Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for consolidating overlapping markers in a mapping application. The process identifies a plurality of points for display from data describing locations and associated data about locations. The process then determines whether displaying graphical indicators for a set of points in the plurality of points will result in graphical indicators overlapping each other. The process generates a consolidated marker for the set of points, in response to a determination that displaying graphical indicators for the set of points will result in graphical indicators overlapping each other. The process then associates a listing for the set of points with the consolidated marker. The listing comprises at least a portion of the associated data about locations for the plurality of points.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope capable of quickly and accurately setting control values of control items for a microscope apparatus is provided. The control items and a time line are displayed along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, respectively. The laser scanning microscope includes a graphical user interface configured to set the control values of the control items along the time line and a control unit configured to acquire luminance information of a specimen by irradiating the specimen with a laser beam in accordance with the control values set by the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for adding hinting instructions to a character in order to improve a character bitmap produced from an outline of the character at a certain size and output resolution when the character outline is scan converted. A character is retrieved to be output. A determination is made that the character belongs to a semantic character classifications, and hinting instructions that are associated with the semantic character classification are accessed. The hinting instructions preserve semantic meaning for the character while altering either stroke presence, stroke location, or both for at least one stroke of at least one feature of the character based on a reference character size and output resolution. If the actual character size and output resolution for the character is within a reference character size and output resolution for the hinting instructions, the hinting instructions are executed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for rendering graphical markers in a manner that avoids overlap of graphical markers on a map display. The process identifies a plurality of points for display from data describing locations and associated data about locations. The process determines whether displaying graphical markers for a set of points in the plurality of points will result in graphical markers overlapping each other. If the process determines that displaying graphical markers for the set of points will result in graphical markers overlapping each other, the process displays the graphical markers for the set of points in an arrangement that avoids overlap. Each graphical marker representing a point in the set of points does not overlap with any other marker associated with the map display when displayed in the arrangement that avoids overlap.

Abstract: An input stream of graphics primitives may be converted into to a predetermined output stream of graphics primitives by a processor in a graphics pipeline. The processor recognizes a predetermined sequence pattern in the input stream of graphics primitives to the processor. The processor determines whether the recognized sequence pattern can be converted into the one of the plurality of predetermined output streams of graphics primitives. If so, the processor identifies a number of vertices in the recognized sequence pattern and reorders the vertices into a predetermined output pattern. Thereafter, the processor outputs the predetermined output pattern corresponding to one or more graphics processing components.

Abstract: Data tables that are required for the proper processing of font glyphs are automatically synthesized if they do not form part of an original font definition. The synthesized tables are stored in an annex file that is associated with the font, rather than being incorporated into the font definition. As a result, the integrity of the original font data is maintained, and does not adversely affect font protection systems that are based upon font data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating a curved baseline for a map labeling include receiving a polyline P={p1,p2, . . . ,pn} of n points, generating a supporting polyline Q={q1,q2, . . . , qm} (m?n) of m points at an expected distance d between polyline P and a curved base line L. A predetermined number of B-Spline points is generated based upon supporting polyline Q. The B-Spline points are then connected to form a curved baseline L for displaying a label.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to display a stroked fill for an object. A computer-generated rendering is obtained that consists of vector geometry. Closed geometry is obtained in the computer-generated rendering. Lastly, a fill is automatically created. The fill consists of a series of two or more curves, wherein each curve in the series crosses an interior of the closed geometry.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems to deform a computer-generated three-dimensional surface using a lattice of rigid bone segments driven by an interpolation algorithm to define a muscle. Such embodiments allow a realistic presentation of subdermal muscle mass. In one embodiment, each end of a curve, created by an interpolation function, is attached to a corresponding bone. One or more muscle segments are attached along the curve. The curve along with the attached muscle segments defines a muscle. As the bones move and rotate the curve is expanded or contracted due to the endpoints of the curve being fixed to distinct bones. The attached muscle segments will experience corresponding expansion and contraction thus providing a realistic presentation of skin deformation. For one embodiment, the position of each muscle segment is determined in reference to a standard Bezier interpolation function.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for presenting computer-generated characters. The method defines several frames for a character and sequentially presents the frames. Each frame depicts a particular representation of the character. Also, at least two of the frames provide different representations of the character. Some embodiments provide a method for applying effects to computer-generated characters. This method applies an effect to the computer-generated characters by first generating an effect script. It then selects the generated effect script to apply to the computer-generated characters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating graphical representations of orifices and vessels. One method comprises generating a representation of the surface (e.g., an endocardial surface) within a coordinate system, and laterally moving the distal end of an elongated probe within an orifice (e.g., a valve or a vessel ostium) associated with the surface. The method further comprises defining line segments within the coordinate system while the probe distal end is moved within the orifice, wherein each of the line segments represents the probe distal end. The method further comprises defining intersection points within the coordinate system, wherein each of the points represents an intersection of one of the line segments and the surface representation. Lastly, the method comprises graphically generating a representation of the orifice based on the intersection points, e.g., by forming the orifice representation around the intersection points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parallel pipeline graphics system. The parallel pipeline graphics system includes a back-end configured to receive primitives and combinations of primitives (i.e., geometry) and process the geometry to produce values to place in a frame buffer for rendering on screen. Unlike prior single pipeline implementation, some embodiments use two or four parallel pipelines, though other configurations having 2^n pipelines may be used. When geometry data is sent to the back-end, it is divided up and provided to one of the parallel pipelines. Each pipeline is a component of a raster back-end, where the display screen is divided into tiles and a defined portion of the screen is sent through a pipeline that owns that portion of the screen's tiles. In one embodiment, each pipeline comprises a scan converter, a hierarchical-Z unit, a z buffer logic, a rasterizer, a shader, and a color buffer logic.

Abstract: A data-display system employs a display in which the representations of data objects are caused to move on the display in order to convey information about the represented data objects. In one example, icons in a link-analysis display that represent data objects satisfying a selection criterion are made to execute distinctive motion. In another example, three-dimensional models of moving bodies in whose features components of respective data objects are encoded are projected onto a screen plane, and the resultant values are used to generate the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for presenting a character by using a scalable vector font. In the method, for said scalable vector font, at least first and second scalable vector fonts are defined, which are alternatives to each other. For optimizing the readability of the character, one of said at least first and second scalable vector fonts is selected to be used for presenting the character. The invention also relates to an electronic device, a computer software product, and a system.

Abstract: The disclosure describes image processing techniques useful for devices that support image processing of different sized images. The techniques can be used in many contexts, and may be particularly useful for front-end image processing of small viewfinder images and large still images captured by the device. In one embodiment, this disclosure provides a method comprising capturing a first image with a device, processing the first image using line buffers sized to accommodate an image width of the first image, and capturing a second image with the device, wherein the second image has an image width larger than the image width first image. The method also includes processing the vertical stripes of the second image using the line buffers, wherein the vertical stripes of the second image define widths that fit into the line buffers.

Abstract: The invention provides tools and techniques for clone brushing pixels in an image while accounting for inconsistencies in apparent depth and orientation within the image. The techniques do not require any depth information to be present in the image, and the data structure of the image is preserved. The techniques allow for color compensation between source and destination regions. A snapping technique is also provided to facilitate increased accuracy in selecting source and destination positions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to specify and maintain a “location” for an object in a drawing program. A drawing is obtained in a drawing program. One or more objects are obtained in the drawing program. In this regard, one or more of the is a collection of one or more graphical elements. For at least one of the objects, an automatic location property is defined. A value for the location property is obtained from property data of another object, area, or space where the object is “located” (which is based on the location property).

Abstract: Disclosed is a network accessible tool that is capable of providing map and satellite image data, as well as other photographic image data to locate, identify, measure, view, and communicate information about land over the Internet-to-Internet users. The network accessible tool includes a location tool that allows the user to locate areas on a map using geographic names, township, range and section descriptions, county names, latitude and longitude coordinates or zip codes. Network accessible tool also includes a metes and bounds tool that draws boundaries on the map and image data in response to metes and bounds descriptions that have been entered by the Internet user. The network accessible tool also includes a lat/long drawing tool that draws boundaries on the map and image data based upon latitude and longitude coordinate pairs that have been entered by the Internet user.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide picture collage systems and methods. In one implementation, a system determines a salient region in each of multiple images and develops a Bayesian model to maximize visibility of the salient regions in a collage that overlaps the images. The Bayesian model can also minimize blank spaces in the collage and normalize the percentage of each salient region that can be visibly displayed in the collage. Images are placed with diversified rotational orientation to provide a natural artistic collage appearance. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique is applied to the parameters of the Bayesian model to obtain image placement, orientation, and layering. The MCMC technique can combine optimization proposals that include local, global, and pairwise samplings from a distribution of state variables.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a graphics pipeline is described. More particularly, a transform engine is configured to rotate, and/or rotate and translate, one or more polygons in response to screen orientation. Thus, when texture, obtained from a pre-rotated image is applied to a rotated polygon used to render such an image, a rotated version of such an image is generated in response to screen orientation. Alternatively, a user may select a rotation to re-orient an image to a screen view position.