Abstract: A computer graphics system generates pixel values for pixels in an image of objects in a scene, using strictly-deterministic low-discrepancy sequences, illustratively Halton sequences, as sample points for evaluating integrals which are used to simulate a number of computer graphic techniques. The computer graphics system uses the low-discrepancy sequence to ensure that the sample points are evenly distributed over a respective region or time interval, thereby reducing error in the image which can result from clumping of such sample points which can occur in the Monte Carlo technique. In particular, the invention facilitates the generation of images of improved quality when using the same number of sample points at the same computational cost as in the Monte Carlo technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and computer program code (software) products for terminating spatial partition hierarchies and other hierarchies by a priori bounding.

Abstract: Network traffic capture/replay systems, devices, apparatus, computer program code products and methods can include (1) extracting from the network traffic and scaling a plurality of sessions, (2) enabling asymmetrical scaling, wherein a client is cloned to generate a desired traffic load, (3) enabling complex scaling, wherein a captured packet may contain control sessions that control dependent sessions, wherein for each control session that is scaled, an additional stream session is scaled, (4) enabling traffic shaping, wherein the traffic shaping comprises parsing, categorizing and associating protocols associated with a packet capture file, and (5) enabling port mapping, wherein the port mapping comprises, prior to loading a packet capture file for replay, assigning source ports to each session.

Abstract: Network vulnerability testing methods, systems, devices, appliances and software products generate stateful and stateless network representative of network threats. The traffic is applied to a network or device under test, thereby to test the vulnerability of the network or device to threats. A graphical user interface, which does not require a programming or scripting language can be used to generate an intermediate descriptive format that can in turn be used to generate stateful or stateless threat signatures. By using the intermediate descriptive form, threats can be generated under the control of the graphical user interface and in accordance with stored threat signatures, without the need for a programming or scripting language.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a three-dimensional model of an object in an interactive manner under control of an operator. An initial model for the object to be modeled is displayed to the operator as illuminated from a particular illumination direction and projected onto an image plane. The operator can update shading of a pixel on the image plane, and, based on the updated shading, the computer graphics system generates an updated normal vector for the updated pixel, which identifies the normal of the surface of the object projected onto the updated pixel. Using the updated normal vector field and a height field, which represents the height of the respective portion of the object as projected onto the respective pixels of the image plane, the computer graphics system generates an updated height value for the updated pixel, thereby to update the height field.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described in which rank-1 lattices are used in computerized image processing, in particular in the context of image synthesis. These include systems and techniques for selection of rank-1 lattices, rasterization on rank-1 lattices, anti-aliasing by rank-1 lattices, and adaptive refinement and filtering by rank-1 lattices.

Abstract: A system and method for natural language processing comprises a blackboard data structure for providing a shared knowledge repository over which a collection of natural language agents can execute processes on the processable data form, each agent being capable of providing a processing resource usable for serving requests to execute a natural language process on the processable data form, and determining, based on their respective capabilities and examination of the blackboard, what requests for processing they can best serve; and a dispatcher for coordinating the work of registered agents, maintaining a high-level description of tasks to be completed to provide a solution to a given natural language engineering problem, and determining the registered agents that best provide a solution to the given natural language engineering problem.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that unite various shading applications under a single language, enable the simple re-use and re-purposing of shaders, facilitate the design and construction of shaders without need for computer programming, and enable the graphical debugging of shaders.

Abstract: In a line card assembly, an optical fiber spool is mounted directly onto the back of a line card panel, thereby avoiding the use of a printed circuit board as a structural base. The line card assembly includes a hub having an outer circumference and first and second ends, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. First and second plates are located, respectively, at the first and second ends of the hub, transversely to the hub's longitudinal axis. Each of the first and second plates has an outer perimeter including at least one straight outer edge, a straight outer edge of the first plate being aligned with a straight outer edge of the second plate, such that the hub, first plate, and second plate together form a spool with at least one squared-off side. A collar is mounted to the first and second plates, the collar extending at least part way around the perimeter of the first and second plates.

Abstract: An epitaxially layered structure with gate voltage bias supply circuit element for improvement in performance for semiconductor field effect transistor (FET) devices utilizes a structure comprised of a substrate, a first layer semiconductor film of either an n-type or a p-type grown epitaxially on the substrate, with the possibility of a buffer layer between the substrate and first layer film, an active semiconductor layer grown epitaxially on the first semiconductor layer with the conductivity type of the active layer being opposite that of the first semiconductor layer, with the active layer having a gate region and a drain region and a source region with electrical contacts to gate, drain and source regions sufficient to form a FET, an electrical contact on either the substrate or the first semiconductor layer, and a gate voltage bias supply circuit element electrically connected to gate contact and to substrate or first semiconductor layer with voltage polarity and magnitude sufficient to increase device

Abstract: A computer program product for a computer graphics system comprises computer executable instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium: instructions executable to enable the computer to generate a selected number of sample points over an integration domain, such that there is at least one sample point in each of a plurality of strata distributed over the domain, the strata being defined by a rank-1 lattice; instructions executable to enable the computer to, for respective ones of the sample points, generate a value for the function at the respective sample point; and instructions executable to enable the computer to use the generated function values in generating an estimate for the value of the integral in relation to at least one object and at least one light source in a scene, the estimate corresponding to a pixel value for the image, to enable the computer to generate a display-controlling electrical output.

Abstract: Computer graphics apparatus, methods, systems and program products (the term “programs” can include a product consisting of computer-readable program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium) are operable to generate pixel values for pixels in an image, and store or display a human-perceptible image based on the pixel values, using a selected ray-tracing methodology in which simulated rays are shot from the pixel into a scene, the simulated rays representing paths of simulated photons, the pixel value being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera. The computer graphics system comprises a subdomain generator, a subdomain photon evaluator, an area value generator and a radiance value generator. An associated computer system generates, based on the pixel values, a display-controlling electrical output operable to control a display element and enable the display element to display an image.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for ray tracing and for the efficient construction of acceleration data structures required for fast ray tracing. A computer graphics system generates, for each pixel in an image, a pixel value that is representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera. The computer graphics system is configured to generate the pixel value for an image using a selected ray-tracing methodology. The selected ray-tracing methodology includes the use of a ray tree that includes at least one ray shot from the pixel into a scene along a selected direction. The ray-tracing methodology further includes calculating the intersections of rays and surfaces in the scene. An axis-aligned bounding box is defined that contains, for a given ray, the point of intersection of the ray and surface nearest the origin of the ray. The bounding box is iteratively refined until a predetermined termination criterion has been met.

Abstract: Computer graphics apparatus, methods, systems and program products (the term “programs” can include a product consisting of computer-readable program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium) operable to generate pixel values for pixels in an image, and store or display a human-perceptible image based on the pixel values, comprise a photon map generator, a sample point generator and a function evaluator, which respectively generate a plurality of photon maps each associated with a respective point in time during a time interval, generate a set of sample points in accordance with a selected low-discrepancy sequence, and evaluate selected functions using photon maps associated with respective points in time associated with the sample points, thereby generating values corresponding to the pixel values. An associated computer system generates, based on the pixel values, a display-controlling electrical output to enable a display element to display an image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products operable in a computer graphics system include constructing a hierarchical ray tracing acceleration data structure comprising a tree structure, the nodes of which are generated utilizing a bounding interval hierarchy based on defining an axis-aligned scene bounding box and two parallel planes to partition a set of objects in a sense into left objects and right objects, and matching split planes to object bounding boxes. The two planes are perpendicular to a selected one of x, y, or z-axes. Given a splitting plane, each object in an image is classified either left or right based on a left/right selection criterion, and two splitting plane values of the child modes are determined by the maximum and minimum coordinate of the left and right objects, respectively.

Abstract: A technique is described for creating a localized modulation of an optical fiber's refractive index profile. A segment of optical fiber is loaded into a heating unit having a resistive heating element with a localized heating zone. A selected portion of the fiber segment is positioned within the heating zone, and the heating unit is used to create a refractive index modulation the selected fiber portion. The localized modulation is repeated along the length of the fiber segment to write a fiber grating. Also described is a resistive heating system for performing the described technique.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates pixel values for pixels in an image of objects in a scene, using strictly-deterministic low-discrepancy sequences, illustratively Halton sequences, as sample points for evaluating integrals which are used to simulate a number of computer graphic techniques. The computer graphics system uses the low-discrepancy sequence to ensure that the sample points are evenly distributed over a respective region or time interval, thereby reducing error in the image which can result from clumping of such sample points which can occur in the Monte Carlo technique. In particular, the invention facilitates the generation of images of improved quality when using the same number of sample points at the same computational cost as in the Monte Carlo technique.

Abstract: Computer graphics systems, devices and methods adapted to enable display and/or storage of human-perceptible images on a display, device include an arrangement for generating a coarse level mesh representing a surface, from a finer level mesh surface representation. The arrangement includes an indicator value generator and a coarse level mesh generator. The indicator value generator, for respective ones of the points in the finer level mesh surface representation, evaluates an indicator function, the value indicating whether a subdivision-inverse filter methodology or a least-squares optimization methodology is to be used to determine a position for the corresponding point in the coarse level mesh representation.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image, the pixel being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera. The computer graphics system comprises a sample point generator and a function evaluator. The sample point generator is configured to generate a set of sample points representing at least one simulated element of the simulated camera, the sample points representing elements of, illustratively, for sample points on the image plane, during time intervals during which the shutter is open, and on the lens, a Hammersley sequence, and, for use in global illumination, a scrambled Halton sequence. The function evaluator is configured to generate at least one value representing an evaluation of a selected function at sample points generated by the sample point generator, those values corresponding to the pixel value.

Abstract: A computer graphics system generates a pixel value for a pixel in an image and displays a human-perceptible image on an LCD CRT or other display device based on an electrical output generated in response to the pixel value, the pixel being representative of a point in a scene as recorded on an image plane of a simulated camera, the computer graphics system being configured to generate the pixel value for an image using a selected ray-tracing methodology in which simulated rays are shot from respective ones of a plurality of subpixels in the pixel each subpixel having coordinates in the image plane. The computer graphics system comprises a sample point generator and a function evaluator.