Abstract: Disclosed is method of detecting a predetermined mark (30) forming part of an image. A digitized form (48, 49) of the image (21) comprising a plurality of picture elements is provided and within a current region of the image a set of features is determined. The features typically comprise a dominant color feature (44) within the current region; and at least one moment feature (111) based on picture elements pertaining to the predetermined mark within the current region. Each determined feature is compared (113) with a corresponding predetermined feature (114) of the predetermined mark. Using the comparison, a confidence level for a detection of said predetermined mark within the current region calculated. Based on the confidence level, whether or not said predetermined mark is detected in the current region can then be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of spatially integrating multiple pipeline datasets. The method involves weld matching multiple inline inspection datasets by selecting one dataset as master and designated the other datasets as slaves, then spatially slaving the weld positions in the slaves to the weld positions in the master. After the weld matching process is completed, the method repositions the other data in the slave datasets relative to the master datasets, and which itself was previously spatially fit against a centreline model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the integration of multiple pipeline datasets into a combined dataset or superset otherwise known as an asset survey. This is done first by correlating a data set with a spatial representation of the pipeline, the data set including a plurality of point features along a length of the pipeline. Each point feature has an associated source type, source name, indication type and status associated. A priority is assigned to data source. A weld-matching module is used for integrating a second data set with the asset survey. As each subsequent dataset is integrated into the asset survey a data management module is responsible for setting the status field of each feature point dependant upon at least one of its relative age, source and type. The field “status” has five distinct states; active, inactive, archived, super inactive and super active. Active is representative of the latest and most accurate condition of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for activating the filling of a graphical object. The method generates (2440, 2442, 2446, 2448, 2452, 2454, and 2456), for a current scanline, a plurality of edge records associated with an edge of the object from a previously generated edge record for a previous scanline. One of these edge records comprise fractional data which defines a minimum position of the edge within the current scanline or on a border thereto with respect to a direction along said current scanline. Another of these edge records comprise fractional data which defines a maximum position of the edge within the current scanline or on a border thereto with respect to a direction along the current scanline. One of these edge records comprises fractional data which defines an exit position of the edge from the current scanline. The previously generated edge record comprises fractional data defining an exit point of the edge from the previous scanline.

Abstract: A database and content management tool for such a database has a plurality of tables. A service table identifies services having records in the database. Each service has a number of data tables defining, for example, item types with direct links to items of the service in a further table. Item types are also linked to feature types held in another data table, the linking being performed by a linking record table. Feature details are held in a feature detail table linked directly to feature types. Items are linked to feature values by a further linking table. Various other tables are linked to items such as Supplier and Media by respective linking tables. The arrangement allows the creation of HTML pages and other kinds of display from the various features either directly accessed from the table or whose location (e.g., in external file servers) is held in hyper data tables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for managing virtual memory, in which a co-processor (224) is adapted to use virtual memory with a host processor (202). A host memory (203) is coupled to the host processor (202) to implement the virtual memory. The co-processor (224) includes a virtual-physical memory mapping device (915) for interrogating a virtual memory table and for mapping one or more virtual memory addresses (880) requested by the co-processor (224) into corresponding physical addresses (873) in the host memory (203). The virtual memory table is stored in two or more non-contiguously addressable regions of the host memory (203), and is preferably a page table. The memory mapping device (915) further includes a multiple-entry translation lookaside buffer (889) for caching virtual-to-physical address mappings (872), where entries in the buffer (889) are replaced on a least recently used replacement basis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for managing virtual memory, in which a co-processor (224) is adapted to use virtual memory with a host processor (202). A host memory (203) is coupled to the host processor (202) to implement the virtual memory. The co-processor (224) includes a virtual-physical memory mapping device (915) for interrogating a virtual memory table and for mapping one or more virtual memory addresses (880) requested by the co-processor (224) into corresponding physical addresses (873) in the host memory (203). The virtual memory table is stored in two or more non-contiguously addressable regions of the host memory (203), and is preferably a page table. The memory mapping device (915) further includes a multiple-entry translation lookaside buffer (889) for caching virtual-to-physical address mappings (872), where entries in the buffer (889) are replaced on a least recently used replacement basis.

Abstract: An apparatus for data normalization includes a FIFO buffer for receiving input data words, an input register for receiving a first data word from the FIFO buffer, and a combinatorial circuit for transforming the first data word in the input register and a subsequent data word from the FIFO buffer into a normalized output data word. The apparatus utilizes two or more independent instruction streams to increase the processing speed of the apparatus.