Abstract: An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming.

Abstract: An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API and for managing computing resources utilized in connection with the maintenance of connections between surfaces and objects. When multiple applications are running simultaneously, it is possible that the demand for overall computing resources may exceed supply, and it is possible that a connection between a surface and object may be lost for one or more applications. In accordance with the present invention, a check for the persistence of a connection between surface space and object space is made substantially at the time of a present function call, and thus multiple redundant checks are avoided. In one embodiment, checks made incident to function calls other than a present function call are spoofed or bypassed in order to avoid previous inefficient use of computing resources.

Abstract: An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: An enhanced graphics pipeline is provided that enables common core hardware to perform as different components of the graphics pipeline, programmability of primitives including lines and triangles by a component in the pipeline, and a stream output before or simultaneously with the rendering a graphical display with the data in the pipeline. The programmer does not have to optimize the code, as the common core will balance the load of functions necessary and dynamically allocate those instructions on the common core hardware. The programmer may program primitives using algorithms to simplify all vertex calculations by substituting with topology made with lines and triangles. The programmer takes the calculated output data and can read it before or while it is being rendered. Thus, a programmer has greater flexibility in programming.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: An API is provided to automatically transition data objects or containers between memory types to enable the seamless switching of data. The switching of data containers from one location to another is performed automatically by the API. Thus, polygon or pixel data objects are automatically transitioned between memory types such that the switching is seamless. It appears to a developer as if the data chunks/containers last forever, whereas in reality, the API hides the fact that the data is being transitioned to optimize system performance. The API hides an optimal cache managing algorithm from the developer so that the developer need not be concerned with the optimal tradeoff of system resources, and so that efficient switching of data can take place ‘behind the scenes’, thereby simplifying the developer's task. Data containers are thus efficiently placed in storage to maximize data processing rates and storage space, whether a data container is newly created or switched from one location to another.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API and for managing computing resources utilized in connection with the maintenance of connections between surfaces and objects. When multiple applications are running simultaneously, it is possible that the demand for overall computing resources may exceed supply; and it is possible that a connection between a surface and object may be lost for one or more applications. In accordance with the present invention, a check for the persistence of a connection between surface space and object space is made substantially at the time of a present function call, and thus multiple redundant checks are avoided. In one embodiment, checks made incident to function calls other than a present function call are spoofed or bypassed in order to avoid previous inefficient use of computing resources.

Abstract: A method for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, the invention unifies separately provided 2D and 3D graphics APIs into a single graphics interface, thereby eliminating redundancy of functionality and unnecessary data types. As a result, a single mapping to various graphics objects replaces redundant mappings. A single texture download that optimizes the use of different graphics hardware is provided. A single instruction for effecting a resolution change is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, in a 3D graphics system having privatized formats with privatized drivers used to increase the efficiency of display, existing problems are eliminated that are associated with multiple redundant copies of the publicly formatted graphics data made in host system memory pursuant to various graphics operations e.g., lock and unlock operations. The ability to make a system copy of publicly formatted data is exposed to the developer, eliminating the creation of unnecessary, and redundant copies. Efficient switching between the privatized and public format remains hidden from the developers so that applications execute efficiently while removing consideration thereof from the developers. Thus, developers are free to consider other tasks.

Abstract: An API is provided to automatically transition data objects or containers between memory types to enable the seamless switching of data. The switching of data containers from one location to another is performed automatically by the API. Thus, polygon or pixel data objects are automatically transitioned between memory types such that the switching is seamless. It appears to a developer as if the data chunks/containers last forever, whereas in reality, the API hides the fact that the data is being transitioned to optimize system performance. The API hides an optimal cache managing algorithm from the developer so that the developer need not be concerned with the optimal tradeoff of system resources, and so that efficient switching of data can take place ‘behind the scenes’, thereby simplifying the developer's task.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API. In one aspect, a more efficient technique is provided for managing computing resources utilized in connection with the maintenance of connections between surfaces and objects. When multiple applications are running simultaneously, it is possible that the demand for overall computing resources may exceed supply. In such circumstances, it is possible that a connection between a surface and object may be lost for one or more applications. Previously, checks for the persistence of such a connection were made at many different points or times during processing and presenting of graphics data to display memory surface space. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a check for the persistence of a connection between surface space and object space is made substantially at the time of a present function call, or other recurring or cyclical function call.

Abstract: A method for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, the invention unifies separately provided 2D and 3D graphics APIs into a single graphics interface, thereby eliminating redundancy of functionality and unnecessary data types. As a result, a single mapping to various graphics objects replaces redundant mappings. A single texture download that optimizes the use of different graphics hardware is provided. A single instruction for effecting a resolution change is also provided.

Abstract: A spatial positioning and measurement system provides three-dimensional position and/or measurement information of an object using one or more fixed referent station systems, and one or more portable position sensor systems. Each fixed station produces at least one primary laser beam which is rotated at a constant angular velocity about a vertical axis. The primary laser beam has a predetermined angle of divergence or angle of spread which is inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical axis. Each fixed station also preferably includes at least one reflective surface for generating a secondary laser beam.The portable position sensor includes a light sensitive detector, computer, and a display. The light sensitive detector can be formed of at least one "axicon" which directs incoming light to a photosensitive detector. The photosensitive detector generates an electrical pulse when struck by crossing laser beam and sends this pulse to the computer.