JPH05241566A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image display device enlarging a frame memory without enlarging a VRAM. CONSTITUTION:A frame memory area 200 divided into plural blocks 201, 202 is set on a DRAM 12. Thus, graphic data is stored in respective blocks 201, 202 in the DRAM 12. The graphic data of a screen figure, etc., used frequently regardless of the entire and a part of the screen is stored in the frame memory area. The setting of the frame memory area 200 is performed by a memory switching part and the graphic data stored in the blocks 201, 202 previously is called out each time as necessary.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in an image display device, in particular, in various monitor display devices for displaying digital graphic image data on a display, and dynamically changing the memory capacity of a frame memory holding graphic image data. The present invention relates to an image display device that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a conventional graphic image display device (for example, a magazine "interface" (CQ publisher,
(Shown in the October 1984 issue)).

In the figure, a conventional graphic image display device is processed by a graphic processor 11 for performing various processes necessary for displaying image data, and a graphic processor 11 for enhancing responsiveness in interactive figure creation. A segment memory 12 for holding data such as an image database, a frame memory 13 for holding graphic image data processed by the graphic processor 11, a graphic display 14 for displaying the graphic image data held by the frame memory 13, and a frame memory A pixel mask section 15 used for controlling so that writing is performed only on a specific pixel when displaying the image data of 13 on the graphic display 14, and a data bus 16 connecting each of the above devices. Are al configuration.

The segment memory 12 is a DRAM.
(Dynamic Random Access Me
The frame memory 13 for storing graphic image data is a VRAM (Video Ra).
It is configured by the Ndom Access Memory).

Further, the segment memory 12 stores various processing programs operating in the graphic processor 11 and work data. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the conventional graphic image display device is
The entire memory area of the segment memory 12 is occupied by the segment memory area 100 containing the above data. Next, the operation of the conventional graphic image display device configured as described above will be described. First, the graphic processor 11 processes graphic image data input from the outside according to a processing program stored in the segment memory 12, and shows the graphic element data stored in the segment memory 12 and the relationship between those element data. Graphic image data is generated using the structure data and stored in the frame memory 13. Then, the graphic image data stored in the frame memory 13 is displayed on the screen by the graphic display 14.

Further, generation of graphic image data in the frame memory 13 and graphic display 1
Regarding the display processing for No. 4, the pixel mask section 15 operates a graphic drawing special function that controls so that writing is performed only on a specific pixel.

[0007]

Here, since the VRAM forming the frame memory has a large number of elements as compared with the DRAM and the memory capacity per element is small, the conventional graphic image display configured as described above is used. In the device, there is a problem that the mounting area occupied by the memory IC on the substrate becomes too large when the frame memory is expanded.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional graphic image display device, only the data for generating and processing various processing program graphic data is stored in the segment memory 12, and the graphic data is stored only in the VRAM. There is also a problem that the area for storing is not easily changed according to the usage.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the first object thereof is VRAM.
An object of the present invention is to obtain an image display device capable of expanding the frame memory without expanding the memory.

A second object of the present invention is to obtain an image display device capable of expanding the frame memory according to the usage mode of the device.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a DRA having a high integration density is provided.
A feature is that the mounting area occupied by the memory IC on the substrate is reduced by setting a frame memory area in M to secure a large capacity frame memory.

That is, in the image display apparatus according to the present invention, a DRAM for storing data such as a program, a processing means for performing processing such as data calling / storing / conversion, and image data for an image displayed on the display are stored. In the image display device for displaying graphic data written in the VRAM based on a program written in the DRAM, the DRAM is provided with a means for setting a frame memory area in the DRAM. The graphic data read from the frame memory area set in the
It is characterized in that it is transferred to M and displayed.

Further, since the frame memory area set in the DRAM is divided into specific blocks, predetermined graphic data read from the blocks is transferred to the VRAM to display a predetermined image. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the above object, the third aspect of the present invention
The image display device according to the invention of claim 1 displays a part of a segment memory that holds various programs processed by a graphic processor and an image database for improving responsiveness in interactive graphic creation on a graphic display. It is characterized in that it is provided with a memory switching means for constituting as a part of the frame memory to be held.

The image display device according to the fourth invention is
It is characterized in that the memory switching means comprises a dynamic memory reallocation means for dynamically changing the setting of the frame memory area formed in a part of the segment memory.

[0016]

According to the image display device of the present invention having the above-described structure, the graphic data corresponding to the frequently used image is stored in the frame memory area set in the DRAM. .. Then, if necessary, the graphic data corresponding to the image is called, transferred to the VRAM, and displayed. This gives V
The existing DRAM can be used to store the predetermined graphic data as described above without expanding the RAM.

If the frame memory area set in the DRAM is divided into specific blocks, different types of predetermined graphic data can be stored in each block. This allows
It becomes possible to quickly call frequently used images and quickly switch the images.

Further, according to the image display apparatus of the present invention, by setting the mode for the memory switching means, a graphic for displaying a specified memory area of the segment memory for storing various information which is usually processed by the graphic processor on the display. It is configured as an extension area of a frame memory that holds image data, and the segment memory can be dynamically used as a frame memory thereafter.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the same or corresponding parts as those of the conventional image display device are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The characteristic of the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment is that the DRAM 12 has a frame memory area 2.
00 is set. The graphic data stored in the frame memory area 200 is called by a predetermined command, transferred via the data bus 16, stored in the VRAM 13, and then displayed on the graphic display 14. Area 1 of DRAM 12 not specified in frame memory area 200
00 functions as a normal memory area (segment memory area in the embodiment) 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the same or corresponding parts as those of the conventional image display device are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

A characteristic of the image display apparatus according to the second embodiment is that the frame memory area 200 set in the DRAM 12 is divided into a plurality of blocks 201 and 202. As a result, it becomes possible to store graphic data corresponding to a predetermined screen in association with each of the blocks 201 and 202. For this predetermined screen, a screen or the like frequently used for explanation is designated. The predetermined screen may be one screen of the graphic display 14, or a part of the screen,
Alternatively, it may be a single figure displayed on the screen. The memory switching unit 17 divides the frame memory area 200 into a plurality of blocks. By dividing the frame memory area 200 into a plurality of blocks, the normal memory area 100 is also divided into a plurality of blocks.

The image display apparatus according to the first and second embodiments as described above is effective when frequently used screens and figures are registered in advance and the screens are called as needed. Can be used. According to the image display devices in the first and second embodiments, even if the frequently used screen is complicated, it is possible to quickly call the screen.

In the conventional image display device, the necessary screen is displayed in the VRAM by the graphic processor 11 as needed.
However, in this case, there is a problem that it takes too much time to write a complicated figure, a large number of figures, or a figure that uses one entire screen (one frame). However, with the image display devices of the first and second embodiments in which necessary screens are prepared in advance in the DRAM 12, it is possible to instantly call out even a complicated figure.

Here, the above operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for registering a predetermined screen in the image display apparatus according to the above embodiment.

First, as described in the first embodiment, DRA
The frame memory area 200 is set in M12 (S101). Then, a screen figure to be registered in advance is generated (S102). This screen is a screen figure or the like that is frequently cited. For example, the arrangement of valves in a plant or the like of a factory, or a figure showing a screen bubble showing the open / closed state. The frame memory area 200 is VR
Similar to the AM 13, the graphic drawing special function of the pixel mask section 15 is effective. When it is necessary to mask a specific pixel for the generation and processing of figures and screen data, you can use the graphic drawing special function to generate graphics data such as figures and screens at high speed.
It can be processed (S102).

To call and display the registration screen once registered (S103), the procedure shown in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, first, the graphic data of the registration screen to be displayed is called from the corresponding block of the frame memory area 200 in the DRAM 12 (S201). The read graphic data is converted by the graphic processor 11 if some conversion processing is required (S202), and then the VRA
It will be copied to M13 (S203). VRA
The registration screen corresponding to the data copied to M13 will be displayed on the graphic display 14 (S204). In the image display device according to the present embodiment, the graphic data is not generated in the VRAM but is copied from the frame memory 200 of the DRAM, so that the registration screen and the graphic are instantaneously displayed.
For example, in the above example, the figure showing the valve in the plant of the factory can be displayed instantaneously. In this case, in the image display device according to the present embodiment, once the screen has been registered, the screen is displayed each time in order to create a screen showing the valve arrangement and the open / closed state like the conventional device. There is no need to spend any effort to create it, and there is no need to expand the VRAM 13 to secure a screen or graphic registration area.

Here, the graphic data read from the DRAM 12 is directly transferred to the graphic display 14
However, by being converted by the graphic processor 11 and copied to the VRAM 13, it can be directly displayed on the graphic display 14.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, the same or corresponding parts as those of the conventional image display device are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, the image display device of this embodiment is provided with a memory switching section 17 in addition to the configuration of the conventional image display device shown in FIG. The segment memory 12 of the image display device shown in FIG. 5 is set in the segment memory area 10 by the mode setting of the memory switching unit 17.
0 and the frame memory area 200 (memory area shown by diagonal lines) are divided and used.

That is, in the application processed by the graphic processor 11, the frame memory 1
When a frame memory area exceeding the physical memory capacity of 3 is required, the graphic processor 11
For a predetermined memory area that can be used as an inner frame memory of the segment memory 12, mode setting is performed for the memory switching unit 17. After the mode setting for the memory switching unit 17, the graphic display 14 can access the frame memory area of the segment memory 12 as if it were an extended part of the memory area of the frame memory 13.

After the mode is set for the memory switching unit 17, the segment memory 1 is used for the display control of the graphic image data of the frame memory 13 on the graphic display 14 by the pixel mask unit 15.
The second frame memory area is recognized as an extension part of the frame memory 13 and can be written in the same manner as the frame memory 13, and the graphic drawing special function of the pixel mask section 15 is also applied in the same manner as the frame memory 13. Like

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, in the image display device of the present embodiment, a dynamic memory allocation means 18 is configured in the memory switching section 17 of the image display device shown in FIG. Then, the segment memory 12 of the image display device shown in FIG.
Are divided into segment memory areas 101, 102 and 103 and frame memory areas 201 and 202 (memory areas indicated by diagonal lines) and used according to the mode setting of the memory switching unit 17.

That is, in the image display device of this embodiment,
When an application processed by the graphic processor 11 requires a frame memory area that exceeds the physical memory capacity of the frame memory 13, the graphic processor 11 uses the segment memory 1
Segment memory 1 after allocating 2 in block units
The memory area that can be used as the inner frame memory of No. 2 is calculated, and the memory switching unit 17 is instructed to set the mode according to the allocated segment memory map.

In the memory switching section 17, the segment memory 12 is dynamically allocated by the dynamic memory allocation means 18 according to the mode setting from the graphic processor 11, and the allocated segment memory 12 is access-controlled in block units. After the mode setting for the memory switching unit 17, the graphic display 14
Can access the frame memory area of the segment memory 12 on a block-by-block basis as if it were an expanded part of the memory area of the frame memory 13.

Further, as described above, also in the graphic drawing special function of the frame memory 13 by the pixel mask section 15, the frame memory area of the segment memory 12 is recognized as an extension section of the frame memory 13 on a block-by-block basis. Similarly, not only the writing becomes possible, but also the graphic drawing special function is applied similarly to the frame memory 13.

As described above, according to the image display devices according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, the designated memory area of the segment memory that normally stores various information processed by the graphic processor is specified. Is provided with a memory switching unit configured as an expansion area of the frame memory that holds the graphic image data to be displayed on the display, and is configured such that a part of the segment memory can be dynamically used as the frame memory by mode setting for the memory switching unit. Therefore, it is possible to dynamically change the memory configuration of the frame memory and to reduce the mounting area occupied by the memory IC on the substrate.

[0040]

As described above, according to the image display device of the present invention, a part of the DRAM can be used as a frame memory so that the graphic data of the screen can be stored therein. There is an effect that the capacity of the graphic data memory can be expanded without increasing the mounting area occupied by the above memory IC.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of image registration in the image display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of calling a registered image in the image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 graphic processor 12 segment memory 13 frame memory 14 graphic display 15 pixel mask section 16 data bus 17 memory switching section 18 dynamic memory allocating means 100, 101, 102, 103 segment memory area 200, 201, 202 frame memory area

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A DR for storing data such as programs.
The VR has an AM, a processing unit that performs processing such as data calling / storing / conversion, and a VRAM that stores graphic data of an image displayed on a display, and the VR is based on a program written in the DRAM.
An image display device for displaying graphic data written in AM, comprising means for setting a frame memory area for storing graphic data in the DRAM, and a graphic read from the frame memory area set in the DRAM An image display device, wherein data is transferred to the VRAM and displayed. 2. A DR for storing data such as programs.
The VR has an AM, a processing unit that performs processing such as data calling / storing / conversion, and a VRAM that stores graphic data of an image displayed on a display, and the VR is based on a program written in the DRAM.
An image display device for displaying graphic data written in AM, comprising means for setting a frame memory area in the DRAM, wherein the frame memory area set in the DRAM is divided into specific blocks, An image display device, wherein predetermined graphic data read from the block is transferred to the VRAM to display a predetermined image. 3. A segment memory for holding various programs processed by a graphic processor, an image database for improving responsiveness in interactive figure creation, and a frame memory for holding image data to be displayed on a graphic display. An image display device for displaying the provided digital image data on a graphic display, comprising: a memory switching means for switching a part of the segment memory to a part of the frame memory. 4. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein the memory switching means includes a dynamic memory allocating means for dynamically changing a setting of a frame memory area formed in a part of the segment memory. An image display device characterized in that