Abstract: A projection serves to space the air bearing surface apart from the surface of a recording disk when the recording disk stands still. The contact area can be reduced between a flying head slider and the surface of the recording disk. When the flying head slider inclines downstream around the tip end of the projection in response to a reverse rotation of the recording disk at the beginning of the rotation, the flying head slider allows a rugged surface to contact the surface of the recording disk at the outflow end thereof. The effect of meniscus or adsorption cannot be intensified between the lubricating agent or oil and the air bearing surface, namely, the flying head slider. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably avoid failure in starting the recording disk to rotate. Less torque of the spindle motor allows the recording disk to normally start rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for consolidating the visual representation of objects into a “rollup” visual representation. A set of objects defined in an N-dimensional space and a perspective viewpoint are obtained or pre-defined. Each object in the set is then represented by a new rollup object and each new rollup object is compared with any pre-existing rollup objects to determine if it is “near enough” to any pre-existing rollup object to be consolidated with the pre-existing object. If so, they are consolidated and the new rollup object is removed. The “near-enough” determination may be made based upon a threshold minimum area of occlusion between the two rollup objects, a threshold minimum pixel distance, or a threshold minimum spatial distance between the two rollup objects.

Abstract: A computer system for automatically converting a scrollable electronic document, including text, graphics, tables and combinations, from a scrollable format to a non-scrollable format, the system comprising a page-forming mechanism configured to operatively and automatically arrange the scrollable electronic information document into a plurality of non-scrollable pages, each having one or more columns wherein each of the columns has a width corresponding to a number of characters per line within a predetermined range of characters per line, a content formatter mechanism configured to be operatively responsive to embedded formatting commands, either common word-processing commands or html commands or both; a font-sizing mechanism configured to operatively permit a user to selectively alter the size of the characters comprising the non-scrollable pages; an image sizing mechanism configured either to automatically alter the widths of graphic images and tables in the electronic document to proportionately conform

Abstract: A plurality of object expanding time-lengths, respectively required to expand an object of each rich text medium, are stored in a server for each output format. When a request indicating a particular multimedia title is sent from a reproducing terminal to the server with a particular output format, particular object expanding time-lengths of each particular rich text medium of the particular multimedia title corresponding to the particular output format are read out. In cases where any particular object expanding time-length is not stored in the server, the particular object expanding time-lengths are measured in the server. Thereafter, a medium expanding time-length required to expand one particular rich text medium is calculated from the particular object expanding time-lengths of each particular rich text medium, a scenario indicating a display time of each particular rich text medium and the medium expanding time-lengths are sent to the reproducing terminal.

Abstract: A method for rendering an animation object, including a plurality of sub-objects, on a display of a client computer under control of a remote server. The method includes transferring from the server to the client, program code which describes a structure of the object, accessing within a local memory associated with the client a program description of at least one of the sub-objects of the object, and displaying the object such that the sub-object is coupled to the structure in accordance with the program code.

Abstract: A visualization system for enabling a user to select a vehicle and to overlay images of various user-selected accessories onto an image of the vehicle to cause a computer to display an image of the desired combination includes a database that stores digitized images of various vehicles and accessories. The accessories can be photographed separately from the vehicle, so that it is not necessary to photograph an accessorized vehicle for each one of the potentially thousands of vehicle/accessory combinations. The database correlates accessories and colors, with prices and other data, to the relevant vehicles. An Internet user can access the database over the Internet to select a vehicle with user-defined accessories, and then a composite image of the vehicle with accessories is presented to the user.

Abstract: Unusual waveforms are defined in terms of how many “new” pixels are affected by the process of rasterizing them. New pixels can be those not yet affected by the rasterization of any waveform in the current set of acquisitions, or to be those that have had higher values in their raster memory location but have now been decayed to below a defined value. Once detected, such waveforms can be re-rasterized with extra intensity or into a different color by using a reserved range of values of those storable in the raster memory. Alternatively, the special region of values can be used as a counter/timer to maintain the pixels associated with unusual waveforms at a brightest intensity value, or in the color equivalent, for an extended period of time. User input can be used to affect the definition of “new” pixels and to control the special persistence given to unusual waveforms. Unusual waveforms can also be saved in long term memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying font information by using a preview window, when the user makes up a document, the sample of the desirable font is promptly shown to the user through the preview window. Accordingly, the user can effectively make up the document by promptly finding the suitable font for the document.

Abstract: Solving a quadratic programming problem involved in training support vector machines by sweeping through a set of training examples, solving small sub-problems of the quadratic programming problem. Each of these sub-problems has an analytic solution, which is faster that the numerical quadratic programming solutions used in the prior art. In one embodiment, training examples with non-optimal Lagrange multipliers are adjusted, one at a time, until all are optimal (e.g. until all examples fulfill the Kuhn-Tucker conditions). In another embodiment, training examples with non-optimal Lagrange multipliers are paired and then adjusted, until all are optimal.

Abstract: Enabling an animation character object, which is pictorially deformed by computer graphics techniques to visually represent human body or animal or the like in the form of a caricature or model, to offer precise and more natural motions at its selected constituent portions that have inherently no joints and no bones by giving thereto joints and skeletons. To this end, apparatus and method for generating skeleton-based animation images in accordance with the principles of the invention include solving means as follows. A face section of a cubic character object is provided with auxiliary skeletons as vertically coupled together. Skeletons are provided which extend from respective endpoints of such auxiliary skeletons and are coupled defining an umbrella shape as a whole. These skeletons are associated with models each consisting of an ensemble of polygons for rendering the character deformable by changing rotation amount of each skeleton.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus which displays a set of document data on a display unit together with an operation menu which has operation items related to the set of document data. In the apparatus, the document data storage unit stores a plurality of sets of document data of different contents which are indicated by sets of content information. The operation menu information storage unit stores a plurality of sets of operation menu information which each contain operation items that correspond to a content of document data. The first indication operation unit indicates a display of a set of document data. The second indication operation unit indicates an addition of a display of an operation menu to a display of document data.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves modifying digital image files, involving modifying a low resolution proxy and recording a script which is then applied to the original digital image file. The transfer of a low resolution proxy and/or modification script allows the use of inexpensive, standard data transmission components, allowing successful access to expert services previously only available to those with the costly data transmission components.

Abstract: A method for representing a digital image having color values with an extended color gamut in a storage color space having a limited color gamut comprising the steps of: adjusting the color values of the extended color gamut digital image to fit within the limited color gamut to form a limited color gamut digital image; representing the limited color gamut digital image in the storage color space; determining a clipped limited color gamut digital image in which highly quantized regions in the limited color gamut digital image have been clipped; determining a residual image representing a difference between the extended color gamut digital image and the clipped limited color gamut digital image; and associating the residual image with the limited color gamut digital image in the storage color space such that the associated residual image and the limited color gamut digital image in the storage color space are adapted to be used to form a reconstructed extended color gamut digital image.

Abstract: One or more embodiments provide the ability to use multiple path formats in an object oriented system. A path maintains the ability to translate itself into a recognizable format for use by applications. The recognizable format may be a standard Bezier Path format or an iterator that provides the ability to iterate along the path, one curve segment at a time. Multiple applications may use the self-translation ability. In one embodiment, when an application desires to perform a transform, it determines if the transform may be performed on the path (i.e., whether the path is recognizable). If the path is recognizable, the transform is performed directly on the path. If the path is not recognizable, the path translates itself into a recognizable format and the transform performs the action on the recognizable path (the transform must maintain the ability to perform the transform on the standard format). Determining whether the path is recognizable may consist of a two stage negotiation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for painting 3-D objects and producing computer-assisted animated films are disclosed. After a 3-D model of an object is generated, a view of the object is selected for painting. An artist applies brush strokes to paint the selected view in 2-D space. The brush strokes are mapped to generate 3-D brush strokes. These 3-D brush strokes are then projected onto the 2-D views in the animation sequence, generating projected 2-D brush strokes which are used to paint the views in the animation sequence. Additional views may be selected that reveal surfaces that were occluded in the previously selected view. The artist applies additional brush strokes to paint the previously occluded areas. These additional brush strokes are mapped, and are used with the original brush strokes to re-generate the painted views in the animation sequence.

Abstract: A graphical user interface provides a scalable information structure. Interactive categories are displayed as expansive locations on a display as part of a desktop. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, each category in a tier of an information structure occupies a dedicated expansive location in a list displayed within a defined region on the display. A location occupied by a selected category is expanded or compressed to display the next tier in the information hierarchy as a list, or as a cluster. Remaining locations are resized to accommodate newly-displayed contents within the defined region. The list is directly scrolled by selecting and moving locations with a pointing device. In a second, equally preferred embodiment of the invention, expansive locations are displayed as a cluster arrangement. A selected cluster is highlighted and expanded to display the next tier in the information hierarchy as a list, or as a cluster. Any previously-selected cluster is deselected and contracted.

Abstract: A system for organizing and categorizing purchases made through an Internet based home shopping system is disclosed. Products offered for sale over the Internet are contained in a server's PLU table and are each associated with weights and measures metrics, environmental storage metrics and nutritional content indicia. As items are selected for purchase, and placed in a virtual shopping basket, a user may evaluate the contents of a virtual shopping basket in accordance with any of the physical property, environmental storage, or nutritional content indicia. Goods designated for either pickup or delivery are packaged in accordance with their size and weight criteria and are stored in an appropriate environmental storage facility in accordance with their environmental storage indicia.

Abstract: In a computer aided design system, an intelligent symbol is made up of graphical entities. Connectors join the entities to other entities at connection points. When the symbol is moved, the connectivity between entities must be maintained. A connection point positioning symbol is generated, forming part of a definition of the intelligent symbol. The connection point positioning symbol has a position and an angle which describe the connection point. The connection point positioning symbol can be displayed and then hidden from view. The connection point positioning symbol allows the user to edit a connection to the intelligent symbol.

Abstract: In a panoramic scene represented by a first environment map comprising a plurality of elements each associated with a color value representing color of the corresponding element, hotlink areas in the scene are defined by a second environment map comprising a plurality of elements. The elements of the second environment map correspond to the elements of said first environment map according to a mapping function. At least one element of the second environment map is associated with hotlink data identifying an action to be performed upon user selection of at least one element of the first environment map that correspond to the at least one element of the second environment map.

Abstract: Small application programs called “applets” are defined by pseudo-code (p-code) instructions. Each applet is divided into software components that are executed by a processor, operating as a state machine. The applets are originally written in a high level programming language and then converted into the p-code, for downloading into a non-volatile read/write memory of a portable combination pager and personal information manager (PIM) device that includes the processor. In this device only 1-2 Kbytes of static random access memory (RAM) are available to load the p-code of applets for execution by the processor. The software components include variables and event handlers that respond to events such as key presses of buttons disposed on a control panel of the device.