On the problem of proper reparametrization for rational curves and surfaces

A rational parametrization of an algebraic curve (resp. surface) establishes a rational correspondence of this curve (resp. surface) with the affine or projective line (resp. affine or projective plane). This correspondence is a birational equivalence if the parametrization is proper. So, intuitively speaking, a rational proper parametrization trace the curve or surface once. We consider the problem of computing a proper rational parametrization from a given improper one. For the case of curves we generalize, improve and reinterpret some previous results. For surfaces, we solve the problem for some special surface's parametrizations. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.