Abstract: The present invention relates to a source code generator 20 for a graphics card used by a software application. Unitary shaders having common characteristics are defined according to a common structure defined by a basic shader. The basic shader comprises the common characteristics of the unitary shaders and common interfaces for the software application. The source code generator 20 is a generator of shaders, generating one or more shaders 24 for the graphics card by combining the unitary shaders 21 according to one or more descriptions of combinations 22 of unitary shaders 21. The source code generator 20 can be used to produce a source code to manage the combination of visual effects, notably for an application generating images in real time for a simulation or a video game.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for generation of specific elements with characteristics different to those of the majority of generic elements of an image, in particular, image points with a resolution, a positional precision and a contrast greater than for the rest of the image. The invention also relates to a method and a device for the generation of artificial images using said method for generation of specific elements and a flight simulator using said device. Conventional methods for the generation of artificial images with image points comprised of specific elements are not immediately transferable and, furthermore, are complex and costly.

Abstract: A process for estimating the distance between a stationary object and a vehicle by providing the processing of images from the speed of enlargement of an image of an object seen from a vehicle. Images of the object are analyzed by an image speed sensor mounted on a vehicle and these images are centered relative to the speed vector of the vehicle. The luminance values of the pixels of the images successively analyzed by the sensor and the luminance value of pixels of a series of predicted images are integrated in a plurality of image memories corresponding respectively to a plurality of predetermined values for the distance. The luminance value of each pixel of a predicted image is determined as a function of the integrated luminance value for a pixel being considered, as a function of the speed of the vehicle, as a function of the position of the pixel in the predicted image and as a function of the distance value corresponding to the particular memory being considered.