Abstract: A data visualization arrangement facilitates the display of a selected region of a multi-dimensional data object in a selected one of a plurality of display modes. The arrangement comprises a data object store, an interface, an object region retrieval component and a display. The data object store stores the data object, the data object comprising a plurality of data items in a predetermined organization. The interface receives a region identification for identifying a particular region of the object and a display mode identification. The object region retrieval component retrieves data items from a region of the data object as identified by the region identification received by the interface. Finally, the display receives the data items as retrieved by the object region retrieval mechanism and displays them in the display mode as identified by the display mode identification.

Abstract: A method and system of producing a 3D perspective representation of a hiking trail or the like in two dimensions. Manually-obtained first data indicative of a heading and distance of each approximately linear segment of the course of travel are correlated with second data indicative of a topography of an underlying geographical region. A representation of the course of travel as viewed from perspective may then be selectively produced utilizing the correlated data. Linear segments of the course of travel are shown in this view situated at a relative angle with respect to adjacent linear segments, the angle representative of a direction and slope thereof. As a result, changes in elevation of the course of travel are continuously shown on the perspective two-dimensional representation to facilitate visual appreciation of the difficulty thereof by the traveller.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphics drawing apparatus having a plurality of frame buffers, a Z buffer and a Z register. The frame buffers are for writing pixel data into an address designated by coordinate values (X, Y) of ZY display coordinates and for storing an image. The Z buffer is for storing a plurality of coordinate values (Z) indicating a depth direction for each pixel data written by the frame buffer. The Z register is an alternative to the Z buffer and is used for writing a single coordinate value (Z) in place of storing the coordinate value Z for every pixel in the Z buffer, when the coordinate value (Z) in the depth direction of the pixel data stored in the frame buffer have the same value for all of the pixel data. A merge unit is provided for selecting visible pixel data from the plurality of pixel data read from the frame buffer on the basis of the coordinate value (Z) in the Z buffer and the Z register. The merge unit subsequently writes the selected pixel data into a frame buffer for synthesis.

Abstract: A graphic display system includes a set of rendering engines and a plurality of data storage units. Each data storage unit in the set of data storage units is coupled to at least one rendering engine in the set of rendering engines. A selection means is included in the graphic display system for selecting a data storage unit in the plurality of data storage units. The selected data storage unit is to be used for storing data representing an object to be displayed by the graphic display system and is selected based on a validity period of the object. The selection means includes means for determining a size validity period of the object and means for determining a translational validity period of the object. The translational validity period is a time required for the object to change by a predetermined translational threshold, wherein the predetermined translational threshold is a first angle extending from a line that passes through both a reference point and the object.

Abstract: In a computer display system, data structures or views are organized in a hierarchical manner. Each view has stored therein: (1) display information; (2) information pertaining to how that view is linked to other views in the hierarchy; (3) relative coordinates; (4) global coordinates indicating where on the display the view should be drawn; and (5) a valid flag indicating whether the global coordinates are currently valid. When a view is moved, its global coordinates are no longer valid. Thus, the valid flag in the view is reset to so indicate. In addition, the valid flag of all of that view's subviews are reset (if they are not already reset). The global coordinates of the view and subviews, however, are not immediately recomputed. Rather, the global coordinates of these views are recomputed only when they are needed, such as when they are accessed for display.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a real-time rendering engine includes a control program for defining in regions of system memory a block header and a list of flow-control instructions.

Abstract: In a compression system, three-dimensional geometry is first represented as a generalized triangle mesh, a data structure that allows each instance of a vertex in a linear stream to specify an average of two triangles. Individual positions, colors, and normals are quantized, preferably quantizing normals using a novel translation to non-rectilinear representation. A variable length compression is applied to individual positions, colors, and normals. The quantized values are then delta-compression encoded between neighbors, followed by a modified Huffman compression for positions and colors. A table-based approach is used for normals. Decompression reverses this process. The decompressed stream of triangle data may then be passed to a traditional rendering pipeline, where it is processed in full floating point accuracy.

Abstract: A plurality of texture data of a surface of an object to be displayed as viewed from a plurality of assumed directions are stored in a texture memory. When a CPU sends to a graphic processor information specifying a shape of the surface, a direction to view the surface and a texture in the texture memory as a command, a geometric operation unit produces read information of the texture memory based on the input information. A triangle generator reads the texture data corresponding to the view direction of the surface of the object by the read information for texture mapping. An image of the texture mapped image of the surface of the object is stored in a frame memory and displayed on a monitor. When there is no texture data corresponding to the view direction, a plurality of texture data closest thereto are read from the texture memory and interpolated to produce an appropriate texture data.

Abstract: Perspective transformation is performed on X, Y, Z coordinate data Xe, Ye and Ze in a view volume in a viewpoint coordinate system so as to obtain X, Y, Z coordinate data Xs, Ys and Zs in a screen coordinate system. The view volume being defined by a front clipping plane and a rear clipping plane, in which: Zs=1-CZF/Ze, or Zs=CZF/Ze, or Zs=1/Ze when a difference between a Z value CZF at the front clipping plane and a Z value CZB at the rear clipping plane is substantially large. Data bits of the Zs are shifted depending on the Z value CZF, when the difference between the Z value CZF at the front clipping plane and the Z value CZB at the rear clipping plane is substantially large where the view volume is defined by the front clipping plane and the rear clipping plane, or when the view volume is defined only by the front clipping plane. Then, a hidden-surface removal operation is performed using a Z-buffer method in accordance with the Zs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling an isochronous playback event to an electronic calendar. In one embodiment, the invention determines the time interval, determines whether the user has a block of time available for playback, and schedules the playback as an event on an electronic calendar. In another embodiment the invention schedules a partial playback time for when a complete playback time can not be scheduled. The invention may be initiated on reception of an isochronous data object by an electronic mail service. The user who requested automatic scheduling of reception on incoming isochronous data objects is notified of any automatic scheduling for playback events and optionally can have electronic reminders generated for scheduled playback events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for automatic generation of spreadsheets from a model of the entity-relationship type which serves as a support for a relational data base. This data base module of the entity-relationship type is shown on a screen of an information system in the form of a graph composed of a plurality of entities and relationships which is physically embodied in memory by a set of relational tables. According to the invention, a spreadsheet is automatically defined by the selection from this graph of the elements intended to compose its abscissa and ordinate data and the contents of the cells thus formed.

