Abstract: A system may provide a visualization function during computational functions performed by a host system. Access to a library of functions including a visualization function is provided. Then, a computing application is executed. The execution of the computing application includes generating multi-dimensional data, invoking the visualization function from the library, and providing a visual representation of at least a portion of the multi-dimensional data for display within the computing application using the visualization function.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a computer system having a plurality of processors. A computational density is selected for the computer system, wherein the computational density is expressed as a function of a desired computational power for a given volume. A number of processors is selected for used in the computer system and the desired computational power is allocated across the selected number of processors. One or more constraints are selected and a particular processor is designed or selected to meet the allocated processor computational power and the constraint.

Abstract: A system and method of designing a computer system having a plurality of processors. A computational density is selected for the computer system, wherein the computational density is expressed as a function of a desired computational power for a given volume. A number of processors is selected for used in the computer system and the desired computational power is allocated across the selected number of processors. One or more constraints are selected and a particular processor is designed or selected to meet the allocated processor computational power and the constraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a primitive (for potential display as a part of a graphical image on a display device) cause attribute data to be received by a graphics processor as a function of whether the primitive is capable of being viewable in the graphical image on the display device. Before taking that action, however, the method and apparatus assemble the primitive as a function of its positional data, and then determine if the primitive is capable of being viewable in the graphical image on the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a primitive for potential display on a display device (having a plurality of pixels) determines if the primitive intersects at least a predetermined number of pixel fragments on the display device. The predetermined number is no less than one. The method and apparatus then cull the primitive as a function of whether the primitive intersects at least the predetermined number of pixel fragments. If it is culled, the primitive is not raster processed (i.e., not subjected to raster processing, whether or not complete).

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for displaying a workspace of greater effective area than that of the display screen using a four-dimensional graphical user interface employing real-time texture mapping. According to the present invention, the user selects a number of workspaces to be displayed. Each selected workspaces is then texture mapped to a polygonal surface. Then the surfaces are displayed at orientations to form a polyhedron with a workspace on each face. Each face may be translucent, so that workspaces otherwise hidden by that face are visible. The polyhedron rotates under the user's control so that each face is presented to the user. It is this combination of a three-dimensional figure with real-time rotation and texture mapping that gives this "Four-Dimensional Graphical User Interface" its name.