Abstract: An entertaining and informative method of displaying competitive product performance data is disclosed. The various embodiments include a method for displaying product performance data by use of animated contests between animated representatives of competing products. The contest results are relative to selected product test results. The relationship between the test results and the contest results is a mathematical approximation. Thus, a gross disparity in the displayed animated contest is indicative of a gross disparity in the performance of the products on the test. Likewise, a closely fought contest in the displayed animated contest is indicative of close performance of the products on the test.

Abstract: A video graphics module capable of blending multiple image layers includes a plurality of video graphic pipelines, each of which is operable to process a corresponding image layer. One of the video graphic pipelines processes a foremost image layer. For example, the foremost image layer may be a hardware cursor. The video graphics module also includes a blending module that is operably coupled to the plurality of video graphic pipelines. The blending module blends, in accordance with a blending convention (e.g., AND/Exclusive OR blending and/or alpha blending), the corresponding image layers of each pipeline in a predetermined blending order to produce an output image. The blending module blends the foremost image layer such that it appears in a foremost position with respect to the other image layers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating two objects in a drawing application with one another are provided. Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a method in a computing environment that includes receiving a command to designate a target and designating the target. The method can further include identifying a subject and providing a suggested association of the subject with the target. The method can still further include receiving a command to accept the suggested association and associating the subject with the target as suggested.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system for displaying content, such as a computer's displayed desktop, to a user such that remote content may be easily accessed, is presented. An exemplary display system includes a preferred interaction area through which the user interacts with the displayed content. The display system detects a user's reposition action and repositions the displayed content on the display system according to the detected reposition action. A user may reposition any portion of the displayed content to any location within the preferred interaction area. That portion of the displayed content falling outside of the preferred interaction area is displayed according to the available display area outside of the preferred interaction area. The displayed content outside of the preferred interaction area may be scaled according to the available display area. Display areas uncovered by repositioning the displayed content may be displayed with empty space.

Abstract: A system and method for zooming into or out of an image on a screen, in which the image is displayed on a touch screen, and a user zooms into a portion of the image by placing a stylus at a desired image point on the screen. The system repeatedly enlarges the image about the image point indicated by the stylus until the user moves the stylus off of the screen, so that whilst the stylus is on the screen, the user sees a continuous enlargement about the point of the stylus. If the stylus is dragged across the screen during the zoom, then the center of the zoom changes to follow the stylus. A zoom-out action may occur in a similar manner to the zoom-in action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing a parametrization scheme in accordance with information about the surface signal. A surface parametrization is created to store a given surface signal into a texture image. The signal-specialized metric of the invention minimizes signal approximation error, i.e., the difference between the original surface signal and its reconstruction from the sampled texture. A signal-stretch parametrization metric is derived based on a Taylor expansion of signal error. For fast evaluation, the metric of the invention is pre-integrated over the surface as a metric tensor. The resulting parametrizations have increased texture resolution in surface regions with greater signal detail. Compared to traditional geometric parametrizations, the number of texture samples can often be reduced by a significant factor for a desired signal accuracy.

Abstract: Shape animation is described. In one aspect, examples that pertain to a shape or motion that is to be animated are provided. The examples are placed within a multi-dimensional abstract space. Each dimension of the abstract space is defined by at least one of an adjective and an adverb. A point within the multi-dimensional abstract space is selected. The selected point does not coincide with a point that is associated with any of the examples. The selected point corresponds to a shape or motion within the abstract space. A single weight value for each of the examples is computed. The single weight values for each of the examples are combined in a manner that defines an interpolated shape or motion that is a blended combination of each of the examples of the set of examples.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to manipulate an image transformation over time. A source image is selected from a first frame and a destination image is selected from a second frame. A first animation axis that defines a first two-dimensional transformation of the source image over time and a second animation axis that defines a second two-dimensional transformation of the destination image over time are both determined. The transformation of the source image to the destination image is manipulated by manipulating the second axis. Further, input from a user may be accepted for adjusting a coarseness of a lattice structure that controls an accuracy and affect of points with respect to each other during the transformation process. Lastly, the correspondence or mapping between sample points on the source and destination images may be manipulated over time.

Abstract: A process is provided for developing and converting a lookup table (hereinafter called a “LUT”) composed of only characteristic points of the characteristic of a color device and having a volume smaller than that of a multidimensional LUT into a multidimensional LUT by a table development process. Image data converting means uses the multidimensional LUT to convert input image data into output image data. Thus, an effect can be obtained in that a color management apparatus can be operated with only the LUT composed of only characteristic points of the characteristic of the device and having a small volume.

