US5590254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Displaying multiple video streams using a bit map and a single frame buffer
Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1994-09-30
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2014-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of pixels are received, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display. A display bit map and a display mask are generated in accordance with the plurality of pixels. If a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit. Otherwise, if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value. Otherwise, the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis A. Lippincott
- 👤 Thomas R. Craver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:54
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G1/00; G09G1/06; G09G1/14; G09G1/16; G09G1/162; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/12; G09G2340/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A computer-implemented process for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A computer-implemented process for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the first display comprises a first image and the second display comprises a first graphics display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The process of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: (d) receiving a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second image; and (e) updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a mask field of the display mask corresponding to a pixel of the second plurality of pixels has the first-display value, then the pixel of the second plurality of pixels is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
The process of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: (d) receiving a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second graphics display; (e) updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels; and (f) updating the display mask in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the second plurality of pixels corresponds to the key color, then a mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the first-display value; else the pixel of the second plurality is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the second-display value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 2, wherein: the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer; and each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 6, wherein each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (d) displaying the display bit map on a monitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 1, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the first display and if the corresponding mask field of the display mask has the second-display value, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is retained and the pixel is not stored in the display bit map.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the key color, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display, the second display, and one or more additional displays; and the mask field corresponding to each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises two or more mask bits.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, comprising: (a) means for receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) means for generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) means for generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, comprising: (a) means for receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) means for generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) means for generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first display comprises a first image and the second display comprises a first graphics display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: (d) means for receiving a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second image; and (e) means for updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a mask field of the display mask corresponding to a pixel of the second plurality of pixels has a first-display value, then the pixel of the second plurality of pixels is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: (d) means for receiving a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second graphics display; (e) means for updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels; and (f) means for updating the display mask in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the second plurality of pixels corresponds to the key color, then a mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the first-display value; else the pixel of the second plurality is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the second-display value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer; and each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the apparatus is connected to a host bus; and the host bus is connected to a host processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: (d) means for displaying the display bit map on a monitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the apparatus is connected to a host bus; and the host bus is connected to a host processor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the first display and if the corresponding mask field of the display mask has the second-display value, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is retained and the pixel is not stored in the display bit map.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the key color, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display, the second display, and one or more additional displays; and the mask field corresponding to each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises two or more mask bits.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
191 words
A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by a computer, the computer implements the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
191 words
A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for processing signals for display using a single frame buffer, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by a computer, the computer implements the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; (b) generating a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and (c) generating a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first display comprises a first image and the second display comprises a first graphics display.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
80 words
The storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer further implements the steps of: (d) receiving a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second image; and (e) updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a mask field of the display mask corresponding to a pixel of the second plurality of pixels has the first-display value, then the pixel of the second plurality of pixels is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
120 words
The storage medium of claim 26, wherein the computer further implements the steps of: (d) receiving a second, plurality of pixels corresponding to a second graphics display; (e) updating the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels; and (f) updating the display mask in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the second plurality of pixels corresponds to the key color, then a mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the first-display value; else the pixel of the second plurality is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the second-display value.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The storage medium of claim 26, wherein: the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer; and each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage medium of claim 30, wherein each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein the computer further implements the steps of: (d) displaying the display bit map on a monitor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the first display and if the corresponding mask field of the display mask has the second-display value, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is retained and the pixel is not stored in the display bit map.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the key color, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The storage medium of claim 25, wherein: the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display, the second display, and one or more additional displays; and the mask field corresponding to each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises two or more mask bits.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for processing signals for display, comprising: (a) a single frame buffer; and (b) a processor; wherein: the processor receives a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; the processor generates a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and the processor generates a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for processing signals for display, comprising: (a) a single frame buffer; and (b) a processor; wherein: the processor receives a plurality of pixels, wherein one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a first display and one or more of the plurality of pixels corresponds to a second display; the processor generates a display bit map in accordance with the plurality of pixels; and the processor generates a display mask in accordance with the plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display and if a corresponding mask field of the display mask has a first-display value, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map, wherein the mask field comprises at least one mask bit; else if the pixel corresponds to a key color, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to the first-display value; else the pixel is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel is set to a second-display value.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first display comprises a first image and the second display comprises a first graphics display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein: the processor receives a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second image; and the processor updates the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a mask field of the display mask corresponding to a pixel of the second plurality of pixels has a first-display value, then the pixel of the second plurality of pixels is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein: the processor receives a second plurality of pixels corresponding to a second graphics display; the processor updates the display bit map in accordance with the second plurality of pixels; and the processor updates the display mask in accordance with the second plurality of pixels, wherein: if a pixel of the second plurality of pixels corresponds to the key color, then a mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the first-display value; else the pixel of the second plurality is stored in the display bit map and the mask field corresponding to the pixel of the second plurality is set to the second-display value.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein: the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer; and each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein: the apparatus is connected to a host bus; and the host bus is connected to a host processor.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the display bit map and the display mask are stored in the single frame buffer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each entry in the single frame buffer comprises a mask field and one or more pixel color components.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising: (d) a monitor, wherein the display bit map is displayed on the monitor.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein: the apparatus is connected to a host bus; and the host bus is connected to a host processor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the first display and if the corresponding mask field of the display mask has the second-display value, then the mask field corresponding to the pixel is retained and the pixel is not stored in the display bit map.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein if the pixel corresponds to the key color, then the pixel is stored in the display bit map.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 36, wherein: the plurality of pixels corresponds to the first display, the second display, and one or more additional displays; and the mask field corresponding to each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises two or more mask bits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |