Abstract: Methods and systems for producing three-dimensional images of a scene using relief textures include modeling surfaces in a scene with one or more relief textures. Each relief texture is projected onto its basis plane based on a desired viewpoint to produce a pre-warped image. Each pre-warped image is projected onto one or more polygons used to model the scene.

Abstract: A computer-assisted technique for providing approximate solutions to photogrammetric problems in interactive applications computes an approximate solution to a large, non-linear system by converting the non-linear system into a smaller, linear system where only a subset of the system's parameters are used. The size of the smaller system can be adjusted to different system capabilities and/or model complexities to ensure computation of an approximate solution in a given time. For use in an interactive environment, this time may be adjusted so that redraw rates are within acceptable tolerances, say from 5 to 30 frames per second. The method may allow for drawing a three-dimensional representation of a scene using parameterized primitives having constraints which are updated interactively, so as to minimize error in constrained locations of the primitives. Such drawing may include creating a Jacobian matrix for a predetermined minimum set of parameters of the primitives.

Abstract: Primitives are divided into span groups of 2N spans, and then processed in M×N blocks of pixels, with the pixel blocks preferably being as close to square as possible and therefore optimized for small spans and texture mapping. Each span group is rendered block-by-block in a serpentine manner from an initial or entry block, first in a direction away from the long edge of the primitive and then in a direction towards the long edge. The interpolators include a one-deep stack onto which pixel and texel information for the initial or entry block are pushed before rendering any other blocks within the span group. Blocks or pairs of blocks within different span subgroups of the span group are then alternately rendered, such that rendering zig-zags between the span subgroups as it proceeds to the end of the span group.

Abstract: Input means (31,32,33) receives signals representing stereo image. Image change detection means (36) detects changes with time in stereo image represented by the signals received from the input means. High attention center presumable area determination means (37) determines a peculiar local area of a displayed image area to be an observer's high attention center presumable area according to a result of detection by the image change detection means. Depth detection means (38,39) obtains information representing the depth of the image in the particular local area specified by the high attention center presumable area determination means. Depth control means (40) controls a quantity concerning the depth of stereo image represented by the signals received form the input means according to the depth information received form the depth detection means.

Abstract: Display apparatus, and methods for displaying images, e.g., text, on gray scale and color monitors where each pixel includes multiple pixel sub-components are described. Filtering and/or displaced sampling is used to generate pixel sub-component luminous intensity values. As a result of treating pixel sub-components as distinct light emitters corresponding to different image portions, resolution is enhanced but color errors may be introduced into the image being displayed. Various techniques for detecting noticeable and/or distracting color errors are described. In addition, various techniques for correcting, compensating for, or reducing color errors are described. In one particular embodiment, red, green and blue pixel sub-component luminous intensity values are examined and compared to a range of luminous intensity values which is determined as a function of utilized foreground and background pixel colors.

Abstract: The invention provides an image connecting method, an image connecting apparatus, and a storage medium on which an image connecting program is stored, for connecting a first image and a second image such that particular connecting areas are determined for the first image and the second image and the first and second images in the connecting areas are combined together thereby connecting the first and second images into a single image including no unnatural parts. The first image and the second image are decomposed into frequency components. The connecting area is determined for each frequency component such that the connecting area becomes narrower with the increase in the frequency of the frequency component, and the first and second images are combined in the connecting area for each frequency component. After that, particular partial images in the first and second images are designated.

Abstract: A decoding system includes a plurality of decoders, a respective one of which is responsive to respective multibit input data, to decode the respective multibit input data and produce a respective output level corresponding to the respective multibit input data. The same multibit input data is simultaneously applied to the plurality of decoders, in response to a test mode signal. Different multibit input data is then simultaneously applied to the plurality of decoders, so that all of the output levels of the decoders can be tested. The output levels from the plurality of decoders that result from the same multibit input data that is supplied to the plurality of decoders is detected. The detected output levels from the plurality of decoders that result from the same multibit input data that is applied to the plurality of decoders is compared to expected output levels in order to test the decoders.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, a graphics input and an audio input simultaneously. The chip includes a display engine that processes graphics images organized as windows. The display engine processes graphics images formatted in any one of a plurality of formats including a color look up table (CLUT) format. A color look-up (CLUT) table loading mechanism preferably facilitates the transfer of real-time CLUT table data during graphics composition. The loading mechanism may be triggered by a window descriptor that contains a color look-up table load command.

Abstract: A method and system for converting the output of a communications port (e.g., a serial port or a USB port) into video signals representing the output of a terminal. The system is interposed between the communications port and a set of two or more inputs to a keyboard, video and mouse switch. Upon receiving characters from the communications port, the system interprets the characters as terminal emulation commands and internally generates a representation of what a resulting terminal screen would look like. From that internal (digital) representation, the system produces analog outputs representing the terminal screen. The analog outputs are applied to the video input of the KVM switch such that the terminal output can be viewed on the monitor attached to the KVM switch.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bitmap animation and display of on-screen-display graphics utilizes the HAVi architecture and displays the bitmap animation using a clipping region and a visible window. Data for a bitmap image of on-screen-display graphics is generated by a graphics source within a source device. The data is transmitted to a display device including a rendering engine. The bitmap image is then rendered by the display device. A clipping region and visible window are applied to the bitmap image as it is displayed by the display device. Only the portion of the bitmap image corresponding to the logical intersection of the visible window and the clipping region is displayed by the display device. The clipping region, visible window and the bitmap image can be moved in relation to each other through an animation sequence. The bitmap image can also be changed to generate animation within the clipping region.

Abstract: Texture mapping of a primitive object uses multiple levels of detail. The primitive object is a triangle having three vertices. The pixel coordinates of the three vertices and their corresponding texture mapped coordinates satisfy three linear equations derived from the equation representing the plane on which the triangle belongs to. An equivalent formula derived from a standard formula for the multiple levels of detail can be computed by a plurality of constants forming the three linear equations. The plurality of constants are first determined by using the pixel coordinates and the corresponding texture mapped coordinates of the three vertices. By substituting the constants into the equivalent formula, the value for the multiple levels of detail can be computed. A lookup table is used to determine log2 function values that are required in the equivalent formula. The method can be realized by simple hardware and a high precision log2 lookup table to accomplish high quality texture mapping.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for processing normalized meshes. The normalized meshes are formed by N polygons which have M vertices. M vertex coordinates are stored in a vertex array corresponding to the M vertices of the N polygons. N polygon indices are stored in an index array. Each of the N polygon indices references a predetermined number of the M vertex coordinates. A first subset of the index array having N1 polygon indices is determined. A second subset of the vertex array is selected such that the second subset contains M1 vertex coordinates corresponding entirely to the N1 polygon indices in the first subset. The second subset defines a window having a small size relative to the vertex array. The M1 vertex coordinates in the second subset are processed to generate processed data. The processed data are then concurrently sent to a graphics processor in an on-line manner.

Abstract: A method and equipment for displaying a computer generated color image on which a color transformation is carried out so that a person with normal color vision is able to perceive the colors in a way which corresponds to the perception of a person with abnormal color vision. Use is made of this in order, on the basis of the user's own perception, or on the basis of an expert system, to adjust colors such that these comply with a preset distinguishability criterion which is matched to the ability of the particular target group of users, including users with normal color vision, to distinguish colors.

Abstract: A method and computer graphics system for clip testing using clip bits stored in a general-purpose register for each vertex of a geometric primitive. In one embodiment, a rendering unit or other processor sets bits in a clip bits register for each vertex of a geometric primitive. Each bit indicates whether the vertex is inside or outside of a clipping boundary with respect to a particular clipping plane. A frame buffer controller or other graphics processor performs clip testing on the entire geometric primitive by performing Boolean operations on the clip bits. The frame buffer controller may trivially accept or trivially reject the primitive based on the clip testing. If the primitive cannot be trivially rejected or trivially accepted, then the frame buffer controller sends an interrupt to the rendering unit. The rendering unit reads an exception register to determine that the reason for the interrupt is the need to clip the primitive.

Abstract: A YUV-RGB digital conversion circuit which can be reduced in circuit scale. The YV-R conversion circuit in the YUV-RGB conversion circuit which converts digital luminance signal (Y) and digital color difference signals (U and V) into digital chrominance signals (R, G, and B) computes the R signal by approximately developing the coefficient 1.371 in the expression of R=Y+(V−128)×1.371 in terms of a finite number, 2−n (n: a natural number). The YV-R conversion circuit is provided with a plurality of bit shift circuits (42, 46, 50, 52 and 56) which output the products of input signals and 2−k (k: a natural number of ≦n) by bit-shifting the input signals. A plurality of adders (44, 48, 54, 58, 60, and 62) which perform addition on terms of two sets of products of the input signals and 2−k (k: a multiplier), with the (k) having different values.

Abstract: An image scaling circuit for increasing or decreasing the size of a sampled image to match a fixed resolution display. The circuit includes means for resizing the image in the horizontal and vertical dimension using independent sample rate converters. The sample rate converters increase or decrease the image size by a factor of Lx/Mx in the horizontal dimension and Ly/My in the vertical dimension where Lx and Ly are integers and Mx and My are decimal numbers of arbitrary precision to provide fine scaling control. In addition, image warping is conveniently implemented by varying the down sample ratios Mx and My on a pixel by pixel and/or line by line basis.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device including a display area having a liquid crystal layer between first and second substrates disposed to confront each other, the display area comprising a number of pixels, and an element for driving the liquid crystal layer of each pixel for display being provided on the surface of the first substrate at the liquid crystal layer side of each pixel, in addition to the element, an operating unit for performing predetermined operational processing on the basis of data input to each pixel and outputting the processed data is provided on the surface of the first substrate at the liquid crystal layer side of each pixel. An input register circuit, a memory and an output register circuit may be provided to each pixel.

Abstract: System and methods for visually displaying page information in a handwriting recording device such as a personal digital notepad (PDN) device, in which constraints exist which limit the size of a user interface display (e.g. LCD). Various methods allow a user to view detailed page information by selecting one or more available display modes which display the selected information using one or more dynamic icons. In addition, the user can view (via the display) selected portions of handwriting content of a given electronic page, thereby affording the user the opportunity to synchronize the stored handwriting data with the handwritten text.

Abstract: A display method for selectively rotating windows on a computer display including a window for a computer display having a frame and a display portion. The method allows the user to rotate the window about a preselected rotation point such as the upper left corner of the frame. The rotation may be freely chosen or limited to selected angles of rotation such as 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees.

Abstract: An image creating apparatus displays a plurality of identical game-element images in predetermined colors on an image display unit by pasting textures on polygons provided in a virtual three-dimensional space. The image creating apparatus includes a polygon-data storage unit for storing the coordinates of N (integer not less than 2) sets of polygons constituting the element images so that N game elements are arranged and displayed on the display unit; a texture-selection-data storage unit for selecting one set of the textures which corresponds to one of the characters; a color-data storage unit for storing, as a basic color, a first color determined for the one set of the textures; a color-data setting unit for setting a second color; and a composite-color setting unit for setting composite colors for the textures to be pasted on N sets of polygons, the composite colors being obtained by mixing the first color and the second color at different ratios.