Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for reducing memory bandwidth to texture samplers via re-interpolation of texture coordinates includes at least one texture sampler coupled to at least one shader core where the texture sampler is at least capable of generating texture map addresses by re-interpolating pixel fragment block texture coordinates from starting data and attribute deltas associated with the block.

Abstract: Antialiasing method and apparatus for video applications. A method for antialiasing a video graphic. A determination is first made as to the relative position of a desired pixel being within the polygon and proximate to the edge of the polygon. Once the relative position is known, then a determination is made as to whether it meets a first predetermined condition or a second predetermined condition. If the relative position meets the first condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion. If the relative position meets the second predetermined condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for converting resolution of an image, a weight for a statistical diagonal interpolation pixel is set based on a slope having the statistically highest confidence level, the statistical diagonal interpolation pixel is combined with a different pixel interpolated by a different interpolation so as to generate a combined interpolated pixel based on the set weight, information is generated for quantitatively evaluating the strength of an edge and the strength of texture, a texture mixed pixel is generated by combining the combined interpolated pixel with a texture pixel generated by performing texture filtering on the pixel of interest based on the texture strength information, and an edge mixed pixel is generated as a pixel at the position of interest by combining an edge pixel generated by performing filtering on the pixel of interest with the generated texture mixed pixel based on the edge strength information.

Abstract: A programmable system for dithering video data. The system is operable in at least two user-selectable modes which can include a small kernel mode and a large kernel mode. In some embodiments, the system is operable in at least one mode in which it applies two or more kernels (each from a different kernel sequence) to each block of video words. Each kernel sequence repeats after a programmable number of the blocks (e.g., a programmable number of frames containing the blocks) have been dithered. The period of repetition is preferably programmable independently for each kernel sequence. The system preferably includes a frame counter for each kernel sequence. Each counter generates an interrupt when the number of frames of data dithered by kernels of the sequence has reached a predetermined value. In response to the interrupt, software can change the kernel sequence being applied. Typically, the system performs both truncation and dithering on words of video data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic correction of data for non-uniformity are disclosed. Feature data are extracted from input video data that include a subject shot against a backing area in a solid color. The feature data may describe characteristics of non-uniformity in input video data. A curve is generated based on the extracted feature data, and correction factors are formed based on the generated curve. At least one of the input video data and alpha data associated with the input video data is corrected based on the correction factors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to Method and Apparatus for Super Montage Large area Spectroscopic Imaging. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for producing a spectroscopic image of an object includes the steps of (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object scattered and/or emitted light for each of a plurality of wavelengths; (b) producing separately for each of the plurality of wavelengths a plurality of substantially contiguous sub-images of the object; (c) compensating for spatial aberrations in ones of the sub-images for a select one of the plurality of wavelengths; (d) compensating for intensity aberrations between ones of the substantially contiguous sub-images for one of the plurality of wavelengths; and (e) combining the sub-images for the select one wavelength to thereby produce said spectroscopic image of the object.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that reduce the amount of data transferred between a graphics processor integrated circuit and graphics memory. Various embodiments of the present invention further improve the efficiency of blenders that are included on a graphics processor. One embodiment provides for the storage of a reduced number of subsamples of a pixel when the storage of a larger number of subsamples would be redundant. The number of subsamples that are blended with source data are compressed, thereby reducing the task load on the blenders increasing their efficiency. These methods can be disabled to avoid errors that may arise in certain applications.

Abstract: The present invention is an interpolation device and method. According to the present invention, a plurality of pixels close to a pixel to be interpolated are sequentially set to a central pixel. When a pixel difference closest to a threshold value among pixel differences between the central pixel and a plurality of pixels around the central pixel belongs to a quasi-edge decision range, an edge interpolation and a bilinear interpolation are mixed to interpolate the pixel to be interpolated. As a result, it is possible to prevent reduction in image quality due to an edge verdict caused by unstable input image signal and perform a stable interpolation operation.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to provide flexible texture filtering. A programmable texture filtering module is introduced into the graphics processing pipeline of a graphic coprocessor and graphic processor integrated with the host. A program from a defined instruction set may then be loaded into texture processing cores to process texture data consistent with the program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used for gamut mapping to a printer gamut that includes receiving a narrow gamut, a wide gamut, a printer gamut for printing on a printer and a predetermined mapping between the narrow and printer gamuts, identifying overlapping areas in the wide gamut, the narrow and printer gamuts, determining when the narrow gamut overlaps areas of the wide gamut, utilizing the narrow gamut values when the determination provides overlapping areas of the narrow gamut and the wide gamuts, selecting a wide gamut interpolation point corresponding to the surface of the printer gamut when narrow gamut areas do not overlap the wide gamut according to the determination, selecting a narrow gamut interpolation point by mapping the narrow gamut to the printer gamut and interpolating the narrow gamut interpolation point and the wide gamut interpolation point expanding the narrow gamut values into the printer gamut.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing or eliminating artifacts that may occur during color reduction of images. A bias is added to a data structure that is arranged to store counts of pixel colors of an image. Counts of pixel colors of the image are added to the data structure. Via the data structure, colors from the image are grouped into buckets until the number of buckets is less than or equal to a number of colors in a palette. Then, colors of pixels in the image are mapped to colors in the palette.

Abstract: A color conversion definition correction apparatus corrects a color conversion definition defining a relation between first color data representative of a color by coordinates on a first color space and second color data representative of a color by coordinates on a second color space in such a manner that a plurality of first color data has a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of second color data. A smoothing processing is applied to the second color data. A color difference between the reference color set up and a color represented by the second color data subjected to the smoothing processing is determined. The second color data subjected to the smoothing processing is corrected, when the color difference is larger than the reference color difference, in such a manner that a color difference between a color represented by the second color data and the reference color is small.

Abstract: Image acquisition refers to the taking of digital images of multiple views of the object of interest. In the processing step, the constituent images collected in the image acquisition step are selected and further processed to form a multimedia sequence which allows for the interactive view of the object. Furthermore, during the Processing phase, the entire multimedia sequence is compressed and digitally signed to authorize it viewing. In the Storage and Caching Step, the resulting multimedia sequence is sent to a storage servers. In the Transmission and viewing step, a Viewer (individual) may request a particular multi-media sequence, for example, by selecting a particular hyperlink within a browser, which initiates the downloading, checking of authorization to view, decompression and interactive rendering of the multi-media sequence on the end-users terminal, which could be any one of a variety of devices, including a desktop PC, or a hand-held device.

Abstract: A method, device and computer system for creating a smooth, continuous height (scalar or vector) field are described. The described techniques permit arbitrary closed regions to be smoothly shaded without producing unnatural smoothness at the region's edges or boundaries.

Abstract: An image transmission method comprises the steps of: receiving a request including request information having size information concerning an image and/or area information concerning the image; reconstructing small image areas by taking out code words constituting the small image areas based on the request information, the code words being independent of one another; and transmitting a response including the small image area to a requester in each small image area reconstructed in the step of reconstructing small image areas.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and information processing apparatus and method employs an output profile read-out unit that, according to a region designated by a preference selection unit, reads out one or more regional profiles from output profiles prepared for each such region. An output profile composing unit then combines the one or more output profiles based on a composition ratio input from the preference selection unit. The output profile is then input to a color matching processor for color matching.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating images, compressing image data, decompressing image data, and processing the decompressed image data so that it can be used by a rendering circuit of a device, e.g., a set top box, are described. Images are generated in the native format used by the rendering circuit of the device which will ultimately control the display of the image avoiding the need to perform processing associated with converting color component information from one format to another. Uncompressed image data is arranged in a file with color component values being grouped separately from alpha values to facilitate compression by a standard file compression technique. The file is compressed using a conventional file compression operation. The compressed image file is decompressed when needed and the alpha data and color component data is reorganized so that the color component values and alpha value(s) corresponding to individual pixels are grouped together.

Abstract: This is an image processing device for predicting the lower-order bits of target pixel data, based on one or more pieces of pixel data constituting image data. The image processing device comprises a lower-order bit calculation unit for calculating the lower-order bits of the target pixel data, based on one or more pieces of pixel data constituting image data and specifying the data as corrected lower-order bits and a lower-order bit superimposition unit for superimposing the corrected lower-order bits calculated by the lower-order bit calculation unit on higher-order bits of the target pixel data.

Abstract: A configurable filter module for providing shared filter resource between an overlay engine and a texture mapping engine of a graphics system. The configurable filter may comprise a plurality of linear blend units each of which receives data input from one of the overlay engine and a mapping engine cache, and generates a linear blend filter output respectively; and a filter output multiplexer which receives data output from the linear blend units and selects a proper byte ordering output, wherein the linear blend units serve as an overlay interpolator filter to perform linear blending of the data input from the overlay engine during a linear blend mode, and serve as a texture bilinear filter to perform bilinear filtering of the data input from the mapping engine cache during a bilinear filtering mode.

Abstract: A graphics engine includes a setup unit and a rendering unit. The setup unit computes coefficients A, B, and C used for interpolating an attribute v of a triangle to be rendered for a graphics image. The setup unit then derives compressed coefficients Ã, {tilde over (B)}, and {tilde over (C)} based on the coefficients A, B, and C. The compressed coefficients have a fixed-point format with R integer bits left of a binary point and T fractional bits right of the binary point, where R>1 and T?0. R is selected based on the number of bits used for attribute v, T is selected based on the screen dimension, and R+T is much less than the number of bits used to represent the coefficients A, B, and C. The rendering unit performs interpolation for the attribute v using the compressed coefficients Ã, {tilde over (B)}, and {tilde over (C)}, and may be implemented with a simple (R+T)-bit non-saturating accumulator.

Abstract: The invention provides an image data processing apparatus including a memory for storing plural values indicating plural brightnesses when a predetermined display element is driven based on discrete plural drive values, and an operation circuit for converting a first conversion value converted from input image data, based on a value read out from the memory thereby generating the drive value, wherein the operation circuit executes an operation for evaluating a difference between the first conversion value and the value indicating brightness, and an operation for obtaining the drive value according to a result of the evaluation.

Abstract: A system for decoding a video bitstream and a method for replacing image data in a motion prediction cache are described. For each of the cache lines, a tag distance between pixels stored in the cache line and uncached pixels that are to be stored in the cache is calculated. The calculated tag distance is used to determine whether the pixels are outside a local image area defined about the uncached pixels. Pixels determined to be outside the local image area are replaced with the uncached pixels. The motion prediction cache can be organized as sets of cache lines and the method can be performed for each of the cache lines in one of the sets. The definition of the sets can be changed in response to cache performance. Similarly, the local image area can be redefined in response to cache performance.

Abstract: A system and method for generating color gradients is provided. The system generates color gradients using techniques from geometric surface modeling. The system and method of the present invention allow designers to specify very complex gradients in a simple way. The system can employ, for example, a vector-based interpolation method and/or a pixel-based partial differential equation (PDE) interpolation methods to facilitate generation of the color gradients. In one example, input boundary curves and/or feature curves are approximated by line segments, which are then utilized to generate a triangulation approximating a smooth color gradient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpolating values for a color space from an input color value. A unit hypercube enclosing the input value is generated based on values from a look up table. A set of boundary conditions are then imposed on the unit hypercube. To perform the actual interpolation, an initial barycentric projection is performed from a selected vertex of the unit hypercube through the input value onto a boundary of the unit hypercube. If the projection satisfies one of the boundary conditions, an interpolated value is calculated using the projection by back substitution. If the initial projection does not satisfy a boundary condition, an intermediate value is generated from the previous projection and successive barycentric projections are performed using respectively different vertices of the unit hypercube through intermediate values onto a boundary of the unit hypercube until a projection satisfies one of the boundary conditions.

Abstract: An integrated method for both super-resolution and multi-frame demosaicing includes an image fusion followed by simultaneous deblurring and interpolation. For the case of color super-resolution, the first step involves application of recursive image fusion separately on the three different color layers. The second step is based on minimizing a maximum a posteriori (MAP) cost function. In one embodiment, the MAP cost function is composed of several terms: a data fidelity penalty term that penalizes dissimilarity between the raw data and the super-resolved estimate, a luminance penalty term that favors sharp edges in the luminance component of the image, a chrominance penalty term that favors low spatial frequency changes in the chrominance component of the image, and an orientation penalty term that favors similar edge orientations across the color channels. The method is also applicable to color super-resolution (without demosaicing), where the low-quality input images are already demosaiced.

