US5590260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for optimizing the display of fonts in a data processing system
Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1993-12-30
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2013-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within a data processing system, wherein the data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, the system memory having a page mode. A plurality of characters are stored in the system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps. Each character has a width, and each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a plurality of scanlines such that each of the scanlines includes the width of the character. Selected glyph bitmaps are transmitted from the system memory to the graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in the page mode are minimized when the selected glyph bitmaps are moved from the system memory to the graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Morse
- 👤 Stephen P. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/20; G06T11/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method in a data processing system for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within said data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said method comprising: storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each scanline within said column of scanlines includes said width of said character; and transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method in a data processing system for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within said data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said method comprising: storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each scanline within said column of scanlines includes said width of said character; and transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting said width of said plurality of characters to said graphics adapter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of storing each said plurality of characters includes storing each scanline within said column of scanlines as a block of data having a data width that is equal to a data width that is manipulated by a permanent move instruction within a processor in said data processing system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
A data processing system for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within said data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said data processing system comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each of said plurality of scanlines includes said width of said character; and transmission means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
A data processing system for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within said data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said data processing system comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each of said plurality of scanlines includes said width of said character; and transmission means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data processing system of claim 1, further comprising second transmission means for transmitting said width of said plurality of characters to said graphics adapter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data processing system of claim 4, wherein said column of scanlines has a preselected width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The data processing system of claim 5, said preselected width of said column of scanlines is equal to a width that is manipulated by a permanent move instruction within a processor in said data processing system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data processing system of claim 4 further including transmission means for sending a destination for said selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data processing system of claim 4, further including graphics processor means for truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of a character.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The data processing system of claim 9, wherein said graphics processor means includes truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of a character and on an inter-character space associated with said character.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The data processing system of claim 10, wherein said graphics processor means is initiated by a operation code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data processing system of claim 10, wherein said said width of a character in a preselected register in said graphics processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data processing system of claim 12, wherein said graphics processor means includes means for color expansion of each of said selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
159 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within a data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said computer program product comprising: first instruction means for storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each said column of scanlines includes said width of said character; and second instruction means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
159 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for increasing efficiency in the display of characters on a display within a data processing system, wherein said data processing system includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said computer program product comprising: first instruction means for storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, wherein each character has a width and wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scanlines such that each said column of scanlines includes said width of said character; and second instruction means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter, increasing efficiency in displaying characters on a display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A data processing system comprising: a system memory; a plurality of characters, each character having a width and each character being stored in said system memory as a plurality glyph bitmaps, wherein each glyph bitmap is stored as a column of scanlines and each scanline within said column of scanlines includes said width of a character; and a display; a graphics adapter, said graphics adapter including a graphics adapter memory and being connected to said display; and transmission means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter memory, wherein selected ones of said plurality of characters are displayed on said display.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
A data processing system comprising: a system memory; a plurality of characters, each character having a width and each character being stored in said system memory as a plurality glyph bitmaps, wherein each glyph bitmap is stored as a column of scanlines and each scanline within said column of scanlines includes said width of a character; and a display; a graphics adapter, said graphics adapter including a graphics adapter memory and being connected to said display; and transmission means for transmitting selected ones of said plurality of glyph bitmaps from said system memory to said graphics adapter memory, wherein selected ones of said plurality of characters are displayed on said display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The data processing system of claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of characters is stored as a glyph bitmap in a cache in said system memory.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The data processing system of claim 15, wherein said transmission means includes: means for transmitting width and inter-character spacing of a glyph bitmap; and means for transmitting said glyph bitmap a scanline at a time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The data processing system of claim 17, wherein said graphics adapter includes a first register for receiving glyph width and inter-character spacing data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data processing system of claim 18, wherein said graphics adapter includes a second register for receiving glyph height data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The data processing system of claim 19, wherein said transmission means further includes means for transmitting glyph height data to said second register.