US5966136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Efficient method for clipping numerous objects against an arbitrary clipping path
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1995-04-12
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Granted: 1999-10-12
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Expires: 2015-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for clipping a objects against a non-rectangular polygon. The present invention first defines a rectangular buffer with a height and width equal to the maximum height and width of the non-rectangular polygon. Next, each object is clipped against the rectangular buffer using a fast rectangular clipping method. After all the objects have been clipped, the rectangular buffer is converted to a pattern buffer. Finally, the pattern buffer is clipped against the non-rectangular polygon using an arbitrary clipping method.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry D. Kurtz
- 👤 Steven J. Claiborne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/10; G06T15/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for clipping a plurality of objects against an arbitrary clipping path, said arbitrary clipping path having a height and width, said method comprising steps of: defining a rectangular buffer, said rectangular buffer having a height and width equal to the height and width of said arbitrary clipping path; rectangular clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer, said rectangular clipping being performed by a rectangular clipping method; and arbitrarily clipping said rectangular buffer against said arbitrary clipping path, said step of arbitrarily clipping being performed by a raster operation method.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for clipping a plurality of objects against an arbitrary clipping path, said arbitrary clipping path having a height and width, said method comprising steps of: defining a rectangular buffer, said rectangular buffer having a height and width equal to the height and width of said arbitrary clipping path; rectangular clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer, said rectangular clipping being performed by a rectangular clipping method; and arbitrarily clipping said rectangular buffer against said arbitrary clipping path, said step of arbitrarily clipping being performed by a raster operation method.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of raster operation method comprising the steps of: filling said arbitrary clipping path with a fill pattern; performing the logical operation of ORing said rectangular buffer with said filled arbitrary clipping path to produce an intermediate result; and performing the logical operation of exclusive ORing said intermediate result with said rectangular buffer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of objects comprising: a first set of objects described in a raster format; a second set of objects described in a vector format; and a third set of objects described in a font format.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for clipping a plurality of objects against a non-rectangular polygon, said non-rectangular polygon having a maximum height and maximum width, said method comprising steps of: defining a rectangular buffer, said rectangular buffer having a height equal to the maximum height of said non-rectangular polygon and a width equal to the maximum width of said non-rectangular polygon; first clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer; converting said rectangular buffer to a pattern buffer; and second clipping said pattern buffer against said non-rectangular polygon.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for clipping a plurality of objects against a non-rectangular polygon, said non-rectangular polygon having a maximum height and maximum width, said method comprising steps of: defining a rectangular buffer, said rectangular buffer having a height equal to the maximum height of said non-rectangular polygon and a width equal to the maximum width of said non-rectangular polygon; first clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer; converting said rectangular buffer to a pattern buffer; and second clipping said pattern buffer against said non-rectangular polygon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said step of converting converts said rectangular buffer into a bit mapped representation in said pattern buffer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said step of second clipping being performed by a raster operation method.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said step of raster operation method comprising the steps of: filling said non-rectangular polygon with a fill pattern; performing the logical operation of ORing said pattern buffer with said filled non-rectangular polygon to produce an intermediate result; and performing the logical operation of exclusive ORing said intermediate result with said pattern buffer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of objects comprising: a first set of objects described in a raster format; a second set of objects described in a vector format; and a third set of objects described in a font format.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for clipping a plurality of objects against a non-rectangular polygon, said apparatus comprising: a memory; a processor connected to said memory, said processor executes a sequence of instructions stored in said memory; a means for defining a rectangular buffer, where said rectangular buffer encompasses said non-rectangular polygon; a means for rectangular clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer, said processor storing said clipped plurality of objects in said memory; a means for transforming said rectangular buffer into a pattern buffer, said pattern buffer being stored in memory; and a means for clipping said pattern buffer against said non-rectangular polygon.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for clipping a plurality of objects against a non-rectangular polygon, said apparatus comprising: a memory; a processor connected to said memory, said processor executes a sequence of instructions stored in said memory; a means for defining a rectangular buffer, where said rectangular buffer encompasses said non-rectangular polygon; a means for rectangular clipping said plurality of objects against said rectangular buffer, said processor storing said clipped plurality of objects in said memory; a means for transforming said rectangular buffer into a pattern buffer, said pattern buffer being stored in memory; and a means for clipping said pattern buffer against said non-rectangular polygon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a display means for displaying said plurality of objects, said display means connected to said processor; and said processor transferring said clipped pattern buffer from said memory to said display means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of objects comprising: a first set of objects described in a raster format; a second set of objects described in a vector format; and a third set of objects described in a font format.
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) | 2002-10-11 | 2003-04-12 | 2003-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-04-12 | 2007-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-11 | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |