The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2000
Reed P. Tidwell, Centerville, UT (US);
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Abstract
A method for using the alpha channel to generate screen space effects in a high fidelity, real time, computer graphics simulation system. The first step is providing a rendering engine with an alpha processing channel, a frame buffer that includes an alpha memory, and a post processor. Next, screen effect data is processed through the alpha channel. The third step is storing screen effect data in the alpha buffer memory. Then the screen effect data is applied to the frame buffer color data using the post processor. The primary screen effects that are desired to be generated through the alpha channel are double buffered overlays, accurate night scene rendering and edge blending attenuation at channel boundaries. Night scene rendering features include range attenuated slewable own-ship light lobes, non-attenuation of point lights and luminous polygons, and ambient lighting.