Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for updating a buffer used to display pixels from a first layer and a second layer in the data processing system, wherein identification display information for pixels from the first layer and the second layer are stored in the buffer. Pixels are identified for the second layer having opaque pixel types to form a selected set of pixels. Overwriting of display information is prevented for the selected set of pixels in the buffer when updating the buffer.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having a display screen with a holographic overlay. The holographic overlay includes an image that is visible when the display screen is viewed at predetermined angles. The holographic overlay may provide additional surface on the wireless communication device for marking and advertising, and may also provide security by preventing unintended viewers from seeing characters on the display screen. In one embodiment, the display screen includes a character screen, a lens, and a holographic overlay.

Abstract: A cursor control method, and an apparatus and a memory medium which stores a program related thereto controls a position of a cursor displayed on a screen based on an input from a pointing device. The cursor control method includes the steps of detecting a present position of the cursor based on the input from the pointing device, and (b) controlling a moving quantity of the cursor on the screen based on the input from the pointing device depending on mask information which indicates a specific region on the screen and the present position of the cursor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing occlusion testing in a computer graphics display system. The apparatus comprises logic configured to determine whether or not an object of a current image frame was occluded in a previous image frame. If a determination is made that the object was not occluded in the previous image frame, then the logic causes the object of the current image frame to be rendered to a frame buffer of the computer graphics display system. The current and previous image frames are each comprised of a plurality of objects, and the logic determines whether or not each of the objects of the current image frame were occluded in the previous image frame. The logic causes any objects of the current image frame that were not occluded in the previous image frame to be rendered to the frame buffer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a program code implemented computer screen security system. A virtual, real-time generated, screen mask leaves only a localized cursor area visible while hiding the remainder of the screen from public view. The cursor area automatically tracks cursor movement. In the preferred embodiment, the security program is user selectable and adjustable.

Abstract: The present invention allows the positional relationship among a plurality of image layers constituting a composed image to be precisely recognized. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an image composition processing apparatus which generates a composed image which is a superposition of a plurality of image layers and displays it within a window of the screen. When the user designates one of the image layers and moves the pointer into the displayed composed image, the image composition processing apparatus converts only a predetermined area of the image layers above the designated image layer, for example, the area which is superposed in the range of a radius of m picture elements centering the coordinate of the pointer in the composed image, to a translucent state.

Abstract: A set of image samples [IS] is established from a set of image sample values [SV] and geometrical parameters [V1, V2, V3] in the following manner. In an initialization step [INIT], a mask [MSK] is generated from the geometrical parameters [V1, V2, V3]. In a mapping step [MAP], the set of image sample values [SV] is mapped on the set of image samples [IS]. The mask [MSK] intervenes in this mapping.

Abstract: A method and system of masking comprising: positioning a masking tool over a masked portion of an image; applying an effect onto the image outside the masked portion; and dynamically moving the masking tool while applying the effect wherein the masked portion changes as the masking tool is dynamically moved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of extracting the region of a subject image from an input image including the subject image. A subject region mask for masking the region of the subject image is generated, and the contour of the subject region mask is shaped. After local regions for correcting the contour shaped by contour shaping are set on the basis of information of the contour of the subject region mask before and after contour shaping, the contour of the shaped subject region mask is corrected within the set local regions.

Abstract: An image processing method useful for producing images of subjects for inclusion in composite images, said processing method utilizing multiple images, including a first image of a foreground subject plus a first background, and a second image of said foreground subject plus a second background. The two images are digitally processed to generate a third image of the foreground subject alone, accurate in color and transparency without any color contribution from either background.

Abstract: A method for producing an animation sequence on a graphic display driven by a computer, including defining an object that includes a geometrical description of an animated character and characteristics of social behavior of the character and animating an image of the character responsive to the characteristics. The character is programmed with a predetermined response, such as a rule governing motion of the character, to a sensitivity condition occurring externally to the object. The geometrical description of the object includes a geometrical skeleton characterized by a hierarchy of sub-objects connected by joints, the rule governing motion defines motions of the joints.