Processing pixels of a digital image

Apparatus for processing pixels of a digital image, said apparatus comprising:

• an image processor for processing pixels of a digital image, said image processor comprising a plurality of color output channels;
• and
• a controller for configuring the image processor to operate in a first processing mode or a second processing mode;
• said image processor processes one or more color pixels each having one or more pixel color components and outputting one said color pixel at a time by outputting said one or more pixel color components on respective one or more said color output channels when said image processor is configured in said first processing mode;
• and
• said image processor processes one or more pixels each having one pixel color component and outputting one or more said pixels at a time by outputting said one or more pixels simultaneously on respective said color output channels when said image processor is configured in said second processing mode.

A method of processing pixels of a digital image, said method comprising the steps of:

• configuring an image processor to operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, said image processor having a plurality of color output channels;
• generating, during said first operating mode, one or more color pixels having one or more pixel color components;
• outputting, during said first operating mode, said generated color pixels one at a time by outputting said one or more pixel color components of each generated pixel on corresponding said color output channels;
• generating, during said second operating mode, one or more fill commands each comprising a parameter indicating the number of consecutive pixel locations in raster order to which the fill command applies, wherein said number can vary from one to a maximum number equal to the number of said color output channels;
• generating, during said second operating mode, one or more pixels in response to one or more said fill commands for one or more said pixel locations, wherein the number of pixels generated is dependent upon the number of fill commands and said parameter of the fill commands and wherein said generated pixels having one pixel color component;
• outputting, during said second operating mode, one or more said pixels at a time by outputting one or more said pixels simultaneously on one or more said color output channels.

Apparatus for processing pixels of a digital image, said apparatus comprising:

• a host processor for configuring an image processor to operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, said image processor having a plurality of color output channels;
• said image processor comprising:
• a fill module for generating, during said first operating mode, one or more color pixels having one or more pixel color components and outputting said generated pixels one at a time by outputting said one or more pixel color components of each generated pixel on corresponding said color output channels;
• a module for generating, during said second operating mode, one or more fill commands each comprising a parameter indicating the number of consecutive pixel locations in raster order to which the fill command applies, wherein said number can vary from one to a maximum number equal to the number of said color output channels;
• and
• said fill module generating, during said second operating mode, one or more pixels in response to one or more said fill commands for one or more said pixel locations, and simultaneously outputting one or more said pixels on corresponding one or more said color output channels, wherein the number of pixels generated is dependent upon the number of fill commands and said parameter of the fill commands and wherein said generated pixels each having one pixel color component.

A method of processing pixels of a digital image, said method comprising the steps of:

• configuring an image processor to operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, said image processor having a plurality of color output channels;
• generating, during said first operating mode, one or more fill commands;
• generating, during said first operating mode, one or more color pixels in response to one or more respective said fill commands for a pixel location, wherein said generated color pixels having one or more pixel color components;
• outputting, during said first operating mode, said generated pixels one at a time by outputting said one or more pixel color components of each generated pixel on corresponding said color output channels;
• generating, during said second operating mode, one or more fill commands each comprising a parameter indicating the number of consecutive pixel locations in raster order to which the fill command applies, wherein said number can vary from one to a maximum number equal to the number of said color output channels;
• generating, during said second operating mode, one or more pixels in response to one or more said fill commands for one or more said pixel locations, wherein the number of pixels generated is dependent upon the number of fill commands and said parameter of the fill commands and wherein said generated pixels each having one pixel color component;
• outputting, during said second operating mode, one or more said pixels simultaneously on corresponding one or more said color output channels.

Apparatus for processing pixels of a digital image, said apparatus comprising:

• a host processor for configuring an image processor to operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, said image processor comprising:
• a priority module for generating, during said first operating mode, one or more fill commands for corresponding pixel locations;
• a fill module generating, during said first operating mode, one or more color pixels in response to one or more respective said fill commands for a said pixel location, and outputting said generated color pixels one at a time by outputting one or more pixel color components of each generated color pixel on corresponding color output channels;
• the priority module generating, during said second operating mode, one or more fill commands each comprising a parameter indicating the number of consecutive pixel locations in raster order to which the fill command applies, wherein said number can vary from one to a maximum number equal to the number of said color output channels;
• the fill module generating, during said second operating mode, one or more pixels in response to one or more said fill commands for one or more said pixel locations, and simultaneously outputting one or more said generated pixels on corresponding one or more said color output channels, wherein the number of pixels generated is dependent upon the number of fill commands and said parameter of the fill.