US6023558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphics compression for an emulation system
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1996-08-15
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Granted: 2000-02-08
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Expires: 2016-08-15
Abstract
Abstract Compressing graphic data for a first computer system, e.g. an emulated system, on a second computer system. For each scanline of the graphic data for the first computer system, a number of colors present on the scanline are counted. A new color palette for the scanline is formed at a reduced representation. Then, a representation of each color of each pixel on the scanline is converted to the new palette. The scanline is then run-length encoded. The graphic data is compressed so that it can be, for example, transmitted between a client (e.g. an X client) and a server (e.g. an X server) and conserve network bandwidth.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Grabowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T9/00; G06T9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An automatic method for compressing graphic data for a first computer system on a second computer system comprising the following steps: a. for each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system, counting a number of colors present on said scanline; b. forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An automatic method for compressing graphic data for a first computer system on a second computer system comprising the following steps: a. for each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system, counting a number of colors present on said scanline; b. forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of run-length encoding said scanline includes run-length encoding said colors in groups of two or eight consecutive pixels on said scanline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting a compressed representation of said scanline between a client and a server.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of transmitting said compressed representation of said scanline includes transmitting said new palette and said each color of said scanline after said converting and said run-length encoding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphic data includes computer-generated graphic information generated via graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said graphic data includes a bitmap which is formed by an emulator interpreting said graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system and generating said bitmap responsive thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said client comprises an X-client and said server comprises an X-server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first computer system includes a Macinstosh and said second computer system includes a Unix workstation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for compressing graphic data for a first computer system on a second computer system comprising the following steps: a. a counter for counting a number of colors present on each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system; b. a new color palette generator coupled to said counter for forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. a converter coupled to said new color palette generator for converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. a run-length encoder coupled to said converter for run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for compressing graphic data for a first computer system on a second computer system comprising the following steps: a. a counter for counting a number of colors present on each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system; b. a new color palette generator coupled to said counter for forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. a converter coupled to said new color palette generator for converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. a run-length encoder coupled to said converter for run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said run-length encoder includes a means for run-length encoding said colors in groups of two or eight consecutive pixels on said scanline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting a compressed representation of said scanline between a client and a server.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said transmitter includes a means for transmitting said said new palette and said each color of said scanline after said converting and said run-length encoding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said graphic data includes computer-generated graphic information generated via graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said graphic data includes a bitmap which is formed by an emulator interpreting said graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system and generating said bitmap responsive thereto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said client comprises an X-client and said server comprises an X-server.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first computer system includes a Macintosh and said second computer system includes a Unix workstation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer readable medium containing a series of instructions which, when loaded into a computer system, causes it to perform a method comprising the following steps: a. for each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system, counting a number of colors present on said scanline; b. forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer readable medium containing a series of instructions which, when loaded into a computer system, causes it to perform a method comprising the following steps: a. for each scanline of said graphic data for said first computer system, counting a number of colors present on said scanline; b. forming a new color palette for said scanline at a reduced representation; c. converting a representation of each color of each pixel on said scanline to said new palette; and d. run-length encoding said scanline.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said step of run-length encoding said scanline includes run-length encoding said colors in groups of two or eight consecutive pixels on said scanline.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 further comprising instructions for transmitting a compressed representation of said scanline between a client and a server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein said step of transmitting said compressed representation of said scanline includes transmitting said new palette and said each color of said scanline after said converting and said run-length encoding.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said graphic data includes computer-generated graphic information generated via graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein said graphic data includes a bitmap which is formed by an emulator interpreting said graphics subsystem calls for said first computer system and generating said bitmap responsive thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein said client comprises an X-client and said server comprises an X-server.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said first computer system includes a Macinstosh and said second computer system includes a Unix workstation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer readable medium containing a series of instructions which, when loaded into a computer system, causes it to perform any of the methods of claims 1-8.
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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) | 2003-02-07 | 2003-08-09 | 2004-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | 2008-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-07 | 2011-08-09 | 2012-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |