On fair parametric rational cubic curves (Q1914873)

Let Hermite data \(((x_i^{(k)}, y_i^{(k)})\), \(i=0, 1\); \(k= 0,1\)) be given in the plane. Let \(x(t)= at+ bu+ ct^3/ (1+ pu)+ dt^3/ (1+ pt)\), \(u= 1-t\), \(p\geq 0\), and let \(y(t)\) be similarly defined. Then \(z(t)= (x(t), y(t))\) with \(x^{(k)} (i)= x_i^{(k)}\), \(y^{(k)} (i)= y_i^{(k)}\) is called a parametric rational curve segment. The authors consider the following problems: (i) to chose \(p\) such that \(z= z(t)\) has neither inflection points nor singularities for \(t\in[ 0,1 ]\), (ii) to discuss conditions under which joint segments give a \(C^2\) parametric curve (well-known for \(p=0\)). Numerical examples are given.