Abstract: A system is provided for generating transition effects for use on a visual display. The system includes a binary table for describing a transition effect and a method for ordering the rows in the table to produce the transition. The table includes an arbitrary number of rows, each row representing a cell (group of picture elements) on the display. A numerical value, based on any function of cell location, is associated with each cell. The table is then sorted according to the numerical values. Each row in the sorted table drives a step in the transition effect. The cells described by the various rows are changed in sorted order to display the material from the image being transitioned-to. The sequence of processing of the rows causes the desired transition effect. By varying the function used to order the rows, an infinite variety of transition effects can be created.

Abstract: A computer system generates transition effects for use on a visual display. The system includes a binary table for describing a transition effect and a method for ordering the rows in the table to produce the transition. The table includes an arbitrary number of rows, each row representing a cell (group of picture elements) on the display. A numerical value, based on any function of cell location, is associated with each cell. The table is then sorted according to the numerical values. Each row in the sorted table drives a step in the transition effect. The cells described by the various rows are changed in sorted order to display the material from the image being transitioned-to. The sequence of processing of the rows causes the desired transition effect. By varying the function used to order the rows, an infinite variety of transition effects can be created.

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: A method includes the steps of differentiating Overlays each into a code portion and into a data portion, storing the data portions within a CPU directly-accessible memory, storing the code portions within a memory not-directly accessible by the CPU, and swapping a required code portion into the directly-accessible memory for execution by the CPU such that the swapped-in code portion has access to a plurality of the data portions stored within the directly-accessible memory.

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.