System and method for a data processing pipeline

Claim 2

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video output device, an improved data processing pipeline for processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said CPU computing at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points, and said pipeline comprising: (a) means for geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame, said means (a) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (a) being connected to said means for storing said data; (b) means for clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum, said means (b) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (b) being connected to the output port of said means (a); (c) means for generating a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion, said means (c) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (c) being connected to the output port of said means (b); and (d) means for converting said figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video output device, said means (d) being connected to the output port of said means (c), whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video output device in an animated mode of display.

Claim 3

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 1 wherein said means (a) comprises: a matrix maker circuit having an input port and an output port; a matrix multiplier circuit having an input port and an output port, the input port of said matrix multiplier circuit being connected to said output port of the matrix maker circuit; a vector multiplier circuit having an input port and an output port, the input port of said vector multiplier circuit being connected to the output port of said matrix multiplier circuit; and said matrix maker circuit, matrix multiplier circuit and vector multiplier circuit each comprising means for separately programming each said circuit so as to provide for geometric transformations in the form of rotation, translation, scaling and shear transformations.

Claim 4

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 1 wherein said viewing frustum comprises a plurality of sides which define the boundaries of said viewing frustum and wherein said means (b) comprises a separate clipping circuit corresponding to each said side of said viewing frustum, each said clipping circuit having an input port and an output port and each said clipping circuit being connected in series one to the other and comprising means for separately programming each said circuit so as to sequentially clip said control data points in accordance with the boundaries defined by the sides of said viewing frustum.

Claim 5

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 1 further comprising means, connected in series between said means (b) and (c), for projecting said control points in perspective onto an area which corresponds to a two-dimensional viewing surface of said video output device.

Claim 6

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 1 further comprising means, connected to the output port of said means (a); for processing said control data points so as to generate information for preparing shaded and hidden surfaces of said graphics figure.

Claim 7

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 1 wherein each said means (a), (b) and (c) each comprise at least one circuit separately programmed such that each said circuit may simultaneously process said control data points at the same time as one or more of the other said circuits are processing said control data points.

Claim 8

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, an improved data processing pipeline for processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said CPU computing at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points, and said pipeline comprising: (a) means for geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame, said means (a) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (a) being connected to said means for storing said data; (b) means for clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum, said means (b) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (b) being connected to the output port of said means (a); (c) means for projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area which corresponds to a two-dimensional viewing surface of said video monitor, said means (c) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (c) being connected to the output port of said means (b); (d) means for generating a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion, said means (d) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (d) being connected to the output port of said means (c); and (e) means for converting said graphic figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, said means (e) being connected to the output port of said means (d), whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 9

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, an improved data processing pipeline for processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said CPU computing at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points, and said pipeline comprising: (a) means for geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame, said means (a) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (a) being connected to said means for storing said data; (b) means for clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum, said means (b) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (b) being connected to the output port of said means (a); (c) means for projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area which corresponds to a two-dimensional viewing surface of said video monitor, said means (c) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (c) being connected to the output port of said means (b); (d) means for generating a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion, said means (d) having an input port and an output port and the input port of said means (d) being connected to the output port of said means (c); and (e) means for converting said graphic figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, said means (e) being connected to the output port of said means (d), whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 10

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 7 wherein each said means (a)-(e) each comprise at least one separate circuit which is separately programmed such that each said circuit may simultaneously process said control data points at the same time as one or more of the other said circuits are processing said control data points.

Claim 11

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 8 further comprising means, connected to the output port of said means (a), for processing said control data points so as to generate information for preparing shaded and hidden surfaces of said graphic figure.

Claim 12

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 9 wherein said viewing frustum comprises a plurality of sides which define the boundaries of said viewing frustum and wherein said means (b) comprises a separate clipping circuit corresponding to each said side of said viewing frustum, each said clipping circuit having an input port and an output port and each said clipping circuit being connected in series one to the other and comprising means for separately programming each said circuit so as to sequentially clip said control data points in accordance with the boundaries defined by the sides of said viewing frustum.

Claim 13

A data processing pipeline as defined in claim 8 wherein said means (a) comprises: a matrix maker circuit having an input port and an output port; a matrix multiplier circuit having an input port and an output port, the input port of said matrix multiplier circuit being connected to said output port of the matrix maker circuit; a vector multiplier circuit having an input port and an output port, the input port of said vector multiplier circuit being connected to the output port of said matrix multiplier circuit; and said matrix maker circuit, matrix multiplier circuit and vector multiplier circuit each comprising means for separately programming each said circuit so as to provide for geometric transformations in the form of rotation, translation, scaling and shear transformations.

Claim 14

A data processing pipeline for clipping electronic signals to a viewing frustum, said electronic signals representing a set of control points for a graphic illustration, and the system comprising: a clipper circuit comprising means for clipping said control points of the graphic illustration to said viewing frustum, said clipper circuit also comprising an electronic data output port for transmitting electronic signals representing the clipped control points; and an exploder circuit electronically connected to the output port of the clipper circuit, said exploder circuit comprising means for exploding the clipped control points into curved edges comprised of a plurality of small straight line segments, the number of said straight line segments being such that the curved edges appear smooth when rendered.

Claim 15

A data processing pipeline for clipping electronic signals to a viewing frustum, said electronic signals representing a set of control points for a graphic illustration, and the system comprising: a clipper circuit comprising means for clipping said control points of the graphic illustration to said viewing frustum, said clipper circuit also comprising an electronic data output port for transmitting electronic signals representing the clipped control points; and an exploder circuit electronically connected to the output port of the clipper circuit, said exploder circuit comprising means for exploding the clipped control points into curved edges comprised of a plurality of small straight line segments, the number of said straight line segments being such that the curved edges appear smooth when rendered.

Claim 16

A data processing pipeline for processing control data points representing a graphic illustration having one or more curves such that said graphic illustration can be displayed in an animated mode using a series of geometric transformations, said system comprising: a matrix maker circuit comprising means for defining at least one matrix for each said geometric transformation, said matrix maker circuit also comprising an electronic data input port for receiving said control data points and an electronic data output port; a matrix multiplier circuit comprising means for concatenating at least two of the matrices defined by said matrix maker circuit, said matrix multiplier circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the matrix multiplier circuit input port being electronically connected to the matrix maker circuit output port; a header circuit comprising means for generating command signals for controlling each circuit of said data processing pipeline as said circuits are used to process said control data points, said header circuit also comprising a first electronic data input port for receiving said control data points -and a first electronic data output port; a vector multiplier circuit comprising means for geometrically transforming said control data points, said vector multiplier circuit also comprising a first electronic data input port which is electronically connected to the first header circuit output port, a second electronic data input port which is electronically connected to the matrix multiplier circuit output port, and a first electronic data output port; a plurality of clipper circuits, each said clipper circuit comprising means for clipping said control data points to different clipping planes from one another, said clipping planes defining a viewing frustum, and said clipper circuits each comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the input port of a first clipper card being electronically connected to the first vector multiplier card output port and the clipper cards being electronically connected in series such that electronic data signals transmitted to said first clipper card input port are sequentially clipped by each of said clipper cards, with the fully clipped signal being output from the output port of the last clipper card; a viewport circuit comprising means for projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area representing a two-dimensional viewing surface, said viewport circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the viewport circuit input port being electronically connected to said last clipper circuit output port; an exploder circuit comprising means for exploding said control data points into a plurality of data points defining a plurality of small straight line segments which approximate each curve of said graphic illustration in a smooth fashion, said exploder circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the exploder circuit input port being electronically connected to the viewport circuit output port; and an incremental form circuit comprising means for transforming said plurality of data points into a format for scan line conversion, said incremental form circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the incremental form circuit input port being electronically connected to the exploder circuit output port and said incremental form circuit output port being connected to a means for displaying said graphic illustration, whereby said graphic illustration is displayed in an animated mode.

