Abstract: System and method for analyzing and imaging three-dimensional volume data sets using a three-dimensional sampling probe. A number of sampling probes can be created, shaped, and moved interactively by the user within the whole three-dimensional volume data set. As the sampling probe changes shape, size, or location in response to user input, the image is re-drawn at a rate sufficiently fast to be perceived as real-time by the user. In this manner, the user can more easily and effectively visualize and interpret the features and physical parameters that are inherent in the three-dimensional volume data set.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid processing of scene-graph-based data and/or programs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may be configured to utilize a scene graph directly. In another embodiment, the system may be configured to generate a plurality of structures and threads that manage the data originally received as part of the scene graph. The structures and threads may be configured to convey information about state changes through the use of messaging. The system may include support for messaging between threads, messaging with time and/or event stamps, epochs to ensure consistency, and ancillary structures such as render-bins, geometry structures, and rendering environment structures. A master control thread may be utilized to manage the allocation of resources and the timing of thread execution.

Abstract: A graphics model of an elephant is made by using bitmap silhouettes of a physical model of an elephant in different orientations to carve away voxels from a voxel block. This gives an intuitively simple tool to enable a user to create graphics representations of physical objects for use in, e.g., virtual environment and in video games.

Abstract: An improved surface shading method computes and stores light reflectance values as a texture map for a given light direction and view direction to an object in a scene during development of a computer graphics (CG) program, and uses the stored texture map later for shading during real-time rendering. A selected bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is applied using a standard model for distribution of normal direction vectors for a given type of surface, and BRDF values are computed as a global texture map for the object's surface in the scene. The BRDF values are stored as a look-up table indexed to the sampled range of normal direction vectors. During real-time rendering, surface shading can be readily processed by using the normal direction vector for any given point to look up the stored BRDF value. Shading with BRDF light reflectance values can be combined in one or more passes with shading of other surface texture characteristics, e.g.

Abstract: A method of scene simplification includes concurrently simplifying a plurality of objects in a scene represented by a hierarchical scene graph. The objects are represented as polygonal meshes and the hierachical scene graph includes a plurality of nodes, each node storing a mesh. The scene is a three dimensional scene and the objects are representations of three dimensional objects. Concurrently simplifying the plurality of objects includes determining an initial least level of detail polygon reduction ratio (LPPR) for at least one mesh, generating levels of detail variables for at least one mesh using the LPRR, and generating a simplified version of at least one mesh by using the levels of detail variables. The total number of polygons in a rendered scene may be set to correspond to a predetermined polygon budget.

Abstract: Clip-less rasterization is provided by a plurality of operations. First, a primitive is received that is defined by a plurality of vertices. Each of such vertices includes a W-value. Thereafter, an area is identified based on the W-values. Such area is representative of a portion of a display to be drawn corresponding to the primitive.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for rasterizing a triangle. Pixel parameter values are interpolated by adding or subtracting a vertical delta and/or by adding or subtracting a horizontal delta within a 4×4 tile of 16 pixels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating OSD fonts are disclosed. The OSD rotation device including a central processing unit, font addresses generator, memory, a font ROM, a decoder, a shift register, a output controller and output circuits, a synchronization signal generator, and a display device. In a manner, the OSD fonts corresponding to the OSD font addresses are produced. Next, the OSD fonts is read and delivered to the decoder. Further, the decoder performs a decoding process for the OSD fonts to form a plurality of rotated fonts. The OSD message, including the rotated fonts, is displayed on a display device so that the video display is synchronized with the OSD message.

Abstract: A resampling circuit and method where input sample values for samples arranged along a row of a source image are received by a row resampling circuit. The row resampling circuit calculates row output values which are provided to a column resampling circuit that calculates output sample values therefrom. The column resampling circuit includes a shift register that receives the row output values and shifts the row output values through the shift register as the row output samples are calculated. The shift register has a plurality of evenly spaced sample output terminals from which the row output values are sampled by an interpolation circuit for calculation of the output sample values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages using combined addressing. In alternative implementations, the system stores and retrieves data other than pixel data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a pixel page system providing pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV (grating light valve). In one implementation, a system includes: a data source, providing pixel data for pixels in a first order, each pixel in a frame having rows and columns of pixels; a data destination, receiving pixel data for pixels in a second order; at least one memory device including memory pages having memory locations; pixel data for each pixel corresponds to an entry in a pixel page, each pixel page having rows and columns and including pixels, the pixel pages optimized for use with a GLV. Pixel data is stored to memory in the first order and retrieved in the second order. And each memory page stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the first order and stores pixel data in multiple locations according to the second order.

Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. Based on the orientation of a display device, a address translation system either passes the software address “as is” or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of providing textured surfaces for computer-generated images comprises embedding a procedural description corresponding to a bit-map representation of a texture in a hybrid file module that also includes the bit-map representation. The hybrid file module may be transmitted to a player over a data communications medium. Once received, the player extracts the procedural description from the hybrid file module, with the procedural description then being used to render the texture.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating a vector map in a hardware graphic pipeline. Initially, one of a plurality of transforms is selected in a hardware graphic pipeline. Further, input is processed in order to generate a vector map utilizing the selected transform in the hardware graphics pipeline. Subsequently, a plurality of pixel color values is rendered utilizing the vector map.

Abstract: An image display system, image processing method, and program that make it possible to reproduce the colors of an image more rapidly in accordance with the user's preferences. The image display system includes: a color gamut calculation section that calculates a target color gamut based on a target profile within a target profile storage section that was selected by the user, and also calculates a displayable color gamut based on a projector profile within a projector profile storage section and environmental information from a colored-light sensor that detects the visual environment; a matrix generation section that generates a conversion matrix according to the relationship between the target color gamut and the displayable color gamut; and a matrix converter section that uses the thus-generated conversion matrix to convert image information; whereby image information is converted and image is displayed.

Abstract: When printing a photograph including colors in the range of the green hue to the blue hue wherein the color gamut of the printer is wider in the direction of chroma rise, the colors of its print result will be poorer in tones than the colors of the actual subject. According to the present invention, color gamut shift is executed for gamut mapping in which the shape of the color gamut of the first image processing device expands so as to be close to the shape of the color gamut of the second image processing device in a homogenous hue range. Moreover, color gamut expansion is executed for gamut mapping in which a certain region of the resulting gamut after the color gamut shift further expands into the color gamut of the second image processing device. Based on the thus defined relationship, color transformation is executed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a signal processing section for processing an image signal including a first signal and a second signal. The signal processing section processes the first signal and the second signal using different interpolation programs from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for generating random coverage masks for rendering images with transparent objects. The system uses shuffle tables for addresses of a pixel to index into a transparency table and to obtain a transparency mask, which is then ANDed with a coverage mask to obtain a new coverage mask.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for generating a warping effect in an image having a plurality of regions, each associated with a distortion vector. The method includes defining a path segment vector in response to user movement of a brush cursor; modifying one or more distortion vectors having originations covered by the cursor based on the path segment vector; and repeating defining and modifying to produce a warping effect.

Abstract: An AV device controller for controlling networked devices with a graphical user interface (GUI). An interface section obtains GUI information from a controlled device. A GUI storage section stores the GUI information. A GUI display section displays GUI parts. An input device selects the GUI parts. By selecting a GUI part displayed on the GUI display section with the input device, a predetermined processing assigned to the GUI part is started.

Abstract: Managing a virtual private network includes providing a graphical user interface for displaying one or more virtual private network subscribers and one or more computers offering virtual private network functions. The graphical user interface is programmed to display tunnels associated with either the subscribers and/or the computers offering virtual private network functions based on user input.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium are disclosed for undocking content from a window into sub-windows. The undocked sub-windows may be redocked to the parent window. The sub-windows may continue to exist after an application providing the window has been closed.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the serviceability of a system is disclosed. The method and system include obtaining a comparison of the system with a plurality of criteria and calculating at least one serviceability score based on the comparison. The comparison includes an objective measure of the serviceability of the system for each of the plurality of criteria.

Abstract: A system to maximize the effectiveness of managing capital campaigns, annual funds, and fund-raising projects. The invention in one embodiment includes a special software package designed to manage the complexities of campaigns. In specific embodiments, the invention also involves data items and structures, reporting formats and features, and software and/or business methods for effectively managing fundraising campaigns.

Abstract: A set of data field characters is displayed in a primary data field if the number of characters in this set of data field characters is equal to or less than the displayable capacity of the primary data field. If the number of characters in the set of data field characters is greater than the displayable capacity of the primary data field, then a proper subset of the set of data field characters is displayed in the primary data field in conjunction with the display of an indicia associated with the primary data field. In response to a user interaction with the indicia, the proper subset of data field characters and at least one additional character from the set of data field characters are displayed in a secondary data field, wherein the proper subset of data field characters and the at least one additional character are simultaneously viewable by the user in the secondary data field.

Abstract: User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer program products for improving interactions with users of pervasive computing devices such as personal digital assistants, Web-enabled cellular phones, Web appliances, wearable computing devices, so-called “smart” appliances in the home, and so forth. A multi-functional application launcher is defined that is specifically adapted for use on devices with limited display space and which use pen-based input or other similar input means. This application launcher enables improved navigation, and provides an improved way to show task status information to the device user. Multiple functions per task are supported, and status information is provided, all from an application launcher view.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying layered data, such as data with a hierarchical relationship is provided. A flat tree view control is provided that indicates the level corresponding to individual data items without indenting data items. Layer bars, or markers, are used to indicate the level of the individual data items within the data hierarchy. In addition, color or grayscale shading can be applied to each data item to further indicate the item's level within the hierarchy. Items within the same level use the same color or shading. When an item is selected by the user it is expanded or collapsed depending on whether the layers below the selected item already appear on the display screen. Additional level indicator values can be used to further indicate the level of data items. A data item can also be highlighted to indicate a particular attribute corresponding with an individual data item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting an on-screen menu is provided. In the method, the speed of movement of a pointer between icons of different levels is made faster than the speed of movement of the pointer between icons of the same level.

Abstract: An image-transmitting-side device comprises: a one-phase to two-phase converter circuit for separating parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, into even and odd data; a first parallel-serial converting circuit; a second parallel-serial converting circuit; means for allowing a user to select, as the resolution mode for the image data to be transmitted, one of a first resolution mode and a second resolution mode that is higher in resolution than the first resolution mode; and switch means for applying the parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, to the first parallel-serial converting circuit when the first resolution mode is selected, and for applying the parallel image data, which are to be transmitted, to the one-phase to two-phase converter circuit when the second resolution mode is selected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a time recorder with a card feed rate adjustment function making it possible to print data for arrival and departure times to and from a job side at a correct position within a print column by adjusting a feed rate for a time card according to extension or shrinkage of the time card or characteristics of the time card such as a printing state within the print column. An adjustment value is computed by reading a start point and an end point printed on a time card TA or TB inserted into the time recorder with the mark sensors 10, 11 and counting a feed rate for the time card TA or TB from the start point to the end point with the encoder sensor 12, and a feed rate for the car is adjusted according to the computed adjustment value.

Abstract: A thermal printhead is disclosed which prevents an undesired color from being generated around the periphery of a desired color, even when a two-color thermo-sensitive paper is used as the recording medium. A plurality of variable electric potential regions are formed on top of a heating resistor. Each region is disposed between two adjacent projections, and has an individual electrode that intersects therewith. The variable electric potential regions generate colors due to electric potential differences that are produced between a common electrode and individual electrodes. The width of each variable electric potential region corresponds to one dot, and is set such that the temperature of the entire region is substantially uniform when heated. A plurality of fixed electric potential regions are formed on top of the heating resistor, and each region has a fixed electric potential even when an electric potential difference is produced between the common electrode and the individual electrodes.

Abstract: A thermal printer including a thermal head, a platen roller, a frame having platen roller receiving parts that receive the platen roller in a detachable manner, is disclosed. The thermal head is fixed to a thermal head supporting member that is operatively coupled to the frame. The thermal head supporting member includes platen roller lock parts that lock the platen roller received by the platen roller receiving part so as to resist or prevent the platen roller from exiting the platen roller receiving part.

Abstract: A method of forming fiducial marks on a micro-sized article has at least one optical feature adjacent the micro-sized article that focuses a collimated beam of light onto a surface opposite the mounting surface of the micro-sized article. Fiducial mark is formed on the surface that enables precise alignment of the micro-sized articles.

