Abstract: A method of blending a plurality of mutually overlapping graphical objects in a digital document processing system. The graphical objects are arranged in an ordered stack that includes at least one static object and at least one animated object. Each object has at least one associated blending parameter (e.g., transparency). The method comprises: (a) blending the content of the static objects to form at least one composite static object, taking account of the respective blending parameters of the static objects; and (b) blending the content of the animated object and the composite static object(s), taking account of the blending parameter(s) of the animated object.

Abstract: A region bounding and classifying system utilizes memory and logic. The memory stores a set of image data that defines a graphical image. The logic is configured to identify a plurality of regions of different data types within the image and to bound each of the plurality of identified regions via a bounding region. The logic is configured to perform a prioritization of the data types included in the bounding region according to a predefined hierarchy of the data types. The logic is further configured to classify the bounding region based on the prioritization performed by the logic.

Abstract: The invention facilitates a setting operation relating to the displaying and laying out of images and arranges it so that the layout will reflect the preferences of the observer. The invention provides a medical image display apparatus for displaying medial images and other medical data on a display unit. An image storage unit for storing medical images and a processor are connected to the display unit. A frequency-of-use storage unit and a mode storage unit are connected to the processor. When medical images have been displayed, the frequency-of-use storage unit stores the frequency of use of the layout type. The apparatus sets a display format of the medical images automatically based upon the frequency of use of this layout type. There is a good possibility that a layout type having a high frequency of use will reflect the preference of the reader (observer).

Abstract: A map-data distribution method distributes map data from a map-data distribution server to a client and causes the client to draw a map image. The map-data distribution method includes steps of causing the map-data distribution server to store a plurality of map components obtained by dividing the map data, causing the server to send the map data to the client in an order according to the map component, and causing the client to store the received data in a temporary memory while causing the client to start to draw the map image using one of the received data and the data stored in the temporary memory.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip blends graphics and video information by various graphics windows using alpha values for the windows, alpha values per pixel, or both. The chip calculates a composite alpha value based on the window's alpha values and the alpha values per pixel. Blended graphics and video may then be composited using the composite alpha value.

Abstract: An example-based filling system identifies appropriate filling material to replace a destination region in an image and fills the destination region using this material, thereby alleviating or minimizing the amount of manual editing required to fill a destination region in image. Tiles of image data are borrowed from the proximity of the destination region or some other source to generate new image data to fill in the region. Destination regions may be designated by user input (e.g., selection of an image region by a user) or by other means (e.g., specification of a color or feature to be replaced). In addition, the order in which the destination region is filled by example tiles may be configured to emphasize the continuity of linear structures and composite textures using a type of isophote-driven image-sampling process.

Abstract: A decoding processing method for decoding a plurality kinds of encoded streams comprises the steps of inputting a plurality kinds of encoded streams, determining priority among the inputted plurality kinds of encoded streams and decoding the plurality kinds of encoded streams by decoding processing according to the determined priority.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image composing apparatus that can composite images at high speed and in which the apparatus configuration can be easily expanded as the number of images to be composed increases. Sub-images generated by node computers are synchronized each other by a synchronizing section. Then, each pair of synchronized sub-image data is composed into a single sub-image in a first-layer image composing section, comprising a plurality of image composing circuits each for composing two sub-images, and the resulting sub-images are composed iteratively through a second-layer image composing section, a third-layer image composing section, and so on, that have the same configuration as the first-layer image composing section.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus (1000) for determining active objects contributing to a run of pixels corresponding to a scanline is disclosed. The method 300 utilizes two memory (1006) integer arrays (1101) and (1102) of size N, where N represents the number of objects in a job to be rendered. The first array (1101) is an active priority list and is preferably stored in memory (1006). The first array (1101) will be hereinafter referenced as the ‘active priority list (i.e. L[ ])’. The second array (1102) is an array of pointers (i.e. indexes) that indicate vacant memory 1006 locations in the active priority list (1101), when an object is deactivated. The second array (1102) will be hereinafter referred to as a ‘free list (F[ ])’ and is also preferably stored in memory (1006). The active priority list (1101) and free list (1102) can be stored at consecutive memory (1006) addresses (e.g.

