Abstract: Automatically generating components of an object modeled in a three-dimensional modeling space by a computer aided design system includes positioning a plane in the three-dimensional modeling space to (i) logically subdivide the modeling space into a first division that includes an existing component and a second division in which a reproduction of the existing component is to be located and (ii) to define a reference geometry for creation of the reproduction of the existing component. A number of geometrically transformed components are computed by applying a series of different transformations to the existing component such that each transformed component has a different orientation. A reproduction of the existing component is constructed such that the existing component and the reproduction are symmetrical to each other with respect to the plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding flight through a computer digital mockup object scene is generated on a display. A three dimensional graphical figure, such as an arrow, is formed on the display to represent a trajectory responsive to positioning of an input device. The three dimensional graphical figure is bent responsive to rotation speed of a viewpoint base; and stretched or compressed responsive to viewpoint translation speed. The visual texture of the three dimensional graphical figure can be altered to indicate an imminent collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mock up scene. Altering the texture can include changing the color or presenting a pattern such as a checkerboard or stripes. An imminent collision is determined by computing the viewpoint eye translation along its sight direction and testing the resulting eye position against the depth buffer.

Abstract: A microwave circuit utilizes a spiral-like coupler configuration to achieve the functionality of a traditional coupler with higher density and lower volume. A plurality of substrate layers having metal layers disposed on them are bonded to form the package. A plurality of groundplanes may be used to isolate the spiral-like shape from lines extending out to contact pads or other circuitry.

Abstract: A microwave circuit utilizes a spiral-like coupler configuration to achieve the functionality of a traditional coupler with higher density and lower volume. A plurality of substrate layers having metal layers disposed on them are bonded to form the package. A plurality of groundplanes may be used to isolate the spiral-like shape from lines extending out to contact pads or other circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating a computer generated model and visualizing a change in projection plane before entering a projection creation command. After selection of a projection plane on the 3-D model, a generative drafting document can be created wherein the projection plane becomes the plane of the screen. The system can display a visualization of the projection of the model in plane with the screen, without generating a fully computed projection. Display of the visualization can provide increased efficiency in processing time as compared to a fully computed projection. The system can also display a graphical manipulator including a circular central region with a button in the middle, wherein clicking on the button can be used as a command to the system requesting creation of the projection. The graphical manipulator software tool can also include quadrants, wherein each quadrant is associated with a direction in relation to an orthogonal axis.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a path to be followed by a cutting tool in a milling situation. Using a novel geometric concept suited to a milling situation called “focal areas,” a toolpath is generated in which the cutting tool remains in constant contact with material to be cut, thus minimizing wear and shock loading of the tool. In addition, the toolpath is optimized so as to trace a short path, thereby minimizing cutting time. The toolpath generator is particularly useful in high speed milling applications.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling a reflection line in a CAD system and for adjusting the shape of an object to correspond to a new reflection line, a user sets a reflection line as desired, and at least one constraint on the object. The system determines a shape of the object based on the new reflection line and the constraint. The shape of the object may be determined using energy minimization. Alternatively, the system and method may use vector springs to attract the reflection line to a free-form curve set by the user, and then determine the shape of the object based on the new reflection line and the constraint.

Abstract: A method for processing a design model generated by a computer aided design system includes accessing model data that includes separately stored data documents detailing construction of the design model from a collection of components, processing the model data to generate image elements representing a projected view of the design model and to generate tag data associating each of the image elements with at least one of the of components and storing the first image elements and the first tag data in a drawing document. Supplementary data can be added to the drawing without the need for the external components to be available on disk or in memory. An updated drawing document can be generated following a change to one of the components. Generating an updated drawing document includes generating tag data that identifies matchings between the original and changed model components. Annotations and other supplementary data can be attached to image elements and stored in drawing documents.

