A bucketing algorithm for the orthogonal segment intersection search problem and its practical efficiency

The orthogonal segment intersection search problem is stated as follows: given a setS ofn orthogonal segments in the plane, report all the segments ofS that intersect a given orthogonal query segment. For this problem, we propose a simple and practical algorithm based on bucketing techniques. It constructs, inO(n) time preprocessing, a search structure of sizeO(n) so that all the segments ofS intersecting a query segment can be reported inO(k) time in the average case, wherek is the number of the reported segments. The proposed algorithm as well as existing algorithms is implemented in FORTRAN, and their practical efficiencies are investigated through computational experiments. It is shown that ourO(k) search time,O(n) space, andO(n) preprocessing time algorithm is in practice the most efficient among the algorithms tested.Supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan under Grant No. 62550270 (1987).     

Computing shortest transversals

We present anO(nlog² n) time andO(n) space algorithm for computing the shortest line segment that intersects a set ofn given line segments or lines in the plane. If the line segments do not intersect the algorithm may be trimmed to run inO(nlogn) time. Furthermore, in combination with linear programming the algorithm will also find the shortest line segment that intersects a set ofn isothetic rectangles in the plane inO(nlogk) time, wherek is the combinatorial complexity of the space of transversals andk≤4n. These results find application in: (1) line-fitting between a set ofn data ranges where it is desired to obtain the shortestline-of-fit, (2) finding the shortest line segment from which a convexn-vertex polygon is weakly externally visible, and (3) determing the shortestline-of-sight between two edges of a simplen-vertex polygon, for whichO(n) time algorithms are also given. All the algorithms are based on the solution to a new fundamental geometric optimization problem that is of independent interest and should find application in different contexts as well.     

Connected component and simple polygon intersection searching

Efficient data structures are given for the following two query problems: (i) preprocess a setP of simple polygons with a total ofn edges, so that all polygons ofP intersected by a query segment can be reported efficiently, and (ii) preprocess a setS ofn segments, so that the connected components of the arrangement ofS intersected by a query segment can be reported quickly. In these problems we do not want to return the polygons or connected components explicitly (i.e., we do not wish to report the segments defining the polygon, or the segments lying in the connected components). Instead, we assume that the polygons (or connected components) are labeled and we just want to report their labels. We present data structures of sizeO(n ¹⁺) that can answer a query in timeO(n ¹⁺+k), wherek is the output size. If the edges ofP (or the segments inS) are orthogonal, the query time can be improved toO(logn+k) usingO(n logn) space. We also present data structures that can maintain the connected components as we insert new segments. For arbitrary segments the amortized update and query time areO(n ^1/2+) andO(n ^1/2++k), respectively, and the space used by the data structure isO(n ¹⁺. If we allowO(n ^4/3+ space, the amortized update and query time can be improved toO(n ^1/3+ andO(n ^1/3++k, respectively. For orthogonal segments the amortized update and query time areO(log² n) andO(log² n+klogn), and the space used by the data structure isO (n logn). Some other related results are also mentioned.Part of this work was done while the second author was visiting the first author on a grant by the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (N.W.O.). The research of the second author was also supported by the ESPRIT Basic Research Action No. 3075 (project ALCOM). The research of the first author was supported by National Science Foundation Grant CCR-91-06514.     

An algorithm for segment-dragging and its implementation

Given a collection of points in the plane, pick an arbitrary horizontal segment and move it vertically until it hits one of the points (if at all). This form ofsegment-dragging is a common operation in computer graphics and motion-planning, it can also serve as a building block for multidimensional data structures. This note describes a new approach to segment-dragging which yields a simple and efficient solution. The data structure requiresO(n) storage andO(n logn) preprocessing time, and each query can be answered inO(logn) time, wheren is the number of points in the collection. The method is best understood as the end result of a sequence of transformations applied to a simple but inefficient starting solution.     

