Method and apparatus for image compression and manipulation

Patent 4622545 Issued on November 11, 1986. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 11, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3305841

Display system
Patent #: 4233601
Issued on: 11/11/1980
Inventor: Hankins , et al.

Television special effects arrangement
Patent #: 4266242
Issued on: 05/05/1981
Inventor: McCoy

T.V. Special effects generator
Patent #: 4334245
Issued on: 06/08/1982
Inventor: Michael

Multiple image digital processing system
Patent #: 4360831
Issued on: 11/23/1982
Inventor: Kellar

Method and apparatus for image data compression and decompression
Patent #: 4399467
Issued on: 08/16/1983
Inventor: Subramaniam

Video background generation system Patent #: 4420770
Issued on: 12/13/1983
Inventor: Rahman

Inventor

Atkinson, William D.

Assignee

Apple Computer, Inc.

Application

No. 06/428635 filed on 09/30/1982

US Classes:

345/562, Bit block transfer345/561, Logical operations345/563, Mask data operation345/620, Clipping348/596, Window signal generator (e.g., rectangle)358/1.9Attribute control

Examiners

Primary: Curtis, Marshall M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

International Classes

G09G 5/393 (20060101)
G09G 5/36 (20060101)
G09G 5/42 (20060101)

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed which are most advantageously used in conjunction with a digital computer to provide improved graphics capability. These techniques permit the representation and manipulation of any arbitrarily shaped image in terms of "inversion points". Inversion points defining a region are sorted and stored such that the region shape may be regenerated at a later time from the inversion points. Means are provided to compare existing regions and new regions to be displayed, and region operators are provided to specify a precedence between the existing and new regions. Thus, new regions are appropriately "clipped" such that only portions of a new region may actually be displayed to achieve the desired graphic representation.