Patents Issued in August 31, 2004
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Patent number: 6784854Abstract: Apparatus and methodology utilizing nearfield microwave technology to detect contraband/forbidden substances concealed within metallic containers. Apparatus and methodologic microwave operating frequency determines the metallic thickness through which detection is possible, and also the expectable “depths” for detection within a metallic container. Special and important attention is paid to the appropriate positional and distance locating of the invention apparatus relative to a suspected “substance-containing” metallic container for detection to be most effective. Preferably, this distance is substantially equal to the closest distance from the central radiating plane of a lens/antenna (which is employed, according to a preferred practice of the invention) at which a conductive, metallic surface will regeneratively parasitize the lens/antenna.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Spatial Dynamics, Ltd.Inventor: Tex Yukl
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Patent number: 6784855Abstract: A portable, interactive display device is disclosed. The device presents to a user the graphical interface of a host computer. The host is separate from the display device and sits in a fixed location. The invention allows a user to carry with him the user interface capability of the host, limited only by the capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host. The host provides processing, storage, and access to its own peripheral devices. The display device need only provide the amount of processing necessary to communicate with the host, to run the client side of the hosting software, and to provide security functions. The host provides a docking station that accommodates the display device. When in the docking station, the display device continues to operate but communicates with the host through the docking station rather than through the wireless channel. This allows for a higher quality video connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph H. Matthews, Richard W. Stoakley
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Patent number: 6784856Abstract: A display with inherent means for avoiding moiré patterns in displayed digitized images having a two-dimensional array of non-uniformly spaced display elements such as LEDs, LCD, or TFT. Pixels within the display are non-uniformly spaced such that a fundamental pattern or “frequency” is not established, thereby avoiding the possibility of display physical characteristics interfering with image features, avoiding apparent moiré patterns and other display artifacts. If the source data for the image is a standard data set which represents data samples at uniformly-spaced pixels, the method interpolates the pixel values for the non-uniformly spaced display elements of the new array.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.Inventor: Viktors Berstis
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Patent number: 6784857Abstract: The first present invention provides a method of driving a sustaining pulse for a plasma display panel, wherein sustaining pulses are generated, which comprise plural sustaining discharge current supply pulses having different achieving voltage levels from each other and slope pulses, so that, after the slope pulses are generated and outputted, the sustaining discharge current supply pulses having the different achieving voltage levels are applied in sequence of a magnitude of difference between the different achieving voltage levels and a potential of a final one of the sustaining discharge current supply pulses.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Tadashi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6784858Abstract: A driving method as well as a circuit of a plasma display panel is provided in which a rate of increasing voltage at start of a discharge is reduced, a reset period is shortened, and an excessive discharge in the reset period is avoided. The plasma display panel 1 comprises plural cells each of which emits light when a discharge is generated between a pair of display electrodes X and Y. Charge quantities of all cells are equalized in a reset period. In a bias period of the reset period, a current is supplied from a constant current circuit 93 to cells so that an increasing voltage is applied to the pair of display electrodes, while a capacitance element C3 is connected in parallel with a cell, so that an output current Ic of the constant current circuit 93 is distributed to the capacitance element C3 and the cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Kenji Awamoto
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Patent number: 6784859Abstract: A plasma display drive method, in which the address action is carried out in a short time without fail, has been disclosed. In the reset action, wall charges are left uniformly in the display cell, and the following address action comprises the selective action to select the OFF cell, the eliminative action to eliminate the wall charges in the OFF cell selected in the selective action, and the write action to form wall charges needed for the sustain action in the ON cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display LimitedInventors: Noriaki Setoguchi, Tomokatsu Kishi
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Patent number: 6784860Abstract: This invention relates to a detachable display 10, in particular to a detachable liquid crystal display for an electronic device. The display 10 has a first plate 12, a second plate 14 parallel to the first plate 12, and a layer of liquid crystal material 16 between the first plate 12 and the second plates 14. So that the liquid crystal material 16 can be addressed, a plurality of X address lines 20 are provided on the first plate 12, and a plurality of Y address lines 22 are provided on the second plate 14. The X address lines 20 and the Y address lines 22 are each respectively connected to X contacts and Y contacts, the X contacts and Y contacts being positioned along a single connecting edge 32 of the display, so that the display can be connected/disconnected to/from a matching connector by simply sliding connecting edge 32 of the display 10 into/out of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: John William Lumley
