Abstract: Provided is multi-stroke marking menu techniques that increase menu breath over an eight-item limit of some orientation-based marking menus. Zone and polygon menus can be provided wherein the breadth can be increased by a factor of about two or more while providing quick selection and maintaining selection accuracy. Various geometric attributes can be analyzed to determine a selection stroke. These attributes can include orientation, position, and/or length of each stroke. Hybrid techniques are also disclosed that further increase menu breadth and performance.

Abstract: A collection of photos and a three-dimensional reconstruction of the photos are used to construct and texture a mesh model. In one embodiment, a first digital image of a first view of a real world scene is analyzed to identify lines in the first view. Among the lines, parallel lines are identified. A three-dimensional vanishing direction in a three-dimensional space is determined based on the parallel lines and an orientation of the digital image in the three-dimensional space. A plane is automatically generated by fitting the plane to the vanishing direction. A rendering of a three-dimensional model with the plane is displayed. Three-dimensional points corresponding to features common to the photos may be used to constrain the plane. The photos may be projected onto the model to provide visual feedback when editing the plane. Furthermore, the photos may be used to texture the model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate normalizing and beautifying digitally generated handwriting, such as can be generated on a tablet PC or via scanning a handwritten document. A classifier can identify extrema in the digital handwriting and label such extrema according to predefined categories (e.g., bottom, baseline, midline, top, other, . . . ). Multi-linear regression, polynomial regression, etc., can be performed to align labeled extrema to respective and corresponding desired points as indicated by the labels. Additionally, displacement techniques can be applied to the regressed handwriting to optimize legibility for reading by a human viewer and/or for character recognition by a handwriting recognition application. The displacement techniques can comprise a “rubber sheet” displacement algorithm in conjunction with a “rubber rod” displacement algorithm, which can collectively preserve spatial features of the handwriting during warping thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate annotating digital documents (e.g., digital inking) with devices such as Tablet PCs, PDAs, cell phones, and the like. The systems and methods provide for multi-scale navigation during document annotating via a space-scale framework that fluidly generates and moves a zoom region relative to a document and writing utensil. A user can employ this zoom region to annotate various portions of the document at a size comfortable to the user and suitably scaled to the device display. The space-scale framework enables dynamic navigation, wherein the zoom region location, size, and shape, for example, can automatically adjust as the user annotates. When the user finishes annotating the document, the annotations scale back with the zoom region to original page size. These novel features provide advantages over conventional techniques that do not contemplate multi-scale navigation during document annotating.

Abstract: A system and method for making computer-generated maps includes a different scale factor for each road in a route. The scale factors are used to optimize the route map against a target function that considers factors such as the number of false intersections in the route and the number of roads falling below a minimum length threshold. A refinement technique such as simulated annealing is used to find a solution to the target function. Each road in the scaled map is rendered to provide a finished product having the appearance of a hand-drawn map. The finished product includes context roads that intersect the main route but are not part of the main route. Furthermore, the hand-drawn map is optimized to the characteristics of the viewport used to visualize the map.

Abstract: Displaying the relative depth of 2D image objects while preserving the visual attributes of the objects is disclosed. After an object group is determined, the members of the object group are temporarily moved away from a center location while preserving the object group members' positions relative to each other in the X-Y plane. A depth well is displayed at the center location and each object group member is connected to a ring-beam in the depth well. In response to a control action indicating a relative depth adjustment of an object group member relative to the remaining object group members, the depth of the object relative to the remaining object group members is changed. In response to a control action indicating the depth adjustment is complete, object group members are returned to their original positions in the X-Y plane with the adjusted object displayed at the object's new relative depth.

Abstract: The subject application provides an architecture that facilitates producing a single image that can visualize a scene too large to depict from any single perspective view. These images can be stitched together on a 2-dimensional picture surface to form a multi-perspective image of the entire extent of the scene depicted by the input images. Where the respective images overlap, an objective function can be employed to determine where to make a transition between one image and the next. The objective function can employ a data cost and a seam cost to make this determination.

Abstract: A system and method for making computer-generated maps includes a different scale factor for each road in a route. The scale factors are used to optimize the route map against a target function that considers factors such as the number of false intersections in the route and the number of roads falling below a minimum length threshold. A refinement technique such as simulated annealing is used to find a solution to the target function. Each road in the scaled map is rendered to provide a finished product having the appearance of a hand-drawn map. The finished product includes context roads that intersect the main route but are not part of the main route. Furthermore, the hand-drawn map is optimized to the characteristics of the viewport used to visualize the map.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling common information displays, referred to as shared displays, is presented. The system and process allows multiple modes of input using a set of modules that accept and display data from a variety of sources. Input modules are able to understand data from a single mode of communication and to be able to generate messages as output accordingly. An optional translation module takes discrete message units and converts them into commands or requests that can be processed by a logic module. The logic module includes any application that is running on the shared display. A layout module lays out the information output by the logic module and a display module takes the layout data and converts the information to a form that can be readily displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A system and method for improving digital flash photographs. The present invention is a technique that significantly improves low-light imaging by giving the end-user all the advantages of flash photography without producing the jarring look. The invention uses an image pair—one taken with flash the other without—to remove noise from the ambient image, sharpen the ambient image using detail from the flash image, correct for color, and remove red-eye.

