Abstract: A location tracking device utilizing an acceleration sensor is described. The acceleration sensor includes an inertial body in magnetic fluid that is contained in a closed volume vessel. The tracking device may be used for tracking objects, people, animals, and the like. The tracking device may be utilized as a back-up system to a GPS system such that when signal from a GPS receiver are unavailable, the location tracking device may provide positional information about the location of the object.

Abstract: A hand-held computer input and control device designed to be held in the palm of a relaxed free floating hand, wherein the device is balanced for use with the user's thumb, 1st and/or 2nd fingers. In one exemplary embodiment, a hand held structure having general radial symmetry, for use in multi-button three dimensional computer control applications, consisting of a mushroom like head with multiple buttons placed such that the thumb, first, or second fingers can easily control them, and a separate cylindrical body with two grooves and optional buttons positioned for grasping by the third and fourth fingers is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer includes a movement sensor for sensing relative movement between the apparatus and a surface, and generating corresponding movement data. The movement sensor is configured to generate compressed data representing the movement data. The apparatus includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the compressed data.

Abstract: A character input apparatus includes a key-in unit configured to input a character by a keystroke, a writing input unit to input a character by writing, a storage to store character strings, and a control unit to control the storage to store, in the storage, a first character input by the key-in unit and a second character input by the writing input unit in a form of a single character string including the first character and the second character.

Abstract: An electronic device drives an oscillatory actuator to cause generation of vibration when it is detected that an operation input to a touch panel or operation key has been received. The electronic device causes, by this vibration, the touch panel and operation key to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to their respective front surfaces. Alternatively, the housing of the electronic device is made to vibrate. Further, the oscillatory actuator has a weight, a support member for supporting the weight to allow it to reciprocate, and connected to the touch panel or housing or other vibratory member of the electronic device, or vibratory member of the base member of the oscillatory actuator in contact with the vibratory member, and a mechanism for imparting a magnetic force or electrostatic force to cause reciprocal movement of the weight.

Abstract: A screen operating device having good operability is obtained. When a push switch is pressed via a sheet switch within a predetermined time from a finger touching the sheet switch, a click signal is received within a predetermined time from receipt of a touch signal. After receipt of this touch signal, if a click signal is received within a predetermined time, buttons other than a predetermined selection button 32 are not displayed on a screen of a monitor device 26, and processing corresponding to a label displayed on the selection button 32 is carried out. In this way, a specific processing, such as a processing having a high frequency of use or the like, can be carried out rapidly.

Abstract: A digitizer for user interaction via an object with an electronically refreshable display screen, the digitizer comprising: a transparent sensing arrangement of detectors located at said electronically refreshable display screen for detecting an electric field of said object, said detectors having outputs, and an arrangement of differential amplifiers associated with said outputs, thereby to apply differential detection between said outputs.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a touch screen and is configured to enter a lock state upon the fulfilment of a predetermined condition. The device is configured to display one or more images on the touch screen when the device is in the lock state, of which images one or more includes at least one predetermined point. The device is further configured to detect a touch on a predetermined point in one or more images and to deactivate the device lock state upon detection of a predetermined number of touches on successive images including a predetermined point.

Abstract: A writing device is provided for color electronic paper which is capable of performing full color display. The writing device includes a head unit, a head unit moving mechanism which moves the head unit in a first direction, a feeding mechanism which moves electronic paper, and a controller. The head unit includes a writing head, an LED which emits light of three primary colors, an image sensing element consisting of a CMOS sensor, and an optical system. The writing head includes an optically transparent head main portion provided with pixel electrodes, and a common electrode (counter electrode). In the controller, an arrangement of three types of microcapsules in a microcapsule layer is detected to perform electric field formation for each of the pixel electrodes based on a detection result.

Abstract: A data input device for use with an optically rough tracking surface comprising a substantially coherent light source for projecting a substantially coherent light beam onto the tracking surface for scattering the substantially coherent light beam. An optic guides the projected substantially coherent light beam toward the tracking surface and comprises a first boundary facing the substantially coherent light source and a second boundary opposite the first boundary. A detector detects at least a portion of the scattered light beam comprising a speckle pattern. The optic is arranged such that the tracking surface is spaced from the second boundary by a distance sufficient to inhibit any substantial retro-reflection of the substantially coherent light beam striking the second boundary from striking the detector. A controller responsive to the detector operates the device in a tracking mode for utilizing the detected speckle pattern to track relative movement between the device and the tracking surface.

Abstract: A data pipeline and clock control (relationship) that allows image data from a camera to pass directly through a display controller to an LCD without being written into, temporarily stored, and read out of a display buffer, e.g. a VRAM, is provided. Elimination of the video memory (VRAM) lowers the chip cost, reduces the power requirements, reduces delay due to writing and reading from the video memory, and reduces the pin count since fewer power pins are required.

Abstract: A resetting period of organic EL elements is divided to a discharge period for discharging residual charges of the organic EL elements and a precharge period for pre-charging the organic EL elements to predetermined potentials. First switch circuits provided for each of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) display colors are turned ON in the discharge period to discharge residual charges of the organic EL elements and second switch circuits provided for each of R, G and B display colors are turned ON in the precharge period to precharge the EL elements to a precharge potential lower than a light emission voltage of the organic EL elements. Values of finally set precharge voltages for R, G and B display colors are made different from each other.

Abstract: A control driver includes a display memory control section which generates a first process control signal when image data includes only first image data which has a pixel size equal to or smaller than that of a display section, and generates a second process control signal when the image data includes first image data and second image data and the first image data has a pixel size equal to that of the display section, and a display memory section which stores upper and lower portions of the first image data as first and second portions of display data in response to the first process control signal, and stores the upper portion of the first image data and an upper portion of the second image data as the first and second portions of the display data in response to the second process control signal. The display data is displayed on the display section.

Abstract: In order to obtain a satisfactory image by making a peak luminance of an image to be displayed large and suppressing an occurrence of unnecessary period, there is provided a display driving method for driving a display with a plurality of scanning wirings and a plurality of modulation wirings, comprising: a step of supplying a scan selection signal to a scanning wiring selected out of the plural scanning wirings for each horizontal scanning period; and a step of supplying a modulation signal modulated in accordance with image data to the plural modulation wirings for each horizontal scanning period, in which the selection period of the scan selection signal varies between at least two horizontal scanning periods in a vertical scanning period.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display module and its scanning circuit board therein. There are a first scanning circuit and a second scanning circuit located at both ends of each of the scanning lines in the LCD panel. While scanning, both the first scanning circuit and the second scanning circuit drive the same scanning line simultaneously, so as to equivalently reduce the delay effect caused by the RC time constant. The first scan driving circuit and the second scan driving circuit could be placed on different scanning circuit boards with the same layout. The scanning circuit board has two connectors at the both ends and a scanning interface at a side. The scanning circuit board could be used at both sides of the LCD panel by the rotation of 180°.

Abstract: A number of input images of a scene is taken from different viewpoints. A respective model of the scene is made for each input image. The model contains descriptions of the location of surface patches in the space of the scene, substantially each surface patch corresponding to a set of pixels in the input image. A viewpoint is selected and views are taken from the viewpoint, each of a respective input images according to the corresponding model. For each pixel in an output image one of the views is selected and a pixel from the selected view is displayed at the pixel in the output image.

Abstract: The VPC unit and setup unit of a graphics processing subsystem perform culling operations. The VPC unit performs culling operations on geometric primitives falling within a specific criteria, such as having a property within a numerical range limit of the VPC unit. This limitation reduces the complexity of the VPC unit. As increasing rendering complexity typically produces a large number of small primitives, the VPC unit can cull many primitives despite its culling limitations. The VPC unit also includes a cache for storing previously processed vertices in their transformed form, along with culling information previously computed for the vertices. To minimize memory bandwidth, the VPC unit retrieves vertex data used for culling operations first. After completing the culling operations, the VPC unit retrieves the attributes of a vertex only if the primitive has not been culled. The VPC unit applies a perspective correction factor to the vertex attributes.

Abstract: An actual-size observation mode in which an observer performs observation by being immersed in a virtual three-dimensional space in an actual size and a reduced-size observation mode in which the observer performs observation by reducing a virtual three-dimensional space computer graphics image are provided. A virtual reality presentation device includes an observation mode setting unit for setting, as an observation mode, the actual-size observation mode or the reduced-size observation mode; a position and orientation information acquisition unit for acquiring position and orientation information of the observer; and a generation unit for generating a computer graphics image from computer graphics data representing the virtual three-dimensional space in accordance with the set observation mode and the position and orientation information.

Abstract: A process for calculating a meshed description of a realization of an oil-bearing reservoir takes as its starting point a reference realization of the reservoir with a plurality of stratigraphic surfaces, a meshed reference description for the reference realization comprising a plurality of planes some of which describe the stratigraphic surfaces, each plane comprising a plurality of points, at least two stratigraphic surfaces of the realization corresponding to two stratigraphic surfaces of the reference realization. A plane of the meshed description representing one of the two stratigraphic surfaces of the realization is obtained by applying displacements to the points of the planes of the reference description, making it possible to pass from the reference stratigraphic surface to the stratigraphic surface in the realization. The other planes of the description are obtained thereafter by interpolation.

Abstract: Clipping techniques introduce additional vertices into existing primitives without requiring creation of new primitives. For an input triangle with one vertex on the invisible side of a clipping surface, a quadrangle can be defined. The vertices of the quadrangle are the two internal vertices of the input triangle and two clipped vertices. For determining attribute values for pixel shading, three vertices of the quadrangle are selected, and a parameter value for an attribute equation is computed using the three selected vertices. For determining pixel coverage for the quadrangle, the three edges that do not correspond to the edge created by clipping are used.

Abstract: A graphical user interface provides a series of nested spherical surfaces representing a surface and/or human development at differing times in history and prehistory. An embodiment of the present invention, a knowledge web (K-Web), comprises a new, “multiple-intelligences” learning tool aimed at encouraging depth of thinking and understanding in numerous content areas. The K-Web optionally does this by presenting content in a dynamic, webbed structure that is readily accessible in many different ways to many different intelligences and cognitive styles.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided for optimizing the layout of labels associated with a visual data object such as a chart. The labels are first placed into a chart definition file that defines the labels as a shape. An initial layout of the labels is created and scored. The shapes are then manipulated iteratively until an optimal layout of the labels is obtained that corresponds to the layout having the score closest to an optimal score. The optimal layout is then used in rendering the visual data object on a screen.

Abstract: A novel technique for annotating a time series graph with embedded tick marks and grid lines and method for selecting and placing such tick marks and lines within such graph. This method allows for the creation of large time series graphs that allow simultaneous perception of graph trends and features as well as the visual estimation of the values of graph point(s). Graphs produced by this method do not require the excessive user effort, time, or manipulation of graphical user interface affordances that are entailed in these two perceptual tasks with graphs annotated using prior art methods. Additionally, this method allows for minimal visual clutter of the graph.

Abstract: Plotting a graph using a markup language comprises receiving a request to generate a display of a graph of nodes connected by links and focused on a first entity; retrieving first graph information describing the first focus entity and first nodes and links to the first entity; creating a first markup language document with the first graph information, which when rendered in a display causes plotting the first entity and first nodes and links; receiving a request to change the display to focus on a second entity; retrieving second graph information describing only second nodes and links to the second entity; creating a second markup language document that contains only the second graph information and which when rendered causes plotting both the first focus entity and the second focus entity without repeated rendering of the first markup language document.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to dynamically determining directions of freedom for control points used to represent graphical objects such as text. A computing system identifies a first function that represents a first constraint, solutions to the first function indicating compliance with the first constraint. The computing system calculates, based on the location of a control point and the identified first function, that the control point does not comply with the first constraint. The computing system automatically determines a first direction of freedom in which the control point can be moved to comply with the first constraint such that movement of the control point in the first direction of freedom has a reduced likelihood of causing non-compliance with other constraints.

Abstract: A technique for storing displayable computer text comprises a number of steps. Initially, each of a plurality of language characters is assigned to an appropriate sized stick frame, which includes a plurality of vertical and horizontal segments, in order to provide a different graphical representation for each of the language characters. Next, the technique determines which of the vertical and horizontal segments are on and which of the vertical and horizontal segments are off in the stick frame for each of the language characters. Then, a different number is assigned to each of the language characters, based upon the stick frame size and the status of each of the vertical and horizontal segments in the stick frame.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention relate to appropriately rendering a graphical object when a corresponding outline has excessive control points. A computer system identifies a point of junction between a first and second feature of the outline. The computer system accesses an excess control point included in the first or second feature of the outline. The computer system moves the excess control point in a first direction until the position of the excess control point in the first direction is essentially the same as the position of the point of junction in the first direction. The computer system moves the excess control point in a second direction until the position of the excess control point in the second direction is essentially the same as the position of the point of junction in the second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.

Abstract: A deformation system for animation abstracts the notion of per-point deformation to create a pipeline, including a number of deformation modules capable of handling animation of geometry (such as characters), dynamics (such as simulations) and/or effects (such as particle systems). Deformation pipelines are defined, that work as templates capable of deforming and animating families of similar characters. Support is provided for various binding modes, including sequential, parallel, blend, and hierarchical, so as to facilitate several techniques for combining deformations.

Abstract: A method and system that uses a computer system as a telemicroscope. A plurality of images of a specimen are captured (Digital camera scanner video camera). The images correspond to the entire specimen and a plurality of segments of the specimen (Multiple linked images). The high-resolution images corresponding to said plurality of segments have different magnification levels and locations (magnifying glass effect); a linking map is generated between said images (Multiple linked images). The linking map comprises information regarding geographical location of the images in relation to the specimen's structure (Image geographical measurement); and images and said linking map are transmitted to a remote user via a computer network thereby allowing the user to view the images with different magnification levels without compromising in image clarity (Computer station one and computer station two).

Abstract: To provide a projection type image display system, projector, program, information storage medium and image projection method which can project an image applicable to viewing environment of a changed projection position, a liquid crystal projector is provided with: a sensor for sensing a projection target area and outputting sensing information; an edge detection section for outputting detection information based on the sensing information; a projectable area determination section for determining a projectable area based on the detection information; a projection area selecting section for selecting a projection area from the projectable area; a sensing data generation section for generating sensing data applicable to viewing environment of the selected projection area, based on the sensing information of the selected projection area; an LUT data generation section for generating LUT data; a correction section for correcting image information based on the generated LUT data; and an image projection section fo

Abstract: A display apparatus (1) comprises a display device (10) and a control section (40) for displaying characters by using sub-pixel rendering. Each character is displayed in a frame having a predetermined size. The control section (40) has a skeleton portion shifting section (41a) which shifts a center of a skeleton portion of a character toward a center of the frame using sub-pixel precision.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for clipping graphics primitives are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes a mapping unit and a clipping engine that is connected to the mapping unit. The mapping unit is configured to map a graphics primitive onto a canonical representation. The clipping engine is configured to perform a set of clipping operations with respect to the canonical representation.

Abstract: A method of creating an image is disclosed. The image is formed by rendering at least a plurality of graphical objects to be composited according to a first hierarchical structure (eg. 4500) representing a compositing expression for the image. The first hierarchical structure (4500) includes a plurality of nodes each representing at least a component of the image or an operation for combining sub-expressions of the compositing expression. The method stores a second hierarchical structure (300) for at least one node of the first hierarchical structure (4500). The second hierarchical structure (300) indicates at least an unobscured region of an object associated with the node. A space in which the object is defined is partitioned into a plurality of regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging engine system (699) generally intended for the reproduction of graphical object images using apparatus having limited computing resources, such as so-called “thin clients”. Numerous developments of traditional image processing and rendering enable high quality image generation. One such development takes advantage of temporal coherence between one frame in an animation sequence and the succeeding frame. In particular, there will often be some edges (233, 235) of graphical objects that remain “static” across several contiguous frames. One example of this includes those edges used to draw image background detail. Another development performs antialiasing during scan line rendering of a graphic object image where sub-pixel resolution coverage bit-masks (A-buffers 29-34) are generated for a limited number of scan lines at a time. Preferably the A-buffers are generated for only one pixel at a time.

Abstract: A system and process for generating, and then rendering and displaying, an interactive viewpoint video in which a user can watch a dynamic scene while manipulating (freezing, slowing down, or reversing) time and changing the viewpoint at will. In general, the interactive viewpoint video is generated using a small number of cameras to capture multiple video streams. A multi-view 3D reconstruction and matting technique is employed to create a layered representation of the video frames that enables both efficient compression and interactive playback of the captured dynamic scene, while at the same time allowing for real-time rendering.

Abstract: A multibeam scanning optical apparatus incluses a controller which specifies laser diodes which are emitting light normally and arranged in a continuous row, a memory having a plurality of area in which image data are stored, a write-in controller which causes image data for each line to be written into only areas of memory corresponding to the specified laser diodes when any of the laser diodes suffers a failure, a read-out controller which causes the image data for each line to be read out simultaneously from the areas of memory corresponding to the specified laser diodes and a driver which performs light emission control only with respect to the specified laser diodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for recording a datum onto a pixel on a light-sensitive sheet. The system essentially includes a light-emitting device and an interfering device. The interfering device has a plurality of gratings. According to the datum, at least one grating is selected from the plurality of gratings. Before the datum is recorded, the selected grating and the light-emitting device are both moved so as to align with the pixel. Then, the light-emitting device is driven to emit a light through the selected grating. Thereby, the datum is recorded on the pixel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus records an image on a photosensitive material by controlling a light emission amount from a plurality of light emission elements that each emit light in accordance with a supplied light emission control signal. The apparatus has a control signal generation unit and a first and second signal generation sections and a signal switching section. The control signal generation unit generates a first light amount control signal from a density modulation. The second signal generation section generates an ON/OFF control signal and a second light amount control signal as a pair of signals from a combination of a density modulation and an area modulation. The signal switching section generates a light emission control signal by performing signal switching between the first light amount control signal and the pair of the signals. The exposure by the light emission is overlaid.

Abstract: A camera including a camera lens, acquisition circuitry receiving images via the camera lens, for acquiring a first field of view when the camera lens is in a first orientation and for acquiring a second field of view when the camera lens is in a second orientation, and a viewfinder displaying the second field of view when the camera lens is in the second orientation and displaying at least a portion of the first field of view at least partially composited with the second field of view.

Abstract: A firearm sight can detect engagement of a firing pin with a cartridge, and can respond to this event by saving an image which shows a target and reticle at a point in time just prior to the detected event. An electronic reticle can be downloaded into the sight. The effective position of the reticle within the sight can be adjusted electronically, and a zoom factor of the sight can be adjusted electronically. The sight can sense approximately transverse movement thereof, and can provide a user with an indication of the amount of transverse movement. With the use of an additional device, the sight can automatically align its reticle to the bore of a firearm on which the sight is mounted.

Abstract: A robotic CCD microscope and procedures to automate crystal recognition. The robotic CCD microscope and procedures enables more accurate crystal recognition, leading to fewer false negative and fewer false positives, and enable detection of smaller crystals compared to other methods available today.

Abstract: A technique of efficiently extracting and synthesizing an object image from a plurality of images captured at different image magnifications. An image processing method of the present invention includes the steps of generating a first background image corresponding to a first image captured at a predetermined image magnification, extracting a first object image from the first image, generating a second background image corresponding to a second image captured at an image magnification higher than the predetermined image magnification, based on the first background image and the first object image, and extracting a second object image from the second image and the second background image.

Abstract: Providing camera apparatus and a camera system capable of performing optimum speed control by themselves and even facilitate tracking of a subject by way of a plurality of cameras while using a same controller, even in case the location of the camera or the distance between the camera and the subject has changed, and a method for controlling the camera system The camera apparatus includes: a camera for photographing a subject; a rotating body for rotating the camera in order to track the subject; and a controller for controlling the motion of the rotating body and the operation of the camera; characterized in that the controller includes: an operation determination unit for analyzing and determining the input operation instruction information on the rotating body and the camera; a data holding unit for holding the status information on the photographing operation of the camera; a main control unit for calculating an optimum speed to track the subject based on the information output from the operation determin

Abstract: An image evaluation chart and a method for testing performances of the video equipment using the same. The image evaluation chart includes a resolution inspection area. The resolution inspection area includes a center point located at a center part of the chart, a regular-squared outer line located at outside of the center point, and a plurality of resolution measurement lines symmetrically arranged at right and left sections and upper and lower sections on the basis of the center point. Therefore, the image evaluation chart accurately and efficiently tests all performances, for example, resolution, balance, view angle, distortion, and focus, etc., of video equipment such as a camera by means of one-shot image capture, and provides users with reliable test data.

Abstract: A dual mode digital imaging system has a still processing mode that produces an output image in a first color space and a motion processing mode that produces an output image in a second color space, in particular a first color space that is RGB and a second color space that is YUV. The digital imaging system includes a dual mode digital camera for use with a computer and a processing application for running on the computer, wherein the motion mode processing is relatively less complex than the still mode processing although at least one common control parameter is used to control both modes. The motion mode processing, which is performed using algorithms and software approaches designed to minimize processing time, nonetheless produces an entirely adequate relatively low resolution YUV image appropriate for applications such as videoconferencing. The still mode processing, on the other hand, uses more elaborate algorithms to optimize the image quality of a relatively high resolution RGB output image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus which records information, indicating a procedure of resolution conversion processing performed on the image, into image data and outputs the image and the information. The image capturing apparatus, which captures a subject, includes an image pick-up unit which captures an image, a resolution conversion unit which performs resolution conversion processing on the image, and a storing unit which stores the image resolution conversion information, which indicates a procedure of the resolution conversion processing by the resolution conversion unit, in association with the image.

Abstract: A method displays an output image on an object. A set of unique markers are fixed to the object at predetermined locations. An input image of the object and the markers is acquired with a camera in a fixed physical relationship to a projector. A pose of the projector with respect to the markers is determined from the image. Then, one or more output images related to the object can be projected onto the object, at predetermine locations, according to the pose of the projector and the unique markers.

Abstract: When the camera is performing the pan or tilt operation on performing image blurring correction, the image blurring correction is stopped and a vibration-proof lens is returned to a reference position at a speed that is changed according to a focal length of the zoom lens and is reduced if the zoom lens is set on a wide-side in particular so as to prevent a sense of discomfort due to swingback on the pan or tilt operation. The vibration-proof lens may be kept at a fixed position for a fixed time and returned to the reference position after the fixed time elapses so as to alleviate disorder of an image. The control subject for correcting the image blurring may be returned to the reference position by a predetermined function of which variable is time so as to exert control after stopping the image blurring correction on the pan or tilt operation suitably as intended.

Abstract: A process for taking a slow motion picture is disclosed which comprises: setting a plurality of cameras each having a shutter so that each of them can take an image with a similar view; and continuously taking fields of a subject by said a plurality camera in a timely staggered manner. In this process, timing of opening the shutter of each camera is staggered so that each camera takes a picture timely staggered, and a time for opening the shutter of each cameras is set to be a shorter than one field time of said each camera.

Abstract: A signal recording/reproducing apparatus includes a CCD imager. The still image taken by said CCD imager is recorded, together with resolution information, on a recording medium. The recording medium is recorded, together with resolution information, is a still image taken by said digital camera and having a higher resolution than said CCD imager. When a still image is reproduced from said recording medium and displayed on a monitor, a video encoder converts the resolution of a reproduced still image based on resolution information. The converted resolution agrees with a resolution of the monitor. As a result, a reproduced still image is properly displayed on the monitor.