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The data processing system of claim 18, wherein said graphics adapter includes a third register for receiving a number of characters to be transmitted.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The data processing system of claim 21, wherein said transmission means further includes means for transmitting a number of characters to said third register.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The data processing system of claim 22, wherein said graphics adapter includes a fourth register for receiving a destination for said selected ones of said plurality of characters.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data processing system of claim 23, wherein said transmission means further includes means for transmitting a destination for said selected ones of said plurality of characters to said fourth register.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The data processing system of claim 24, wherein said graphics adapter includes graphics processor means for truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of a character.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The data processing system of claim 25, wherein said graphics processor means includes truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of a character and on an inter-character space associated with said character.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
105 words
A graphics adapter comprising: a graphics processor; a first register for receiving glyph width data; a second register for receiving glyph height data; a third register for receiving a number of characters; a fourth register for receiving a destination for said plurality of characters; a memory for receiving a glyph bitmap, said glyph bitmaps represents a character having a width and wherein said glyph bitmap received in the form of a column of scanlines, each scanline having a scanline width that encompasses said width of said character; and first graphics processor means for displaying a glyph bitmap on a display connected to said graphics adapter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
105 words
A graphics adapter comprising: a graphics processor; a first register for receiving glyph width data; a second register for receiving glyph height data; a third register for receiving a number of characters; a fourth register for receiving a destination for said plurality of characters; a memory for receiving a glyph bitmap, said glyph bitmaps represents a character having a width and wherein said glyph bitmap received in the form of a column of scanlines, each scanline having a scanline width that encompasses said width of said character; and first graphics processor means for displaying a glyph bitmap on a display connected to said graphics adapter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The graphics adapter of claim 27, further including second graphics processor means for truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of said character.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The graphics adapter of claim 28, wherein said first register also is for receiving for inter-character spacing data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The graphics adapter of claim 29, wherein said second graphics processor means further includes truncating excess data in each scanline within said column of scanlines based on said width of said character and on an inter-character space associated with said character.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The graphics adapter of claim 28, wherein said second graphics processor means is initiated by a reception of an operation code in an operation code register.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The graphics adapter of claim 28, wherein said second graphics processor means is initiated by a reception of glyph width data in said first register.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
271 words
A method and a data processing system for displaying characters on a display within said data processing, wherein said data processing includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said method comprising: (a) storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, each of the plurality of characters associated with a glyph bitmap has a width and an intercharacter spacing, wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scan lines and wherein each scan line has a scan line width equal to every other scan line in the column of scan lines and said width of a character is less than or equal to said scan line width of the bitmap in which the character is stored; (b) transmitting a width of a first character to be transmitted and an intercharacter spacing; (c) transmitting scan lines until the width of a character being transmitted changes from a width of a prior character; (d) transmitting scan lines until the intercharacter spacing of a character being transmitted changes from the width of a prior character; (e) transmitting a new width in response to a change in said width of the character begin transmitted; (f) transmitting a new intercharacter spacing in response to a change in said intercharacter spacing of said character being transmitted; and (g) repeating steps (c-f) until said selected one of said plurality of glyph bitmaps are transmitted, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
271 words
A method and a data processing system for displaying characters on a display within said data processing, wherein said data processing includes a system memory and a graphics adapter, said system memory having a page mode, said method comprising: (a) storing a plurality of characters in said system memory as a plurality of glyph bitmaps, each of the plurality of characters associated with a glyph bitmap has a width and an intercharacter spacing, wherein each glyph bitmap for a character is arranged as a column of scan lines and wherein each scan line has a scan line width equal to every other scan line in the column of scan lines and said width of a character is less than or equal to said scan line width of the bitmap in which the character is stored; (b) transmitting a width of a first character to be transmitted and an intercharacter spacing; (c) transmitting scan lines until the width of a character being transmitted changes from a width of a prior character; (d) transmitting scan lines until the intercharacter spacing of a character being transmitted changes from the width of a prior character; (e) transmitting a new width in response to a change in said width of the character begin transmitted; (f) transmitting a new intercharacter spacing in response to a change in said intercharacter spacing of said character being transmitted; and (g) repeating steps (c-f) until said selected one of said plurality of glyph bitmaps are transmitted, wherein an occurrence of breaks in said page mode are minimized when said glyph bitmap is moved from said system memory to said graphics adapter.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said step of storing a plurality of characters includes storing each scan line within said column of scan lines as a block of data having a data width that is equal to a data width that is manipulated by a permanent move instruction within a processor in said data processing system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data processing system of claim 34, further including graphic processor means for truncating excess data in each scan line within said column of scan lines based on said width of the character.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |