Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for visualizing the appearances of at least two materials, a first instance (56) of an appearance model is obtained, the first instance being indicative of an appearance of a first material, and a second instance (66) of the appearance model is obtained, the second instance (66) being indicative of an appearance of a second material. A virtual object (72) having a continuous three-dimensional surface geometry is visualized together using a display device (70). The virtual object has first and second portions (72a, 72b) visually separated by a virtual separating element (74) or a blending region. The first portion of the virtual object is visualized using the first instance of the appearance model, and the second portion of the virtual object is visualized using the second instance of the appearance model.

Abstract: First and second sets of appearance attributes are obtained. The first set is associated with a target material. It comprises measured appearance attributes (54) of the target material. The second set is associated with a candidate material. It comprises candidate appearance attributes that are based on appearance attributes associated with one or more reference materials. A geometric model of at least one virtual object (72) is obtained, the geometric model defining a three-dimensional surface geometry. A scene comprising the at least one virtual object (72) is visualized. First and second portions of the virtual object (72) are visualized using the first and second sets of appearance attributes, respectively. Each of the first and second sets of appearance attributes comprises texture attributes in the form of a plurality of sets of image data.

Abstract: In a method for displaying a virtual object (140), a scene (100) is imaged. The scene comprises a target apparatus (120). The target apparatus comprises a set of color target elements (121) having known reflectance properties and at least one illumination target element (122) having a plurality of known surface normals. At least one image of the scene is processed to determine measured colors for the color target elements and illumination and viewing conditions for the scene. Color transformation parameters are calculated by comparing the measured colors and the known reflectance properties of the color target elements. The virtual object is rendered for the determined illumination and viewing conditions. The rendered virtual object is aligned with the scene.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a destination texture (201) from at least two source textures (211, 221, 231) comprises carrying out a statistical texture synthesis operation. An interpolation weight is assigned to each of the source textures (, and the destination texture is synthesized using the source textures and the assigned interpolation weights. Synthesizing the destination texture comprises randomly choosing one of the source textures, randomly extracting a texture patch (212) from the chosen source texture (211), modifying the extracted texture patch in such a manner that at least one statistical property (215) of the modified texture patch (214) approximates a corresponding averaged statistical property (202), and inserting the modified texture patch into the destination texture so that the modified texture patch seamlessly fits to existing texture content (203) in the destination texture.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for visualizing the appearances of at least two materials includes obtaining a first set of appearance attributes, the appearance attributes of the first set being associated with a first material, the first set of appearance attributes comprising measured appearance attributes, obtaining a second set of appearance attributes, the appearance attributes of the second set being associated with a second material; and obtaining a geometric model of at least one virtual object, the geometric model defining a three-dimensional macroscopic surface geometry of the virtual object.

Abstract: A system and method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided. At least first, second and third light sources are provided, comprising a broadband point light source, a spectrally variable point light source and a movable linear broadband light source, respectively. First, second and third images are acquired, corresponding to each light source. Surface geometry data describing a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is acquired. Based on the image data and the surface geometry data, reflecting surface mapping data describing a mapping between the reflections described by the first image data, second image data and third image data, and the three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is determined.

Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.

Abstract: A system and method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided. At least first, second and third light sources are provided, comprising a broadband point light source, a spectrally variable point light source and a movable linear broadband light source, respectively. First, second and third images are acquired, corresponding to each light source. Surface geometry data describing a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is acquired. Based on the image data and the surface geometry data, reflecting surface mapping data describing a mapping between the reflections described by the first image data, second image data and third image data, and the three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is determined.

Abstract: A system and method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided. At least first, second and third light sources are provided, comprising a broadband point light source, a spectrally variable point light source and a movable linear broadband light source, respectively. First, second and third images are acquired, corresponding to each light source. Surface geometry data describing a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is acquired. Based on the image data and the surface geometry data, reflecting surface mapping data describing a mapping between the reflections described by the first image data, second image data and third image data, and the three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is determined.

Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.

Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.

Abstract: A digital data processing method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of digitally generating, via the use of a computer, data indicative of a synthesized appearance of a simulated material having physically plausible appearance attributes. The method includes determining a set of data indicative of the synthesized appearance of the simulated material based at least in part on data associated with the physically tangible source material and at least in part on data of measured attributes of the physically tangible reference material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of digitally generating, via the use of a computer, data indicative of a synthesized appearance of a simulated material having physically plausible appearance attributes. The method includes determining a set of data indicative of the synthesized appearance of the simulated material based at least in part on data associated with the physically tangible source material and at least in part on data of measured attributes of the physically tangible reference material.

Abstract: A register of a forced air system to include an injector and a damper switch to regulate a thermostatic element for heated and air-conditioned airstreams. A direct drive mechanism to allow the thermostatic element to control the movement of a sliding grill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic steering assembly for a marine propulsion unit in which the axis of the cylinder travels parallel to the axis of the propulsion unit tilt axis during pivotal steering of the propulsion unit. The steering assembly provides two, two-bar link arms interconnecting the tilt tube and cylinder rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering assembly to be secured to a tiller arm of a variety of outboard propulsion units for a boat so as to rotate a propulsion unit about a steering axis. The assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulically actuated rod member extending therefrom and being rotatably secured to the tiller arm of an outboard propulsion unit about an axis of rotation parallel to the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder also includes a pivotal connection for attachment to the boat to define a pivot axis generally parallel to the steering axis and nonrotatable about the steering axis. The force exerted by actuation of the hydraulic cylinder against the pivotal connection rotates the outboard propulsion unit about the steering axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic control package or assembly (30) for use in a marine steering system (10) having a steering helm pump (12) with port (14) and starboard (16) fluid outlets and a return inlet (18) for hydraulically actuating a piston (22) in a hydraulic cylinder (20) having port (24) and starboard (26) inlets for moving the piston (22) back and forth in the cylinder (20) in response to fluid delivered from the helm pump (12). A fluid reservoir (32, 34, 36) is closed and pressurized with air and is defined by an open ended tube (32) having a cap (34) sealing the top end of the tube (32) and a valve body (36) sealing the bottom end of the tube (32). The valve body (36) houses the control valve means for controlling the fluid flow in the system between the helm pump (12) and the actuating cylinder (20). The cap (34) and valve body (36) are held against the respective ends of the tube (32) by tie rods (50).

Abstract: A nozzle for forming a liquid jet includes a flow passage having a circular inlet and a flat rectangular outlet and a cross section which gradually changes from a circular shape to a flat rectangular shape. The magnitude of the cross-sectional area of the flow passage gradually decreases in the flow direction of the liquid. The flow passage changes direction in a zone at the upstream beginning of the change of cross-sectional shape to assume a new direction which is at an acute angle of deflection to the original direction of the flow passage. The long sides of the rectangular cross section of the flow passage are perpendicular to a first imaginary plane containing both legs of the angle of deflection. The nozzle is formed of a first and a second nozzle part having, respectively, first and second edge faces. The nozzle parts are joined to one another by a face-to-face engagement between the edge faces.