Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.

Abstract: A configurable electronic system provides a software based system by which researchers set up self-monitoring field protocols in a common computer format and deploy the protocols to computer devices to research participants. The system includes electronic software modules of tasks useful in generating of questionnaires for recording research data. By selecting, modifying and sequencing the modules, a researcher generates a sequence of questionnaires to be displayed on the computer devices operated by the research participants. The participants' computer devices include alert queues to stage questionnaires to be presented to a participant and resolve conflicts between questionnaires staged at substantially the same time.

Abstract: A data processing methodology and corresponding apparatus for visualizing the characteristics of a particular object volume in an overall medical/biological environment receives a source image data set pertaining to the overall environment. First and second contour surfaces within the environment are established which collectively define a target object volume. By way of segmenting, all information pertaining to structures outside the target object volume are excluded from the image data. A visual representation of the target object based on nonexcluded information is displayed. In particular, the method establishes i) the second contour surface through combining both voxel intensities and relative positions among voxel subsets, and ii) a target volume by excluding all data outside the outer surface and inside the inner surface (which allows non-uniform spacing between the first and second contour surfaces). The second contour surface is used as a discriminative for the segmenting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enlarging an output display includes a message hook application capable of receiving a magnification event indicator, wherein the magnification event indicator includes a magnification factor. The method and apparatus further includes a character generator coupled to the message hook application wherein the character generator receives a text call from the message hook application. The character generator thereupon generates a magnified character set including a plurality of characters enlarged by the magnification factor. A display driver is coupled to the message hook application and the character generator, wherein the display driver receives the character set at the magnified font size and caches the character set. A direct draw surface is coupled to the display driver such that the direct draw surface receive one or more of the characters enlarged by the magnification factor.

Abstract: A synchronized two-level cache including a level 1 cache and a level 2 cache is implemented in a graphics processing system. The level 2 cache is further partitioned into a number of slots which are dynamically allocated to texture maps as needed. The reference counter of each of the cache lines in each cache level is tracked so that a cache line is not overwritten with new data prior to transferring old data out to the recipient device. The age status of each cache line is tracked so that the oldest cache line is overwritten first. The use of a synchronized two-level cache system conserves system memory bandwidth and reduces memory latency, thereby improving the graphics processing system's performance.

Abstract: Inflowing data is summarized in real time. The summarized data is displayed as a graph in real time. A portion of the graph is selected using dual sliders. And data that was summarized in real time and represented by the selected graph portion is operated on. Operating on the data that was summarized in real time and represented by the selected graph portion involves displaying components of the data that was summarized in real time and represented by the selected graph portion and/or exporting the data that was summarized in real time and represented by the selected graph portion. Displaying components of the data that was summarized in real time and represented by the selected graph portion involves displaying components of the data that was summarized in real time in one or more new graphs and/or displaying components of the data that was summarized in real time in tabular form.

Abstract: A visual programming interface allows an artist to create real time shaders using a tree of shader nodes. Each shader node represents an operation that can be performed in real time through the real time rendering engine. The visual interface allows the arbitrary combinations of these shader nodes to be made and allows the parameters of the shaders to be manipulated or animated. The visual programming interface may be activated in an interactive animation environment through a designation that a real time shader is to be applied to a surface. By integrating the visual programming interface with an interactive animation environment, an artist can experiment readily with different custom real time shaders. An artist also has the flexibility to create arbitrary real time shader trees and to view them interactively without requiring a programmer to develop or modify a custom shader.

Abstract: An image sealing device has an input multiplexer, a line buffer, a vertical scaling processor for performing a vertical scaling process, a horizontal scaling processor for performing a horizontal scaling process, and an output multiplexer. The image scaling device can perform both horizontal and vertical upsealing or downscaling to the input image, and after the input image is processed, the output image is outputted to the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alphabetic character input device which includes a key input section composed of a first key group having input keys mapped with first half patterns of certain alphabetic characters which are divided into a pair of half patterns and a second key group having input keys mapped with second half patterns of said certain alphabetic characters, the other undivided alphabetic characters being mapped on the input keys of either the first key group or the second key group; a memory for storing a table that maps the input keys of the first and second key groups with the first and second half patterns of said certain alphabetic characters and said other alphabetic characters; and a control section that recognizes a key mapped with the alphabetic character is pressed and combines a first half pattern with a second half pattern when keys mapped with first second half patterns are pressed in sequence, thereby recognizing the combined patterns as a single alphabetic character.

Abstract: Low complexity signal-space detection can be applied to a variety of systems, e.g., data storage systems, data communication systems, DVD systems, systems that use media subject to a d=2 minimum run-length constraint, etc. The signal-space detector/method estimates a channel input symbol based on a finite number of observation samples. For example, in the binary input case, the signal-space detector divides a multidimensional space into two disjoint regions corresponding to opposite symbol decisions. The detection system/method determines in which region the observation vector falls and releases a corresponding hard decision, e.g., a binary symbol decision. Further, a soft decision can be provided that measures the reliability of the symbol decision.

Abstract: A system and method is described for manipulating a plurality of discrete objects in a graphics application, the method comprising generating a set of coordinates for each discrete object, each discrete object bound by at least a horizontal boundary guide and a vertical boundary guide, selecting the boundary guide bounding one of the plurality of discrete objects intended for manipulation, rendering a feedback guide responsive to the selecting, dragging the feedback guide to a final location, and resizing the one of the plurality of discrete objects intended for manipulation and others of the plurality of discrete objects that have the boundary guide sharing an axis with the selected feedback slice guide responsive to the final location.

Abstract: The present invention is related to rendering computer animated video and/or images generally, and to improving the calculation of diffusely reflected light. The present invention includes a system and method of computing diffusely reflected light at one or more positions on surfaces in an object scene from object scene data. The present invention typically includes the step of and/or instructions for selecting a non-regular order for processing a plurality of positions on a surface—the plurality of positions having been predetermined. The present invention also includes the step of and/or instruction for processing the plurality of positions in the non-regular order.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating at least one report from a plurality of data sources. The system and method include a data source specification to indicate the data to be retrieved from the data sources so that the report may be generated based upon the extracted data. A view specification indicates how the data is to be visually represented within the report. A report rendering engine causes the data to be retrieved from the data sources in accordance with the data source specification, and creates in accordance with the view specification a visual representation of the report based upon the retrieved data.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing rendering efficiency in pipelined graphics systems. In the disclosed embodiments, reads of pixel information during the rendering of a primitive are suspend if the pixel information has not been updated by a previous primitive. In some embodiments, reads of pixel information are also suspended periodically when a table tracking the information becomes full. In some embodiments a Read Monitor Unit 108 controlled by the graphics system's Memory Controller 106 is used to track pixels which have been affected by rendered primitives. In some embodiments, a history list is used to avoid suspension of reads for antialiased lines. In a particular embodiment, the table used to track affected pixels is two-bits, the first bit tracking whether the pixel has been touched by a primitive since the last SuspendReads command was invoked and the second bit tracking whether the pixel has been touched by the current primitive. Both bits are reset when a power on or SuspendReads command occurs.

Abstract: In an image processing device composed such that it can display a prescribed object while changing the shape of said object, there is provided a first memory for recording information for first polygons which form the object; a second memory for recording information for second polygons, which form the object and are linked to the first polygons; and when the shape of the object is changed, the shapes of said second polygons are changed such that no gaps are produced between the first polygons and the second polygons. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a more realistic object representation, with the joint regions moving in a natural manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for hierarchically decomposing a visual or audio object within an animation into plurality of objects which can be individually edited to achieve particular animation effects. For example, a graphical object may be decomposed into a plurality of graphical sub-objects, each of which is inherits an anchor point from the original object, or is given an original anchor point distinct from the original object. Each sub-object also includes a relative position for the sub-object relative to the anchor point. The path of the anchor point is combined with relative positions of the sub-objects to produce an animation for the object as a whole. This decomposition technique can greatly increase computational efficiency of an animation. It also provides for inheritance of attributes between objects and descendent sub-objects. The objects may support functions, or behaviors, such as morphing or motion blurring.

Abstract: To generate a 3D computer model of a subject object 210, images 300-316, 380-384 of the subject object are recorded from different viewing positions and directions. The image data is processed to generate a plurality of sets of images, each set containing images having registered imaging positions and directions. A preliminary 3D computer model 390 is generated using the images from a first of the sets such that the position and orientation of the preliminary 3D computer model 390 is registered with the images in the set. The imaging positions and directions of the images in the first set are then registered with the imaging positions and directions of the images in each other respective set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing non-planar video graphics primitives is presented. Vertex parameters corresponding to vertices of a video graphics primitive are received, where the video graphics primitive is a non-planar, or higher-order, video graphics primitive. A cubic Bezier control mesh is calculated using the vertex parameters provided for the non-planar video graphics primitive. Two techniques for calculating control points included in the cubic Bezier control mesh along the edges of the non-planar video graphics primitive are described. The central control point is determined based on the average of a set of reflected vertices, where each of the reflected vertices is a vertex of the non-planar video graphics primitive reflected through a line defined by a pair of control points corresponding to the vertex.

Abstract: A technique for compactly representing the surface radiance characteristics of an object based on acquired images of the object includes calculating surface radiance functions, which are then partitioned, based on a mesh topology, into vertex radiance functions. The vertex radiance functions are then reparameterized, on a vertex-by-vertex basis, to local coordinates systems. The reparameterized vertex radiance functions, which may be six-dimensional, are then decomposed into a plurality of lower dimensional functions that may be compactly stored.