Abstract: In a multiprocessor system, such as a graphics data processing system, a method is disclosed for processing input data in a data processor pipeline. The method includes steps of operating a main thread to store input data in an input buffer until the input buffer is full or the input data ends. If a child thread does not exist, the method creates a child thread and assigns the input buffer to the child thread for processing. If a child thread already exists, the method determines if the child thread can be assigned the input buffer and, if so, then assigns the input buffer to the child thread for processing. If the child thread cannot be assigned the input buffer for processing, the main thread assigns the input buffer to itself for processing in parallel with processing being performed by the child thread. The steps of assigning and determining employ local variables that are accessible to both the main thread and the child thread, and that do not require an operating system call to change and/or test.

Abstract: Disclosed is a representation and file format for a multi-level progressive transmission or display of a triangular mesh, referred to as a Progressive Multi-Level Representation (PMR). Methods are disclosed for generating the PMR, for progressively building a triangular mesh from a PMR representation, and for extracting a particular level of detail of a triangular mesh from the PMR representation.

Abstract: A is a computer implemented method for converting a non-manifold surface to a manifold surface. The method includes the steps of (a) providing data in a memory of a computer for representing a non-manifold polyhedral surface comprised of a plurality of triangles each bounded by edges and having vertices; (b) analyzing the data to determine and record singular edges and singular vertices; and (c) cutting through the singular edges and singular vertices, and optionally other edges and vertices, to provide a plurality of connected polygonal surfaces that are free of singularities. The step of analyzing may include the initial steps of analyzing the data to remove isolated vertices and repeated triangles. The step of cutting operates in accordance with one of a local cutting method or a global cutting method, and may further include a step of stitching the cut surface along boundary edges.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining and processing acquired images of an object to extract a small scale geometry (a bump map) of the object that is independent of object curvature.

Abstract: Instructions in an execution pipeline of a SIMD machine are monitored, preferably in the instruction decode phase. Upon detecting a 1/x or 1/sqrt(x) reciprocal operation, portions of the data are forwarded to logic that implements the given instruction. The portions of the instruction that are forwarded include the data value of x and the target address (or register) to which to write the result. The logic generates an n-bit seed for iterative processing by an arithmetic unit, and eliminates a requirement to provide lookup tables in each SIMD processor.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for registering two dimensional fluoroscopic images with a three dimensional model of a surgical tissue of interest.

Abstract: A room is a region of space, such as a volumetric cell, that is associated with certain objects that are potentially visible (or potentially not visible) when the camera lies within the room. The rooms are distinct from the objects that represent a scene. A preprocessing step checks whether the camera is within a room, and if so determines those objects of the scene that are potentially visible (or potentially not visible) from within the room. Only those objects that are potentially visible from within the room are then rendered for display.

Abstract: A shield is a piece of geometry, such as a rectangle, that defines active/inactive regions in the world coordinate system that depend upon the position and orientation of the camera with respect to the shield. The shield is distinct from the objects that represent the scene. A preprocessing step determines those objects (or portions of objects) of the scene that lie in the inactive region defined by each of the shields. Those objects (or portions of objects) that lie in the inactive region defined by each of the shields are forwarded to the graphics subsystem wherein the objects are rendered for display. On the other hand, those objects (or portions of objects) that lie in the active region defined by each of the shields are not forwarded to the graphics subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention generates an environment map by storing in memory color values associated with pixels of an image representing the panoramic scene. For at least one element of each facet of the environment map, a mapping operation is performed that comprises the following steps. A direction vector is generated that corresponds to the element. A pixel of the image that corresponds to the direction vector is determined. A color value is derived based upon a stored color value associated with the pixel of the image, and the derived color value is stored at a location in memory associated with the element of the environment map. A view of the environment map is generated by determining a view window corresponding to a field of view. The view window comprises an array of pixels identified by a plurality of rows and columns. The environment map is mapped to the view window for display. The mapping step includes the following steps for each pixel of the view window.

Abstract: The computer system of the present invention generates a view of a scene by storing in memory color values associated with elements of an environment map representing the scene and color values associated with elements of a bit map image that is separate from the environment map. The bit map image is orientated with respect to the coordinate system of the environment map. The environment map is projected onto a view window that comprises an array of pixels. For at least one pixel of the view window covered by the bit map image, the element of the bit map image that corresponds to the pixel of the view plane is determined and a color value of the pixel is derived based upon the color value of the corresponding element of the bit map image. The derived color value of the pixel of the view window is stored for display. The computer system may also store in memory depth values associated with the elements of the bit map image and depth values associated with pixels of the view window.