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Three dimensional computer graphic symbol generator

  • US 5,226,109 A
  • Filed: 04/26/1990
  • Issued: 07/06/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for generating three dimensional graphic symbols, the apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a means for storing a vertex list which characterizes a plurality of symbols including a selected symbol to be generated, each symbol has a datum point, each symbol is comprised of a plurality of polygons, wherein each polygon is further comprised of a plurality of vertices within the vertex list and wherein each of the plurality of vertices is comprised of X, Y and Z offsets from the datum point, the vertex list includes a starting address for each symbol, and each symbol has a connectivity map;

    (b) a first means for registering an ICON ID reference numeral for the selected symbol;

    (c) a first memory means coupled to the first registering means for mapping the vertex list of the selected symbol by pointing to the starting address of the vertex list of the selected symbol in the vertex list storing means using the selected symbol'"'"'s ICON ID reference numeral;

    (d) means for transforming the mapped vertex list into a screen coordinate system, the transforming means arranged to receive the mapped vertex list, beginning with the starting address pointed to by the first memory means, from the vertex list storing means, wherein the transforming means also receives the ICON ID of the selected symbol from the registering means; and

    (e) means for tiling the selected symbol wherein the tiling means is arranged to receive the transformed vertex list from the transforming means, wherein the tiling means further comprises;

    i. second means coupled to the transforming means for registering the ICON ID reference numeral, the second registering means having an output for transmitting the ICON ID reference numeral,ii. a second memory means for mapping to the starting address of the selected symbol'"'"'s connectivity map using the ICON ID reference numeral to point to the symbol'"'"'s connectivity map starting address, and wherein the second memory means is arranged to receive the ICON ID reference numeral from the second registering means,iii. a first address setup means for providing connectivity map addresses for the selected symbol wherein the first address setup means receives the selected symbol'"'"'s connectivity map starting address from the second memory means, andiv. a third memory means coupled to the first address setup means for retrieving the connectivity map for the selected symbol in response to receiving the selected symbol'"'"'s connectivity map addresses including the selected symbol'"'"'s connectivity map starting address from the first address setup means.

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