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Patent number: 6784861Abstract: A LCD device has a decreased number of required transmission lines. The first interface circuit, which is provided in the controller circuit, receives the polarization reverse signal and the horizontal scanning signal in parallel in such a way that the polarization reverse signal and the horizontal scanning signal have their active periods at different timings. The first interface circuit generates a serial signal from the polarization reverse signal and the horizontal scanning signal, and transmits the serial signal to the data electrode driver circuit by way of the transmission line or lines. The second interface circuit, which is provided in the data electrode driver circuit, regenerates the polarization reverse signal and the horizontal scanning signal in parallel from the serial signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventor: Kayo Okada
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Patent number: 6784862Abstract: An active matrix display device has an inspection circuit for inspecting the image quality. The inspection circuit includes a plurality of input terminals for inputting a test signal and a plurality of test transistors connected respectively to the input terminals. Input test signals which are to be sent to sub pixel sections from the individual input terminals are controlled by the associated test transistors to display a desired test screen. The test transistors are preferably amorphous silicon TFTs.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Manabu Kodate, Masato Ikeda
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Patent number: 6784863Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display drives liquid crystal by writing through TFTs, etc. a source signal from a signal line drive circuit to display electrodes in display cells on a matrix substrate and applying a common signal supplied from a common signal generator to common electrodes on an opposite substrate, the common signal changing in polarity in each frame. After scanning is completed for scan lines corresponding to one frame, a controller controls the interval between scan periods and the cycle of change in polarity of the common signal so as to provide a non-scan period that is longer than the scan period. The provision of the non-scan period extends the duration in which a specified voltage is retained by the display cell. This reduces the effects of variations in retained voltages caused by parasitic capacitance which develops in reflective electrode structures in which the display electrodes partly overlook scan lines and signal lines.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiro Yanagi, Kouji Kumada, Takashige Ohta, Katsuya Mizukata
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Patent number: 6784864Abstract: A digital driver for display devices which can prevent the delay of digital data and the extended transition time of the digital data, and thus can make good display, and a display device including the above-mentioned digital driver are disclosed. The digital driver according to the present invention is constituted in such a manner that, by successively inputting digital data to a shift register, the digital data are shifted in the shift register, and the resulting output is sent out to latch circuits. Since the digital data are directly inputted to the shift register, the distance over which the data lines are laid around can be shortened, the increase in load due to the laying-around of the data lines which has so far been a problem can be prevented, and the delay of the digital data and the extended transition time of the digital data can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Koyama, Yutaka Shionoiri
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Patent number: 6784865Abstract: By changing circuit connections at predetermined 4 timings, a switch feed through offset cancel circuit which permits canceling fluctuation in output offset of an analog picture image signal voltage due to fluctuation of semiconductor elements characteristics in the circuit. Thereby, a uneven brightness in a form of vertical stripe shape, which deteriorates picture quality, due to fluctuation in switch feed through charges of an offset cancel circuit is eliminated in a TFT LC display device having a buffer amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hajime Akimoto, Hideo Satou
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Patent number: 6784866Abstract: In a data driver 10A of a dot-inversion driving type, the outputs of voltage buffer amplifiers B1 to B12 are connected to respective data bus lines D1 to D12 of a LCD panel, short-circuiting switches S1, S3, S5, S7, S9 and S11 are connected between ones of every other adjacent data bus lines concerned with the same display color, and interconnecting lines on first and second rows are arranged in a staggered configuration. These short-circuiting switches are formed at one sides of every other data bus lines, and turned on by a control circuit 13 when the outputs of the voltage buffer amplifier are in a high impedance state.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Shinya Udo, Masatoshi Kokubun
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Patent number: 6784867Abstract: An improved electronic LCD backlighting inverter circuit for high frequency operation under low frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) for dimming control. The improved electronic LCD backlighting inverter is based on a voltage-fed push-pull LLC resonant inverter circuit configuration including a resonant inductor (L), magnetizing inductance of an output transformer (L), and resonant capacitor (C). For large values of magnetizing inductance the LLC circuit effectively becomes an LC resonant circuit. By synchronizing the high frequency switching signal and the low frequency modulation frequency using logic control circuitry, a wide dimming range and higher efficiency are achieved under PWM control.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Chin Chang
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Patent number: 6784868Abstract: A liquid crystal driving device of the present invention is provided with a display data memory of a capacity that can be divided into two parts, and a switch circuit that is used to switch an addressing method of the display data memory between multi-tone display in a dual-scan and simple-tone display in a single-scan, so as to enable a driving IC to be shared between liquid crystal display devices that are used to display high-quality and multi-tone images and liquid crystal display devices that require less tone. Such a liquid crystal driving device can be used to reduce production cost of various types of liquid crystal display devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shunichi Murahashi, Masafumi Katsutani
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Patent number: 6784869Abstract: A cursor control display and management system for a flight deck of an aircraft for enabling one of a plurality of multi-function displays to be selected and used without the need to physically select controls from a separate panel. The system includes a pair of cursor control devices (CCDs) each having a cursor movement mechanism, a menu select switch, a function select switch and, depending on the specific embodiment, a group of display selector switches. The display selector switches are used to select the CCD cursor to specific displays for use from each CCD. Once a specific display has been selected, the CCD's cursor can be placed over a function on the selected display and the function select switch pressed to select a specific function. A standard or unique pop-up menu or control panel can be displayed on the selected display by pressing the menu select switch on the CCD.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Samuel T. Clark, Rolf J. Braune
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Patent number: 6784870Abstract: A portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention includes a portable computer and a peripheral device adapted to be mechanically connected to one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Memphis Zhihong Yin
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Patent number: 6784871Abstract: An ultrasonic security system for personal computer comprises a touch-panel section, a lock section, and a key section. The touch-panel section comprises a nonpiezoelectric plate, at least one transducer-unit, and a signal analyzer. The transducer-unit consists of at least one input IDT Ti (i=1, 2, . . . , m), at least one output IDT Ri (i=1, 2, . . . , m), a first input piezoelectric substrate, and a first output piezoelectric substrate. The lock section comprises a second piezoelectric substrate, a coding IDT consisting of interdigital electrode pairs and having a coded pattern, and a terminal IDT having the electrode-finger direction parallel to that of the coding IDT. The key section comprises a third piezoelectric substrate, an initial IDT, and a decoding IDT having the same construction pattern as the coding IDT. If touching a position on the nonpiezoelectric plate, an electric signal appears at the output IDT Ri.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Inventor: Kohji Toda
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Patent number: 6784872Abstract: A bidirectional remote control system composed of an electronic appliance and a remote control. The electronic appliance is provided with a display information storage section for storing therein display information for displaying buttons, icons or the like necessary to control the electronic appliance itself, and a transmitting section for transmitting display information stored in the display information storage section to the remote control.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Kouichi Harada
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Patent number: 6784873Abstract: A method and medium for a computer readable input area. The input area is created by a computer program on a display capable of receiving touch-screen input. The computer on which the input area in used is at least a 32-bit system. The input area may contain a keyboard which is an image map. External programming may selectively access the input area through a dynamic link library. The input area has no task bar and may not be minimized, maximized, or deleted. Therefore, the input area becomes an integral component and provides the user with a constant and reliable method of inputting information into the computer program.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Inventors: Peter V. Boesen, Thomas J. Mann
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Patent number: 6784874Abstract: A push-button switch member comprises a touch panel having at least one push-button switch, an electronic display disposed in operative association with the push-button switch, and at least one key top portion disposed in operative association with the push-button switch. The key top portion is provided with a functional display of the push-button switch. A portable information terminal is provided with such push-button switch member and a communicator operatively connected to the push-button switch member for communicating with other equipment having a communication function through endless interactive communication. When the portable information terminal approaches the other equipment having the function communicating with the portable information terminal, functional display information stored in the other equipment is inputted into the portable information terminal through the interactive communication.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takao Shimizu
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Patent number: 6784875Abstract: A touchpad assembly is ruggedizing and sealed against moisture. The assembly includes a touchpad that receives a user-generated data signal that is cable-coupled to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), which components are disposed upon a support lens. A shield over-covers the touchpad assembly but has an through-opening providing user-access to the touchpad. An anti-theft mechanism secures the shield to the PCBA, and a security chamber space is sealingly defined between the shield, PCBA, and the support lens. The security chamber space is secured with injected resin, into which the anti-theft latch is thereby molded. A cable opening in the support lens is water sealed using double-sided adhesive tape or the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Siltex Peter Yuen
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Patent number: 6784876Abstract: Y coil Y1 is mounted on the attachment panel 24 so that its long sides Y1f and Y1g follow the front surface 24n, and is bent at a first edge 24a1 onto an edge surface 24a, and is further bent at a second edge 24a onto a rear surface 24b. Even if the pen moves to near an edge portion of the writing surface, the signal generated by long sides Y1f, Y1g will have a little influence from a signal generated from the short side Y1d. When the X coordinate calculated in S1306 is judged to be a coordinate in the X axis edge (S1308:YES), then an X axis edge flag is set in S1310 and a correction coefficient K that corresponds to the distance of the pen from the edge of the Y coil is extracted in S1312 by referring to a correction table. When the Y coils are scanned in S1314, if the X axis edge flag is judged to be set (S1316:YES), then in S1318, all of the values detected for the Y coils in S1314 are multiplied by the correction coefficient K.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuya Nagai, Tsuyoshi Ohashi
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Patent number: 6784877Abstract: An image control method and apparatus for a digital monitor that is capable of controlling a contrast and a color temperature in the digital monitor is disclosed. In the method, an offset control signal is produced. A digital input signal is added to the offset control signal. An added value of the digital input signal and the offset control signal is limited within a desired reference value. Accordingly, a contrast and a color temperature of the digital input signal can be controlled in the digital monitor.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Hee Kim, Han Sang Lee, Hee Gyung Yoon
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Patent number: 6784878Abstract: A flat-panel display device includes a matrix array of display pixels which respectively have memory elements, a vertical decoder which selectively designates row blocks of the display pixels, a horizontal decoder which selectively designates column blocks of the display pixels, a video RAM which stores image data respectively assigned to the memory elements, and a controller which controls the vertical and horizontal decoders to write the contents of the video RAM in units of blocks specified by row and column block addresses. The device further includes an interface which determines a rewriting range corresponding to at least one block of the display pixels including display pixels for part of the image data when the part is updated in the video RAM, and supplies to the controller the image data assigned to each block included in the rewriting range.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Jun Hanari, Manabu Watanabe
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Patent number: 6784879Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling background video on a computer display is accomplished by providing a video control icon, which is visible on the display. The video control icon relates to the live video being displayed as the background. Once selection of the video control icon has been detected, the computer displays a control panel for the live video while the live video remains in the background. As such, when a user desires to change an attribute of the live video, the user selects the video control icon which pops up a control panel. The user then makes an adjustment via the control panel to the live video and once such an adjustment is made, the control panel is removed from the screen. All this done while the live video remains in the background, thus other applications that were in focus remain in focus.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: ATI Technologies Inc.Inventor: Stephen Jonathan Orr
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Patent number: 6784880Abstract: The invention prevents shift register circuits from malfunctioning. A distribution circuit outputs a trailing trigger pulse DTP and a leading trigger pulse UTP. A trailing edge control circuit and a leading edge control circuit delay the trailing trigger pulse DTP and the leading trigger pulse UTP, respectively. The delay time of each of these control circuits can be set. These delay times are determined according to a threshold voltage of a TFT constituting a shift register. An inverted clock signal CLYINV is generated according to output signals of the control circuits. The shift register is driven by a clock signal CLY and an inverted clock signal CLYINV.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shin Fujita, Tokuro Ozawa
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Patent number: 6784881Abstract: A graphics system that is configured to synchronize a slave display channel to a master display channel may include a master display timing generator configured to provide a frame event indication and a slave display timing generator. The slave display timing generator may be configured to receive the frame event indication and, in response to receiving the frame event indication during its active display period, the slave display timing generator may be configured to wait until its current active display period ends and then jump to its synchronization point. Alternatively, the slave display timing generator may be configured to jump to its synchronization point immediately or after the end of the current horizontal line, and any remaining display information in an interrupted frame may be displayed during the next active display period.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Wasserman, Michael G. Lavelle, Justin Michael Mahan, David Naegle, Glenn J. Gracon
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Patent number: 6784882Abstract: Surfaces of an object are rendered in the order from a surface remotest from a viewpoint. When a rear surface, e.g., a rear surface, is to be rendered, a range, i.e., a range of a texture to be used, projected by way of perspective projection with vectors which are directed from the viewpoint toward a background image and take into account refractions at vertexes of the surface is determined, and the texture in the determined range is mapped onto the surface. When a front surface, e.g., a front surface, is to be rendered, a range, i.e., a range of a texture to be used, projected by way of perspective projection with vectors which are directed from the viewpoint toward a background image and take into account refractions at vertexes of the surface is determined, and the texture in the determined range is mapped onto the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Hajime Sugiyama
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Patent number: 6784883Abstract: Several systems and associated methodologies are provided for adding one or more property pages to one or more types of data. The property pages are added to a data type based upon a unique identifier associated with the data type. The property pages can be selectively enableable property pages which can be selectively enabled for a particular item for a type of data. In accordance with user input, a property page control can display appropriate property pages to a user via a display.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Jason M. Allor
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Patent number: 6784884Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient parametric surface binning based on control points. One method of the present invention comprises transforming control points for a parametric surface. An extent of the control points is determined. Tiles interested by the extent are determined. The parametric surface is stored into the tiles.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Hsien-Cheng Emile Hsieh
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Patent number: 6784885Abstract: A three dimensional parallax drawing system for use in three dimensional graphics or virtual reality is disclosed. The parallax drawing system includes a three dimensional address generator which generates the original X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis addresses of an image, and an address correction circuit for producing a corrected X-axis address in response to the original X-axis and Z-axis address outputs from the address generator. Also included is an address selection circuit for selecting either the original X-axis address supplied from the three dimensional address generator or the corrected X-axis address from the address correction circuit as a resultant X-axis address in response to a stereo graphic mode request signal. A frame buffer address generator is provided for converting the resultant X-axis address received from the address selection means and the Y-axis address received from the three dimensional address generator into the frame buffer linear address.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Je Man Kim
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Patent number: 6784886Abstract: A method is provided of associating objects on a non-linear contour according to one or more corresponding values. The method includes assigning a value to each object in a set of one or more objects, providing a starting point and an end point on a non-linear contour, graduating points on the non-linear contour covering a range of values inclusive of the values associated with each of the objects, and associating each object in the set of objects along the non-linear contour according to the value assigned to the object and the corresponding value associated with a point along the non-linear contour.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Adobe Systems IncorporatedInventor: Philippe Cailloux
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Patent number: 6784887Abstract: Image data are obtained from a recording medium, and dummy image data are generated based on the obtained image data. It is possible to switch between image displayed based on the generated dummy image data, and image data directly displayed based on the obtained image data. As a result, the dummy image may be displayed when a third party is near. Furthermore, the displayed dummy image can be used for editing, and the edited image may be printed.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Tourai
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Patent number: 6784888Abstract: The occurrence of an (n+m) input operand instruction that requires more than n of its input operands from an n-output data source is recognized by a programmable vertex shader (PVS) controller. In turn, the PVS controller provides at least two substitute instructions, neither of which requires more than n operands from the n output data source, to a PVS engine. A first of the substitute instructions is executed by the PVS engine to provide an intermediate result that is temporarily stored and used as an input to another of the at least two substitute instructions. In this manner, the present invention avoids the expense of additional or significantly modified memory. In one embodiment of the present invention, a pre-accumulator register internal to the PVS engine is used to store the intermediate result. In this manner, the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive solution for a relatively infrequent occurrence.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ralph C. Taylor, Michael A. Mang, Michael J. Mantor
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Patent number: 6784889Abstract: A system and method for processing graphics data which improves utilization of read and write bandwidth of a graphics processing system. The graphics processing system includes an embedded memory array having at least three separate banks of single ported memory in which graphics data are stored in memory page format. A memory controller coupled to the banks of memory writes post-processed data to a first bank of memory concurrently with reading data from a second bank of memory. A synchronous graphics processing pipeline processes the data read from the second bank of memory and provides the post-processed graphics data to the memory controller to be written back to the bank of memory from which the pre-processed data was read. The processing pipeline is capable of concurrently processing an amount of graphics data at least equal to the amount of graphics data included in a page of memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: William Radke
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Patent number: 6784890Abstract: A method for controlling expedite cycles having the steps of determining the number of clock cycles devoted to expedite data transfer requests made to a component during a predetermined monitoring window and guaranteeing a minimum number of clock cycles processing non-expedite requests during the monitoring window.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Brian L. Bergeson, Zohar Bogin, Vincent E. VonBokern
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Patent number: 6784891Abstract: A control device, which is capable of suppressing an increase in a load of a data transfer for an increase of an amount of data is provided. The control device includes a compressed data generation unit for generating a compressed data based on a set-up value inputted, and a controller for outputting a frame rate information to the compressed data generation unit, and for making compressed data to be outputted from a memory for use in storing a compressed data to an image display device in accordance with the frame rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuki Inuzuka, Tsunenori Yamamoto, Ikuo Hiyama, Makoto Tsumura, Yasutaka Toyoda
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Patent number: 6784892Abstract: A graphics processing system including a cache memory circuit coupled to the graphics processor and the address and data busses for storing graphics data according to a respective address. The cache memory includes first and second memories coupled together by a plurality of activation lines. The first memory has a corresponding plurality of address detection units to store addresses and provide activation signals in response to receiving a matching address. The second memory includes a corresponding plurality of data storage locations. Each data storage location is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of address storage locations by a respective activation line to provide graphics data in response to receiving an activation signal from the respective address storage location.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Aaftab Munshi
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Patent number: 6784893Abstract: A method, graphics engine boolean logic unit and digital video system that provide a raster operation unit capable of providing a raster and non-raster operation function(s) is provided. The raster operation may simultaneously conduct a raster function and non-raster operation function(s) by modification of at least one of a rasterop code and a pattern operand. The invention saves considerable logic since different functions are no longer executed separately and then multiplexed.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Charles F. Marino
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Patent number: 6784894Abstract: A graphics system configured to operate on a collection of vertices to determine mappings from an initial order to secondary and tertiary ordering. The initial order corresponds to the ordering of the vertices in an input buffer. The secondary (tertiary) ordering corresponds to the ordering of the vertices along a triangle major (minor) axis. The graphics system computes horizontal and vertical displacements along edges of the triangle in the initial ordering, and uses the signs of the horizontal displacements and vertical displacements to access a mapping table which determines the mappings. The mappings may be used to rasterize the triangle in terms of pixels (or samples).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Schimpf, Michael G. Lavelle, Mark E. Pascual, Nandini Ramani
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Patent number: 6784895Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a texture combine circuit for generating fragment graphics data for a pixel in a graphics processing system. The texture combine circuit includes at least one texture combine unit and is coupled to receive graphics data, such as a plurality of texture graphics data, and perform user selected graphics combine operations on a set of input data selected from the plurality of texture graphics data to produce the fragment graphics data for the pixel. The texture combine circuit may include several texture combine units in a cascade connection, where each texture combine unit is coupled to receive the plurality of texture graphics data and the resultant output value of the previous texture combine units in the cascade.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Aaftab Munshi
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Patent number: 6784896Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for performing colorization of the control points of vector objects in an image represented by digital data. A representation of a digital image is received. The image includes vector objects, and each of the objects is specified by an assemblage of control points each possessing a color. An image sampling utility, a gradient sampling utility, and a mesh painting utility are provided for interactive editing of the image by the user. The image sampling utility, gradient sampling utility, and mesh painting utility have graphical extents and apply a colorization function to control points within that extent, whereby when the control points have been colorized the graphical representation of the vector object is generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Virtual Mirror CorporationInventors: Michael J. Perani, Yong Joo Kil
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Patent number: 6784897Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out translucent-processing to still and moving pictures, includes (a) a judgment unit which judges whether a picture to be displayed is a still or moving picture, (b) a memory which stores first data about first and second pictures to be processed, and second data indicative of a ratio at which pixels of the first and second pictures are blended, (c) a still picture processor which blends color-relating values of the pixels in a portion at which the first and second pictures overlap each other, at the ratio, for producing third data relating to a translucent picture, and stores the thus produced third data in the memory, and (d) a moving picture processor which blends color-relating values of the pixels in a portion at which the first and second pictures overlap each other, at the ratio, for producing fourth data relating to a translucent picture.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: NEC Electronics CorporationInventor: Hiroaki I
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Patent number: 6784898Abstract: A method for generating a grayscale representation for a display combines analog and digital techniques to produce images of optimal quality. The grayscale representation is not limited by frame frequency compared to digital techniques and not limited by small voltage differences between pixel electrodes. In the method, a frame is first divided into sub-frames of most significant bits and least significant bits. The sub-frame time can either be weighted or uniform. An analog voltage is then applied to the sub-frames to produce a reduced grayscale. The number of sub-frames and the brightness are two parameters that can be optimized for a best possible display result.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Sangrok Lee, Kristina M. Johnson
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Patent number: 6784899Abstract: A system for receiving, sending and creating multimedia messages includes an audio communication device, a visual output device, a remote access system and a multimedia message system. The audio communication device is coupled to the remote access system to provide audio input and control signals, and also for receiving the audio portions of multimedia messages. The remote access system also couples the visual output device to the multimedia message system for accessing the visual portions of multimedia messages. The multimedia message system has the capability to generate an image of the message in response to a user request and send that image to the remote access system, and then to the visual output device to the user. The image is augmented to include indices that the user may input via the audio communication device to perform specified actions with the various portions of the message.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: John W. Barrus, Gregory J. Wolff, William R. Softky
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Patent number: 6784900Abstract: A method and system for providing the on-demand addition of graphic and other information to the browser's toolbar of a web surfer. A plug-in is installed or caused to be installed in the browser of the web surfer, and the information is allowed to be added to and/or modified in the toolbar area of the browser by the action of the plug-in. The information comprises a skin or a plurality of categorized or rated links, added to the links line of the toolbar. The skin may comprise a message, such as a greeting or an advertisement. The plug-in and the information may be provided to the surfer by a service web site.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hotbar.com, Inc.Inventors: Oren Dobronsky, Gabriella Karni
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Patent number: 6784901Abstract: A chat system, method and computer program product for delivering a message between a sender and a recipient in a three-dimensional (3D) multi-user environment, wherein the 3D multi-user environment maintains respective digital representations of the sender and the recipient, uses a recipient interface to receive a message, map the message to a texture to generate a textured message, and render the textured message in the 3D multi-user environment so as to permit the recipient to visually ascertain the location of the digital representation of the sender in the 3D world. Received messages are mantained as two-dimensional elements on a recipient viewport.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: ThereInventors: William D. Harvey, Jason G. McHugh, Fernando J. Paiz, Jeffrey J. Ventrella
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Patent number: 6784902Abstract: A graphical program development system for developing a graphical program, wherein the development system utilizes a configuration matrix for representing the graphical program. The matrix may graphically illustrate or specify the operation of the computer program. The matrix may comprise columns (or rows) displayed on the display device, including one or more columns which comprise symbols for functional elements and one or more interconnection columns that include interconnections between two or more of the symbols for functional elements. Once the matrix (the computer program) has been created, the computer program may be executed, wherein the computer program executes according to the interconnected symbols for functional elements displayed in the matrix.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Wilfried Melder, Thomas Dieter Becker
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Patent number: 6784903Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for generating a hardware implementation of graphical code. The method may operate to configure an instrument to perform measurement functions, wherein the instrument includes a programmable hardware element. The method comprises first creating a graphical program, wherein the graphical program may implement a measurement function. A portion of the graphical program may be converted into a hardware implementation on a programmable hardware element, and a portion may optionally be compiled into machine code for execution by a CPU. The programmable hardware element is thus configured utilizing a hardware description and implements a hardware implementation of at least a portion of the graphical program.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Hugo Andrade, Brian Keith Odom, Cary Paul Butler, Kevin L. Schultz