Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation

Other

Michael D Drews

Michael A Cosman

Gary S Watkins

An adaptive pixel multisampler generates pixel data for display by using sub-pixel areas to more broadly define the space of a pixel. A sub-pixel area is defined as having a 'hole' within it that is occupied by a portion of each of the adjacent sub-pixel areas. This means that while the sub-pixel areas interlock, they do not overlap which would be wasteful of memory space. Accordingly, a pixel is newly defined as extending over a larger area than a standard contiguous pixel definition of the prior art allows. The larger pixel thus provides a wider sampler area which is then used as a means for generating a higher quality anti-aliased image on the display.

Computer graphics system with adaptive pixel multisampler

A system and method improves pixel update performance in computer graphics systems. Pixel sample coverage masks and data record memory locations are assigned to each pixel. The data record memory locations store pixel sample data for one or more pixel samples. A coverage mask is associated with each data record and contains mask bits which identify the pixel samples that are assigned the data contained in the data record memory location. In another embodiment, the pixels are also assigned versions which are compared with a current version. In response to the version comparison, predefined alternate pixel data or pixel data stored in a frame buffer is blended with new pixel data. The blended pixel data is written to the frame buffer from which it is retrieved and displayed by a display device. In another embodiment, pixel data memory is dynamically allocated to reduce the dedicated memory requirements while still providing high quality images.

System and method for improving pixel update performance

An adaptive pixel multisampler generates pixel data for display using an interlocking sub-pixel sampling pattern and a frame buffer organized as a per-polygon, per-pixel heap. The interlocking sampling pattern provides the advantages of a multi-pixel shaped filter without pixel-to-pixel cross communication and without additional sub-pixels. The per-polygon, per-pixel heap allocates frame buffer memory so that each pixel will have one set of data stored in the frame buffer for every polygon that influences that pixel. This memory allocation scheme can significantly reduce frame buffer memory requirements. The polygon data is blended to properly handle processing of transparent polygons and polygon edges without the degradation of image quality found in conventional computer graphics systems.

Image data is generated and stored for prioritized image levels of a composite graphics display along with certain control and blending data. To composite data levels for a display, individual picture elements (pixels) are generated in accordance with level priority, control signal indications of enablement, control signal indications of color and alpha control signals (object position and transparency). Accordingly, object data from plural levels is selected or blended on a pixel-by-pixel basis to accomplish a desired composite display.

Growing community of inventors

Sandy, UT, United States of America

Michael D Drews