Abstract: Processing data objects of a two-dimensional drawing includes marking data objects corresponding to annotation, separating the drawing into a plurality of views, and associating each of the data objects corresponding to annotation with one of the views. Separating the drawing into a plurality of views may include constructing a plurality of intersection and proximity graphs and using the graphs to provide a plurality of connected sets, where each set may correspond to one of the views. The border views may be identified by determining which of the views include less than a predetermined number of elements, contain at least two other views, and are not contained in other views.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A multi-player video game server includes a player control interface, a video interface, and a game engine. The player interface couples the game server to a network and can receive game control data over the network from multiple players. Each player has a game control device at which game control data can be input. The video interface couples the game server to a video transmission network and transmits game display video over the video transmission network. The game engine is coupled to the player interface and the video interface and includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores multi-player video game instructions that configure the processor to process game control data and render the game display video that is then provided to the video interface for transmission over a video network. A multi-player video gaming method includes receiving a number of player input data connections at a game server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding flight through a computer digital mockup object scene is generated on a display. A three dimensional graphical figure, such as an arrow, is formed on the display to represent a trajectory responsive to positioning of an input device. The three dimensional graphical figure is bent responsive to rotation speed of a viewpoint base; and stretched or compressed responsive to viewpoint translation speed. The visual texture of the three dimensional graphical figure can be altered to indicate an imminent collision of the viewpoint with an object in the digital mock up scene. Altering the texture can include changing the color or presenting a pattern such as a checkerboard or stripes. An imminent collision is determined by computing the viewpoint eye translation along its sight direction and testing the resulting eye position against the depth buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus for self-serve checkout of large order purchases is provided. The apparatus includes one or more product code entry devices for entering a product code of an item to be purchased, a controller and a carousel assembly that includes a rotating mechanism, a rack coupled with the rotating mechanism, and a scale underneath the rotating mechanism and rack. The rack holds a plurality of bags open for packing a plurality of items, and may be rotated along with the rotating mechanism to present a select one of the bags for packing the item to be purchased. The scale provides a weight signal corresponding to a weight of packed items in the plurality of bags on the carousel. The controller monitors the weight signal to detect any abnormal weights or weight changes. The apparatus also may be provided with a large item holding assembly that includes a second scale which provides a second weight signal corresponding to the weight of one or more oversized items on the large item holding assembly.

Abstract: A curriculum scheduling method includes receiving input data identifying target subject matter, processing the input data to determine an educational standard associated with the target subject matter, querying a database to determine curricula that supports (i.e., contains lessons relevant to) the educational standard, receiving from the user a selection of at least one curricula item from among the determined curricula, and allocated time periods for participation in presentation of the selected curricula item(s). The educational standard may include a group of requirements and the database may be queried based on a requirements selected by the user.

Abstract: A computer system operation method for allowing a user to work on interrelated documents includes forming groups of software tools. Different groups of software tools are used to perform different tasks on documents in a software system. Documents in the software system have different document types. The document types are functionally associated with the different groups of software tools. The method monitors a user's selection of a second group of software tools, when the user is using a first workbench to work on data contained in a first document. The method invokes a second document, upon the user's selection of a second group of software tools. The second document is of a document type that is associated with the second workbench.

Abstract: A software control method includes forming groups of software application functions. A different characteristic is associated with each of the groups, and a different graphical user interface (GUI) object is formed for each function in each of the groups. Each GUI object includes the characteristic associated with its function's group and a second characteristic that distinguishes its function from other functions within its function's group. A computer program residing on a computer-readable medium includes instructions for causing a computer to form a different graphical user interface (GUI) object for each of a collection of software functions. Each GUI object may include a first visual characteristic that identifies a first characteristic of the object's associated function, and a second visual characteristic that identifies a second characteristic of the object's associated function.

Abstract: Disk formatting pattern methods and apparatus are disclosed. The methods feature forming a magnetic disk format information pattern on magnetic disk media by elevating the temperature of a pattern area and exposing the area to a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a field strength sufficient to alter magnetic properties of the elevated temperature region, but insufficient to substantially alter magnetic properties of disk regions at the disk's ambient temperature. A patterning system is also featured. The system includes a light source assembly, a pattern mask, and a magnetic field source. The light source assembly is arranged to project a light beam toward a surface of a magnetic disk. The pattern mask is arranged in the path of the light beam to produce a pattern image on the disk surface, and the magnetic field source produces a magnetic field at disk surface regions receiving the pattern image.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of transmitting modules between a first computer and a second computer are disclosed. At the first computer, a module set is formed by selecting a sequence of modules from a collection of available modules. Each of the selected modules are associated with an application executing at the second computer. The selected modules may then be transparently streamed from the first computer to the second computer. The selection of modules is made in accordance with predetermined selection criteria and is independent of the second computer's execution environment. At the second computer, received modules may be integrated with the executing application. Systems for transmitting modules between a first computer and a second computer are also featured. The disclosed systems include a first computer and a second computer.

Abstract: A receiving and transmitting apparatus includes receiver circuitry, sampling circuitry, downlink prediction circuitry, uplink prediction circuitry and gain calculation circuitry. A downlink signal is received at the receiver and sampled at the sampling circuitry. Downlink and uplink prediction circuitry is used to estimate transmission properties of the downlink and uplink signals, respectively. The downlink and uplink prediction circuitry estimates downlink and uplink signal properties based on a sequence of previous downlink signal samples and the uplink estimates, respectively, as well as corresponding sequences of tap coefficients. The gain calculation circuitry is coupled to the uplink predication circuitry and to a transmitter and can set a transmitter gain level based on the predicted uplink signal properties.