Abstract: A pixel current driver comprises a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) each having dual gates and for driving OLED layers. A top gate of the dual gates is formed between a source and a drain of each of the thin film transistors, to thereby minimize parasitic capacitance. The top gate is grounded or electrically tied to a bottom gate. The plurality of thin film transistors may be two thin film transistors formed in voltage-programmed manner or five thin film transistors formed in a current-programmed ?VT-compensated manner. Other versions of the current-programmed circuit with different numbers of thin film transistors are also presented that compensate for ?VT. The OLED layer are continuous and vertically stacked on the plurality of thin film transistors to provide an aperture ratio close to 100%.

Abstract: A driving circuit for a liquid crystal display device includes a reference voltage source, a first switch connected to the reference voltage source, a second switch connected to the first switch, a PUMP signal generator connected to the first and second switches, the PUMP signal generator oppositely adjusting the first and second switches, a capacitive element connected to the first and second switches, a third switch connected to the second switch, and a reset voltage source connected to the third switch.

Abstract: To enable a common inversion driving even in an LCD having a large size and a high definition. A common capacitance is significantly reduced by making most of scanning lines in a floating state during the common inversion. In addition, the timing for floating the scanning lines is changed depending on the polarity of the common potential. Specifically, if a pixel switching element is an N channel type, the scanning lines are floated when the common potential is high. If the pixel switching element is a P channel type, the scanning lines are floated when the common potential is low.

Abstract: An LCD panel turning device (100) includes a panel turning unit (30), a lift unit (40), and a shifting unit (50). The panel turning unit has two opposite panel holding faces, and can turn about a central axis thereof. The lift unit connects with the panel turning unit, and can raise or lower the panel turning unit. The shifting unit connects with the lift unit, and can move the lift unit and the panel turning unit back and forth along a linear path in unison. When the LCD panel turning device is used in an LCD panel repair system, placing and removing of each LCD panel on and from the repair unit is accomplished by means of only the single panel turning unit. Thus the space taken up by the LCD panel turning device is relatively little.

Abstract: A method and circuit for driving LCD are provided. Because the conventional Vcom inversion drive method cannot be applied in a self-aligned process, the power consumption cannot be reduced when the size of the transistor decreases. The method and circuit provided uses two different AC signals to provide different reference voltages for the storage capacitor and the liquid crystal capacitor in a pixel respectively. Therefore, it can be applied to the self-aligned process to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: To prevent a vertical stripe pattern on a display screen of an image display device and an image display panel of narrow pulse driving, there is provided an image display panel and image display device comprising a pixel portion arranged with pixels in matrix, a drive circuit connected respectively to each data line shared by pixels in each column of the pixel portion for controlling supplying of a video signal to be input to the data line based on a plurality of clocks to be input, a plurality of input pads for inputting a plurality of clocks, and a clock input circuit, wherein resistance of wiring from the plurality of input pads to the clock input circuits is made to be approximately the same between the plurality of clocks.

Abstract: In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a monitor detect pin associated with a connector for a flat panel display (FPD) is monitored by a detect module. When an external flat panel device is connected, the monitor detect pin is activated. In response to the monitor detect pin being activated, a system interrupt is generated. System software can determine whether to drive FPD. When an external FPD is disconnected, the transmission minimized differential signaling drivers are disabled.

Abstract: In a structure in which a plurality of signals related to each other are supplied to a driving circuit in such a manner that at least one of the signals is supplied also to the other circuit, the present invention prevents change of phase relation between the plural signals due to difference in wiring load, without directly processing the signals with higher power consumption. The first and second clock signals SCK1 and SCK2 are supplied to the first data signal line driving circuit SD1, while the first clock signal SCK1 is also supplied to the second data signal line driving circuit SD2 in parallel. The wirings 1 and 2 for the respective signals are adjusted to have equal wiring load with a dummy wiring 2 provided in the wiring 2, for solving uneven wiring load caused by difference of leading manner, the dummy wiring 2 constituting an additional capacitor section 7, together with a liquid crystal layer and a counter electrode.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method provided for visually improving a sense of contrast by adjusting contrast and a light source to have a correlation. A characteristics detection part detects MAX, MIN, and APL (average) of an input signal. A control data generation part calculates Gain for amplifying a difference between MAX and MIN to a width of a dynamic range and Offset indicating the DC level to be shifted so that the input video signal amplified by Gain falls within the output dynamic range of a DC level adjustment part. A signal amplitude adjustment part amplifies the input video signal with reference to APL and in accordance with Gain. The DC level adjustment part shifts the DC level of the amplified input video signal in accordance with a value of Offset. A light source control part controls a light source so that a visual brightness level on a screen is equal to a brightness level of the input video signal.

Abstract: A method of driving a lamp includes receiving a source power output from a power source; generating a first control signal; adjusting at least one attribute of the received source power based on the first control signal to generate a first lamp-driving power, the first lamp-driving power inducing a first tube current having a first tube current value within the lamp; after generating the first control signal, generating a second control signal, different from the first control signal; and adjusting at least one attribute of the received source power based on the second control signal to generate a second lamp-driving power, the second lamp-driving power inducing a second tube current having a second tube current value within the lamp, wherein the second tube current value is different from the first tube current value.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention describe 3D pointing devices which enhance usability by transforming sensed motion data from a first frame of reference (e.g., the body of the 3D pointing device) into a second frame of reference (e.g., a user's frame of reference). One exemplary embodiment of the present invention removes effects associated with a tilt orientation in which the 3D pointing device is held by a user.

Abstract: In an analog input device, a rubber member is provided between a key top and a movable electrode of an analog-quantity generating unit. A dead zone can be removed or reduced by forming a bottom portion of the rubber member of a flat or curved face. Furthermore, since first round surfaces are connected to an outer side face, the linearity of the input (e.g., a load)-output (voltage) characteristic can be enhanced.

Abstract: A method and device for changing input states of an electronic device, the device comprising an input portion and being capable of carrying out user operations, the input states comprising a locked state, where the use of the input portion is significantly restricted, and an unlocked state, where the use of the input portion is not restricted, the locked and unlocked states being respectively enterable by a locking and unlocking input. A further input state is an intermediate unlocked state in which a limited operational use of the input portion is possible; which method comprises entering the intermediate unlocked state from the locked state, based on user input; detecting termination of a user operation in the intermediate unlocked state, and entering the locked state, in response thereto. There is also provided an input controller, a keypad and a mobile electronic device implementing these features.

Abstract: A user input device for providing 8-way directional control, comprising a first set of sensors consisting of a first sensor adjacent a second sensor, constituting a first pair of sensors, and a third sensor adjacent the second sensor, constituting a second pair of sensors; and a second set of sensors, adjacent the second set of sensors, consisting of a fourth sensor adjacent a fifth sensor, constituting a third pair of sensors, and a sixth sensor adjacent the fifth sensor, constituting a fourth pair of sensors; wherein user actuation of a respective one of at least four of the six sensors provides for control in a respective one of four different directions and user actuation of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth pairs of sensors provides for control in a respective one of the remaining four different directions.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to input characters using a directional pad of a computing device. The directional pad is configured to generate directional inputs. The invention creates mappings for the directional inputs where each of the mappings associates at least one of the directional inputs with at least one of the characters. The user may activate one of the mappings by selecting one of the directional inputs. While the mapping is activated, the user may input a character by selecting a directional input associated with that character.

Abstract: A character input system using a keyboard having a plurality of keys, at least some of the keys each being assigned at least one Brahmi-derived (e.g., Hindi) script character. At least one key may be assigned a halant. The key assignments may be spatially grouped on the keyboard according to vowels, consonants and the phonetic characteristics of the characters. Hindi script communications may be inputted quickly and efficiently as a result of the arrangement of Hindi character keys and a simplified Hindi character set provided through use of the halant character.

Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a pair of cameras positioned in an upper left position and an upper right position of a display screen of a monitor lying close to a plane extending from the display screen of the monitor and views both a side face of an object in contact with a position on the display screen and a predetermined desk-top coordinate detection area to capture the image of the object with the field of view. The coordinate input device also included a control circuit which calculates the coordinate value of a pointing tool, pointing to a position within a coordinate detection field, based on video signals output from the pair of cameras, and transfers the coordinate value to a program of a computer.

Abstract: A control method to control a display unit in which a video signal is supplied by an external device to display the video signal, the control method including: dividing EDID information of the display unit in essential EDID information that is required to display the video signal and non-essential EDID information excluding the essential EDID information; and storing the essential EDID information in a non-changeable memory and at least a part of the non-essential EDID information in the changeable memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly, to an energy recovery apparatus of a plasma display panel and method thereof. The energy recovery apparatus includes a capacitive load equivalently formed between a scan electrode and a sustain electrode, an energy recovery unit for recovering energy charged in the capacitive load and again supplying the recovered energy to the capacitive load, an energy supply unit disposed between the energy recovery unit and the capacitive load, wherein the energy supply unit relays energy between the energy recovery unit and the capacitive load and supplying a reference voltage to the capacitive load so that stabilized discharging can be generated in the capacitive load, and an energy relay unit disposed between the energy recovery unit and the energy supply unit, for relaying energy between the energy recovery unit and the energy supply unit.

Abstract: A laser projection device (LPD) suitable for displaying color images is disclosed. The LPD is used to excite various photoluminescent materials located on a display screen so as to produce multi-color displays. Additionally, the screen may be movably mounted so as to reduce laser speckling.

Abstract: An image data processing circuit includes a first circuit for calculating an average picture level value of the image data, a multiplier for multiplying a coefficient by the image data, a second circuit for calculating a first coefficient for the multiplier based upon the average picture level value, and a third circuit for calculating a second coefficient for the multiplier. The second coefficient is calculated so that the result of multiplying (1) image data having a value over an input range of a circuit to which data from the multiplier is inputted, and (2) the second coefficient falls in the input range. In addition, a selection circuit selects the coefficient to be used in the multiplier from the first coefficient calculated by the second circuit and the second coefficient calculated by the third circuit.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for rendering procedural graphics are described. For example, an architecture is provided which allows evaluation of geometric, transform, texture, and shading procedures locally for a given set of procedure parameter values. This evaluation is performed in parallel for different parameter values on a single-instruction, multiple-data array to allow parallel processing of a procedure set. In another example, a sampling controller is described which selects sets of parameter points for evaluation based on information in tag maps, rate maps, and parameter maps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a frustum culling algorithm suitable for hardware implementation. In one embodiment, the method includes the separation of coordinates of a normal vector of each frustum plane of a frustum view into positive normal coordinates and negative normal coordinates. In one embodiment, the separation of the coordinates of each normal vector of the frustum planes enables implicit selection of the coordinates of a negative vertex (N-vertex) of an axis-aligned bounded box (AABB). Once implicitly selected, it is determined whether the N-vertex of the AABB is outside at least one frustum plane. In one embodiment, a determination that the N-vertex of the AABB is outside at least one of the frustum planes provides a trivial reject of objects enclosed by the AABB that are therefore is excluded from the rendering process. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A technique generates a glow effect in an image. The technique selects an area within a scene that is to glow to produce a selected area image, generates glow using the selected area image to produce a glowing area image, and then adds the glowing area image to the scene to provide the glow effect.

Abstract: A system that passes algorithms or functions between dependency nodes of a dependency graph in a graphic creation process system using a pointer or by passing a self-evaluating data structure. An evaluation process associated with the graph includes an ability to distinguish between passed parameters based on type where one of the types allowed is a function type and types are identified dynamically as the dependency graph is executed. The node receiving the algorithm executes the received algorithm along with it's own algorithm avoiding the necessity of traversing the graph multiple times when a data series is executed. The system also provides a mapping that allows parameters of the function to be reordered to match the source and destination function requirements. Default values allow evaluation even when less than all parameters associated with the function are passed. Mapping flags allow passed parameters to be ignored.

Abstract: A slanted viewer is provided to maximize data visibility. In the context of computer graphics and a rendering technique, the slanted viewer's use of three-dimensional rendering provides an instant view of full data without compromising the visibility of other view areas or data and with minimum user interactions. The slanted viewer combines the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional concepts to enhance, as well as to preserve, a well-established user interaction environment and navigation system. The slanted viewer serves effectively in viewers showing extended length of text or objects horizontally.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling components of a computer graphics rasterization pipeline to be arbitrarily ordered are described. Various embodiments can permit a programmer to specify the order that the individual components of the rasterization pipeline are to be employed to process pixel or texel data. Various embodiments can also allow the temporary result of previous stages to be used in later stages for blending.

Abstract: Data defining one or more graphic objects, such as buildings and vegetation, are automatically generated in a repeatable manner within each of a plurality of visual tiles of a simulated space. A seed is determined for a tile as a function of a location of the tile in the space. The seed is used to pseudo-randomly determine visually apparent characteristics of the graphic objects, such as position, height, and texture. A tile is preferably characterized by one or a combination of texture classes, such as vegetated and urban. Any tile can be associated with an annotation that specifies other characteristics of an object, such as its footprint, or of a sub-area within which objects will be depicted in the tile and rendered with the randomly determined characteristics. For multi-class tiles, the annotations are used to mask automatically generated graphic objects from undesired portions of the tile.

Abstract: A digital color imager providing an extended luminance range, enabling a method for an easy transformation into all other color spaces having luminance as a component. White pixels are added to hexagonal red, green and blue pixels. These white pixels can alternatively have an extended dynamic range as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,441,852 (to Levine et al.). Especially the white pixels may have a larger size than the red, green, or blue pixels used. This larger size can be implemented by concatenation of “normal” size hexagonal white pixels. The output of said white pixels can be directly used for the luminance values Y of the destination color space. Therefore only the color values have to be calculated from the RGB values, leading to an easier and faster calculation. As an example chosen by the inventor the conversion to YCbCr color space has been shown in detail.

Abstract: An improvement to sigmoidal gaussian cusp knee (SGCK) gamut mapping algorithm useful for gamut boundary descriptors (GBDs) that are defined with multiple shells rather than a single hull. The gamut mapping algorithm involves a lightness-rescaling step and a chroma compression step, in which points on each of the shells of the source GBD are mapped to corresponding points on the respective shells of the destination GBD. In situations where there is a mismatch between the number of shells in the source GBD and the destination GBD, such as a case where one of the GBDs is defined by a singly-shelled GBD whereas the other is defined by a two-shelled GBD, an induced hue slice may be constructed so as to simulate the missing shell. In addition, an induced hue slice may be constructed in a situation where lightness rescaling results in a mapping that is too steep between source and destination.

Abstract: A circuit for blending video signals and subpicture signals is provided. The circuit includes a palette to output at least one subpicture value based on a palette index. The circuit also includes an alpha-blend unit coupled to the subpicture palette to blend a set of luminance values of a video signal with a set of luminance values of a subpicture signal in one pass and to blend a set of chrominance values of a video signal with a set of chrominance values of the subpicture signal in a separate pass, the luminance and chrominance values are provided to the alpha-blend unit in a planar format. The video signals may be provided and blended in a YUV 4:2:0 format. In addition, a single dual-purpose palette can be used for both texturing and alpha-blending.

Abstract: A process is provided for developing and converting a lookup table (hereinafter called a “LUT”) composed of only characteristic points of the characteristic of a color device and having a volume smaller than that of a multidimensional LUT into a multidimensional LUT by a table development process. Image data converting means uses the multidimensional LUT to convert input image data into output image data. Thus, an effect can be obtained in that a color management apparatus can be operated with only the LUT composed of only characteristic points of the characteristic of the device and having a small volume.

Abstract: In a mixer system including a mixer engine wherein contents of signal processing can be programmed and a PC that edits the configuration of signal processing, the PC is provided with a display controller that graphically displays the edited configuration of signal processing using components for the signal processing and wires connecting nodes of the components; an accepting device that accepts designation of a node or wire whose signal is desired to be monitored, in a screen thereof; and a directing device that directs the mixer engine to output the signal from the designated node or wire to a monitoring analog signal output in accordance with the designation, and the mixer engine is provided with an outputting device that outputs a signal to the monitoring analog signal output in accordance with the direction separately from the signal processing relating to the edited signal processing configuration.

Abstract: The optimized primitive filler is used in a computer system, such as a computer system that displays graphic images. A first step of the method it is determined if a primitive is totally outside a predetermined screen region or at least partially within the predetermined screen region. The primitive is then discarded if the primitive is totally outside the screen region. If the primitive is not totally outside the screen region, at least a portion of the primitive is identified that lies within the screen region. Then only those pixels in the portion of the primitive that is inside the screen region are filled. These steps are executed for each primitive of a plurality of primitives that forms a scene of which the screen region is the portion that the computer system displays. No pixels are filled in primitives which are totally outside the screen region, and no pixels are filled in portions of primitives that are outside the screen region.

Abstract: A setup section acquires vertex data including at least homogeneous coordinate and window coordinate relevant to two vertexes of rendering primitive, that is, segment. An edge coefficient calculation unit calculates an edge coefficient used for determining whether or not a pixel exists inside a projection area (parallelogram) of the segment. A bounding box calculation unit calculates a bounding box of the projection area from at least one vertex data of two vertexes and the edge coefficient. A start point determination unit classifies the projection area based on a combination of the edge coefficient, and determines scan start point and scan performing direction of the bounding box in accordance with the classification. An edge function initial value determination unit determines an edge function of the pixel corresponding to the scan start point as an initial value, and carries out a DDA, and thereby, generates setup data for rasterizing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for the automatic optimal placement text or symbol labels corresponding to graphical objects on maps. Using a map server and a thin, typically mobile client, maps are dynamically drawn and displayed at the client. Optimized labeling of map objects is achieved by dividing the task into pipelined subtasks, some being performed off-line, and others being performed in real time, responsively to changing client requests, and changes in the map viewport. Optimization of candidate label positions is accomplished using simulated annealing.

Abstract: An improved application sharing system and method are described wherein shared window data is treated according to different sets of rules depending upon the fraction of the shared window data that corresponds to the actual shared window. In this manner, occlusions of a shared window on a sharer display may be disguised or handled by a viewer display to minimize the impact of the occlusion on a viewing user, providing a more consistent and less confusing viewer experience.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for changing the size of image data of an original image, includes: a comparison part comparing an image information value which indicates predetermined image information of the original image, with a corresponding predetermined reference value which is previously set for each of the predetermined image information; and a sharing-ratio determining part which, based on a comparison result of the comparison part, determines a sharing ratio in processing for changing the size of the image data between a first processing way and a second processing way different from the first processing way.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus of the invention includes a heating roller, a fixing roller, a fixing belt that is wound around the heating roller and the fixing roller and circulates between the heating roller and the fixing roller, a pressing roller to press the fixing roller through the fixing belt, a first heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a center part of the heating roller, a second heater that is included in the heating roller and mainly heats a peripheral part of the heating roller, and a temperature control unit to control a temperature of the heating roller by an on/off control of the first heater and the second heater, and the temperature control unit performs the on/off control in which when one of the first heater and the second heater is turned on, the other is turned off.

Abstract: Both ends of a head substrate in a longitudinal direction warp in a direction away from a cross section of a print substrate (in the convex shape) when a sealing resin is cured. A central portion of the head substrate in a longitudinal direction warps in a direction away from the cross section of the print substrate (in the concave shape) when heating elements emit heat. A curing condition when curing the sealing resin is changed corresponding to the concave-shaped warpage occurring when the heating elements emit heat, such that the convex-shaped warpage of the head substrate occurring when the sealing resin is cured is offset by the concave-shaped warpage of the head substrate and thus the heating elements are arranged in a straight line when the heating elements emit heat at the time of printing.

Abstract: A heat transfer printer includes a line thermal head having heat generating elements formed in a straight line at one end of a top surface of a substrate and a sealing member for covering and protecting at least a portion of the top surface of the substrate at the other end thereof opposite to the heat generating elements. A film wrinkle removing member is disposed in the vicinity of the heat generating elements of the line thermal head upstream in a direction that an ink film is carried. A voltage is selectively applied to the heat generating elements when the line thermal head abuts a platen with the ink film and a printing sheet sequentially overlapped from the line thermal head disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a position error in an optical disc drive (ODD) is provided. The method compensates for a position error generated by a step error associated with a motor which moves an optical pickup unit across a surface of an optical disc. Error data associated with each step of the motor is stored in a memory unit of the ODD, and compensation for the related position error is accomplished by compensating for a track-direction movement of an actuator. The method is particularly useful when conducting a label-printing operation, in that it allows the label printing operation to be performed without generating position errors, gaps, or overwrites on a label surface of the disc, thus enhancing the quality of a label-printing operation and the resulting label.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main frame having a body and a photoconductive drum which is provided removably in the main frame. An optical writing head is provided which is positioned relatively with respect to the photoconductive drum and includes a lens array at an output side of the optical writing head. A housing of a photoconductive drum unit is provided which rotatably supports the photoconductive drum and is positioned and supported on the body of the main frame. By contacting the lens array directly against a surface of the housing of the photoconductive drum unit, the optical writing head is positioned relatively with respect to the photoconductive drum. A shock absorbing member is provided between the lens array and a contact part where the lens array makes contact with the surface of the housing of the photoconductive drum unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member and a scanning lens. The photosensitive member bears a latent image thereon and defines a main scanning direction. The scanning lens transmits a light beam scanningly deflected in the main scanning direction for exposing the photosensitive member to the light beam to form the latent image thereon. The scanning lens includes a lens body and a rib. The lens body is formed of resin and extends substantially in the main scanning direction. The lens body defines a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The lens body has opposite surfaces that are both substantially perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The rib is formed integrally with the lens body and protrudes in the sub-scanning direction from either one of the opposite surfaces. The rib extends over a predetermined range in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing at least one intermediate frame of an image between first and second frames in a system such as a wired or wireless telephone network. The system identifies a plurality of points having at least one related characteristic in at least one of the first and second frames. The system determines if at least one of the plurality of points has changed its position between the first frame and the second frame. The system associates the at least one of the plurality of points that has changed its position with at least a first pixel in the first frame and a second pixel in the second frame. The system determines a relationship between a position of the first pixel and a position of the second pixel.

Abstract: A camera apparatus of the present invention comprises: an optical system for projecting image light representing an image of a wide view field area toward a prescribed direction; an imaging section for obtaining, as an image, the image light projected by the optical system; and a holding member for integrally holding the optical system and the imaging section in a state where the curved mirror and the imaging section are opposed to each other.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus which improves the S/N ratio of an image-pickup system, prevents image blur and saturation of signals from an image-pickup device, and enables taking an excellent image, is disclosed. The camera of the invention which takes images through an image-taking optical system having a shake correction unit which drives a part of an image-taking optical system to correct image blur caused by camera shake and includes an image-pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by the image-taking optical system and a control circuit which controls operations of the camera, wherein the control circuit changes the sensitivity and the exposure time of the image-pickup device whether the shake correction unit is in operation or not.

Abstract: An image pickup device such as CCD of a camera is substituted for a photo detector of infrared light emitted from an infrared remote control unit. When infrared light is detected based on an image signal output from the image pickup device, a transmitting position of infrared light in the object is detected. The camera executes such operations that transmitting positions detected are set as a focus detecting range in focus control, an exposure detecting range in exposure control, and a color evaluation range in white balance control.

Abstract: A digital camera has an image sensor, a capture trigger, a processing system, and a capture buffer having multiple buffer locations. When the capture trigger is activated, a corresponding image frame is received by the processing system from the image sensor and stored in an available buffer location. Image processing is performed on the image frame. The buffer location is unavailable for storage of other image data until the image processing is complete. Auxiliary Image frames are stored in the remaining buffer locations not designated as unavailable.

Abstract: A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system is disclosed. A series of related images that are to be categorized are ordered by time of capture, and category levels for input of category information by a user are displayed. The category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, where the highest-category level has a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level has a high frequency of data change between the series of images. A first image is then categorized by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data. A next image in the series is then categorized by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.