Claim 17

A data processing pipeline for processing control data points representing a graphic illustration having one or more curves such that said graphic illustration can be displayed in an animated mode using a series of geometric transformations, said system comprising: a matrix maker circuit comprising means for defining at least one matrix for each said geometric transformation, said matrix maker circuit also comprising an electronic data input port for receiving said control data points and an electronic data output port; a matrix multiplier circuit comprising means for concatenating at least two of the matrices defined by said matrix maker circuit, said matrix multiplier circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the matrix multiplier circuit input port being electronically connected to the matrix maker circuit output port; a header circuit comprising means for generating command signals for controlling each circuit of said data processing pipeline as said circuits are used to process said control data points, said header circuit also comprising a first electronic data input port for receiving said control data points -and a first electronic data output port; a vector multiplier circuit comprising means for geometrically transforming said control data points, said vector multiplier circuit also comprising a first electronic data input port which is electronically connected to the first header circuit output port, a second electronic data input port which is electronically connected to the matrix multiplier circuit output port, and a first electronic data output port; a plurality of clipper circuits, each said clipper circuit comprising means for clipping said control data points to different clipping planes from one another, said clipping planes defining a viewing frustum, and said clipper circuits each comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the input port of a first clipper card being electronically connected to the first vector multiplier card output port and the clipper cards being electronically connected in series such that electronic data signals transmitted to said first clipper card input port are sequentially clipped by each of said clipper cards, with the fully clipped signal being output from the output port of the last clipper card; a viewport circuit comprising means for projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area representing a two-dimensional viewing surface, said viewport circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the viewport circuit input port being electronically connected to said last clipper circuit output port; an exploder circuit comprising means for exploding said control data points into a plurality of data points defining a plurality of small straight line segments which approximate each curve of said graphic illustration in a smooth fashion, said exploder circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the exploder circuit input port being electronically connected to the viewport circuit output port; and an incremental form circuit comprising means for transforming said plurality of data points into a format for scan line conversion, said incremental form circuit also comprising an electronic data input port and an electronic data output port, the incremental form circuit input port being electronically connected to the exploder circuit output port and said incremental form circuit output port being connected to a means for displaying said graphic illustration, whereby said graphic illustration is displayed in an animated mode.

Claim 18

In a computer graphics system comprising: (a) a CPU; (b) a graphics data input device connected to said CPU; (c) a video output device connected to said CPU; and (d) a data processing pipeline comprising at least one clipper circuit, said clipper circuit being configurated so as to clip electronic signals representing control points of a graphic figure to a viewing frustum having at least five sides which form the boundaries thereof, said graphic figure having linear edges and at least one curved edge and said clipper circuit having both an electronic data input port which is electronically connected to said graphics data input device and an electronic data output port which is electronically connected to said video output device; a method of generating said graphic figure within the boundaries of said viewing frustum, said method comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting to said CPU from said data input device a set of electronic signals representing said graphic figure; (2) transforming said electronic signals into a first set of control data points representing said graphic figure, said control data points comprising both the vertices terminating said linear edges of the graphic figure and the control points corresponding to said curved edge of the graphic figure; (3) transmitting said first set of control data points to the input port of said clipper circuit, whereby a second set of control data points is generated at the clipper circuit output port, said second set of control data points representing both vertices and control points of the graphic figure after it has been clipped to fit within the boundaries of said viewing frustum; and (4) transmitting said second set of control data points to said video output device so as to illustrate said figure at said video output device.

Claim 19

In a computer graphics system comprising: (a) a CPU; (b) a graphics data input device connected to said CPU; (c) a video output device connected to said CPU; and (d) a data processing pipeline comprising at least one clipper circuit, said clipper circuit being configurated so as to clip electronic signals representing control points of a graphic figure to a viewing frustum having at least five sides which form the boundaries thereof, said graphic figure having linear edges and at least one curved edge and said clipper circuit having both an electronic data input port which is electronically connected to said graphics data input device and an electronic data output port which is electronically connected to said video output device; a method of generating said graphic figure within the boundaries of said viewing frustum, said method comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting to said CPU from said data input device a set of electronic signals representing said graphic figure; (2) transforming said electronic signals into a first set of control data points representing said graphic figure, said control data points comprising both the vertices terminating said linear edges of the graphic figure and the control points corresponding to said curved edge of the graphic figure; (3) transmitting said first set of control data points to the input port of said clipper circuit, whereby a second set of control data points is generated at the clipper circuit output port, said second set of control data points representing both vertices and control points of the graphic figure after it has been clipped to fit within the boundaries of said viewing frustum; and (4) transmitting said second set of control data points to said video output device so as to illustrate said figure at said video output device.

Claim 20

A method as defined in claim 14 wherein step (2) comprises generating an electronic code associated with each control data point, said code specifically identifying the control points of said curved edge.

Claim 21

A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said clipper circuit comprises a plurality of clipper circuit cards, each said card comprising a separate circuit configurated so as to clip said control data points at one of the sides which define one of the boundaries of said viewing frustum, and wherein said clipper cards are electronically connected in series such that electronic signals transmitted to a first clipper card are sequentially clipped by each of said clipper cards, with the fully clipped signal being output from a last clipper card, and wherein step (3) comprises: successively transmitting said first set of control data points through said series of clipper cards.

Claim 22

In a computer graphics system, comprising: (a) a CPU; (b) a graphics data input device connected to said CPU; (c) a video output device connected to said CPU; and (d) a data processing pipeline comprising (i) a clipper circuit, said clipper circuit being configurated so as to clip electronic representations of both vertices and control points of a graphic figure to a viewing frustum having at least five sides which form the boundaries thereof, said graphic figure having linear and curved edges and said clipper circuit having an electronic data input port which is electronically connected to said graphics data input device and said clipper circuit also having an electronic output port, and (ii) an exploder circuit, said exploder circuit being configurated so as to explode said control points into a curved edge comprised of a plurality of small straight line segments, the number of said straight line segments being such that the curved edge appears smdoth when viewed on said video output device, and said exploder circuit having both an electronic input port which is electronically connected to the output port of said clipper circuit and an electronic output data port which is electronically connected to said video output device; a method of generating said graphic figure within the boundaries of said viewing frustum, said method comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting to said CPU from said data input device a set of electronic signals representing said graphic figure; (2) transforming said electronic signals into a first set of control data points representing said graphic figure, said control data points comprising both the vertices terminating said linear edges of the graphic figure and the control points corresponding to said curved edge of the graphic figure; (3) transmitting said first set of control data points to the input port of said clipper circuit, whereby a second set of control data points is generated at the clipper circuit output port, said second set of control data points representing the graphic figure after it has been clipped to fit within the boundaries of said viewing frustum; and (4) transmitting said second set of control data points to said exploder circuit input port, whereby a plurality of electronic signals is generated at the exploder circuit output port representing a plurality of straight line segments which correspond to the linear and.curved edges of the graphic figure; and (5) transmitting said electronic signals from the outport port of said exploder circuit to said video output device so as to illustrate said figure at said video output device.

Claim 23

In a computer graphics system, comprising: (a) a CPU; (b) a graphics data input device connected to said CPU; (c) a video output device connected to said CPU; and (d) a data processing pipeline comprising (i) a clipper circuit, said clipper circuit being configurated so as to clip electronic representations of both vertices and control points of a graphic figure to a viewing frustum having at least five sides which form the boundaries thereof, said graphic figure having linear and curved edges and said clipper circuit having an electronic data input port which is electronically connected to said graphics data input device and said clipper circuit also having an electronic output port, and (ii) an exploder circuit, said exploder circuit being configurated so as to explode said control points into a curved edge comprised of a plurality of small straight line segments, the number of said straight line segments being such that the curved edge appears smdoth when viewed on said video output device, and said exploder circuit having both an electronic input port which is electronically connected to the output port of said clipper circuit and an electronic output data port which is electronically connected to said video output device; a method of generating said graphic figure within the boundaries of said viewing frustum, said method comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting to said CPU from said data input device a set of electronic signals representing said graphic figure; (2) transforming said electronic signals into a first set of control data points representing said graphic figure, said control data points comprising both the vertices terminating said linear edges of the graphic figure and the control points corresponding to said curved edge of the graphic figure; (3) transmitting said first set of control data points to the input port of said clipper circuit, whereby a second set of control data points is generated at the clipper circuit output port, said second set of control data points representing the graphic figure after it has been clipped to fit within the boundaries of said viewing frustum; and (4) transmitting said second set of control data points to said exploder circuit input port, whereby a plurality of electronic signals is generated at the exploder circuit output port representing a plurality of straight line segments which correspond to the linear and.curved edges of the graphic figure; and (5) transmitting said electronic signals from the outport port of said exploder circuit to said video output device so as to illustrate said figure at said video output device.

Claim 24

A method as defined in claim 17 wherein step (2) comprises generating a first electronic code associated with each control data point, said first code specifically identifying the control points of said curved edge.

Claim 25

A method as defined in claim 17 wherein said clipper circuit comprises a plurality of clipper circuit cards, each said card comprising a separate circuit configurated so as to clip said control data points at one of the sides which define one of the boundaries of said viewing frustum, and wherein said clipper cards are electronically connected in series such that electronic signals transmitted to a first clipper card are sequentially clipped by each of said clipper cards, with the fully clipped signal being output from a last clipper card, and wherein step (3) comprises: successively transmitting said first set of control data points through said series of clipper cards.

Claim 26

A method as defined in claim 17 wherein step (2) comprises generating a second electronic code associated with each control data point, said second code indicating whether the associated edge of the graphic figure is to be rendered as a line drawing.

Claim 27

A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said pipeline further comprises (iii) an incremental form circuit electronically connected to said exploder circuit, said incremental form circuit comprising means for enlarging said straight line segments output from the exploder circuit into thin rectangles so as to selectively render portions of said graphic figure as a line drawing, and wherein said method further comprises the step of: transmitting said electronic signals from the exploder circuit output port to said incremental form circuit.

Claim 28

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, a method of processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said method comprising the steps of: (a) generating at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points; (b) geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame; (c) clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum; (d) exploding said control data points into a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion; and (e) converting said figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 29

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, a method of processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said method comprising the steps of: (a) generating at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points; (b) geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame; (c) clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum; (d) exploding said control data points into a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion; and (e) converting said figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 30

A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising the step of projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area of a two-dimensional viewing surface which corresponds to a portion of said video monitor.

Claim 31

A method as defined in claim 22 further comprising the step of processing said control data points so as to generate information for preparing shaded and hidden surfaces of said graphics figure.

Claim 32

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, a method of processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said method comprising the steps of: (a) computing at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points; (b) geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame; (c) clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum; (d) projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area of a two-dimensional viewing surface which corresponds to a portion of said video monitor; (e) exploding said control data points into a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion; and (f) converting said graphic figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 33

In a computer graphics system having a CPU, a work station connected to said CPU for inputting graphics data to said system, means connected to said CPU for storing said data, and means connected to said CPU for outputting sequential video frames representing animated graphic illustrations on a video monitor, a method of processing graphic figures which are composed of both linear and curved edges, said method comprising the steps of: (a) computing at least one set of control data points for each graphic figure input at said work station such that each curve of said figure is defined by said control points; (b) geometrically transforming each set of control points to a new position for each said video frame; (c) clipping said control data points to a viewing frustum; (d) projecting said control data points in perspective onto an area of a two-dimensional viewing surface which corresponds to a portion of said video monitor; (e) exploding said control data points into a series of data points which re-define each curve of said figure in terms of a series of straight line segments which closely approximate each said curve in a smooth fashion; and (f) converting said graphic figure to a format compatible for outputting said figure on said video monitor, whereby said graphic figure will be output on said video monitor in an animated mode of display.

Claim 34

A method as defined in claim 25 further comprising the step of processing said control data points so as to generate information for preparing shaded and hidden surfaces of said graphic figure.