Patents Issued in July 6, 2004
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Patent number: 6760003Abstract: A small-sized electronic apparatus is provided which, in the case of use as a watch, can be manufactured at a low cost but with the same thickness, size, weight, etc., as a conventional watch and which includes various sensing means for switching and for shutter opening/closing. Display shutout control means 10 accepts a switching signal from switching means 9 and a closing signal from a timer control circuit 14, and issues a control signal. The control signal is fed to a liquid crystal shutter 13 which uses a liquid crystal panel arranged above an information display part 80, to perform opening/closing of the shutter.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Citizens Watch Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiro Sase
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Patent number: 6760004Abstract: A signal line driving circuit which includes a digital signal sampling circuit, a storage circuit, a time setting circuit and a constant current circuit, is fabricated of TFTs on an insulating substrate which is made of the same substance as that of a pixel portion substrate. Thus, in a passive type EL display device, the problem of a distortion in the case of bonding the signal line driving circuit onto the pixel portion substrate can be eliminated. Besides, in an active type EL display device, each pixel is constructed of one transistor and an EL element. Thus, the aperture factor of the EL display device is enlarged.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Koyama
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Patent number: 6760005Abstract: In a driver circuit of a display device handling a digital image signal, there is provided a driver circuit with a structure in which the timing of holding the image signal in a latch circuit is not influenced by a delay of a sampling pulse. A pre-charge TFT (102) is turned ON in a return line period and an input terminal of a holding portion (101) is set as Hi (VDD). When there is input to all the three signals, the sampling pulse, and a multiplex signal and the digital image signal which are input from the outside, TFTs (104 to 106) all turn ON, and the potential of the input terminal of the holding portion (101) becomes a Lo potential. Thus, holding of the digital image signal is performed. A sampling pulse width is wider than a pulse width of the two signals input from the outside, and the output periods of the two signals input from the outside are completely included in an output period of the sampling pulse.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Koyama, Yoshifumi Tanada
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Patent number: 6760006Abstract: An input device for inputting information corresponding to a direction of inclination and an angle of inclination of a movable part into devices such as a computer. The input device includes a substantially spherical part provided at a lower end of said movable part; bearing means which rotatably supports said substantially spherical part of said movable part; a recovery means which rotates said substantially spherical part within said bearing means so as to recover the upright position of the movable part; and inclination detecting means which detects a direction of inclination and an angle of inclination of said movable part.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component LimitedInventors: Takashi Arita, Katsuya Funakoshi
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Patent number: 6760007Abstract: The present invention relates to an input method using the pointing device in which the pointing device's ON operation causes an application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an ON state and the pointing device's OFF operation causes the application to recognize that the state of the pointing device has transitioned to an OFF state. The input method includes responding to the ON operation of the pointing device maintained in a certain period and bringing about a latch state in which the pointing device remains in the ON state for the application even if the OFF operation of the pointing device has taken place; and executing a program for informing a user that the latch state has been brought about.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shinji Iizuka, Tomoaki Kondo, Hidetoshi Mori, Takashi Yomo
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Patent number: 6760008Abstract: A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus with tactile feedback is provided, which includes a housing, a spherical ball contained partially within the housing, a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the spherical ball, and a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the housing. When the spherical ball is at rest, an attractive magnetic force between some or all of the first magnetic elements and some or all of the second magnetic elements resists motion of the ball. When a sufficient rotational force is applied to the ball, the ball rotates about one or both axes until the applied force no longer exceeds the magnetic force, at which point the magnetic force causes the ball to stop at a new position, providing the user with tactile feedback to indicate that the ball position has changed.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Vtech Communications Ltd.Inventor: Yat Shun Yu
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Patent number: 6760009Abstract: The coordinate-position inputting/detecting device comprises a lighting device for emitting light into an entry area into which an arbitrary pointing body is inserted to perform an entry operation. At least two image pickup devices are provided with a prespecified space therebetween on a peripheral section of the entry area for picking up images of the pointing body illuminated by the light from the lighting device. Position on the CCD of the image pickup devices where an image of the pointing body is formed is obtained according to output from each of the image pickup devices. Coordinates of the position of the pointing body in the entry area are calculated from these positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Katsuyuki Omura, Takao Inoue
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Patent number: 6760010Abstract: An apparatus and method for the simultaneous presentation of a performance script or other commentary, dialogue or visual information available in the original language or multiple translations which can be selected by the user on portable wireless devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Figaro Systems, Inc.Inventor: Geoffrey J. H. Webb
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Patent number: 6760011Abstract: Herein disclosed is a keyboard apparatus which comprises a joystick, a switch mounted on the joystick, a scan board operative to input a switch signal of the switch-on action of the switch, a memory for memorizing a key code relevant to the switch, a plurality of numerical keys each having a key code inputted therein and outputting a key code signal indicative of the key-pushed actions of the numerical keys, a CPU having the switch signal and the key code signal inputted therein, and state setting means for selectively setting two operation states respectively having the switch signal and the key code signal outputted from the CPU.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Suzuki, Toshikazu Saito, Takuya Yamauchi
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Patent number: 6760012Abstract: A string of symbols of a defined length from input text is arranged onto a display in a constellation, which corresponds to the configuration of the keys on a device's keyboard. In order to edit the string displayed in the constellation, the symbol of the string to be corrected at any one time is selected by pressing once the key that corresponds to it according to locational correspondence between the constellation and the configuration of the keys on the keyboard. The selected symbol may also be replaced. In addition, with each new use of the key the symbol is replaced with one other symbol and in this way the desired symbol is selected with sequential presses of the key.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.Inventor: Kari A Laurila
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Patent number: 6760013Abstract: A hand held gaming and data entry system (100, 100′, 100″) has an ergonomic housing (102) including thumb operated controls (104) which generate a first set of electrical signals, and finger operated controls (106, 106′) which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. The first set of electrical signals and second set of electrical signals define all of the lower case alphabetic characters of an alphabet, such being generated without the user having to remove a finger or thumb from a HOME switch operator or switch grouping.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Alphagrip, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Willner, Scott M. Arnel
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Patent number: 6760014Abstract: The invention concerns a display system comprising a plurality of chip cards (1) and a chip card reader (9), each chip card (1) comprising a software and a body (2) produced in synthetic material and wherein is provided a communication interface, the reader (9) comprising a box (10) and a display screen capable of displaying different messages, the box (10) being provided with a slot (12) capable of receiving a chip card (1), a communication interface being arranged in the slot for providing an electric connection between the reader (9) and each chip card (1). The chip card (1) comprises a display part (4) capable of being urged to co-operate by being superposed with the reader (9) display screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: XiringInventor: Georges Liberman
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Patent number: 6760015Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of first keys on one side and second keys on the other, separated by a circuit board and a plurality of domes. The circuit board can be activated for entering information in an electronic device by pressing one or more keys on either side via the domes. The keyboard can be fixedly mounted on the cover of the electronic device such that the first keys can be used when the cover is closed and the second keys can be used when the cover is open. The keyboard can also be removably mounted so as to allow a user to change the keyboard side to be used. Alternatively, one side of the keyboard has a touch pad instead of keys.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Toni Östergård, Seppo Salminen, Jaakko Nousiainen
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Patent number: 6760016Abstract: An integrated digitizing tablet with color display is disclosed. The digitizing tablet portion of the integrated digitizing tablet and display apparatus includes an array of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells that can be modified by at least one externally-applied magnetic field, wherein each memory cell has a magnetic bit that changes orientation upon the application of the externally-applied magnetic field to produce an electrical signal based on the orientation of the bit when an electric field is applied across the array. The display portion comprises an array of color pixel cells, each color pixel cell being selected from more than one color type and being coupled to one of the MRAM cells. The MRAM cell is operated to activate the coupled color pixel cell in response to the electrical signal produced by the MRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Manish Sharma
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Patent number: 6760017Abstract: A wireless interface device includes a display that can interface with a host computer in a stand-alone configuration or a host computer connected in either a wired or wireless local area network (LAN). Once connected to a host computer, the wireless interface device takes control of the host and displays anything that is being displayed on the host.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Biswa R. Banerjee, S. Christopher Gladwin, Arif Maskatia, Alan Joseph Soucy
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Patent number: 6760018Abstract: A liquid-crystal display, which is driven by a voltage swinging method achieves reduction in size and reduced power consumption. The liquid-crystal display has a circuit configuration that enables direct input of a signal that has controller potential. This reduces the logic voltage within scanning electrode drivers of the structure of the liquid-crystal display.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenichi Takahashi
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Patent number: 6760019Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the sharing of graphics rendering operation implementations between different pixel formats. A lookup table is generated that stores the descriptions of the various rendering operation implementations. A plurality of chains of inherited object descriptors allows traversal from specific to more general descriptions of pixel formats and composition operations. Using these chains, the lookup table can be searched for a rendering operation implementation that best matches the specified criteria.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: James Graham
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Patent number: 6760020Abstract: A stereoscopic image processing apparatus which can automatically assign stereoscopic viewing parameters to VRML data in which no stereoscopic viewing parameters are defined. VRML data is input, and the user sets or changes stereoscopic viewing parameters (initial values of the base line length and convergence angle) required for stereoscopic viewing on the basis of the input VRML data. The initial value of the base line length is set based on the maximum size of the range of the space of the VRML data, and the initial value of the convergence angle is set at “0”. These initial values are arbitrarily changed at a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Uchiyama, Hiroyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6760021Abstract: A two-dimensional image file is transferred from a client via the Internet or other data transfer network to a server having a processor for performing selectable image data processing, according to a stored program. The processor generates a file for output, formatting and fixation on a micro-optical material. The image fixed on the micro-optical material is seen by the unaided eye as three dimensional, or an action, zoom, flip, or morphing sequence, depending on the image processing selected. For three-dimensional imaging the processor assigns regions within the image to different image surfaces, and displaces each according to multiple viewing angles. The image surfaces are interphased into a single data file which is output and fixed, by printing or photographic processes, on the micro-optical material. The printed image is either printed directly on the micro-optical material or laminated. The image may also be viewed through a CRT having an overlaid micro-optical material.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Orasee Corp.Inventors: William M. Karszes, Jerry C. Nims, Paul F. Peters
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Patent number: 6760022Abstract: Techniques are provided for creating soft creases for subdivision surfaces. Specifically, techniques are provided for creating an interpolation between a hard crease and a smooth surface. For example, the following steps may be performed to render an object with a soft crease: receiving, in response to user input, a selected value that falls within a range bounded by a first value and a second value; and rendering the object with a soft crease that has an appearance based on the selected value. The soft crease represents an interpolation between a hard crease and a smooth surface. The closer the selected value is to the first value, the more the appearance of the soft crease resembles the hard crease and, conversely, the closer the selected value is to the second value, the more the appearance of the soft crease resembles the smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventor: Steven C. Anderson
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Patent number: 6760023Abstract: Simplifying a surface represented as a height field. The simplification resulting in a triangular mesh having n vertices, such that the topology of the surface is maintained in the simplified surface representation. The simplification including assigning error values to each vertex not having a missing value, identifying as required vertices those vertices that may not be removed without altering the topology of the surface; and (1) if n is less than or equal the number of required vertices, remove all other vertices or (2) if n is greater than or equal the number of required vertices, remove u-n vertices, where u is the number of vertices that do not have missing values in the original height field.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andreas G. P. Hubeli, Richard P. Hammersley
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Patent number: 6760024Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering shadows. A pre-rendering process implements a two dimensional array or map of depth-based functions, such as a visibility function in z. During rendering of an object scene, these functions are accessed via lookup operations to efficiently determine the function value for a sample point at a given depth. The use of visibility functions allows for partial light attenuation effects such as partially blocking surfaces, semi-transparent surfaces and volumetric elements, to be accurately modeled over a range of z. Each visibility function is computed by filtering multiple transmittance functions obtained by casting sample rays from a light source onto an object scene. The visibility function is implemented as a sequence of vertices, each comprising a depth (z) value and corresponding function value. Colored shadows are modeled by vertices comprising a depth value and separate visibility function values for red, green and blue light at the given depth value.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: PixarInventors: Thomas David Lokovic, Eric Hugh Veach
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Patent number: 6760025Abstract: Graphic processor compares z-buffer values of 3D objects to detect and mark interpenetrating pixels. Tag buffer stores marked values for antialiazing effectively by over-sampling, area-based, blending, alpha edge or other pixel-processing scheme. Performance is improved by selectively antialiazing at edges and/or interpenetrations. Cost is reduced by leveraging z-buffer storage therefor. Super-sampling antialiazing reduces sampling of select interpenetration elements, thereby avoiding processing entire image.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: S3 Graphics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daniel Hung, Eric Young, Roger Swanson
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Patent number: 6760026Abstract: A system and process for rendering a virtual reality environment having an image-based background, which allows a viewer to move about and interact with 3D graphic objects in a virtual interaction space of the environment. This is generally accomplished by first rendering an image-based background, and separately rendering geometry-based foreground objects. The foreground objects are then integrated into the background, and a combined image is presented to the viewer.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jiang Li, Heung-Yeung Shum
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Patent number: 6760027Abstract: In a navigation system using a bird's-eye view display mode, map data on a plan view map are subjected to a perspective projection conversion to obtain drawing data on a bird's-eye view map. An input of the position of a view point is accepted, and a projection plane for a bird's-eye view is determined so that the display positions of the two points which have been subjected to perspective-projection conversion are coincident with predetermined positions. Alternatively, an input of a scale is accepted, so that the display positions of the two points after the perspective projection conversion are coincident with predetermined positions and the drawing scale is coincident with the input scale. In a further alternative, an input of the projection angle is accepted, and the projection plane is determined on the basis of the projection angle and the position of the view point.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Xanavi Informatics CorporationInventors: Yoshinori Endo, Toshio Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Satake, Hiroshi Shojima, Norimasa Kishi, Masaki Watanabe, Motoki Hirano
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Patent number: 6760028Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically hinting fonts, particularly TrueType fonts, by transferring hints from one font to another are described. In one embodiment, a character or glyph (i.e. a source character) from a first font is selected and provides hints that are to be transferred to a character or glyph of a second font (i.e. a target character). The hints comprise statements defined in terms of control points or knots that define the shape or appearance of a character. A match is found between individual control points on the different characters and then used as the basis for transferring the hints. In one embodiment, hints are transferred by modifying values in a control value table (CVT) that contains entries that are used to constrain the control points of the source character. The CVT values are modified so that they now constrain corresponding control points in the target character.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David Salesin, Geraldine Wade, Douglas E. Zongker
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Patent number: 6760029Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a glyph in which a plurality of design characteristics are extracted from a target font and a source glyph program is generated using the design characteristics. The source glyph program defines a new glyph that corresponds to a character that is not present in the target font, e.g., the Euro, and is stylistically similar to glyph of the target font. The new glyph may be added to the target font, it may be rendered on an output device, or it may be saved separately from the target font.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Adobe Systems IncorporatedInventors: Thomas W. Phinney, Jeremy A. Hall, Qiuke J. Jia, Craig D. Rublee, Matthew A. Jacobs
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Patent number: 6760030Abstract: Disclosed is a method of realizing both a function of making the user walk freely in a virtual three-dimensional space and a function of making the user watch of an overall view of an object in the space. Two reference objects having a function of making a turn according to a view point and a function of revolving around an object, separately, are prepared in a virtual three-dimensional space. A user interface is provided with a function of switching the user's view point between the two reference objects and a function of controlling the turn and translation of the reference objects.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Hiroike, Yoshinori Musha
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Patent number: 6760031Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for allowing two graphics controllers to cooperate on a single screen and for modifying the AGP protocol to provide symmetric capabilities for both AGP targets and AGP masters. According to one embodiment of the present invention two graphics controllers may cooperate as one virtual graphics controller. A first graphics controller renders a first subset of pixels of a display to a local memory of the first graphics controller. A second graphics controller renders a second subset of pixels of the display to a local memory of the second graphics controller. Then, after both the first graphics controller and the second graphics controller have completed their respective rendering, merging the content of the local memory of the first graphics controller and the content of the local memory of the second graphics controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Brian K. Langendorf, Thomas A. Piazza
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Patent number: 6760032Abstract: A system and method are provided for executing a cellular automata program in a hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, cell values are received in a hardware graphics pipeline. Next, the cell values are rendered to generate a condition value utilizing the hardware graphics pipeline. A cell value result for the subsequent generation is read from a rule map according to the condition value utilizing the hardware graphics pipeline. Still yet, additional cell values are stored based on the rule map value.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Nvidia CorporationInventor: Gregory E. James
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Patent number: 6760033Abstract: A method and apparatus for graphical processing. A logic core to perform pixel fragment manipulation and processing is instantiated on a single substrate with one or more memory units. The memory units are dynamically segmentable into frame buffer and texture memory. Because the logic core is on the same substrate as the memory units, the bandwidth between the core and the memory is greatly increased.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Edward C. Chen, Mark S. Grossman, Chi-Shung Wang, John S. Montrym, Mark M. Leather
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Patent number: 6760034Abstract: A stereoscopic display device includes a pair of OLED microdisplays in a Head Mounted Display. An emulation video signal is provided to the display device. The emulation video signal includes alternating frames of left and right video data. An enable signal is provided to the left and right displays to control when image data in the display is updated so as to update data with corresponding frame data of the emulation signal. The updating of data in the combined display is at the standard rate while the updating of data in each display is at half the standard rate.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: eMagin CorporationInventor: Olivier F. Prache
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Patent number: 6760035Abstract: A method to perform image transformations that are simplistic, conducive to miniaturization, and inexpensive to implement is provided. Transformations of an image stored in system memory are carried out by copying the image data, transforming the image data to a selected orientation, and outputting the transformed image for display, printing, or others. Throughout the transformation process, the image stored in system memory remains unchanged in the original orientation (T0-normal transformation). The transformation process is carried out by accessing in predetermined orders/sequences the image data copied from system memory to a frame buffer that is made up of N memory modules and arranged such that image data are stored serially with the image scan lines running the length of the frame buffer like that of a traditional frame buffer but with each memory module capable of being individually accessed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: NViDiA CorporationInventor: Ignatius B. Tjandrasuwita
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Patent number: 6760036Abstract: A method for extending the data width of a graphics processing channel in a computer graphics system. The method includes the first step of providing a plurality of graphics processing channels having pre-defined output data widths or capacities. The next step is combining at least a portion of an output from at least two of the plurality of graphics processing channels. Another step is defining at least one extended graphics processing channel with an extended data width. The extended graphics processing channel is formed with output portions from the plurality of graphics processing channels.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventor: Reed P. Tidwell
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Patent number: 6760037Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved two pass resampling in a computing system. The systems and methods address both bottleneck problem(s) and aliasing problem(s) to improve upon prior art two pass resampling techniques. In view of both bottleneck problem(s) and aliasing problem(s), for each of four possibilities associated with two pass resampling, the four possibilities being (1) pre-rotating the 2-D data and performing row-first processing (2) pre-rotating the 2-D data and performing column-first processing, (3) not pre-rotating the 2-D data and performing row-first processing and (4) not pre-rotating the 2-D data and performing column-first processing, the bottleneck error and the aliasing error associated with the possibility are calculated. Also, for each possibility, a value is computed based upon the bottleneck error and the aliasing error. The choice of the four possibilities is then selected in accordance with a comparison of the values.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael Kallay, Jason Davis Lawrence
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Patent number: 6760038Abstract: A method for building a database of at least one blend face in a solid model of a part comprising: generating a list of faces and edges comprising the solid model, analyzing at least one of the edges to determine that it is a smooth edge, analyzing the determined smooth edge to determine that it is a spring edge, analyzing the determined spring edge to identify a blend face that is adjacent to the spring edge. The method further includes identifying all blend faces on the part, forming chains of these blend faces and providing a listing of the chains in the order in which they were formed on the part.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Geometric Software Solutions Co. LimitedInventors: Sashikumar Venkataraman, Milind A. Sohoni
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Patent number: 6760039Abstract: A word processing tool for idea generation represents text-identified ideas of a database in either the form of a text outline or in the form of a tree structure of nodes. Ideas of a given level can have priorities to change the ordering of the depiction of ideas in those levels. The priorities may be adjusted in a priority window allowing drag and drop reordering of idea and numeric weighting of ideas using a slider control. Loose dependence between ordering and weighting insures consistency of the two in the priority window.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Inventor: Thomas M. Keeley
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Patent number: 6760040Abstract: A technique for expressing an elastic body using computer graphics. The elastic body is expressed by transforming coordinates of shape specific points which specify the shape of an object using a transformation matrix. Each element of the transformation matrix is expressed by a function having time as a variable which converges to a corresponding element of a matrix that represents the motion of the object when the object is assumed to be a rigid body. By substituting a predetermined time into this function, a value of each element of the transformation matrix is determined. The shape of the object is determined based on the coordinate values of the shape specific points after coordinate transformation.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Masaaki Oka
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Patent number: 6760041Abstract: Electronic equipment which provides an easier-to-use user interface for zoom-in and zoom-out actions has a switch which includes a pressure-sensitive unit, and a processing unit that performs enlargement or reduction processing depending on the output from the pressure-sensitive unit. A computer is provided, which has a controller which has the pressure-sensitive unit a unit which generates a pressure-sensing output signal depending on a pushing pressure of a user, sensed by the pressure-sensitive unit. The computer further has a unit for converting the pressure-sensing output signal to a deformation amount for an object on the screen of the monitor and a unit which deforms the object displayed on the monitor depending on the deformation amount.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Nobuhiro Komata
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Patent number: 6760042Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for storyboard thumbnail and video rights metadata insertion is provided for preventing unauthorized use of restricted video frames of a previously encoded MPEG video file. It can insert video rights metadata in the timecode packet of the affected video frame of the MPEG video file; if requested. To allow automatic recreation of a storyboard file from the MPEG video file, it can insert thumbnail status metadata in the timecode packet of the selected video storyboard thumbnail frame of the MPEG video file. If requested, it can update the video rights metadata in a video catalog record and in the timecode packet of the affected video frame of the MPEG video file. When needed, it can update the thumbnail status metadata in a video catalog record and in the timecode packet of the selected video storyboard thumbnail frame of the MPEG video file.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: John Mark Zetts
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Patent number: 6760043Abstract: A system and method for creating a platform independent enhancement file for television employs a web based editor with local functions for repositioning and sizing of displayable elements. Elements comprise text, graphics, images, or imported HTML files. Trigger information associated with elements controls the time and actions performed when rendering the displayable elements. A database comprises data representing elements, element attributes, trigger information and project information. A file generation process queries the database and produces a platform independent XML compatible script file. The script file may be parsed and the resultant HTML/Javascript file may be previewed employing a web browser. The script file may be parsed with other tools to provide HTML files for specific platforms without modification of the script file.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Intellocity USA, Inc.Inventor: Steven O. Markel
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Patent number: 6760044Abstract: A method for converting a document which contains words and images which is intended to convey information in a traditional, linear format into a document or display in which the words and images are rearranged so that the result is laid out in a pictorial representation which makes it much easier for a person using the document to understand its content. To create the easier to understand pictorial/graphical representation, a document, in its original format, is stored so that it can be accessed by a user using a personal computer or work station. A user accesses the document in its original format, selects portions of the document, and each selected portion is assigned a category for subsequent processing. The categories which may be assigned are selected from among the following: i) structural, ii) functional, iii) procedural, iv) time based, and v) event based. Additional categories may be added as a function of the desired end result and specific sub-parts or diagrams.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Edutainment, Inc.Inventor: Ramin Emrani
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Patent number: 6760045Abstract: A system and method for displaying content accessed by a client to an audience via a projector is disclosed, wherein the content includes a client version suitable for access by clients and a projector version suitable for display by a projector. The system includes a server coupled to the network capable of communication with the clients via the network and at least one projector capable of accessing the projector version of the content communicatively coupled to the server. Upon receiving a request from a client that one or more projectors display content accessed by the client, that is “follow” the display of content by that client, the server thereafter monitors the browsing activity of the client, detecting when the client is accessing content via the network. When the client accesses the client version of the content, the server notifies the following projector(s) to access the projector component of the content via the network so the content may be displayed by the projector.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Gateway, Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Quinn, Kent M. Bowling
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Patent number: 6760046Abstract: A method is provided of adapting a user interface to the user's current situation. The method involves a user specifying a home-area interface (83), for example, a web browser home page, and an “away” interface (84). When the user connects to a network (10) using a device (20) and calls up his/her browser home page, a determination is made of the location of the device in order to decide which version of the home page is to be served back to the user device by the home-page server of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the “away” home page (84) includes specific types of local data of interest to the user (such as best local restaurants). When asked to provide the “away” home page, the homepage server uses this information to find the URLs of local special interest web sites (122) carrying the relevant type of data, the server inserting these URLs in the “away” home page (84) before providing it to the user device (20) concerned.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Colin I'Anson, Rycharde Jeffery Hawkes, James Thomas Edward McDonnell, John Deryk Waters, Lawrence Wilcock
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Patent number: 6760047Abstract: This document describes a user interface mechanism to relate information from multiple heterogeneous data sources. Data displayed in different regions on a user interface can be related by selection of an element in one region and pinning it. The pinned element acts as a filter for the information in the other regions on the user interface. Successive pinning of elements in other regions allows further filtering of the information in unpinned regions using the context of previously pinned elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: P. J. Hough, Thomas F. Begstraesser, Jason D. Carlson
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Patent number: 6760048Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method define a portion of the window content information for a window as a prioritized display element that is displayed in a non-occluded region of a computer display in response to a determination that at least a portion of such a display element is occluded by another display element on the computer display. Also, an apparatus, program product and method manipulate multiple windows displayed on a computer display by moving a window in response to user input to move another window when it is determined that the movement of the other window would occlude at least a portion of the window. In addition, an apparatus, program product and method facilitate the selection of a subset from a set of information displayed on a computer by displaying a display representation of a set of information on a computer display, with a portion of the display representation occluded such that the display representation is partitioned into occluded and non-occluded regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Paul Reuben Day
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Patent number: 6760049Abstract: An improved graphics system for a graphical user interface in which a plurality of screen objects are displayed is disclosed. Conventional systems comprises targeting means for determining a screen object targeted by the pointer; and selection means for reading a pointer selection and for selecting a screen object. The invention is characterized by the selection means comprising means for selecting a screen object which has been continuously targeted for a predetermined time (pi).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Stephen James Paul Todd
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Patent number: 6760050Abstract: A virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator is provided. A player character may move within a virtual three-dimensional space using a sound source object and a sound marker. The player character may use the sound source object to shoot sound signals at the sound marker. The sound marker may then provide sound information based on the relative position of the sound source object for the player character, and based on materials of virtual objects. Audible sounds at prescribed positions and in prescribed directions within the virtual three-dimensional space are then provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega EnterprisesInventor: Teruhiko Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6760051Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, with which it is possible to reduce the overall size of an apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member including a plurality of switching elements that are arranged in a moving direction and a generatrix direction of the image bearing member, and a latent image forming unit for forming a latent image on the image bearing member, the latent image forming unit including a voltage generating unit for generating a voltage in each switching element in accordance with an image signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruo Fujii, Fumihiko Arishima, Yujiro Ando, Hiroki Kisu, Shigeki Kondo, Masaaki Matsushima
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Patent number: 6760052Abstract: A disc copying or recording device and a disc label printer are mounted in a common assembly, and include a printhead moveable along a guide shaft on a frame. A disc transport carriage is mounted on the same guide shaft as the printhead, can be moved along this guide shaft for picking up discs in a storage area, moving a disc to a tray or support used for recording and then to a disc tray or support for printing, and moving a finished disc to a finished disc storage region. The carriage has an arm with a disc picker that can be moved to hold and release discs in a desired location. The carriage is latched to the printhead and the printhead drive is used for moving the carriage along the guide shaft in the preferred showing.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Primera Technology, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Cummins, Erick Hagstrom, Michael R. Tolrud