Compressed image stores for high resolution computer graphics
AssigneesCanon Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty. Ltd.
InventorKia Silverbrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A graphics system is disclosed within which video graphics images are calculated via a computer and output for storage via a buffer whereby the image can be compressed/expanded for storage in compressed form in a dedicated semiconductor memory. The system also permits storage of compressed images on hard disk by directly connecting the compressed image store to a system bus. The compressed image store can be duplicated and further compression/expansion units added to broaden system versatility. Alternatively, a single compression/expansion unit can be used.
Claims24
A graphics system comprising:
- computer means connected to a bus, said computer means calculating at least one image from input data supplied via said bus;
- a memory buffer connected to said bus for storing a portion of the at least one image as the portion is calculated;
- and
- processor means connected to said memory buffer and an image memory for
- (1) compressing the portion when said memory buffer is full, and then storing the compressed portion in said image memory as compressed data, and
- (2) upon calculation of a next portion of the one image and expanding a part of the compressed portion from the image memory for combining with the next portion, compressing the combined image and then storing the combined image into said image memory.
A graphics system comprising:
- computer means connected to a bus, said computer means calculating at least one image from input data supplied via said bus;
- a memory buffer connected to said bus for storing a portion of the at least one image as the portion is calculated, said memory buffer comprising an expansion buffer, a compression buffer and a compositing buffer;
- and
- processor means connected to said memory buffer and an image memory, said processor means including a dedicated compressor and a dedicated expander each connected to said image memory, the expander expanding compressed data from said image memory and transferring same into said expansion buffer, and said compressor compressing data from said compression buffer and transferring same into said image memory, the expansion and compression buffers respectively communicating data into and out of said compositing buffer, said compositing buffer also receiving data from said bus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.