Abstract: A picture outputting apparatus for producing a display picture by synthesis and outputting the synthesized picture to a display unit.

Abstract: Data from a first data set utilized in generating a first tree map visualization is displayed by filtering the first data set so as to provide a second data set having a reduced amount of data relative to the first data set. A second tree map visualization is generated based on the second data set.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronized visualization of two partial scenes, in particular for three-dimensional rendering of contour surfaces of two workpieces, is described. A user opens several partial scenes and selects those partial scenes which are to be synchronized. The user then pushes a button on the taskbar (e.g., “Share-Camera”) corresponding to the scenes. The partial scenes are synchronized by associating all synchronized partial scenes with a main camera, whereby manipulation of the scene content of one window affects the (all) synchronized partial scenes of the other windows. The synchronization is independent of the mode of visualization in the individual window. In this way, several partial scenes can be visualized simultaneously within an application. Advantageously, the partial scenes can be manipulated independently of each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, apparatus, and software for designing and building virtual environments for playing computer games. A map builder is used to construct one or more two-dimensional maps comprised of tiles selected from a set of tiles, the map or maps representing the virtual environment for the computer game. Data describing the map is then combined with tile data providing 3D geometry to create the virtual environment. The tile data preferably also includes non-visible game-related data such as collision and navigation data, which is also combined to provide game data for the game's virtual environment. The tiles include interfaces for connecting one tile to another and, in a preferred embodiment, two versions of the interface geometry are provided for each tile, one with the interface open, the other with the interface closed. The invention facilitates the rapid construction of 3D virtual environments for playing games.

Abstract: A digital oscilloscope assists in the process of identifying, cataloging and restoring views of interest within a stored trace acquisition by implementing the notion of bookmarks. In response to a command to establish a bookmark, the scope takes note of selected display control parameters, such as the location of the view in the overall acquired trace and horizontal time per division, and stores that as a named bookmark. The scope accepts from the operator a comment associated with each bookmark. Another command lists defined bookmarks and causes the scope to re-institute the view and parameters associated with a specified bookmark. There is a mechanism for editing the descriptors or parameters that are defined by a bookmark.

Abstract: A method and concomitant apparatus for comprehensively representing video information in a manner facilitating indexing of the video information. Specifically, a method according to the inveniton comprises the steps of dividing a continuous video stream into a plurality of video scenes; and at least one of the steps of dividing, using intra-scene motion analysis, at least one of the plurality of scenes into one or more layers; representing, as a mosaic, at least one of the pluraliy of scenes; computing, for at least one layer or scene, one or more content-related appearance attributes; and storing, in a database, the content-related appearance attributes or said mosaic representations.

Abstract: In a character provision service system for providing users with characters such as interface agents and virtual characters in virtual spaces on computers or in TV games, charges for use of a provided character is computed according to a motion made by the character. This system enables each user to easily purchase with security a character capable of moving according user's need, and also enables character data providers to collect charges according to motions made by provided characters and to provide various characters without anxiety about unauthorized use of the characters.

Abstract: A method of motion compensation within a displayable video stream using shared resources of a Graphics Processor Unit (GPU). Image data including a sequential series of image frames is recieved. Each frame includes any one or more: frame-type; image texture; and motion vector information. At least a current image frame in analysed, and the shared resources of the GPU are controlled to generate a motion compensated image frame corresponding to the current image frame, using one or more GPU commands.

Abstract: The number of graphic objects in a visual tile rendered varies as a function of distance between the tile and a viewpoint in a simulation. Fewer objects are rendered when the tile is far from the viewpoint, and vise versa. A level of detail (LOD) value is pseudo-randomly selected and associated with each object, indicating the maximum distance at which the object will be visible. A current LOD value is determined for the tile. An object is rendered if its LOD value is equal or greater than the current LOD value of the tile. Objects are faded into and out of view by modulating an opacity value as the current LOD value changes. Texture values of an object are adjusted as a function of ambient and direct components of light on the object, to achieve lighting corresponding to time of day, current season, and/or region in the simulated world.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying a perspective image and to a display device for at least one passenger of a motor vehicle. The air of the vehicle is to guarantee by simple means a high road safety that is substantially independent of the knowledge and skills of the driver. To this end, a method for displaying a perspective image (B) with one image element (4A to 4H) for at least one passenger of a motor vehicle is provided, said image (B) representing the view of the passenger. According to the inventive method, the image element (4A to 4H) is changed in at least one size depending on the forward travel way (F), on at least one operational parameter of the motor vehicle and/or on at least one parameter of an object (6) identified in the range of the travel way (F).

Abstract: An oscilloscope that is capable of displaying simultaneously multiple waveforms representing time evolution of a signal during respective acquisition intervals acquires waveform data using a first set of acquisition parameters and generates a display based on that waveform data. If the display includes a waveform that is visually distinct from other displayed waveforms, the user selects a feature that distinguishes the visually distinct waveform from other displayed waveforms. The oscilloscope automatically derives updated acquisition parameters that discriminate between the selected feature and other features of the displayed waveforms. The oscilloscope then acquires waveform data using the updated acquisition parameters and generates a display based on that waveform data.

Abstract: Motion data of a model object is blended based on individual blend ratios ?A and ?B that are set for each bone of a skeleton. The individual blend ratios ?B for bones at end portions of the skeleton (weapons, hands, and feet) are high whereas those for main structural components (pelvis and chest) are low. A general blend ratio ? that is set uniformly for all the bones of the skeleton is also used. A plurality of motion control sections are made to operate simultaneously in parallel to select the motion data, based on motion scripts in which motion data to be selected and motion script switching conditions are defined, and the selected motion data is blended. A group of transitional motion scripts and a group of attack motion scripts are allocated to the first and second motion control sections, and transitional motions and attack motions are blended.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus which resample a primal mesh signal composed of primal points associated with primal mesh vertices of a primal mesh connectivity of a primal mesh producing a dual mesh signal composed of dual points associated with primal mesh faces of said primal mesh connectivity. The dual points are computed by minimizing a quadratic energy function. The quadratic energy function is composed of a sum of square terms. The invention also constructs a dual mesh from a primal mesh, with the dual mesh signal constructed with the resampling method. It also smoothes a primal mesh signal of a primal mesh. It also constructs a primal-dual mesh from a primal mesh, with the primal-dual mesh connectivity of said primal-dual mesh constructed using a prior art method, and the primal-dual mesh signal constructed by concatenating said primal mesh signal and a dual mesh signal computed with the resampling method.

Abstract: An image of a first aspect ratio is modified to be displayed in a display area with a second aspect ratio. In doing so, the aspect ratio of some of the image content is approximately maintained, yet the aspect ratio of other areas of the image content is stretched so that the entire resulting image fills the display area. This may be done by either using texture mapping to map a strip of content (treated as a texture) into a strip of the destination image. It may also be done by modifying the image content to an intermediate image, which is then uniformly stretched to fill the intended aspect ratio. The areas of image content closest to one or more focus areas is approximately maintained, while other areas are allowed more distortion.

Abstract: A method of modeling a three-dimensional object using voxels. The voxels can be subdivided in a variety of methods and marching tetrahedra may also be used to generate the model. Once a voxel has been subdivided, the continuity of the model may be preserved by subdividing only the voxels immediately adjacent to the subdivided voxel. Also, a user interface that enables and facilitates the use of the three-dimensional modeling method.

Abstract: A method for accelerating occlusion culling in a graphics computer is disclosed. A depth test is performed on a fragment for a first time to determine if the fragment is visible. The fragment can be marked as potentially visible if the depth test concluded that the fragment is visible. Subsequently, the depth test is performed on the fragment for a second time to determine if the fragment is visible. If the depth test concludes that the fragment is visible, graphics processing for the fragment can be stopped at this point.

Abstract: A user interface provides continuous feedback to a user regarding progress toward completion of a task being monitored in a status dialogue window. In one embodiment, the progress is indicated by a graphic element such as a progress bar, whose size is increased to fill a space of predetermined area by an amount corresponding to the percentage of the task completed, and a user is provided with feedback indicated that the computer operating system is performing the desired task by continuously varying the appearance of the progress bar. This provides the user with intuitive feedback that, regardless of any delays in the increase of the progress bar's size, the computer is continuing to perform the desired task.

Abstract: A method and system for creating an object or character in a drawing window and simultaneously displaying the object or character in animated form wherein the animated form is available for instant playback or feedback to the user is described. A single process is used for creating the object and animating the object. The user is able to draw the object in a drawing window and have the object animated in an animation window as the object is being drawn, thereby allowing the user to immediately see the results of the animation. A single process is used to create the object or character (i.e., the “drawing” stage) and to display the object in animated form. The drawing and animation can be shown side-by-side for the user thereby enabling the user to see the animation of a character that the user had created moments before. The animation can take place in an animation window or be placed in a pre-existing context, such as an ongoing story line or a collaborative community context created by multiple users.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a visual cue for placing a first geometric entity in a three-dimensional space represented in a computer-implemented graphics program. A two-dimensional viewport of 3D space is displayed on a display device. The operator selects a first point within the two-dimensional viewport. Based on the first point, a visual cue is displayed in the two-dimensional viewport that indicates a coordinate system plane within the three-dimensional space. The coordinate system plane identifies a plane where the first geometric entity is to be placed. Using the visual cue, a second point is selected on the coordinate system plane in the two-dimensional viewport. Thereafter, the first geometric entity is placed on the coordinate system plane based on the second point.

Abstract: A method and computer program for approximating a gradient, the gradient defining a nonlinear transition from one color or gray level to another in an image where the rate of transition is determined by the function y=xe where e>1. The method includes identifying an error tolerance, selecting an optimal number of set points on a curve defined by the function including determining each set point by evaluating a maximum error between a line defined by a pair of set points and a corresponding portion of the curve using the error tolerance and approximating the curve by a series of linear portions connecting the set points.