Abstract: A computer-implemented decision support system provides a performance-based representation using multi-dimensional clipping and transformation algorithms. Three types of supporting information are presented to the decision maker: a function matrix that describes the performance attributes varying with the decision variables; a decision space that illustrates the feasible decision set that meets performance requirements; and, a performance space that provides the feasible performance region displays the Pareto Optimal set.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic visualization of highly dimensional data are provided. Example embodiments provide a Dynamic Visualization System (a “DVS”), which maps data attributes to visualization dimensions and automatically imputes attribute values on-the-fly for each value of a sequencing dimension. Data having different resolutions can be simultaneously displayed in the same visualization. In one embodiment, the DVS comprises a Dynamic Data Management System with a user interface for specifying and mapping attributes, and one or more Dynamic Visualization Engines with near real-time control user interfaces. These components cooperate to define visualization scenarios based upon specified data subsets, determine and automatically execute a defined visualization, and allow analysts and other users to interactively modify the visualization.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and apparatus for converting a computer graphics illustration that includes a plurality of overlapping artwork elements from an input format to an output format that differs from the input format. The overlapping artwork elements are classified as transparent or non-transparent artwork elements. The transparent artwork elements are classified as being compatible or incompatible with the output format. The incompatible transparent artwork elements and any of the artwork elements that are at least partially overlapped by any of the incompatible transparent artwork elements are transformed into transformed artwork elements, without transforming any compatible artwork element that is not overlapped by an incompatible transparent artwork element. The transformed artwork elements are compatible with the output format.

Abstract: A processor having a compare extension of an instruction set architecture which incorporates a set of high performance floating point operations. The instruction set architecture incorporates a variety of data formats including single precision and double precision data formats, as well as the paired-single data format that allows two simultaneous operations on a pair of operands. The extension includes instructions directed to a magnitude compare of floating point numbers and conversions between a pair of 32-bit fixed point integers and paired-single floating point format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shape animation are described. In one aspect, a degree of freedom is linearly approximated. The degree of freedom is associated with a new form or motion for rendering based on multiple examples that define respective forms or motions within a multi-dimensional abstract space. Each dimension of the abstract space is defined by at least one of an adjective and an adverb. A radial basis function is defined for each of the examples by scaling the radial basis function for each example. The scaling includes evaluating a matrix system to ascertain a plurality of scaling weights. Individual weights are used to scale the radial basis functions. The linear approximation and the radial basis functions are combined to provide a cardinal basis function. The cardinal basis function is used to render the new form or motion.

Abstract: An interactive display system includes a display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for example, and a display controller. The display controller and display operate in concert to display graphical images that are representative of numerical, tabular, data. The display system may be used to edit, for example, to create or modify, the data tables being graphically represented. The edited data tables may be used to simulate processes, such as workflow processes.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communication among embedded devices using visual images. More specifically, a signal receiving device uses a visual recording device to locate the signal display screen of a signal transmitting device by employing an alternating image detection method. An image decoder embedded in the signal receiving device decodes the signal received by the visual recording device. In addition, a method is employed for automatically controlling the position and orientation of the signal display device and the visual recording device. Advantageously, communication among embedded devices can be effectuated without the emission of potentially harmful radiation.

Abstract: Stippled lines are drawn by evaluating a distance function for a set of points within the area of a stippled line. The distance function gives a distance value proportional to the distance from a point to the end of the stippled line. Using the point's distance value, a pattern index value defines a correspondence between a point and at least one stipple pattern bit. The value of pattern bits are applied to the points on the stippled line, masking the points such that only a portion of the set of points are displayed or determining intensity values according to the position of the points within the stipple pattern. A distance function may be an edge equation associated with the line end or a segment of a polyline. The distance function can be evaluated for the set of points in any order, allowing portions of a stippled line to be drawn in parallel.

Abstract: A graphics system readily activates and deactivates layers of a multi-layer source image. Image data, such as a multi-layered integrated circuit (“IC”) design, is generated for a multi-layer source image. A pyramid of image tiles defines “on” and “off” states for elements that represent the source image. A bit plane identifies values for the elements for each layer of the source image. Mask image data is generated to zero image data associated with at least one layer of the bit plane. The graphics system generates pixel data from the mask image data, and renders the pixel data on an output display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real size display system comprising a real size display system comprising a photographing unit for photographing an image of a subject, and outputting first image information that includes measurement information of the subject; a flat panel display unit for displaying image and providing information on installed dot size; and an image converter for receiving the first image information, converting the first image information based on the dot size information received from the flat panel display unit, and outputting second image information, to the flat panel display unit.

Abstract: An energy-conserving mobile station and a means for reducing the energy consumption of a mobile station and to reduce burn-in on the display element, where a part of the liquid crystal display element (LCD) of a mobile station is switched off, when the whole display element is not needed and a limited amount of information is displayed on the switched-on part of the display element (A1). An arrangement according to the present invention can be implemented by e.g. driving the control circuit (DC) of the liquid crystal display that supports the partition of the display element to switch of certain rows of the display element in energy conservation mode and switching them on to be used, when information is desired to be displayed on all of the display element.