Color coding method for expanding palette by including colors derived by averaging numeric codes of actual palette colors

Apparatus for generating graphics, comprising:

• memory means for storing graphics data words;
• control means for reading at least three of said graphics data words from said memory means, each of said digital words comprising N binary bits and relating to a color for a respective pixel;
• said control means determining if each of said graphics data words represents an independent color, or an interpolation operator code, said independent color being one of 2.sup.N -1 independent colors represented by N-bit data words, wherein one of said N-bit data words is said interpolation operator code;
• said control means determining if first and second independent colors associated with a pair of pixels represent an identical independent color, and if said graphics data associated with a third pixel is said interpolation operator code;
• said control means, in response to said determination, producing a particular dependent color for each case when said first and second independent colors of said pair of pixels are identical, said particular dependent color being a color which is not the average of said first and second independent colors of said pair of pixels;
• said control means in response to said graphics data causing the display of said first independent color, said particular dependent color, and said identical independent color, in that order.

A method for generating graphics, comprising the steps of:

• reading at least three graphics data words from a memory means, each of said graphics data words being associated with a respective pixel;
• determining if each of said graphics data words represents an independent color, or an interpolation operator code, said independent color being one of 2.sup.N -1 independent colors represented by N-bit data words, wherein one of said N-bit data words is said interpolation operator code;
• determining if first and second independent colors associated with a pair of pixels represent an identical independent color, and if said graphics data associated with a third pixel is said interpolation operator code;
• producing, in response to said determination, a graphics data word representing a particular dependent color for each case when said first and second independent colors of said pair of pixels are identical, said particular dependent color being a color which is not the average of said identical independent colors of said pair of pixels;
• and
• displaying, in response to said graphics data, said first independent color, said particular dependent color, and said identical independent color, in that order.