US4882687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pixel processor
Assignee: Ho Underwater Acquisition LLC
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Filing: 1986-03-31
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2006-03-31
Abstract
Abstract Boolean AND or OR operations that are functions of two variables can be performed without knowledge of one of the variables. In a computer graphics system utilizing a frame-buffer memory to refresh a display, a pixel processor using this technique can perform SET and CLEAR functions on the data stored in the memory in which only memory write cycles are required.
Inventors
- 👤 Dorothy A. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:08
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/393; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of performing a Boolean OR operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean OR operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the method comprising: writing a digital "1" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0".
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of performing a Boolean OR operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean OR operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the method comprising: writing a digital "1" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0".
Claim 3
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of performing a Boolean AND operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean AND operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the method comprising: writing a digital "0" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1".
Claim 4
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of performing a Boolean AND operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean AND operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the method comprising: writing a digital "0" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1".
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for performing a Boolean OR operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean OR operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the apparatus comprising: means for writing a digital "1" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for performing a Boolean OR operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean OR operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the apparatus comprising: means for writing a digital "1" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0".
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first digital storage device is a multidimensional array of memory cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second digital storage device is a register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said multidimensional array of memory cells is a frame buffer for refreshing a display of a computer graphics system and said writing means is a pixel processor for modifying data in said frame buffer to change an image on said display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for performing a Boolean AND operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean AND operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the apparatus comprising: means for writing a digital "0" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for performing a Boolean AND operation on a function of two independent variables, one of said variables being stored in a first digital storage device which will also contain the result of said Boolean AND operation, the other of said variables being stored in a second digital storage device, the apparatus comprising: means for writing a digital "0" into said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said first digital storage device; and inhibiting a write cycle of said first digital storage device when the contents of said second digital storage device is a digital "1".
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first digital storage device is a multidimensional array of memory cells.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second digital storage device is a register.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said multidimensional array of memory cells is a frame buffer for refreshing a display of a computer graphics system and said writing means is a pixel processor for modifying data in said frame buffer to change an image on said display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer graphics system comprising computer means for generating data representative of images to be displayed; a frame-buffer memory means coupled to said computer means for storing said data; a display coupled to said memory means and refreshed by th data stored therein; a data register means for storing information for modifying the data in said memory means; and a pixel processor coupled to said register means and to said memory means for modifying the data in said memory means by performing a Boolean OR operation with the data in said register means and said memory means, said pixel processor comprising means for writing a digital "1" into said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said memory means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
A computer graphics system comprising computer means for generating data representative of images to be displayed; a frame-buffer memory means coupled to said computer means for storing said data; a display coupled to said memory means and refreshed by th data stored therein; a data register means for storing information for modifying the data in said memory means; and a pixel processor coupled to said register means and to said memory means for modifying the data in said memory means by performing a Boolean OR operation with the data in said register means and said memory means, said pixel processor comprising means for writing a digital "1" into said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "1" without reading the contents of said memory means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said pixel processor includes means for inhibiting a write cycle of said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "0".
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said pixel processor includes means for modifying a plurality of pixels simultaneously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer graphics system comprising computer means for generating data representative of images to be displayed; a frame-buffer memory means coupled to said computer means for storing said data; a display coupled to said memory means and refreshed by the data stored therein; a data register means for storing information for modifying the data in said memory means; and a pixel processor coupled to said register means and to said memory means modifying the data in said memory means by performing a Boolean AND operation with the data in said register means and said memory means, said pixel processor comprising means for writing a digital "0" into said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said memory means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
129 words
A computer graphics system comprising computer means for generating data representative of images to be displayed; a frame-buffer memory means coupled to said computer means for storing said data; a display coupled to said memory means and refreshed by the data stored therein; a data register means for storing information for modifying the data in said memory means; and a pixel processor coupled to said register means and to said memory means modifying the data in said memory means by performing a Boolean AND operation with the data in said register means and said memory means, said pixel processor comprising means for writing a digital "0" into said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "0" without reading the contents of said memory means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said pixel processor includes means for inhibiting a write cycle of said memory means when the contents of said register means is a digital "1".
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said pixel processor includes means for modifying a plurality of pixels simultaneously.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |