Abstract: A method and apparatus that translates a natural language query into a Boolean expression to be used to search a database. The Boolean expression is displayed on a screen so that the user can alter the Boolean expression using a mouse or similar input device and re-execute the search. The manipulations performed by the user include moving terms of the query, changing the order in which query terms are evaluated, adding terms, deleting terms, and selecting alternate versions of terms.

Abstract: A computer aided design package is used to create a mathematical representation of a three-dimensional object. This object is defined as a set of surfaces oriented in space. A map of the flattened object is created by concatenating selected ones of the surfaces on a single plane. The outline of this map is then used in a computer aided circuit layout package as a printed circuit board on which an electrical circuit is placed and routed. The circuit is translated into a three dimensional form corresponding to the surface of the object by translating and rotating the representation of the object to align each selected surface with the circuit description generated by the circuit layout package. The portion of the circuit corresponding to the surface is then transferred to a three-dimensional data structure having a format that is compatible with numerically controlled machining apparatus. This data structure is used to drive a numerically controlled machine tool that cuts a phototool.

Abstract: Method of converting continuous 3-D geometrical representations into a discrete set of voxels in discrete 3-D voxel space. In one embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D straight line segment into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In another embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial curve segment into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial surface patch into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. Yet in another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for converting a continuous 3-D parametric polynomial volume element into a discrete set of voxels connected together in discrete 3-D voxel space. The method of the present invention is incremental in nature and uses all integer arithmetic.

Abstract: A display pattern processing apparatus is responsive to pattern data and color codes input by an operator. A program memory stores program for execution, appropriate programs being selected for execution depending on the input pattern data. Simple color reproduction with a single foreground color and a single background color is possible, as is multicolor reproduction with multiple foreground colors and a single background color. The number and nature of the programs stored depends on whether simple or multicolor reproduction is desired.