Showing papers on "Graphics published in 1990"

Document management and production system

Abstract: An object-oriented document management and production system in which documents are represented as collections of logical components, or "objects", that may be combined and physically mapped onto a page-by-page layout. Stored objects are organized, accessed and manipulated through a database management system. At a minimum, objects contain basic information-bearing constituents such as text, image, voice or graphics. Objects may also contain further data specifying appearance characteristics, relationships to other objects, and access restrictions.

Artificial reality with force-feedback: development of desktop virtual space with compact master manipulator

Abstract: A new configuration of Human Interface for "artificial reality" is discussed. This paper describes a method of implementing force-feedback in a virtual space manipulation system. The system is composed of two subsystems, a real-time graphic display system and a tactile input device with reaction force generator. A specialized graphics computer (Stardent TITAN) provides a realtime image of the virtual space. A 9 degree-of-freedom manipulator has been developed as a tactile input device. The manipulator applies reaction forces to the fingers and palm of the operator. The generated forces are calculated from a solid model of the virtual space. The performance of the system is exemplified in manipulation of virtual solid objects such as a mockup for industrial design and a 3D animated character.

Synchronization properties in multimedia systems

Abstract: Multimedia is defined as the integrated generation, representation, processing, storage, and dissemination of independent machine-processable information expressed in multiple time-dependent and time-independent media such as data, graphics, drawings, voice, audio, and video. The characteristics of synchronization mechanisms desirable for central and distributed multimedia systems are addressed. The concept of multimedia objects as components of an object-based model for a multimedia system is introduced. The essential new synchronization requirement is restricted blocking together with synchronization features covering real-time aspects. Existing synchronization mechanisms can be altered or new ones defined to meet these requirements. >

Graphics gems

Abstract: From the Publisher: "The GRAPHICS GEMS Series" was started in 1990 by Andrew Glassner. The vision and purpose of the Series was - and still is - to provide tips, techniques, and algorithms for graphics programmers. All of the gems are written by programmers who work in the field and are motivated by a common desire to share interesting ideas and tools with their colleagues. Each volume provides a new set of innovative solutions to a variety of programming problems

Method and apparatus for storing, transmitting and retrieving graphical and tabular data

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid search and co-display of graphics and tabular data for both local (10) and distributed computer systems (20). The method rapidly selects and displays (12) related graphical and text information via a Graphical User Interface (16) (GUI) from both a Graphical Relational Database (GRDB) and large tabular database. An operator enters a query where previously encoded and stored graphics elements are selected, via a control program, from a local mass storage device (22) and displayed (12) with related text information on a local display (12). This method provides intelligent selection and display (12) of graphics data based on an analysis by the system (10) as to what graphics elements or images are required to satisfy the operator query, and how these elements are to be displayed (12) in conjunction with related tabular (text) data.

Embedded commericals within a television receiver using an integrated electronic billboard

Abstract: A television receiver is equipped with a graphics generator which is capable of generating a single or multiple graphic images from data representing commercial advertisements stored in a memory device. The elements of this arrangement include a micro-controller, a memory device, a graphics and memory controller, a pallet controller and a video switch. The images corresponding to the commercial advertisements are displayed to the consumer when a control function of the television receiver is activated. Alternatively, the images may be displayed in response to an internal clock. The images presented may be static or animated and may occupy a small portion of the screen or the full screen.

