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AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsRobert S. Horton, Ralph C. Mitchell, Walter G. Temnycky
Estimating the term…
A programmable display controller allows reconfiguration of bit plane memory and video output connections based upon the type of display device employed. The display controller allows for the definition of multiple bit planes when the display device supports color or multiple gray shades. Simultaneous storage of images to all defined planes is accomplished through the use of multi-store logic. Multi-store logic transforms a data stream defining foreground and background portions of an image within a given display area into a form that can be simultaneously written to the bit planes as required to create the necessary output. Under processor control, a video palette may be loaded to ensure that display output signals are routed to the correct connector pins. The routing of particular signals to particular pins is reconfigured through the selection and loading of the applicable video palette. Video connector leads are connected to the palette generated data signals or to electrical ground by means of reconfigurable jumpers. The number of bit planes and display pages can be readily modified with a multi-mode controller translating the selected mode into the required bit plane memory control signals.
Apparatus for generating a pixel image for display by a raster scan device, said image comprising foreground pixels and background pixels, each of said foreground and background pixels containing a plurality of bit positions and having a value at each of said bit positions, each of said bit positions having a foreground value and a background value associated therewith such that the foreground pixels have said foreground value at said bit position and the background pixels have said background value at said bit position, said apparatus comprising:
In a graphics system for generating a pixel image comprising and array of pixels for display by a raster scan device, said system having an addressable memory for storing said pixel image, said memory having locations corresponding to said pixels, apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.