Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for character and graphics pattern generation in a bit mapped graphics display system that includes a pixel data manager (14) for supplying character bit maps and graphics patterns to a visible display memory (22). A character information memory (24) is utilized for the storage of character descriptive information which includes an address table (26), macro-instructions (28), (30), and (32) and character bit maps (34), (36) and (38). Each character in a set of characters has an associated macro-instruction and character bit map. The address table contains memory addresses that point to the macro-instructions. Each macro-instruction contains executable instructions that establish the size and location of a corresponding character bit map. To supply a character to the visible display memory, the pixel data manager fetches and executes a corresponding macro-instruction. Overhead burden on the central processing unit is minimized.
Abstract:
Appareil et procédé pour la création de caractères et de modèles graphiques dans un système d'affichage graphique en mode point, comportant un gestionnaire de données de pixels (14) pour fournir des modèles graphiques et des cartes de bits de caractères à une mémoire d'affichage visible (22). On utilise une mémoire d'information de caractères (24) pour le stockage d'informations relatives à la description des caractères, qui comporte une table d'adreses (26), des macro-instructions (28, 30 et 32), ainsi que des cartes de bits de caractères (34), (36) et (38). Chaque caractère dans une série de caractères possède une carte de bits de caractères et une macro-instruction associées. La table d'adresses contient des adresses de mémoire désignant les macro-instructions. Chaque macro-instruction comporte des instructions exécutables établissant la taille et l'emplacement d'une carte de bits de caractères correspondante. Afin de fournir un caractère à la mémoire d'affichage visible, le gestionnaire de données de pixels appelle et exécute une macro-instruction correspondante. On minimise ainsi le fardeau de servitude sur l'unité centrale.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for character and graphics pattern generation in a bit mapped graphics display system that includes a pixel data manager (14) for supplying character bit maps and graphics patterns to a visible display memory (22). A character information memory (24) is utilized for the storage of character descriptive information which includes an address table (26), macro-instructions (28), (30), and (32) and character bit maps (34), (36) and (38). Each character in a set of characters has an associated macro-instruction and character bit map. The address table contains memory addresses that point to the macro-instructions. Each macro-instruction contains executable instructions that establish the size and location of a corresponding character bit map. To supply a character to the visible display memory, the pixel data manager fetches and executes a corresponding macro-instruction. Overhead burden on the central processing unit is minimized.