Abstract: A method for communicating digital display data and associated auxiliary processing data from a frame buffer to a post processor. The method includes storing the display data and the auxiliary processing data in the frame buffer, forming video scan lines from the frame buffer by handling both the display data and the auxiliary processing data as video data, and transferring the video scan lines over a digital video interface to a post-processor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for integrating an inset geometry within a background geometry. The method comprises the step of identifying a perimeter of the inset geometry. A further step is extending a skirt, having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, from the perimeter of the inset geometry out over the background geometry. An additional step is removing portions of the background geometry that are covered by the inset geometry and skirt. Another step is modifying the skirt so that the outer perimeter of the skirt matches background geometry behavior and the inner perimeter matches inset geometry behavior and a continuous transition exists between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for integrating an inset geometry within a background geometry. The method comprises the step of identifying a perimeter of the inset geometry. A further step is extending a skirt, having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, from the perimeter of the inset geometry out over the background geometry. An additional step is removing portions of the background geometry that are covered by the inset geometry and skirt. Another step is modifying the skirt so that the outer perimeter of the skirt matches background geometry behavior and the inner perimeter matches inset geometry behavior and a continuous transition exists between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for integrating an inset geometry within a background geometry. The method comprises the step of identifying a perimeter of the inset geometry. A further step is extending a skirt, having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, from the perimeter of the inset geometry out over the background geometry. An additional step is removing portions of the background geometry that are covered by the inset geometry and skirt. Another step is modifying the skirt so that the outer perimeter of the skirt matches background geometry behavior and the inner perimeter matches inset geometry behavior and a continuous transition exists between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that correct pixel values for output on a video display utilizing gamma correction. The method provides improved gamma correction by determining a first range of pixel values to be displayed on the video display and then determining a second range of pixel values to be displayed on the same display. Next, the method determines a first level of gamma correction to be provided for the first range of pixel values. This first level of gamma correction is provided at a first level of precision. Next, the method provides a second level of gamma correction to the second range of pixel values at a second level of precision. The second level of precision is different than that of the first level and is typically less than the first level.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for filtering a video synchronization signal sent from a remote computer. The method can include the operation of receiving a stream of at least n sync signals from the remote computer and storing the most recently received n sync signals in an array. A further operation can be comparing an n+1 sync signal with each of the n sync signals in the array to form a comparison for each of the n sync signals in the array. Another operation is replacing the oldest of the n sync signals in the array with the n+1 sync signal. A further operation is using the n+1 sync signal to synchronize at least one graphics processing card in each of a plurality of graphics processing computers if the comparisons of the n sync signals in the array are greater on the average than a preset threshold.

Abstract: A device for extracting a drain assembly from a basin, or for extracting joined pipes where there is not an adequate surface to attach a device to disengage the pipes. The device has a shaft with two or more insert pins, a top ring encasing the shaft, a bottom ring encasing the shaft, two or more dowel pins, and two or more wing segments.

Abstract: A panoramic display system includes a curved projection screen, a panoramic projector, and a substantially conically shaped barrier. The projector is configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen. The conical barrier has a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point. The barrier blocks scattered light from reflecting from portions of the curved screen to other portions thereof.

Abstract: A method for is provided for antialiasing a computer graphics image using filtering. The method comprises the steps of defining a plurality of regions having samples from pixels in the computer graphics image, where the regions are associated with a pixel of interest and adjacent pixels to form an antialiasing filter. Another step is determining a contrast for each region. A further step is blending the regions that form the filter based on the contrast for each region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a preferred embodiment for generating anti-aliased layered fog which is textured manipulated as if in a geocentric virtual environment to thereby show horizon depression at high altitudes. Hardware is provided such that layer model data and texture model data is combined to generate fogged pixel color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a preferred embodiment for generating anti-aliased layered fog which is textured manipulated as if in a geocentric virtual environment to thereby show horizon depression at high altitudes. Hardware is provided such that layer model data and texture model data is combined to generate fogged pixel color.

Abstract: A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and a two-sided, substantially planar scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about an axis substantially in the plane of the mirror, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A microscopic optical structure controller for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device by a multiplexed stream of individual pixel values generated by a pixel value source. The microscopic optical structure controller includes at least one interconnect coupled to the pixel value source for receiving the multiplexed stream of individual pixel values and at least one mapper communicating with the interconnect for extracting individual pixel values from the multiplexed stream and applying the individual pixel values to one or more individual microscopic optical structures according to a configurable mapping. A method and a driver for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for integrating an inset geometry within a background geometry. The method comprises the step of identifying a perimeter of the inset geometry. A further step is extending a skirt, having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, from the perimeter of the inset geometry out over the background geometry. An additional step is removing portions of the background geometry that are covered by the inset geometry and skirt. Another step is modifying the skirt so that the outer perimeter of the skirt matches background geometry behavior and the inner perimeter matches inset geometry behavior and a continuous transition exists between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter.

Abstract: A device is provided for rendering computer graphic images with a database and geometric processor to process a plurality of polygons. The device includes a background rendering engine to render the polygons received from the geometric processor. A critical item detector is configured to identify polygons received from the geometric processor that have at least a portion of the polygon within a critical item region. In addition, a critical item rendering engine is included to render polygons identified by the critical item detector. The identified polygons in the critical item engine are rendered at a higher resolution than the polygons rendered by the background rendering engine. A critical item load manager is coupled to the critical item rendering engine to increase or decrease a critical item load being rendered by the critical item rendering engine, and to match a deterministic processing time allowed.

Abstract: A method for enabling reduced transport display in a computer image generator connected to a host simulator which receives real-time input. The first step is performing real-time matrices calculations with the real-time input. The next step is processing geometry for primitives in a scene and storing the primitives in a double-buffered geometry buffer. The geometry buffer toggles as soon as the geometry processing is done without waiting for a field sync signal which reduces the transport delay normally found in image generation systems. Another step is rendering the primitives into a pixel frame buffer as soon as the geometry buffer toggles. The final step is displaying the pixel frame buffer. The rendering hardware and geometry processing hardware can also include enough processing power to complete the geometric transformations and rendering and in less than one display frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a preferred embodiment for generating anti-aliased layered fog which is textured manipulated as if in a geocentric virtual environment to thereby show horizon depression at high altitudes. Hardware is provided such that layer model data and texture model data is combined to generate fogged pixel color.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.