Patent ID: 6226016
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A graphics system comprising:A) a first input terminal for receiving image pixel data signals representing the values of picture elements arrayed in pixel columns and rows;B) a second input terminal for receiving image pixel address signals identifying the rows and columns of the picture elements whose values the pixel data signals represent;C) an address-translation system for receiving said image pixel address signals and translating them into logical address signals that identify memory-location rows and columns respectively corresponding to the pixel columns and rows that the image pixel address signals represent;D) an image buffer memory, comprising memory locations organized in memory-location rows and columns, for receiving said image pixel data signals, storing the values represented thereby in memory-location columns and rows identified by corresponding logical address signals, and retrieving them from memory-location columns and rows specified by refresh address signals applied thereto;E) a refresh-address generator, operable alternatively in column-forward and column-reverse modes, for generating and applying to the image buffer memory refresh address signals that specify memory addresses successively associated with memory-location columns in each of a plurality of successive memory-location rows, wherein the memory addresses that the refresh address signals specify increase within a memory-location row when the refresh-address generator is operating in its column-forward mode and decrease within a memory-location row when the refresh-address generator is operating in its column-reverse mode;F) a multiplexer for receiving said logical address signals and said refresh address signals and responsive to a select signal to select one of said address signals and pass it to said image buffer memory;G) a memory address arbitrator for generating said select signal; andH) a display device for receiving said image pixel data signals fetched from the image buffer memory-location rows and columns and displaying, in successive column positions along each of a plurality of successively scanned rows, the pixel values represented thereby.