Patent ID: 6522341
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G09G

Abstract:
A multi-layer image mixing apparatus for creating a composite image from multiple image layers, the apparatus comprising:an image memory; input means for sequentially inputting image fractions of the multiple image layers from foremost through rearmost ones, each said image fraction being located at the same position in associated one of the layers and having a size of one frame or less; initializing means for initializing the image memory by storing the image fraction of the rearmost layer in the image memory; mixing means for performing the process steps of a) mixing one of the image fractions that was stored previously in the image memory with another one of the image fractions that has just been input by calculating a weighted average of these two image fractions and b) storing the newly mixed image fraction in the image memory, the mixing means repeatedly performing these process steps a) and b) until the mixing means has processed the image fraction of the foremost layer; output means for outputting a combined image fraction that has been finally stored in the image memory by the mixing means; and control means for making the input, initializing, mixing and output means perform their processes continuously until the last image fraction of the foremost layer has been processed.