Rendering translucent layers in a display system
US7106275B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2340/125
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method of rendering overlapping layers in a computer display, such as a windowing system, employs front-to-back assembly of the displayed image. An arbitrary number of overlapping elements, such as windows, can be presented, without requiring temporary storage space or additional off-screen buffers. The front-to-back assembly technique minimizes the number of memory transfers performed in connection with rendering an image, and avoids unnecessary reading and processing of pixels that will not contribute to the final image. Special effects such as semi-transparency, shadows, and irregular shapes can be accommodated and processed in an efficient manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.