A generalization of the convex Kakeya problem

Hee Kap Ahn, Sang Won Bae, Otfried Cheong, Joachim Gudmundsson, Takeshi Tokuyama, Antoine Vigneron

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We consider the following geometric alignment problem: Given a set of line segments in the plane, find a convex region of smallest area that contains a translate of each input segment. This can be seen as a generalization of Kakeya's problem of finding a convex region of smallest area such that a needle can be turned through 360 degrees within this region. Our main result is an optimal Θ(n log n)-time algorithm for our geometric alignment problem, when the input is a set of n line segments. We also show that, if the goal is to minimize the perimeter of the region instead of its area, then the optimum placement is when the midpoints of the segments coincide. Finally, we show that for any compact convex figure G, the smallest enclosing disk of G is a smallest-perimeter region containing a translate of any rotated copy of G.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLATIN 2012
Subtitle of host publicationTheoretical Informatics - 10th Latin American Symposium, Proceedings
Pages1-12
Number of pages12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Event10th Latin American Symposiumon Theoretical Informatics, LATIN 2012 - Arequipa, Peru
Duration: 2012 Apr 162012 Apr 20

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume7256 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Other

Other10th Latin American Symposiumon Theoretical Informatics, LATIN 2012
Country/TerritoryPeru
CityArequipa
Period12/4/1612/4/20

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • Computer Science(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A generalization of the convex Kakeya problem'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this