Abstract: A method and a device for imaging a printing form (48) via at least two imaging modules (40,418) which each have at least one light source are disclosed for avoiding the banding effect that an imaging in a transition region (416). The two imaging modules (40,418) are provided in such a manner that a number of at least partially not-simply connected printing dots are produced in the transition region (416) by the first imaging module (40) and the complementary, not-simply connected printing dots are produced in the transition region (416) by the second imaging module (418).

Abstract: Correction of a positional deviation of split scanning lines in a sub scanning direction and modification of an image information split position are performed with a simple circuit configuration. When addresses of storage units in which split image information pieces A and B are stored are determined by address specification units, a overlap area is allocated in advance so that a split position is set based on image information split position information. As a result, dummy signals corresponding to off signals for a light source are stored in a storage unit other than storage units in which image information is stored. The dummy signals exert no influence on counterparts in the overlap area, and it is unnecessary to change a write address each time a split position is modified.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for 3D imaging of an object comprising a scanning light beam encoded with position data corresponding to the spatial position of the scanning light beam, and an imaging system that images localized surface areas of the object illuminated by the scanning light beam, which imaging system records the position data coded into the scanning beam so that three spatial coordinates of the localized surface areas imaged are determinable using the recorded position data.

Abstract: In a driving aiding system for displaying a picked-up image of a rear-view camera equipped onto a rear portion of a vehicle on a screen of a displaying means arranged at a position which can be viewed from a driver's seat when the vehicle is to be backed, a locus estimated line 10 of a hitch which is equipped onto a rear portion of the vehicle is superposed on the picked-up image of the rear-view camera to display when a predetermined instruction input is received.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a camera unit providing an image of a shot object, a marker detection unit detecting an object from the image output from the camera unit and comparing the configuration of the detected object with a predetermined configuration stored in a storage unit, and an image processing unit converting at least a partial region of the image output from the camera unit into an image differing from the output image when the configuration of the object is analogous to the predetermined configuration as a result of comparison by the marker detection unit. Since at least a partial region of the output image is converted according to the presence of an object in the output image, a particular region associated with the object, for example a region of a person in the image, can be converted.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor, which has a two-dimensional matrix of a plurality of pixels used to sense the two-dimensional spatial distribution of radioactive rays, light rays, electrons, ions, or the like, is provided with an aperture that extends through a substrate at an image sensing unit on which the pixels are arranged, and a signal transfer path that connects signal transfer electrodes for reading images of the respective pixels kept clear of the aperture. Furthermore, the image sensing unit is divided into at least two regions by a boundary including the aperture, and these regions have individual signal read registers. With this structure, the image sensor serves as both an image sensor for sensing the two-dimensional distribution of radiation or the like, and an aperture for passing such radiation.

Abstract: This invention reads image data of a subject by performing pre-reading operation while changing the image reading sensitivity at a plurality of stages immediately before the start of normal reading operation of a subject image, calculates the absolute difference value between adjacent pixels of lightness data of the read image data, and sets as an optimal reading sensitivity an image reading sensitivity having a maximum absolute difference value among calculated absolute difference values in a photosensor system having a photosensor array constituted by two-dimensionally arraying a plurality of photosensors, a driver circuit for supplying a drive signal to the photosensors, and a controller for controlling reading operation of a subject image and sensitivity setting. Even when ambient light changes or the characteristics of the photosensor change, an optimal image reading sensitivity can be set in accordance with the changes.

Abstract: A method of producing a compressed image from a full resolution sparsely sampled extended dynamic range image produced by a sparsely sampled extended dynamic range image sensing device having fast photosites with a predetermined response to a light exposure for producing fast pixel values and slow photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure for producing slow pixel values, including the steps of: providing a full resolution sparsely sampled extended dynamic range image; separating the full resolution sparsely sampled image into a fast image comprising only fast pixel values and a slow image comprising only slow pixel values; and separately compressing the fast image and the slow image.

Abstract: A method and system for minimizing image naming conflicts when capturing a plurality of images in a digital camera. The method and system includes incrementing a count in response to an image being captured, the count being a non-repeating number representing the total number of images captured by the digital camera, and associating the count with the captured image to provide a unique image identifier.

Abstract: A number of different elements are added together in a staggered way to avoid the total loss of resolution caused by the binning process. The circuit for doing this includes a variable gain. In a second circuit for carrying this out, to fixed pattern noise reduction circuits are used.

Abstract: A value of CCD signal of a specific pixel and a maximum value of CCD signals of neighboring pixels, which are presented in a neighboring area of the specific pixel and are a same color component as that of the specific pixel, are extracted. In case that a value of subtracting the maximum value of CCD signals of neighboring pixels from the value of CCD signal of the specific pixel exceeds a predetermined value, it is discriminated that a pixel of white defect is presented in the specific pixel and the pixel of white defect is compensated by replacing the value of CCD signal of the specific pixel with the maximum value. In case that a value of subtracting the maximum value of CCD signals of neighboring pixels from the value of CCD signal of the specific pixel does not exceed a predetermined value, it is discriminated that a pixel of white defect is not presented in the specific pixel and the pixel of white defect is compensated by outputting the value of CCD signal of the specific pixel as it is.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing exposing time of an image processing system is disclosed herein. The image processing system including a shift register coupled to a photo-sensing means, the photo-sensing device is used to convert an optical image from a lens to a plurality groups of charge to form an electrical signal. The apparatus includes control device (counter) and a reset gate. The control device generates the first reset signal and the second reset signal depending on whether the image processing system is in a first resolution mode or a second resolution mode. A first number of cells of the photo-sensing device are exposed to the light of the optical image during the first resolution mode, and a second number of cells of the photo-sensing device being exposed to the optical image during the second resolution mode. The first number of cells is greater than the second number of cells.

Abstract: A photography related to video cameras, camcorders, digital still cameras and others using a solid-state image sensing device, and particularly an electric camera using a solid-state image sensing device with a large number of pixels. The use of an image sensing device with a sufficient number of pixels for still image photographing ensures good performance for the moving image photographing and for the monitoring of a static image photographing. The image sensing device used has an arbitrary number of vertically arranged pixels equal to or more than three times the number of effective scanning lines of the television system. During the moving image photographing and during the monitoring of a static image photographing, the pixels are cyclically mixed together or culled and desired television signals are generated by performing the signal reading processing during the vertical blanking periods and the interpolation processing.

Abstract: An optoelectronic camera comprises an objective system formed by a number of optical active structures (L), particularly refractive structures in the form of microlenses or lenslets provided in an array. A detector device (D) is assigned to the lens array and comprises detectors (Dn) formed by sensor elements (E) which define pixels in the optical image. Each detector (Dn) defines a sample of the optical image and optimally all samples are used to generate a digital image. The optoelectronic camera may be realized as a color image camera, particularly for recording images in an RGB system. In a method for digital electronic formatting of an image recorded with the optoelectronic camera, zoom and pan functions are implemented in the camera.

Abstract: A subject selection device comprises a light source and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes. The light source radiates a distance measuring light beam toward a plurality of objects. A reflected light beam, generated by the objects due to the distance measuring light beam, is received by the, photo-diodes. A signal charge is integrated in each of the photo-diodes, so that three-dimensional information, which includes distances from the camera to each point on a surface of the objects, is obtained. A histogram indicating a distribution of the distances is generated. Based on a peak value of the histogram, a subject to be photographed is selected from the objects. An in-focus portion indicating device indicates a portion of the subject, which is in focus, based on the peak value.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the exposure times of regions of pixels of an image sensor array during exposure is accomplished by utilizing time interval sampling of an image sensor array comprising of pixels configured to generate digital image signals. Luminance values are extracted from each digital image signal and analyzed to determine if a pixel has reached the optimal exposure. If a pixel has reached the optimal exposure, subsequent digital image signals from this pixel will not be recorded. This preserves the recording of the optimal digital image signal generated by the pixel at the time when the pixel reached its optimal exposure. This process of selectively terminating the recording of digital image signals based on optimal exposures of the pixels can be performed on individual pixels or can be performed on a region of pixels.

Abstract: A first counter counts a first clock signal repeatedly in accordance with an external synchronous signal. A second counter counts a second clock signal repeatedly in every predetermined cycle, and generates an internal synchronous signal having the predetermined cycle. A controller adjusts the cycle of counting performed by the second counter by controlling the second counter. By doing so, the controller controls the internal synchronous signal to synchronize with the external synchronous signal in each horizontal period.