arXiv subjects

Michiel Smid

Publications and source records attributed to Michiel Smid.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

On the Stretch Factor of Convex Polyhedra whose Vertices are (Almost) on a Sphere

Let $P$ be a convex polyhedron in $\mathbb{R}^3$. The skeleton of $P$ is the graph whose vertices and edges are the vertices and edges of $P$, respectively. We prove that, if these vertices are on the unit-sphere, the skeleton is a $(0.999 \cdot π)$-spanner. If the vertices are very close to this sphere, then the skeleton is not necessarily a spanner. For the case when the boundary of $P$ is between two concentric spheres of radii $1$ and $R>1$, and the angles in all faces are at least $θ$, we prove that the skeleton is a $t$-spanner, where $t$ depends only on $R$ and $θ$. One of the ingredients in the proof is a tight upper bound on the geometric dilation of a convex cycle that is contained in an annulus.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2016

Fast Algorithms for Diameter-Optimally Augmenting Paths and Trees

We consider the problem of augmenting an n-vertex graph embedded in a metric space, by inserting one additional edge in order to minimize the diameter of the resulting graph. We present exact algorithms for the cases when (i) the input graph is a path, running in O(n \log^3 n) time, and (ii) the input graph is a tree, running in O(n^2 \log n) time. We also present an algorithm that computes a (1+\eps)-approximation in O(n + 1/\eps^3) time, for paths in R^d, where d is a constant.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2016

Probing Convex Polygons with a Wedge

Minimizing the number of probes is one of the main challenges in reconstructing geometric objects with probing devices. In this paper, we investigate the problem of using an $ω$-wedge probing tool to determine the exact shape and orientation of a convex polygon. An $ω$-wedge consists of two rays emanating from a point called the apex of the wedge and the two rays forming an angle $ω$. To probe with an $ω$-wedge, we set the direction that the apex of the probe has to follow, the line $\overrightarrow L$, and the initial orientation of the two rays. A valid $ω$-probe of a convex polygon $O$ contains $O$ within the $ω$-wedge and its outcome consists of the coordinates of the apex, the orientation of both rays and the coordinates of the closest (to the apex) points of contact between $O$ and each of the rays. We present algorithms minimizing the number of probes and prove their optimality. In particular, we show how to reconstruct a convex $n$-gon (with all internal angles of size larger than $ω$) using $2n-2$ $ω$-probes; if $ω= π/2$, the reconstruction uses $2n-3$ $ω$-probes. We show that both results are optimal. Let $N_B$ be the number of vertices of $O$ whose internal angle is at most $ω$, (we show that $0 \leq N_B \leq 3$). We determine the shape and orientation of a general convex $n$-gon with $N_B=1$ (respectively $N_B=2$, $N_B=3$) using $2n-1$ (respectively $2n+3$, $2n+5$) $ω$-probes. We prove optimality for the first case. Assuming the algorithm knows the value of $N_B$ in advance, the reconstruction of $O$ with $N_B=2$ or $N_B=3$ can be achieved with $2n+2$ probes,- which is optimal.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Plane Bichromatic Trees of Low Degree

Let $R$ and $B$ be two disjoint sets of points in the plane such that $|B|\leqslant |R|$, and no three points of $R\cup B$ are collinear. We show that the geometric complete bipartite graph $K(R,B)$ contains a non-crossing spanning tree whose maximum degree is at most $\max\left\{3, \left\lceil \frac{|R|-1}{|B|}\right\rceil + 1\right\}$; this is the best possible upper bound on the maximum degree. This solves an open problem posed by Abellanas et al. at the Graph Drawing Symposium, 1996.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Minimizing the Continuous Diameter when Augmenting Paths and Cycles with Shortcuts

We seek to augment a geometric network in the Euclidean plane with shortcuts to minimize its continuous diameter, i.e., the largest network distance between any two points on the augmented network. Unlike in the discrete setting where a shortcut connects two vertices and the diameter is measured between vertices, we take all points along the edges of the network into account when placing a shortcut and when measuring distances in the augmented network. We study this network augmentation problem for paths and cycles. For paths, we determine an optimal shortcut in linear time. For cycles, we show that a single shortcut never decreases the continuous diameter and that two shortcuts always suffice to reduce the continuous diameter. Furthermore, we characterize optimal pairs of shortcuts for convex and non-convex cycles. Finally, we develop a linear time algorithm that produces an optimal pair of shortcuts for convex cycles. Apart from the algorithms, our results extend to rectifiable curves. Our work reveals some of the underlying challenges that must be overcome when addressing the discrete version of this network augmentation problem, where we minimize the discrete diameter of a network with shortcuts that connect only vertices.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Approximating the Bottleneck Plane Perfect Matching of a Point Set

A bottleneck plane perfect matching of a set of $n$ points in $\mathbb{R}^2$ is defined to be a perfect non-crossing matching that minimizes the length of the longest edge; the length of this longest edge is known as {\em bottleneck}. The problem of computing a bottleneck plane perfect matching has been proved to be NP-hard. We present an algorithm that computes a bottleneck plane matching of size at least $\frac{n}{5}$ in $O(n \log^2 n)$-time. Then we extend our idea toward an $O(n\log n)$-time approximation algorithm which computes a plane matching of size at least $\frac{2n}{5}$ whose edges have length at most $\sqrt{2}+\sqrt{3}$ times the bottleneck.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Improved Spanning Ratio for Low Degree Plane Spanners

We describe an algorithm that builds a plane spanner with a maximum degree of 8 and a spanning ratio of approximately 4.414 with respect to the complete graph. This is the best currently known spanning ratio for a plane spanner with a maximum degree of less than 14.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Strong Matching of Points with Geometric Shapes

Let $P$ be a set of $n$ points in general position in the plane. Given a convex geometric shape $S$, a geometric graph $G_S(P)$ on $P$ is defined to have an edge between two points if and only if there exists an empty homothet of $S$ having the two points on its boundary. A matching in $G_S(P)$ is said to be $strong$, if the homothests of $S$ representing the edges of the matching, are pairwise disjoint, i.e., do not share any point in the plane. We consider the problem of computing a strong matching in $G_S(P)$, where $S$ is a diametral-disk, an equilateral-triangle, or a square. We present an algorithm which computes a strong matching in $G_S(P)$; if $S$ is a diametral-disk, then it computes a strong matching of size at least $\lceil \frac{n-1}{17} \rceil$, and if $S$ is an equilateral-triangle, then it computes a strong matching of size at least $\lceil \frac{n-1}{9} \rceil$. If $S$ can be a downward or an upward equilateral-triangle, we compute a strong matching of size at least $\lceil \frac{n-1}{4} \rceil$ in $G_S(P)$. When $S$ is an axis-aligned square we compute a strong matching of size $\lceil \frac{n-1}{4} \rceil$ in $G_S(P)$, which improves the previous lower bound of $\lceil \frac{n}{5} \rceil$.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Discrete Voronoi Games and $ε$-Nets, in Two and Three Dimensions

The one-round discrete Voronoi game, with respect to a $n$-point user set $U$, consists of two players Player 1 ($\mathcal{P}_1$) and Player 2 ($\mathcal{P}_2$). At first, $\mathcal{P}_1$ chooses a set of facilities $F_1$ following which $\mathcal{P}_2$ chooses another set of facilities $F_2$, disjoint from $F_1$. The payoff of $\mathcal{P}_2$ is defined as the cardinality of the set of points in $U$ which are closer to a facility in $F_2$ than to every facility in $F_1$, and the payoff of $\mathcal{P}_1$ is the difference between the number of users in $U$ and the payoff of $\mathcal{P}_2$. The objective of both the players in the game is to maximize their respective payoffs. In this paper we study the one-round discrete Voronoi game where $\mathcal{P}_1$ places $k$ facilities and $\mathcal{P}_2$ places one facility and we have denoted this game as $VG(k,1)$. Although the optimal solution of this game can be found in polynomial time, the polynomial has a very high degree. In this paper, we focus on achieving approximate solutions to $VG(k,1)$ with significantly better running times. We provide a constant-factor approximate solution to the optimal strategy of $\mathcal{P}_1$ in $VG(k,1)$ by establishing a connection between $VG(k,1)$ and weak $ε$-nets. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Voronoi games are studied from the point of view of $ε$-nets.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2015

Packing Plane Perfect Matchings into a Point Set

Given a set $P$ of $n$ points in the plane, where $n$ is even, we consider the following question: How many plane perfect matchings can be packed into $P$? We prove that at least $\lceil\log_2{n}\rceil-2$ plane perfect matchings can be packed into any point set $P$. For some special configurations of point sets, we give the exact answer. We also consider some extensions of this problem.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2014

Optimal Data Structures for Farthest-Point Queries in Cactus Networks

Consider the continuum of points on the edges of a network, i.e., a connected, undirected graph with positive edge weights. We measure the distance between these points in terms of the weighted shortest path distance, called the network distance. Within this metric space, we study farthest points and farthest distances. We introduce optimal data structures supporting queries for the farthest distance and the farthest points on trees, cycles, uni-cyclic networks, and cactus networks.

cs.DS↗

arXiv2014

Matching in Gabriel Graphs

Given a set $P$ of $n$ points in the plane, the order-$k$ Gabriel graph on $P$, denoted by $k$-$GG$, has an edge between two points $p$ and $q$ if and only if the closed disk with diameter $pq$ contains at most $k$ points of $P$, excluding $p$ and $q$. We study matching problems in $k$-$GG$ graphs. We show that a Euclidean bottleneck perfect matching of $P$ is contained in $10$-$GG$, but $8$-$GG$ may not have any Euclidean bottleneck perfect matching. In addition we show that $0$-$GG$ has a matching of size at least $\frac{n-1}{4}$ and this bound is tight. We also prove that $1$-$GG$ has a matching of size at least $\frac{2(n-1)}{5}$ and $2$-$GG$ has a perfect matching. Finally we consider the problem of blocking the edges of $k$-$GG$.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2014

Higher-Order Triangular-Distance Delaunay Graphs: Graph-Theoretical Properties

We consider an extension of the triangular-distance Delaunay graphs (TD-Delaunay) on a set $P$ of points in the plane. In TD-Delaunay, the convex distance is defined by a fixed-oriented equilateral triangle $\triangledown$, and there is an edge between two points in $P$ if and only if there is an empty homothet of $\triangledown$ having the two points on its boundary. We consider higher-order triangular-distance Delaunay graphs, namely $k$-TD, which contains an edge between two points if the interior of the homothet of $\triangledown$ having the two points on its boundary contains at most $k$ points of $P$. We consider the connectivity, Hamiltonicity and perfect-matching admissibility of $k$-TD. Finally we consider the problem of blocking the edges of $k$-TD.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2013

Average Stretch Factor: How Low Does It Go?

In a geometric graph, $G$, the \emph{stretch factor} between two vertices, $u$ and $w$, is the ratio between the Euclidean length of the shortest path from $u$ to $w$ in $G$ and the Euclidean distance between $u$ and $w$. The \emph{average stretch factor} of $G$ is the average stretch factor taken over all pairs of vertices in $G$. We show that, for any constant dimension, $d$, and any set, $V$, of $n$ points in $\mathbb{R}^d$, there exists a geometric graph with vertex set $V$, that has $O(n)$ edges, and that has average stretch factor $1+ o_n(1)$. More precisely, the average stretch factor of this graph is $1+O((\log n/n)^{1/(2d+1)})$. We complement this upper-bound with a lower bound: There exist $n$-point sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$ for which any graph with $O(n)$ edges has average stretch factor $1+Ω(1/\sqrt{n})$. Bounds of this type are not possible for the more commonly studied worst-case stretch factor. In particular, there exists point sets, $V$, such that any graph with worst-case stretch factor $1+o_n(1)$ has a superlinear number of edges.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2013

Computing the Coverage of an Opaque Forest

We consider the problem of taking an opaque forest and determining the regions that are covered by it. We provide a tight upper bound on the complexity of this problem, and an algorithm for computing this area, which is worst-case optimal.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2013

Robust Geometric Spanners

Highly connected and yet sparse graphs (such as expanders or graphs of high treewidth) are fundamental, widely applicable and extensively studied combinatorial objects. We initiate the study of such highly connected graphs that are, in addition, geometric spanners. We define a property of spanners called robustness. Informally, when one removes a few vertices from a robust spanner, this harms only a small number of other vertices. We show that robust spanners must have a superlinear number of edges, even in one dimension. On the positive side, we give constructions, for any dimension, of robust spanners with a near-linear number of edges.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2013

A Note on the Unsolvability of the Weighted Region Shortest Path Problem

Let S be a subdivision of the plane into polygonal regions, where each region has an associated positive weight. The weighted region shortest path problem is to determine a shortest path in S between two points s, t in R^2, where the distances are measured according to the weighted Euclidean metric-the length of a path is defined to be the weighted sum of (Euclidean) lengths of the sub-paths within each region. We show that this problem cannot be solved in the Algebraic Computation Model over the Rational Numbers (ACMQ). In the ACMQ, one can compute exactly any number that can be obtained from the rationals Q by applying a finite number of operations from +, -, \times, ÷, \sqrt[k]{}, for any integer k >= 2. Our proof uses Galois theory and is based on Bajaj's technique.

cs.CG↗

arXiv2013

An Optimal Algorithm for the Euclidean Bottleneck Full Steiner Tree Problem

Let $P$ and $S$ be two disjoint sets of $n$ and $m$ points in the plane, respectively. We consider the problem of computing a Steiner tree whose Steiner vertices belong to $S$, in which each point of $P$ is a leaf, and whose longest edge length is minimum. We present an algorithm that computes such a tree in $O((n+m)\log m)$ time, improving the previously best result by a logarithmic factor. We also prove a matching lower bound in the algebraic computation tree model.

cs.CG↗