Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented geographic information system that enables viewing a map picture that is generated from vector-based data. Map pictures can be generated with vector-based data. Map pictures created with vector-based data can be viewed. Additionally, map pictures are comprised of map objects, such as states and cities. Map objects can be chosen to obtain additional information, for example, a different map picture. Additionally, areas of the map picture can be zoomed in on to view the areas with greater resolution or to obtain additional data about the areas. Furthermore, when a user requests to view a map picture, only the map data required to respond to the user's request is downloaded to generate a map picture. As a user makes additional requests for information, additional map data is downloaded and new map pictures generated.

Abstract: An original mesh is provided with a bounding surface and a convex hull surface. A first tessellation links the convex hull to the original mesh, and a second tessellation links the bounding surface to the convex hull. Using the tessellations to find a first intersection between a ray and the original mesh by finding a first intersected polygon of the bounding surface, and then traversing adjacent intersected polygons starting from the first intersection until the intersection is found. When the ray is moved, a second ray-surface intersection can be found by finding a polygon locally near the first intersection and containing a first intersection with the moved ray, traversing out from the local polygon through adjacent polygons intersected by the moved ray, and determining whether traversed polygons are unoccluded based on whether they are part of the convex hull surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for translating objects between applications that use different formats is described. As described, a source object is generated using a source application. The source object is then translated to a target object in a target application. The target application having a format that is not supported by the source application. A first modification, which is not supported by the source application, is then performed to the target object. A second modification is also performed to the source object in the source application. Based on the modifications, the target object in the target application is revised to reflect the second modification to the source object without removing the first modification to the target object.

Abstract: An Internet-based design environment, implemented on a web server, for use by building, design, architectural, engineering, and construction personnel, wherein the design environment provides a graphical user interface having a virtual desktop (300) that resembles an architect's desk, wherein the virtual desktop provides a virtual workspace for storing design documents and a set of basic virtual design tools (304, 306) for use in sketching, drawing, modeling, creating, and editing the stored design documents in the virtual workspace. The design documents may comprise different media types (314) and are persistently maintained on the web server. The virtual design tools comprise graphical icons that resemble physical objects with similar virtual functionality to the resembled physical objects and may be moved around the virtual workspace.

Abstract: A palette-based graphical user interface for a computer-implemented system. The palettes can be customized in a number of different ways to make them more user-friendly.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for representing punch geometry and associated manufacturing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for messages, such as short messages and multi-media messages. In one implementation a message is received from a sender, a location of the sender is determined, the message is modified to include the location of the sender, and the modified message is transmitted to a recipient.

Abstract: Mixed-media data, such as that including animation data (801), model data (802) and texture data (803) along with other media data types is encoded. To prevent unauthorized access. The data types are combined to produce a mixed-media data file (805). Passwords are added to produce an internal file with passwords (1103). A file key (1202) is combined with a program key (1203) to produce an encryption key (1204). The encryption key is used to encrypt the internal file (1103) to produce an encrypted internal file (1302). The file key (1202) is added to the encrypted internal file as part of a header to produce a coded export file (1401). In this way, a plurality of access keys may exist each providing different levels of access to a user.

Abstract: A system that implements a “tangent space brush,” allowing a user to paint directly onto a parameterized object, for example a three dimensional object. A tangent space brush projects coordinates from an input device to the world-space point on the surface of the 3D object. A normal is determined at that point and a brush image is projected from that point, along the normal, to the underlying surfaces. The system is implemented by providing a system that implements selecting a selected area of a displayed object, and projecting a brush directly onto a surface of the selected area.

Abstract: A system that implements a “tangent space brush,” allowing a user to paint directly onto a parameterized object, for example a three dimensional object. A tangent space brush projects coordinates from an input device to the world-space point on the surface of the 3D object. A normal is determined at that point and a brush image is projected from that point, along the normal, to the underlying surfaces. The system is implemented by providing a system that implements selecting a selected area of a displayed object, and projecting a brush directly onto a surface of the selected area.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to render an edge effect for an object. An object is obtained in a computer-generated rendering having vector geometry. An interior geometry is created for a fill of the object. Contour geometry is created for an outline stroke that covers an edge of the object. A proximity to the edge of the object is calculated for each pixel of the object and each pixel of the contour geometry. An effect is then rendered based on the proximities.

Abstract: An application on a thin client displays a map. A graphical user interface permits the application to receive single gesture inputs of a stylus. If the single gesture input comprises a drag of the stylus a minimum distance, the map is panned such that the map is shifted to a new center view. The displayed map may contain one or more map objects. If the input comprises a single tap on a specific map object, the map object under the tap may be selected and highlighted. Further, a ToolTip for the map object may be displayed. A further tap of the ToolTip may result in the navigation to a link or URL associated with the map object selected. One or more zoom buttons may also be displayed. If a zoom button is tapped by the user, the map may be displayed in a different level of detail.

Abstract: Systems, program products and program products for accepting a request to move a first geometric entity that is constrained to other geometric entities in a drawing that may contain both one-way and two-way geometric constraints. A set of affected geometric entities that need to be repositioned or otherwise changed as the result of moving the first geometric entity is identified. The affected geometric entities and the geometric constraints are classified into groups which are solved using a variational geometric constraint solver. If the geometric constraints cannot be satisfied, the movement of the first geometric entity is restricted. Otherwise the affected geometric entities are updated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for messages, such as short messages and multi-media messages. In one implementation a message is received from a sender, a location of the sender is determined, the message is modified to include the location of the sender, and the modified message is transmitted to a recipient.

Abstract: Methods, program products and systems for preparing a mechanical model for a dynamic simulation. A first plurality of bodies in a mechanical model are identified including at least one grounded body and at least one free body, each of the bodies in the first plurality of bodies being related to at least one other body in the plurality of bodies by at least one constraint that removes or limits at least one degree of freedom for that body in relation to another body. The bodies in the first plurality of bodies are merged into a minimum number of rigid groups needed for a dynamic simulation where the minimum number of rigid groups includes at least one grounded group and at least one mobile group. Constraints that relate bodies within a group are removed from each of the rigid groups.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a presumptive drafting solution. Input from a cursor control device is received, wherein the input reflects a movement in a computer drawing program of a cursor over a drawing having one or more geometric entities (having one or more geometric attributes). In one or more embodiments, a relevant geometric entity is identified based on how the cursor is moved over the drawing. A presumptive drafting solution is then provided based on the identified relevant geometric entity. In addition, prior drawing solutions (having one or more solution attributes) are obtained and compared to the one or more geometric attributes. A drawing solution having one or more solution attributes similar to the one or more geometric attributes may be provided to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for representing reinforcement. A three-dimensional (3D) solid object in a computer aided design (CAD) model is identified. The solid object has a volume. A reinforcement element is associated with the solid object. The reinforcement element defines a path within the volume, occupies no space in the volume, and has a width value greater than zero. The reinforcement element is rendered as a ribbon having a width and having no volume. The width of the ribbon is the width value of the reinforcement element. A view of the solid object, including a view of the ribbon, is presented. The width of the ribbon is orthogonal to a direction of the view of the solid object.

Abstract: A system is described that treats a solver as an ordered sequence of steps involving the different objects that have to be simulated and relationships between them. Tasks and the order of the tasks are obtained from each object and relationship. The tasks are merged into a sorted list. The solver traverses the list and passing each task to a corresponding object and relationship where the objects are interleaved during processing. The object or relationship then executes the task.

Abstract: A process encodes video or image data. The process includes estimating forms of a plurality of functions and estimating a best quality value for producing encoded frames with sizes that satisfy one or more constraints. Each function relates encoded size to encoded quality for an associated frame. Each frame has data for one or more images. The constraints are associated with transmission line bandwidth or receiver buffer size. The estimating a best quality value is based in part on the functions. The process also includes transmitting frames encoded with approximately the best quality value to a transmission line.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manipulate an image transformation over time. A source image is selected from a first frame and a destination image is selected from a second frame. A first animation axis that defines a first two-dimensional transformation of the source image over time and a second animation axis that defines a second two-dimensional transformation of the destination image over time are both determined. The transformation of the source image to the destination image is manipulated by manipulating the second axis. Further, input from a user may be accepted for adjusting a coarseness of a lattice structure that controls an accuracy and affect of points with respect to each other during the transformation process. Lastly, the correspondence or mapping between sample points on the source and destination images may be manipulated over time.