Ati International Srl

Kevin M Olson

Mark Fowler

Stephen L Morein

Andi Skende

The optimized primitive filler is used in a computer system, such as a computer system that displays graphic images. A first step of the method it is determined if a primitive is totally outside a predetermined screen region or at least partially within the predetermined screen region. The primitive is then discarded if the primitive is totally outside the screen region. If the primitive is not totally outside the screen region, at least a portion of the primitive is identified that lies within the screen region. Then only those pixels in the portion of the primitive that is inside the screen region are filled. These steps are executed for each primitive of a plurality of primitives that forms a scene of which the screen region is the portion that the computer system displays. No pixels are filled in primitives which are totally outside the screen region, and no pixels are filled in portions of primitives that are outside the screen region. The optimized primitive filler and its associated method provide a fast and efficient rasterization of primitives.

Optimized primitive filler

A system for traversing and rendering a graphic primitive, comprising a setup engine that outputs representative values of a graphic primitive; and a raster engine that receives the representative values of the graphic primitive and forms therefrom representative pixels, the raster engine having at least a scan module that scans only pixels within the graphic primitive and assigns data values to each of the pixels and a look-ahead module that identifies pixels that are inside of the primitive.

Method and apparatus for high speed block mode triangle rendering

A method and apparatus for processing portions of primitives that are being rendered is presented. Primitives that are received are divided into portions that correspond to pixel blocks of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of pixel blocks where each of the pixel blocks includes a plurality of pixels that are included in the frame. Thus, the pixel blocks divide the frame into a number of smaller blocks. A representative Z value for each portion of the primitive is determined, and the representative Z value for the portion of the primitive is compared with a representative buffered Z, which may be the representative buffer Z value for the pixel block to which the portion corresponds. If the representative Z value for the portion compares favorably with the representative buffered Z value such that the portion is determined to lie completely behind the information currently stored for that pixel block, the portion is discarded. If the representative Z value for the portion compares with the representative buffer Z value in such a way that not all of the portion is ensured of being positioned behind currently buffered data for the pixel block, the portion of the primitive is processed further such that pixel fragments corresponding to the portion are generated and combined with the information currently stored for that pixel block. The representative buffered Z values for each of the pixel blocks may be derived based on a compression scheme applied to the Z values for each of the individual pixel blocks.

Growing community of inventors

Marlborough, MA, United States of America

Kevin M Olson