System and method for using dependency graphs for the control of a graphics creation process
US5929864A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T1/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for merging all subsystems within a graphics system into a single control entity, referred to herein as a dependency graph. The term "dependency graph" refers to a set of dependency nodes and the information flowing between the dependency nodes. Seamless interaction is accomplished by defining a strongly typed, rigidly enforced interface to the set of dependency nodes. Any dependency node that wants to interact with another dependency node must do so through a connection. The only parts of a dependency node that another node can control must be specified by attributes. In order for connections between attributes to be valid they must use the same type of information. Lastly, dependency nodes may communicate with each other by sending or receiving messages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.