Layer composition, rendering, and animation using multiple execution threads
OwnerDaniel Feies, Scott Bassett +2inventors
InventorsDaniel Feies, Scott Bassett, Adam Christopher Czeisler, Jeremiah S. Epling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Architecture that creates an independent system which takes as input standard 2D layers and composites and renders the layers in 3D. Hardware accelerated graphics effects can be added to these layers, and additionally, the layers can be animated independently. Layer types provided include CPU, bitmap, GPU, and Direct2D. The layers are organized in trees and the layer manager handles the layers composition, rendering, and animations on hardware or software devices. Layers have properties such as visibility, 3D coordinates, for example. Animations and transitions can be provided at the layer and layer property level.
Claims20
A graphics system, comprising:
- an application process component created to handle a two-dimensional (2D) layer type for graphics output;
- and
- an independent graphics thread component created to receive the 2D layer type and process the 2D layer type into a greater-dimensional scene.
A graphics system, comprising:
- an application process component created to handle a 2D layer type for graphics output;
- an independent graphics thread component created to receive the 2D layer type and process the 2D layer into a 3D scene;
- and
- a thread management component that creates a channel via which commands, events, and notifications are communicated between the independent graphics thread component and the application process component.
A computer-implemented graphics processing method executed by a processor, comprising:
- starting an application thread of an application to process a 2D layer;
- starting an independent graphics thread to process the 2D layer into 3D space;
- communicating commands between the application thread and the graphics thread;
- processing the 2D layer into a 3D scene on the graphics thread;
- and
- sending the 3D scene to a display device for presentation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.