Abstract: A partitioned image processing device executes image processing of large size drawing data using an image memory of small capacity to provide substantially the same processed result as that obtainable by using an image memory with a large memory capacity. An image data input device for inputting the image data; an image memory for storing the image data; and an image processing device for performing the image processing of the image data read in the image memory are provided. The image processing device is designed to partition the image data read-in from the image memory into partitioned regions; to read the partitioned regions of the image data in the image memory so that the portions of the image data in the adjacent partitioned regions partly overlap with each other, and to execute the image processing of each of the partitioned regions.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the processing performance of a transform engine by off-loading the processing of those input polygons which have no more than a predetermined number of edges and decomposing such polygons into trapezoids which can be rendered by a scan conversion system. This is accomplished in accordance with the invention by reading edge data of each input polygon into a RAM and determining the relative positions of the Y coordinates of end points of each edge so that the beginning and end of each respective edge of the polygon in the Y direction may be determined. The polygon is then broken into trapezoids by reading in the respective beginning points of respective edges of the polygon and proceeding until the end point of one of the edges is reached. At the end of one edge, another edge of the polygon is read in, and the process continues until all trapezoids in the polygon have been drawn.

Abstract: A database publishing system uses a plurality of microprocessors for flowing manuscript material such as text and graphics into predefined entities making up the structure of a publication according to predetermined attributes associated with each entity, and for imaging manuscript material in a sequence of processing stages with each stage including a plurality of processing operations. In operation, the structure and appearance of a publication can be defined in advance before entering the manuscript material making up the publication. Furthermore, manuscript material making up a plurality of publications can be in process at the same time in various processing stages in order to image the publications in assembly line fashion.

Abstract: The invented merged text and graphics printing method includes software which effects the printing of merged text and graphics by looking ahead and recognizing the position of text, effecting the printing of any graphics up to such text, then effecting the printing of the text. By looking ahead and recognizing the position of text, the method can determine when such text should be printed in relation to the graphics.

Abstract: A circuit for determining the X values of each end of a series of horizontal scan lines connecting a pair of line segments each of which is defined by a pair of vertices, the horizontal scan lines defining an area to be rendered on a computer output device, comprising first and second circuit portions, each of said circuit portions including apparatus to determine the slope of a line segment, apparatus depending on the slope for determining the beginning and ending X values for each line segment for each scan line in the area to be rendered, apparatus for causing the two circuit portions to begin operation at the same scan line, and apparatus for changing the Y value for each circuit portion to the Y value of the next adjacent scan line at the same time.

Abstract: A technique for decomposing any simple or complex arbitrary polygon into a trapezoid having at least one edge parallel to the scan direction for more efficient scan conversion by rasterization circuitry. An input polygon is split into "slabs", which are adjacent regions bounded by lines parallel to the scan direction. Initially the polygon is split at the y coordinate of every vertex to define the slabs. Then, for each slab, it is determined which edges are present in the slab and whether there are any unacceptable edge intersections. If an unacceptable edge intersection is found in a slab, that slab is broken into two or more slabs at the y coordinates of the intersection points of the edges. Each of the slabs is then processed independently. Once no unacceptable intersections are found in any slab, trapezoids are rendered from adjacent pairs of edges and sent to the rasterization circuitry.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously displaying day calendar information on the screen of an interactive terminal of an information handling system along with data being processed by an application program. The day calendar data is displayed in a first view port in a compressed format which indicates busy and free time periods, while data from an application program is displayed in a second viewport. The information in the two simultaneously displayed viewports provides an improved interactive user interface in that the terminal user does not have to interrupt the task that he is working on to determine the availability of a certain time period. When the terminal is interconnected to other terminals by a network, the method provides an indication in the first viewport for the terminal user that is actively engaged in an application program, that a second user of a terminal on the network has calendared an event on the first user's calendar.

Abstract: A process for controlling cursor-scrollable display information for a plurality of dependent workstations from a single workstation controller, including the steps of prestoring format tables and scrollable panel areas for each dependent workstation in the workstation controller, processing cursor movement keystroke signals within the workstation controller to cause scrolling to occur for any dependent workstation when a cursor movement keystroke is made in that workstation when the cursor is displayed at a beginning or an end position of a scrollable area.

Abstract: A graphics processor is coupled to a plurality of RAMs (Random Access Memories) for storing a frame of a display. The processor provides a separate RAS (Row Address Strobe) signal and a separate CAS (Column Address Strobe) signal to each of the memories so that row and/or column addresses to each of the RAMs can be latched using a staggered timing sequence. Data can be written into or read from memory using this staggering technique, wherein overall data transfer rate is faster than the memory cycle time of each to of the RAMs.

