Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes capturing service properties in one or more service process profiles, receiving a request for service, and interrogating the request and possible services by reviewing service properties captured in the service process profiles. A computer architecture includes a service manage profile and a service meter profile. A computer infrastructure includes a service component including a service-oriented architecture and a serviceware component including a manager for interpreting the service-oriented architecture.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communication between a user and a network of information items.

Abstract: A centralized agent of an organization receives a request for the resource from at least one of the entities thereof, and reviews each request for the resource. A vendor capable of supplying the resource is then selected. The agent designates an organization individual to work with the vendor, and the agent and individual produce a qualified request to be submitted to the vendor. Agreement is then obtained with the vendor regarding terms, and the agent reviews and approves same. The selected vendor thereafter develops and supplies the resource. The agent reviews vendor progress according to the agreement.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes capturing service properties in one or more service process profiles, receiving a request for service, and interrogating the request and possible services by reviewing service properties captured in the service process profiles. A computer architecture includes a service manage profile and a service meter profile. A computer infrastructure includes a service component including a service-oriented architecture and a serviceware component including a manager for interpreting the service-oriented architecture.

Abstract: A presently preferred computer implemented method for generating a simplified model of a geometric model includes a first step of visualizing a geometric model from at least one viewpoint and then sampling surfaces of the visualized geometric model, from the at least one viewpoint, to generate a set of primary sample points. A next step executes a polyhedral synthesis technique using the set of primary sample points by the steps of performing a three dimensional Delaunay triangulation of the primary sample points to generate triangles; performing alpha-solid extraction using the generated triangles; and executing a boundary computation on the extracted alpha-solid to obtain the simplified model. An optional step refines the simplified model using a set of secondary sample points.

Abstract: In a panoramic scene represented by a first environment map comprising a plurality of elements each associated with a color value representing color of the corresponding element, hotlink areas in the scene are defined by a second environment map comprising a plurality of elements. The elements of the second environment map correspond to the elements of said first environment map according to a mapping function. At least one element of the second environment map is associated with hotlink data identifying an action to be performed upon user selection of at least one element of the first environment map that correspond to the at least one element of the second environment map.

Abstract: A computer system generates a cylindrical environment map comprising a plurality of elements and associated information pertaining to images of a panoramic scene by storing in memory information associated with elements of a side image of the panoramic scene and information associated with elements of a top image and/or bottom image of the panoramic scene. For at least one element of the cylindrical environment map, if the element of the cylindrical environment map corresponds to an element of the side image, the information corresponding to the element of the side image is associated with the element of the cylindrical environment map. However, if the element of the cylindrical environment map corresponds to an element of the top image (or bottom image), the information corresponding to the element of the top image (or bottom image) is associated with the element of the cylindrical environment map.

Abstract: A shield is a piece of geometry, such as a rectangle, that defines active/inactive regions in the world coordinate system that depend upon the position and orientation of the camera with respect to the shield. The shield is distinct from the objects that represent the scene. A preprocessing step determines those objects (or portions of objects) of the scene that lie in the inactive region defined by each of the shields. Those objects (or portions of objects) that lie in the inactive region defined by each of the shields are forwarded to the graphics subsystem wherein the objects are rendered for display. On the other hand, those objects (or portions of objects) that lie in the active region defined by each of the shields are not forwarded to the graphics subsystem.

Abstract: A room is a region of space, such as a volumetric cell, that is associated with certain objects that are potentially visible (or potentially not visible) when the camera lies within the room. The rooms are distinct from the objects that represent a scene. A preprocessing step checks whether the camera is within a room, and if so determines those objects of the scene that are potentially visible (or potentially not visible) from within the room. Only those objects that are potentially visible from within the room are then rendered for display.

Abstract: The computer system of the present invention generates a view of a scene by storing in memory color values associated with elements of an environment map representing the scene and color values associated with elements of a bit map image that is separate from the environment map. The bit map image is orientated with respect to the coordinate system of the environment map. The environment map is projected onto a view window that comprises an array of pixels. For at least one pixel of the view window covered by the bit map image, the element of the bit map image that corresponds to the pixel of the view plane is determined and a color value of the pixel is derived based upon the color value of the corresponding element of the bit map image. The derived color value of the pixel of the view window is stored for display. The computer system may also store in memory depth values associated with the elements of the bit map image and depth values associated with pixels of the view window.