First and second pattern data constituting cursor pattern data are stored separately in banks (101a, 101b). A cursor memory body (101) simultaneously outputs the first and second pattern data from the banks (101a, 101b). Therefore, a read circuit (102) can simultaneously output the first and second pattern data through a port (P2) with a simple control. With this configuration, an easy-controllable cursor memory can be provided.
A method is provided for use on an OSD-based (On-Screen Display) video display system, such as a VCD system, a super VCD system, or a DVD system, for the purpose of enhancing the resolution of cursor movement on the display screen of the video 5 display system. This method can help achieve the cursor movement resolution enhancement simply through software modifications without having to modify or add extra hardware to the existing video display system. By this method, the OSD blocks are partitioned into an array of subblocks, one subblock representing one resolution unit for the cursor movement. A number of predesigned sets of fragmented cursor patterns are provided and prestored in the display memory of the video display system. A corresponding set of fragmented cursor patterns can be retrieved for display in specified OSD blocks in response to a particular movement of the cursor over the display screen. When being displayed, these fragmented cursor patterns can be visually combined to appear as a full cursor pattern.
When a CPU of a computer in which a cursor display apparatus is incorporated reads out the position of a cursor in a display which is input through an input operation unit, determination is made whether the read out cursor position is inside or outside a stereoscopic image display region of the display. When the read cursor position is within the stereoscopic image display region, bit map image data for two cursors is displayed according to the read cursor position. When the read cursor position is outside the stereoscopic image display region, one cursor is displayed by the OS of the computer according to the read cursor position. Therefore, in a display including a stereoscopic image display region and a plane image display region, a cursor can be displayed in a manner switched between a stereoscopic image and a plane image according to the display region.
