Method and Apparatus for a Fast Graphic Rendering Realization Methodology Using Programmable Sprite Control

Abstract

A technique for updating computer-graphic digital images comprises coding a position of pixels located in a foreground of a computer-graphic image frame; sending the coded positions of the pixels located in the foreground of the computer-graphic image frame to a frame buffer of a sprite controller; separating a background pixel group from a foreground pixel group in the computer-graphic image frame based on the coded positions; updating the pixels in the foreground pixel group only; and transmitting a frame number and a frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to a computer-graphic image display viewer.

1 . A method of updating computer-graphic digital images, said method comprising:
 coding a position of pixels located in a foreground of a computer-graphic image frame;   sending the coded positions of said pixels located in said foreground of said computer-graphic image frame to a frame buffer of a sprite controller;   separating a background pixel group from a foreground pixel group in said computer-graphic image frame based on the coded positions;   updating the pixels in said foreground pixel group only; and   transmitting a frame number and a frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to a computer-graphic image display viewer.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, further comprising updating the pixels in said background pixel group only when an entire scene of said computer-graphic image changes from a previous scene of said computer-graphic image. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, further comprising updating said pixels in said foreground pixel group based only on said coded positions. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein the transmission of said frame number and said frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to said computer-graphic image display viewer occurs periodically and depends on characteristics of said computer-graphic image frame. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, further comprising configuring said sprite controller as a mini Cathode Ray Tube Controller (CRTC). 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein a configuration of said sprite controller is variable. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, further comprising using a comparator to separate said background pixel group from said foreground pixel group, wherein said comparator comprises exclusive OR digital logic. 
   
   
       8 . A program storage device readable by computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said computer to perform a method of updating computer-graphic digital images, said method comprising:
 coding a position of pixels located in a foreground of a computer-graphic image frame;   sending the coded positions of said pixels located in said foreground of said computer-graphic image frame to a frame buffer of a sprite controller;   separating a background pixel group from a foreground pixel group in said computer-graphic image frame based on the coded positions;   updating the pixels in said foreground pixel group only; and   transmitting a frame number and a frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to a computer-graphic image display viewer.   
   
   
       9 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said method further comprises updating the pixels in said background pixel group only when an entire scene of said computer-graphic image changes from a previous scene of said computer-graphic image. 
   
   
       10 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said method further comprises updating said pixels in said foreground pixel group based only on said coded positions. 
   
   
       11 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein the transmission of said frame number and said frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to said computer-graphic image display viewer occurs periodically and depends on characteristics of said computer-graphic image frame. 
   
   
       12 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said method further comprises configuring said sprite controller as a mini Cathode Ray Tube Controller (CRTC). 
   
   
       13 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein a configuration of said sprite controller is variable. 
   
   
       14 . The program storage device of  claim 8 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said method further comprises using a comparator to separate said background pixel group from said foreground pixel group, wherein said comparator comprises exclusive OR digital logic. 
   
   
       15 . A sprite controller for updating computer-graphic digital images, said sprite controller comprising:
 a dimension register array adapted to code a position of pixels located in a foreground of a computer-graphic image frame;   a frame buffer adapted to store the coded positions of said pixels located in a foreground of said computer-graphic image frame;   a comparator adapted to separate a background pixel group from a foreground pixel group in said computer-graphic image frame based on the coded positions;   a graphic subsystem adapted to update said pixels in said foreground pixel group; and   a picture image frame counter adapted to process a frame number and a frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels.   
   
   
       16 . The sprite controller of  claim 15 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said graphic subsystem is adapted to update the pixels in said background pixel group only when an entire scene of said computer-graphic image changes from a previous scene of said computer-graphic image. 
   
   
       17 . The sprite controller of  claim 15 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said graphic subsystem is adapted to update the pixels in said foreground pixel group based only on said coded positions. 
   
   
       18 . The sprite controller of  claim 15 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, further comprising:
 a transmitter adapted to transmit said frame number and said frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels; and   a computer-graphic image display viewer adapted to receive the transmission from said transmitter,   wherein the transmission of said frame number and said frame buffer parameter dimension corresponding to the updated pixels to said computer-graphic image display viewer occurs periodically and depends on characteristics of said computer-graphic image frame.   
   
   
       19 . The sprite controller of  claim 15 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said sprite controller comprises a mini Cathode Ray Tube Controller (CRTC). 
   
   
       20 . The sprite controller of  claim 15 , all the limitations of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein said comparator comprises exclusive OR digital logic, and wherein a configuration of said sprite controller is variable.