Video frame signature capture

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing signature analysis of video data being output by a RAMDAC so that starting and stopping the sampling of data is made precise so that the data sampled is a known set. The invention uses a timing generator and signature analysis hardware integrated with a RAMDAC to start and stop the sampling and signature calculation of video data on frame boundaries. A signature capture request bit is used to request that the next frame be sampled and a signature calculated. The hardware waits until the beginning of the next frame starts, and then samples data until the frame ends. The calculated signature is made available in a signature analysis result register for reading. The resulting signature is held in the signature analysis result register until cleared or another signature capture request is made.

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