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:
Jul. 21, 2009
Filed:
Jul. 16, 2002
Michele B. Boland, Seattle, WA (US);
Charles N. Boyd, Woodinville, WA (US);
Anantha R. Kancherla, Redmond, WA (US);
Michele B. Boland, Seattle, WA (US);
Charles N. Boyd, Woodinville, WA (US);
Anantha R. Kancherla, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for utilizing intermediate target(s) in connection with computer graphics in a computer system are provided. In various embodiments, intermediate memory buffers in video memory are provided and utilized to allow serialized programs from graphics APIs to support algorithms that exceed the instruction limits of procedural shaders for single programs. The intermediate buffers may also allow sharing of data between programs for other purposes as well, and are atomically accessible. The size of the buffers, i.e., the amount of data stored in the intermediate targets, can be variably set for a varying amount of resolution with respect to the graphics data. In this regard, a single program generates intermediate data, which can then be used, and re-used, by an extension of the same program and/or any number of other programs any number of times as may be desired, enabling considerable flexibility and complexity of shading programs, while maintaining the speed of modem graphics chips.