Abstract: Images in an image database are searched in response to queries which include the visual characteristics of the images such as colors, textures, shapes, and sizes, as well as by textual tags appended to the images. Queries are constructed in an image query construction area in response to values of representations of the visual characteristics and to locations of the representations in the image query construction area.

Abstract: A method of generating a second, substantially anti-aliased, representation of a character from a first representation. The second representation is comprised of horizontal lines of dots that are shifted horizontally relative to dots of the first representation, each dot of the first representation having a value DOT1 associated therewith. The method include a step of, for each horizontal line (1-m) within the first representation of a character and for each dot (1-j) within a horizontal line, (a) determining a modifying value (DOT1k) associated with a dot(k) of the first representation, DOT1k being a function of DOT1 of the dot(k). The method includes another step of determining a value (DOT2k) of a corresponding dot for the second representation, the value of the corresponding dot being determined in accordance with the expression DOT2k=((DOT1-DOT1k )+DOT1(k-1)), where DOT1(k-1) is a modifying value of an adjacent dot on the horizontal line.

Abstract: A computer/software system is described which enables a user to produce and display an audio/visual application using a library of image, audio and story objects. The system creates a first library data file which includes a list of application files. It then creates a bill of materials listing for each application file, each listing comprising a first field area for an object name and a second field area for a path definition to where said object is listed in another application bill of materials and physically exists. The system then runs the application and accesses all objects listed therein, any object with a path listing, being accessed from the file indicated by the path definition. A method of searching, which employs the path definitions is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which includes memory areas for storing an image and trigger fields for the image, and a display which indicates a cursor in one of two configurations. Circuitry is provided for moving the cursor and enabling it to implement a select operation for a particular subroutine. The apparatus employs a method which enables the trigger fields to be invisible, which method comprises: displaying the image without trigger fields; and altering the cursor on the display from one configuration to another upon the cursor being moved into an invisible trigger field to thereby indicate to the user the presence of the trigger field.

Abstract: A user/PC interface system is described which enables the creation and performance of a synchronized audio/visual story on the PC. The interface enables the initial storage of a plurality of visual images. Then, it enables the creation of an audio presentation which includes labels and time indications, certain of which are employed for synchronization purposes. The system is responsive to a label to execute a predetermined command upon the appearance of the label in the audio presentation. The PC is then operated to perform the audio presentation, that performance automatically causing the display of visual images upon the occurrence of labels and time indications.An improved, table-based authoring system is also described for preparation of both the above noted audio and visual presentations. The system relies upon columnar presentations of a tabular form, each column indicating a separate control function (or comment) relating to the audio/visual presentation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating relative movement between a first image and a second image while avoiding display screen flicker. The method includes a step of copying to a first buffer a portion of a display memory corresponding to a present portion of the second image wherein a first image will first appear. The method further includes the steps of superimposing within the display memory the first image upon the present portion of the second image and copying to a second buffer the portion of the display memory corresponding to the present portion of the second image, including the first image superimposed thereon, and a portion of the display memory corresponding to a next portion of the second image wherein the first image will next appear. The method further includes the steps of erasing the first image from the second buffer by copying the present portion from the first buffer to the second buffer and superimposing, within the second buffer, the first image upon the next portion of the second image.

Abstract: A user/PC interface system is described which enables the creation and performance of a synchronized audio/visual story on the PC. The interface enables the initial storage of a plurality of visual images. Then, it enables the creation of an audio presentation which includes labels and time indications, certain of which are employed for synchronization purposes. The system is responsive to a label to execute a predetermined command upon the appearance of the label in the audio presentation. The PC is then operated to perform the audio presentation, that performance automatically causing the display of visual images upon the occurrence of labels and time indications. A table-based authoring system is also described for preparation of both the above noted audio and visual presentations. The system relies upon columnar presentations of a tabular form, each column indicating a separate control function (or comment) relating to the audio/visual presentation.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing common values in a distributed system, at least one node of which is a cyclic, rule-based, object-sensitive production system. Values altered in one part of the system are implicity rather than explicitly communicated and processed to and from the rule-based node. All communications to the rule-based node of common values changed by the nonrule-based nodes are by way of a list independent of and concurrently with any procedural request of the rule-based node, there being no necessary relation between the list contents and the procedural request.