Using Computer Animated Graphics in Science Instruction with Children

Abstract: The effects of animated presentations and practice were studied in a computer-based science lesson involving fourth- and fifth-grade students. Three levels of visual elaboration (static graphics, animated graphics, and no graphics) were crossed with three levels of practice (behavioral, cognitive, and no practice). Behavioral practice consisted of traditional questioning and cognitive practice consisted of a structured simulation

Computer Graphics Using Open GL

Abstract: From the Publisher: NEW-Uses OpenGL as the supporting software-An appendix explains how to obtain it (free downloads) and how to install it on a wide variety of platforms . NEW-Uses C++ as the underlying programming language. Introduces useful classes for graphics but does not force a rigid object-oriented posture . NEW-Earlier and more in-depth treatment of 3D graphics and the underlying mathematics . NEW-Updates al content to reflect the advances in the field . NEW-Extensive case studies at the end of each chapter . NEW-A clearer flow of ideas from first principles to the techniques of graphics . NEW-A powerful Scene Design Language (SDL) is introduced and described; C++ code for the SDL interpreter is available on the book's Web site . NEW-An Appendix on the PostScript language shows how this powerful page layout language operates . Lays out the links between a concept, underlying mathematics, program coding, and the result . Includes an abundance of state-of-the-art worked examples

A gaze-responsive self-disclosing display

Abstract: An information display system is described which uses eye-tracking to monitor user looking about its graphics screen. The system analyzes the user's patterns of eye movements and fixations in real-time to make inferences about what item or collection of items shown holds most relative interest for the user. Material thus identified is zoomed-in for a closer look, and described in more detail via synthesized speech.

A system for interpretation of line drawings

Abstract: A system for interpretation of images of paper-based line drawings is described. Since a typical drawing contains both text strings and graphics, an algorithm has been developed to locate and separate text strings of various font sizes, styles, and orientations. This is accomplished by applying the Hough transform to the centroids of connected components in the image. The graphics in the segmented image are processed to represent thin entities by their core-lines and thick objects by their boundaries. The core-lines and boundaries are segmented into straight line segments and curved lines. The line segments and their interconnections are analyzed to locate minimum redundancy loops which are adequate to generate a succinct description of the graphics. Such a description includes the location and attributes of simple polygonal shapes, circles, and interconnecting lines, and a description of the spatial relationships and occlusions among them. Hatching and filling patterns are also identified. The performance of the system is evaluated using several test images, and the results are presented. The superiority of these algorithms in generating meaningful interpretations of graphics, compared to conventional data compression schemes, is clear from these results. >

Data characterization for intelligent graphics presentation

Abstract: An automatic presentation system is an intelligent interface component which receives information from a user or application program and designs a combination of graphics and text that effectively conveys it. It is a facility that assumes the presentation responsibilities for other programs. An important research question has been how information should be specified or described by an application program for it to be presented by an automatic presenter. This paper proposes a taxonomy of information characteristics which would need to be provided to either human or computer designers for them to create presentations reflecting the individual needs of a diverse group of users. The proposed taxonomy of characteristics defines the representational goals for intelligent interfaces which reason about graphical displays.

A new model for handling input

Abstract: Although there has been important progress in models and packages for the output of graphics to computer screens, there has been little change in the way that input from the mouse, keyboard, and other input devices is handled. New graphics standards are still using a fifteen-year-old model even though it is widely accepted as inadequate, and most modern window managers simply return a stream of low-level, device-dependent input events. This paper presents a new model that handles input devices for highly interactive, direct manipulation, graphical user interfaces, which could be used in future toolkits, window managers, and graphics standards. This model encapsulates interactive behaviors into a few “Interactor” object types. Application programs can then create instances of these Interactor objects which hide the details of the underlying window manager events. In addition, Interactors allow a clean separation between the input handling, the graphics, and the application programs. This model has been extensively used as part of the Garnet system and has proven to be convenient, efficient, and easy to learn.

Method for executing graphics Z-compare and pixel merge instructions in a data processor

Abstract: A method for performing graphics Z-compare and pixel merge operations, for use in a Z-buffering system to remove hidden surfaces when displaying a three-dimensional image, is provided. The data processing system includes a main memory for storing data and instructions, and a graphics execution unit for executing graphics instructions. The graphics execution units are connected to an instruction sequencer, which provides instructions and data operands to the execution units, via a communications bus. In response to receiving Z-compare and pixel merge instructions, the graphics execution unit compares one or more Z-axis coordinates within a first data operand to one or more Z-axis coordinates in a corresponding bit-field position within a second data operand to determine a relative Z-axis position of each of the one or more pixels associated with the one or more Z-axis coordinates. A pixel compare result bit-vector uniquely representing the possible results of comparing each of the corresponding bit-field positions is stored in a register. Utilizing the pixel compare result vector, the graphics execution unit executes a pixel merge instruction, to selectively store the pixels in an image buffer.

Method and apparatus for multi-optional processing, storing, transmitting and retrieving graphical and tabular data in a mobile transportation distributable and/or networkable communications and/or data processing system

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid search and co-display of graphics and tabular data for both local and distributed computer dsystems on a mobile station. The method rapidly selects and displays related graphical and text information via a Graphical User Interface (GUI) from both a Graphical Relational Database (GRDB) and large tabular database. An operator on a mobile station such as a plane or car enters a query where previously encoded and stored graphics elements are selected, via a control program on a host computer located on the mobile system, from a mass storage device and displayed with related text information on a local display. This method provides intelligent selection and display of graphics data based on an analysis by the system as to what graphics elements or images are required to satisfy the operator query, and how these elements are to be displayed in conjunction with related tabular (text) data.

Strategies for the visualization of geographic time-series data

Abstract: Strategies for the visual display and analysis of geographic time-series data may be spatial or nonspatial, single-view or multiple-view, static or dynamic. Labels for place names or other geographic metaphors can describe symbols on aspatial time-series charts. Single-static-map strategies incorporate the temporal dimension through techniques ranging from complex point symbols, or temporal glyphs, to generalized trend-surface or flow-linkage maps focusing on movement. The multiple-static-maps strategy juxtaposes two or more maps for a simultaneous visual comparison of time units, whereas the single-dynamic-map strategy either presents maps in a temporal sequence or shows the evolution of a geographic pattern through a temporally sequenced accretion of symbols. In contrast, the multiple-dynamic-maps strategy provides programmed sequences of multiple views or allows the viewer to interact with maps and statistical diagrams representing different instants or periods of time. Electronic graphics systems have...

Dynamic graphics arrangement for displaying spatial-time-series data

Abstract: A computer is provided with the facility to display in map form spatially-time-varying data associated with respective nodes. Specifically, responsive to a user inputting a specific command, the computer displays a plurality of symbols representing respective ones of the nodes in which the symbols share a common characteristic, the size of which is varied commensurate with changes in the data associated with their respective nodes. In addition, the user is provided with a tool so that he/she may either manually or automatically play through the data. The user is also provided with a number of other tools to control the display of the symbols and/or data, such as, for example, a tool which changes the size of the symbols so that smaller symbols are not obscured by larger symbols.

System and method for drawing antialiased polygons

Abstract: A system (30) draws antialiased polygons. A CPU (32) is connected to a floating point processor (FPU) (34) by bus (36). The CPU (32) is connected by a 32-bit system bus (38) to a random access memory (RAM) (40), a cache (42) and an interface (44) in graphics subsystem (45). The interface (44) is connected by bus (46) to graphics processor (48). The graphics processor (48) is connected by 120-bit graphics bus (50) to frame buffer (52). The frame buffer (52) is connected to a video digital to analog converter (DAC) (54) by bus (56). The DAC (54) is connected to video display (58) by line (60). The graphics processor (48) use a technique known as super-sampling to combat the effects of aliasing. In aliased mode, the graphics processor (48) use 16 array sites to sample 16 pixels (72). When drawing a polygon or line in antialiased mode, the graphics processor (48) uses the 16 sites to sample at 16 locations (120) within a single pixel (72). The antialiasing is done by determining what proportion of the locations (120) within each pixel (72) are within the polygon and setting a color of each pixel (72) on the basis of the proportion.

Interpreting a 3D object from a rough 2D line drawing

Abstract: Visualizing the third dimension while designing three-dimensional (3-D) objects is an awkward process in mechanical computer-aided-design (CAD) systems, given the current state of the art. The authors describe a computer system that automatically constructs the shape of a 3-D object from a single 2-D sketch. The method makes it convenient to create and manipulate 3-D objects, and is thus seen as an intelligent user interface for CAD and 3-D graphics applications. The proposed technique is built on well-known results in image analysis. These results are applied in conjunction with some perceptual rules to determine 3-D structure from a rough line drawing. The principles are illustrated by a computer implementation that works in a nontrivial object domain. >

The VIS-5D system for easy interactive visualization

Abstract: The VIS-5D system provides highly interactive visual access to five-dimensional data sets containing up to 50 million data points. VIS-5D runs on the Stardent ST-1000 and ST-2000 workstations and generates animated three-dimensional graphics from gridded data sets in real time. It provides a widget-based user interface and fast visual response which allows scientists to interactively explore their data sets. VIS-5D generates literal and intuitive depictions of data, has user controls that are data oriented rather than graphics oriented, and provides a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) response. The result is a system that enables scientists to produce and direct their own animations. >

The rendering architecture of the DN10000VS

Abstract: The Appollo DN10000VS treats graphics as an integral part of the system architecture. Graphics requirements influence the entire system design. All floating-point computations for graphics are performed by the CPU(s), while rasterizing is handled by simplified hardware having no microcode. We decided to support alpha buffering, quadratic interpolation, and texture mapping directly in hardware. This partitioning reduces the cost of a high-end workstation, without sacrificing high rendering quality and performance. This paper describes some of the design trade-offs which led to the final system design.

Assembly data model system

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a 3-dimensional computer system having memory. A graphics definition of an article is located in the system memory. The computer system includes an interface for defining a graphics virtual surface in the system memory. The computer system further includes computer aided design software for generating a graphics virtual member in the system memory where the virtual member incorporates at least a portion of the graphic virtual surface. Additionally the computer system includes computer aided manufacturing software for generating manufacturing instructions for manufacturing a tangible member corresponding to the virtual member. A numerically controlled machine tool suitable for machining the tangible part is interfaced with the computer system for receiving a control program corresponding to the manufacturing instruction for production of the tangible part by the numerically controlled machine tool.

Automatically generating visual syntax-directed editors

Abstract: Since inexpensive computers possessing sophisticated graphics were introduced in the late 1970s, program development research has focused on syntax-directed editors that are based on the grammars of their underlying languages. The system presented here automatically generates object-oriented, syntax-directed editors for visual languages, which are described by a family of editing operations.

Generalized graphical object editing

Abstract: Many editors use the graphics capabilities of personal workstations to provide a visual editing environment. Such editors present graphical representations of familiar objects and allow the user to manipulate the representations directly. This style of interaction is usually more intuitive to the user than typing statements in a command language. However, implementing a graphical object editor has been a difficult undertaking. Though many packages exist that aid in the construction of graphical user interfaces, none are designed specifically for building graphical object editors. This is significant because there is a substantial semantic gap between general user interfaces and the functionality of graphical object editors. For example, user interface packages usually provide buttons, scroll bars, and ways to assemble them, but they do not offer primitives for building drawing editors that produce PostScript or schematic capture systems that produce netlists. Higher-level abstractions are needed to make such applications easier to develop. Unidraw is a framework for creating object-oriented graphical editors in domains such as technical and artistic drawing, music composition, and circuit design. The Unidraw architecture simplifies the construction of these editors by providing programming abstractions that are common across domains. Unidraw defines four basic abstractions: components encapsulate the appearance and semantics of objects in a domain, tools support direct manipulation of components, commands define operations on components and other objects, and external representations define the mapping between components and the file format generated by the editor. Unidraw also supports multiple views, graphical connectivity and confinement, and dataflow between components. This thesis describes the Unidraw design, implementation issues, and three experimental domain-specific editors we have developed with Unidraw: a drawing editor, a user interface builder, and a schematic capture system. Our results indicate a substantial reduction in implementation time and effort compared with existing tools.

Raster image lossless compression and decompression with dynamic color lookup and two dimensional area encoding

Abstract: A computer program is used to compress color graphics animation sequences for local storage and transmission to remotely networked sites in a significantly reduced size It allows playback of these animations on a wide variety of workstations ranging from personal computer class machines to high end scientific and engineering workstations such as Sun and Silicon Graphics machines. The basic raster image to be compressed is full color with 24-bits per pixel. The compressed form of a raster image is such that the original image can be reconstructed exactly, with no loss of information, on the same computer that compressed it (typically a large mainframe supercomputer) or on the smaller scientific or engineering workstation. A precompression conversion to palette form of a full color image is possible if the computer on which the reconstruction and display is to take place has limited color capabilities; this is the case for lower cost personal computers and workstations. The time required to compress, and the size of the compressed form, are allowed to be data dependent in order to achieve 100 percent lossless compression. The algorithm is specially designed for raster animations, in such a way that a reasonable frame rate (number of frames per second during decompression) can be achieved across a wide range of personal computers, workstations and mainframes; typical frames rates are 5 to 30 frames per second on conventional workstations. A compression ratio achieved is nominally 100:1 for computer generated animations of 3-dimensional scenes or data visualization.

Analyzing high-dimensional data with motion graphics

Abstract: Some new methods for analyzing high-dimensional data, based on real-time graphics, are described. Three-dimensional point cloud rotations provide the canonical example of the applications of motion graphics to data analysis. Similarly, motion may be used to good effect to explore data of arbitrarily high dimension. This will be demonstrated by describing how a data analyst guides a projection plane as it moves through high-dimensional data space.

3D paint

Abstract: This paper advances a means by which the conventions and methods of digital "painting" and image manipulation programs can be extended into the third dimension, providing sculpting tools that are natural and appropriate for a restricted but very useful class of models. Attempts to approximate "drawing" in 3D do not necessarily involve computer graphics [Gregory71]. Efforts in this area are a subject of continuing graphics research [Schmandt82], [Sachs89]. The key to the approach undertaken in the work described here is the use of an unusual hardware technique for displaying video rasters as surfaces. With such a display, existing software for 2D graphics and image processing can be used, without modification, for creating and modifying three-dimensional surfaces. The resulting raster data can then be converted into conventional 3D databases for further processing and display. The aim of this research is to create consistent, unified methods for computer-assisted drawing, painting, modeling, and animation.

Accurate rendering technique based on colorimetric conception

Abstract: We have developed a rendering technique to generate realistic images meeting designers' requirements by strictly analyzing various physical phenomena relevant to the appearance of actual objects.We have numerically compared the results of the calculations using this technique with colorimetry values. As a result, both values were virtually equal, so we have been able to confirm the effectiveness of the established technique.Application of this technique to car design, which has not been realized to a large extent because of severe requests for realism, will make it possible to evaluate styles and colors on a graphics display before making a clay model.

Method and apparatus for optimizing and storing contone images for subsequent half-toning and merging with text

Abstract: In publishing listings of real estate properties, photographed (or videotaped) images are converted to digital graphics at the "front end" of the publishing process. This image conversion ("capture") process includes cropping, contrast adjustment using statistical techniques, and generation of control information needed later in the process. A library of digital graphics and associated information is maintained. Graphics selected from this library and a conventional "multiple listing service" text database are then merged during a text composition process to provide a stream of digital data including text and embedded graphics to be printed in the listing book. Because all image operations (e.g., sizing, cropping, and digital image quality enhancement) are performed when the images are captured, no time consuming post processing steps are requird. Image capture is performed in a single step, and once an image is captured it can be used "as is" in the printing process without further review, modification or post processing.