Abstract: A shape characteristic extractor decomposes and extracts typical shapes where element division is easy from shape data that indicates the shape of an object. An analysis mesh data generator generates analysis mesh data (element dividing information) for each of the decomposed and extracted shapes. Thus, the element dividing information can be generated even if the object has a complicated shape. Moreover, the element dividing information can be generated accurately and speedily.

Abstract: In a color conversion characteristic determining method for use with an image display device in which image data is converted on a pixel-by-pixel basis, referring to the color conversion characteristic, and the color-converted image is displayed, a color conversion characteristic candidate is set, and color-converted data are predicted by using input image data, and then tristimulus values of the displayed colors are predicted, and the results are evaluated to judge whether the color conversion characteristic satisfies the requirement. It is possible to make the color conversion characteristic to obtain color reproduction closer to the ideal color reproduction according to a standard, and the color conversion characteristic can be determined in a short time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preserving gray colors in an electronic document. An electronic document is received. The document contains a plurality of objects having a plurality of object types. Objects of a type which require gray preservation are selected. The colors of selected objects are tested for gray. The gray color test is conducted in a local color space, or alternatively in a device independent color space after converting the objects colors to the device independent color space after converting the objects colors to the device independent color space. The gray color test in the test color space is a strict color test, or alternatively is a relaxed color test. Objects containing only gray colors are identified, and their colors are preserved by inhibiting color management of their colors.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an image generating system and program which can generate such an image as in the real world with reduced processing load. The alpha-value for each pixel in the original image is set to a value corresponding to its Z-value. The set alpha-value is used to perform alpha-blending between the original image and a defocused image. As the difference between the Z-value of the focus and the depth value increases, the synthesis ratio of the defocused image is increased. The range of depth of field and defocusing effect are controlled by varying the corresponding relationship between the Z-value and the alpha-value. The alpha-value is set such that the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area AR1 between Z1 and Z2 will be set to ?1, the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area AR2 between Z2 and Z3 will be set to ?2 and so forth. The alpha-value is set by updating the alpha-value of a pixel located farther from an object when the object is drawn in a frame buffer.

Abstract: A method of generating pixels in a graphics system including providing a plurality of sub-samples, and providing a source pixel. It is determined which of the plurality of sub-samples are covered by the source pixel, and which of the plurality of sub-samples are not covered. The sub-samples which are covered by the source pixel are filtered. The filtered sub-samples are blended with the source pixel to create a blended sub-sample, followed by the filtering of the sub-samples which are not covered by the source pixel together with the blended sub-sample.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a display using a plurality of visual stimuli. A plurality of visual stimuli having an associated digital count and an associated position are displayed. The digital count of each of the visual stimuli are adjusted wherein the plurality of visual stimuli are ordered and there are perceived lightness differences between the visual stimuli. An offset is estimated based on the digital count and the position of the visual stimuli. A gain is estimated based on the offset. A gamma is estimated based on the gain, the offset, the digital count and an estimate of luminance of the visual stimuli. An average gamma is estimated by determining the average value of the gamma for the plurality of visual stimuli. In one embodiment, the visual stimuli are a series of patches positioned in a row, each patch of having a pre-assigned gray level and having a visual control to lighten or darken the visual stimuli, wherein the gray level corresponds to the digital count.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the processing of graphics is disclosed. The system may comprise at least one geometry processor and at least one graphics processor. A communication channel permits communication between the geometry and graphics processors. A control processor may communicate with the geometry and graphics processor through the communications channel. A method of processing graphics data in a computer system is provided to determine whether the geometry and graphics processors are being efficiently utilized. If necessary, one or more of the geometry and graphics processors are selectively assigned or unassigned to improve the efficiency of the graphics processing circuitry in performing the graphics task.

Abstract: A graphics system configured to apply multiple layers of texture information to primitives. The graphics system receives parameters defining a primitive and performs a size test on the primitive. If the size test cannot guarantee that a fragment size of the primitive is less than or equal to a fragment capacity of a texture accumulation buffer, the primitive is divided into subprimitives, and the graphics system applies the multiple layers of texture to fragments which intersect the primitive. The graphics system switches from a current layer to the layer next when it has applied textures corresponding to the current layer to all the fragments intersecting the primitive. The graphics system stores color values associated with the primitive fragments in the texture accumulation buffer between the application of successive texture layers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dynamically rendering digital ink strokes of arbitrary stroke width while a user is drawing the ink strokes. An ink rendering system may receive sampled pen tip positions associated with a stylus or pen on a digitizer. The ink rendering system may further determine pen tip instances having particular shapes, sizes, and/or rotations, and may determine connecting shapes, preferably quadrangles, that connect between the pen tip instances. Smoothing techniques may also be used for existing digital ink.

Abstract: A display device which can perform excellent image display with reduced dither noise. Values of dither coefficients that are allotted to respective pixel positions in a pixel group are altered between when the brightness level of an image displayed by the pixel data is lower than a prescribed brightness and when the brightness level of the image falls within a prescribed intermediate brightness range.

Abstract: A method, program and apparatus for generating partial differential equations for perspective corrected texture coordinates in a computer graphics display are provided. The present invention comprises calculating texture coordinates for four adjacent pixels and then determining the differences between the coordinates. A perspective correction factor is then calculated, which is multiplied by each coordinate difference.

Abstract: A method for determining display element attribute values from an object represented by the display element includes defining a display element view including at least one elementary view that is capable of determining a display element attribute value, receiving a display element attribute value request, determining the first view for the display element and ascertaining at least one display element attribute value for the display element based upon the first view. An apparatus for determining display element attribute values from an object represented by the display element includes a definer to define a display element view including at least one elementary view that is capable of determining a display element attribute value, a receiver to receive a display element attribute value request, a determiner to determine the first view for the display element and an ascertainer to ascertain at least one display element attribute value for the display element based upon the first view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reproducing a gray scale image (1) in colors on a color monitor (6), in which method each shade of gray (2) is assigned, using a look-up table (4, 5), a given output value (R, G, B) for driving the electron guns (8R, 8G, 8B) of the color monitor. Assignment is performed in such a manner that a given color deviation is imparted to successive shades of gray, which deviation enables differentiation of the shades of gray by a human observer without such deviations becoming disturbing. Consequently, the information concerning the optical density of the original gray scale image (1) is preserved; this is important notably for the interpretation of medical images. Additionally, the special display properties of the monitor (6) and/or the ambient circumstances can be taken into account in the look-up table (4, 5) in order to optimize the reproduction of the gray scale image.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention carries out color conversion of first image data expressed by a first color system into second image data expressed by a second color system. The procedure first collects multiple adjoining pixels of the first image data into one block, and calculates a tone difference of the first image data in the block based on the first image data of the respective pixels. When the calculated tone difference is less than a preset value, procedure carries out collective color conversion without discrimination of the respective pixels included in the block. This enables the high-speed color conversion. When the calculated tone difference is not less than the preset value, on the other hand, the procedure carries out color conversion by a unit of each pixel included in the block. This prevents deterioration of the picture quality. The technique of the invention thus ensures the high-speed color conversion without deteriorating the picture quality.

Abstract: A system for automatic emphasis of freeform annotations contained within an electronic document is performed based on a determined importance of each annotation. The importance of each annotation is determined by a mark parser that groups, types and ranks each of the annotations. A weighted value is assigned to each grouped, ranked and typed annotation based on temporal and spatial information. The display characteristics of the weighted annotation is altered based on the weighted value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determines if a BLT command meets BLT override criteria. If the BLT override criteria is met, the method and apparatus performs a BLT command override and instead executes a FLIP operation instead of performing a BLT operation.

Abstract: A pivoting digital video display device having a pivot apparatus and a PIP function. The pivot apparatus rotates an image from a TV, VTR or DVD for PIP display so that the PIP display can be shown in the same orientation as the main display to provide a user with normal displays, when a personal computer generates a rotated main video signal in response to the rotation of the digital display apparatus from a latitudinal orientation to a longitudinal orientation. Additionally, the pivot apparatus rotates an image corresponding to the main video signal when the personal computer does not generate a rotated main video signal in response to the rotation of the digital display apparatus from a latitudinal orientation to a longitudinal orientation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics program that determines the distribution of spines on a curvature comb. The graphics program generates a curvature comb to visualize the smoothness of a curve, wherein the curvature comb is comprised of a plurality of spines drawn perpendicular to the curve. The spines are distributed along the curvature comb according to a spine density function (SDF) that represents a desired density of the spines. A cumulative density function (CDF) is used as a computational tool for distributing spines according the distribution given by the SDF.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are preferably placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.