Abstract: Techniques for converting a two-dimensional motion picture into a three dimensional stereo motion picture are disclosed. Wire frames of objects in the motion picture are constructed using the frames of the two-dimensional motion picture, substituted for the two dimensional view of the object, photorealistically rendered and stereo views generated of the rendered wireframes to create stereo views of the scenes of the original motion picture. Key frame sequences can be generated in stereo automatically from stereo set up of the key frame.

Abstract: A method for processing a three-dimensional data set into a two-dimensional image that is viewable as a three-dimensional image is provided. The three-dimensional data set represents an object to be viewed and is sampled to create multiple two-dimensional data sets where each two-dimensional data set represents a different view of the object. Then, a two-dimensional image is constructed from the two-dimensional data sets. The aspects represented by the two-dimensional data sets can be individually viewed from the two-dimensional image through the use of a lenticular screen or a computer generated grating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing texture mapping data in a computer graphics system, the system including a host computer, primitive rendering hardware and a textured primitive data path extending between the host computer and the primitive rendering hardware. The host computer passes textured primitives to be rendered by the system using corresponding texture mapping data to the primitive rendering hardware over the textured primitive data path. The host computer has a main memory that stores texture mapping data corresponding to the textured primitives to be rendered. The primitive rendering hardware includes a local texture memory that locally stores the texture mapping data corresponding to at least one of the textured primitives to be rendered.

Abstract: A method for rendering a graphics image of a three-dimensional graphics model is described.

Abstract: A realistic image display system includes an input section, a storage section, a light source data specifying section, a parameter specifying section, a polygon generating section, an image generating section, and a display section. The polygon generating section generates a set of polygons indicating the effects of a light source on three-dimensional space on the basis of three-dimensional object data including a three-dimensional object, the location of the object in the three-dimensional space, and a three-dimensional object attribute, and parameters specified at the parameter specifying section. The image generating section performs coloring on the three-dimensional object and the set of polygons on the basis of the three-dimensional object data, the light source data, and the parameters, thereby generating a display image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a solid model of a structural assembly, or solid models of components of such assembly, according to cross sectional shapes of the components and attributes associated with the cross sectional shapes, wherein the components are initially defined by wire frame models or surface models represented by suitable shape data such wire frame data. When a structural assembly is modified in design, the shape data are changed, and the corresponding cross sectional shapes and attributes are changed, so that a modeller modifies the already generated solid model or models, on the basis of the changed cross sectional shapes and attributes. The apparatus includes part data files for respective structural assemblies, and each part data file has component data files for respective components of each assembly, and a relation data file storing component relation data representative of positional relationship of the components of the assembly.

Abstract: A texture compositing apparatus and method for combining multiple independent texture colors in a variety of ways in a single execution pass using a single texture compositing unit (TCU) per texture. The TCU receives a control signal, a blend factor, a local data signal(C.sub.local /A.sub.local), and an output data signal (C.sub.in /A.sub.in) generated by another TCU, the local data signal and the output data signal represent a texture color in a RGBA format. Based upon the control signal, the TCU can generate an output signal based on a variety of functions. The outputs that can be generated include but are not limited to: (1) zero; (2) one; (3) C.sub.in ; (4) C.sub.local ; (5) C.sub.in +C.sub.local ; (6) C.sub.in -C.sub.local ; (7) C.sub.in *C.sub.local ; (8) C.sub.in *C.sub.local +A.sub.local ; (9) C.sub.in *A.sub.local +C.sub.local ; (10) (C.sub.in -C.sub.local)*F.sub.blend +C.sub.local ; and (11) (C.sub.in -C.sub.local)*(1-F.sub.blend)+C.sub.local.

Abstract: A stereo-graphic apparatus has first and second imaging devices to provide a first image and a second image, respectively. The first and the second imaging device are spaced from each other to define a predetermined convergence angle. A distance detecting apparatus detects distance from the first and the second imaging device to an object for imaging. A first electric zooming apparatus receives a signal from the first imaging device and extracts image data of a predetermined area from the first image. A second electric zooming apparatus receives a signal from the second imaging device and extracts image data of a predetermined area of image. A control device controls the extraction of image data according to the distance information. According to the distance information, the extracting area is moved so that the focused object is located on the center of each of the provided images. As a result, the convergence angel is substantially changed according to the distance between the object and the imaging device.

Abstract: A design and production supporting system for component arrangement and routing comprises a three-dimensional (3-D) component mapping means based on two-dimensional logical connection information of plant components and 3-D arrangement space information. To the 3-D component mapping means, an interactive mapping means and an automatic mapping means are provided. The interactive mapping means has a means for displaying the components arranged on the assigned plane of the arrangement space in the 3-D space keeping connection relationship among the components and a means for interactively moving these components in the arrangement space with keeping connection relationship among the components by using the dragging method. The automatic mapping means has a means for distinguishing the arranged spaces from the non-arranged spaces and arranging the components on the non-arranged spaces, and a means for searching the shortest route of pipes, etc., for the arranged components.