Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for performing real-time execution of a plurality of commands in a non real-time operating system environment using a driver, running at the privileged level and which comprises a command dispatcher, receiving a plurality of commands provided by a user application, and a command queue storing the plurality of commands provided by the user application for further providing the plurality of commands to a target unit for execution.

Abstract: A model-based object recognition system operates to recognize an object on a predetermined world surface within a world space. An image of the object is acquired. This image is a distorted projection of the world space. The acquired image is processed to locate one or more local features of the image, with respect to an image coordinate system of the image. These local features are mapped a world coordinate system of the world surface, and matched to a model defined in the world coordinate system. Annotations can be arranged as desired relative to the object in the world coordinate system, and then inverse-mapped into the image coordinate system for display on a monitor in conjunction with the acquired image. Because models are defined in world coordinates, and pattern matching is also performed in world coordinates, one model definition can be used by multiple independent object recognition systems.

Abstract: A method for providing a combined TV/PC video stream for TV display is provided. A TV video chip having a video input port for receiving a PC monitor display signal and an input for receiving a TV broadcast signal is provided, as well as a PC graphics chip. A PC monitor display signal is sent from the PC graphics chip to the TV video chip. The TV video chip mixing the PC monitor display signal with the TV broadcast signal to generate a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display. A method for generating a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display is further provided. A stream of encoded TV frames is received and the encoded frames are decoded to provide a stream of decoded TV frames. The stream of decoded TV frames is stored into a memory. A PC monitor display signal is provided and is converted into a stream of PC frames. The stream of PC frames are stored into the memory.

Abstract: A single-site color image, such as a Bayer CCD image, is converted to a color space image using the resource of a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The Bayer image is loaded into the GPU along with commands to cause the texture engine in the GPU to use the Bayer image as a source texture and to compute, for each pixel in a destination image having same dimensions as the single-site color camera image, interpolated neighbor pixel values from the single-site color camera image for the remainder of said colors. A code image can be used to provide, for each pixel in the destination image, a value for each combination of color space image color and each Bayer image color. Each pixel is then computed as a sum of a product of each code image. value and a corresponding value selected from the corresponding source texture pixels and an interpolation of neighboring source texture pixels.

Abstract: A multimedia system is provided, comprising a computer for receiving audio data and video data from a source and transmitting the data serially over a high speed serial link, a set-top box connected through the link to the computer for receiving the audio data and video data, the set-top box having a southbridge module with a link interface connected to the link and providing a local parallel data bus output and at least one audio playback channel receiving the audio data; and a graphics processor receiving from the southbridge module the video data over the bus, processing the video data and providing a video output in at least one display format. At least one display device is connected to the graphics processor for receiving and displaying the video output; and at least one speaker is connected to the audio playback channel.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an irregularity in an object based on an image of the object that includes the steps of binarizing the image at a plurality of binarization thresholds to obtain a plurality of binarized images, extracting information from each of the binarized images, estimating the regular object resulting from the binarization at the respective binarization threshold of an image of a version of the object in which the irregularity is absent, combining the information extracted from each of the binarized images, and detecting the irregularity based on the combined information. A method for the detection of a defect in a solder element based on an X-ray image of the solder element.

Abstract: An architecture which allows real-time video editing using a 2D/3D graphics engine. This architecture comprises input and output buffers. It receives video streams from either compressed sources of data or non compressed sources of data. This architecture allows a flexible upgrade of the video effects using software plug ins.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for converting data encoded in a graphics signal to at least one output signal. The apparatus includes an input, a plurality of outputs, signal processing circuitry and a controller. The input is adapted to receive the graphics signal where the graphics signal includes a plurality of frames generated at least in part from original data. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to locate, in the graphics signal, data corresponding to the original data, convert the data corresponding to the original data to output data and communicate the output data to the plurality of outputs. The controller is adapted to monitor a capacity of the signal processing circuitry and generate a signal that results in at least one disposable frame being added to the plurality of frames. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to discard the at least one disposable frame.

Abstract: A model-based object recognition system operates to recognize an object on a predetermined world surface within a world space. An image of the object is acquired. This image is a distorted projection of the world space. The acquired image is processed to locate one or more local features of the image, with respect to an image coordinate system of the image. These local features are mapped a world coordinate system of the world surface, and matched to a model defined in the world coordinate system. Annotations can be arranged as desired relative to the object in the world coordinate system, and then inverse-mapped into the image coordinate system for display on a monitor in conjunction with the acquired image. Because models are defined in world coordinates, and pattern matching is also performed in world coordinates, one model definition can be used by multiple independent object recognition systems.

Abstract: A method for determining a similarity score of a target object with respect to a model object. The target object is in a plane and the model object is represented by a model feature vector. The method comprises generating regions of the plane according to a first mass distribution of the target object and a second mass distribution of a part of the target object. Each of the generated regions has a corresponding mass distribution indicator. The method further comprises calculating a target feature vector for the target object according to at least one of the corresponding mass distribution indicators. Finally, the method computes the similarity score using the target feature vector and the model feature vector.

Abstract: A geometric hashing method usable by a machine vision system for model-based recognition of an object. More specifically, in a computer having a texture engine, a method of pattern matching for recognition of objects within an image. The method comprises the following steps: deriving at least one target primitive representative of the image; forming at least one basis from at least one target primitive; in the texture engine, determining, for each one of the at least one basis, an affine invariant representation of the at least one target primitives; and identifying, using the affine invariant representation, at least one predefined model primitives that at least partially matches the at least one target primitives.

Abstract: A software library using a 3D graphics engine to produce a real time 3D particle explosion effect is provided. The particle explosion effect creation tool allows users to create their own particle explosion effect by defining their own shapes in a graphics image data file and allows to graphically define a plurality of explosion parameters of the video particle explosion effect in the graphics image data file. Particles are driven by a particle system algorithm that is controlled by real-world attributes such as gravity, direction and dispersion. These attributes can be keyframed by the users within a video editing application to produce specific 3D Particle explosion effects such as transitions and filters on video or graphics.

Abstract: A method of pattern matching for recognition of objects within an image, uses a model defined by a set of one or more model primitives representative of large scale structures of an archetype. The image is analyzed to derive at least one target primitive representative of a large scale structure of the image. A basis is derived from at least one of the target primitives, and each of the target primitives represented as invariants in the derived basis. For each target primitive, any model primitives that at least partially match the target primitive are identified. Each identified model primitive is then processed to calculate a figure of merit indicative of a degree of correspondence between the target primitive and the model primitive. In some embodiments, the figure of merit is an Orthogonal projection between the target and model primitives, which is and accumulated for each model basis.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an object in a target image using model primitives comprising an additive primitive and a subtractive primitive; weights are assigned to the additive and subtractive primitives; a target primitive is derived for the object; associations are determined between the target primitive and the model primitives; a similarity score is computed for the target primitive with respect to the model primitives; the similarity score is increased for each association between the target primitive and the additive primitive and decreased for each association between the target primitive and the subtractive primitive; the weights determine an amount by which the similarity score is increased or decreased for each of the associations.

Abstract: A method and interface for controlling a display monitor through a multi-channel coupler detects a type of the display monitor and selects a channel plan defining a connectivity between the channels of the coupler, based on the type of the display monitor. The channel plan defines a connectivity between the channels of the coupler and a plurality of display control signals. Each channel of the coupler is connected in accordance with the selected channel plan. The display types can be for example analog or digital. The method and apparatus can be used to drive two analog display monitors from a DVI-I compliant interface.

Abstract: A method of pattern matching for recognition of objects within an image, uses a model defined by a set of one or more model primitives representative of large scale structures of an archetype. The image is analyzed to derive at least one target primitive representative of a large scale structure of the image. A basis is derived from at least one of the target primitives, and each of the target primitives represented as invariants in the derived basis. For each target primitive, any model primitives that at least partially match the target primitive are identified. Each identified model primitive is then processed to calculate a figure of merit indicative of a degree of correspondence between the target primitive and the model primitive. In some embodiments, the figure of merit is an Orthogonal projection between the target and model primitives, which is and accumulated for each model basis.

Abstract: A primitive of a base mesh having at least three base vertices is dynamically tessellated to enable smooth changes in detail of an image rendered on a screen. A respective floating point vertex tessellation value (Fv) is assigned to each base vertex of the base mesh, based on a desired level of detail in the rendered image. For each edge of the primitive: a respective floating point edge tessellation rate (Fe) of the edge is calculated using the respective vertex tessellation values (Fv) of the base vertices terminating the edge. A position of at least one child vertex of the primitive is then calculated using the respective calculated edge tessellation rate (Fe). By this means, child vertices of the primitive can be generated coincident with a parent vertex, and smoothly migrate in response to changing vertex tessellation values of the base vertices of the primitive.

Abstract: The computer motherboard-mounted card such as a dual-head graphics card has two I/O connectors and two footprints positioned one behind the other for accommodating two different output types. A right-angle, vertical edge, I/O connector mounted in a selected one of the two footprints. The I/O connector can be selectively connected to a farther one of the two footprints from a vertical edge of the computer card and be provided with a correspondingly horizontally elongated body.

Abstract: An architecture which allows real-time video editing using a 2D/3D graphics engine. This architecture comprises input and output buffers. It receives video streams from either compressed sources of data or non compressed sources of data. This architecture allows a flexible upgrade of the video effects using software plug ins.

Abstract: An architecture which allows real-time video editing using a 2D/3D graphics engine. This architecture comprises input and output buffers. It receives video streams from either compressed sources of data or non compressed sources of data. This architecture allows a flexible upgrade of the video effects using software plug ins.