JPH01213714A - Multiwindow display control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform multiwindow display of a natural picture and a character and graphic picture by improving the generation of a subtraction signal to a mask circuit. CONSTITUTION:A picture processing system reads out color character and graphic picture component data from a character and graphic picture data storage part 24 under the control of a central processing part 14 and gives this data to A/D converting circuits 22R-22B to convert it to analog character and graphic picture color component signals and displays them in multiwindows on a display device 10. Therefore, a mask information storage part 17, a natural picture data output part 13, mask circuits 19R-19B which mask data with mask information, D/A converting circuits 20R-20B, and synthesizing circuits 18R-18B for respective color component signals are provided. When natural picture picture element data is masked, signals of characters or the like in the multiwindow form are given to the display device 10 from outputs of synthesizing circuits 8; and when it is not masked, a natural picture signal in the window form is given to the display device 10.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a multi-window display control method that performs window display control using hardware for converting natural images into multi-windows into color characters and graphics, natural images that require real-time processing are used. In an image processing system that displays color text and graphic image component data in multiple windows on a display device under the control of a central processing unit, the mask information storage unit and , a natural image data output section, a mask circuit provided for each color component signal of the natural image data output section and masking the output signal with mask information from the mask information storage section, and a mask circuit for the output of each mask circuit. The digital/analog conversion circuit and each color component signal of each digital/analog conversion circuit are converted into corresponding color characters,
The configuration includes a synthesis circuit for each color component signal to be synthesized with the graphic image component signal.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a multi-window display control system that performs multi-window display control of natural images using hardware in order to display natural images with movement in color images such as characters and figures in multiple windows.

2. Description of the Related Art Some workstations, which are terminal devices installed in information processing systems, can display their screen in a multi-window format. Workstations of this type that display natural images (videos, still images) on a multi-window screen are also being developed.

[Conventional technology]

A system configuration as shown in FIG. 4 is conceivable as a system configuration capable of performing multi-window display including natural images as described above. In other words, a natural image processing section 6 is added to the workstation 2 which has a character and graphic processing section 4 for multi-window display of characters and figures, and natural images are prioritized between windows among multi-window characters and graphics. This is an attempt to display a multi-window display based on the ranking.

For example, when attempting to display a multi-window display of characters, graphics, and natural images as shown in FIG. The R, G, and B signals are processed by the corresponding synthesis circuit 8R.
, 8G, and 8B (however, 8B and 8G are not shown to avoid convergence in the drawing), the natural image processing unit 6 outputs the natural image R, G, and B signals other than the signal components corresponding to the shaded area in FIG. The combined R, G, and B signals are displayed on the CR7 display device 10. of the workstation 2. , the video screen is displayed in a multi-window format with characters, graphics and natural images as shown in FIG.

The control for this display is performed by the natural image memory planes 12R and 12G of the natural image processing section 6.

12B (has a one-to-one correspondence with the screen of the CR7 display device 10.) (12G and 12B are not shown in the figure for the same reason as above) and are output from the above-mentioned character and graphic processing unit 4. One digital pixel signal (dot signal) read out in synchronization with the R, G, and B signals generated under the control of the multi-window display program executed by the central processing unit 14 is sent to the bus 16. Subtraction circuit 18 through
This can be achieved by controlling whether or not the above-mentioned combining circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B are used for combining using subtraction signals applied to R, 18G, and 18B.

In addition, 20R, 20G, 20B are composite circuits 8R, 8G
, 8B is a digital/analog conversion circuit for natural image R, G, B signals supplied to 22R, 22G, 2
2B is a composite circuit 8R, 8G.

This is a digital/analog conversion circuit for character, graphic R, G, and B signals supplied to the 8B. 24 is a disk device for storing digital data for, for example, characters and graphics A in FIG. 5, and the digital data is also created from a host or stand-alone. Further, the data is read out under the control of the multi-window display program executed by the central processing unit 14 as described above, and is sent to the digital/analog conversion circuits 22R and 22.
G, 22B.

Moreover, the above-mentioned natural image memory plane 12R, 120° 12
For example, there are 8 images for each of R, G, and B, and the CR7 display device 10. Pixel data is stored in one-to-one correspondence with the screen. These R, G, and 8 pixel data are converted into NTSC/R, which converts the NTSC television signal into R, G, and B signals.
The R, G, and B signals of the GB conversion circuit 26 are digitally converted by the corresponding analog/digital conversion circuits 28R, 28G, and 28B. NTSC/RGB conversion circuit 26, analog/digital conversion circuit 28R, 28G,
28B and natural image memory plane 12R112G, 12
B is provided because of the display speed on the CR7 display device 10 of the workstation 2 and the NT display speed in multi-window display.
This is to achieve signal speed matching with the signal speed of the SCTV signal.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As is clear from the above, in the multi-window processing of text, graphics, and natural images under the system configuration described above, it is necessary to synthesize the natural image portions hidden under the displayed multi-window characters and graphics. Circuit 8R, 8
The multi-window display described above is only possible when the output to G and 8B is controlled by software on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Software control takes too much time, which is inconvenient for natural images that require real-time performance.

