Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graphic manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-04
2004-01-20
Bella, Matthew C. (Department: 2676)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graphic manipulation
C345S606000, C345S667000, C345S668000, C345S671000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06680742
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, a video interface mechanism when an image is displayed on a display panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a data conversion method, an apparatus and the like, when enlarging received block data by non-integral multiple.
Generally, display data for displaying an image is processed by a graphics controller of a host apparatus composed of a personal computer (PC) or the like and sent to a display apparatus. Meanwhile, with the advancement of display apparatus represented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) in recent years, a large difference has arisen in throughput between the host apparatus and the display apparatus. For example, in the LCD, higher definition has been achieved for a panel itself, and practical application of a high-definition (super high-definition) panel with a very large resolution has started, including examples such as Quad Extended Graphics Array, QXGA (2048×1536 dots), Quad Super Extended Graphics Array QSXGA (2560×2048 dots), Quad Ultra Extended Graphics Array QUXGA (3200×2400 dots) and so on. However, system power and the power of a graphics controller cannot follow the advancement of the panel. Consequently, it is currently impossible to perform satisfactory display on the super high-definition panel.
For example, with regard to the performance of an image processing system represented by a graphics controller, QXGA is the limit of a typical display function. In the case of 3-dimensional (3D) computer graphics (CG) represented by a home image game machine or the like, throughput is limited to a low resolution of about Video Graphics Array (VGA) (640×480 dots). Thus, for example, while the resolution of the most advanced moving picture is still at the level of VGA, a panel having a resolution several to several tens higher can now be manufactured, bringing about conspicuous differences in the throughput.
As a method for solving the power shortage of such a graphics chip, the applicant has proposed a technology for optimizing the amount of work for the entire system including the graphics chip by distributing processing between a host side, system side, and a panel side, monitor side, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No.Hei 11 (1999)-341461. In the application, image data for image development necessary to display the image is transferred from the host side to the panel side in, for example, block unit. At the panel side, the transferred image data composed of, for example, block unit, is developed in a panel memory, and then output to be displayed. Thus, the proposed technology is highly advantageous in that even when the graphics chip of the host side having low throughput is used, the image can be displayed on, for example, a high-definition panel.
As methods for transferring display data, there are, for example, a line transfer method and a block transfer method, represented by a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). In the above-described technology proposed by the applicant, the block transfer method may be mainly employed from now on, considering, for example, applicability to image compression.
As described above, by using the technology proposed by the applicant, it is possible to display the data of various enlargement ratios on the display. In addition, for example, when display data to be displayed is transferred by the block transfer method, and displayed in an enlarged manner on the display, an accurate enlargement can be carried out if the enlargement ratio is an integer, thus causing no problems. However, if the enlargement ratio is not an integer but is a number including decimal places, the use of the block transfer method may not be sufficient. In other words, it is necessary to develop an image on the memory in dot unit finally to display the image. Thus, for a fraction below decimal point, processing must be executed by calculation with for example an adjacent dot, causing a problem to be solved, namely, the necessity of supplying the information of the adjacent dot.
When, for example, data composed of 32 dots×32 dots is transferred to be displayed after being multiplied by 65/64, a fraction is generated between blocks. In such a case, mixing must be carried out between the adjacent blocks, and even when the data composed of 32×32 dots is transmitted, information around the same must be supplied for the enlarged display. Alternatively, displaying must be carried out approximating 32×32 dots. Consequently, the enlargement can be made only by an integral multiple with a distorted shape.
FIGS. 10A
to
10
C are views illustrating a conventional scaling method. Here, for example, a case where the original image data (original data) composed of 32 dots×32 dots is enlarged by being multiplied by 33.7/32 is shown. Specifically,
FIG. 10A
shows the original data 32 dots×32 dots,
FIG. 10B
shows the former case where mixing is performed between the adjacent blocks and
FIG. 10C
shows the latter case where the displaying is performed approximating, for example, 32 dots×32 dots.
The original data shown in
FIG. 10A
moves the block composed of 32 dots×32 dots to a different space. In most cases, a scaling is not an integral multiple whereas the image-displaying configuration of a screen is decided by an integer as a dot.
In the case shown in
FIG. 10B
, that is, in the case where mixing is performed between the adjacent blocks, when calculation is for example executed involving information of surrounding boundaries, many memories are required, and random transfer cannot be performed. A configuration may be made for transmitting data of a slightly large size. For example, a method may be employed to transmit data at 34 dots×34 dots with respect to 32 dots×32 dots at the transmission side. Here, the added two dots means addition of one dot to each side of rectangular area. In this case, although mixing can be possible between the adjacent blocks, large data must be transmitted in each transfer, causing a lowering of transfer efficiency and an increase in a bandwidth taken from the memory. This situation is not preferable, because an operation at the system side, which supplies the data, becomes difficult.
On the other hand, in the case shown in
FIG. 10C
, that is, in the case of approximate displaying in 33 dots×33 dots, for example, errors are gradually accumulated. Such an accumulation of errors causes image deviation, and there exists a problem that the error goes beyond a permissible range. Solid lines in
FIG. 10C
indicate ideal conversion coordinates, and dotted lines indicate the approximate displaying in 33 dots×33 dots. It can be understood that as values of coordinates increase (moving away from a reference point on the upper-left), errors are accumulated. In the conventional display system, the accumulation of errors was not a problem, because the enlargement ratio was related to the entire screen. However, in the case where data of various enlargement ratios can be displayed at the same time, the accumulation of errors becomes a serious problem.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention attempts to solve the foregoing technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a processing of partial conversion by magnification without requiring many memories.
In order to achieve the foregoing object, according to the present invention, when data is moved between two spaces having different coordinate axes, for example, blocks of four patterns of enlargement ratios are prepared, and mixed to minimize an error, followed by conversion by magnification. Specifically, the present invention provides a data conversion method for converting original data divided into blocks, each block having a m dot width (m: an integer), into data multiplied by n/m (n: a non-integer). This method is characterized in that a block having a first dot width using one of two continuous integers sandwiching the n and a block having a second dot width using
Mamiya Johji
Sugiuchi Yoh
Yamauchi Kazushi
Jennings Derek S
Rahmjoo Mike
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