EP0396377A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer graphics dynamic control
Assignee: Evans and Sutherland Computer Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A raster-scanned video display apparatus includes a double image frame buffer to store individual pixel display data. and a valid count buffer to hold a count for each pixel. Current valid counts are stored at times of image buffer updating, which updating includes storing display data changes and a fraction of the total display (background). At times of display, current counts from the count buffer are tested against valid counts as stored for each pixel in the valid count buffer to determine the selection of display data from the image frame buffer or alternatively background data. A window frame buffer resolves the display into windows that are accommodated by the system with valid counts for each window.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Scott Watkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:42
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/363; G09G5/14; G09G5/39; G09G5/395; G09G5/397; G09G5/399
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A dynamic control system for use with a computer graphics apparatus which provides image data and control signals for a scan-pattern display, characterised in that the system comprises: an image frame buffer means for storing pixel area image data for a display; count means for storing a count for identifying select ones of several pixel valid count states; a storage array for pixel valid count representations in relation to said pixel area image data in said image frame buffer means; comparison means for comparing signals from said count means with signals from said storage array to provide coincidence signals indiocating pixel area selections; and means for controlling data with respect to said image frame buffer in accordance with said coincidence signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A dynamic control system for use with a computer graphics apparatus which provides image data and control signals for a scan-pattern display, characterised in that the system comprises: an image frame buffer means for storing pixel area image data for a display; count means for storing a count for identifying select ones of several pixel valid count states; a storage array for pixel valid count representations in relation to said pixel area image data in said image frame buffer means; comparison means for comparing signals from said count means with signals from said storage array to provide coincidence signals indiocating pixel area selections; and means for controlling data with respect to said image frame buffer in accordance with said coincidence signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system according to Claim 1 wherein said image frame buffer means comprises a double-sided buffer with sides for alternately storing and delivering image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said count means comprises means for providing a plurality of counts for selective comparison with said valid count representation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said storage array comprises means for storing numerical values in a sequence related to the writing of data in said image frame buffer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said means for controlling includes means to input data in said image frame buffer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein said means for controlling includes means to output data in said image frame buffer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A control system according to claim 6 wherein said means to output data comprises means for selectively supplying image data from a pixel section of said image frame buffer means or signals representative of background, determined by the contents of said storage array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 further including a window frame buffer for defining plural multiple-area windows of said display, and wherein said means for supplying image data is controlled to some extent by said window frame buffer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A control system according to Claim 8 wherein said count means stores counts for said windows defined by said window frame buffer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control system according to Claim 9 wherein said storage array comprises means for storing valid count representations for said windows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 including means for writing data in said image frame buffer and related counts in said storage array for select pixels including a fraction of said pixels designated for background display, and means for providing data from said image frame buffer under control of said coincidence signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A control system according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 further including a source of background pixel data, and means for providing said background pixel data under control of said comparison means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
A raster-scanned video display apparatus having an image frame buffer which stores display data for a plurality of pixels, and means for attaining select different pixel displays, characterised in that said means comprises: storage means for certain of said pixels in said display for storing count signals representing alternate display selections, said storage means being associated with said image frame buffer; test means for testing said count signals against predetermined count values to indicate a display selection; table means for supplying alternative display data; and multiplexer means coupled to receive display data from said image frame buffer and said table means, and controlled by said test means to provide select display data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
A raster-scanned video display apparatus having an image frame buffer which stores display data for a plurality of pixels, and means for attaining select different pixel displays, characterised in that said means comprises: storage means for certain of said pixels in said display for storing count signals representing alternate display selections, said storage means being associated with said image frame buffer; test means for testing said count signals against predetermined count values to indicate a display selection; table means for supplying alternative display data; and multiplexer means coupled to receive display data from said image frame buffer and said table means, and controlled by said test means to provide select display data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
Display apparatus according to Claim 13 further including a window frame buffer for storing window signals defining windows in a display, said window frame buffer being associated with said image frame buffer, and wherein said multiplexer further receives signals from said window frame buffer to provide select display data.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of displaying a dynamic image from image data characterised in that the method comprises the steps of: defining said display in terms of pixels; selectively registering display image data for said pixels; registering count values for said pixels; testing said count values for said pixels against a current valid count to provide a display selection signal; providing alternate display image data; and selecting for display said registered display image data or said alternate display image data under control of said display selection signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of displaying a dynamic image from image data characterised in that the method comprises the steps of: defining said display in terms of pixels; selectively registering display image data for said pixels; registering count values for said pixels; testing said count values for said pixels against a current valid count to provide a display selection signal; providing alternate display image data; and selecting for display said registered display image data or said alternate display image data under control of said display selection signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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