Method and apparatus for image compression and manipulation
AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.
InventorWilliam D. Atkinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed which are most advantageously used in conjunction with a digital computer to provide improved graphics capability. These techniques permit the representation and manipulation of any arbitrarily shaped image in terms of "inversion points". Inversion points defining a region are sorted and stored such that the region shape may be regenerated at a later time from the inversion points. Means are provided to compare existing regions and new regions to be displayed, and region operators are provided to specify a precedence between the existing and new regions. Thus, new regions are appropriately "clipped" such that only portions of a new region may actually be displayed to achieve the desired graphic representation.
Claims35
A computer display system, comprising:
- display means for providing a display including a plurality of display elements, each of said display elements being selectively enabled;
- memory means for storing a plurality of inversion points, each of said inversion points having a coordinate corresponding to an element on said display, wherein the coordinates of each inversion point specify orthogonal lines extending in the direction of subsequently enabled display elements from said inversion point and forming two boundaries of a contrasting area;
- processing means coupled to said memory means for enabling elements on said display which correspond to said stored inversion points, and generating said contrasting areas on said display, the contrast of an area being a function of the coordinates of previously displayed inversion points;
- whereby a region which comprises a plurality of inversion points may be displayed by enabling said corresponding elements and generating said associated contrasting areas on said display means.
A method for generating and manipulating graphic representations on a computer controlled display system, said display system including a plurality of display elements, each of said elements being selectively enabled, comprising the steps of;
- providing memory means within said computer including storage for a plurality of inversion points, each of said inversion points having a coordinate corresponding to an element on said display system, wherein the coordinates of each inversion point specify orthogonal lines extending in the direction of subsequently enabled display elements from said inversion point and forming two boundaries of a contrasting area;
- inputting a region comprising a plurality of inversion points into said memory means;
- displaying said inversion points comprising said region by enabling said corrsponding elements on said display and generating said contrasting areas on said display, the contrast of a display being a function of the coordinates of previously displayed points;
- whereby said region is displayed by displaying said inversion points comprising said region and generating said associated contrasting areas on said display.
A method for selectively transferring data from a first location in a computer memory to a second location in said memory, comprising the steps of:
- defining a one scan line buffer in said memory, said scan line buffer sequentially representing said data in said first location;
- defining a one scan line mask buffer in said memory, said scan line mask sequentially representing data in said second location;
- sequentially comparing the contents of said scan line buffer with the contents of said scan line mask prior to the transfer of the contents of said scan line buffer to said second location;
- providing a predetermined precedence as defined by a user between the contents of said scan line buffer and said scan line mask, such that only selected data comprising said scan line buffer having priority is transferred to said second location;
- whereby data is selectively transferred from said first location to said second location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.