Abstract: A technique for the realistic simulation of visual scenes uses voxels generated from positional and elevational data combined with a stored color map to generate vertex and triangle data that is used by an accelerator card to render a visual scene on a display device. In this manner, the invention provides rendering efficiency and speed for highly detailed visual scenes while preventing overdraw.

Abstract: Color video data is compressed by storing only the most frequently occurring colors in a block of pixel data. A minimum number of colors for the block is determined determining when colors in a block are the same or comparatively close to colors in the corresponding block of the previous video frame or are comparatively close to colors in the next previous adjacent block such that no additional color data needs to be stored, and by consolidating comparatively close colors withing the block. Two comparatively close colors are consolidated by substituting the more frequently occurring color for the less frequently occurring color in the block. Colors are comparatively close when the difference in their color values is less than a color threshold value. The color threshold value can be set by the user. If the minimum number of colors determined for the block is greater than four, then the color thresholds are adjusted and a new minimum number of colors is then determined.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for wireless communication with computers. The communication apparatus is integral with a removable by cover of a computer case and operatively connected to memory means associated with the case. By mounting or affixing the wireless communication device to a bay or slot cover in the computer case, conventional existing computers can be readily retrofitted to include integral and upgradable wireless communication. In certain embodiments, a jack or other connection is provided in the bay or slot cover, and a removable wireless communication member is selectively connected to the jack. Cable means preferably connect a motherboard within the computer housing to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device or connection may be combined on a single bay cover with a conventional device such as a diskette drive, tape drive, or the like.

Abstract: A technique and system for the realistic simulation of visual scenes reduces the three-dimensional computation to two additions and further reduces the need for three-dimensional computations by displaying several screen pixels per three-dimensional computation. The approach when implemented in hardware or software significantly speeds up scene generation time while improving the resolution and realism of the rendered scene.

Abstract: Color video data is compressed by storing only the most frequently occurring colors in a block of pixel data. A minimum number of colors for the block is determined by consolidating comparatively close colors. Two comparatively close colors are consolidated by substituting the more frequently occurring color for the less frequently occurring color in the block. Colors are comparatively close when the difference in their color values is less than a color threshold value. The color threshold value can be set by the user. If the minimum number of colors determined for the block is greater than four, then the color thresholds are adjusted and a new minimum number of colors is then determined. The pixel data of the block are stored in accordance with the minimum number of colors determined for that block. Greater compression is achieved when a lower minimum number of colors is determined for the block.

Abstract: A technique and system for the real-time computation of visual scenes reduces the three-dimensional computation to two additions and further reduces the need for three-dimensional computations by displaying several screen pixels per three-dimensional computation. The approach when implemented in hardware or software significantly speeds up scene generation time. From a two-dimensional array of elevations a series of cross-sections perpendicular to the observer are constructed. For each elevation within the cross-section, a series of screen pixels is drawn. The next array element in the cross-section is found by adding a value to both indexes in the two-dimensional array.