Abstract: A method of transitioning between two high resolution images in a slideshow includes replacing a first image with a lower resolution copy of that first image and fading out the lower resolution copy of the first image to reveal a second image. A system for transitioning between two high resolution images in a slideshow includes a video chip having a first video buffer for containing a first image, a second video buffer for containing a second image, and a graphic buffer for containing a lower resolution copy of the first image. The chip is configured to replace the first image with the lower resolution copy of the first image and fade out the lower resolution copy of the first image to reveal the second image.

Abstract: A method and a system for image editing are provided. The method includes the following steps: firstly, search for characteristic curves of an image; next, approximate the characteristic curves with spline functions; then, when editing the image, manipulate the characteristic curves through control points of the corresponding spline functions; and then, reconstruct the image according to the manipulated characteristic curves.

Abstract: A process for the creation of a merged image comprising the steps of preparing at least two base images in digital format, selecting a pattern wherein said pattern comprises a multiplicity of cells, each cell having n regions wherein n is the number of prepared base images and wherein each region of a cell is assigned to a different prepared base image, applying the pattern to each base image, selecting a mergable portion of each respective base image wherein the mergable portion includes a tile corresponding to the region of each cell assigned to the respective base image, and merging of the mergable portions of each respective base image to provide a merged image.

Abstract: Changes to the outputs of a dependency graph, which has attribute nodes and operator nodes, are detected by forming product proxies for the outputs of dependency graph nodes. The product proxies can be formed by entering information about the dependency graph into a hashing algorithm. Before and after product proxies are then used to determine if the outputs have changed.

Abstract: Font smoothing technology is employed to enhance the readability of rendered text. Various font smoothing approaches can be used by an application to optimize the readability of text to be rendered.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process for smoothing and compression of data having an ordered list of points including a first point, a second point and a third point, each of the points being on the perimeter of a polygon. The method includes determining whether the triangle defined by line segments joining the first, second, and third points has a point of significance in its interior; and if no point of significance is present in the region, removing the second point of the ordered list of points.

Abstract: A programming tool has selection means for selecting a plurality of function blocks displayed in a library format, storage means for storing the function blocks selected through the selection means in the order as they are selected, and drawing means, as a plurality of function blocks selected through the selection means are confirmed, for drawing and display the confirmed function blocks in the order as they are selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an editable visual formatting model. The disclosed systems and methods may include providing visual formatting properties. The visual formatting properties may comprise an outer-most polygon corresponding to a container of a selected element, a middle polygon corresponding to a margin of the selected element, and an inner-most polygon corresponding to a padding of the selected element. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include providing interactive handles configured to provide design view editing of the visual formatting properties.

Abstract: A method for performing image editing includes displaying an image in a first state; saving the image in the first state; performing an operation to change the image to a second state from the first state, the second state being different from the first state; displaying the image in the second state; selecting from the displayed image in the second state a first area; and reversing the operation with respect to the first area to change the first area of the image back to the first state.

Abstract: To provide a contents distribution system, a contents server and a contents distribution method that do not need a layout operation at the time of distribution of contents and that enable a check of the content of image data that is hard to browse. When distribution of contents is requested from a contents display terminal to a contents server, a contents distribution server obtains the classification of the contents display terminal, and obtains text data and image letter data corresponding to a font size of terminal information via the contents management server. The contents distribution server couples the obtained image letter data and text data to generate a contents page, and distributes the contents page to the contents display terminal.

Abstract: When the occurrence of an effect event in which an effect object is generated is determined, it is determined whether or not a virtual camera exists within an effect range set based on an occurrence position of the effect event. When the existence of the virtual camera within the effect range is determined, at least the effect object positioned outside a field of view of the virtual camera is moved and positioned within the field of view of the virtual camera.

Abstract: A method relates to operating a system using a mixed monitor workstation, such as a medical PACS workstation, having a first display of a first resolution and a second display having a different resolution. The method may include moving a graphical element displayed on the first display to the second display, and rescaling the graphical element when moved such that the graphical element has a different pixel size on the second display than it did on the first. The method may also include allocating a graphical element to the first display or the second display based on characteristics of the graphical element. Various criteria may be used to allocate the graphical element; for instance, whether color images are currently being displayed on a low resolution monitor, whether a graphical element is a high or low resolution image, and others. The method may be implemented using software associated with the workstation.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A picture displaying apparatus comprises a storing unit storing a plurality of pictures, a displaying unit displaying the picture, an aimed region designating unit designating a partial region on the picture as an aimed region, an image cutting-out unit cutting-out the aimed region from each of the pictures as an aimed region picture, and a display controlling unit displaying the aimed region picture on the displaying unit. The display controlling unit comprises a superposed picture forming unit superposing a plurality of the aimed region pictures to form a superposed picture, and a visual effect controlling unit displaying each of the aimed region pictures forming the superposed picture at a predetermined transparency on the displaying unit. Even when a specific picture is retrieved in a large amount of pictures in the same or almost the same form, visual retrieval is possible readily and certainly without decreasing the retrieval efficiency.

Abstract: A posing system for three-dimensional characters and other models uses a stroke-based gestural language to position elements of the characters in a three-dimensional environment. A user draws a stroke in a two-dimensional interface in connection with a portion of model. The drawn stroke corresponds to an element of the model, such as a particular body part. A software program interprets the stroke and applies it to the placement or posing of the corresponding element. Additional elements are posed as necessary to further define the way in which the model as a whole should be posed. With a number of appropriate strokes for each of the elements, an animator can position the model in the scene.

Abstract: A character within a font is enlarged to a desired size by first determining whether the font contains existing or predefined variants of the character having the desired size. If no appropriately sized variant exists, the enlarged character is assembled from a plurality of component glyphs that are stored with the font, wherein the component glyphs include an extender that may be duplicated within the assembled character in order to achieve the desired size. In one embodiment, the font includes tables containing records of the enlarged variants for a particular character, as well as part records for the component glyphs used to assemble the enlarged character.

Abstract: A video scaling apparatus includes a receiver for receiving incoming video signals having transmitted therein a plurality of incoming frames, each incoming frame having a first plurality of synchronization signals for indicating lines in the incoming frame; a scaler with a line extender for generating outgoing video signals having transmitted therein a plurality of outgoing frames, each outgoing frame having a second plurality of synchronization signals for indicating lines in the outgoing frame, and for generating an outgoing frame for each incoming frame. The line extender ensures durations of all lines in the outgoing video signals are of substantially equal length. By ensuring that all lines in the outgoing frame are of substantially the same length, the reliability of a display device receiving the outgoing video signals is increased. Additionally, the frequency requirements of an outgoing clock for the video signals can be less stringent.