Graphic image generation and coding
AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation
InventorsPaul R. Simons, Timothy J. Walls
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for generating and coding graphic images for transmission to hand-held or mobile devices uses an object-component technique wherein images are composed from a limited set of component types, particularly points and polygons. Images are encoded as a list of objects to be drawn, with each object specified by a command word (FIG. 3) followed by one or more coordinate words (FIG. 4) locating that object in a fixed coordinate image field. The command word indicates the object outline colour (c), the type of object (CC), and whether it is selectable (s) by a user for interactive applications. Parameter bits (p) in the command word indicate point radii or the number of polygon vertices. With a particular type (CC) setting, text strings may be included in the image.
Claims18
A method for generating and coding for transmission a graphic image, comprising the steps of:
- composing the image from a plurality of component objects from a predetermined set of object types, the composition including scaling and locating of each object within a fixed coordinate set image field;
- generating an ordered rendering list identifying the order in which the component objects are to be rendered on regeneration of the image;
- and
- sequentially coding each object of the list as a first data word identifying the object type and one or more further words specifying coordinates for said object, said first data word further including parameters, said parameters being a number of vertices minus two when said object type is a polygon.
A portable communication apparatus configured to receive and decode graphics images generated and coded in accordance with a method comprising the steps of:
- composing the image from a plurality of component objects from a predetermined set of object types, the composition including scaling and locating of each object within a fixed coordinate set image field;
- generating an ordered rendering list identifying the order in which the component objects are to be rendered on regeneration of the image;
- and
- sequentially coding each object of the list as a first data word identifying the object type and one or more further words specifying coordinates for said object, said first data word further including parameters, said parameters being a number of vertices minus two when said object type is a polygon;
- the portable communication apparatus comprising:
- a display device coupled with a display driver circuit arranged to format images for display;
- a receiver coupled with said display driver and being configured to receive coded image data and pass the coded image data to the display driver;
- first storage means coupled with said display driver and containing object identifier codes, said display driver being configured to reconstruct the image from the object identifier codes and output the image to the display.
A device for generating and coding to transmit an image, comprising:
- means for composing the image from a plurality of component objects from a predetermined set of object types, including scaling and locating of each object within a fixed coordinate set image field;
- means for generating an ordered rendering list identifying order in which the component objects are to be rendered on regeneration of the image;
- and
- means for sequentially coding each object of the list as a first data word identifying the object type and one or more further words specifying coordinates for said object, wherein said first data word includes parameters, said parameters being a number of vertices minus two when said object type is a polygon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.