Abstract: A conditioning and filling system includes a first processing section for degassing and dehydrating a working fluid, a second processing section for filtering the working fluid, and a monitoring section for sensing a condition of the working fluid, the monitoring section controlling a flow of the working fluid depending on the condition of the working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for presenting three-dimensional computer graphics images using multiple graphics processing units. The dimensions of the scene to be rendered are bounded by a rectangular volume decomposed into rectangular subvolumes. Vertices of graphics primitives are compared with subvolume boundaries to determine to which subvolume a graphics primitive should be assigned. A GPU is assigned to each subvolume to render the graphics data that lies within it. A viewing position point is determined and communicated to each GPU. Rendered graphics data from each GPU are ordered based upon the viewing position Outputs of the individual GPUs are combined by blending within an image combiners. Outputs of image combiners can be presented for viewing or further combined in a subsequent stage image combiner.

Abstract: A low cost high performance three dimensional (3D) graphics system can model a world in three dimensions and project the model onto a two dimensional viewing plane selected based on a changeable viewpoint. The viewpoint can be changed on an interactive, real time basis by operating user input controls such as game controllers. The system rapidly produces a corresponding changing image (which can include animated cartoon characters or other animation for example) on the screen of a color television set. The richly featured high performance low cost system gives consumers the chance to interact in real time inside magnificent virtual 3D worlds to provide a high degree of image realism, excitement and flexibility. An optimum feature set/architecture (including a custom designed graphics/audio coprocessor) provides high quality fast moving 3D images and digital stereo sound for video game play and other graphics applications.

Abstract: A node controller (12) in a computer system (10) includes a processor interface unit (24), a memory directory interface unit (22), and a local block unit (28). In response to a memory location in a memory (17) associated with the memory directory interface unit (22) being altered, the processor interface unit (24) generates an invalidation request for transfer to the memory directory interface unit (22). The memory directory interface unit (22) provides the invalidation request and identities of processors (16) affected by the invalidation request to the local block unit (28). The local block unit (28) determines which ones of the identified processors (16) are present in the computer system (10) and generates an invalidation message for each present processor (16) for transfer thereto. Each of the present processors (16) process their invalidation message and generate an acknowledgment message for transfer to the processor interface unit (24) that generated the invalidation request.

Abstract: A cable connector backshell assembly for high frequency applications requiring reduced electromagnetic emissions. Aspects include providing sufficient physical spacing and electrical isolation between the signal conductors and the housing to meet EMI standards for HIPPI-6400 connector assemblies. One embodiment includes spring preloading of the electrical connecter. One embodiment includes a longitudinally floating connector.

Abstract: A memory management and control system that is selectable at the application level by an application programmer is provided. The memory management and control system is based on the use of policy modules. Policy modules are used to specify and control different aspects of memory operations in NUMA computer systems, including how memory is managed for processes running in NUMA computer systems. Preferably, each policy module comprises a plurality of methods that are used to control a variety of memory operations. Such memory operations typically include initial memory placement, memory page size, a migration policy, a replication policy and a paging policy. One method typically contained in policy modules is an initial placement policy. Placement policies may be based on two abstractions of physical memory nodes. These two abstractions are referred to herein as “Memory Locality Domains” (MLDS) and “Memory Locality Domain Sets” (MLDSETs).

Abstract: A method an system provide that image processing operations and graphics processing are both performed by a graphics rendering system. The texture memory and a texture filter of the graphics rendering system are used to perform look-up table operations as well as multiply and accumulate operations typically associated with image processing.

Abstract: A low cost high performance three dimensional (3D) graphics system can model a world in three dimensions and project the model onto a two dimensional viewing plane selected based on a changeable viewpoint. The viewpoint can be changed on an interactive, real time basis by operating user input controls such as game controllers. The system rapidly produces a corresponding changing image (which can include animated cartoon characters or other animation for example) on the screen of a color television set. The richly featured high performance low cost system gives consumers the chance to interact in real time inside magnificent virtual 3D worlds to provide a high degree of image realism, excitement and flexibility. An optimum feature set/architecture (including a custom designed graphics/audio coprocessor) provides high quality fast moving 3D images and digital stereo sound for video game play and other graphics applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring commands to a graphics processor is provided. The method and apparatus are intended for use in a host computer system having a memory that is addressable by a host processor and a graphics processor. One or more queues of packet descriptors are maintained in the memory of the host computer system. Each packet descriptor includes a pointer to a region of memory known as a packet buffer. Each packet descriptor also includes a ready variable. To pass commands to the graphics processor, a graphics process selects a packet buffer. The packet buffer must have a ready variable that is set to the value false. After selection of the appropriate packet descriptor, the graphics process writes the desired commands into the packet descriptor associated with the selected packet descriptor. The graphics process then sets the ready variable included in the selected packet descriptor to true. The graphics processor traverses the queues of packet descriptors.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting discrepancies in the apparent location of audio sources in a computer representation of a three-dimensional environment is provided. The system and method compensate for distortions created by disparities between the virtual camera field of view and the observer's field of view. The system and method further provide for appropriate adjustments to audio sources outside of the observer's field of view.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing the execution of a sequence of graphics pipelines is provided. For a representative embodiment a sequence of graphics pipelines are connected in a daisy-chain sequence. Each pipeline operation can be controlled to operated in one of two modes. The first is a local mode where the pipeline outputs its own digital video data. The second is a pass-through mode where the pipeline outputs digital video data received from preceding graphics pipelines. The pipelines are configured to allow an application executing on a host process to select the next pipeline that will enter local mode operation. The pipeline that is selected to enter local mode operation asserts a local ready signal when it is ready to begin outputting its digital video information. Each of the pipelines monitors the state of a global ready signal. When the global ready signal becomes asserted it means that the pipeline that is selected to enter local mode operation is ready.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering a graphic object that recursively subdivides a frame buffer into rectangular regions in an order determined by a space-filling curve. Each rectangular region is tested to determine if the region includes at least part of the object to be rendered. If it contains at least part of the object to be rendered, then the region is subdivided. In accordance with the present invention, the same tests are performed on the subdivided regions. This proceeds until the size of a subdivided rectangular region reaches a predetermined limit, whereupon the pixels in the subdivided region are rendered on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: A method and device for associating a pixel on a surface with one of a plurality of regions defined on the surface. The regions are concentric and defined on the surface by a cutoff angle &phgr; and a transition angle &Dgr;. The concentric regions have a center point that is aligned with a source point disposed above the center point. The source point and the center point form a first axis and the source point and the pixel define a second axis between the source point and the pixel. The method and device determine a difference angle (&phgr;−&Dgr;). The difference angle is then converted into cosine space by determining cos(&phgr;−&Dgr;). Next, the difference angle in the cosine space is converted into a log space. The pixel angle &thgr; between the first axis and the second axis is evaluated in the log and cosine spaces. The region in which the pixel belongs is determined by comparing the difference angle and the pixel angle in one or both of the log space and the cosine space.

