Computer graphics system for real-time calculation and display of the perspective view of three-dimensional scenes

Claim 1

A process for generating and displaying perspective images, without hidden surfaces on a view reference plane on a display device for scanning a pluraity of scanning lines in a raster with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels, of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) storing the one or more objects to be displayed as a three-dimensional mathematical representation; (b) processing the three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects to generate a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects with line segments from each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location which is addressed by the line from which the line segments were generated, each stored line segment including display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling the identification of beginning and end pixels of its intersection along the line of scanning and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein with respect to the view reference plane; (c) initializing addressable storage locations in a depth buffer having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a line of scanning with background depth information and background display information, each storage location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along a line of scanning; (d) processing sequentially in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, each line storage location being individually processed to calculate for each pixel within each line segment stored therein its depth with respect to the view reference plane; (e) comparing sequentially in time the calculated depth information of each line storage location with depth information stored in the depth buffer in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information of each line storage location being processed by comparing the calculated depth of each pixel within each line segment with depth information stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address; (f) storing calculated depth information and display information in the storage locations of the depth buffer sequentially in time for each of the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information and display information of each of the pixels of the line segments of each line storage location being stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address when during the comparing the calculated depth information is determined to be closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at the corresponding address of the depth buffer to generate a line of display information; and (g) displaying the display information stored within the addressable storage locations of the depth buffer sequentially in time on a line by line basis.

Claim 6

A system for generating and displaying images, without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a plurality of scanning lines in a raster with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels, of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surface comprising: (a) means for storing the one or more objects to be displayed as a three-dimensional mathematical representation; (b) means for processing the three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects to generate a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the scanning lines of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments for each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location, each stored line segment containing display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling the identification of the beginning and end pixels of its intersection along the line to be scanned, and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein with respect to the view reference plane; (d) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each storage location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (e) means for processing sequentially in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, each line storage location being individually processed to calculate for each pixel within each line segment stored therein its depth with respect to the view reference plane; (f) means for comparing sequentially in time the calculated depth information of each line storage location with depth information stored in the depth buffer in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information for each line segment being processed by comparing the calculated depth for each pixel within each line segment with depth information stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address, the calculated depth information and display information of each of the pixels of the line segments of each line storage location being stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address when during the comparing the calculated depth information is determined to be closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at the corresponding address of the depth buffer to generate a line of display information; and (g) means for displaying the display information stored within the addressable storage locations of the depth buffer sequentially in time on a line by line basis.

Claim 7

A system for generating and displaying images, without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a plurality of scanning lines in a raster with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels, of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surface comprising: (a) means for storing the one or more objects to be displayed as a three-dimensional mathematical representation; (b) means for processing the three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects to generate a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the scanning lines of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments for each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location, each stored line segment containing display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling the identification of the beginning and end pixels of its intersection along the line to be scanned, and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein with respect to the view reference plane; (d) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each storage location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (e) means for processing sequentially in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, each line storage location being individually processed to calculate for each pixel within each line segment stored therein its depth with respect to the view reference plane; (f) means for comparing sequentially in time the calculated depth information of each line storage location with depth information stored in the depth buffer in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information for each line segment being processed by comparing the calculated depth for each pixel within each line segment with depth information stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address, the calculated depth information and display information of each of the pixels of the line segments of each line storage location being stored in the depth buffer at the corresponding address when during the comparing the calculated depth information is determined to be closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at the corresponding address of the depth buffer to generate a line of display information; and (g) means for displaying the display information stored within the addressable storage locations of the depth buffer sequentially in time on a line by line basis.

Claim 11

A system for generating and displaying perspective images, without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a raster of a plurality of scanning lines each having a plurality of pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each storage location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (b) means for generating a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects, each line segment including display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling identification of the beginning and end pixels therein and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments for each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location which is addressed by a line of scanning from which the line segments were generated; (d) means for calculating the depth of each pixel within each line segment of a currently processed line storage location; (e) means for sequentially coupling, in the order of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster, the line storage locations to the means for calculating to provide information stored within the line segments of each line storage location to cause the means for calculating to process the pixels within each line segment of the line storage location; (f) means for comparing the calculated depth of each pixel of each line segment within the currently processed line storage location with the depth information stored in the depth buffer means having the corresponding address and storing the depth and display information of each pixel at the corresponding address in the depth buffer means when during the comparing the calculated depth of the pixel lies closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at a corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information after all of the pixels within the line storage location have been processed; and (g) means for causing the sequential display on the display device of the lines of display information stored in the depth buffer means.

Claim 12

A system for generating and displaying perspective images, without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a raster of a plurality of scanning lines each having a plurality of pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each storage location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (b) means for generating a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects, each line segment including display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling identification of the beginning and end pixels therein and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments for each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location which is addressed by a line of scanning from which the line segments were generated; (d) means for calculating the depth of each pixel within each line segment of a currently processed line storage location; (e) means for sequentially coupling, in the order of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster, the line storage locations to the means for calculating to provide information stored within the line segments of each line storage location to cause the means for calculating to process the pixels within each line segment of the line storage location; (f) means for comparing the calculated depth of each pixel of each line segment within the currently processed line storage location with the depth information stored in the depth buffer means having the corresponding address and storing the depth and display information of each pixel at the corresponding address in the depth buffer means when during the comparing the calculated depth of the pixel lies closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at a corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information after all of the pixels within the line storage location have been processed; and (g) means for causing the sequential display on the display device of the lines of display information stored in the depth buffer means.

Claim 18

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the segment processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the line segments within the list of stored line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each stored line segment and causing storage in the depth buffer means of the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a calculated depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 19

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the segment processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the line segments within the list of stored line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each stored line segment and causing storage in the depth buffer means of the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a calculated depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 26

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning, chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster, a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the line segment processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from the evenly spaced locations within the raster with a separate line storage location being provided for each evenly spaced location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a calculated depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 27

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning, chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster, a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the line segment processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from the evenly spaced locations within the raster with a separate line storage location being provided for each evenly spaced location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a calculated depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 34

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) first and second depth buffer means, each depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the first and second depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in one of the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete; and (f) means for controlling the raster processing means and the video processing means to cause, during the processing of each line storage location, one of the depth buffer means to function to be loaded with display information provided from the raster processing means while the other depth buffer means functions to cause display information stored in the other depth buffer means to be read out to the video processing means, the means for controlling causing the functions of the depth means to alternate for each line being scanned.

Claim 35

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) first and second depth buffer means, each depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the first and second depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in one of the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete; and (f) means for controlling the raster processing means and the video processing means to cause, during the processing of each line storage location, one of the depth buffer means to function to be loaded with display information provided from the raster processing means while the other depth buffer means functions to cause display information stored in the other depth buffer means to be read out to the video processing means, the means for controlling causing the functions of the depth means to alternate for each line being scanned.

Claim 36

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) first and second depth buffer means, each depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the first and second depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning of the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in one of the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; (e) video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete; and (f) means for controlling the raster processing means and the video processing means to cause, during the processing of each line storage location, one of the depth buffer means to function to be loaded with display information provided from the raster processing means while the other depth buffer means functions to cause display information stored in the other depth buffer means to be read out to the video processing means, the means for controlling causing the functions of the depth buffer means to alternate for each line being scanned.

Claim 37

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) first and second depth buffer means, each depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the first and second depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations in the order of scanning of the display device and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in one of the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; (e) video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete; and (f) means for controlling the raster processing means and the video processing means to cause, during the processing of each line storage location, one of the depth buffer means to function to be loaded with display information provided from the raster processing means while the other depth buffer means functions to cause display information stored in the other depth buffer means to be read out to the video processing means, the means for controlling causing the functions of the depth buffer means to alternate for each line being scanned.

Claim 40

A system for generating and displaying perspective images without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a plurality of scanning lines in a raster with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) means for storing the one or more objects to be displayed as a three-dimensional mathematical representation; (b) means for processing the three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects to generate a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the scanning lines of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments from each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location, each line segment having stored therein display information and depth information which is a function of the display and depth information of the individual pixels therein; (d) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning, for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (e) means for processing sequentially in time the line storage locations, each line storage location being individually processed to calculate for each pixel within each line segment stored therein its depth with respect to the view reference plane; (f) means for comparing sequentially in time the calculated depth information for each line storage location with depth information stored in the depth buffer means, the calculated depth information for each line storage location being processed by comparing the calculated depth for each pixel within each line segment with depth information stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address and for storing calculated depth information and display information in the storage locations of the depth buffer means sequentially in time for each of the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information and display information of each of the pixels of the line segments of each line storage location being stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address when the comparison reveals that calculated depth information is closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at the corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information; and; (g) means for displaying the display information stored within the addressable storage locations of the depth buffer means sequentially in time on a line by line basis.

Claim 41

A system for generating and displaying perspective images without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a plurality of scanning lines in a raster with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) means for storing the one or more objects to be displayed as a three-dimensional mathematical representation; (b) means for processing the three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects to generate a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the scanning lines of the intersection of the scanning lines in the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments from each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location, each line segment having stored therein display information and depth information which is a function of the display and depth information of the individual pixels therein; (d) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning, for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (e) means for processing sequentially in time the line storage locations, each line storage location being individually processed to calculate for each pixel within each line segment stored therein its depth with respect to the view reference plane; (f) means for comparing sequentially in time the calculated depth information for each line storage location with depth information stored in the depth buffer means, the calculated depth information for each line storage location being processed by comparing the calculated depth for each pixel within each line segment with depth information stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address and for storing calculated depth information and display information in the storage locations of the depth buffer means sequentially in time for each of the line storage locations in the order of scanning on the display device, the calculated depth information and display information of each of the pixels of the line segments of each line storage location being stored in the depth buffer means at the corresponding address when the comparison reveals that calculated depth information is closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at the corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information; and; (g) means for displaying the display information stored within the addressable storage locations of the depth buffer means sequentially in time on a line by line basis.

Claim 42

A system for generating and displaying perspective images without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a raster of a plurality of scanning lines each having a plurality of pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (b) means for generating a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster of the intersection of the scanning lines with the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects, each line segment including display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling identification of the beginning and end pixels therein and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments from each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location which is addressed by a line of scanning from which the line segments were generated, each line segment having stored therein display information and depth information which is a function of the display and depth information of the individual pixels therein; (d) means for calculating the depth of each pixel within each line segment of a currently processed line storage location; (e) means for sequentially coupling the line storage locations to the means for calculating to cause the means for calculating to process the pixels within each line segment of the line storage location coupled thereto; (f) means for comparing the calculated depth for each pixel of each line segment within the currently processed line storage location with the depth information stored in the depth buffer means having the corresponding address and storing the depth information and display information of each pixel at the corresponding address when the calculated depth of the pixel lies closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information after all of the pixels of the line segments within the line storage location have been processed; and (g) means for causing the sequential display on the display device of the lines of display information stored in the depth buffer means.

Claim 43

A system for generating and displaying perspective images without hidden surfaces in a view reference plane on a display device by scanning a raster of a plurality of scanning lines each having a plurality of pixels of a scene having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more planar surfaces comprising: (a) depth buffer means, having a number of addressable storage locations equal to the number of pixels in a line of scanning with each location having an address corresponding to one of the pixels along the line of scanning for storing display information and depth information of pixels of the one or more objects to be displayed, and for initially storing in each of the storage locations background display information and background depth information, the background display information to be displayed when a surface of the one or more objects is not present along the line to be scanned; (b) means for generating a list of line segments along the direction of scanning of the lines of scanning of the raster of the intersection of the scanning lines with the view reference plane with the one or more surfaces of the one or more objects, each line segment including display information for each of the pixels therein, information enabling identification of the beginning and end pixels therein and information permitting the calculation of the depth of each pixel therein; (c) means for storing the list of line segments for each of the plurality of scanning lines with line segments from each line of scanning being stored in a separate line storage location which is addressed by a line of scanning from which the line segments were generated, each line segment having stored therein display information and depth information which is a function of the display and depth information of the individual pixels therein; (d) means for calculating the depth of each pixel within each line segment of a currently processed line storage location; (e) means for sequentially coupling the line storage locations to the means for calculating to cause the means for calculating to process the pixels within each line segment of the line storage location coupled thereto; (f) means for comparing the calculated depth for each pixel of each line segment within the currently processed line storage location with the depth information stored in the depth buffer means having the corresponding address and storing the depth information and display information of each pixel at the corresponding address when the calculated depth of the pixel lies closer to the view reference plane than the depth information stored at corresponding address of the depth buffer means to generate a line of display information after all of the pixels of the line segments within the line storage location have been processed; and (g) means for causing the sequential display on the display device of the lines of display information stored in the depth buffer means.

Claim 48

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 49

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes, having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces, on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth information and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of line segments is complete.

Claim 50

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of segments is complete.

Claim 51

A system for displaying perspective images from scenes having one or more three-dimensional objects in which each object has one or more surfaces on a view reference plane of a display device by scanning a raster comprised of a plurality of parallel scanning lines across the view reference plane with each line having a plurality of addressable pixels comprising: (a) a line segment processing means for processing a three-dimensional mathematical representation of the one or more objects of the scene to be displayed to provide for each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations within the raster a list of line segments of the intersection of each of the surfaces therewith; (b) a line segment memory coupled to the processing means for storing the list of line segments from each line of scanning chosen from evenly spaced locations in a separate line storage location, each line storage location being addressable by the line of scanning from which the line segments were provided by the line segment processing means, each line segment having one or more pixels and being stored as information enabling the determination of depth and display information of each pixel within each stored line segment; (c) a depth buffer means having a number of addressable storage locations equal in number to the number of pixels along a single line of scanning, each storage location storing display information and depth information for a single pixel with each storage location having an address corresponding to a separate one of the pixels in a line of scanning of the display device, each storage location of the depth buffer means being initially loaded with background depth information and background display information; (d) a raster processing means coupled to the depth buffer means and the line segment memory for sequentially processing in time the line storage locations and from each line storage location processing the list of line segments to calculate the depth of each pixel within each line segment and causing the storage in the depth buffer means the display information and depth information for each pixel which has a depth with respect to the view reference plane which is less than the depth information in the depth buffer means which is stored at the corresponding address; and (e) a video processing means coupled to the depth buffer means for storing the display information stored within the depth buffer means for each line of scanning after the processing of the pixels within the list of segments is complete.