Abstract: In one embodiment, a flashlight virtual object is provided that has a field of view. Any portions of the representation that fall within the field of view of the flashlight virtual object are highlighted. The position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object is manipulated in three-dimensional (3-D) space using a pointing device that captures motion in two-dimensions, by translation of the flashlight virtual object about one or more of a plurality of user-selectable two-dimensional (2-D) planes, rotation of the flashlight virtual object about one or more of a plurality of user-selectable points, translation of the flashlight virtual object along, or parallel to, one or more of a plurality of user-selectable axis and/or automated movement to a nearest point.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user's perception of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of points in a point cloud is enhanced by use of a flashlight virtual object. The flashlight virtual object has a field of view that includes an inner cone that encloses an inner zone and an outer cone that encloses an outer zone. A current position and orientation of the flashlight virtual object within the 3-D space of the point cloud is found. It is determined whether the any points of the point cloud fall within the inner cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the inner cone are highlighted. It is further determined whether any points of the point cloud fall within the outer cone of the flashlight virtual object, and, if so, the points of the point cloud that fall within the outer cone are highlighted.

Abstract: A method and system for managing automatic guidance of an aircraft during a complete engine failure. Said system includes means for monitoring engines so as to be able to detect a complete failure of the engines; means for detecting whether the aircraft is in flight; means for detecting whether the aircraft is in a different guidance mode from a guidance mode configured to make the aircraft descend with a reduced engine thrust and a fixed speed; and control means for automatically bringing guidance means of the aircraft into a guidance configuration compatible with the situation associated with the complete failure of the engines.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique for browsing a document on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The document is opened and displayed in a document browsing application. A state of a user-selectable activation control disposed on the device is determined. In response to the activation control being in a selected state, orientation data is read from a sensor of the device. From the orientation data, it is determined if the device has rotated in a first predetermined direction about an axis that extends through a center of the device. If so, the application zooms in on a portion of the document being displayed. Further, from the orientation data, it is determined if the device has turned in reference to a fixed coordinate system. If so, the application pans up, down, left or right. In response to the activation control being in a released state, zooming and/or panning ceases.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique for determining a position of a user inside of a structure is disclosed. Acceleration and orientation data is captured by an inertial motion unit (IMU) affixed to the user. Range data is captured by one or more range finders affixed to the user. An estimate of the user's relative displacement is produced based on the acceleration and orientation data captured by the IMU. A cloud of particles is generated within a model of the structure based on the estimated relative displacement. One or more particle filters are applied to the cloud of particles to eliminate any particles of the cloud of particles that violate physical constraints and to eliminate any particles of the cloud of particles that are inconsistent with the range data. Then a statistical function is applied to the cloud of particles to determine a calculated position of the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a special paper plot (referred to herein as a dynamic plot) for which corresponding metadata is maintained is printed. A mobile appliance obtains corresponding metadata for the dynamic plot. A camera of the mobile appliance computes an image of the dynamic plot. A position of the camera of the mobile appliance with respect to the dynamic plot is calculated from the image of the dynamic plot. Using the calculated position, information or icons are overlaid at particular locations in the image captured by the camera of the dynamic plot. The image captured by the camera of the dynamic with the overlaid information or icons is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile appliance. A user may add annotations beyond what is printed on the dynamic plot. This information may subsequently be shared with other users involved in the project.

Abstract: A device detects an air disturbance and controls the deflection of aircraft control surfaces when the disturbance is detected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a special paper plot (referred to herein as a dynamic plot) for which corresponding metadata is maintained is printed. A mobile appliance obtains corresponding metadata for the dynamic plot. A camera of the mobile appliance computes an image of the dynamic plot. A position of the camera of the mobile appliance with respect to the dynamic plot is calculated from the image of the dynamic plot. Using the calculated position, information or icons are overlaid at particular locations in the image captured by the camera of the dynamic plot. The image captured by the camera of the dynamic with the overlaid information or icons is then displayed on a display screen of the mobile appliance. A user may add annotations beyond what is printed on the dynamic plot. This information may subsequently be shared with other users involved in the project.

Abstract: A method of smoothing a triangulated raster image includes the steps of: triangulating the image to create triangles having vertices, each of which is centered on a pixel of the image; comparing the costs of a first and a second orientation of an edge of each pair of adjacent triangles that forms a quadrilateral; swapping the edge of the pair of triangles to the lower cost orientation; and iterating the comparing and swapping until a stopping point is reached. The cost function used may include a cost factor that causes a triangle edge orientation that aligns with a both a color and an intensity of a color intensity contour line of the image to have a lower cost than a triangle edge orientation that does not so align.

Abstract: The device (1) comprises means (3) which can detect a disturbance such as a discrete gust or a continuous turbulence, and means (4, A1 to An) for controlling the deflection of control surfaces (S1 to Sn) of the airplane, when such a disturbance is detected.

Abstract: A method for removing an area from a raster image includes defining a target area in a raster image, where the raster image has a plurality of pixels and an object area made up of a first subset of the pixels. The target area comprises the object area enclosed by a contour. A resizable target feathering area is defined, enclosing the target area, having an inner edge abutting the contour enclosing the target area, and made up of a second subset of pixels not including the first subset of pixels. A movable template area is defined, made up of a third subset of pixels. A template feathering area is defined, made up of a fourth subset of pixels. The template area pixels are copied to the target area and the template feathering area pixels are copied to the target feathering area, replacing the first subset of pixels of the object area. The template area is selected.

Abstract: In a system of a client and a server, the server stores three dimensional CAD data in a cache. The CAD data is stored in the cache in levels of detail further divided into tiles. When a client receives a request from a user to view part of a CAD file, the client determines which portion of the CAD file is being viewed, and at what resolution. The client then checks a client cache for tiles already stored for the desired view. The client requests the view data from the server by providing to the server the client's resolution, the boundary of the viewing area and a list of tiles that the client already has. The server uses the request information to return to the client only the data that is needed for the client's resolution and that is not already stored on the client.

Abstract: A method of edge-smoothing in raster images includes: selecting an object in a raster image, the object including an edge having a plurality of edge pixels; finding all of the edge pixels of the object and generating a polygon having a plurality of vertices, each of which is located at the center of a corresponding one of the edge pixels; smoothing the polygon of the object to generate a smoothed polygon; and smoothing the object according to the smoothed polygon.

Abstract: A quick method of selecting an object in a raster image, comprises the steps of: selecting a seed region in a raster image with an input device, wherein the raster image comprises at least one object and a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a color, and wherein the seed region comprises at least one pixel in the object; moving a cursor corresponding to the input device to a distance d from the seed region in the raster image; generating a selected region from the seed region, wherein the selected region comprises at least all pixels in the seed region, the selected region is enclosed by a contour, and wherein the size of the selected region is based on the distance d and on a comparison of a color of a pixel outside the selected region and a range of color of pixels in the selected region; and choosing the selected region when the selected region is satisfactory to a user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fish stringer for underwater maintenance of live captured fish, the fish stringer comprising, in combination: a buoyant element having a generally oblong shape and ballast in its underside, a towing line secured at one end thereof to the buoyant element and to be releasably secured at the opposite end to a watercraft, an angler or a fixed object, a fish stringing line secured at one end thereof to the buoyant element and having a needle element at the other end thereof for threading the fish stringing line through the gills and mouth of captured fish, the fish stringing line extending generally underwater below the buoyant element, and an adjustment structure for adjusting the operational length of the fish stringing line.