Abstract: A system and method for making computer-generated maps includes a different scale factor for each road in a route. The scale factors are used to optimize the route map against a target function that considers factors such as the number of false intersections in the route and the number of roads falling below a minimum length threshold. A refinement technique such as simulated annealing is used to find a solution to the target function. Each road in the scaled map is rendered to provide a finished product having the appearance of a hand-drawn map. The finished product includes context roads that intersect the main route but are not part of the main route. Furthermore, the hand-drawn map is optimized to the characteristics of the viewport used to visualize the map.

Abstract: A system and method for making computer-generated maps includes a different scale factor for each road in a route. The scale factors are used to optimize the route map against a target function that considers factors such as the number of false intersections in the route and the number of roads falling below a minimum length threshold. A refinement technique such as simulated annealing is used to find a solution to the target function. Each road in the scaled map is rendered to provide a finished product having the appearance of a hand-drawn map. The finished product includes context roads that intersect the main route but are not part of the main route. Furthermore, the hand-drawn map is optimized to the characteristics of the viewport used to visualize the map.

Abstract: Sections of two or more sequential visual media are compared to identify correspondences between the two or more sequential visual media. A visualization of section correspondences between the two or more sequential visual media is generated.

Abstract: A “Concatenative Synthesizer” applies concatenative synthesis to create a musical output from a database of musical notes and an input musical score (such as a MIDI score or other computer readable musical score format). In various embodiments, the musical output is either a music score, or an analog or digital audio file. This musical output is constructed by evaluating the database of musical notes to identify sets of candidate notes for each note of the input musical score. An “optimal path” through candidate notes is identified by minimizing an overall cost function through the candidate notes relative to the input musical score. The musical output is then constructed by concatenating the selected candidate notes. In further embodiments, the database of musical notes is generated from any desired musical genre, performer, performance, or instrument. Furthermore, notes in the database may be modified to better fit notes of the input musical score.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided for optimizing the layout of labels associated with a visual data object such as a chart. The labels are first placed into a chart definition file that defines the labels as a shape. An initial layout of the labels is created and scored. The shapes are then manipulated iteratively until an optimal layout of the labels is obtained that corresponds to the layout having the score closest to an optimal score. The optimal layout is then used in rendering the visual data object on a screen.

Abstract: Alphanumeric input is achieved using a handset having a limited number of controls but at least two controls—a first control and a second control. A key layout is rendered on a display. The key layout includes two parts—a first part and a second part. One of the two controls of the handset is associated with one of the two parts of the key layout such that characters within that part are selected with the one control. Likewise, the other of the two controls is associated with the other of the two parts of the key layout such that characters within the other part are selected with the other control.

Abstract: Provided is multi-stroke marking menu techniques that increase menu breath over an eight-item limit of some orientation-based marking menus. Zone and polygon menus can be provided wherein the breadth can be increased by a factor of about two or more while providing quick selection and maintaining selection accuracy. Various geometric attributes can be analyzed to determine a selection stroke. These attributes can include orientation, position, and/or length of each stroke. Hybrid techniques are also disclosed that further increase menu breadth and performance.

Abstract: A computer system and for displaying a static animation image in response to an action related to a displayed object that occurs on the computer system is presented. An initial state of the displayed object is determined with regard to the action. A final state of the displayed object with regard to the action is also determined. Transition aspects between the initial state and the final state are then determined. A static animation image is generated according to the initial state, the transition aspects, and the final state. The static animation image represents, in static form, an animation indicative of the action from the initial state to the final state of the displayed object. The static animation image is displayed on the graphical user interface in lieu of animation.

Abstract: Providing axonometric views of layers containing objects while preserving the visual attributes of the objects is disclosed. A group of objects, e.g., overlapping objects, is determined. Layer dimensions are calculated such that each object in the group is encompassed by a layer. Objects are placed in the layers and the layers are displayed in axonometric views. Visual cues to indicate selected layers are provided. Controls to adjust the depth of the layers and to enable moving objects in the selected layer are also provided.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates automatically producing an enhanced schematic destination map to provide directions to a destination related to geography. An interface component can receive at least one geographic destination. A map generator can automatically create an enhanced schematic destination map utilizing a hierarchy of road sets to provide at least one route including at least one road to the geographic destination.