The present invention was created in view of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a multi-window display control method that enables multi-window display of natural images, text, and graphic images that require real-time processing. purpose.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the present invention stores color character and graphic image component data in a character and graphic data storage unit 2 under the control of a central processing unit 14.
4, and sends the character and graphic data to the digital/analog conversion circuits 22R, 22G, and 22B for each color component via the bus 16 and converts them into analog character and graphic color component signals to the display device 10. This is an image processing system that displays multi-window images.

A mask information storage section 17 connected to the bus 16 and storing mask information for multi-window display under the control of the central processing section 14; a natural image data output unit 13 that outputs corresponding color component data in a window format at the same signal speed as the component signals; and a natural image data output unit 13 provided for each color component signal of the natural image data output unit 13;
mask circuits 19R, 19G, and 19B that mask the output signals with mask information from the mask information storage section 17; and a digital/analog converter provided for each of the mask circuits 19R, 19G, and 19B and connected to its output. The circuits 20R, 20G, 20B and the digital/analog conversion circuit 22 corresponding to each color component signal from the digital/analog conversion circuits 20R120G, 20B.
It is constructed by providing synthesis circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B for each color component signal to be synthesized with the output signals from R, 22G, and 22B.

[For production]

Multi-window color character and graphic image component data to be displayed on the display device 10 is read out from the character and graphic image data storage section 24 under the control of the central processing section 14, and the color component data is transferred to the corresponding digital/analog conversion circuit 22R.
, 22G, and 22B into analog signals, and are supplied to the corresponding synthesis circuits 8R, 28G, and 8B.

On the other hand, corresponding color component data of characters, graphics, and the window format desired for multi-window display are output from the natural image data output section 13 for each color component in synchronization with each color component data of the characters and graphics. The mask information corresponding to the masked pixel of this natural image component data is sent to the mask information storage section 17 via the bus 16 under the control of the central processing section 14, and the color character, graphic image component data and natural image component data The mask information is stored prior to the output of the mask information storage section 17, and the corresponding mask information from the mask information storage section 17 is also read out along with the reading of each pixel.

Each of the mask information is stored in mask circuits 19R, 19G, 1
9B, and causes masking of the natural image pixel data provided therefrom from the natural image data output section 13.

Each output data from the mask circuits 19R, 19G, 19B is converted to corresponding digital/analog conversion circuits 2OR, 20.
G, 20B converts it into an analog signal and sends it to the corresponding synthesis circuit 8
Supplied to R28G and 8B.

Therefore, from the outputs of the synthesis circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B, when natural pixel data is masked, analog signals of multi-window format characters and graphic images are supplied to the display device 10, and the masked data is applied to the display device 10. When not, an analog signal of a natural image in a window format is provided to the display device 10. As a result, multi-window display of characters, graphics, and natural images can be performed without any problem, even for natural images that require a high level of real-time performance.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention. Similar to FIG. 4, this embodiment is an example in which characters, graphics, and natural images are displayed in multiple windows on the display screen of a workstation.

In order to eliminate the drawbacks that occur in the system configuration shown in the above-mentioned [Prior Art] section, that is, the problems mentioned in the [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] section, the system configuration shown in FIG. Subtraction circuits 18R, 18G, 18B (
The characteristic feature of the present invention is that the generation of the subtraction signal to the mask circuits 19R, 19G, and 19B shown in FIG. 1 is improved as follows.

Its characteristic part is that a mask memory plane 171 for storing mask bits is provided, and this mask memory plane 17.
Each of the mask bits stored in
written by. Like the natural picture memory planes 12R, 12C; and 12B, this mask memory plane is also constructed in a one-to-one correspondence with the screen of the CRT display device lot. Each mask bit of the mask memory plane 17□ is read out using the above-mentioned natural image memory planes 12R, 1.
The mask bits corresponding to the 2G and 12B read bits are generated under the read control of the central processing unit 14. Although the access system for this purpose is not clearly shown in FIG. 2 to avoid drawing convergence, it is formed between these components on the display control. The continuous output of the mask memory plane 17° is supplied to the subtraction inputs of subtraction circuits 18R, 18G, and 18B. Then, the above-mentioned NTSC/RGB conversion circuit 26, analog/digital conversion circuit 28R, 2
8G, 28B, and natural image memory plane 12R, 12
An example in which G and 12B constitute the natural image data output section 13 in FIG. 1 is shown.

The operation of the system configuration as described above will be explained below.

For convenience of explanation, an example of a multi-window display of characters, graphics (however, one window will be used to simplify the explanation) and a natural image will be the same as that shown in FIG. 5 above.

The three primary color characters and graphic data are stored in the disk device 24. and natural image memory plane 12R212G, 12
After data is written to B as described above, when the multi-window display described above is determined by the central processing unit 14, the mask memory plane 1 is written under software control executed there.
71 via the bus 16, mask bits as shown by the solid line frame in FIG. 3 are written. Note that dotted line A in Figure 3
.

B is for showing the correspondence with the characters, graphic picture window A, and natural picture window B in FIG.

Then, under the control of the central processing unit 14, the reading of the three primary color character and graphic image data from the disk device 24+ is caused, and at the same time, the reading of the three primary color natural image data from the natural image memory planes 12R, 12G.

12B and reading of mask bits from mask memory plane 171 occurs. These readouts are such that the R, G, and B pixels (dots) of characters, graphic pictures, and natural pictures are simultaneously applied to the corresponding synthesis circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B.

As such reading continues, only while the reading state is such that the natural image is hidden under the characters and graphics,
Mask memory plane 17. The mask bit "1" is read out from (see the solid line frame in FIG. 3). Since the mask bit "1" is applied to the subtraction inputs of the subtraction circuits 18R, 180, and 18B, the digital/analog conversion circuit 20
The natural image signal supplied to the synthesis circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B via R, 20G, and 20B becomes the natural image portion of the natural image B shown in FIG. 5 that does not have the solid line frame portion in FIG.

As is clear from the above, each pixel signal of this natural image portion is divided into various pixel signals constituting the natural image area of FIG. 5 excluding the solid line frame portion of FIG. Synthesis circuit 8R as a dot.

8G and 8B, and these pixel signals, characters, characters supplied from the graphic image processing section 4, and each pixel signal of the graphic image window A are combined into synthesis circuits 8R, 8G, and 8B.
When the image is supplied to the CR7 display device 101 for display, a multi-window image of characters, graphics and natural images, which is exactly the same as that described in the above-mentioned [Prior Art] section, is displayed on the screen.

Mask control of pixel signals in displaying this multi-window image is hardware control for each pixel signal.
This is useful for eliminating problems that would occur if the control was attempted to be controlled by software.

Although the case where the mask memory plane and the display screen in the above-described embodiments have a one-to-l correspondence has been described, this does not necessarily have to be the case. For example, the relationship may exist for only part of the display screen.

Also, if necessary, the synthesis circuit 8R shown in FIG.

By adding natural image processing units other than 8G and 8B, and increasing the compositing capacity of compositing circuits 8R, 80, and 8B by the added amount, multi-window display of two or more natural images, text, and graphic images is facilitated. can be achieved.

In these cases, the mask memory plane and natural image memory plane do not need to be in plain format;
It is clear from the above description that any format is acceptable as long as it can produce the above-described display control with graphics.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention,
Since high-speed mask control can be performed, multi-window display of natural images, text, and graphic images, which requires a high level of real-time performance, is possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of mask bit expansion of a mask plane. Figure 4 is a diagram showing characters, graphic drawings, and nature. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration for multi-window display with images. 1 and 2, 8R, 8G, and 8B are synthesis circuits, 10 is a display device (CRT display device 10.), and 13 is a natural image data output section (natural image memory brain 12R, 12G).
, 12B, NTSC/RGB conversion circuit 26, analog/
14 is a central processing unit, 16 is a bus, 17 is a mask information storage unit (mask memory plane 17,
), 19R, 19G, 19B are mask circuits (subtraction circuit 18R
, 18G, 18B), 20R, 20G, 20B: 22R, 22G, 22B are digital/analog conversion circuits, 24 is a character and graphic data storage unit (disk device 24,
). 4, disease 58, Δ arc 8E71,,, 711 Figure 1, square 77℃-n, square 7E・y, A&'l Iku bow 3rd
Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Under the control of the central processing unit (14), color character and graphic image component data are read out from the character and graphic image data storage unit (24), and each color character and graphic image component data is transferred via the bus (16). In an image processing system that supplies a color component to a digital/analog conversion circuit (22R, 22G, 22B) to convert it into an analog signal and display it in a multi-window on a display device (10), connected to the bus (16), The central processing unit (14)
a mask information storage unit (17) for storing mask information for multi-window display under the control of the image processing system; A natural image data output unit (13) that outputs color component data; and a natural image data output unit (13) provided for each color component output signal of the natural image data output unit (13), and outputs the output signal from the mask information storage unit (17). A mask circuit (1
9R, 19G, 19B) and each of the mask circuits (19R
, 19G, 19B) and connected to the output of the digital/analog conversion circuit (20R, 20G, 2
0B) and each of the digital/analog conversion circuits (20R, 20G
, 20B) to the digital/analog conversion circuits (22R, 22G, 22B) corresponding to each color component signal from
A multi-window display control system characterized by providing a synthesis circuit (8R, 8G, 8B) for each color component signal to be synthesized with the output signal from the 3D display, and displaying characters, graphic images, and natural images in multiple windows.