and "crude shape" of point sets. It is shown that a-shapes are subgraphs of the closest point or furthest point Delaunay triangulation. Relying on this result an optimal O(n \log n) algorithm that constructs \alpha -shapes is developed.

Optimal Search in Planar Subdivisions

Abstract: A planar subdivision is any partition of the plane into (possibly unbounded) polygonal regions. The subdivision search problem is the following: given a subdivision $S$ with $n$ line segments and a query point $p$, determine which region of $S$ contains $p$. We present a practical algorithm for subdivision search that achieves the same (optimal) worst case complexity bounds as the significantly more complex algorithm of Lipton and Tarjan, namely $O(\log n)$ search time with $O(n)$ storage. Our subdivision search structure can be constructed in linear time from the subdivision representation used in many applications.

Linear time Euclidean distance transform algorithms

Abstract: Two linear time (and hence asymptotically optimal) algorithms for computing the Euclidean distance transform of a two-dimensional binary image are presented. The algorithms are based on the construction and regular sampling of the Voronoi diagram whose sites consist of the unit (feature) pixels in the image. The first algorithm, which is of primarily theoretical interest, constructs the complete Voronoi diagram. The second, more practical, algorithm constructs the Voronoi diagram where it intersects the horizontal lines passing through the image pixel centers. Extensions to higher dimensional images and to other distance functions are also discussed. >

The ultimate planar convex hull algorithm

Abstract: We present a new planar convex hull algorithm with worst case time complexity $O(n \log H)$ where $n$ is the size of the input set and $H$ is the size of the output set, i.e. the number of vertices found to be on the hull. We also show that this algorithm is asymptotically worst case optimal on a rather realistic model of computation even if the complexity of the problem is measured in terms of input as well as output size. The algorithm relies on a variation of the divide-and-conquer paradigm which we call the ``marriage-before-conquest'''' principle and which appears to be interesting in its own right.

Unit disk graph recognition is NP-hard

Abstract: Unit disk graphs are the intersection graphs of unit diameter closed disks in the plane. This paper reduces SATISFIABILITY to the problem of recognizing unit disk graphs. Equivalently, it shows that determining if a graph has sphericity 2 or less, even if the graph is planar or is known to have sphericity at most 3, is NP-hard. We show how this reduction can be extended to 3 dimensions, thereby showing that unit sphere graph recognition, or determining if a graph has sphericity 3 or less, is also NP-hard. We conjecture that K-sphericity is NP-hard for all fixed K greater than 1.

The Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms

Abstract: From the Publisher: With this text, you gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of algorithms, the very heart of computer science. It introduces the basic data structures and programming techniques often used in efficient algorithms. Covers use of lists, push-down stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. Later chapters go into sorting, searching and graphing algorithms, the string-matching algorithms, and the Schonhage-Strassen integer-multiplication algorithm. Provides numerous graded exercises at the end of each chapter. 0201000296B04062001

The quickhull algorithm for convex hulls

Abstract: The convex hull of a set of points is the smallest convex set that contains the points. This article presents a practical convex hull algorithm that combines the two-dimensional Quickhull algorithm with the general-dimension Beneath-Beyond Algorithm. It is similar to the randomized, incremental algorithms for convex hull and delaunay triangulation. We provide empirical evidence that the algorithm runs faster when the input contains nonextreme points and that it used less memory. computational geometry algorithms have traditionally assumed that input sets are well behaved. When an algorithm is implemented with floating-point arithmetic, this assumption can lead to serous errors. We briefly describe a solution to this problem when computing the convex hull in two, three, or four dimensions. The output is a set of “thick” facets that contain all possible exact convex hulls of the input. A variation is effective in five or more dimensions.

Voronoi diagrams—a survey of a fundamental geometric data structure

Abstract: Computational geometry is concerned with the design and analysis of algorithms for geometrical problems. In addition, other more practically oriented, areas of computer science— such as computer graphics, computer-aided design, robotics, pattern recognition, and operations research—give rise to problems that inherently are geometrical. This is one reason computational geometry has attracted enormous research interest in the past decade and is a well-established area today. (For standard sources, we refer to the survey article by Lee and Preparata [19841 and to the textbooks by Preparata and Shames [1985] and Edelsbrunner [1987bl.) Readers familiar with the literature of computational geometry will have noticed, especially in the last few years, an increasing interest in a geometrical construct called the Voronoi diagram. This trend can also be observed in combinatorial geometry and in a considerable number of articles in natural science journals that address the Voronoi diagram under different names specific to the respective area. Given some number of points in the plane, their Voronoi diagram divides the plane according to the nearest-neighbor

Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry

Abstract: N G van Kampen 1981 Amsterdam: North-Holland xiv + 419 pp price Dfl 180 This is a book which, at a lower price, could be expected to become an essential part of the library of every physical scientist concerned with problems involving fluctuations and stochastic processes, as well as those who just enjoy a beautifully written book. It provides an extensive graduate-level introduction which is clear, cautious, interesting and readable.

Algorithms in Combinatorial Geometry

Abstract: This book offers a modern approach to computational geo- metry, an area thatstudies the computational complexity of geometric problems. Combinatorial investigations play an important role in this study.