Abstract: A computer system including a single, fully-integrated software program that allows an unskilled computer user to create, archive, and distribute interactive, multimedia digital displays without the use of software programming techniques or reliance on software editing tools. The system includes a user interface having a digital content creation application called a digital canvas and an integrated software application dock. The digital canvas module provides a novice user with all of the functional tools needed to create multimedia visual displays and to interact with them. The application dock allows users to launch and operate desktop applications such as web browsers, word processing applications, photo editing applications, spreadsheets, graphics applications, etc. as well as server-based applications, such as database systems available over a network from within the system.

Abstract: An image processor having an image algorithm processor (66) operating under control of a writable control store (94), and a number of parallel image processors (72) operating under control of instruction words from a writable control store (100). An image memory controller (68) receives memory addresses from the image algorithm processor (66) for coordinating the reading and writing of an image memory (82) using pixel data processed by the parallel image processor set (72). The image memory controller (68) arbitrates memory address request cycles, memory refresh cycles and screen refresh cycles. The image memory (82) includes different planes (84, 86 and 88) associated with red, green and blue pixel data. Associated with each image memory plane is a video processor (106) for converting parallel image data to high speed serial image data.

Abstract: An image processor having an image algorithm processor (66) operating under control of a writable control store (94), and a number of parallel image processors (72) operating under control of instruction words from a writable control store (100). An image memory controller (68) receives memory addresses from the image algorithm processor (66) for coordinating the reading and writing of an image memory (82) using pixel data processed by the parallel image processor set (72). The image memory controller (68) arbitrates memory address request cycles, memory refresh cycles and screen refresh cycles. The image memory (82) includes different planes (84, 86 and 88) assocated with red, green and blue pixel data. Associated with each image memory plane is a video processor (106) for converting parallel image data to high speed serial image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processor having an image algorithm processor (66) operating under control of a writable control store (94), and a number of parallel image processors (72) operating under control of instruction words from a writable control store (100). An image memory controller (68) receives memory addresses from the image algorithm processor (66) for coordinating the reading and writing of an image memory (82) using pixel data processed by the parallel image processor set (72). The image memory controller (68) arbitrates memory address request cycles, memory refresh cycles and screen refresh cycles. The image memory (82) includes different planes (84, 86 and 88) associated with red, green and blue pixel data. Associated with each image memory plane is a video processor (106) for converting parallel image data to high speed serial image data.

Abstract: A look-ahead image is employed during ray tracing of the image rendering process to eliminate the processing of pixels which are of no interest within a given boundary of the ray. During rendering, ray tracing is carried out by jumping over the pixels of no interest to thereby enhance the rendering speed.

Abstract: An image processor having an image algorithm processor (66) operating under control of a writable control store (94), and a number of parallel image processors (72) operating under control of instruction words from a writable control store (100). An image memory controller (68) receives memory addresses from the image algorithm processor (66) for coordinating the reading and writing of an image memory (82) using pixel data processed by the parallel image processor set (72). The image memory controller (68) arbitrates memory address request cycles, memory refresh cycles and screen refresh cycles. The image memory (82) includes different planes (84, 86 and 88) associated with red, green and blue pixel data. Associated with each image memory plane is a video processor (106) for converting parallel image data to high speed serial image data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processor having an image algorithm processor (66) operating under control of a writable control store (94), and a number of parallel image processors (72) operating under control of instruction words from a writable control store (100). An image memory controller (68) receives memory addresses from the image algorithm processor (66) for coordinating the reading and writing of an image memory (82) using pixel data processed by the parallel image processor set (72). The image memory controller (68) arbitrates memory address request cycles, memory refresh cycles and screen refresh cycles. The image memory (82) includes different planes (84, 86 and 88) associated with red, green and blue pixel data. Associated with each image memory plane is a video processor (106) for converting parallel image data to high speed serial image data.