Fast computation of smallest enclosing circle with center on a query line segment

Here we propose an efficient algorithm for computing the smallest enclosing circle whose center is constrained to lie on a query line segment. Our algorithm preprocesses a given set of n points P={p₁,p₂,…,pn} such that for any query line or line segment L, it efficiently locates a point c on L that minimizes the maximum distance among the points in P from c. Roy et al. [S. Roy, A. Karmakar, S. Das, S.C. Nandy, Constrained minimum enclosing circle with center on a query line segment, in: Proc. of the 31st Mathematical Foundation of Computer Science, 2006, pp. 765-776] have proposed an algorithm that solves the query problem in O(log²n) time using O(nlogn) preprocessing time and O(n) space. Our algorithm improves the query time to O(logn); but the preprocessing time and space complexities are both O(n²).     

Quasi-optimal upper bounds for simplex range searching and new zone theorems

This paper presents quasi-optimal upper bounds for simplex range searching. The problem is to preprocess a setP ofn points in ?^d so that, given any query simplexq, the points inP ∩q can be counted or reported efficiently. Ifm units of storage are available (n <m <n ^d ), then we show that it is possible to answer any query inO(n ^1+?/m ^1/d ) query time afterO(m ^1+?) preprocessing. This bound, which holds on a RAM or a pointer machine, is almost tight. We also show how to achieveO(logn) query time at the expense ofO(n ^d+?) storage for any fixed ? > 0. To fine-tune our results in the reporting case we also establish new zone theorems for arrangements and merged arrangements of planes in 3-space, which are of independent interest.     

Towards optimal range medians

We consider the following problem: Given an unsorted array of n elements, and a sequence of intervals in the array, compute the median in each of the subarrays defined by the intervals. We describe a simple algorithm which needs O(nlogk+klogn) time to answer k such median queries. This improves previous algorithms by a logarithmic factor and matches a comparison lower bound for k=O(n). The space complexity of our simple algorithm is O(nlogn) in the pointer machine model, and O(n) in the RAM model. In the latter model, a more involved O(n) space data structure can be constructed in O(nlogn) time where the time per query is reduced to O(logn/loglogn). We also give efficient dynamic variants of both data structures, achieving O(log²n) query time using O(nlogn) space in the comparison model and O((logn/loglogn)²) query time using O(nlogn/loglogn) space in the RAM model, and show that in the cell-probe model, any data structure which supports updates in O(log^O(1)n) time must have Ω(logn/loglogn) query time.Our approach naturally generalizes to higher-dimensional range median problems, where element positions and query ranges are multidimensional—it reduces a range median query to a logarithmic number of range counting queries.     

Selection, Routing, and Sorting on the Star Graph

We consider the problems of selection, routing, and sorting on ann-star graph (withn! nodes), an interconnection network which has been proven to possess many special properties. We identify a tree like subgraph (which we call a “(k, 1,k) chain network”) of the star graph which enables us to design efficient algorithms for the above mentioned problems. We present an algorithm that performs a sequence ofnprefix computations inO(n²) time. This algorithm is used as a subroutine in our other algorithms. We also show that sorting can be performed on then-star graph in timeO(n³) and that selection of a set of uniformly distributednkeys can be performed inO(n²) time with high probability. Finally, we also present a deterministic (nonoblivious) routing algorithm that realizes any permutation inO(n³) steps on then-star graph. There exists an algorithm in the literature that can perform a single prefix computation inO(nlgn) time. The best-known previous algorithm for sorting has a run time ofO(n³lgn) and is deterministic. To our knowledge, the problem of selection has not been considered before on the star graph.     

An optimal visibility graph algorithm for triangulated simple polygons

LetP be a triangulated simple polygon withn sides. The visibility graph ofP has an edge between every pair of polygon vertices that can be connected by an open segment in the interior ofP. We describe an algorithm that finds the visibility graph ofP inO(m) time, wherem is the number of edges in the visibility graph. Becausem can be as small asO(n), the algorithm improves on the more general visibility algorithms of Asanoet al. [AAGHI] and Welzl [W], which take Θ(n ²) time, and on Suri'sO(m logn) visibility graph algorithm for simple polygons [S].     

