Abstract: A priority encoder includes static, tree-like product circuitry that responds to input signals, providing subset signals for subsets of the input signals. The subset signals can be for power-of-two subsets such as 1, 2, 4, 8, etc. input signals. The priority encoder also includes dynamic, tree-like priority circuitry that responds to the subset signals, providing priority signals, each indicating whether a respective input line is asserted and has priority. Each output line of the priority circuitry can be controlled by a group of transistors in series, with a respective transistor for each of a non-redundant set of the subset signals. A priority encoder can include a number of lower level priority encoding circuits and one upper level priority encoding circuit that receives overall signals from the lower circuits.

Abstract: A range recognizer applies acquired data to the inputs of a plurality of boundary comparators simultaneously, treating an entire range of values for the data as a single continuum which is partitioned by a series of internal boundaries that are monitonically increasing. Each boundary comparator compares the value of the data with its unique boundary value and provides the results to a single range encoder logic to generate a single binary word as an encoded result indicative of the comparison for the entire range. An upper boundary result of one boundary comparator is combined with a lower boundary result of an adjacent higher boundary comparator prior to input to the single range encoder logic. The result is a reduction In the number of output pins required on an integrated circuit (IC) for reporting the encoded result for a corresponding plurality of range recognizers.

Abstract: A radar detector (10) includes a first period detector (76, 122), a second period detector (96, 120) and a third period detector (86, 124) within a multi-period periodicity validator 38. The first period detector (76, 122) detects radar pulses exhibiting one-half of an expected pulse period (48), the second period detector (96, 120) detects radar pulses exhibiting the expected pulse period (48), and the third period detector (86, 124) detects radar pulses exhibiting twice the expected pulse period (48). A plurality of pulse-train records (40) can simultaneously track a plurality of possible pulse trains. A control element (84, 136, 138) accounts for missing pulses and corrects the expected pulse period when missing pulses have caused the expected pulse period to be inaccurate.

Abstract: A concealed object detection system for detecting objects concealed on a person includes radar transponders that are each configured and positioned to direct a radar signal at a person and to detect a portion of the radar signal reflected by the person. A processor connected to the radar transponders processes the portions of the radar signals detected by the radar transponders to determine whether the person is carrying a concealed object. The system may produce a real-time alert, such as an audible alert, when a concealed object is detected.

Abstract: A radar device mounted to a vehicle includes a camera for obtaining images including the road surface in front of or behind the vehicle on which it is mounted, a sensor having for obtaining at least positional information on a target object of detection such as another vehicle in front or behind and a control unit for correcting the direction of the center axis of the sensor based on the image obtained by the camera. The control unit detects a line segment along a lane in which the vehicle is traveling, detects a vector indicative of the direction on a road-fixed coordinate system of the obtained line segment, and controls correction of horizontal and vertical directions of the center axis of the sensor so as to coincide with the direction of the detected vector.

Abstract: An HF radar system comprises a transmitting system, a receiving system, a signal processing system and a frequency management/ionospheric sounding system. The transmitting system comprises a transmitting antenna array configured to transmit a beam in a near vertical direction and a transmitting device arranged to drive the transmitting antenna array at frequencies suitable for downward refraction by the ionosphere. The receiving system comprises a receiving antenna array configured to receive returning signals from a target area returning to the receiving antenna array via refraction at the ionosphere. The signal processing system comprises a digital data processing system. The frequency management/sounding system comprises cooperating transmitting and receiving systems sending HF signals to the ionosphere and analysing the returning signals. Alternatively, the system may have a duplexed antenna array.

Abstract: A system for processing radar data from two or more areas of interest is provided, such as for simultaneously processing vehicle speeds in the opposite lane in front of the patrol vehicle and in the opposite lane behind the patrol vehicle. The system includes an antenna signal processor that receives radar data from one or more radar antennae and generates speed data for a first vehicle travelling in a first direction relative to a radar observation point and a second vehicle travelling in a second direction relative to the radar observation point. A display generator system receives the speed data and user-entered display control data, and generates user-readable display data based on the speed data and the user-entered display control data.

Abstract: A guided wave radar measurement instrument comprises a probe defining a guided wave radar transmission line. A pulse circuit is connected to the probe for generating a very fast stream of pulses on the transmission line and receiving reflected pulses returned on the transmission line. The reflected pulses represent a characteristic of a material being measured. An equivalent time sampling circuit is connected to the pulse circuit operable to sample reflected pulses to build a time multiplied picture of the reflected pulses and comprises a ramp generator circuit generating a saw tooth ramp signal used to selectively delay sampling reflected pulses to build the time multiplied picture. In one aspect of the instrument, the saw tooth ramp signal has a controlled ramp start for each cycle and retrace at an end of the cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radar apparatus equipped with a function for detecting an abnormality of modulation width. Distance rt2 at time t2 is calculated from the values of the distance Rt1 and the relative velocity Vt1 measured at time t1 and the elapsed time t2−t1, and the difference relative to the actual measured value Rt2 is compared with a threshold value C1. If the difference relative to the actual measured value exceeds the threshold value C1, the modulation width is judged to be abnormal.

Abstract: An arrangement for calibrating the sample frequency determining clock in a global position system receiver using signals received from a Wide Area Augmentation System satellite or other Wide Area Augmentation System signal source. Such Wide Area Augmentation System based clock calibration is free of the Doppler frequency effects impressed on a global position system signal in view of the geo-stationary orbit of a Wide Area Augmentation System satellite. Use of the calibration invention enables correction of the pseudo range determination accomplished with global position system receiver output data. The invention may be considered a new use of signals available from the Wide Area Augmentation System. A noise-considered arrangement for comparing Wide Area Augmentation System and global position system frequencies is included.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle theft prevention device including a navigation device to detect the position of a vehicle on the earth, a security device to detect that the vehicle has been stolen, and an automobile telephone to transmit the position of the vehicle to a monitoring center after the detection of the theft of the vehicle. When the security device does not detect the theft of the vehicle, a position of the vehicle periodically detected by the navigation device is stored in a memory of the security device. When the theft of the vehicle is detected by the security device, the latest information of the vehicle stored in this memory is transmitted to the monitoring center by the automobile telephone, and the monitoring center can immediately determine the theft and the position of the stolen vehicle.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer global positioning system includes at least one location aware device to store position data. The at least one location aware device includes a first data transmitter and a first data receiver. An electronic device has a second data transmitter and a second data receiver. The second data transmitter transmits a position data request to the first data receiver. A memory storage device to store position data transmitted from the first data transmitter and received by the second data receiver.

Abstract: A unit is configured to provide acceleration, velocity, and position information for one or more points on a vehicle. The unit includes an integrated global positioning satellite system (GPS)/inertial navigation system (INS) and at least one remote velocity sensor. The remote velocity sensors include three orthogonal accelerometers and a digital signal processor configured to receive signals from the accelerometers. The remote velocity sensors are mounted at points on the vehicle where acceleration, velocity and position are to be determined. Data from the sensors is slaved to data from the integrated GPS/INS, and the unit is configured to transform data from the sensors to a navigation frame utilizing a sensor frame to navigation frame attitude matrix.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining aperture phase distributions for use in radiating signals with an active phased array antenna having multiple beams and multiple carriers. Distinct initial phase distributions corresponding to the carriers are allocated. The initial phase distributions are modified for each of the carriers to generate respective radiation patterns that substantially correspond to respective coverage areas in accordance with amplification and radiation of signals having the initial phase distributions. The modified phase distributions are optimized to simultaneously increase carrier-signal power and reduce an intermodulation product radiated in the respective coverage areas in accordance with amplification and radiation of signals having the modified phase distributions.

Abstract: Antennas having a circular array of radiating elements are arranged to enable continuous 360 degree scanning of a sum and difference beam pattern. With a 108 element circular array, a sub array of 27 contiguous elements may be step scanned to 108 positions while maintaining sum and difference antenna patterns. Each scan step may require only two switch adjustments, one to initiate excitation of a contiguous leading element and terminate excitation of the trailing element, and the other to change coupling of a middle element from a divided power port of a left power divider to such a port of a right power divider. Configurations using sub arrays whose element complement is not evenly divisible into the total number of array elements, using sub arrays consisting of an odd number of radiating elements, or employing minimized feed network complexity are disclosed.

