Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Ian Richard Beaumont

Giles Anderson Puckett

A method () generates one or more linear blends. Initially, the method has a list of already received one or more fill-paths defining a current linear blend, and a newly received fill-path, where the fill-paths each comprise a single colored parallelogram (eg.). The method adds () the new fill-path to the list to become the last fill-path in the list, if the difference () in color between the new fill-path and the last fill-path in the list is no greater, in each color channel, than a predetermined threshold value multiplied by the difference in color between the last and second-last fill-paths in the list. The predetermined threshold value is preset to such a value so that the new fill-path will not be added to the list if the new fill-path does not visually form part of the current linear blend. The method repeats this step for each new fill-path received until the aforementioned condition is not satisfied. Then, the method generates () one or more linear blends from the first fill-path in the list to the last fill-path in the list.

Generating one or more linear blends

A method of rendering a plurality of graphical objects, each having a predetermined object outline, a predetermined z-order, and an associated fill, the object outline for a particular object defining an area in which the particular object is filled, includes the steps of (a) combining each of the objects to form a grouped object, the grouped object having a grouped object outline and an associated compound fill, the compound fill comprising a plurality of fill data structures describing the fills associated with the graphical objects, and (b) rendering the grouped object according to the grouped object outline, wherein one or more fills used to render the grouped object are determined according to the compound fill. The rendering includes the steps of, at a current pixel, (b)(i) calculating a position of the current pixel relative to a tracking point defined for the compound fill, (b)(ii) determining a current one of the fills using the calculated relative position, and (b)(iii) generating a color for the pixel using the determined current fill.

Method of rendering graphical objects

A graphics rendering system () and method () are disclosed for forming object groups from input objects (through). The graphics rendering system () comprises an number of detection schemes (to), a managing module () and a rendering module (). Each detection scheme (to) has a priority and an associated object group type, and is operative to detect whether an object forms part of an object group of the associated object group type. The managing module () passes data describing a received input object to at least one of the detection schemes (to), and receives notification from the detection scheme(s) whether the object forms part of the object group(s). The managing module () then determines whether one or more of the object groups are completely formed, where at least partly formed object groups form a list. A completely formed object group is passed by the managing module () to the rendering module () for rendering based on the priorities of the detection schemes associated with the object group types of the object groups in the set. The above avoids the need for complex inter-detection scheme communication through the management of graphic objects, detection schemes and their priorities.

Growing community of inventors

North Ryde, Australia

Ian Richard Beaumont