Abstract: A word processing tool for idea generation represents text-identified ideas of a database in either the form of a text outline or in the form of a tree structure of nodes. Ideas of a given level can be assigned weight values to change the ordering of the depiction of ideas in those levels. The weight values can be combined according to the hierarchy of the ideas in the tree to provide quantitative guidance to the user.

Abstract: A word processing tool for idea generation represents text-identified ideas of a database in either the form of a text outline or in the form of a tree structure of nodes. Ideas of a given level can have priorities to change the ordering of the depiction of ideas in those levels. The priorities may be adjusted in a priority window allowing drag and drop reordering of idea and numeric weighting of ideas using a slider control. Loose dependence between ordering and weighting insures consistency of the two in the priority window.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for displaying two-dimensional image by synthesizing a background and a graphic to each other in translucence, including (a) graphic buffers by the number equal to the number of backgrounds to be displayed, (b) a single display buffer, (c) a first processor which identifies a background on which a graphic is to be displayed, and stores a graphic number of the graphic into a graphic buffer associated with the thus identified background, and (d) a second processor which processes both background data and graphic data associated with each of the backgrounds in translucence in an order where a deeper background as viewed from a display screen is earlier processed, and stores resultant RGB data into a display buffer. The apparatus makes it possible to process all images in translucence without increasing the number of display buffers.

Abstract: A method of displaying overlapping images of an object or space, each of which might be from different angles or perspectives on that object or space, which preserves the value of the detail of the individual images but yet juxtaposes them into a montage to provide a more complete view of the whole. Controls allow the entire montage to be scrolled or manipulated, but within the main part of the screen, the images are overlaid in sorted order where the image on the top is the one whose center is closest to the cursor from the overall perspective of the viewport. As the user moves the cursor or shifts the viewport, this order changes and new images are brought up while others get shuffled beneath them.

Abstract: A system capable of efficiently fusing image information from multiple sensors operating in different formats into a single composite image and simultaneously display all of the pertinent information of the original images as a single image.

Abstract: The present invention addresses decoding and simultaneously displaying multiple images in different windows of a PC or other display device such as a television set. When more than two images are displayed, if the total processing load associated with decoding all of the images to be displayed is over 100%, then decoding priority is decided for each image as a function of display window size. By decoding and displaying images according to this priority, the user can view a desired image, e.g., a main picture image smoothly and comfortably, while other images displayed in smaller sub-windows may only be partially decoded during each frame time. When windows are of the same size, decoding priority is determined between the windows of the same size, as a function of the amount of decoder resources required to decode each image.

Abstract: A system and method of rendering overlapping layers in a computer display, such as a windowing system, employs front-to-back assembly of the displayed image. An arbitrary number of overlapping elements, such as windows, can be presented, without requiring temporary storage space or additional off-screen buffers. The front-to-back assembly technique minimizes the number of memory transfers performed in connection with rendering an image, and avoids unnecessary reading and processing of pixels that will not contribute to the final image. Special effects such as semi-transparency, shadows, and irregular shapes can be accommodated and processed in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for controlling the blending of pixels using alpha values. The alpha value of a first pixel is compared to the alpha value of a second pixel. The results of the comparison are then used to choose a particular blending operation from among two or more possible blending operations that are made available. The chosen blending operation is then performed so as to produce a blended pixel. The output of the blending operation is referred to hereinafter as pixel display data and includes a set of color coordinates and an alpha value for the blended pixel. The pixel display data is then sent to a frame buffer.

Abstract: A word processing tool for idea generation represents text-identified ideas of a database in either the form of a text outline or in the form of a tree structure of nodes. Ideas of a given level can have priorities to change the ordering of the depiction of ideas in those levels. The priorities may be adjusted in a priority window allowing drag and drop reordering of idea and numeric weighting of ideas using a slider control. Loose dependence between ordering and weighting insures consistency of the two in the priority window.