JPS6235394A - General-purpose graphic display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a general-purpose graphic display device using a raster φ scan method that expresses spatial information, and particularly to a general-purpose graphic display device that can easily express multiple images.

[Prior Art] Generally, this type of display device includes an image generation device 10 and a refresh buffer 20, as shown in FIG.
, an image display device 30 , and a color CRT display 40 .

The image generation device IO is configured with a microcomputer, and generates image data such as line segments, points, and area representations of the object to be expressed, and also performs a process of converting the image data into the pixel array of the refresh buffer. That is, scan conversion is performed.

The refresh buffer 20 refreshes the semiconductor memory element with CR
It is composed of pixel data storage units arranged corresponding to the pixel arrangement of the screen of the T-display 40. Each pixel has a memory capacity with a bit width of 4 bits allocated to each color of red, green, and blue in order to correspond to the representation of a color image.
By storing color information corresponding to spatial information in each of these pixels, information about the screen to be expressed is written. This memory is sequentially read out in synchronization with the scanning of the CRT display 40.

Note that the pixel data storage unit can also be considered to be a virtual storage plane consisting of pixels having a bit width of 1 bit to several bits, and a plurality of these planes are stacked to form an l unit. In this case, each storage plane represents a color element, and spatial information corresponding to that color element is written into each storage plane. Then, by superimposing the spatial information of each color element, a predetermined image is expressed.

Image display g! As shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 130 includes a task scan generator 31 that generates an address for task scanning the refresh buffer 20, and a task scan generator 31 that holds the formed address and transfers the address to the refresh buffer 20.
X and Y address registers 32 and 33 for sending data to the refresh buffer 2o, and a pixel data register 34 for temporarily storing pixel data for the pixel read from the refresh buffer 2o.
A D/A converter 35 converts the pixel data from digital to analog.

Conventionally, when displaying a color image using this type of graphic device, the image generation device 10 generates spatial information and color information of the object to be expressed, and scans and converts it into a pixel array to correspond to the spatial information. , written as color information to each pixel of the refresh buffer 2o,
Next, the color information written to each pixel is read out from the refresh buffer 20 from addresses sequentially specified by the X and Y address registers 32 and 33, and is output as an analog signal by the D/A converter 35 to the CRT display 4o.
send to As a result, the target object is expressed as a color image.

However, this conventional graphics device has the following problems.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In Juzu's graphic device, when displaying a multiple image, that is, an image representing an object and a background, or two or more objects located before and after one, Based on the positional information such as the front and back of the %v body to be expressed, software converts the image data into a flat image, scans and converts this image data, writes it to the refresh buffer, and displays it. Is going.

By the way, when rewriting the image to be displayed, for example, when rewriting the form, color, etc. of the expression elements appearing on the screen, or when fixing one object, for example, the background, of the image representing two or more objects mentioned above, In order to express a screen in which the positions of other objects are changed, all image data must be regenerated and the data must be rewritten to the refresh buffer.

However, image data generation takes time to process. Therefore, in order to rewrite the image during flyback of TeskuScan to avoid flickering on the screen, image generation must be performed at high speed, and the computer of the image generation device must be fast and large. , the problem arises that the device becomes large-scale and expensive.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the state of a part of a plurality of representation objects forming a multiple image changes, the necessary information can be changed without rewriting all image data. General-purpose graphics that can only generate new image data, reduce the amount of image data that must be rewritten, and respond quickly to changes in the image without requiring a high-speed, large-sized computer. The purpose is to provide a display device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an image generation device that forms data for an image to be expressed and converts it into pixel data on a bitmap, and a pixel that stores this pixel data in bitmap format. A refresh buffer consisting of a data storage unit/), an image display device that performs test scan and reads out the pixel data stored in this pixel data storage unit, and performs D/A conversion, and an image display device that performs D/A conversion, and Raster Φ with a CRT display to display
As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems that occur in a scan-type general-purpose graphic display device, the present invention is characterized by having the following structural requirements.

(a) The image generation device is configured to add an identification code to each pixel data indicating whether the pixel data is transparent or black, and (b) the refresh buffer is configured by a plurality of pixel-data storage units. At the same time, a priority is set for each pixel data storage unit, and an identification bit for storing the identification code is provided for each pixel of each pixel data storage unit, (c) An input selection device for selectively inputting one pixel data to a pixel data storage unit having a priority corresponding to the priority is arranged in between.

(d) Selectively output the pixel data stored in each pixel data storage unit to the output side of the refresh buffer according to the preset priority and the identification code indicating whether the pixel data is transparent or black. A pixel data selection device with a priority circuit is provided.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when the image generation device generates image data, it adds information that identifies whether that portion is transparent or black for a portion of the image that has no color information. . This information is added to each pixel data as an identification code indicating whether the pixel data is transparent or black during scan conversion.

Pixel data can be written independently to each of the plurality of pixel data storage units constituting the first reflex buffer. In this case, when there are two or more objects, pixel data is generated as independent image data for each object that should be expressed independently, such as the background and a moving object in front of it, and the pixel data is written to the data storage unit.

Each pixel data storage unit has a priority set corresponding to the priority of each priority circuit of the pixel data selection device described later.The spatial arrangement order and priority of each pixel data storage unit are not directly related. However, both may be made to correspond.

Further, one bit of an identification code is added to each pixel of each pixel data storage unit along with color information of the image to be stored. For example, when all bits of color information of the pixel data are "O", the identification code is, for example,
If it is "1", it indicates that the color information of the pixel is "black", while if it is 40'', it indicates that it is "white".

The input selection device stores each pixel data of an object to be independently expressed in each pixel data storage.

When writing pixel data, pixel data of an object that should appear in the foreground based on the front-back positional relationship is stored in the pixel data storage unit with the highest priority. For objects located further behind, in terms of their relative positions,
The subsequent pixel data is stored in a pixel data storage unit with a lower priority.

Pixel data is read from the refresh buffer by sequentially specifying addresses in the same way as in the above-mentioned graphics device. In this case, the address is set in common to the pixels of each pixel data storage unit, and one Pixel data is output from each pixel data storage unit by addressing.

The pixel data selection device selects pixel data output from each pixel data storage unit. This selection is performed pixel by pixel. That is, one of the pixel data from the plurality of storage units is selected according to the preset priority and identification code.

That is, for a certain pixel, if color information is included in the output of the pixel data storage unit with the highest priority, that is selected with priority. If the output from this pixel data storage unit contains no color information at all, the selection will differ depending on whether the identification code indicates "black" or "transparent". If it is the former, black information is given priority. On the other hand, if the area is transparent, it is assumed that there is nothing to display in that area, and pixel data from the pixel data storage unit with the next priority is selected. From then on,
Similarly, those with relatively high priority are selected.

However, various methods are possible for selecting pixel data based on priority and identification code. There is a way to do it. There is also a method of arranging pixel data from all pixel data storage units in parallel and selecting them all at once.

When changing the position or color of an object to be expressed, image data related to the changing object is generated, and spatial information and color information based on the image data are stored in pixel data storage where the image data related to the object is stored. It can be stored in the unit. In this case, there is no need to process pixel data related to other objects that do not change at all, so the amount of processing for newly generated image data can be significantly reduced.
The burden on the image generation device can be reduced.

Note that it is also possible to add new objects to the screen in the same way.

According to the present invention, the above-described effects allow the currently displayed screen to be rewritten without flickering, to change the shape, position, color, etc. of an object in front while leaving the background as it is, and to You can easily change the context of the

Furthermore, since transparent parts of an object to be expressed can be displayed separately from opaque parts, more advanced graphic techniques can be realized.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Incidentally, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing essential parts of an embodiment of the general-purpose graphic display device of the present invention.

<Configuration of Example> The basic configuration of the general-purpose graphic display device of this example is the same as that shown in Figure 4.5 above. , as shown in FIG. 1, the refresh buffer 50 is divided into a plurality of pixel data storage units 50a, 50b, .
The input selection device 60 is arranged on the input side, and the pixel data selection device 70 is arranged on the output side. Although not shown, the image generation device includes a fourth
The configuration is similar to that shown in the figure, but the bit width of the image data.

The number is increased by the number of identification codes. Note that the components other than these essential parts are the same as those described above, so the description will not be repeated.

A refresh buffer 50 is configured. A plurality of pixel data storage units 50a, 50b, . . . 50n are
Each pixel data storage unit is configured similarly to the pixel data storage unit that constitutes the refresh buffer 20 described above. That is, the semiconductor memory elements are arranged in correspondence with the pixel arrangement of the screen of the CRT display. Each pixel has a memory capacity with a bit width of 4 bits each for red, green, and blue, and 1 bit each for an identification code, in order to support the expression of a color image.Spatial information is stored in each pixel. Information about the screen to be expressed is written by storing corresponding color information and an identification code indicating whether it is black or transparent.

Note that each pixel data storage unit 50a,...50n
can also be considered as a collection of virtual storage planes as described above.

The input selection device 60 includes the pixel data storage unit) 50.
It consists of a switch that selects any one of pixel data a, .
a, ... 50n.

The pixel data selection device 70 includes n-1 priority circuits 70a.
,? It consists of 70 layers Ob, . . . and is provided corresponding to each of the pixel data storage units 50a, . . . 5On arranged in sequence. Each priority circuit 70a, 70b,...?
Otm each consists of a logic gate circuit. An example is shown in FIG.

