Abstract: A computer-driven printing system automatically adjusts inter-character spacing to account for the different visual effects that font scaling has on different ordered character pairs. The adjustment A(S, X.sub.j, X.sub.k) for a given size s and character pair (X.sub.j, X.sub.k) is computed from the formula:A(s, X.sub.j, X.sub.k)=C.sub.1 (X.sub.j, X.sub.k)+C.sub.2 (X.sub.j,X.sub.k) s.sup.-1/2,where C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are constants with respect to s but are not in general independent of (X.sub.j, X.sub.k). The constants C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are determined by a procedure that is equivalent to finding A manually at more than one size s and solving the resulting equations simultaneously.

Abstract: A character processing method of a word processor or the like including a general tab to align a character train data group and a decimal tab to align a numeric value data group are stored in a memory. On the basis of an instruction of the sorting of data existing in a desired area which is specified by tabs, the data as an object to be sorted is determined in accordance with the kinds of tabs to specify the desired area. The tab positions are displayed on the display screen. A display style of the tab positions is changed in conjunction with the display of the menu screen which can instruct the data sorting.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying completed forms includes scanning a plurality of different blank forms, and creating hierarchical profiles of each scanned blank form. Each hierarchical form profile is stored in a dictionary. Once the form dictionary is created, a completed form is scanned. A hierarchical profile of the completed form is created, and the hierarchical profile of the completed form is compared with stored hierarchical form profiles. In accordance with the result of comparison, one of the stored hierarchical form profiles is identified as corresponding to the completed form hierarchical profile. Based on the identity of the corresponding hierarchical form profile, the completed form can be routed for further processing. A further aspect of the invention makes it possible to extract data from predesignated fields which may be unique to that particular form within a completed form based on the form's identity.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention provides apparent direct editing of transient graphic elements displayed within an application in a data processing system. An editable overlay window is established within a data processing system. A transient graphic element is transient such that it is displayed within a main window in response to an occurrence within an application, and it cannot be individually edited directly in the main window. The transient graphic element is selected. The editable overlay window is then linked to the transient graphic element, such that the editable overlay window is displayed only in conjunction with the transient graphic element. The editable overlay window is then displayed directly over the transient graphic element. Thereafter, entries by a user into the editable overlay window give the appearance of editing the transient graphic element directly within the main window.

Abstract: Data selectors for selecting values which affect display of data. The data selector represents a set of values, and selection is done by interactively "painting" a portion of the data selector. The values which correspond to the painted portion are activated. Species of the data selectors include discrete data selectors, continuous dam selectors, and multidimensional dam selectors. An exemplary discrete data selector is employed in apparatus for displaying information about a very large number of entities. The apparatus includes very small entity representations representing entities such as lines of text contained in columns representing a context such as the files which contain the lines. The discrete data selector represents the values of an attribute of the entities. Painting the discrete data selector activates the entity representations having the corresponding values. A code viewer permits detailed views of information about the entity represented by a selected entity representation.

Abstract: Two polygon fill algorithms are presented for filling polygons on a graphics display. The first polygon fill algorithm fills polygons that are strictly convex. The second polygon fill algorithm fills a larger class of polygons than the first polygon fill algorithm which includes polygons being concave in the x direction, and polygons having crossing lines. The first polygon fill algorithm tests the polygon for strict convexity by testing for a consistent turning direction, and by testing for once around in the y direction. The first polygon fill algorithm then stores the maximum and minimum value of the pel selected by the Bresenham algorithm for each scan line of the polygon. The fill line is drawn from the pel having the minimum value to the pel having the maximum value for each scan line of the polygon. The second polygon fill algorithm tests the polygon to ensure that it can be filled with one unique fill line for each scan line of the polygon.

Abstract: A system and method for providing computerized forms completion and processing. A forms designer utilizes a forms creation module that includes a scripting feature to create an electronic form. The scripting feature provides flow of control statements and a variety of functions useful in forms, e.g., such as questionnaires. These functions include data validation, field navigation/control (e.g., skip), context sensitive help, data formatting, alert sounds and dialog boxes. The scripting feature ensures that skip patterns are followed correctly and that the form is completed accurately. The forms creation program generates a field description record for each field created by the forms designer. The set of field description records that define the electronic form is then transferred to a handheld computer, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A user of the form, such as a respondent to a survey, utilizes the PDA to respond to the statements or questions that are part of the form.

Abstract: An information storage and retrieval system which permits storage of fact information represented in terms of conceptual concepts expressing things and relational concepts expressing relations therebetween on a knowledge base, easy inputting and correction of the fact information, easy browsing and retrieval of the fact information and display of the fact information with effective use of a limited view area, and also to provide a display method used in the information storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A modelling system for producing a 2-D image of a 3-D scene includes a 3-D computer graphics modeler for producing a view from a selectable viewpoint and in a selectable direction of a 3-D computer graphics model of an object for forming a foreground image, a source of backdrop video data, digital video effects apparatus for manipulating the backdrop video data to produce a background image and a compositor for keying the foreground image into the background image to form the 2-D image. The modelling system is able to produce in real time photo-realistic representations of computer models of objects such as buildings and the like in a real world environment. It is possible to include moving foreground objects in the model for virtual reality applications. It is also possible in real time to move around the model by changing the selected viewpoint and/or direction, the modelling system responding to these changes to produce the appropriate output images.

Abstract: A document retaining section retains a structured document in which a logical structure and a layout structure are correlated with each other by using embedding nodes each being inserted between a unit logical node and a logical node immediately above the unit logical node and representing a corresponding relationship between the unit logical node and a unit layout node, and mold nodes provided in place of respective unit layout nodes. A document processing section is capable of processing a partial logical structure of the document retained by the document retaining section together with a partial layout structure corresponding to the partial logical structure.

Abstract: An information grasping system in which information is described as nodes, and the nodes are allocated in the virtual plane, and a user can easily grasp' the relationship between the whole information and the detailed information in a single display area while continuously zooming in and out the nodes, and easily grasp significance data. A virtual-plane-data managing unit generates and manages virtual plane data for allocating and displaying in a virtual plane the data entered by a user in various display modes, which are according to display rules stored in a rule storage unit. The system automatically calculates significance of nodes on the basis of the user's operation data of nodes. The nodes are discriminatively displayed according to the significance in the virtual plane.

Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image pressing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which depict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visual configuration to a second visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transform a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.

Abstract: A word processing system having a transparent display for previewing printed documents includes a keyboard for inputting character data and format data, a read only memory for storing process steps for displaying and printing input character data in accordance with the input format data, a processor for processing the input character data and the input format data in accordance with the stored process steps, and a display for previewing printed documents. The transparent display comprises a transparent display for displaying characters, a backlight background for supporting a blank form and a printed circuit board connected to the perimeter of the display glass. The transparent display is configured so as to accommodate the passage of a blank form between the front glass and the support plate so that characters displayed on the front glass appear superimposed over the supported blank form.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to perform reduction conversion processing while suppressing the loss of fine line when carrying out the reduction conversion of an image expressing in binary values. The present invention has a reduction operator which logically calculates the value of a converted pixel from a detection of fine lines in the vertical or diagonal direction, a detection of fine lines in the horizontal or diagonal direction and from the value of the original pixel closest to the converted pixel, within a limited region wherein the main scanning pixel number is 2N and the sub-scanning pixel number is 2N original pixels.

Abstract: A color interpolation circuit allows information uniquely identifying one of six colors to be stored by using only two binary bits of memory storage, and allows information uniquely identifying one of 120 colors to be stored by using only four binary bits of memory storage. This is accomplished by storing only the foreground, edge, and background colors (i.e., herein referred to as "independent" colors), and an "interpolate operator" code, and by providing circuitry to properly interpret and process the interpolate operator code to generate "intermediate colors". This permits a 33% reduction of memory size and reduces the "fetch speed" requirements of associated on-screen display (OSD) scan converter circuitry.

Abstract: A live event may be broadcasted by producing a computer coded description of the sub-events that constitute the event. The coded description is stored in a centralized computer data base and the information thus stored is accessible by a viewer's computer. That viewer computer then produces a computer simulation of the live event using the coded description.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing an image having different levels of resolution in different places. The method has the steps of inputting data representing the image, displaying at least a portion of the image at a fractional-level between the levels of resolution. The method also has the steps of editing the image at the fractional-level of resolution, updating the image to create an edited version of the image, storing the edited version of the image, and outputting the edited version of the image.

Abstract: A user interface has a main module and a plurality of panel modules. The main module presents the user interface on the display screen to a user. The plurality of panel modules are in communication with the main module. Each panel module presents a panel interface on the display screen to the user. Each panel module is individually configurable and each panel module is configurable as part of the user interface presented by the main module. In the preferred embodiment, the displayed user interface and individual panel interfaces may be varied in size in two dimensions. The user interface can be displayed with a vertical or horizontal orientation. Also, a calendar and resource gauge with unique features are included among the panel interfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying information about a very large number of entities. The apparatus includes very small entity representations which represent the entities. The entity representations are contained in columns which represent contexts for the entities. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the entities are lines of text and the contexts are files containing the lines. Also included is a selector with a set of colored fields corresponding to values of attributes of the entities. When either an entity representation or a selector field is activated by means of a pointing device, the selector field and all of the entity representations for entities having the attribute value corresponding to the selector field are turned on and appear in the same color. The pointing device may also be used to specify an entity representation for detailed viewing. In response to this operation, a code viewer opens which displays detailed information about the entity corresponding to the specified entity representation.

Abstract: Original image coordinate data representing boundary positions of an object detected through the search of the object along predetermined multiple directions is produced in advance. A range image seen from a display plane is produced through the affine transformation process for the detected boundary positions and comparison and substitution processes for distances by means of a Z-buffer. A shading process is performed based on the range image, and the resulting object image is displayed on a CRT screen or the like. This method enables the transformation of voxel-wise original image data into original image coordinate data merely through the sequential access to the original image data, eliminating the need of intricate image processes such as tracking on the object surface, and is capable of displaying a three-dimensional image of the object quickly and also enhancing the picture quality of the displayed image.