A Nonoblivious Bus Access Scheme Yields an Optimal Partial Sorting Algorithm

This paper focuses on a linear array ofnnodes withmultiple shared busesas a practically feasible model for parallel processing. Letkbe the number of shared buses. A nonoblivious scheme for mutually exclusive access tokshared buses is proposed. The effectiveness of the scheme is demonstrated by proposing an algorithm for solving a partial sort problem, which can be efficiently executed on the array according to the scheme. Thepartial sort problemwith parametermis the problem of sorting a subsetS′ of a given setS, whereS′ is the set of elements less than or equal to themth smallest element inS. Ifm= 1, then it is solved by an algorithm for finding the smallest element inS, and ifm=n, then it is solved by adapting normal sorting algorithm. The time complexity (9m/k) log₂log₂n+ 3.467[formula]+O(m/k+ (n/k)^1/4) of the proposed algorithm matches a lower bound Ω ([formula]+m/k) with respect tonandk, ifmis small enough to satisfym=O([formula]/log logn).     

Randomized range-maxima in nearly-constant parallel time

Given an array ofn input numbers, therange-maxima problem is that of preprocessing the data so that queries of the type what is the maximum value in subarray [i..j] can be answered quickly using one processor. We present a randomized preprocessing algorithm that runs inO(log^* n) time with high probability, using an optimal number of processors on a CRCW PRAM; each query can be processed in constant time by one processor. We also present a randomized algorithm for a parallel comparison model. Using an optimal number of processors, the preprocessing algorithm runs inO( (n)) time with high probability; each query can be processed inO ( (n)) time by one processor. (As is standard, (n) is the inverse of Ackermann function.) A constant time query can be achieved by some slowdown in the performance of the preprocessing stage.     

An algorithm for segment-dragging and its implementation

Given a collection of points in the plane, pick an arbitrary horizontal segment and move it vertically until it hits one of the points (if at all). This form ofsegment-dragging is a common operation in computer graphics and motion-planning, it can also serve as a building block for multidimensional data structures. This note describes a new approach to segment-dragging which yields a simple and efficient solution. The data structure requiresO(n) storage andO(n logn) preprocessing time, and each query can be answered inO(logn) time, wheren is the number of points in the collection. The method is best understood as the end result of a sequence of transformations applied to a simple but inefficient starting solution.This work was started while the author was a visiting professor at Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France.     

On a Nearest-Neighbor Problem Under Minkowski and Power Metrics for Large Data Sets

The paper presents the sequential and the parallel algorithm for solving the nearest-neighbor problem in the plane, based on the generalized Voronoi diagram construction. The applications of the problem are found in the areas of networking, communications, distributed systems, computer modeling and information retrieval. The input for the problem is the set of circular sites S with varying radii, the query point p and the metric (Minkowski or power) according to which the site, neighboring the query point, is to be reported. The sequential algorithm takes O(n) time to build the data structure and O(log n) time for each query. The parallel algorithm requires O(log n log) preprocessing time and O(log) query time on EREW PRAM architecture with n/log n processors. The IDG/NNM software was developed for an experimental study of the problem. The experimental results demonstrate that the Voronoi diagram method outperforms the k – d tree method for all tested input configurations. The tests were conducted on large data sets, comprising thousands of generators.     

A fast algorithm for point-location in a finite element mesh

An algorithm for the point-location problem in 2D finite element meshes as a special case of plane straight-line graphs (PSLG) is presented. The element containing a given point P is determined combining a quadtree data structure to generate a quaternary search tree and a local search wave using adjacency information. The preprocessing construction of the search tree has a complexity ofO(n·log(n)) and requires only pointer swap operations. The query time to locate a start element for local search isO(log(n)) and the final point search by ‘point-in-polygon’ tests is independent of the total number of elements in the mesh and thus determined in constant time. Although the theoretical efficiency estimates are only given for quasi-uniform meshes, it is shown in numerical examples, that the algorithm performs equally well for meshes with extreme local refenement.     

