Don Peterson

Title: Don Peterson - Innovator in 3-D Graphics Acceleration

Introduction

Don Peterson is a notable inventor based in Elk Grove, CA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of graphics technology, particularly in the development of 3-D graphics accelerators. His innovative work has led to the creation of a patent that enhances the performance of lighting operations in graphics rendering.

Latest Patents

Don Peterson holds a patent for a "Graphics accelerator with shift count generation for handling potential." This invention focuses on a 3-D graphics accelerator designed to perform lighting operations using operands within a specified fixed point numeric range. The technology includes a first computational unit that computes an attenuation factor for local lights, represented in floating point format. This unit also converts the attenuation factor into an intermediate format, which includes a scaled attenuation factor value and a shift count for reverting to the original value. The accompanying lighting unit performs calculations in fixed point, generating intermediate color values and final color values while ensuring they do not exceed predetermined maximum limits.

Career Highlights

Don Peterson has worked at Sun Microsystems, Inc., where he has been instrumental in advancing graphics technology. His expertise in computational units and lighting operations has positioned him as a key player in the development of efficient graphics processing solutions.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Don has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Scott R. Nelson and Wayne A. Morse. These partnerships have contributed to the successful development and implementation of innovative graphics technologies.

Conclusion

Don Peterson's contributions to the field of 3-D graphics acceleration exemplify the impact of innovation in technology. His patent reflects a significant advancement in lighting operations, showcasing his expertise and dedication to enhancing graphics performance.