Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating mosaic images, wherein photographed content is displayed as a still image by a digital TV display or video monitor for an extended period of time. The apparatus of the present invention includes an animation analyzer for output of a motion vector of an input image, a coefficient calculator for calculating transformation and warping coefficients, a means for offsetting illumination differences, and storage for mosaic images. The present invention can advantageously be used for calculating a more accurate transformation coefficient, thereby generating mosaic images with minimal distortion.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

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: An on-screen display device including: an on-screen display generating unit to generate an on-screen display picture on the basis of previously stored font data and a controller to control the on-screen display generating unit to generate the on-screen display picture by adjusting a display position and a rotational position of the font data.

Abstract: Computerized techniques are provided for linking digitized images of serial sections of a biological tissue sample. Linked, digitized images of the serial section are displayed on a display and manipulation of one digitized image causes other digitized images to be similarly manipulated. To link digitized images, a copy of a digitized image of one serial section is positioned over a digitized image of another serial section. The digitized image of the other serial section is visible through the copy. The copy is registered to the digitized image of the other serial section.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer system includes a display portion configured to display a representation of a first three-dimensional object, wherein the first three-dimensional object has an associated first volume, and a control icon associated with the first three-dimensional object, wherein the control icon is configured to allow a user to specify a bend amount to the first three-dimensional object in a first dimension, wherein the display portion is also configured to display a representation of a bent first three-dimensional object, wherein the bent first three-dimensional object comprises the first three-dimensional object that is bent lengthwise in response to the bend amount, and that may have an adjusted thickness in response to the bend amount.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer system includes a display portion configured to display a representation of a first three-dimensional object and a second three-dimensional object, wherein the first three-dimensional object has an associated first volume, and wherein the second three-dimensional object has an associated second volume, and a control icon associated with the first three-dimensional object, wherein a user can specify a modification to the first three-dimensional object in a first dimension via the control icon, wherein the display portion is also configured to display a representation of a modified first three-dimensional object, wherein the modified first three-dimensional object comprises the first three-dimensional object that is modified in the first dimension in response to the modification and that is modified in a second dimension in response to the modification and to a volume preservation value.

Abstract: A method for navigating a 3D scene in a viewing area includes associating a point of interest with a reference shape, which is related to the shape of the 3D object, and displaying a scene according to a user-requested action, while keeping the point of interest within the reference shape and within the viewing area. The user-requested action may include translation, rotation, and zooming. The point of interest may include scene information such as a magnification factor, local orientation, and global orientation. The methods for performing a user-requested action in a 2D representation of a 3D object include determining a distance between a point of interest and a viewpoint; determining an amount of movement from a user input; and performing the user-requested action at a rate based on the amount of movement from the user input multiplied by a distance factor based on the distance between the point of interest and the viewpoint.

Abstract: A coordinate system R is set in which P0 is a coordinate origin, P0P1 conforms to a first U axis to have a unit length, P0P2 conforms to a second V axis to have a unit length, and P0P1×P0P2 is a unit vector conforming to a third N axis. A transforming matrix M that transforms an ordinary coordinate system into the coordinate system R and the u-, v- and n-coordinate values of the both ends of the line segment are calculated. It is determined whether or not the line segment intersects with the triangle, on the basis of the u-, v- and n-coordinate values. The u-, and v-coordinate values of the intersection point are calculated. It is determined whether or not the intersection point is positioned inside the triangle, on the basis of the u-, and v-coordinate values of the intersection point.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are presented that use a direct synthesis approach using layers in order to directly generate a virtual view from a pair of images. In one embodiment, a range space is discretized into a plurality of layers. For each layer, the first input image and the second input image are warped to the layer. A matching score is then determined for each pixel in the new view based on the warped input images. For each pixel in the virtual view, a best layer is determined. After the best layer has been determined, the color of the pixel in that layer is used for that pixel in the generated view.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for merging two meshes whose density differs from each other so as to avoid unnatural appearance. A first mesh and a second mesh that differ from each other in density are merged by the following procedure. Edge length of a portion that becomes a boundary between the first and second meshes is determined, size of a first group of polygons including the edge of the portion is determined based on the determined length and size of a second group of polygons is adjusted so that an adjustment ratio is smaller as a distance between a position of each of the second group of polygons and the portion is greater, the first and second group of polygons being part of polygons structuring the first and second meshes, and the first and second meshes in each of which the polygons are adjusted are merged.

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: A user gives, as input, two curves at a start time and at an end time and reference correspondence points with respect to the respective curves. Then, a pursuit operation of pursuing a reference correspondence point is carried out with respect to picture images successive in the time axis direction. As a result, positions of reference correspondence points at respective intermediate stages can be determined. Then, interpolation of the shape is carried out. Then, the determined interpolated shape is deformed in correspondence with the determined reference correspondence point. Accordingly, even in the case where a contour shape does not linearly move, it is possible to precisely pursue correspondence points on the contour. Thus, a contour shape with higher precision can be prepared.

Abstract: A system performs refraction mapping for an image having an object, the object being viewed along at least one line of sight and at least partially through a boundary of first and second at least semi-transparent media. The boundary defines at least one normal vector at one or more intersections of the line of sight and the boundary. The system includes: a perspective transformation unit operable to project a three-dimensional version of the object on a two-dimensional texture plane using a perspective view transformation algorithm to obtain texture addresses of the object, the texture plane being perpendicular to the line of sight and the transformation being performed without regard to refraction; and a refraction determination unit operable to obtain at least one refraction vector for at least one of the texture addresses, a given refraction vector being a function of a component of the at least one normal vector that is parallel to the texture plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating a modification of a geometrical shape by applying an inverse modification function to an array representing the shape. An array representing the geometrical shape is defined on a multi-dimensional space. A modification function is used to modify the geometrical shape. A user or a programmed computer can select the modification function. The computer applies an inverse of the modification function to the array. The computer deduces a change in the geometrical shape from the modified array. An advantage of the system and method is the ability to compute shape changes in certain situations where a direct computation is cumbersome or otherwise inconvenient.

Abstract: A system and method is described for manipulating text relative to a curved reference line in order to transform a character, rendered in a particular font, to generate a warped character with the degree of warping reflecting the local curvature of the curved reference line. The curvature of the reference line is reflected in the nature of quadilaterals, i.e., quads, generated for a corresponding rectangle on a straight reference line. The coordinates of the corners of the quad provide the parameters to carry out the transformation. Such rendering improves the appearance of the text and provides a method that modifies available fonts in a flexible fashion without the need to generate new fonts.

Abstract: Method for the modification of three-dimensional objects via an input device allowing only two-dimensional input. The method comprises creating a three-dimensional object, displaying a three-dimensional representation, activating the three-dimensional object, displaying a representation of a three-dimensional coordinate system, selecting one of the axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system assigned to the object, shifting the origin of the assigned coordinate system within a global three-dimensional coordinate system along a line defined by the orientation of the selected axis of the assigned coordinate system within the global three-dimensional coordinate system, computing the three-dimensional object relative to the global coordinate system after shifting according to the displacement of the origin of the assigned coordinate system, and displaying a representation of the shifted three-dimensional object on the computer screen.

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: A method and apparatus for creating a series of images is disclosed. The method manages secondary dependencies of regions in a more efficient manner than the prior art. The present invention creates contents labels that represent either leaf node regions or the composition of two other contents labels, manages the reference counting of contents labels and provides a means for determining if there exists a contents label which represents the composition of two other contents labels. The present invention damages contents labels by preferably adding entries to a damage hash table. The present invention utilizes secondary dependency “Directed Acyclic Graphs” (herein referred to as “Dags”) (700) which are stored in every binary node and define the secondary dependency relationship between the contents label created in that node.

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 system and method for generating multiple potential label positions for a polygon at run time, rather than selecting from pre-configured label positions. The present invention analyzes the visible portion of the polygon to generate potential label positions dynamically based on the visible portion of the polygon, rather than using pre-configured label positions. As many rectangles are created as can fit within the visible portion of the polygon, and which can support the placement of a label. The rectangles are sized in accordance with the size of the label to be displayed. Once the rectangles are created, the present invention allows for the selection of one of the rectangles as a preferred label position for the polygon. The present invention also allows for the generation of a form following baseline created by connecting the centerpoints of horizontally disposed rectangles, and then smoothing the resulting baseline until a desirable baseline is obtained.

Abstract: Techniques for geometric deformations in computer graphics are described, including a flexible and general modular methodology for constructing, analyzing, and evaluating geometric warps and deformations. Described techniques include establishing a set of source/target features (and related information) or parameter set for controlling deformation of a graphical model; a set of strength fields are established for controlling how strongly the transformation caused by the mapping of source feature to target feature will be applied to model points. A set of weighting fields modulates the influence of multiple source/target feature mappings on model points. Also described are variations on this technique that allow achieving results similar to conventional methods and additional functionality.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transforming pixels of a digital image by a preselected-transformation. The method includes acts for receiving pixel values of a selected pixel block from an original image provider; determining transformed pixel values for an image block of the selected pixel block under the transformation; and burst writing the transformed pixel values to a random access memory.

Abstract: Methods and products are disclosed concerning extraction of selected components of a warping of an image. Given a warped image and a distortion grid, the distortion at any point in the image may be viewed locally as a displacement and a linear transform. The linear transform can be manipulated to extract elements of the local distortion such as skew, rotation, magnification and combinations. The selected components may then be selectively applied at other locations of the same or a different image, using a variety of virtual paintbrushes for different effects.

Abstract: In an interactive image generation method and apparatus, excellent operability is provided when the operator selects a figure to be operated on from among a plurality of figure units displayed on the picture surface of a display unit. In such a method and apparatus, respective units for measuring the visual point and the direction of the line of sight of the operator observing the display device are provided, and a figure unit displayed at a position viewed by the operator on the picture surface is identified. Accordingly, the operator can be sure of correctly selecting the target figure by a direct operation of looking at the figure, and therefore excellent operability can be obtained.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics program provides affinitive placement of objects by proximity, wherein two or more objects are automatically placed in a drawing relative to one another using similarly-situated and previously-placed objects as examples for the suggested placement of the objects.

Abstract: Rotating image data ninety degrees is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the computerized system includes an operating system providing a graphics interface library, and a graphics interface buffer maintained by the graphics interface library. The graphics interface buffer contains image data comprising a first screen image. The system also includes a graphics device driver that implements a method to rotate an area within the image data by dividing the area into a plurality of square pixel regions, rotating each of the squares, and writing the squares to an image data buffer comprising a display buffer maintained by the graphics device driver.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a logic member and a shear member incorporating an upsampler are used to enlarge the number of pixels in at least one image dimension by a factor F=N/M, where N is a first given-valued integer, M is a second given-valued integer and 1<N/M≦2. The shear member shears the original image at certain positions of the one dimension that are determined solely by the value of factor F, thereby introducing zero-valued shear-gap pixels at each of the certain positions.

Abstract: Novel methods for generating a projection of an image according to the invention concurrently rotate, scale, translate, skew, shear, or otherwise transform the image via a sequence of two one-dimensional transformations. A first intermediate image is generated via affine transformation of the source along a first axis. The intermediate image is then subjected to affine transformation along a second axis, e.g., perpendicular to the first. A projection of the resultant image is generated along a selected one of the first or second axes by summing pixel intensities in corresponding rows (or columns) or by summing counts of pixels whose intensities are above or below a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a transformable region that may be used on graphics devices having different resolutions. The original path and geometric data of the region, as well as all operations performed on the data, are preserved when generating the region. The device-independent region can be described by a hierarchical tree, wherein the leaf nodes contain path or rectangle, ellipse, pie, and polygon data and the branch nodes contain the operations to be performed on the regions. As the tree is traversed and regions are used, they are converted to a device resolution-specific from such that the operations are performed on device resolution-specific regions. Matrix transformation operations (e.g., translate, scale, skew and rotate) can be applied because the original path information is preserved and if the region is to be used in a device having a different resolution or a subsequent matrix operation is to be applied to the region, the tree can be re-traversed.

Abstract: The invention displays computer graphics in combination with imagery of real objects, while maintaining apparent alignment notwithstanding any changes of viewpoint of an imaging device relative to the real object. A computer executed control loop recognizes features in the image and finds a corresponding position and orientation of a CAD model by projecting the CAD representation onto a “virtual camera” and “moving” the virtual camera to track the relative motion of the real imaging device, according to an efficient “visual servoing” algorithm. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, computing tasks are divided between an “image processing host” and one or more “display hosts” which communicate over a channel. Bandwidth is conserved by performing image registration locally at the display host(s) using the “visual servoing” algorithm.

Abstract: Existing media signals are processed to create new media content by defining content representations for the existing media and establishing functional dependencies between the representations. The content representations comprise different data types which determine the kinds of operations that can be performed and dependencies that can be established. Among the types of transformation that can be achieved are synchronization, sound substitution, and the creation of parametric special effects. The content representations and their functional dependencies are combined to construct a functional dependency network which causes the desired transformations to occur on input media signals. The inputs to the functional dependency network are parametrically specified by media data types to construct a template that can be used to create adaptive media productions.