Constructing strongly convex hulls using exact or rounded arithmetic

One useful generalization of the convex hull of a setS ofn points is the ?-strongly convex δ-hull. It is defined to be a convex polygon with vertices taken fromS such that no point inS lies farther than δ outside and such that even if the vertices of are perturbed by as much as ?, remains convex. It was an open question as to whether an ?-strongly convexO(?)-hull existed for all positive ?. We give here anO(n logn) algorithm for constructing it (which thus proves its existence). This algorithm uses exact rational arithmetic. We also show how to construct an ?-strongly convexO(? + μ)-hull inO(n logn) time using rounded arithmetic with rounding unit μ. This is the first rounded-arithmetic convex-hull algorithm which guarantees a convex output and which has error independent ofn.     

Optimal parallel detection of squares in strings

A stringw isprimitive if it is not a power of another string (i.e., writingw =v ^k impliesk = 1. Conversely,w is asquare ifw =vv, withv a primitive string. A stringx issquare-free if it has no nonempty substring of the formww. It is shown that the square-freedom of a string ofn symbols over an arbitrary alphabet can be tested by a CRCW PRAM withn processors inO(logn) time and linear auxiliary space. If the cardinality of the input alphabet is bounded by a constant independent of the input size, then the number of processors can be reduced ton/logn without affecting the time complexity of this strategy. The fastest sequential algorithms solve this problemO(n logn) orO(n) time, depending on whether the cardinality of the input alphabet is unbounded or bounded, and either performance is known to be optimal within its class. More elaborate constructions lead to a CRCW PRAM algorithm for detecting, within the samen-processors bounds, all positioned squares inx in timeO(logn) and using linear auxiliary space. The fastest sequential algorithms solve this problem inO(n logn) time, and such a performance is known to be optimal.     

Dominance made simple

In this note we show that it is extremely easy to answer dominance queries in three dimensions using only range minima routine (and a binary tree). The algorithm after preprocessing takes O(logn+S) time, where S is the size of output (after O(nlogn) time for pre-processing).The algorithm can also be used to answer 5-sided range queries, in same time bounds.     

A linear-time algorithm to construct a rectilinear Steiner minimal tree fork-extremal point sets

Ak-extremal point set is a point set on the boundary of ak-sided rectilinear convex hull. Given ak-extremal point set of sizen, we present an algorithm that computes a rectilinear Steiner minimal tree in timeO(k ⁴ n). For constantk, this algorithm runs inO(n) time and is asymptotically optimal and, for arbitraryk, the algorithm is the fastest known for this problem.     

Efficient parallel algorithms forr-dominating set andp-center problems on trees

We develop efficient parallel algorithms for ther-dominating set and thep-center problems on trees. On a concurrent-read exclusive-write PRAM, our algorithm for ther-dominating set problem runs inO(logn log logn) time withn processors. The algorithm for thep-center problem runs inO(log² n log logn) time withn processors.     

Orthogonally Drawing Cubic Graphs in Parallel

In this paper we describe a parallel algorithm that, given annvertex cubic graphGas input, outputs an orthogonal drawing ofGwithO(n) bends,O(n) maximum edge length, andO(n²) area inO(log n) time using a CRCW PRAM withnprocessors. We give two slight variants of the algorithm. The first generates a drawing in which each edge has at most 2 bends; the total number of bends and the area are bounded byn+3 and [formula], respectively. The second optimizes the number of bends per edge (at most one) even if the values of the other functions are slightly worst. Despite its nonoptimality, this parallel algorithm is the first dealing with nonplanar, nonbiconnected graphs. Moreover, no embedding of the graph is requested as input nor is anst-numbering (orlmc-numbering) computed.