Abstract: A computer system and method for the generation and manipulation of animated objects in a computer-controlled environment. The animated objects include state data and methods defining the behavior of the object. The animated objects also have an associated affect volume and affect agents. An interaction manager controls the interaction between objects as the animation sequence progresses. An animation sequence is controlled by a set of rules, state graphs, or scripts. The behavior of objects is modeled using a descriptive and a mathematical representation. Objects containing visual characteristics are rendered to a display screen.

Abstract: A small size graphic microcomputer provided with a direction control circuit and a coordinate computing circuit, which allow for finer control over the direction in which a dot of interest is moving. The sequence of operations from the calculation of coordinates through address generation is carried out sequentially so that addresses in the drawing memory can be obtained at high speed in response to each output clock.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operation part for specifying information to be recorded on a sheet, a recognition part for recognizing the information specified by the operation part, an input interface for receiving sequentially a first serial image data representing an image, a bit image generation part supplied with the first serial video data for forming bit images in response thereto, a memory having a memory area for storing the bit images formed by the bit image generation part in the memory area, a comparison part operatively connected on the one hand to the memory for reading out the bit images stored therein and on the other hand to the recognition part for receiving the information to be recorded on the sheet, the comparison part producing the output such that the output is changed with increasing occupation of the memory area by the bit images, and a reporting part connected to the comparison part for receiving the output from the comparison part and for displaying the proportion of the memory

Abstract: A computer having a video circuit which is configured by a monitor identification signal is described. The self-configuring circuit permits connection to a variety of monitor types without the need for a separate video card or other dedicated circuitry compatible with the specific monitor type. The computer automatically senses the type of the monitor to which it is coupled, then configures its internal circuitry to provide compatible video signals to the monitor. The invented computer includes a central processing unit (CPU) for executing a program to provide video data for display on the monitor. The data is stored in the computer in a random-access memory (RAM). The monitor provides an identification signal to the video circuit which then provides both the appropriate video timing signals and the video data to the monitor for display thereon. The identification signal is used to configure the video circuitry in accordance with the requirements of the monitor.

Abstract: The method and apparatus providing for the conversion of phonetic symbols to kanji characters. Phonetic symbols, such as kana symbols, are converted to corresponding kanji characters by inputting the phonetic symbol, converting the phonetic symbol to a kanji character corresponding to the phonetic symbol, displaying the resulting kanji character to permit confirmation of the accuracy of the conversion. Alternatively, the input phonetic symbol may be converted to a corresponding kanji character by inputting the phonetic symbol as well as the approximate number of kanji strokes corresponding to the kanji character, which corresponds to the input phonetic symbol, converting the phonetic symbol based on this input and displaying the resulting kanji character on a display apparatus for confirmation of the accuracy of the conversion process. In both cases, if the displayed kanji character is not correct, the next kanji character in the dictionary corresponding to the input phonetic symbol will be displayed.

Abstract: A material of displaying a character on a raster device wherein the character is described by means of one or more paths. The crosses where a path intersects horizontal pixel midlines are identified and paired in scan line order as cross pairs. Runs of pixels are identified from the cross pairs. Collisions are identified between two runs of pixels and the repair operation is performed to remove the collision while maintaining the integrity of the character. The most common repair operation is to move or delete one or more of the pixels involved in the collision.

Abstract: A method and apparatus carried out on a digital computer for creating and editing mathematical equations in a printed document is disclosed. This invention allows the user of a wordprocessing program to create and edit mathematical equations in an efficient and flexible manner through use of a user interface which includes an editing window, a display window, and a palette window. The editing window allows the user to input a textual description of the equation, the palette window provides an alternative method of entering the textual description of the equation by displaying the characters and commands that may be used, and the display window displays the equation as it appears in its final printed form.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously using a video signal to provide a video picture and computer data. At the transmitting end, a video signal is digitized and then modified by substituting digital signals representative of computer data for those representative of video pixels. The modified signal is reconverted to an analog signal and transmitted to a receiver. The receiver displays the video picture corresponding to the modified signal and extracts the computer data so that they may be provided to the computer. The computer can thus be controlled by the computer data as the video picture is being displayed.

Abstract: The system and method of forming a display from a sequence of blocks of pixel data includes intermediate storage of selected blocks of pixel data in sequence for subsequent selective access in the stored sequence. One or more accesses to a given block of pixel data from intermediate storage provides zoom expansion or compression of displayable images represented by the blocks of pixel data.

Abstract: A system and method in a graphics environment ensures that a line drawn upon the surface of a polygon is always visible to a user of the graphics system. In a Z-buffered environment the range of depth values contained therein are set to the 75% of the total capacity which is considered closest to the surface of a display screen. The line is then drawn into this 75% set of Z-buffer depth values. A shift is then computed, based upon the normal to the polygon in device coordinates. This shift is then added to the previously set 75% range of Z-buffer depth values. The polygon is then drawn at a depth equal to the previously set range plus the shift. Thus, the line will always be visible since, the polygon surface will always be considered by a graphics adapter to be deeper than the line contained on the surface thereof.

Abstract: An image processing system receives different types of image data with different number of bits per pixel, stores the image data into a memory, and applies given image processing steps to the image data stored therein. A control device is included in the image processing system. The control device determines the positions of pixels to be image processed, the number of pixels of one line, and the number of lines. For each line a least common multiple (LCM) of the number of bits of the pixel (B.sub.m) and the number of bits per access of the image data used in the image processing system (B.sub.0) is calculated, and the control device executes preset image processing programs under the determined conditions.

Abstract: A text processing device is provided having a raster type CRT display and a printing unit. Codes corresponding to data to be displayed on the CRT display are stored in a memory which is updated during each vertical retrace period unless the device detects that a motor for the printing unit is activated in which case a fewer number of codes are rewritten into the memory.

Abstract: A multipoint, multiple function recorder which can record, display, and process up to 135 input/output data points, either analog or discrete, in various combinations. A strip chart recorder is provided for permanently recording input and output data points and, in conjunction with the chart recorder, a separate programmable dot matrix display is provided, such display being responsive to the same input/output data points and operable for displaying data in both alphanumeric and graphic form, the display being independently operable from said chart recorder, such that said input/output points are displayable at different times from the times when they are being printed on the chart recorder.

Abstract: Aliasing on a video display resulting from digital sampling and appearing as jagged lines and crawling movement is eliminated by controlling the intensity of video display pixels as a function of distance from the ideal line location. Intensity values are stored in an intensity lookup table as a function of two values. For the middle portion of a line, the two values are the shorter of the distance from a pixel in either the x-direction or y-direction and the smaller of the slope with respect to the x-axis or the y-axis. For line end points, the two values are the distances of the pixel from the end point in the x-direction and the y-direction.

Abstract: An information display system and method for displaying information on multiple information display means. The information display system is generally comprised of a system controller, one or more direct controller, multiple information display units and one or more display lines, which facilitate the transmission of operating power and information to the information display units. The system controller combines each unit of source information with its own address code, thereby forming an addressed information unit. The system controller transmits the addressed information unit to a direct controller designated by said information unit's address code.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image generator generates a random signal which it filters in two dimensions generate a realistic three-dimensional image of a natural object such as ocean waves or clouds. By performing the filtering operation repeatedly on overlapping intervals of the random signal, related images can be obtained to generate moving scenes at real-time rates. Two or more partial image generators can be connected in parallel to generate different directions of motion, or different parts of a complex scene. Within each partial image generator, two or more space filters can be connected in parallel to generate superimposed patterns, such as small ripples superimposed on large waves. This image generator is much faster than previous, fractal image generators.

Abstract: An Icon window display area taking precedence over all other display areas is disposed in the display screen. A window which becomes invisible at generation of a new window, a window size change of an existing window, or a position change of an existing window represented as an Icon which the operator can recognize or identify is the invisible window displayed in a new Icon window display area.

Abstract: A video editing system comprising a computer system having a mass storage and a display, a video source, such as a video cassette recorder (VCR), camera, or optical disc player, and a video processor/controller linking the computer to the video source. The computer system functions under the direction of standard operating software and video editing software which provide the user with an interface for controlling both playback and clip editing of video information from the video source. Upon initialization of the editing system, the user is presented with at least a video window for displaying the video information, a control window for regulating playback of the video information, and a clip list window having a number of rows of edit windows organized under begin, end, and clip columns. The user controls playback of video from the video source within the video window through manipulation of standard playback direction and speed indicators.

Abstract: An inter-panel process flow control method and system for enabling an uninhibited change of scope from the active panel to another panel visible on a display screen. The process relies on object-oriented programming constructs, particularly the inheritance property, and the control methods associated with the panel class. A hierarchical internal program logic is implemented where each child panel inherits the control method of its parent panel. An Action Router control method determines if a change of scope request can be handled locally by the currently active panel. The child panels of the currently active panel are queried in a controlled sequence using this inherited control method until a child panel is found that can handle the change of scope request.

Abstract: A computer system for aiding in the design of an object, comprising a first sensor representing the object and adapted to be moved in three dimensions in a work area by a designer, the first sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area, and a second sensor adapted to be moved by the designer in three dimensions in the work area, the second sensor providing signals to the computer system that indicate its position and orientation in the work area; the computer system responds to the signals from the first and second sensors by creating a displayed image corresponding to a three-dimensional model of the object in a virtual work area that corresponds to the designer's work area, the model comprising lines that each have a shape and position that corresponds to movement by the designer of at least one of the sensors, and by controlling the position and orientation of the model in the virtual work area in accordance with the motion of at least one of t