IP Library Granted Patent US 8,111,945
Granted Patent B2
US 8,111,945 · App. 12/179,792 · Granted Feb 7, 2012

System and method for providing a blended picture

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,111,945
App. No.
12/179,792
Granted
Feb 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method, a system and a computer program product for generating a blended picture, the system includes: a storage unit, adapted to store pixels of a first picture, pixels of a second picture and alpha data; and a device, coupled to the storage unit via at least one data channel; wherein the device includes: a relevancy determination module, that is adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of at least one of the first picture and the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture; wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture; an access controller, coupled to the relevancy determination module, adapted to prevent a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit; and a blending unit that is coupled to the access controller, adapted to provide a blended picture in response to values of the alpha data, by blending relevant pixels of the first and second picture.

Claims (42)

1. A system for generating a blended picture, the system comprises:

a storage unit adapted to store pixels of a first picture, pixels of a second picture, and alpha data; and

a device coupled to the storage unit via at least one data channel, wherein the device comprises:

a relevancy determination module adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of at least one of the first picture and the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture, wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture;

an access controller coupled to the relevancy determination module, the access controller adapted to prevent a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit; and

a blending unit coupled to the access controller, the blending unit adapted to provide a blended picture in response to values of the alpha data by blending relevant pixels of the first and second picture.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the relevancy determination module determines that a pixel of the first picture is irrelevant if a value of alpha data associated with the pixel indicates that the pixel is transparent.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the relevancy determination module is adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with corresponding pixels of the first picture.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the device further comprises:

an interleaving unit coupled to the blending unit, the interleaving unit adapted to:

interleave relevant pixels of the first picture and associated alpha data to generate interleaved information; and

provide the interleaved information and pixels of the second picture to the blending unit.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an alpha queue adapted to store the alpha data.

6. A method for generating a blended picture, the method comprising:

determining a relevancy of pixels of at least one of a first picture and a second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture, wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture;

transferring relevant pixels from a storage unit to a device that comprises a blending unit, and preventing a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit to the device; and

providing a blended picture, by the blending unit and in response to values of the alpha data, by blending relevant pixels of the first picture and relevant pixels of the second picture.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising determining that a pixel of the first picture is irrelevant if a value of alpha data associated with it indicates that the pixel of the first picture is transparent.

8. The method according to claim 6 further comprising:

interleaving relevant pixels of the first picture and associated alpha data to generate interleaved information; and

providing the interleaved information and pixels of the second picture to the blending unit.

9. The method according to claim 6 further comprising determining a relevancy of pixels of the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with corresponding pixels of the first picture.

10. The method according to claim 6 further comprising storing alpha data at an alpha queue of the device.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising instructions to manipulate a processor system to:

determine a relevancy of pixels of at least one of a first picture and a second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with the pixels of the first picture, wherein the alpha data represents a degree of transparency of the pixels of the first picture to be overlaid over the second picture;

transfer relevant pixels from a storage unit to a device that comprises a blending unit and preventing a transfer of irrelevant pixels from the storage unit to the device; and

provide a blended picture, by the blending unit and in response to values of the alpha data, by blending relevant pixels of the first picture and relevant pixels of the second picture.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the set of instructions further comprises instructions to determine that a pixel of the first picture is irrelevant if a value of alpha data associated with the pixel indicates that the pixel is transparent.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the set of instructions further comprises instruction to:

interleave relevant pixels of the first picture and associated alpha data to generate interleaved information; and

provide the interleaved information and pixels of the second picture to the blending unit.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the set of instructions further comprises instructions to determine a relevancy of pixels of the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with corresponding pixels of the first picture.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the set of instructions further comprises instructions to store alpha data at an alpha queue of the device.

16. The system according to claim 2 wherein the relevancy determination module is adapted to determine a relevancy of pixels of the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with corresponding pixels of the first picture.

17. The system according to claim 2 wherein the device further comprises an interleaving unit coupled to the blending unit, the interleaving unit adapted to:

interleave relevant pixels of the first picture and associated alpha data to generate interleaved information; and

provide the interleaved information and pixels of the second picture to the blending unit.

18. The system according to claim 2 further comprising an alpha queue adapted to store the alpha data.

19. The method according to claim 7 further comprising:

interleaving relevant pixels of the first picture and associated alpha data to generate interleaved information; and

providing the interleaved information and pixels of the second picture to the blending unit.

20. The method according to claim 7 further comprising determining a relevancy of pixels of the second picture based upon values of alpha data associated with corresponding pixels of the first picture.

Assignments (22)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040632 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Sep 21, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 044209/0047 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040632/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037354/0757 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0553 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024397/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024085/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2010
From: KEHAT, ROY; BARNEA, ERAN; PELC, OSKAR; SEGEV, EYAL
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 024012/0621 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 9, 2008
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021936/0772 →