US 5,321,810 A · Address method for computer graphics system

Abstract

In a computer graphics system, an address generator processes physical and virtual addresses using a common command set. The address generator formulates addresses as a function of distance from the origin of the desired destination area in a destination memory to the requested position in the destination area. A plurality of context drawing commands is used to define a desired context in which drawing graphics commands operate. Different parts of the context are changeable/redefinable independently of the other parts. Graphics commands have a format of multiple fields having corresponding parameters arranged in order of common use of the parameter such that fields of less commonly used parameters are at an omittable end of the format. Raster drawing commands are delimited by a beginning and end indicator to form a drawing unit. For clip list processing, a drawing unit is stored as a single occurrence in the system command buffer.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of addressing memory in a computer system comprising the steps of:

providing a destination memory having a destination area, said destination area having an origin;
determining, for a given position in said destination area of said destination memory, a working distance from the origin of the destination area to the given position along one axis of the destination area;
and
determining a destination memory address for addressing said given position in said destination memory as a function of the determined working distance.

1 more element

An apparatus comprising:

a source memory having an x and y axis, and an initial source memory address for storing data, said source memory including a source area within said source memory and having an origin source address;
a destination memory having an x and y axis, said destination memory having an initial destination memory address and including a destination area within said destination memory having a plurality of memory locations for storing data, said destination area having an origin destination address;
an address generator, coupled to said source memory and to said destination memory, to provide a respective source memory address to said source memory and a destination memory address to said destination memory, said address generator including:
means for determining a working distance along the x-axis between said origin destination address and one of said plurality of memory locations for storing data;
and
means for providing said source memory addresses as a function of said working distance.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Address method for computer graphics system

Life of this patent

Address method for computer graphics system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11