Abstract: In order to improve expressiveness of a template, the template is generated by using editing descriptions comprising valid area information for generating a composite image by using the template, an image layout command for specifying an image to be laid out in the valid area, and an image processing command for specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the composite image and for specifying an area in which the processing is carried out. A composite-image generating apparatus generates the composite image based on the editing descriptions of the template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-performance rendering and hit-testing of a window tree is provided. A window tree may be rendered using an application programming interface provided by the present invention. The application programming interface provides support for world-transforms, enabling entire sub-trees of the window tree to be rotated and scaled during rendering. In order to quickly render and hit-test the transformed nodes of the window tree, a stack-based implementation of the “painter's algorithm” is utilized to achieve fast rendering. By storing all state information on a stack regarding each node in the window tree and building new data structures containing rendering information for each node and its children, any portion of the sub tree may be rendered on demand.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for interactive rendering of large polygonal environments on commodity PC hardware. The system allows a user to walk through a large model at interactive frame rates on machines with limited memory. It works by first creating a hierarchical spatial decomposition of the model on disk using a fast and incremental out-of-core preprocessing algorithm. At running time, the system and method uses an approximate from-point visibility algorithm to dynamically determine which parts of the model to retrieve from disk. Multiple threads and a speculative prefetching algorithm are used to improve frame rates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hardware rotation is described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a direct access address translation component. The apparatus also includes a frame buffer coupled to the direct access address translation component. The apparatus further includes a 2D coordinate translation component. The apparatus also includes a 2D engine coupled to the 2D coordinate translation component and to the frame buffer. The apparatus further includes a 3D engine. The apparatus also include a 3D coordinate translation component coupled to the 3D engine and the frame buffer. As will be appreciated, further embodiments of the invention are within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, and the specific details of a specific embodiment as described need not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: In a presentation device for the two-dimensional presentation of the volume data elements of a volume dataset, parts of the volume dataset can be selected by prescribing boundary surfaces. The boundary surfaces are displaceable. The selected volume can be presented as a perspective image rotating around a basic rotational axis. The rotational axis is selectable dependent on the positions of the volume data elements of the selection dataset. The rotational axis can be automatically determined by a computer unit.

Abstract: An image processing method is capable of generating an image containing graphics that are transformed without carrying out multiplying/dividing operations. Image data of a transformed graphic is generated from image data of a source graphic stored in an image memory, and also stored into a frame buffer. Coordinate values of points of the graphic being transformed are determined utilizing digital differential analysis (DDA) algorithm-based processes. Image data of a location specified by the horizontal and vertical coordinate values of each point on the source graphic is read out from the image memory, and written into the frame buffer as image data of each point on the horizontal line segment.

Abstract: Graphics processors and methods are described that encompass numerous substructures including specialized subsystems, subprocessors, devices, architectures, and corresponding procedures. Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of deferred shading, a bled frame buffer, and multiple-stage hidden surface removal processing, as well as other structures and/or procedures. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide high-performance 3D graphics with Phong shading, subpixel anti-aliasing, and texture- and bump-mappings.

Abstract: Texture data containing pixel data indicating the color of a plurality of pixels arrayed in matrix fashion are stored in a texture buffer of a DRAM, and the multiple pixel data stored in the texture buffer is simultaneously accessed using a two-dimensional address (U, V) corresponding to the two-dimensional array of the plurality of pixels. The texture buffer stipulates unit blocks containing multiple pixel data to be simultaneously accessed, and stores a plurality of unit blocks making up texture data so as to be continuously positioned within a one-dimensional address space. Accordingly, the storage area of the texture buffer can be used efficiently, and further, simultaneous processing of image data of multiple pixels can be realized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for user interaction with animated objects displayed in a repeatedly updated 3-D computer simulated environment using 2-D cursor and button input. The invention provides for user manipulation of 3-D objects in a simulation where conflicting goals may be simultaneously applied to the objects and resolved. All goals acting on an object are translated to equivalent information in terms of physical forces, and are applied as forces via a physically based model, where this model has no knowledge as to the source of each force. Each user is treated as an entity in the environment, with a positional presence. The positional presence of a user is represented by a user object displayed in the simulation. The invention provides a unique interface to a real-time simulation that is easy to use, by virtue of mapping a subset of the inputs to actions consistent with the expectation of the user actually being physically present within the environment.

Abstract: Texture data which is two-dimensional image data indicating color data of multiple pixels positioned in a matrix form is stored in a texture buffer of a DRAM, a texture engine circuit combines the bit data making up the U address of a two-dimensional address (U, V) represented by n bits (wherein n is an integer of 1 or greater) and the bit data making up the V address of the two-dimensional address (U, V) represented by m bits (wherein m is an integer of 1 or greater), thereby generating an (n+m)-bit one-dimensional address, and the generated one-dimensional address is used to access the storage circuit. Accordingly, the storage area of the texture buffer can be used efficiently with a small circuit configuration.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model of an object can be generated using a computer system by identifying reference points in two or more 2D representations of the object to be modeled, and deriving 3D positional data based on an application of an initial estimation model to the identified reference points. A texture-mapped version of the 3D model can be generated by mapping texture information from the 2D representations onto the derived 3D positional data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system in which a multiple-image viewer concurrently displays and manipulates multiple images within a single window in a network system. One or more of the display images are a raster graphic file. Each of the display images has a separate data file.

Abstract: An interface apparatus for use with a computer system. The apparatus in the preferred embodiment having three concentric annular rings. The outer most of which is a solid ring, the two inner rings each being segmented into for equal arcs, which arcs form four pairs of two buttons each. The interface also has at its center two buttons. The interface is used to position an object for imaging and also to manipulate and position the image of an object for comparison and analysis. The two center buttons and the outside annular ring are used to generate signals to rotate an object or the image of the object in a common reference frame. The four pairs of arcs of the two inner concentric rings are used to generate signals for translational motion of the object or the image of the object. The four pairs of arcs being positioned to move the object or the image of the object in one of four perpendicular directions within the common reference frame.

Abstract: A display method for selectively rotating windows on a computer display including a window for a computer display having a frame and a display portion. The method allows the user to rotate the window about a preselected rotation point such as the upper left corner of the frame. The rotation may be freely chosen or limited to selected angles of rotation such as 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees.