초록 ▼

A graphic display system with the ability to use mulitiple memory buffers to produce images with a wide range of colors through bit plane encoding or to present independent application displays or to combine display images through the use of lateral bit encoding. When operated in the lateral bit enc

A graphic display system with the ability to use mulitiple memory buffers to produce images with a wide range of colors through bit plane encoding or to present independent application displays or to combine display images through the use of lateral bit encoding. When operated in the lateral bit encoded state, application programs can be associated with independent memory buffers or an application can use the separate buffers to create a display with animation or apparent movement. Each memory buffer can be independently associated with the display device or the images contained in the memory buffers can be mixed through the use of hardware or software image mixing to create a composite display. The combined image is use to directly control the display device and does not require the creation of an intermediate frame buffer image. This display system provides the capability for animation or image movement through the designation of one or more planes to contain the objects and the designation of display priority among the memory buffers. The image mixer combines the images according to an established display priority so that portions of the highest priority image are always displayed. The images in the memory buffers may, alternatively, be linked to create a single large image which can be scrolled across the display monitor. A method for image mixing and for displaying objects with apparent motion is provided through the use of the multiple memory buffers and display priority assignment.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for displaying graphics images on a display device, said system comprising: memory means for storing graphics images represented by a plurality of picture elements, said memory means organized into a plurality of memory buffers and operable in a first display system state wherein each of sa

A system for displaying graphics images on a display device, said system comprising: memory means for storing graphics images represented by a plurality of picture elements, said memory means organized into a plurality of memory buffers and operable in a first display system state wherein each of said picture elements is encoded as a plurality of bits and one of said encoded bits is stored in respective positions in each of said plurality of memory buffers, or a second display system state wherein each of said picture elements is encoded as a plurality of bits and said encoded bits are stored in successive positions of one of said memory buffers; state control means for selecting between said first display system state and said second display system state said state control means being connected to said memory means; control means for associating one or more of said plurality of memory buffers with one or more encoded graphics image creating application programs, said control means being operable when said system is in said control display system state; selection means for enabling transmission of picture elements from one or more of said plurality of memory buffers to said display device; image mixing means for combining for display said picture elements from said one or more of said plurality of memory buffers according to an image display priority in said image mixing means; display generating means for generating display control signals to control said display device, said display generating means being connected to and responsive to said image mixing means; and linking means for linking one or more of said plurality of memory buffers to create a single large image, which can be smoothly scrolled on said display device.