S3 Graphics Co., Ltd.

S3 Incorporated, Inc.

Daniel Hung

Roger Swanson

Eric Young

Konstantine I Iourcha

John W Brothers

Andrea Nguyen

Samuel C Wang

Hian Tiat Kwa

Graphic processor compares z-buffer values of 3D objects to detect and mark interpenetrating pixels. Tag buffer stores marked values for antialiasing effectively by over-sampling, area-based, blending, alpha edge or other pixel-processing scheme. Performance is improved by selectively antialiasing at edges and/or interpenetrations. Cost is reduced by leveraging z-buffer storage therefor. Super-sampling antialiasing reduces sampling of select interpenetration elements, thereby avoiding processing entire image.

z-buffer based interpenetrating object detection for antialiasing

Graphic processor compares z-buffer values of 3D objects to detect and mark interpenetrating pixels. Tag buffer stores marked values for antialiazing effectively by over-sampling, area-based, blending, alpha edge or other pixel-processing scheme. Performance is improved by selectively antialiazing at edges and/or interpenetrations. Cost is reduced by leveraging z-buffer storage therefor. Super-sampling antialiazing reduces sampling of select interpenetration elements, thereby avoiding processing entire image.

Z-buffer based interpenetrating object detection for antialiazing

A method and apparatus for converting an N-bit resolution input to an M-bit resolution output is provided. Upon receiving an original input having an N-bit input sequence, the method and apparatus generates an (N&plus;M)-bit sequence by repeating the N-bit input sequence in the original input. A new M-bit sequence is generated by taking M Most Significant Bits from the (N&plus;M)-bit sequence, and a new N-bit sequence is formed by taking N Most Least Significant Bits from the (N&plus;M)-bit sequence. The M-bit resolution output is then formed by adjusting the new M-bit sequence based on the difference between the new N-bit sequence and the N-bit input sequence.

Fast and cheap correct resolution conversion for digital numbers

Apparatus and method for Z-buffer compression

A method of providing specular highlights to 3D graphics using Phong illumination calculations spaces the pixels subject to the calculations apart in direct relationship to the number of lights contributing to the highlights. Linear, quadratic, or cubic attenuation is then applied to interpolate the values for the pixels not subject to the calculations.

Method and apparatus for interpolative, adaptive illumination in 3D graphics

A system for adding or subtracting numbers in signed floating point notation performs exponent and mantissa handling operations in parallel. The system includes a comparator, for determining a greater-magnitude and a lesser magnitude floating point number, operating in parallel with a selector for performing a one's complement and single-bit shift on a mantissa portion of the lesser-magnitude floating point number. The system further includes a remaining shift circuit, for determining an additional amount by which the lesser-magnitude mantissa portion should be shifted; and a shifter. The system also includes an absolute add circuit, for determining whether an absolute addition or an absolute subtraction is to be performed, and a single-bit shift circuit, for indicating whether a shift of at least one bit is required.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Daniel Hung