Abstract: A microstrip trombone delay line is used to provide a low cost true time delay device. An array of printed trombone lines arranged in a network is used to implement a linear beamformer. The beamformer forms an array that scans signals in one or more dimensions. Each microstrip trombone delay line includes printed traces on a fixed substrate and a printed trombone line on a movable superstrate. The microstrip trombone delay line may have different dimensions to vary the characteristic impendence at either end for impedance matching purposes. Beamformers using microstrip trombone delay lines and scanning in multiple principal planes require few movable parts and only linear actuators.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects within a three-dimensional capture zone includes placing at least four sensors around the capture zone. A stationery reference tag is placed within the capture zone. Tags are coupled to objects to be tracked in the capture zone. Signals are periodically transmitted from the reference and object tags. These signals are received and the identification code, and code phase and carrier phase measurements are extracted. The code phrase and carrier phase measurements are processed to determine the position of each object tag with respect to the reference tag at each sampling instant.

Abstract: An optical control electromagnetic wave circuit comprises a unit composed of a semiconductor layer, a transparent substrate, and a transparent grounded conductive layer and a displaying unit. The semiconductor layer is formed on the transparent substrate, and the photoconductive layer is formed on the opposite surface of the transparent substrate. The displaying unit faces the transparent grounded layer. The shape of the radio wave circuit which is displayed on the displaying unit is mapped on the semiconductor layer to form the radio wave circuit. It can be realized to dynamically change the radio wave circuit by changing the shape of the radio wave circuit displayed on the displaying unit. The radio wave circuit can be provided freely and flexibly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna device (20, 30) comprising a conductive pattern (22, 31). The conductive pattern is made of a metal having good conductibility, e.g. copper, copper alloy or silver polymer, and is provided with at least one contact portion (24, 34). The conductive pattern (22, 31) is at least partially coated with a graphite compound, preferably pure graphite. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method for an antenna device.

Abstract: A unitary assembly provides two virtual planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) within a physical volume that is occupied by one of the PIFAs. The virtual two-antenna assembly includes a single RF feed, and provides multiple frequency response in the AMPS, PCS, GSM, DCS and GPS frequency bands. A composite radiating element is supported above a ground plane. A C-shaped slot divides the composite radiating element into an outer radiating element and an inner radiating element. Two metal stubs within a slot-discontinuity of the C-shaped slot physically and electrically connect the outer radiating element to the inner radiating element. An RF feed post connects to the outer radiating element, and both of the inner and outer radiating elements are shorted to the ground plane.

Abstract: A microwave antenna with a simple mounting device for a dielectric plate and a radiating patch is described. The mounting device includes a column, which is secured to a housing at its lower end and extends centrally through a coupling aperture in the dielectric plate up to an aligned opening in the patch. The patch and the plate are held in well-defined positions in relation to the housing and at a mutual distance from each other.

Abstract: An auxiliary antenna for adapting a wireless handset for use with a hearing aid is provided. The auxiliary antenna is placed in a location that is away from the hearing aid such that signals transmitted from the antenna do not interfere with the transmissions of the hearing aid. The systems and methods presented provide a solution for a fixed antenna configuration and an internal antenna configuration.

Abstract: An antenna system comprises a Gatelink antenna (1), a Satcom Ku antenna (2), a Satcom Inmarsat antenna (3) positioned on a support that is mobile (5) in rotation and/or in translation and a device for the protection (6) of the antennas. Application to an airliner.

Abstract: The invention is an antenna system that transmits and receives image signals audio signal and/or data signals. The antenna system has at least one antenna element and one or more power supply elements. A power supply switching device switches the power supply element or elements to select at least one antenna element and a power supply cable supplies power to the power supply switching device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antenna feeds (10, 30, 70, 78, 94) for use in linear or circularly polarised systems. In one embodiment of the invention, a cross-type antenna feed (30) comprises a cylindrical metal waveguide housing (12) and a cross-type metal feed body (32) coupled to the front of the waveguide housing (12). The feed body (32) has four peripherally spaced corrugated arm portions (34) arranged in a mutually orthogonal relationship, where the arm portions (34) extend radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis (16) of the feed body (32). Ridges (36) on each arm portion (34) are arranged concentrically around the axis (16) and parallel thereto, with successive ridges spaced from the axis (16) in a tiered arrangement. In another embodiment the antenna feed is a dielectric lens. The antenna feed is used in an antenna system having a reflector antenna in addition or in a low noise block (LNB) receiver.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding a compact main reflector of an RF antenna on a plurality of spectrally offset frequency bands. The method can include the steps of forming a focal ring for a main reflector (304) by positioning an RF source (301) at a first frequency within a first frequency band in the far field relative to a shaped non-linear surface of revolution so that the shaped non-linear surface of revolution forms a subreflector (302). A second focal ring can be formed for the main reflector (304) by positioning a second RF source (300) in the nearfield of the shaped non-linear surface of revolution.

Abstract: An array planar antenna structure comprises a substrate, wherein a plurality of planar antennas which respectively have a signal end and a ground end are mounted on the top surface of the substrate, a feeding micro strip conducting wire which is mounted on the surface of the substrate and has a plurality of feeding conducting wires respectively connected with each signal end of the planar antennas, and a ground micro strip conducting wire which is parallel to the feeding micro strip conducting wire and has a plurality of ground conducting wires respectively connected with each ground end of the planar antennas.

Abstract: An improved antenna includes a dielectric body arranged entirely or mostly (e.g., with more than 40% such as more than 50% or 60% of its volume and/or of its weight) underneath antenna radiating elements provided for lower frequency operation; and entirely, or mostly (e.g., 40%, 50% or 60% of its volume and/or of its weight) above antenna radiating elements provided for upper frequency operation.

Abstract: A transmission line balun eliminates unwanted reflection of signal energy coupling to a ground plane. A junction of the conductive segments connected to the unbalanced port on the balun is connected to the ground plane with a resistor. The selected junction is a virtual ground of the balun, so the presence of the resistor does not degrade the balun performance. The resistor dissipates the energy from the parasitic mode propagating with the ground plane so that no signal is reflected back to short out the signal source. The value of the resistor is selected to facilitate maximum termination of the parasitic mode propagation.

Abstract: A control section 130 for outputting a selection signal for selecting the display areas of the display section 110 and transferring display data classified in response to the display areas and the display type to both or either of a display data processing section A 140 and a display data processing section B 133, the display data processing section A 140 and the display data processing section B 133 for converting the display data into a format fitted for the display area and the display type, a data transfer path 160 for separately transferring data from the display data processing section A 140 to the display section 110, and a data transfer path 170 for separately transferring data from the display data processing section B 133 to the display section 110, wherein images of the display data generated by the display data processing section A 140 and the display data processing section B 133 of the display section 110 are selectively displayed in the display area of the display section 110 based on the selec

Abstract: A method for driving a display panel which enables changing of the refresh rate, without degrading display quality, of a display panel employing the matrix display scheme for carrying out gray-scale drive by using the sub-field method. By the method, the number of sub-fields to be executed within a unit display period is changed in response to the vertical synchronization frequency of an input video signal.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming device in an envelope. The image-forming device includes a member (e.g., a thin film electrode) which is carried on the inner surface of the envelope and is adapted to application of electron-accelerating voltage Va. The member-carrying part, such as a transparent face plate, of the envelope also includes on its outer surface a structure for applying a voltage substantially equal to the voltage Va (e.g., an electroconductive layer connected to the thin-film electrode by way of a certain resistance). The electric field across the part is significantly reduced to thereby prevent migration of sodium ions contained in the part, which can be made of soda lime glass.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of attaining smooth gray scale display and greatly improved display quality, free from the display problems of flicker and the like. The resistance division ratios for gray scale voltage generating resistors provided in the source driver of a source line drive circuit for applying gray scale voltages to pixels via source lines are optimized in accordance with a gray scale display characteristic, and the positive-side voltage resistance division ratios and the negative-side voltage resistance division ratios are set so as to be asymmetrical with one another in consideration of a level shift characteristic.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided. An image memory (4) stores therein input pixel data (Rin, Bin, Gin) on a frame-by-frame basis. Differencing circuits (23 to 25) calculate respective difference data ((Rin−Gpre), (Bin−Rin), (Gin−Bin)) on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Comparator circuits (27, 28, 29) output a pulse when the difference data is greater than a difference level (DLV). Counter memories (30 to 32) perform a counting operation each time the pulse is inputted thereto, and output respective counts (FLN_R, FLN_B, FLN_G) after the counting operation for one line. Comparator circuits (34 to 36) output a pulse to skip flag registers (37 to 39), respectively, when the respective counts are greater than a skip level. Skip flags (SPF_Ri, SPF_Bi, SPF_Gi) corresponding to a current line are set at “1.” A gate pulse for the line corresponding to the skip flags “1” is skipped. This reduces the write time of image data.

Abstract: A video signal is sampled in response to a sampling signal, and is fed to a data line. The sampling signal is generated based on an enable signal. A timing control circuit includes a group of delay circuits to delay a reference clock signal, a selector circuit to select signals in response to a selection signal, and an enable signal generator circuit to generate an enable signal based on an enable clock signal. The selection signal is generated based on a phase difference signal and has a constant fluctuation.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid crystal panel substrate that comprises: pixel units each having a pixel electrode, to be used as a reflective electrode and arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate, and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to the pixel electrode; wherein between the pixel electrode and a conductive layer forming a terminal electrode of the switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode. A light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding the portion in which the contact hole is formed, and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer. Harmful effects due to light leaking through a space between the pixel electrodes can thereby be prevented.

Abstract: A time sequentially scanned display comprises a matrix 20 of picture elements 21. Each of the picture elements comprises a display element 9, for instance of liquid crystal type. An addressable latch 3 has a plurality of storage locations which may be selectively updated in response to an address supplied to an address input. A multiplexer 7 supplies image data from any one of the storage locations at a time to the display element 9. The multiplexer has an address input for selecting which of the storage locations of the latch 3 supplies image data to the display element 9. In some of the embodiments, the address inputs are connected together and addressed by the outputs of a single counter 11 whereas, in other embodiments, the address inputs of the latch 3 and the multiplexer 7 are addressed independently, for instance by two counters 11a and 11b. Such an arrangement permits various types of asynchronous operation between addressing and displaying data.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes an active matrix array made up of switching elements provided at each intersection between a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines, and a vertical drive circuit for driving the active matrix array, in which the vertical drive circuit includes: scanning circuits N in number (N being a positive integer), which receive a start pulse and output pulse signals, the respective scanning circuits sequentially shifting the pulse signal by one-half of a clock signal cycle each; AND gate circuits N×M in number (M being an integer no less than 2), each provided with a first control terminal and a second control terminal, every M adjacent AND gate circuits being connected together via the first control terminals thereof, which receive a signal from one of the N scanning circuits, and every Mth AND gate circuit being connected together via the second control terminals thereof, which receive one of M kinds of second contro

Abstract: In a temperature detecting circuit of the present invention, a bias voltage Vin with relatively steep temperature characteristics is supplied to an inverting input terminal of an inverting amplifier via a resistance R1, a resistance R2 is disposed between the inverting input terminal and an output terminal of the inverting amplifier, and an output of the inverting amplifier is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of a non-inverting amplifier, and an inverting input terminal of the non-inverting amplifier is connected with a source of a reference potential via a resistance R3 and further connected with an output terminal via a resistance R4. Desired temperature characteristics can be obtained by properly setting resistivities of the resistances R1 and R2, while a desired output voltage value can be obtained for the temperature characteristics given by the inverting amplifier by properly setting resistivities of the resistances R3 and R4.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes an electro-luminescence portion which has electro-luminescence elements and a liquid crystal portion which has liquid crystal layer, scanning electrodes and signal electrodes and controls the transmittance of light emitted by the electro-luminescence elements. First, scanning pulses are applied in sequence to the scanning electrodes. Next, a gradation signal are applied associated with image data to the signal electrodes. Then, the electro-luminescence portion is allowed to emit light of a plurality of colors at the same time in pixels after transmissivity of the liquid crystal layers in the pixels reaches a predetermined value. The pixels are located at the intersections between a scanning electrode to which the scanning pulse is applied and the signal electrodes to which the gradation signal is applied.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a movable cursor control device is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. One exemplary cursor control device comprises a housing, an electromagnetic emitting device coupled to the housing, and an electromagnetic detector coupled to the housing. The electromagnetic detector detects reflections of signals emitted from the electromagnetic emitting device and determines when the housing has been lifted from a surface. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. The exemplary method includes holding the cursor relative to an object on the display screen using a cursor control device activated by a user, detecting that the user no longer activates the cursor control device, and detecting that the user has lifted the cursor control device from a surface when the cursor control device is no longer activated by the user.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: A plane keyboard equipped with a usual key input function and Braille input function is disclosed. The keyboard comprises a key input circuit in the form of a key matrix. In the key matrix, no two predetermined key switches of the keyboard, which are assigned as both Braille input function keys, are connected to any one of scan lines. This key input device is free from occurrence of a ghost key when a Braille input function is realized using, for example, a six-point-input system in which six keys assigned to realize the Braille input function are simultaneously operable.

Abstract: A method is provided for a portable computer. The portable computer has a touch panel for sensing a position of pressure exerted by a user. The method includes setting an input region on the touch panel. When the user touches the touch panel after a previous touch, the method includes updating the position of the input region according to the relative displacement between the touches, and controlling the portable computer only according to pressure position inside the input region if the user simultaneously presses inside and outside the input region within the touch panel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for handwriting recognition including a hand-held device including at least one accelerometer providing an acceleration indicating output, computation circuitry receiving the acceleration indicating output and providing a velocity indicating output and a handwritten multiple character recognizer receiving the velocity indicating output and providing a multiple character recognition output indication.

Abstract: In an electro-optical device including a scanning line driving circuit, the scanning line driving circuit includes a transfer direction control circuit for controlling the direction of transfer of a start pulse, a shift register for shifting the start pulse, supplied by the transfer direction control circuit, in response to a clock signal, and an output selection circuit for selecting the output signal of the shift register in accordance with a first enable signal and a second enable signal. A decimation process and a stretching process are performed by controlling the first enable signal and the second enable signal in accordance with the video line count of an input video signal.

Abstract: An inexpensive and simple circuit for improving an image quality of a dynamic image, with appropriate processing flexibly performed for dynamic image qualities also for a plurality of input signal sources.

Abstract: A method for controlling the algorithmic elements in 3D graphics systems via an improved 3D graphics API is provided. In one aspect, the invention unifies separately provided 2D and 3D graphics APIs into a single graphics interface, thereby eliminating redundancy of functionality and unnecessary data types. As a result, a single mapping to various graphics objects replaces redundant mappings. A single texture download that optimizes the use of different graphics hardware is provided. A single instruction for effecting a resolution change is also provided.

Abstract: A technique and system for selecting level-of-detail representations of geometric models to be rendered within an image processing system. For each geometric model, fractional visibility estimations are computed, thereby ranking how likely it is that a model is visible. Using these rankings, an appropriate level-of-detail for each geometric model is selected to optimize the rendering process by reducing the number of primitives that need to be rendered, while preserving the quality of the final image produced and displayed upon the screen. Visibility estimates for the geometric models are summed to produce a number which is then used to scale the number of primitives used in the level-of-detail representation of the geometric models.

Abstract: A method for processing a three-dimensional (3D) graphic object, having the first step of converting a set of vertices for the 3D graphics object. Further, decomposing the 3D graphics object into a set of segments; and for each segment: (1) extracting a set of vertex coordinates; and (2) subtracting the set of vertex coordinates from a previously determined set of vertex coordinates to produce a set of encoded vertex coordinates. Then, compressing the set of encoded vertex coordinates. An apparatus for performing the method.