Abstract: A computer system having a shared system memory, and system software in the computer system, are described herein. The computer system has a general purpose, shared system memory that is used for all processing, including video input/output operations, image conversion operations, and rendering operations. In operation, a digital media (DM) Pbuffer is created. The DM Pbuffer is aliased as a DM buffer in the system memory. This is done by storing in a color buffer identifier of the DM Pbuffer an identifier of the DM buffer. Thereafter, all graphical rendering operations directed to the DM Pbuffer are actually performed using the DM buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) with anti-interference outlines for enhanced user attention and fluency of work. The GUI utilizes transparency to merge images (or layers) of objects onto a graphical display. For example, variably-transparent (transparent/semi-transparent) or “see through” objects, such as menus, tool palettes, windows, dialogue boxes, or screens are superimposed over similar objects or different background content, such as text, wire-frame or line art images, and solid images. Anti-interference outlines are utilized to heighten the visibility and hence legibility of objects by mitigating visual interference, which is typically the result of overlaying similar colors or luminance values such that one layer “blends” into another.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for multi-threaded texture modulation in axis-aligned volume rendering. Three texture modulation threads are used to modulate texture of three sets of the volumetric data (image sets) in accordance with a texture modulation request. Control is returned from the first texture modulation thread to a main rendering thread while the first texture modulation thread is executing. A user can then interact with a display view while the first texture modulation thread is executing. An intermediate display view of a texture modulated set of volumetric data can be rendered. In one example, a plurality of display connections and contexts are opened for the main rendering thread and each texture modulation thread respectively. Sets of pixel buffers and look-up tables are provided for the respective texture modulation threads. A texture object is included in a context of the main rendering thread.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of annotating a geometric figure displayed and manipulable in three-dimensional representation on a display of a computer system with a pointer is described. The pointer is also displayed and manipulable in three-dimensional representation on the display. The method associates multimedia functions with the geometric figure. The pointer is positioned to point at an area of the geometric figure using a control device. The geometric figure is displayed in a particular view orientation when the pointer points at the area of the geometric figure. The pointer is then oriented three-dimensionally such that the pointer can point at the area of the geometric figure at a desired angle. The particular view orientation of the geometric figure with the pointer can be preserved such that the particular view orientation of the geometric figure with the pointer can later be retrieved. The pointer can be activated by attaching a marker to the pointer using the control device.

Abstract: An non-iterative approach for estimating interconnect capacitive effects. The non-iterative approach includes a method for estimating the interconnect capacitive effects. The method includes modeling the gate and estimating an effective capacitance for the interconnect capacitive effects. The effective capacitance estimation includes modeling the gate load at an output of the gate. The gate load modeling includes approximating an admittance of the gate load to a single capacitance model in addition to approximating the admittance of the gate load to a Π model. The gate load modeling also includes matching a gate response for the Π model with the gate response for the single capacitance model to determine the effective capacitance. Another aspect of the method for estimating the interconnect capacitive effects includes modeling the gate using an equivalent circuit, and modeling the load at an output of the gate.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a computing system having multiple processing units. According to a new machine instruction, called the iota instruction, the computing system operates on a vector of mask bits to generate an iota vector having a sequence of values. In one form, each value of the iota vector is a sum of a series of the lower order mask bits up to and including the mask bit corresponding to the entry in the iota vector. In another form, each entry in the iota vector is a sum of a series of lower order mask bits but does not include the mask bit corresponding to the particular entry in the iota vector. In order to calculate the iota vector, the multiple processing units of the present invention communicate the mask bits to the other processing units. Advantages of the present invention include the vectorization of software loops having certain data hazards that prevented conventional compilers from vectorizing the software.

Abstract: A cold plate that provides air or liquid cooling for a computer circuit module and has at least one mounting plate with a board mounting surface on one side for carrying a printed circuit board assembly and a cooling surface located on the other side. A cover is disposed parallel to and spaced apart from the mounting plate with a cooling chamber defined between the two. The cooling chamber is divided into a liquid cooled section and an air cooled section. The liquid cooled section has a coolant inlet and outlet and flow channels for directing coolant through the liquid cooled section from inlet to outlet. The air cooled section has an air inlet and outlet and flow channels for directing air through the air cooled section from inlet to outlet. The cold plate is adapted so that it may be installed into a circuit module and provide either liquid cooling or air cooling for the module.