Method and apparatus for storing a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional scene
First Claim
1. A method of generating in the form of an array of picture elements (pixels) a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional scene, the method comprising:
- (a) storing in a memory a set of foreground pixel data defining a foreground colour and depth for each pixel of the image;
(b) selectively modifying the stored foreground data in response to a series of input pixel data defining colour and depth for a series of pixels of the image; and
(c) forming output pixel data using the stored foreground colour for each pixel;
characterized in that;
the step (a) further comprises storing at least one set of background pixel data, each such set defining a background colour and depth for each pixel of the image;
in thatthe step (b) comprises selectively modifying both the stored foreground and background data in response to the input pixel data; and
in thatthe step (c) comprises forming the output pixel data by combining the stored foreground and background colours for each pixel in proportions defined by a mixing value associated with that pixel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of generating a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional scene is describerd. The method comprises: (a) storing a set of foreground pixel data and at least one set of background pixel data, each such set defining a color and a depth for each pixel of the image; (b) selectively modifying the stored foreground and background data in response to a series of input pixel data defining color and depth for a series of pixels of the image; and (c) forming output pixel data by combining the stored foreground and background color for each pixel in proportions defined by a mixing value associated with that pixel. In one embodiment, step (b) comprises selectively modifying the stored data depending on the input depths so that: (i) if the input depth is greater than the stored foreground and background depths, the stored foreground and background pixel data are left unchanged, (ii) if the input depth lies between the stored foreground depth and the stored background depth, the input pixel data is stored in place of the background data for that pixel, and (iii) if the input depth is less than both the stored foreground and background depths, the stored current foreground data for that pixel are stored in place of the stored background data and the input data are stored in place of the current foreground data. An arrangement is described for performing the method. The arrangement may form part of an electronic graphics system.
55 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of generating in the form of an array of picture elements (pixels) a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional scene, the method comprising:
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(a) storing in a memory a set of foreground pixel data defining a foreground colour and depth for each pixel of the image; (b) selectively modifying the stored foreground data in response to a series of input pixel data defining colour and depth for a series of pixels of the image; and (c) forming output pixel data using the stored foreground colour for each pixel;
characterized in that;the step (a) further comprises storing at least one set of background pixel data, each such set defining a background colour and depth for each pixel of the image;
in thatthe step (b) comprises selectively modifying both the stored foreground and background data in response to the input pixel data; and
in thatthe step (c) comprises forming the output pixel data by combining the stored foreground and background colours for each pixel in proportions defined by a mixing value associated with that pixel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 16)
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6. An arrangement for generating in the form of an array of picture elements (pixels) a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional scene, the arrangement comprising:
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means for storing in a memory a set of foreground pixel data defining a foreground colour and depth for each pixel of the image; means for selectively modifying the stored foreground data in response to a series of input pixel data defining colour and depth for a series of pixels of the image; and means for forming output pixel data using the stored foreground colour for each pixel;
characterized in that;the arrangement further comprises means for storing in a memory at least one set of background pixel data, each such set defining a background colour and depth for each pixel of the image;
in thatthe means for selectively modifying the stored foreground data further comprises means for selectively modifying the stored background data in response to the input pixel data; and
in thatthe means for forming the output pixel data comprises means for combining the stored foreground and background colours for each pixel in proportions defined by a mixing value associated with that pixel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 17)
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Specification