Abstract: An image processing apparatus is connected to two copying machines and has independent frame memories, FIFOS, and I/Fs for the copying machines. Tasks for generating image data for the copying machines are independent and are executed in parallel. When a fault occurs in one copying machine, the memory area allocated to the copying machine is reduced, and the area is reallocated to the other copying machine. Even when image data are to be printed from a plurality of copying machines, and an error is generated in one copying machine, the remaining copying machines can print normally or more efficiently than in a normal state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying hierarchical structures. The method of the present invention can display graphically hierarchical structures of nodes from the nodes that are branch points, relay points or end points corresponding to apparatuses or functions and the connection relationships between the nodes. The display method of the present invention has the steps of arranging the nodes of the same layer subordinate to the same node on the same ellipse, arranging the subordinate ellipse of the same layer concentrically on an ellipse larger than the ellipse of the upper layer, and displaying the arranged hierarchical structure of nodes.

Abstract: A scheme for interactive video manipulation and display of a moving object on a background image is disclosed. In this scheme a background image stored in a background image storage unit is read out and displayed on a screen, and a manipulation target spatial position is set on the screen. Then, a partial image to be synthesized and displayed is uniquely specified from partial images which are set in correspondence to spatial positions on the background image and representing an object moving on the background image, according to the manipulation target spatial position set by the setting step, and the partial image as specified by the specifying step is read out from a partial image storage unit, and synthesized and displayed at the manipulation target spatial position on the background image. A scheme for realizing a variable speed video playback with a playback speed different from a normal one is also disclosed.

Abstract: An image outputting apparatus in which a texture mapping is carried out includes: a map memory for storing a texture map in which a plurality of predetermined colors of all points on a texture pattern are defined at addresses of the map memory; a storing unit for storing at least a control color value and a control luminance value; a detecting unit for detecting whether or not one of the predetermined colors read from the map memory is in accordance with a specified color indicated by the control color value; and a selecting unit for selectively outputting either an original luminance of a dot on a display plane or a changed luminance indicated by the control luminance value, in accordance with a result of the detection.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for efficiently forming images (color or black-and-white) on both sides of recording mediums. To this end, a provided image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of images successively on recording mediums is featured in comprising: 1) intermediate transfer means capable of retaining an image corresponding to the image to be formed, 2) transfer means for transferring the image on the intermediate transfer means onto a recording medium, and 3) reversing means for reversing the recording medium so that an image is to be formed on the rear side of the recording medium having the image transferred onto the front side thereof. Further, a control process for image forming is performed by controlling a sequence of forming the plurality of images depending on an image forming condition when the plurality of images are formed successively on both sides of the recording mediums under cooperation with the reversing means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing video graphics processing that includes anti-aliasing begins when a video graphics processor receives vertex parameters of an object-element and walks a first edge of the object element and a second edge of the object element. The video graphics processor walks the first and second edges based on calculations involving a decision corner and an error turn. The calculations indicate which direction to walk on a pixel by pixel basis, i.e., whether the walking should be in the major direction or the minor direction. The calculations also identify pixels that contain fragment pixel information, i.e., the pixels along the edges of the object element. For each fragment pixel, subpixel masks are created for each object element that is present in the fragmented pixel. From the subpixel masks, subpixel sequences are determined, which are used to produce pixel information of the fragment pixel.

Abstract: A pixel image at broadcast or graphics resolution is spatially transformed to represent the 2D projection of an image that has undergone movement in 3D space or is seen from a different viewer's position. For example, an image on a screen is delineated with four reference points designated by touching a pen on a tablet and then one is dragged with the pen along the screen to change the shape of the delineated image. At the same time, the entire delineated image is spatially transformed to make it continue to fill the entire changing shape and only that shape, until the dragged reference point is pinned to fix its position on the screen. Two or more designated point can be selected to move together as the pen drags them along the screen. The image being spatially transformed can be combined with a second image under the control of a stencil image to form a composite image.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering texture map data for improved image quality in a graphics computer system. The present invention is directed to a method and system for performing texture map filtering for reducing “flickering” and “sparkling” when rendering a relatively small graphics primitives using a texel map of relatively larger area and low color frequency. A footprint area is defined as the area of texel map space that is mapped into one pixel coordinate of display space. One embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful in texture mapping where the footprint area is larger than one. In this instance, during rendering, the change in texel map coordinates (e.g., du, dv) is large for a unit change in screen coordinates (e.g., dx, dy). When obtaining a texel at location (u, v), the present invention performs a color filtering of texels located at distances du and dv away from the texel at location (u, v).

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of decoder memory and the number of transformation calculations used in generating a plurality of frames of a video sequence includes separating the video object into a plurality of blocks, storing those blocks in decoder memory, transforming and displaying blocks as a sequence of frames, determining blocks that will no longer be required to display future frames, and removing these blocks from memory.

Abstract: A printer converts print data in page description language into coded band data as a set of objects such as run-length data, trapezoid data and the like, in band units. Processing time to generate raster data from the coded band data is predicted, and the predicted time is used for determining whether or not the raster-data generation takes time longer than time for transmitting data to a printer engine. If it is determined that the raster-data generation time is longer than the data transmission time, raster data is generated from coded band data, and compressed and stored as preparation for printing. At this time, preparatory compression is performed to predict time for expanding the compressed data, for determining whether or not time for expansion is longer than data transmission time. If the expansion time is longer than the data trasnmission time, a coding method is changed, and the preparatory compression is performed again.

Abstract: To set parameters of peripheral apparatus, including an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and to inform the status of the peripheral apparatus to a host computer by using SNMP and extended MIB, a method of forming images comprises a first input step of receiving from a predetermined input source a change permission request command for requesting change permission of a predetermined set value of an image forming apparatus, a responding step of responding change permission data to the predetermined input source corresponding to the change permission request command received in the first input step, a second input step of receiving from the predetermined input source a change request command for requesting change of the predetermined set value of the image forming apparatus, and a changing/informing step of changing the predetermined set value in accordance with the change request command received in the second input step and informing the predetermined input source of that the predetermined set value h

Abstract: An image processing device of the present invention includes a storage for storing image data and a printer for printing images on a plurality of copies of sheets in accordance with the image data. The printer produces a single copy of printings at a time on the basis of a plurality of pages of image data stored in the storage. When a plurality of copies of printings are desired, and if a copy proof mode is selected, the operation of the printer is interrupted before the printer produces the second copy of printings. The operation of the printing section is resumed in response to a print restart command. The image processing device therefore allows the operator desiring a plurality of copies of printings to proof a printed image before the image is printed on the second sheet.

Abstract: A low cost high performance three dimensional (3D) graphics system is disclosed that can model a world in three dimensions and project the model onto a two dimensional viewing plane selected based on a changeable viewpoint. The viewpoint can be changed on an interactive, real time basis by operating user input controls such as game controllers. The system rapidly produces a corresponding changing image (which can include animated cartoon characters or other animation) on the screen of a color television set.The richly featured high performance low cost system is intended to give consumers the chance to interact in real time right inside magnificent virtual 3D worlds to provide a high degree of image realism, excitement and flexibility. An optimum feature set/architecture (including a custom designed graphics/audio coprocessor) provides high quality fast moving 3D images and digital stereo sound for video game play and other graphics applications.

Abstract: When an operation relating to print processing is to be instructed, a user information producing section produces an identification of a user and transmits the operation in a user name to which the identification is attached. A correctness inquiry judging section judges whether it is necessary to verify correctness of the identification, in accordance with a security policy stored in a support authentication level storing section. If necessary, a user verifying section is requested to verify the correctness. The user verifying section performs user verification corresponding to an authentication level. In a high level, reverification of the identification is performed by an authenticating section. In a middle level, user authentication based on an authentication scheme of the client environment is used. In a low level, the system believes the user name designated by the user. An operation controlling section judges whether the operation is allowed to the verified user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improved pixel shading. The method of the present invention is based upon the notion of allowing multiple polygons to contribute to the net transmittance effect of a single pixel. This is accomplished by providing a new multi-sample data structure which can store visual attributes for each polygon, sorting all the transparent polygons in a front-to-back arrangement, processing the transparent polygon records and then the opaque polygon records by accumulating the net effect of the transmittance of all polygons being sampled in a pixel, and applying the color attributes to the net effect of transmittance, thereby decoupling color from the calculations for determining transmittance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing a scaled expanded image array of an original image array representing a physical entity, such as an image or sequence of frames, by utilizing fractal transform methods. The method of the invention includes steps performed by a data processor. Fractal transform methods are used to select a best domain/range block correspondence in an original image array. The range block is larger than the domain block. A subset of the data values in the range block is selected. Finally, an area of the expanded image array is populated with the data values in the selected subset where the area corresponds to the domain block location in the original image array.

Abstract: A supervisory control system for a networked multimedia computing system includes an observation feature which enables a teacher, or other supervisory person, to observe a reduced view of multiple workstations at one time. The teacher is provided with a good representation of the entirety of each of the multiple screens, which enables the teacher to comprehend the type of subject matter currently being viewed by the student. If a particular student's screen is of interest, the teacher can readily select that student's screen and obtain a full-sized view thereof. In this mode, the teacher also has the option to control the student's workstation. If the number of students selected for observation is greater than the number of screens that can be presented at one time, the observation function cycles through groups of compressed screens, to permit the teacher to view all students of interest.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is constructed by a setting circuit for manually setting a first color processing parameter, a first color processing circuit for performing a first color process by using the first color processing parameter, a storing circuit for storing a second color processing parameter set in correspondence to the first color processing parameter as a reference value, and a second color processing circuit for performing a second color process different from the first color process by using the second color processing parameter, wherein in case of making the second color processing circuit function, the first color processing parameter is set to the reference value.

Abstract: It is intended to generate a virtual pseudo-human figure model which can perform more natural-looking motions.In a system which stores actions of the virtual pseudo-human figure model and causes the virtual pseudo-human figure model to perform desired motions by applying these motion patterns to the model, intermediate motion patterns to smoothly link one motion pattern to the next are stored, and these intermediate motions are filled in between basic motion patterns or, when no motion takes place for a certain period of time, the blank of motion is complemented with an idling motion pattern. Or the motion patterns are stored as classified by model attributes of the virtual pseudo-human figure model, and motion patterns corresponding to the model attributes are applied. Furthermore, when motion patterns are applied to the virtual pseudo-human figure model, certain correction is made.

Abstract: A processing unit for a printer system. The processing unit is comprised of a master processor and multiple parallel processors. The master processor builds the display list from a page description program or from some other graphics programming. It partitions the display list into sublists and distributes the sublists to the parallel processors. The parallel processors interpret the sublists, thereby rendering the image as bitmapped data.