Abstract: A texture unit of a graphics processing unit provides the ability to switch among different filter modes depending upon shader program instructions that are received by the texture unit. One filter mode has the capability to extract filter weights that have been specified in a received shader program instruction rather than calculating the weights within the texture unit itself.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fragment groups are described. Fragment groups that include z-only pixels are accessed. A z-only pixel has associated therewith two or more z-values instead of a single z-value. Fragment groups that are not covered by a geometric primitive are discarded, while fragment groups that are covered by a geometric primitive are forwarded to a shader pipeline.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically canceling texture fetches may improve texture mapping performance. A shader program compiler inserts condition code writes and condition code comparison operations for shader program instructions that contribute to a texture read instruction and do not need to be executed if certain conditions are met. During execution of the shader program, the inserted condition codes are used to compute a dynamic writemask that indicates if the texture data resulting from the texture read is unnecessary. The dynamic writemask is used to cancel unnecessary texture fetches during execution of the shader program.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for visually searching feature sets that are organized in a grid-like manner. As such, a feature set associated with a location-based grid area may be received. The location-based grid area may also be associated with the location of a device. After receiving query image features, a visual search may be performed by comparing the query image features with the feature set. The search results are then returned. By conducting the visual search within a feature set that is selected based upon the location of the device, the efficiency of the search can be enhanced and the search may potentially be performed by the device, such as a mobile device, itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a visual search interface may include a processing element configured to receive indications of an image including an object, receive location information indicative of a location associated with a user providing the indications of the image, and enable performance of a visual search based on the location information and features of the image to identify candidate search results by comparing the image to source images stored in association with a location within a predetermined distance from the location associated with the user.

Abstract: A graphical shader and a method of distributing graphical data to shader pipelines in a graphical shader are disclosed. In accordance with the method, a shader pipeline input delay is set. Further, a group of the graphical data is distributed to a shader pipeline of the graphical shader to be processed. The method includes waiting for the shader pipeline input delay to elapse. After the shader pipeline input delay has elapsed, another group of the graphical data is distributed to another shader pipeline of the graphical shader to be processed. In another embodiment, a graphical shader includes a plurality of shader pipelines for processing graphical data. Further, the graphical shader includes a shader distributor for distributing a group of the graphical data to one of the shader pipelines and for distributing another group of the graphical data to another one of the shader pipelines after a shader pipeline input delay has elapsed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and computer program products which relate to utilizing a camera of a mobile terminal as a user interface for search applications and online services to perform visual searching are provided. The system consists of an apparatus that includes a processor that is configured to capture an image of one or more objects and analyze data of the image to identify an object(s) of the image. The processor is further configured to receive information that is associated with at least one object of the images and display the information that is associated with the image. In this regard, the apparatus is able to simplify access to location based services and improve a user's experience. The processor of the apparatus is configured to combine results of robust visual searches with online information resources to enhance location based services.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an auxiliary braking system, which is used to enable an actuation device having a braking interface to perform braking. The auxiliary braking system of the present invention comprises: a dynamic device controlled by a controller; a linking device coupled to the dynamic device; and a motion block installed at the linking device and able to contact the braking interface of the actuation device. When the dynamic device is initiated, the motion block is driven by the linking device to trigger the actuation device to perform braking. The auxiliary braking system of the present invention can be applied to a common vehicle to replace all-manual braking operation and make driving easier with high installation convenience without changing the original structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an auxiliary steering system, which is installed in the steering wheel of a vehicle. In the present invention, a gear-operation device is installed in the steering wheel; a dynamic device is installed in steering column of the steering wheel and utilizes a transmission device to drive the gear-operation device; and a controller is connected to the dynamic device and controls the dynamic device to operate the steering wheel. The present invention enables a common vehicle to achieve automatic driving without changing the original vehicle structure. Further, the assistant mechanism of the present invention makes manual driving easier, and the safety mechanism of the present invention makes automatic driving safer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing a graphical representation that describes the appearance of an object from a plurality of viewing directions. Compressing includes accessing the graphical representation, removing redundant descriptive information from the graphical representation and representing the remaining information for efficient rendering, such as rendering with hardware-assisted computation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying approximate graphical representations that describe the appearance of an object from a plurality of viewing directions. Displaying includes accessing the approximate graphical representation and creating an appearance for the object based on the approximate graphical representation. The system and method may use hardware-assisted computation to create the appearances. The object is then displayed using the appearances.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for compressing a graphical representation that describes the appearance of an object from a plurality of viewing directions. Compressing includes accessing the graphical representation, removing redundant descriptive information from the graphical representation and representing the remaining information for efficient rendering, such as rendering with hardware-assisted computation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying approximate graphical representations that describe the appearance of an object from a plurality of viewing directions. Displaying includes accessing the approximate graphical representation and creating an appearance for the object based on the approximate graphical representation. The system and method may use hardware-assisted computation to create the appearances. The object is then displayed using the appearances.