The priority circuit shown in the figure is R3 for each of red, green, and blue.
~RO1G3~GO, 83~BO 4 bits each.

This is an example in which 1 bit of black is allocated to the identification code. This priority circuit includes a priority information detection circuit 71 that detects the presence or absence of data A from a pixel data storage unit with a high priority, data A from the pixel data storage unit with a high priority, and pixel data with a low priority. The gate circuits 72 and 73 are respectively connected to data B from the storage unit and control opening/closing of data output.

The priority information detection circuit 71 is composed of, for example, an AND gate circuit, and inputs the inverted signal of each bit of data A. Therefore, when each bit of data A is at a low level, that is, when data A has no color information and is transparent, the output of the priority information detection circuit 71 is at a high level. On the other hand, if the data A has color information or the identification code represents black, the output of the priority information detection circuit 71 becomes low level.

The gate circuits 72 and 73 are the priority information detection circuits 7
1 is input as a gate control signal. The gate signal is inverted and input to the former, and the gate signal is input as is to the latter. Therefore, the gate circuits 72 and 73 open and close the gates reciprocally according to the output signal of the priority information detection circuit 71. That is,
If data A has no color information and the identification code is transparent, the gate circuit 73 opens the gate, and if data A has color information or the identification code is black, the gate circuit 73 opens the gate. , the gate circuit 72 opens the gate.

The priority circuits 70a, 70b, . . . , 70m may be arranged in various ways, but in this embodiment, they are arranged as follows.

First, the most posterior priority circuit 70m is arranged to select pixel data from the storage units 50n and 50m. The priority circuit 70i located in the middle is arranged so as to select the pixel data sent from the priority circuit 70i-1 located next thereto and the pixel data from the pixel data storage unit 50i located at the same position. Further, the priority circuit 70a located at the forefront selects the pixel data sent from the priority circuit 70b that follows it and the pixel data from the pixel data storage unit 50a at the pixel data storage unit 50a, and uses the selection result in the fifth
The pixel data is arranged to be sent to the pixel data register 34 shown in the figure.

Here, the selection conditions for each priority circuit 70a, 70b, . . . 70m are set in advance. In this embodiment, the priority order is set according to the spatial arrangement and identification code.

That is, +f! The preceding circuit 70i transfers the pixel data from the pixel data storage unit 50i to the subsequent priority circuit.
It is set to have priority over the pixel data sent from 0i-1. Therefore, if the pixel data sent from the subsequent priority circuit 70i-1 has no color information and is transparent, the pixel data from the previous pixel data storage unit 50i for the pixel concerned. Valid as output only.

<Operation of the Embodiment> The operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be explained using an example in which a plurality of objects are expressed independently.

First, an image generation device generates image data of a figure of an object to be independently expressed. At this time, for pixel data that does not have any color information, an identification code indicating whether the pixel is transparent or black is added. This pixel data is scan-converted into bitmap format pixel data. The filled pixel data is the XY of each pixel on the screen.
It is formed by setting color information to an address corresponding to the coordinates.

This pixel data is selectively stored by the input selection device 60 in one of the corresponding pixel data storages 22)-50a...50n according to a preset priority order.

In the case of this embodiment, a priority order is set corresponding to the Z-axis coordinate of the space where the figure (segment) is located.1For example, if the image is a background, the lowest priority order is set. Pixel data storage (22) 50n.

On the other hand, when the image is the closest one, the pixel data storage unit 50a has the highest priority.
is stored in

In this case, for a pixel data storage unit that does not have any graphic data to be written, all pixels are left blank and the identification code is set so that the previously stored remaining pixel data is not output. Let it be "O" which represents transparency.

Each pixel data storage unit 50a...50n of the refresh buffer 50 independently holds pixel data selectively stored by the input selection device 60. Each pixel data storage unit 50a...50
n outputs blank data if there is no 0 pixel data whose pixel data is simultaneously output according to the address specified by the image display device explained in FIG. 5 above.

The pixel data output from each pixel data storage unit 50a...50n is stored between the data at the position and the data from the subsequent position in each of the corresponding priority circuits 70a...70m of the 1-pixel data selection device 70. are logically operated and output according to their priority order.

For example, the background pixel data stored in the pixel data storage unit 50i-1 and the object pixel data stored in the previous pixel data storage unit 50i are input to the priority circuit 70i. do.

In this case, first, the priority information detection circuit 71 shown in FIG. Since the output of the pixel data becomes low level, the gate of the gate circuit 72 is opened and the gate of the gate circuit 73 is closed, and the color information of the pixel data storage 22) 50i is selected.