Abstract: A method for determining intensity of a sub-pixel position within a pixelated image to enhance the image quality thereof. In a first step of this method information is received regarding a first pixel at a position X0,Y0, having an intensity I(X0,Y0). In a second step information is received regarding a second pixel at a position X1,Y0, where said second pixel is adjacent to and to the right of said first pixel. In third step, information is received regarding a third pixel at a position X0,Y1, where the third pixel is adjacent to and below the first pixel. In a fourth step information is received regarding a fourth pixel at a position X1,Y1, where the fourth pixel is adjacent to and to the right of the third pixel.

Abstract: An indirection texture magnification system and method for producing high-resolution indirection texture results. The system and method uses an indirection texture, designed for use with a low-resolution texture image, and a high-resolution texture image, which is a higher-resolution version of the low-resolution texture image. The indirection texture magnification system and method re-interprets an indirection texture computed for a low-resolution image so that a higher-resolution image can be used with the same indirection texture. This generates additional samples and allows the generation of a magnified, high-resolution indirection texture result. The indirection texture magnification system and method takes three or more neighboring pixel coordinates stored in an indirection texture and offsets those pixel coordinates in order to access the higher-resolution image with an increased precision.

Abstract: A rendering device according to the present invention comprises an information acquiring unit for acquiring system information or rendering object information, a control point generating section for setting a curved surface interpolating level serving to determine number of control points for creating a curved surface or a curved line based on the acquired information and thereby generating the control point in accordance with the curved surface interpolating level, and a curved surface creating section for creating the curved surface based on the control point, wherein an operation quantity for rendering the curved surface of a display object is dynamically changed based on the acquired information.

Abstract: An image processing method for converting a first image, which is expressed in a colorimetric system made up of a plurality of color components and is constituted of a plurality of pixels each holding color information corresponding to a single color component, to a second image constituted with a plurality of pixels all holding color information corresponding to at least one common color component, includes: a color difference information generation step in which color difference information is generated by using color information in the first image; a color gradient analysis step in which a color gradient indicating an extent of color change is determined based upon the color difference information having been generated; and an image conversion step in which the first image is converted to the second image based upon the color gradient having been determined.

Abstract: A shadow portion is distinguished in a given image (S2 to S6). On the shadow portion, a conversion process based on the brightness value of a pixel is performed (S7), while on a portion other than the shadow portion, a conversion process based on the surface normal parameter which represents the surface normal of a photograph subject is performed (S8 and S9).

Abstract: A method for interpolating pixel data of an omitted line by use of pixel data from an interlaced scan, for de-interlacing an interlaced video image. Image edge direction is detected at the center position of every two neighboring scan lines in an interlaced scan. All the directions detected in a given field constitute an edge orientation map. Edge directions are filtered to remove false and unreliable edge directions from the edge orientation map. If an edge direction is removed, the vertical edge direction is used to replace that direction in the edge orientation map. For interpolating a new pixel at the center of two neighboring scan lines, the corresponding direction for that position is used as the interpolation direction to calculate the value of the new pixel. If the direction is vertical, a filter is used along the vertical direction to calculate the interpolation value.

Abstract: Using a drawing engine, a printer subjects image data to color matching processing into its own device color space. If the image data is a geometric object having a change in color, a gradation handler interpolates a changed value of color in the geometric object in the device color space based upon results of the color matching at a point of the geometric object.

Abstract: There is provided an edge detecting method, which is capable of preventing a noise influence caused by imaging device and a color interpolation. The edge detecting method includes the steps of: setting a first kernel based on a center pixel in pixel data arranged in a mosaic structure; setting a second kernel based on the center pixel within the first kernel; detecting whether a pixel having a green value in the second kernel is a defective pixel, and correcting the pixel; converting all pixels of the second kernel into pixels having green value; calculating a slope value by using a mask for detecting an edge in the second kernel; and detecting an edge by adding the slope value to a luminance value obtained by a color space conversion.

Abstract: A method for transforming an original image to a new image is provided. The original image includes M rows of original data; the new image includes Q rows of new data. The method first generates a (2i?1)th row and a (2i)th row of intermediate data respectively based on the (2i?1)th row and the (2i)th row of original data. Then, the method generates a (2i+1)th row and a (2i+2)th row of intermediate data respectively based on the (2i+1)th row and the (2i+2)th row of original data. During the process of generating the (2i+1)th row of intermediate data, the (2j?1)th row of new data is simultaneously generated based on the (2i?1)th row and the (2i+1)th row of intermediate data. During the process of generating the (2i+2)th row of intermediate data, the (2j)th row of new data is simultaneously generated based on the (2i)th row and the (2i+2)th row of intermediate data.

Abstract: An apparatus for color compensation includes a chroma deflection generation unit to calculate a chroma deflection based on an input chroma signal and a predetermined first reference value, a hue deflection generation unit to calculate a hue deflection based on an input hue signal and a predetermined second reference value, a chroma deflection function generation unit to calculate a luminance deflection based on an input luminance signal and a predetermined third value, and a tone mapping function generation unit to output the chroma signal, hue signal and luminance signal after individually compensating these signals based on the chroma deflection, hue deflection and luminance deflection. According to the present invention, when color is distorted due to transmission flaws, the color can be compensated to be an appropriate color.

Abstract: A system, method and medium renders an object into a 3-dimensional (3D) graphic image. The rendering system includes a polygon processing unit to calculate a plurality of LOD values of a plurality of fragments corresponding to a plurality of vertices of a predetermined polygon, among a plurality of fragments constructing the predetermined polygon, a span conversion unit to interpolate a plurality of LOD values of remaining fragments apart from the plurality of fragments corresponding to the vertices of the predetermined polygon, using the calculated LOD values, and a texture mapping unit to map one of a plurality of textures with various resolutions to a corresponding fragment of the fragments constructing the predetermined polygon, on the basis of the LOD values interpolated by the span conversion unit.

Abstract: A graphics system has a mode of operation in which real samples and virtual samples are generated for anti-aliasing pixels. Each virtual sample identifies a set of real samples associated with a common primitive that covers a virtual sample location within a pixel. The virtual samples provide additional coverage information that may be used to adjust the weights of real samples.

Abstract: Methods for choosing and combining colors from a color palette to render an image color tone are disclosed. A set of up to four palette colors are chosen and the weighted factors for combining the chosen palette to render the image color are determined. The weighted factors of the chosen palette colors are ordered according to an ordering criterion or criteria. The color output of a display pixel is the chosen palette color associated with the interval in which the threshold value falls. Color data compression may also be achieved by eliminating at least one color from the set of chosen palette colors used to render an image color that fails to exceed a specified threshold value. Also disclosed are methods for designing uniform and non-uniform color palettes.

Abstract: A high quality and performance 3D graphics architecture suitable for portable handheld devices is provided. The 3D graphics architecture incorporates a module to classify polygons by size and other characteristics. In general, small and well-behaved triangles can be processed using “lower-precision” units with power efficient circuitry without any quality and performance sacrifice (e.g., realism, resolution, etc.). By classifying the primitives and selecting the more power-efficient processing unit to process the primitive, power consumption can be reduced without quality and performance sacrifice.

Abstract: In a color correcting parameter calculator, a color correcting unit 11 calculates a target color by executing color correction processing of an input color on a reference side while a reference side color perception value calculator unit 13 calculates color perception values of the input color and its target color on the reference side. An object side color perception value calculator unit 15 calculates color perception values of an input color on an object side. A color difference searching unit 16 detects that input color on the reference side which has a minimum color difference with the input color on the object side, by accessing a color perception storage unit 14 for input and target colors for the reference side. A device dependent color unit 17 on the object side calculates device dependent color data of a target color on the object side with reference to perception values of the target color on the reference side while a color correcting parameter calculator 18 calculates color correcting parameters.

Abstract: An optimal pen color is automatically selected for a given background color based upon a predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system. The predetermined distance is defined in terms of saturation, hue and or lightness. In general, sufficient visual distinction is observed when the color representations of the pen and the background are separated by the predetermined relative distance in the Munsell color-order system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling texture sampling in connection with computer graphics in a computer system. In various embodiments, improved mechanisms for controlling texture sampling are provided that enable 3-D accelerator hardware to greatly increase the level of realism in rendering, including improved mechanisms for (1) motion blur; (2) generating anisotropic surface reflections (3) generating surface self-shadowing (4) ray-cast volumetric sampling (4) self-shadowed volumetric rendering and (5) self-shadowed volumetric ray-casting. In supplementing existing texture sampling techniques, parameters for texture sampling may be replaced and/or modified.

Abstract: The data conversion device of the present invention includes: a coding section for replacing (i) one or more components constituting the display data of each pixel and other one or more components constituting display data of a pixel existing around that pixel on a screen with (ii) one or more average values of both the components so as to reduce an amount of data; and a decoding section for reading out compressed data from a frame memory and then allotting the average value as display data for each corresponding pixel. Therefore, unlike a case of adopting a conventional general data compression method, the data conversion device of the present invention can prevent deviation between original display data and display data obtained by a compression/restoration process from becoming large.

Abstract: When run on high pixel density monitors, software applications, which are written to be legible at all resolutions benefit greatly from the high pixel density. Other applications, especially those containing resources whose dimensions and placement are described in terms of numbers of pixels (e.g., a bitmap, text), may have reduced legibility. A method is described which facilitates legibility of both classes of software applications when run on high pixel density monitors.

Abstract: A method (1005) generates one or more linear blends. Initially, the method has a list of already received one or more fill-paths defining a current linear blend, and a newly received fill-path, where the fill-paths each comprise a single colored parallelogram (eg. 700). The method adds (1090) the new fill-path to the list to become the last fill-path in the list, if the difference (1230) in color between the new fill-path and the last fill-path in the list is no greater, in each color channel, than a predetermined threshold value multiplied by the difference in color between the last and second-last fill-paths in the list. The predetermined threshold value is preset to such a value so that the new fill-path will not be added to the list if the new fill-path does not visually form part of the current linear blend. The method repeats this step for each new fill-path received until the aforementioned condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A system or method of automated image processing that can automatically determine a color and transparency for a pixel with an observed color when given the pixel and a background reference color. A point in a color space can be automatically found by extrapolating in the color space based on two points in the color space that respectively correspond to or that respectively approximate the observed color and the given background reference color. A color for the given pixel that corresponds to or approximates the found point in the color space can also be calculated automatically. Based on the found point and the two points in the color space that respectively correspond to the observed color and the given reference color, a transparency for the pixel can be automatically found.

Abstract: Scheme for use in cloth simulation that provides a good dynamic “wrinkled” look to the cloth as it moves. The simulated area of each of the triangles in the triangle mesh is compared with the original area of the triangle to determine how much it got compressed or stretched during animation. This comparison is then used as a basis for altering the lighting of the pixels representing the triangles in order to improve the appearance of the wrinkles in the cloth. The lighting of each pixel is altered by altering a surface normal of the pixel using a value obtained from each of one or more normal maps. Normal maps are selected by using wrinkle ratios that are calculated based on the above mentioned comparisons.

Abstract: Techniques for locating an array of melded colors onto a software application's component window in order to create three-dimensional and multicolor graphics within the component window. The techniques include decoding a first and second color into their respective individual color components, performing a transition operation on the foregoing color components to determine transition colors, dividing a portion of the component window into subcomponents, and locating the transition colors into the subcomponents and, thereby, create three-dimensional and multicolor graphics within the component window.

Abstract: A system and method for using camera enabled personal digital assistant (PDA) or cell phone hardware to provide enhanced imaging capabilities. The system and method enhances images taken on a mobile camera device to enable the mobile device, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or cell phone, to provide enhanced imaging capabilities. A method comprising the steps of pre-calculating a pixel value at each point on a grid and storing said pre-calculated pixel values in a lookup table, using one bit to represent each pixel in said image, quantizing said image at a small step interval such that each pixel in the image corresponds to one point on said grid, and interpolating said image through a memory-indexing process. The method may further comprise the step of performing clustering based contrast enhancement on said image prior to said step of using one bit to represent each pixel in said image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for computing a complex gradient using multiple conics. In connection with a computer system having a graphics processing unit (GPU) in addition to the normal central processing unit (CPU), gradients can be computed in real time. The conics may be rendered and adjusted in a number of ways, providing a rich palette for creation of gradient graphics. The computational efficiency of the algorithms disclosed herein, when executed on typical GPU hardware, allows rendering frame rates high enough to provide animated gradient images.