Abstract: A parallel optical image processing system comprises a image detection part for detecting an input image, an encoding part supplied with an electrical image signal from the image detection part for producing an encoded input image in a form of optical beam, an optical memory stored with a number of images in a form of encoded image, an optical interconnection part supplied with the encoded input image for addressing the optical memory by deflecting the optical beam so as to read out one of the images stored in the optical memory as an associated image, a first optical path supplied with the encoded input image, a second optical path supplied with the associated image, a decoding part supplied with the encoded input image and the associated image from said first and second optical paths as an encoded output image for decoding the encoded output image thus supplied to form a decoded output image, and feedback control part for controlling the addressing of the memory by the optical interconnection part responsiv

Abstract: In a word processor for inputting desired data for each specific items and regulating a printing device for inputted data to be printed at each specific position on a fixed document form set in the printing device, the image of the fixed document form is read and inputted by an image reader or the like to display it on a graphic display device. The positions where the specific items should be inputted are designated by utilizing a dot unit cursor also displayed on the graphic display device and the position data for each designated input position is converted to an amount of the movement of the printing head of the printing device and an amount of the line feeding thereof. Then, the specific items are inputted at each input position on the image of the fixed document form displayed on the graphic display. The inputted data are then printed by the printing device on each column of the fixed document form where the corresponding data should be printed.

Abstract: An adaptive forward differencing apparatus wherein, when rendering curves, calculated x, y values are increased or decreased in order to create values which correspond to the next pixel of the display CRT, such that curves of substantially one pixel increments are continuously and uniformly generated. The apparatus also provides circuitry for generating coordinates of display elements which approximate an ideal vector and to define curves, vectors or objects within maximum and minimum coordinates of the CRT display. The present invention also provides efficient circuitry for computing the value of 1/w of the homogenous coordinate w.

Abstract: A process for eliminating hidden faces for synthesis of a three-dimensional wire image from the set of edges of a wire image, the edges being provided with priority parameters making it possible to restore the appearances of a third-dimension. The process consists of:cutting the set of ordinate values into intervals [Y(i),Y(i+1)] as a function of the ordinates of the edge ends;determining, in each interval [Y(i),Y(i+1)], the coordinates of intersection points (I1 . . . I4) of the edges;making, for each edge (AB), an arranged list of points of intersection of this edge with more priority edges;determining, for each intersection point (I1 . . .

Abstract: Image information units, related with one another in the order of their magnitudes defined for each of a plurality of properties of each image, are prestored in an image information storage and management device. All image information units adjoiningly related by their properties with a main image being displayed on a display are read out of the image information storage and management device, and contracted images of the read-out image information units are displayed as navigators on the display screen, together with the main image.

Abstract: A scan conversion process is performed on a polygon using a single pass technique. The pixels which comprise the edges and vertices of the polygon are first determined from the vertices which define the polygon. The alpha channel comprises either a sub-pixel mask associated with each pixel which indicates the amount and sub-pixel regions of coverage or a single value indicative of the percentage of coverage of a pixel. Furthermore, a z value indicative of the depth of each pixel is maintained. The pixels between the edge pixels of the polygon are then turned on, thereby filling the polygon. The pixels which comprise the polygon are then composited with the background pixels on a per pixel basis. The depth value of each pixel of the polygon (the z value) is used to determine the compositing equations to be used to composite each pixel of the polygon to the background.

Abstract: An image information recorder, including a printer capable of continuous printing in the direction of scanning lines, for reproducing binary input data of an image of a resolution density of 400 dpi (dots per inch) in a form of a visual image of the resolution density of 600 dpi. The input data of 400 dpi is transformed into multi-value image data of 600 dpi in accordance with two-dimensional filtering, which is converted into an analog image signal. The analog image signal is smoothed by a low pass filter, and then the smoothed analog image signal is binarized by a constant threshold signal, whereby an output binary image data of 600 dpi is produced.

Abstract: The 3D display device of the invention is based on an octree structure of data pertaining to an object to be displayed. This structure is memorized in a memory associated with a cache memory sending blocks of data on a bus to which a geometrical processor and an image-generating circuit are connected. The geometrical processor generates the visible part of another octree corresponding to a target universe which may be positioned in any way in relation to the object universe (a cube enclosing all the data to be represented).

Abstract: A workspace data structure, such as a window hierarchy or network, includes functional data units that include data relating to workspace functionality. These functional data units are associated with data units corresponding to the workspaces such that a functional data unit can be replaced by a functional data unit compatible with a different set of functions without modifying the structure of other data units. Each workspace data unit may have a replaceably associated functional data unit called an input contract relating to its input functions and another called an output contract relating to its output functions. A parent workspace's data unit and the data units of its children may together have a replaceably associated functional data unit, called a windowing contract, relating to the windowing relationship between the parent and the children.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and displaying data, and which are especially well suited to display high volumes of data at high rates, in a manner utilizing the vast human capability to perceive and recognize changes in patterns. The method comprises measuring values of a multitude of real life parameters a multitude of times, and forming a multitude of successive n-vectors from those values. Each n-vector has a plurality of components arranged in an order, and corresponding components of respective n-vectors are determined in the same manner from measured values of the real life parameters. Each n-vector is mapped onto an associated first k-vector; and each first k-vector has a plurality of components arranged in an order, and corresponding components of respective k-vectors are determined in the same manner from corresponding components of respective n-vectors.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite surface which is comprised of a base or primary surface and a number of features, and which satisfies certain functional objectives or requirement. Implemented in a Computer Aided Design system employed to assist in the design of automobile inner panels, the method accepts as input a feature-based information which describes the geometry of a particular inner panel, and produces as an output, a composite surface with a user-specified degree of smoothness. The method permits interactive design and modification of complex inner panel surfaces, and significantly simplifies attendant aspects of the panel design process such as numerically controlled machining.