On the other hand, when there is no color information, the selection state differs depending on whether the identification code bit is "1" or "O". If it is the former, the pixel is assumed to be "black" and the output of the priority information detection circuit 71 becomes low level, so that the gate of the gate circuit 72 is opened in the same manner as above. If it is the latter, the pixel is considered to be "transparent" and the output of the priority information detection circuit 71 becomes high level, so the opening and closing of the gates of the gate circuit 72 and the gate circuit 73 are reversed. , the color information of the pixel data storage unit 50i-1 is selected.

Similarly, the color information of the figure with the higher priority before it is selected preferentially. This selection of pixel data is performed for all pixels, and is repeated every time the screen is refreshed.

Examples of the results selected in this way are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. On screen 0 C, color information A (the circularly shaded area in the figure) of objects that are closer to the front is preferentially displayed. The color information B (rectangular shaded area in the figure) of the object and background located behind it is displayed when nothing exists in front of it.

In the case of FIG. 3A, if the identification code of the grid-like part of data A is "O", that part is transparent, so screen C will show that there is something behind that part. Data B is displayed. On the other hand, in the case of Fig. 3B, if the identification code of the grid-like part of data A is 1'', that part is black, so that part appears black on screen C, and the background behind it is black. Data B located in is hidden behind this and does not appear.

Next, a case in which changes are made to part of an image will be described.

In this case, the image generation device forms image data of the object to be modified and writes this data to the corresponding pixel data storage unit during the flyback period.

At this time, for example, if an object in front of the background moves, the previously hidden part will be exposed, but other pixel data can remain as is. In other words, since the entire pixel data is stored from the beginning, including the previously hidden portions, the pixel data will inevitably appear as a result of a change in priority.

Therefore, by simply rewriting the spatial information and color information of a specific object, multiple images, especially dynamically changing images, can be easily expressed.

Note that this rewritten pixel data will be displayed from the next refresh time.

<Modification of Embodiment> In the above embodiment, pixel data is simultaneously output from the pixel data storage units, but a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of pixel data storage units are divided into blocks and a block to which pixel data is output is selected. You can also. In this case, data of an image other than the image being displayed can be inputted to the pixel data storage unit that is not outputting data. According to this, rewriting of still images,
Displaying videos becomes easier.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the priority order is set according to the spatial Z-axis coordinate, but the priority order may be arbitrarily changed by an external command. You can change the context of figures within the image displayed.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pixel data is simultaneously output from the pixel data storage units, but the plurality of pixel data storage units are divided into a plurality of blocks, and the data output of each block is output at a constant cycle. It can also be done.

In addition, in the above embodiment, pixel data is read out from the refresh buffer periodically in a fixed order, but it is also possible to change the form of the image by changing the readout address.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention allows image data to be updated only for necessary items without rewriting all image data when the state of a part of multiple objects to be expressed changes. This has the effect of reducing the amount of image data that must be rewritten and responding to changes in the image at high speed without requiring a high-speed, large-sized computer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing essential parts of an embodiment of the general-purpose graphic display device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a priority circuit constituting the above embodiment, and FIGS. 3A and 3B.
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this type of general graphic display device, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device of the above-mentioned graphic display device. It is a diagram. 10... Image display device 20... Refresh buffer 30... Image display bag and 40... CRT display 50... Refresh buffers 50a, 50b, 50i,...50n... Pixel data storage unit 80... Input selection device 70... Pixel data selection device 70a, 70b, 70i, -70n = Priority circuit 71.
・Priority information detection circuit 72.73 ・Gate circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A refresh system comprising an image generation device that forms image data to be expressed and converts it into pixel data on a bitmap, and a pixel data storage unit that stores this pixel data in bitmap format. a buffer, an image display device that raster-scans and reads out the pixel data stored in this pixel data storage unit, and performs D/A conversion; and a C that displays the pixel data converted into analog signals.
In a raster scan type general-purpose graphic display device equipped with an RT display, the image generation device is configured to add an identification code to each pixel data indicating whether the pixel data is transparent or black, and the refresh buffer is configured to add an identification code to each pixel data, and the refresh buffer , consisting of a plurality of pixel data storage units, setting a priority to each pixel data storage unit, and providing an identification bit for storing the identification code in each pixel of each pixel data storage unit, and , an input selection device is disposed between the image generation device and the refresh buffer for selectively inputting pixel data to a pixel data storage unit of a priority corresponding to the priority, and further, on the output side of the refresh buffer, A pixel data selection device comprising a priority circuit that selectively outputs pixel data stored in each pixel data storage unit according to a preset priority and the identification code indicating whether the pixel data is transparent or black. A general-purpose graphic display device comprising: