Abstract: System and method for pixel processing using a limited set of equations modified by coefficients stored in tables. The invention provides a method for implementing the wide range of functions required by graphics processing without increasing the code size and without increased function call overhead. Each function is specified in terms of variables and coefficients. Different tests for each function are used to select the coefficients for that function. Coefficients are maintained in tables that can be easily accessed without function call overhead.

Abstract: A system and method for virtually reducing interprocess communication packet size by dynamically redispatching packets for execution. A subcommand dispatching process dispatches individual subcommands and accumulates the resources used by each. The accumulated resource value is tested against a threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, the next subcommand position is recorded and control returned to the interprocess communication packet dispatcher for later dispatch. The virtual reduction of the packet size to conform to resource limits processor commitment to a single packet.

Abstract: A process for terminating a client server network connection that includes a first automatic termination of all programs executing on the client from code accessed from the server. The disconnection processing interrogates the client computer system to determine any open program files or libraries. Network program files or libraries result in a user prompting to determine whether they should be automatically terminated. In an alternate embodiment, a profile may indicate whether automatic termination will take place without user notification. Once all network loaded programs have been terminated, the disconnection process proceeds normally to sever the network connection.

Abstract: A novel virtual desktop system organizes open applications of a computer into groups of programs that perform common functions or tasks. The groups of programs are called Desktops and the virtual desktop system provides a Desktop Manager for assigning ranges of display screen coordinates to these Desktops, and then assigning open applications to them. Specifically, the Desktop Manager is a system software program that contains a plurality of Desktop groups and that provides a user interface for managing the display of selected open applications assigned to the Desktops. These selected open applications are displayed in application windows on a display screen of the computer when switching between Desktops in the virtual desktop system.

Abstract: A method, system and process for improving image enhancement tools through the application of expert systems. The improvements are accomplished by the operation of a process in the memory of a processor that enhances an image based on a set of criteria entered by a user. The image is enhanced in at least two ways and the two enhanced images are presented to the user. The user selects the image that appears best and the selected image is thereafter used for subsequent image enhancements according to the user criteria until a final image is created.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface. A database is created to track objects selected by a user. The objects selected by a user for utilization in the application are registered in the database. The user is permitted to create definitions for the selected objects. An absence of a definition for one of the selected objects within the database is graphically indicated, wherein the user may efficiently identify objects requiring a definition.

Abstract: A data processing system for permitting a user to efficiently create an application utilizing a plurality of objects in a graphic user interface. Objects are graphically presented to the user in the graphic user interface. The user is permitted to create a compound object utilizing at least two of the plurality of objects. The compound object is automatically associated with the objects in response to a user input, wherein the compound object thereafter may be selected by the user to efficiently create an application.

Abstract: A system for efficiently clamping lighted color vertex data without using processor branch instructions. The system implements a processor instruction for finding the absolute value of a variable without issuing a branch instruction. The branchless absolute value instruction can then be used to determine a clamped color vertex value without disrupting the instruction pipeline or instruction cache. The invention achieves enhanced performance by effectively employing the instruction pipeline.

Abstract: A method and system for representing an arbitrary parametric surface having one or more trimming polylines applied thereto. A quadrilateral mesh coextensive with the parametric surface is generated. The quadrilateral mesh has a plurality of edges and vertices coinciding with the line segments and points of the trimming polylines. In order to generate the quadrilateral mesh, a two-dimensional array of U,V values is defined, wherein points in the array are adjusted to include the points of the trimming polylines. After all of the points needing adjustment are adjusted, the points in the array are evaluated, thereby creating geometric coordinate values for each point in the array.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a master process for control of a shared system resource. The improved system requires the master process to hold exclusive access on a shared resource control file only intermittently. The master process periodically updates the shared resource control file with a new timestamp. Processes seeking resource access read the shared control file and determine whether another process has been designated master. If the interval since the latest timestamp is greater than a preset staleness interval, the shared control file is discarded and a new one created by the accessing process.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a three-dimensional object without requiring depth sorting of polygons or z-buffer calculation. The three-dimensional space is divided into rectangular parallelepipeds and tetrahedrons. A determination of the depth order of the rectangular parallelepipeds and tetrahedrons is made based on a view vector. The rectangles and tetrahedrons are then processed in order of depth from the furthest from the view point to the nearest. As each tetrahedron is processed, geometric data of a polygon containing the iso-valued surface is determined, the intensity of illumination calculated and the polygon data transferred to the display apparatus for display. The method and system of the present invention avoid the need for large memories to store intermediate data.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling the monitoring of a target software routine in a stripped object executable on a computer system. The system enables monitor instrumentation of the target routine without access to or recompiling the source code of the object and without access to information required to link with the stripped object. A single demultiplexor entry for each target routine provides access to common instrumentation code and to user specified entry and exit routines for the particular target routine. Common instrumentation code is not replicated when used to monitor a number of software programs. User specified entry and exit routines are used to collect selected performance and system state data. Common instrumentation code is provided to link the target routines to the user specified entry and exit routines. The standard link interface allows the entry and exit routines to be written in high level languages.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and applying the effect of light polarization on the rendering of graphics objects. A polarization state buffer is provided to maintain polarization state on a pixel by pixel basis for each pixel in a frame buffer. As graphics objects are rendered the polarization state information is updated based on the underlying opaque surface, the polarization state of the light, and the characteristics of non-opaque objects being drawn. Pixel intensity is adjusted based on the degree of polarization, and the angle of the polarization axis. An approximation of the pixel intensity function is implemented using standard hardware logic.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically developing an image recorded on film by applying a developer to and then scanning the film during the development at a number of spaced timed intervals. Images are captured during each of the spaced scans and are stored as digital representations of that scan. The stored digital representations are combined on a pixel-by-pixel basis to produce an output image that differs from any one of the stored representations. This combination of digital images allows for optimal image development without actually forming or storing the image on the film itself.

Abstract: A computer system is described for producing and representing contour lines of a saddle surface. The contour lines are obtained by a plane intersecting the saddle surface. Depending upon whether the intersecting plane is positioned above or below a saddle point of the saddle surface, two different contour lines result. By means of the height of the saddle point, the computer system is able to decide which of the possible contour lines are the correct ones for the particular case. The contour lines are determined in the form of two intersections, with intersections belonging together being stored in pairs in the computer system. By rearranging, exchanging, concatenating, etc. these intersection pairs, neighbourhood data is obtained defining the neighbour associated with each intersection. By means of this neighbourhood data the computer system is able to represent the polygons made up of contour lines on, say, an image screen.

Abstract: A method, system and program for defining classes of objects using traditional subclassing inheritance and abstract inheritance using a neutral set of information from which object support for any language, including support between languages, is disclosed. The information is parsed and compiled to generate a bindings file which is input along with method information to the target language compiler to create an object file. The object file is thereafter link edited to create executable programs. Target languages include C, Fortran, C++, COBOL or any other compiled language whether or not the particular language has object programming support. Messages are displayed on a display to aid a user.

Abstract: The fill processing time for filling a closed figure identified by one stroke is reduced. The difference between the total number of line segments in the plus Y axis direction and that in the minus Y direction intersecting a line perpendicular to a specific first direction is counted when a figure identified by one stroke is scanned in the X axis direction. Pixel positions in a range in which the counting result is not "0" are filled.

Abstract: A data processing system which defines a plurality of logical workspaces for performing tasks in response to operations performed by a system user and provides communication between two or more of the workspaces. When a user in a first workspace selects a screen object (`door`) corresponding to a second workspace, visual, audio and data communication are initiated between the first user and the second workspace according to predefined access privileges associated with the first user.Access privileges are typically predefined by the owner of the workspace.

Abstract: A system and method for performing efficient clipping to visible windows. A window clip buffer is established for each window being written directly to the front frame buffer. The window clip buffer is initialized as having the same dimensions as the window itself and each pixel position is initially set to False (not visible.) The visible regions are determined and the buffer updated to True (visible) for those visible regions. As each pixel is being drawn the window clip buffer is tested. The pixel is drawn to the frame buffer only where the window clip buffer pixel is true (visible.) Changes to window positions on the screen causes the visible regions to be updated.

Abstract: A method and system for independent control of multiple windows in a graphics display system. Intensity data for a first plurality of pixels is specified for an underlying image within a first window. A first window identifier is associated with each of the first plurality of pixels. Next, intensity data for a second plurality of pixels is specified for an overlying image within a second window. A second window identifier is associated with each of the second plurality of pixels. The intensity data and window identifiers for the overlying and underlying images are then stored in separate locations within a frame buffer. Finally, an overall image is displayed, wherein the overall image contains the underlying image and the overlying image superimposed over at least a portion of the underlying image. The intensity data and the window identifiers are utilized to display the overall image.