Abstract: A technology for improving the reality of images created by computer graphics. A modeling unit performs basic modeling on objects. An object classification unit determines the presence or absence of target objects of coordinate transformation. If there is any target object of coordinate transformation, a coordinate transformation unit performs coordinate transformation on the target object of the coordinate transformation. An object adjustment unit adjusts the positional relationship between the object given coordinate transformation and objects given no coordinate transformation, thereby reflecting the positional relationship between the objects before the coordinate transformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of graphical representations of an organization, said displays generated on a display screen and representing the organization or portions thereof in terms of a graphical; model and a hierarchical structure. The invention allows synchronization of the two types of display, with both being regenerated to mirror and indicate changes made to the same in response to an alteration, typically following a user selection, made to the other of the displays.

Abstract: A technique for expressing an elastic body using computer graphics. The elastic body is expressed by transforming coordinates of shape specific points which specify the shape of an object using a transformation matrix. Each element of the transformation matrix is expressed by a function having time as a variable which converges to a corresponding element of a matrix that represents the motion of the object when the object is assumed to be a rigid body. By substituting a predetermined time into this function, a value of each element of the transformation matrix is determined. The shape of the object is determined based on the coordinate values of the shape specific points after coordinate transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for reflection space image based rendering of an object at an interactive frame rate. A set of source radiance environment maps associated with a set of source viewing vectors are warped to create a destination radiance environment map associated with a destination viewing vector in a current frame. Blending and weighting operations can also be applied in creating the final destination radiance environment map. An object is then rendered with texture environment mapped from the destination radiance environment map.

Abstract: A method is provided for correlating imprecise source data in a local coordinate system to a precise global eyepoint position for a global coordinate system within which the local coordinate system is located. The method includes the step of identifying key correlation points for the local coordinate system which has modeling inaccuracies. Global coordinates are also identified for each of the key correlation points. Another step is computing delta values for each of the key correlation points that represent the difference between key correlation points' local system coordinates and the global coordinate system's coordinate values for the key correlation points. An additional step is modifying the global eyepoint position based on delta values for selected key correlation points as the global eyepoint position moves in relation to the local coordinate system within the global coordinate system.

Abstract: A first scanline of an input image is spatially transformed into a first pixel sequence of an output image. Holes in the first sequence are interpolated if magnifying the input image. Overlapping pixels in the first sequence are adjusted if minifying the input image. After transforming the first scanline, a second scanline of the source image is transformed into a second pixel sequence of the output image. Holes in the second sequence are interpolated if magnifying the input image. Overlapping pixels in the second sequence are adjusted if minifying the input image. Overlapping pixels across the first and second sequences are adjusted and holes between the first and second sequences are interpolated if rotating the input image.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: Method and system to enable a user to view large collections of linked information on a computer based display. A visualization is created which presents a representation of the complete collection of information on the display. The visualization fits completely within a fixed area of the computer-based display, negating the need to scroll information into the display area. The visualization is based on identified focus nodes and through calculation of a Degree of Interest (DOI) for each of the nodes based in the structure. Layout and presentation of the visualization structure is based on the DOI values in combination with considerations of available display space. A user may dynamically manipulate views of the structure by selecting one or more focus nodes, thus causing a recalculation of the degree of interest.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for a ray tracer incorporating major functions of ray tracing in hardware. The invention performs the hierarchical space subdivision technique of accelerating a ray tracer, statically or dynamically. The preferred embodiment is a fully recursive and dynamic system employing an octree hierarchy. The system utilizes hard-wired electronics instead of software, with the accompanying adjustments to better suite the hardware implementation. The invention also specifically claims caching of scene object descriptions, specific subdivision criteria, and other refinements.

Abstract: An image transformation method for translating a non-linear 2D geometrical transformation into two separable 1D geometrical transformations first determines the inverse of the 2D geometrical transformation to form an inverse 2D geometrical transformation. Then the method converts the inverse 2D geometrical transformation into an analytical inverted 2D geometrical transformation and separates the analytical inverse 2D geometrical transformation into first and second 1D geometrical transformations. The method then represents said inverse 2D geometrical transformation and first and second 1D geometrical transformations as tensor spline surfaces and then compares an evaluation of said first and second 1D geometrical transformations at each pixel with an evaluation of the analytical inverse 2D geometrical transformation at each pixel. If the error evaluation does not meet a predetermined level of performance then the separation and transformation steps are repeated.

Abstract: An improved method for display of a transitional region of interest while transitioning between a first region of interest and a second region of interest within visual information on a display screen of a computer. The method comprising the steps of applying a transitional transformation to the visual information and displaying the transitional transformed visual information on the display screen. The transitional transformation requiring a reduced calculation for transforming the visual information in the transitional region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to display and scroll hierarchical data. A plurality of parent nodes can be displayed within a first display area, with each displayed parent node of the plurality of parent nodes having at least one child node. A computer can determine that at most one child node for each displayed parent node of the plurality of parent nodes is to be displayed. A child node scrolling instruction can be received. A child node display percentile can be determined based at least in part on the child node scrolling instruction. One child node of each displayed parent node of the plurality of parent nodes can be selected based at least in part on the determined child node display percentile. Each selected one child node of each displayed parent node of the plurality of parent nodes can be displayed in a second display area, with each displayed child node being displayed as associated with the displayed parent node of the displayed child node.

Abstract: A system for performing visible object determination. Visualization software running on a host processor represents space with a hierarchy of cones, and generates a hierarchy of bounding hulls from a collection of objects by recursively grouping clusters of objects. Each hull node in the hull hierarchy stores parameters which characterize a bounding hull for the corresponding cluster or object. The visualization software searches the cone and hull hierarchies starting with the root cone and the root hull. Before exploring a given cone-hull pair, a normalized cone size for the cone and a normalized hull size for the hull may be computed, and the sizes compared. If the cone size is larger than the hull size, subcones of the cone are explored with respect to the hull. Conversely, if the hull size is larger than the cone size, subhulls of the hull are explored with respect to the cone.