Abstract: A multiple-pipeline system (300) includes a pool (330) of auxiliary function blocks (A-E 335) that are provided as required to select pipelines. Each pipeline (320) in the multiple-pipeline system (300) is configured to include a homogeneous set of core functions (F1-F6). A pool (330) of auxiliary functions (A-E 335) is provided for selective insertion of auxiliary functions (A-E 335) between core functions (F1-F6) of select pipelines. Each auxiliary function includes a multiplexer that allows it to be selectively coupled within each pipeline.

Abstract: A multiple-pipeline system (300) includes a pool (330) of auxiliary function blocks (A-E 335) that are provided as required to select pipelines. Each pipeline (320) in the multiple-pipeline system (300) is configured to include a homogeneous set of core functions (F1-F6). A pool (330) of auxiliary functions (A-E 335) is provided for selective insertion of auxiliary functions (A-E 335) between core functions (F1-F6) of select pipelines. Each auxiliary function includes a multiplexer that allows it to be selectively coupled within each pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optimal processing pipeline suitable for high quality video and graphics processing. According to the invention, color key extraction is performed before actual processing and transforming of the video/graphics data. This substantially minimizes the amount of artifacts in composed pictures. In accordance with the present invention, a video/graphics data processing pipeline is provided. The pipeline comprises a pre-processing circuit that is configured to pre-process a stream of digital video/graphics data and output pre-processed data; a color key processing circuit, operably coupled to the pre-processing circuit, that is configured to extract a color key from the pre-processed data and output resulting data; and a processing/transforming circuit, operably coupled to the color key processing circuit, that is configured to process and transform the resulting data.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement and technique are provided for passing N-bit digital data using an M-bit datapath, M being less than N. A plurality of N-bit words is arranged for transfer in two portions. A first portion of each of the plurality of words is transferred in M-bit groups. At least one other bit group is transferred, including bits from the second portions of at least two of the plurality of words. After transfer, each first portion is reassembled with a corresponding second portion into respective N-bit words. The digital data is arranged for transfer at one rate, and transferred at a second rate at least as fast as the first rate. In one embodiment, X words of data are transferred from one storage element while another X words are arranged for transfer in another storage element. In a more particular embodiment, 10-bit data is passed over a standard 8-bit digital visual interface.

Abstract: A raster generator sequences through a list of line descriptors to produce a screen raster. The line descriptors include a line-count parameter and a line-type parameter. The line-type parameter defines the characteristics of each type of raster line, and the line-count parameter defines the number of lines of this type occurring in the sequence of lines that define the entire video or image frame. For efficient encoding, the characteristics of each type of raster line is defined in terms of a list of raster pattern types, each raster pattern type being further defined in terms of a sequence of specified durations of particular raster values. The raster generator sequences through the lists of line descriptors, raster patterns, and duration-value pairs, in a nested fashion, thereby generating the screen raster pattern as a sequence of individual raster values that occur for specified durations within each line of each frame.

Abstract: For a method of encoding digital data of arbitrary data rates of at least one data signal for jointly transmitting the encoded data with a digital picture signal, as well as a data encoder for such data, a flexible adaptation to different data formats is provided in which, in the encoding of data, at least parts of the edges of data bits of the data signal are replaced by synthetically generated amplitude values constitutes edges which are within the bandwidth limitations predetermined for the encoded data bits.