Imager and process
US5159663A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 1991 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T15/405
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and process for the flexible and rapid manipulation of multidimensional data. Coordinates are transformed by the use of a plurality of transform memories, each being addressable by a coordinate of an n-tuple. Each memory provides an intermediate value that when added to others provides a transformed coordinate. This eliminates the need for high-speed multipliers. The transform memories are additionally addressable by flags and tags associated with the location, attribute or object of interest. Different transformations take place depending on the values of the flags and tags. This allows flexible manipulation of the data. Z-buffering is done at high speed in parallel with the results being combined in efficient combiner circuits. In addition, this parallel operation permits the transformations themselves to be done in parallel. By adding a selectable adder to the input of the z-buffers, normal z-buffer operation may be selected or a radiographic mode utilizing the entire width of the z-buffer to hold an accumulated intensity may be selected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.