EP0442676A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer display adaptor interfacing
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A programming interface is provided in a computer graphics system which allows plural hardware display adaptors to be upgraded and enhanced without correspondingly upgrading and rewriting display specific device driver code for each separate program application using the graphics system. A resource library with a standard programming interface, but specific to each display adaptor is included, as well as display driver code for each adaptor. Functions necessary to service the graphics model embodied in the program application are configured as device driver models and also are included within the interface of the present invention. Initially, the functions provided in the resource library are dynamically bound to expose the functionality of the desired display adaptor. A second level of dynamic binding is implemented to bind the program application with the display specific code and graphic models being utilized. In this manner, numerous combinations of program applications and display adaptors can be used without providing an interface for each possible combination.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Louis Bondy
- 👤 John Andrew Cook
- 👤 Richard Lee Verburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; G06F9/44521; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for interfacing between at least one program application and a plurality of hardware display adaptors, each having specific functions, comprising: a library of resource functions (40) containing data defining functions provided by said hardware display adaptors; a plurality of device interfaces 10, 20, 30, matching the capability of said program application; and means for associating selected resource functions with one of said device interfaces, for a particular combination of a display adaptor and said program application.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said library of resource functions includes first means for dynamically binding selected resource functions together according to the associated device interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as claimed in Claim 2 further including second means for dynamically binding selected resource functions with a selected device interface.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising, for each said program application (51, 52, 53), a graphics package (56, 57, 58) specifying a model of graphical function relating to said corresponding program application.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said graphics package, said device interface and said library of resource functions are dynamically bound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein said graphics package, said device interface and said library of resource functions together constitute a single hardware display adaptor interface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said resource functions include monitor date, group data, window data, window geometry data, cursor data, color map data, font data, model data and adaptor data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said means for associating is adapted to associate resource functions for combinations of said program application with a plurality of display adaptors to permit said program application to communicate with said plurality of display adaptors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said program application comprises a graphics package dynamically bound to a plurality of said device interfaces.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of interfacing between at least one program application and a plurality of hardware display adaptors, each having specific functions, said method comprising the steps of: providing a library of resource functions (40) containing data defining functions provided by said hardware display adaptors; providing a plurality of device interfaces (10, 20, 30) matching the capability of said program application; and associating selected resource functions with one of said device interfaces, for a particular combination of a display adaptor and said program application.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said step of providing a library of resource functions includes the step of performing a first dynamic binding together of selected resource functions according to the associated device interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in Claim 11 further including the step of performing a second dynamic binding of said selected resource functions with a selected device interface.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12 comprising, for each said program application (51, 52, 53), the step of providing a graphics package (56, 57, 58) specifying a model of graphical function relating to said corresponding program application.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in Claim 13 further including the step of dynamically binding said graphics package, said device interface and said library of resource functions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14 including the step of forming said graphics package, said device interface and said library of resource functions as a single hardware display adaptor interface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 14 wherein said step of providing a library of resource functions includes the steps of providing monitor data, group data, window data, window geometry data, cursor data, color map data, font data, model data and adaptor data.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16 wherein said step of associating is adapted to associate resource functions for combinations of said program application with a plurality of display adaptors so as to permit the step of providing simultaneous communication between said program application and said plurality of display adaptors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said program application comprises a graphics package, comprising the step of providing dynamic binding between said graphics package and a plurality of said device interfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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